Bioaccumulation and physiological effects of copepods sp. (Eucyclop sp.) fed Chlorella ellipsoides exposed to titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and lead (Pb2+)

•Bioaccumulation and physiological studied of copepods sp. fed Chlorella ellipsoides exposed to TiO2 NPs and Pb2+.•Individual and binary mixture showed accumulation from alga to copepods.•Ingestion and filtration rate showed additive decrease of binary compounds.•Biochemical markers such as Carbohydrate, total lipid, GPx, GR and CAT were significantly increase in the binary mixture.•Binary mixture played an additive effect on the biomarkers compared to individual compounds. The demand for manufactured products and the derivatives of nanomaterials and non essential metals continue to increase, and as a consequence their presence in fisheries and aquaculture has therefore become a major concern for the risks to which our environment is exposed. The bioaccumulation profile of binary compounds (Titanium dioxide nanoparticles and lead) and their effects on the feeding behaviour of copepods were assessed in a simplified food chain including, the freshwater alga Chlorella ellipsoides and the cyclopoids copepods sp. Our results indicated that Pb and TiO2 NPs individually and mixed can be transferred from alga to copepods via dietary pathway. The highest bioconcentration factor (748.5) was recorded for Pb in the combined compounds (Pb15 + Ti16.5) μg L−1 and the highest BCF (5.57) recorded for TiO2 NPs was found in TiO2 NPs (16.5) alone. Ingestion and filtration rate decreased significantly (p