Palladium Nanoparticles: Is There a Risk for Aquatic Ecosystems?
Nano-sized palladium (nano-Pd) is used in catalytic converters of automobiles, where it can be released into the environment by abrasion. Although these particles may subsequently be transported into surface water bodies, no data estimating their fate and toxicity in aquatic systems exists. This study characterized the particle size development of nano-Pd (advertised size ~12 nm; hydrodynamic size ~70 nm) in media with variable ionic strength (IS). Additionally, the particles' acute toxicity for daphnids and chironomids was assessed. While nano-Pd agglomerated more quickly with increasing IS, it caused only marginal effects in both test species after 96 h of exposure. After 144 h of exposure, however, an EC50 value of 1.23 mg nano-Pd/L for daphnids was determined indicating effects over the long run. When considering the relatively low environmental concentration of elemental Pd in surface waters (usually ng/L), though, this study suggests only a low aquatic risk in response to nano-Pd.
Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany. luederwald@uni-landau.de.
Simon
S
Lüderwald
Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany.|nEcoTox Consult, Schifferstadt, Germany.
Frank
F
Seitz
Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Biocenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden.
Gulaim A
GA
Seisenbaeva
Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Biocenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden.
Vadim G
VG
Kessler
Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany.
Ralf
R
Schulz
Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany.|Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden.
Mirco
M
Bundschuh
D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D010165:Palladium / Q000633:toxicity*; D010316:Particle Size; D012306:Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment
D010165:Palladium
Aquatic risk; Benthic invertebrates; Nanomaterial; Palladium; Pelagic species