Impact of sulfidation on the bioavailability and toxicity of silver nanoparticles to Caenorhabditis elegans. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Starnes, Daniel L.; Unrine, Jason M.; Starnes, Catherine P.; Collin, Blanche E.; Oostveen, Emily K.; Ma, Rui; Lowry, Gregory V.; Bertsch, Paul M.; Tsyusko, Olga V.
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 196(2015)
• Page Start: 239
• Page End: 246
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Soil -- Transformation -- Wastewater treatment -- Nanotechnology -- Bioaccumulation; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.10.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Sulfidation is a major transformation product for manufactured silver nanoparticles (Ag-MNPs) in the wastewater treatment process. We studied the dissolution, uptake, and toxicity of Ag-MNP and sulfidized Ag-MNPs (sAg-MNPs) to a model soil organism, Caenorhabditis elegans . Our results show that reproduction was the most sensitive endpoint tested for both Ag-MNPs and sAg-MNPs. We also demonstrate that sulfidation not only decreases solubility of Ag-MNP, but also reduces the bioavailability of intact sAg-MNP. The relative contribution of released Ag + compared to intact particles to toxicity was concentration dependent. At lower total Ag concentration, a greater proportion of the toxicity could be explained by dissolved Ag, whereas at higher total Ag concentration, the toxicity appeared to be dominated by particle specific effects. Highlights: Effects from the release of Ag ions only dominate toxicity at low Ag concentrations. Sulfidation of Ag nanoparticles decreased toxicity for all endpoints examined. Reproduction was found to be the most sensitive endpoint. Less Ag accumulated in Caenorhabditis elegans tissue from sulfidized Ag nanoparticles. Abstract : Sulfidation of silver nanoparticles decreases their dissolution and the associated bioavailability and toxicity to Caenorhabditis elegans .