Effects of natural water chemistry on nanosilver behavior and toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata.
The success of nanotechnology will undoubtedly lead to the increased introduction of nanoparticles (NPs) into natural systems, and aquatic systems will likely act as sinks for these new pollutants. Differences in the chemistry of these aquatic systems will control changes in surface properties of NPs and therefore could impact their environmental fate and toxicity. A series of batch experiments was conducted to determine the effect of natural waters with different solution chemistries on nanosilver (nAg) particle dispersion, stability, and toxicity. Toxicity assays were performed in tested natural waters as well as in traditional growth media. Briefly, nAg suspended in a natural water with a low ionic strength/dissolved organic carbon (DOC) ratio had an average particle size of 76.8 ± 0.4 nm and was less toxic to Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (median lethal concentration [LC50] = 221 ppb and median inhibition concentration [IC50] = 1,600 ppb, respectively), whereas a natural water with a high ionic strength/DOC ratio had an average particle size of 192 ± 5.1 nm and produced a much higher toxicity response (LC50 = 0.433 ppb and IC50 = 22.6 ppb, respectively). These findings help to establish needed correlations between water-matrix-dependent nAg particle properties and toxicity implications and indicate that the use of traditional growth media in toxicity assays concerning engineered NPs might not always be appropriate.
Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Julianne
J
McLaughlin
Jean-Claude J
JC
Bonzongo
D000818:Animals; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000187:drug effects*; D033361:Cladocera / Q000187:drug effects*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010316:Particle Size; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*
D012996:Solutions; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D012834:Silver