title: Effect of silver nanoparticles on marine organisms belonging to different trophic levels.
abstract: Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are increasingly used in a wide range of consumer products and such an extensive use raises questions about their safety and environmental toxicity. We investigated the potential toxicity of Ag-NPs in the marine ecosystem by analyzing the effects on several organisms belonging to different trophic levels. Algae (Dunaliella tertiolecta, Skeletonema costatum), cnidaria (Aurelia aurita jellyfish), crustaceans (Amphibalanus amphitrite and Artemia salina) and echinoderms (Paracentrotus lividus) were exposed to Ag-NPs and different end-points were evaluated: algal growth, ephyra jellyfish immobilization and frequency of pulsations, crustaceans mortality and swimming behavior, and sea urchin sperm motility. Results showed that all the end-points were able to underline a dose-dependent effect. Jellyfish were the most sensitive species, followed by barnacles, sea urchins, green algae, diatoms and brine shrimps. In conclusion, Ag-NPs exposure can influence different trophic levels within the marine ecosystem.
authors.affiliation: CNR - ISMAR, Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy. Electronic address: chiara.gambardella@ge.ismar.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gambardella
authors.affiliation: CNR - ISMAR, Arsenale - Tesa 104, Castello 2737/F, 30122 Venezia, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: CNR - ISMAR, Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Piazza
authors.affiliation: CNR - ISMAR, Via Pola 4, Lesina, 71010 Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Adele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fabbrocini
authors.affiliation: DCCI, University of Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Magi
authors.affiliation: CNR - ISMAR, Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faimali
authors.affiliation: CNR - ISMAR, Arsenale - Tesa 104, Castello 2737/F, 30122 Venezia, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garaventa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020387:Food Chain; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000187:drug effects*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D058086:Microalgae / Q000187:drug effects*; D012834:Silver / Q000633:toxicity*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D012834:Silver
keywords: Ag; Bioassay; Crustaceans; Jellyfish; Microalgae; Nanoparticles; Sea urchin; Toxicity