Climate Change Considerations

This chapter discusses Climate Change Considerations. While several studies have explored the implications of climate change on various aspects of aquatic ecosystems, there is a notable gap in research regarding the kinetics of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) under simulated climate change conditions. Climate change is notably marked by rising global temperatures, and these temperature shifts can have profound effects on aquatic environments and the toxicity of emerging contaminants, including nanoparticles. The impact of rising temperatures on nanoparticles in aquatic ecosystems is complex, leading to reduced toxicity for plants and algae due to aggregation but, on the other hand, increased toxicity for microorganisms and aquatic animals because of altered chemical dynamics and the formation of protein coronas. These contrasting findings and the observed knowledge gap regarding TiO2 NPs under simulated climate change conditions underscores the need for further research to comprehensively understand how rising temperatures may affect the fate and toxicity of these nanoparticles in aquatic ecosystems.