The effects of monovalent and divalent cations on the stability of silver nanoparticles formed from direct reduction of silver ions by Suwannee River humic acid/natural organic matter

Biogenic Salvia species synthesized silver nanoparticles with catalytic, sensing, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties

Salvia (Lamiaceae family) is used as a brain tonic to improve cognitive function. The species including S. plebeia and S. moorcroftiana are locally used to cure hepatitis, cough, tumours, hemorrhoids, diarrhoea, common cold, flu, and asthma. To the best of authors' knowledge, no previous study has been conducted on synthesis of S. plebeia and S. moorcroftiana silver nanoparticles (SPAgNPs and SMAgNPs). The study was aimed to synthesize AgNPs from the subject species aqueous and ethanol extracts, and assess catalytic potential in degradation of standard and extracted (from yums, candies, and snacks) dyes, nitrophenols, and antibiotics. The study also aimed at AgNPs as probe in sensing metalloids and heavy metal ions including Pb2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Ni2+, and Zn2+. From the results, it was found that Salvia aqueous extract afforded stable AgNPs in 1:9 and 1:15 (quantity of aqueous extract and silver nitrate solution concentration) whereas ethanol extract yielded AgNPs in 1:10 (quantity of ethanol extract and silver nitrate solution concentration) reacted in sunlight. The size of SPAgNPs and SMAgNPs determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were 21.7 nm and 19.9 nm, with spherical, cylindrical, and deep hollow morphology. The synthesized AgNPs demonstrated significant potential as catalyst in dyes; Congo red (85 %), methylene blue (75 %), Rhodamine B (<50 %), nitrophenols; ortho-nitrophenol (95-98 %) and para-nitrophenol (95-98 %), dyes extracted from food samples including yums, candies, and snacks. The antibiotics (amoxicillin, doxycycline, levofloxacin) degraded up to 80 %-95 % degradation. Furthermore, the synthesized AgNPs as probe in sensing of Pb2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+ in Kabul river water, due to agglomeration, caused a significant decrease and bathochromic shift of SPR band (430 nm) when analyzed after 30 min. The Pb2+ ions was comparatively more agglomerated and chelated. Thus, the practical applicability of AgNPs in Pb2+ sensing was significant. Based on the results of this research study, the synthesized AgNPs could provide promising efficiency in wastewater treatment containing organic dyes, antibiotics, and heavy metals.

Further study on particle size, stability, and complexation of silver nanoparticles under the composite effect of bovine serum protein and humic acid

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used due to their unique antibacterial properties and excellent photoelectric properties. Wastewater treatment plants form a pool of AgNPs due to the social cycle of wastewater. During biological treatment processes, the particle size and stability of AgNPs change. We studied the particle size changes and stability of silver nanoparticles in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and humic acid (HA). The experimental results indicated that silver nanoparticles can complex with the functional groups in BSA. For AgNP-BSA composites, as the BSA concentration increases, the size of the silver nanoparticles first decreases and then increases. AgNPs can combine with the amide, amino, and carboxyl groups in HA. As the concentration of HA increases, the particle size and large particle size distribution of AgNPs increase. This increasing trend is more obvious when the HA concentration is lower than 20 mg L-1. When HA and BSA exist at the same time, HA will occupy the adsorption sites of BSA on the surface of AgNPs, and the AgNP-HA complex will dominate the system. This study aims to provide key operational control strategies for the process operation of wastewater treatment plants containing AgNPs and theoretical support for promoting water environment improvement and economic development such as tourism.

Aggregation and stability of selenium nanoparticles: Complex roles of surface coating, electrolytes and natural organic matter

The application of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) as nanofertilizers may lead to the release of SeNPs into aquatic systems. However, the environmental behavior of SeNPs is rarely studied. In this study, using alginate-coated SeNPs (Alg-SeNPs) and polyvinyl alcohol-coated SeNPs (PVA-SeNPs) as models, we systematically investigated the aggregation and stability of SeNPs under various water conditions. PVA-SeNPs were highly stable in mono- and polyvalent electrolytes, probably due to the strong steric hindrance of the capping agent. Alg-SeNPs only suffered from a limited increase in size, even at 2500 mmol/L NaCl and 200 mmol/L MgCl₂, while they underwent apparent aggregation in CaCl₂ and LaCl₃ solutions. The binding of Ca²⁺ and La³⁺ with the guluronic acid part in alginate induced the formation of cross-linking aggregates. Natural organic matter enhanced the stability of Alg-SeNPs in monovalent electrolytes, while accelerated the attachment of Alg-SeNPs in polyvalent electrolytes, due to the cation bridge effects. The long-term stability of SeNPs in natural water showed that the aggregation sizes of Alg-SeNPs and PVA-SeNPs increased to several hundreds of nanometers or above 10 µm after 30 days, implying that SeNPs may be suspended in the water column or further settle down, depending on the surrounding water chemistry. The study may contribute to the deep insight into the fate and mobility of SeNPs in the aquatic environment. The varying fate of SeNPs in different natural waters also suggests that the risks of SeNPs to organisms living in diverse depths in the aquatic compartment should be concerned.

Comparison of bovine serum albumin and chitosan effects on calcium phosphate formation in the presence of silver nanoparticles

The precipitation of calcium phosphates (CaPs) in the presence of more than one type of additive is of interest both from a fundamental point of view and as a possible biomimetic route for the preparation of multicomponent composites in which the activity of the components is preserved. In this study, the effect of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and chitosan (Chi) on the precipitation of CaPs in the presence of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stabilized with sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT-AgNPs), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP-AgNPs), and citrate (cit-AgNPs) was investigated. In the control system, the precipitation of CaPs occurred in two steps. Amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) was the first precipitated solid, which transformed into a mixture of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CaDHA) and a smaller amount of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) after 60 min of ageing. Both biomacromolecules inhibited ACP transformation, with Chi being a stronger inhibitor due to its flexible molecular structure. As the concentration of the biomacromolecules increased, the amount of OCP decreased both in the absence and presence of AgNPs. In the presence of cit-AgNPs and two highest BSA concentrations, a change in the composition of the crystalline phase was observed. Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate was formed in the mixture with CaDHA. An effect on the morphology of both the amorphous and crystalline phases was observed. The effect depended on the specific combination of biomacromolecules and differently stabilized AgNP. The results obtained suggest a simple method for fine-tuning the properties of precipitates using different classes of additives. This could be of interest for the biomimetic preparation of multifunctional composites for bone tissue engineering.

The Aggregation and Dissolution of Citrate-Coated AgNPs in High Ammonia Nitrogen Wastewater and Sludge from UASB-Anammox Reactor

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are released into the sewage pipes and ultimately wastewater treatment plants during manufacturing, use, and end-life disposal. AgNPs in wastewater treatment plants aggregate or dissolve, and may affect the microbial community and subsequent pollutant removal efficiency. This study aims to quantitatively investigate the fate of AgNPs in synthetic high ammonia nitrogen wastewater (SW) and sludge from an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) anammox reactor using a nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Results showed that 18.1 mM NH4+, 2.11 mM Mg2+ in SW caused less negative zeta potential (ζ-potential, -18.4 vs. -37.4 mV), aggregation (388.8 vs. 21.5 nm), and settlement (80%) of citrate-coated AgNPs (cit-AgNPs) in 220 min. The presence of 18.5 mM Cl- in SW formed AgCl2-, AgCl(aq) and eventually promoted the dissolution (9.3%) of cit-AgNPs. Further exposure of SW-diluted AgNPs to sludge (42 mg L-1 humic acid) and induced a more negative ζ-potential (-22.2 vs. -18.4 mV) and smaller aggregates (313.4 vs. 388.8 nm) due to the steric and hindrance effect. The promoted Ag dissolution (34.4% vs. 9.3%) was also observed after the addition of sludge and the possible reason may be the production of Ag(NH3)2+ by the coexistence of HA from sludge and NH4+ from SW. These findings on the fate of AgNPs can be used to explain why AgNPs had limited effects on the sludge-retained bacteria which are responsible for the anammox process.

Behavior of Silver Nanoparticles in Chlorinated Lettuce Wash Water

ABSTRACT

Use of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in pesticides may lead to residual levels in food crops, thus raising food safety and environmental concerns. Because little is known about Ag NP behavior in wash water during typical commercial washing of fresh produce, this study assessed the temporal changes in Ag NP behavior when exposed to 2 to 100 mg/L free chlorine (Cl2) in simulated lettuce wash water for up to 10 days. Aggregate size and zeta potential of Ag NPs (5 mg/L) were evaluated in the presence and absence of dissolved lettuce extract (DLE, 0.1%), with Ag NPs in deionized water serving as the control treatment. In the presence of chlorine, greater aggregation of Ag NPs occurred over time (49 to 431 nm) compared with the control treatment (P < 0.05). Lower zeta potentials (-39 to -95 mV) were observed in the chlorine-only treatments, likely due to the formation of AgCl particles. Larger aggregates and lower zeta potentials were also observed in DLE (84 to 273 nm and -28 to -32 mV, respectively), as compared with the control treatment. After 7 to 10 days, larger aggregates were seen in the chlorine-only treatments as compared with the DLE treatments, despite lower zeta potentials, probably facilitated by nucleation and crystal growth of AgCl. Transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy confirmed the formation of AgCl-Ag NP composite particles with chlorine and the embedding of AgCl and Ag NPs in the DLE matrix. Thus, DLE might stabilize and protect Ag NPs from chlorine. These findings indicate that chlorine and plant-released organic material can substantially change the behavior of Ag NPs, which may, in turn, impact both removal from fresh-cut produce during washing and their environmental fate.

HIGHLIGHTS

A comprehensive estimate of the aggregation and transport of nSiO2 in static and dynamic aqueous systems

Silicon dioxide nanoparticles (nSiO₂) are extensively used in diverse fields and are inevitably released into the natural environment. Their overall aggregation behaviour in the environmental matrix can determine their fate and ecotoxicological effect on terrestrial and aquatic life. The current study systematically evaluates multiple parameters that can influence the stability of colloidal nSiO₂ (47 nm) in the natural aquatic environment. At first, the influence of several hydrochemical parameters such as pH (5, 7, and 9), ionic strength (IS) (10, 50, and 100 mM), and humic acid (HA) (0.1, 1, and 10 mg L^-1) was examined to understand the overall aggregation process of nSiO₂. Furthermore, the synergistic and antagonistic effects of ionic strength and humic acid on the transport of nSiO₂ in the aqueous environment were examined. Our experimental findings indicate that pH, ionic strength, and humic acid all had a profound influence on the sedimentation process of nSiO₂. The experimental observations were corroborated by calculating the DLVO interaction energy profile, which was shown to be congruent with the transport patterns. The present study also highlights the influence of high and low shear forces on the sedimentation process of nSiO₂ in the aqueous medium. The presence of shear force altered the collision efficiency and other interactive forces between the nanoparticles in the colloidal suspension. Under the experimental stirring conditions, a higher abundance of dispersed nSiO₂ in the upper layer of the aqueous medium was noted. Additionally, the transport behaviour of nSiO₂ was studied in a variety of natural water systems, including rivers, lakes, ground, and tap water. The study significantly contributes to our understanding of the different physical, chemical, and environmental aspects that can critically impact the sedimentation and spatial distribution of nSiO₂ in static and dynamic aquatic ecosystems.

Low Concentrations of Silver Nanoparticles Inhibit Spore Germination and Disturb Gender Differentiation of Ceratopteris thalictroides (L.) Brongn

Because of their excellent antibacterial properties, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in all walks of life, which has caused them to be discharged into aquatic environments with possible negative effects on aquatic plants. In the present study, we used an aquatic fern, Ceratopteris thalictroides, as a model to investigate the effects of AgNPs on its spore germination, gametophytes, sex differentiation, and growth. The results demonstrated that AgNPs significantly inhibited spore germination of C. thalictroides at a AgNP concentration higher than 0.02 mg/L. Additionally, we found sex-dependent effects of AgNPs on the development and growth of the gametophyte of C. thalictroides. The proportion of hermaphrodites in the gametophytes and the area of gametophytes significantly decreased under AgNP treatment, while no significant effect was observed in the male gametophytes. Using the AgNP filtrate (without nanoparticles) and AgNPs plus cysteine (Ag⁺ chelator), we found that the release of Ag⁺ from nanoparticles was not the cause of the toxicity of AgNPs on C. thalictroides. The EC₅₀ of AgNPs on spore germination was 0.0492 mg/L, thus indicating an ecological risk of AgNPs on this species even at concentrations lower than the Ag element concentration of the WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality.

Colloidal stability and aggregation kinetics of nanocrystal CdSe/ZnS quantum dots in aqueous systems: Effects of ionic strength, electrolyte type, and natural organic matter

Understanding the stability and aggregation of nanoparticles in aqueous milieu is critical for assessing their behavior in the natural and engineered environmental systems and establishing their threat to human and ecosystems health. In this study, the colloidal stability and aggregation kinetics of nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) —CdSe/ZnS QDs—were thoroughly explored under a wide range of aqueous environmental conditions. The z-average hydrodynamic diameters (z-avg. HDs) and zeta potential (ξ potential) of CdSe/ZnS QDs were measured in monovalent electrolyte (NaCl) and divalent electrolyte (CaCl2) solutions in both the absence and presence of natural organic matter (NOM)—Suwannee River natural organic matter, SRNOM to assess the dynamic growth of these nanoaggregate-QD-complexes, and the evaluation of their colloidal stability. Results show that CaCl2 was more effective to destabilize the QDs compared to NaCl at similar concentrations. An increase in NaCl concentration from 0.01 to 3.5 M increased the z-avg. HD of QD aggregates from 61.4 nm to 107.2 nm. The aggregation rates of QDs increased from 0.007 to 0.042 nm·s−1 with an increase in ionic strength from 0.5 to 3.5 M NaCl solutions, respectively. In the presence of Na+ cations, the aggregation of QDs was limited as steric forces generated by the original surface coating of QDs prevailed. In the presence of CaCl2, the aggregation of QDs was observed at a low concentration of CaCl2 (0.0001 M) with a z-avg. HD of 74.2 nm that significantly increased when the CaCl2 was higher than 0.002 M. Larger sizes of QD aggregates were observed at each level of CaCl2 concentration in suspensions of 0.002–0.1 M, as the z-avg. HDs of QDs increased from 125.1 to 560.4 nm, respectively. In the case of CaCl2, an increase in aggregation rates occurred from 0.035 to 0.865 nm·s−1 with an increase in ionic strength from 0.0001 M to 0.004 M, respectively. With Ca2+ cations, the aggregation of QDs was enhanced due to the bridging effects from the formation of complexes between Ca2+ cations in solution and the carboxyl group located on the surface coating of QDs. In the presence of SRNOM, the aggregation of QDs was enhanced in both monovalent and divalent electrolyte solutions. The degree of aggregation formation between QDs through cation-NOM bridges was superior for Ca2+ cations compared to Na+ cations. The presence of SRNOM resulted in a small increase in the size of the QD aggregates for each of NaCl concentrations tested (i.e., 0.01 to 3.5 M, except 0.1 M), and induced a monodispersed and narrower size distribution of QDs suspended in the monovalent electrolyte NaCl concentrations. In the presence of SRNOM, the aggregation rates of QDs increased from 0.01 to 0.024 nm 1 with the increase of NaCl concentrations from 0.01 to 2 M, respectively. The presence of SRNOM in QDs suspended in divalent electrolyte CaCl2 solutions enhanced the aggregation of QDs, resulting in the increase of z-avg. HDs of QDs by approximately 19.3%, 42.1%, 13.8%, 1.5%, and 24.8%, at CaCl2 concentrations of 0.002, 0.003, 0.005, 0.01, and 0.1 M, respectively. In the case of CaCl2, an increase in aggregation rates occurred from 0.035 to 0.865 nm·s−1 with an increase in ionic strength from 0.0001 to 0.004 M, respectively. Our findings demonstrated the colloidal stability of QDs and cations-NOM-QD nanoparticle complexes under a broad spectrum of conditions encountered in the natural and engineered environment, indicating and the potential risks from these nanoparticles in terms of human and ecosystem health.

Enhanced adsorption of humic/fulvic acids onto urea-derived graphitic carbon nitride

Since humic substances (HSs) can cause environmental problems, their elimination has been attracting more and more concerns. In this study, we investigated HSs adsorption onto urea-derived graphitic carbon nitride (CNU) and elucidated adsorption mechanisms (i.e. heterogeneity, interface rearrangement, and multiple interactions). The adsorption capacity of CNUs was enhanced as increasing calcination temperature and time. Among CNUs, CNU-575-3 showed the highest adsorption capacity; the maximum adsorption capacities for humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) were 164.06 mg C/g, 14.61 L/cm·g, 91.12 mg C/g, and 5.34 L/cm·g, respectively. The adsorption affinity of CNUs mainly correlated with the amount of amino groups, and that of HSs components was dependent on aromaticity due to π-π interactions. More specifically, terrestrial humic-like and fulvic-like components within HA and FA showed the greatest adsorption affinity, respectively. HSs adsorption was remarkably affected by pH, alkali metals, and alkali earth metals via electrostatic interactions, H-bonding, cation bridge, and configurational effect. In addition, the adsorption of Elliott soil HA (ESHA) and the landfill leachate concentrate by CNUs was also highly efficient. This study shows the great promise of CNUs for HSs adsorption in waters and wastewaters.

Influences of petroleum hydrocarbon pyrene on the formation, stability and antibacterial activity of natural Au nanoparticles

The effect of pyrene on the formation of naturally Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the presence of humic acid (HA) under UV irradiation is described. TEM, EDS, FTIR and XPS were carried out to prove the formation of AuNPs and display their morphologies and formation mechanism. There are little differences between size, morphology and function groups of surface coated materials of AuNPs formed with and without pyrene. With the presence of HA, pyrene showed an inhibiting effect on the reduction of Au ion via competition for O₂^•-, thereby decreasing the production of AuNPs. However, AuNPs formed by HA-pyrene showed higher stability than AuNPs formed by HA with the sedimentation rates of 4.13% and 13.68% respectively after 30-d standing. As for the antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, AuNPs formed by HA-pyrene were more toxic than AuNPs formed by HA. Meanwhile, changes of environmental factors such as temperature, pH and ionic strength exhibited similar influence trend on the formation of AuNPs in the presence and absence of pyrene. The results suggest that the typical petroleum hydrocarbon pyrene contained in spilled oil could influence the formation, fate and ecotoxicity of AuNPs.

Behavior of engineered nanoparticles in aquatic environmental samples: Current status and challenges

The increasing use of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in consumer products has led to their increased presence in natural water systems. Here, we present a critical overview of the studies that analyzed the fate and transport behavior of ENPs using real environmental samples. We focused on cerium dioxide, titanium dioxide, silver, carbon nanotubes, and zinc oxide, the widely used ENPs in consumer products. Under field scale settings, the transformation rates of ENPs and subsequently their physicochemical properties (e.g., toxicity and bioavailability) are primarily influenced by the modes of interactions among ENPs and natural organic matter. Other typical parameters include factors related to water chemistry, hydrodynamics, and surface and electronic properties of ENPs. Overall, future nanomanufacturing processes should fully consider the health, safety, and environmental impacts without compromising the functionality of consumer products.

Elucidating the Role of Dissolved Organic Matter and Sunlight in Mediating the Formation of Ag-Au Bimetallic Alloy Nanoparticles in the Aquatic Environment

Elucidating the interactions between metal ions and dissolved organic matter and deciphering mechanisms for their mineralization in the aquatic environment are central to understanding the speciation, transport, and toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs). Herein, we examine the interactions between Ag⁺ and Au³⁺ ions in mixed solutions (χ_Ag = 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8) in the presence of humic acids (HAs) under simulated sunlight; these conditions result in the formation of bimetallic Ag-Au NPs. A key distinction is that the obtained alloy NPs are compositionally and morphologically rather different from NPs obtained from thermally activated dark processes. Photoillumination triggers a distinctive plasmon-mediated process for HA-assisted reductive mineralization of ions to bimetallic alloy NPs which is not observed in its dark thermal reduction counterpart. The initial nucleation of bimetallic NPs is dominated by differences in the cohesive energies of Ag and Au crystal lattices, whereas the growth mechanisms are governed by the strongly preferred incorporation of Ag ions, which stems from their greater photoreactivity. The bimetallic NPs crystallize in shapes governed by the countervailing influence of minimizing free energy through the adoption of Wulff constructions and the energetic penalties associated with twin faults. As such, assessments of the stability and the potential toxic effects of bimetallic NPs arising from their possible existence in aquatic environments will depend sensitively on the origins of their formation.

Anionic nanoparticle and microplastic non-exponential distributions from source scale with grain size in environmental granular media

Nanoparticle and microplastic (colloid) transport behaviors impact strategies for groundwater protection and remediation. Complex colloid transport behaviors of anionic nano- and micro-sized colloids have been previously elucidated via independent experiments in chemically-cleaned and amended granular media with grain sizes in the range of fine to coarse sand (e.g., 200-1000 μm). Such experiments show that under conditions where a repulsive barrier was present in colloid-collector interactions (unfavorable conditions), the distribution of retained colloids down-gradient from their source deviates from the exponential decrease expected from compounded loss across a series of collectors (grains). Previous experiments have not examined the impact of colloid size or granular media grain size on colloid distribution down-gradient from their source, particularly in streambed-equilibrated granular media. To address this gap, a field transport experiment in constructed wetland stream beds to distances up to 20 m were conducted for colloids ranging in size from micro to nano (60 nm-7 μm) in streambed-equilibrated pea gravel and sand (4200 and 420 μm mean grain sizes, respectively). All colloid sizes showed non-exponential (hyper-exponential) distributions from source, over meter scales in pea gravel versus cm scales reported for fine sand. Colloids in the ca. 1 μm size range were most mobile, as expected from mass transfer to surfaces and interaction with nanoscale heterogeneity. The distance over which non-exponential colloid distribution occurred increased with media grain size, which carries implications for the potential mechanism driving non-exponential colloid distribution from source, and for strategies to predict transport.

Silver nanoparticles: Toxicity in model organisms as an overview of its hazard for human health and the environment

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted remarkable attention due to their powerful antimicrobial action as well as their particular physicochemical properties. This has led to their application in a wide variety of products with promising results. However, their interaction with the environment and toxicity in live terrestrial or aquatic organisms is still a matter of intense debate. More detailed knowledge is still required about the toxicity of AgNPs, their possible uptake mechanisms and their adverse effects in live organisms. Several studies have reported the interactions and potential negative effects of AgNPs in different organisms. In this review, we report and discuss the current state of the art and perspectives for the impact of AgNPs on different organisms present in the environment. Recent progress in interpreting uptake, translocation and accumulation mechanisms in different organisms and/or living animals are discussed, as well as the toxicity of AgNPs and possible tolerance mechanisms in live organisms to cope with their deleterious effects. Finally, we discuss the challenges of accurate physicochemical characterization of AgNPs and their ecotoxicity in environmentally realistic conditions such as soil and water media.

Environmental fate and behavior of silver nanoparticles in natural estuarine systems

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in many consumer products, whereas their environmental behaviors in natural aquatic systems remain unknown, especially in natural brackish media. Therefore, it is urgent to investigate the environmental fate of AgNPs in natural brackish waters. Here, we investigated the stability of citrate-coated AgNPs in natural brackish water collected from 6 different sites with distinct salinities in the Xinglinwan Reservoir, located in Xiamen City, southeast China. The obtained results showed that AgNP colloids remained stable in low-salinity waters, which was mainly determined by the effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM) promoting the stability of the nanoparticles. However, the environmental fate of AgNPs in high-salinity waters was dominated by the salinity or ionic strength, especially the free ion concentrations of Cl^-, SO₄^2-, or S^2-, resulting in rapid sedimentation and dissolution. In addition, both DOM and salinity contributed to the environmental behavior of AgNPs in moderate-salinity waters, ultimately resulting in either colloidal stability or sedimentation. Overall, these results may reveal that AgNPs remain relatively stable for a long period in low-salinity natural waters, and that the stability might gradually decrease as AgNPs are transferred from freshwaters through brackish waters and eventually end up in seawater along the bay. Our findings also further indicate that the toxicity and potential risks of AgNPs may present more serious threats to the environment and organisms in natural freshwaters than in natural estuarine systems or seawater.

Biodynamics of Silver Nanoparticles in an Estuarine Oyster Revealed by 110mAgNP Tracing

The prevalence of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) requires a comprehensive understanding of their biological impacts especially in marine and estuarine environments. Nevertheless, the background Ag concentration in organisms may impede the accuracy of Ag detection if the net accumulated Ag is low over a short exposure period. Here, a radio-synthesizing method was employed to trace the behavior of AgNPs with two sizes (15 and 60 nm) and two coatings (humic acid and citrate) in an estuarine oyster Crassostrea hongkongensis. This method was sensitive to detect the bioaccumulation and depuration of AgNPs in the oysters over a short period of exposure, which was necessary given the significant changes of particle aggregation in saline water environments. Through radioactive AgNP tracing and biokinetic modeling, we for the first time demonstrated the differential uptake mechanisms of different-sized AgNPs in oysters. Specifically, the ingestion of particles dominated the uptake of 60 nm AgNPs, whereas dermal uptake and ingestion contributed equally to 15 nm AgNPs. Surface coating (humic acid vs citrate) did not significantly affect the uptake of AgNPs by the oysters. The depuration of AgNPs from the oysters was relatively faster than that for the Ag ion. The digestive gland was the key detoxification organ of AgNPs with the greatest loss of Ag by the end of depuration. The findings of this study provide fundamental knowledge for nano-specific risk assessment in marine and estuarine environments.

Mobility of electrostatically and sterically stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in saturated porous media

The stability of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) stabilized electrostatically with citrate or (electro)sterically by commercially available amphiphilic block copolymers (PVP-VA or PVA-COOH) was studied under various physicochemical conditions. Subsequently, the mobility of the AuNPs in porous media (sand) was investigated in column studies under environmental relevant physicochemical conditions. Electrostatically stabilized AuNPs were unstable under most physicochemical conditions due to the compression of the electrical double layer. Consequently, aggregation and deposition rapidly immobilized the AuNPs. Sterically stabilized AuNPs showed significantly less sensitivity towards changes in the physicochemical conditions with high stability, high mobility with negligible retardation, and particle deposition rate coefficients ranging an order of magnitude (1.5 × 10^-3 to 1.5 × 10^-2 min^-1) depending on the type and amount of stabilizer, and thereby the surface coverage and attachment affinity. The transport of sterically stabilized AuNPs is facilitated by reversible deposition in shallow energy minima with continuous reentrainment and blocking of available attachment sites by deposited AuNPs. The stability and mobility of NPs in the environment will thereby be highly dependent on the specific stabilizing agent and variations in the coverage on the NP. Under the given experimental conditions, transport distances of the most mobile AuNPs of up to 20 m is expected. Due to their size-specific plasmonic properties, the easily detectable AuNPs are proposed as potential model or tracer particles for studying transport of various stabilized NPs under environmental conditions.

Aquatic behavior and toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastic particles with different functional groups: Complex roles of pH, dissolved organic carbon and divalent cations

Herein we systematically examined the roles of water chemistry (pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and divalent cations) and particle surface functionality that control the aqueous stability, aggregation, and toxicity of engineered nanoplastic particles in simulated natural environmental conditions. Model polystyrene latex nanoparticles (PLNPs) with three different functional groups, namely unmodified (uPLNPs), amine-modified (aPLNPs), and carboxyl-modified (cPLNPs), were investigated. Results indicate that the presence of only DOC increased the surface charge and exhibited negligible effects on the size distribution of the PLNPs in aqueous suspensions. The presence of the divalent cations (Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) was observed to decrease the surface charge and increase the size of the PLNPs. The coexistence of DOC and the divalent cations enhanced the extent of aggregation of the PLNPs in the water columns. The surface modification and pH were sensitive factors influencing the stability of PLNPs during long-term suspension when DOC and the divalent cations coexisted. Direct visual further testified the conclusions on the combined effects of solution and surface chemistry parameters. Furthermore, in situ transmission electron microscope observations revealed that the enhancement of PLNP aggregation in the presence of DOC and the divalent cation was caused by bridge formation. Toxicity test indicated the PLNPs exhibited acute toxicity and physical damage to Daphnia magna. The more complex the solution conditions, the more toxicity the aPLNPs and cPLNPs. Analysis of mode of toxic action implied that the PLNPs mainly caused the accumulation of oxidative damage to the gut of D. magna.

Interaction between Silver Nanoparticles and Two Dehydrogenases: Role of Thiol Groups

Widely used silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are readily accessible to biological fluids and then surrounded by proteins. However, interactions between AgNPs and proteins are poorly understood. Two dehydrogenases, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH), are chosen to investigate these interactions. Ag bound to thiol groups of these enzymes significantly decreases the number of free thiols available. Dose-dependent inhibition of enzyme activities is observed in both AgNPs and Ag⁺ treatments. Based on the concentration required to inhibit 50% activity, GAPDH and MDH are 24-30 fold more sensitive to Ag⁺ than to AgNPs suggesting that the measured 4.2% Ag⁺ containing AgNPs can be responsible for the enzymes inhibition. GAPDH, with a thiol group in its active site, is more sensitive to Ag than MDH, displaying many thiol groups but none in its active site, suggesting that thiol groups at the active site strongly determines the sensitivity of enzymes toward AgNPs. In contrast, the dramatic changes of circular dichroism spectra show that the global secondary structure of MDH under AgNPs treatment is more altered than that of GAPDH. In summary, this study shows that the thiol groups and their location on these dehydrogenases are crucial for the AgNPs effects.

Comparative contributions of copper nanoparticles and ions to copper bioaccumulation and toxicity in barnacle larvae

Cu nanoparticles (CuNPs) have been widely used in numerous products, and may become a potential threat to marine organisms, but their behavior in the marine environments and potential toxicity to marine organisms remain little known. In the present study, we investigated the behavior of CuNPs in seawater, as well as the toxicity and bioaccumulation of CuNPs and copper sulfate (CuSO₄) in barnacle larvae (Balanus amphitrite), a dominant fouling invertebrate in marine environment. CuNPs tended to aggregate in natural seawater and released Cu ion rapidly into seawater. The aggregation and release were especially higher at a lower concentration of CuNPs, e.g., 94-96% of CuNPs were released as Cu ions at 20 μg/L after 24 h. The larger size of CuNPs (40 nm) tended to display a higher solubility than the 20 nm CuNPs did. Humic acids enhanced the aggregation and inhibited the dissolution of CuNPs, and had a protective effect on the survival of nauplii II at higher Cu concentrations (100-200 μg/L). Comparison of the lethal concentrations showed that CuNPs were generally less toxic to the two stages of barnacle larvae (nauplii II and VI) than the Cu ions. The calculated 48-h LC₅₀ values for nauplii II were 189.5 μg/L, 123.2 μg/L, and 89.8 μg/L for 20 nm CuNPs, 40 nm CuNPs, and CuSO₄, respectively. However, the lethal concentrations of Cu bioaccumulation in the barnacle larvae were comparable between CuNPs and Cu ions when expressed by the actual tissue Cu bioaccumulation. Barnacle larval settlement decreased with an increase of Cu concentrations of both CuNPs and CuSO₄, and was significantly inhibited at 100 μg/L CuSO₄ and 150 μg/L CuNPs. Our results indicated that the toxicity of CuNPs could not be solely explained by the released Cu ions, and both CuNPs and the released Cu ion contributed to their toxicity and bioaccumulation in barnacle larvae.

Interactions between silver nanoparticles and other metal nanoparticles under environmentally relevant conditions: A review

Global production of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) continues to increase due to the demand of enabling properties in consumer products and industrial applications. Release of individual or aggregates of ENPs have been shown to interact with one another subsequently resulting in adverse biological effects. This review focuses on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which are currently used in numerous applications, including but not limited to antibacterial action. Consequently, the release of AgNPs into the aquatic environment, the dissociation into ions, the binding to organic matter, reactions with other metal-based materials, and disruption of normal biological and ecological processes at the cellular level are all potential negative effects of AgNPs usage. The potential sources of AgNPs includes leaching of intact particles from consumer products, disposal of waste from industrial processes, intentional release into contaminated waters, and the natural formation of AgNPs in surface and ground water. Formation of natural AgNPs is greatly influenced by different chemical parameters including: pH, oxygen levels, and the presence of organic matter, which results in AgNPs that are stable for several months. Both engineered and natural AgNPs can interact with metal and metal oxide particles/nanoparticles. However, information on the chemical and toxicological interactions between AgNPs and other nanoparticles is limited. We have presented current knowledge on the interactions of AgNPs with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs). The interaction between AgNPs and AuNPs result in stable bimetallic Ag-Au alloy NPs. Whereas the interaction of AgNPs with TiO₂ NPs under dark and light conditions results in the release of Ag⁺ ions, which may be subsequently converted back into AgNPs and adsorb on TiO₂ NPs. The potential chemical mechanisms and toxic effects of AgNPs with AuNPs and TiO₂ NPs are discussed within this review and show that further investigation is warranted.

Fine particle attachment to quartz sand in the presence of multiple interacting dissolved components

In natural aquatic systems water chemistry is complicated and fine particles encounter multiple water components simultaneously, yet the combined effects of some multiple components on the fate and transport of these particles have not been elucidated. In this study nTiO₂ and illite colloid attachment to quartz sand was investigated in 1 mM NaCl and 0.5 mM CaCl₂ background solutions using a range of phosphate concentrations (0 to 10 mg/L) at pH 5 and 9. The results obtained from the batch experiments indicated that without using phosphate, nTiO₂ aggregation and attachment was strongly influenced by pH and Ca²⁺, both of which modified nTiO₂ surface charges. nTiO₂ attachment was high in CaCl₂ solution at pH 9 due to attractive forces between nTiO₂ and sand, as well as ripening. Furthermore, phosphate adsorption to nTiO₂ was higher in CaCl₂ solution at pH 9 than that at pH 5 due to attractive forces between nTiO₂ and phosphate anions, and also potential surface precipitation of Ca-P minerals at pH 9. Phosphate adsorption to illite was low owing to strong repulsive forces between illite and phosphate. The effect of phosphate on nTiO₂ and illite attachment to sand was influenced by pH and cation valency. A decreasing trend in nTiO₂ attachment with phosphate addition was observed in NaCl solution at pH 5 and 9, and in CaCl₂ solution at pH 5; however, in CaCl₂ solution at pH 9, the surface charge of nTiO₂ reversed from negative to positive and a substantial amount of nTiO₂ attached to sand. Moreover, illite attachment to sand was much lower than that of nTiO₂ under all the conditions tested in this study. These findings are important for understanding of the fate and transport of nTiO₂ and illite colloids in natural aquatic systems where various anions and cations co-exist.

Influence of humic acid and dihydroxy benzoic acid on the agglomeration, adsorption, sedimentation and dissolution of copper, manganese, aluminum and silica nanoparticles - A tentative exposure scenario

This work focuses on kinetic aspects of stability, mobility, and dissolution of bare Cu, Al and Mn, and SiO₂ NPs in synthetic freshwater (FW) with and without the presence of natural organic matter (NOM). This includes elucidation of particle and surface interactions, metal dissolution kinetics, and speciation predictions of released metals in solution. Dihydroxy benzoic acid (DHBA) and humic acid adsorbed rapidly on all metal NPs (<1 min) via multiple surface coordinations, followed in general by rapid agglomeration and concomitant sedimentation for a large fraction of the particles. In contrast, NOM did not induce agglomeration of the SiO₂ NPs during the test duration (21 days). DHBA in concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mM was unable to stabilize the metal NPs for time periods longer than 6 h, whereas humic acid, at certain concentrations (20 mg/L) was more efficient (>24 h). The presence of NOM increased the amount of released metals into solution, in particular for Al and Cu, whereas the effect for Mn was minor. At least 10% of the particle mass was dissolved within 24 h and remained in solution for the metal NPs in the presence of NOM. Speciation modeling revealed that released Al and Cu predominantly formed complexes with NOM, whereas less complexation was seen for Mn. The results imply that potentially dispersed NPs of Cu, Al and Mn readily dissolve or sediment close to the source in freshwater of low salinity, whereas SiO₂ NPs are more stable and therefore more mobile in solution.

Interactions between biogenic selenium nanoparticles and goethite colloids and consequence for remediation of elemental mercury contaminated groundwater

Ubiquitous colloidal minerals such as goethite can have a significant impact on the performance of nanoparticles-based groundwater remediation due to aggregation. Heteroaggregation and retention of Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) by goethite in groundwater, and its impact on Hg⁰ remediation by SeNPs were investigated in this study. In order to mitigate the adverse effects of aggregation, the effects of bacterial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on the stability of SeNPs and Hg⁰ sequestration using SeNPs were also evaluated. Heteroaggregation of SeNPs with goethite in groundwater was stronger than homoaggregation of SeNPs or goethite. Addition of EPS could slightly decrease homoaggregation of SeNPs and significantly reduce heteroaggregation. Column transport experiments showed that goethite coated quartz sand could retain 1.36 times a higher amount of SeNPs than uncoated quartz sand. Hg⁰ remediation by SeNPs was significantly inhibited by heteroaggregation of SeNPs with goethite and EPS could effectively mitigate this inhibitory effect. The Hg⁰ removal efficiency decreased to 71.6% and 66.9%, respectively in the presence of 20 and 100mgL^-1 goethite. When 200mgL^-1 EPS was added together with 100mgL^-1 goethite, 81.2% of the supplied Hg⁰ was removed from the groundwater. This study demonstrates that the widespread presence of goethite could significantly reduce the remediation efficiency of Hg⁰ contaminated groundwater and that EPS is a promising amendment for mitigating the adverse effects of heteroaggregation. This research also contributes to a further understanding of the environmental behaviour of nanoparticles.

Coating carbon nanotubes with humic acid using an eco-friendly mechanochemical method: Application for Cu(II) ions removal from water and aquatic ecotoxicity

In this work, industrial grade multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were coated with humic acid (HA) for the first time by means of a milling process, which can be considered an eco-friendly mechanochemical method to prepare materials and composites. The HA-MWCNT hybrid material was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopies (SEM and STEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), termogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Raman spectroscopy. STEM and AFM images demonstrated that the MWCNTs were efficiently coated by the humic acid, thus leading to an increase of 20% in the oxygen content at the nanotube surface as observed by the XPS data. After the milling process, the carbon nanotubes were shortened as unveiled by SEM images and the values of ID/IG intensity ratio increased due to shortening of the nanotubes and increasing in the number defects at the graphitic structure of carbon nanotubes walls. The analysis of TGA data showed that the quantity of the organic matter of HA on the nanotube surface was 25%. The HA coating was responsible to favor the dispersion of MWCNTs in ultrapure water (i.e. -42mV, zeta-potential value) and to improve their capacity for copper removal. HA-MWCNTs hybrid material adsorbed 2.5 times more Cu(II) ions than oxidized MWCNTs with HNO₃, thus evidencing that it is a very efficient adsorbent material for removing copper ions from reconstituted water. The HA-MWCNTs hybrid material did not show acute ecotoxicity to the tested aquatic model organisms (Hydra attenuata, Daphnia magna, and Danio rerio embryos) up to the highest concentration evaluated (10mgL^-1). The results allowed concluding that the mechanochemical method is effective to coat carbon nanotubes with humic acid, thus generating a functional hybrid material with low aquatic toxicity and great potential to be applied in environmental nanotechnologies such as the removal of heavy metal ions from water.

Role of Secondary Particle Formation in the Persistence of Silver Nanoparticles in Humic Acid Containing Water under Light Irradiation

The wide use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) leads to the increasing release of AgNPs into the environment. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a key factor affecting the behaviors and fate of AgNPs in the aquatic environment. However, the mechanisms for the DOM-mediated transformations of AgNPs are still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the persistence of AgNPs in the aquatic environment in the presence of different concentrations of humic acid (HA) over periods of time up to 14 days. The Ag species were monitored and characterized by absorption spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and multicollector ICP-MS (MC-ICP-MS). Results showed that the long-term persistence of AgNPs in HA-containing water was determined by two critical concentrations of HA. When the HA concentration exceeded a lower critical value, AgNPs could be persistent in the solution, and a large number of AgNPs were formed secondarily from the HA-induced reduction of the Ag⁺ ions released from the primary AgNPs, causing a redistribution of the particle size. With the HA concentration above a higher critical value, AgNPs could persist in the solution without a significant change in particle size. Notably, we used Ag isotope fractionation to investigate the transformation mechanism of AgNPs. The natural isotopic analysis by MC-ICP-MS revealed that the size redistribution of AgNPs caused significant Ag isotope fractionation, which gave additional evidence for the proposed mechanisms. This study provides new insights into the environmental fate of engineered AgNPs and highlights the usefulness of stable isotope fractionation in environmental nanotechnology.

Tracking the Transformation of Nanoparticulate and Ionic Silver at Environmentally Relevant Concentration Levels by Hollow Fiber Flow Field-Flow Fractionation Coupled to ICPMS

It is a great challenge to monitor the physical and chemical transformation of nanoparticles at environmentally relevant concentration levels, mainly because the commonly used techniques like dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy are unable to characterize and quantify trace level nanoparticles in complex matrices. Herein, we demonstrate the on-line coupled system of hollow fiber flow field-flow fractionation (HF5), minicolumn concentration, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) detection as an efficient approach to study the aggregation and chemical transformation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and ionic Ag species in the aqueous environment at ng/mL levels. Taking advantage of the in-line dialysis of HF5, the selective capture of Ag(I) species by the resin in minicolumn, and the high selectivity and sensitivity of ICPMS detection, we recorded the aggregation of 10 ng/mL AgNPs in complex matrices (e.g., NOM, Na⁺/Ca²⁺), revealing an interesting tiny AgNPs formation process of photoreduction of trace level Ag(I) that is different from larger AgNPs generated at high concentration of Ag(I) by accurate characterization and respectively identifying and quantifying new thiol-complexed Ag(I) and residual Ag(I) in the intertransformation of Ag(I) and AgNPs in domestic wastewater by simultaneously detecting the S and Ag signals via ICPMS.

Role of Humic Acid in the Stability of Ag Nanoparticles in Suboxic Conditions

Stability and temporal changes in size distributions have been observed for citrate- (cit) and polyvinylpyrrolidone- (PVP) capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), in the presence or absence of sulfide and natural organic matter (NOM, as humic acid), while under suboxic conditions. There were substantial differences in the influence of the two capping agents, with PVP-AgNPs showing few or no significant changes in apparent stability or particle size distribution under the conditions examined, while the apparent size distributions of citrate-capped AgNPs changed rapidly. Sulfide and humic acid each individually caused immediate increases in cit-AgNP size distributions, which were then relatively stable over 60-145 days. This may be due to sulfide bridging and cation bridging, respectively. However, in competition, it was the influence of the humic acid that dominated that of the sulfide. These observations have implications for environmental fate and toxicity of AgNP. The increased stability in the presence of even low concentrations of NOM may limit the rapidity of Ag dispersal but may also concentrate the dose received by organisms, which subsequently ingest the stabilized particles.

Behavior and Potential Impacts of Metal-Based Engineered Nanoparticles in Aquatic Environments

The specific properties of metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) have not only led to rapidly increasing applications in various industrial and commercial products, but also caused environmental concerns due to the inevitable release of NPs and their unpredictable biological/ecological impacts. This review discusses the environmental behavior of metal-based NPs with an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms and kinetics. The focus is on knowledge gaps in the interaction of NPs with aquatic organisms, which can influence the fate, transport and toxicity of NPs in the aquatic environment. Aggregation transforms NPs into micrometer-sized clusters in the aqueous environment, whereas dissolution also alters the size distribution and surface reactivity of metal-based NPs. A unique toxicity mechanism of metal-based NPs is related to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the subsequent ROS-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, aggregation, dissolution and ROS generation could influence each other and also be influenced by many factors, including the sizes, shapes and surface charge of NPs, as well as the pH, ionic strength, natural organic matter and experimental conditions. Bioaccumulation of NPs in single organism species, such as aquatic plants, zooplankton, fish and benthos, is summarized and compared. Moreover, the trophic transfer and/or biomagnification of metal-based NPs in an aquatic ecosystem are discussed. In addition, genetic effects could result from direct or indirect interactions between DNA and NPs. Finally, several challenges facing us are put forward in the review.

Effects of ionic strength and temperature on the aggregation and deposition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The aggregation and deposition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) determines their transport and fate in natural waters. Therefore, the aggregation kinetics of humic-acid treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (HA-MWCNTs) was investigated by time-resolved dynamic light scattering in NaCl and CaCl₂ electrolyte solutions. Increased ionic strength induced HA-MWCNT aggregation due to the less negative zeta potential and the reduced electrostatic repulsion. The critical coagulation concentration (CCC) values of HA-MWCNTs were 80mmol/L in NaCl and 1.3mmol/L in CaCl₂ electrolyte, showing that Ca²⁺ causes more serious aggregation than Na⁺. The aggregation behavior of HA-MWCNTs was consistent with Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory. The deposition kinetics of HA-MWCNTs was measured by the optical absorbance at 800nm. The critical deposition concentrations for HA-MWCNT in NaCl and CaCl₂ solutions were close to the CCC values, therefore the rate of deposition cannot be increased by changing the ionic strength in the diffusion-limited aggregation regime. The deposition process was correlated to the aggregation since larger aggregates increased gravitational deposition and decreased random Brownian diffusion. HA-MWCNTs hydrodynamic diameters were evaluated at 5, 15 and 25°C. Higher temperature caused faster aggregation due to the reduced electrostatic repulsion and increased random Brownian motion and collision frequency. HA-MWCNTs aggregate faster at higher temperature in either NaCl or CaCl₂ electrolyte due to the decreased electrostatic repulsion and increased random Brownian motion. Our results suggest that CNT aggregation and deposition are two correlated processes governed by the electrolyte, and CNT transport is favored at low ionic strength and low temperature.

Effects of CuO nanoparticles on Lemna minor

BACKGROUND

Copper dioxide nanoparticles (NPs), which is a kind of important and widely used metal oxide NP, eventually reaches a water body through wastewater and urban runoff. Ecotoxicological studies of this kind of NPs effects on hydrophyte are very limited at present. Lemna minor was exposed to media with different concentrations of CuO NPs, bulk CuO, and two times concentration of Cu²⁺ released from CuO NPs in culture media. The changes in plant growth, chlorophyll content, antioxidant defense enzyme activities [i.e., peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities], and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured in the present study. The particle size of CuO NPs and the zeta potential of CuO NPs and bulk CuO in the culture media were also analyzed to complementally evaluate their toxicity on duckweed.

RESULT

Results showed that CuO NPs inhibited the plant growth at lower concentration than bulk CuO. L. minor roots were easily broken in CuO NPs media under the experimental condition, and the inhibition occurred only partly because CuO NPs released Cu²⁺ in the culture media. The POD, SOD, and CAT activities of L. minor increased when the plants were exposed to CuO NPs, bulk CuO NPs and two times the concentration of Cu²⁺ released from CuO NPs in culture media, but the increase of these enzymes were the highest in CuO NPs media among the three kinds of materials. The MDA content was significantly increased compared with that of the control from 50 mg L^-1 CuO NP concentration in culture media.

CONCLUSION

CuO NPs has more toxicity on L. minor compared with that of bulk CuO, and the inhibition occurred only partly because released Cu²⁺ in the culture media. The plant accumulated more reactive oxygen species in the CuO NP media than in the same concentration of bulk CuO. The plant cell encountered serious damage when the CuO NP concentration reached 50 mg L^-1 in culture media. The toxicology of CuO NP on hydrophytes must be considered because that hydrophytes are the basic of aquatic ecosystem.

Impact of surface coating and environmental conditions on the fate and transport of silver nanoparticles in the aquatic environment

The role of surface coating (polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and citrate) and water chemistry on the fate and behavior of AgNPs in aquatic microcosms is reported in this study. The migration and transformation of the AgNPs was examined in low (ultrapure water-UPW) and high ionic strength (moderately hard water - MHW) preparations, and in the presence of modeled natural organic matter (NOM) of Suwannee River Fulvic Acid (SRFA). The migration and fate of the AgNPs in the microcosms was validated using a sedimentation-diffusion model and the aggregation behavior was monitored by UV-visible spectrometry (UV-vis). Dissolved and particulate Ag concentrations (% Ag) were analyzed by ultrafiltration methods. Imaging of the AgNPs was captured using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results indicate that PVP-coated AgNPs (PVP-AgNPs) remained stable for 28days with similarly distributed concentrations of the PVP-AgNPs throughout the columns in each of the water conditions after approximately 96h (4days). The sedimentation-diffusion model confirmed PVP-AgNP stability in each condition, by showing diffusion dominated transport by using the original unaltered AgNP sizes to fit the parameters. In comparison, citrate AgNPs were largely unstable in the more complex water preparations (MHW). In MHW, aggregation dominated behavior followed by sedimentation/dissolution controlled transport was observed. The addition of SRFA to MHW resulted in small stabilizing effects, to the citrate coated AgNPs, producing smaller sized AgNPs (TEM) and mixed sedimentation and diffusion migration compared the studies absent of SRFA. The results suggest that surface coating and solution chemistry has a major impact on AgNP stability, furthermore the corresponding modeling will support the experimental understanding of the overall fate of AgNPs in the environment.

Silver nanoparticles in aquatic environments: Physiochemical behavior and antimicrobial mechanisms

Nanosilver (silver nanoparticles or AgNPs) has unique physiochemical properties and strong antimicrobial activities. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the physicochemical behavior (e.g., dissolution and aggregation) and antimicrobial mechanisms of nanosilver in aquatic environments. The inconsistency in calculating the Gibbs free energy of formation of nanosilver [ΔGf(AgNPs)] in aquatic environments highlights the research needed to carefully determine the thermodynamic stability of nanosilver. The dissolutive release of silver ion (Ag(+)) in the literature is often described using a pseudo-first-order kinetics, but the fit is generally poor. This paper proposes a two-stage model that could better predict silver ion release kinetics. The theoretical analysis suggests that nanosilver dissolution could occur under anoxic conditions and that nanosilver may be sulfidized to form silver sulfide (Ag2S) under strict anaerobic conditions, but more investigation with carefully-designed experiments is required to confirm the analysis. Although silver ion release is likely the main antimicrobial mechanism of nanosilver, the contributions of (ion-free) AgNPs and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation to the overall toxicity of nanosilver must not be neglected. Several research directions are proposed to better understand the dissolution kinetics of nanosilver and its antimicrobial mechanisms under various aquatic environmental conditions.

Influence of cysteine and bovine serum albumin on silver nanoparticle stability, dissolution, and toxicity to Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Cysteine (CYS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) interact with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and influence its release, transportation, and toxicity.

Heteroaggregation of engineered nanoparticles and kaolin clays in aqueous environments

The increasing and wide use of nanoparticles (NPs), including TiO2 and Ag NPs, have raised concerns due to their potential toxicity and environmental impacts. Kaolin is a very common mineral in aquatic systems, and there is a very high probability that nanoparticles (NPs) will interact with these clay minerals. We studied the effect of kaolin particles on the aggregation of NPs under different conditions, including the role of pH, ionic strength (IS), and humic acid (HA). We show that kaolin reduces the energy barrier and the Critical Coagulation Concentration (CCC) at pH 4. At pH 8, even though the energy barrier of the system without kaolin increases, kaolin promotes NP aggregation via heteroaggregation. When IS is equal to or greater than the CCC, on the one hand HA promotes aggregation of TiO2 NPs, but on the other hand HA decreases the rate of Ag NP aggregation because the existence of a surface coating may limit the adsorption of HA on these Ag NPs. In addition, the presence of HA increases the energy barrier and the CCC of the binary system (kaolin + NPs). Thus, the complex interactions of clay, NPs, IS, pH, and HA concentration determine the colloidal stability of the NPs. We find that kaolin is a potential coagulant for removal of NPs that behave like Ag and TiO2.

Particle coating-dependent interaction of molecular weight fractionated natural organic matter: impacts on the aggregation of silver nanoparticles

Ubiquitous natural organic matter (NOM) plays an important role in the aggregation state of engineered silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in aquatic environment, which determines the transport, transformation, and toxicity of AgNPs. As various capping agents are used as coatings for nanoparticles and NOM are natural polymer mixture with wide molecular weight (MW) distribution, probing the particle coating-dependent interaction of MW fractionated natural organic matter (Mf-NOM) with various coatings is helpful for understanding the differential aggregation and transport behavior of engineered AgNPs as well as other metal nanoparticles. In this study, we investigated the role of pristine and Mf-NOM on the aggregation of AgNPs with Bare, citrate, and PVP coating (Bare-, Cit-, and PVP-AgNP) in mono- and divalent electrolyte solutions. We observed that the enhanced aggregation or dispersion of AgNPs in NOM solution highly depends on the coating of AgNPs. Pristine NOM inhibited the aggregation of Bare-AgNPs but enhanced the aggregation of PVP-AgNPs. In addition, Mf-NOM fractions have distinguishing roles on the aggregation and dispersion of AgNPs, which also highly depend on the AgNPs coating as well as the MW of Mf-NOM. Higher MW Mf-NOM (>100 kDa and 30-100 kDa) enhanced the aggregation of PVP-AgNPs in mono- and divalent electrolyte solutions, whereas lower MW Mf-NOM (10-30 kDa, 3-10 kDa and <3 kDa) inhibited the aggregation of PVP-AgNPs. However, all the Mf-NOM fractions inhibited the aggregation of Bare-AgNPs. For PVP- and Bare-AgNPs, the stability of AgNPs in electrolyte solution was significantly correlated to the MW of Mf-NOM. But for Cit-AgNPs, pristine NOM and Mf-NOM has minor influence on the stability of AgNPs. These findings about significantly different roles of Mf-NOM on aggregation of engineered AgNPs with various coating are important for better understanding of the transport and subsequent transformation of AgNPs in aquatic environment.

Effects of molecular weight-dependent physicochemical heterogeneity of natural organic matter on the aggregation of fullerene nanoparticles in mono- and di-valent electrolyte solutions

Given the wide presence of heterogeneous natural organic matter (NOM) and metal ions (Na(+)/Ca(2+)/Mg(2+)), as well as their significant role in governing nanoparticle stability in aqueous environments, it is of great importance to understand how the molecular weight (MW)-dependent physicochemical properties of NOM impact fundamental transportation processes like the aggregation of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in the presence of Na(+)/Ca(2+)/Mg(2+). Here, we report on the aggregation behavior of a model ENP, fullerene nanoparticles (nC60) in the presence of five MW fractions of Suwannee River NOM (Mf-SRNOMs, separated by ultrafiltration techniques) and three electrolytes (NaCl, CaCl2 and MgCl2). We found that in all NaCl treatments and low concentration CaCl2/MgCl2 treatments, the enhancement of nC60 stability positively correlated with the MW of Mf-SRNOMs. Whereas, the stability efficiency of identical Mf-SRNOM in different electrolytes followed an order of NaCl > MgCl2 > CaCl2, and the enhanced attachment of nC60-SRNOM associations was observed in high MW Mf-SRNOM (SRNOM>100 kD and SRNOM 30-100 kD) at high concentration CaCl2/MgCl2. Our results indicate that although the high MW NOM with large humic-like material is the key component for stabilizing nC60 in monovalent electrolyte, it could play a reversed role in promoting the attachment of nC60, especially in long term aggregations and at high concentrations of divalent cations. Therefore, a detailed understanding of the effects of heterogeneous NOM on the aggregation of ENPs should be highly valued, and properly assessed against different cation species and concentrations.

The influence of natural organic matter and aging on suspension stability in guideline toxicity testing of silver, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide nanoparticles with Daphnia magna

The present study investigated changes in suspension stability and ecotoxicity of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) by addition of Suwannee River natural organic matter and aging of stock and test suspensions prior to testing. Acute toxicity tests of silver (Ag), zinc oxide (ZnO), and titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) ENPs with Daphnia magna were carried out following Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development test guidelines. Daphnia magna was found to be very sensitive to Ag ENPs (48-h 50% effective concentration 33 μg L(-1) ), and aging of the test suspensions in M7 medium (up to 48 h) did not decrease toxicity significantly. Conversely, the presence of Suwannee River natural organic matter (NOM; 20 mg L(-1) ) completely alleviated Ag ENP toxicity in all testing scenarios and did not aid in stabilizing suspensions. In contrast, addition of Suwannee River NOM stabilized ZnO ENP suspensions and did not decrease toxicity. Aging for 48 h generated monotonous concentration-response curves in the presence and absence of Suwannee River NOM. At concentrations up to 100 mg L(-1) TiO2 ENPs did not cause immobilization of D. magna under any of the tested conditions. Presence of Suwannee River NOM caused agglomeration in stock suspensions. The authors' results suggest that aging and presence of Suwannee River NOM are important parameters in standard toxicity testing of ENPs, which in some cases may aid in gaining better control over the exposure conditions but in other cases might contribute to agglomeration or elimination of ENP toxicity. Therefore, modifications to the current guidelines for testing ENPs should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:497-506. © 2014 SETAC.

Natural inorganic nanoparticles – formation, fate, and toxicity in the environment

Naturally occurring metal nanoparticles are formed via physical and biogeochemical processes in the environment wherein natural organic matter plays an important role in their occurrence, stability, and toxicity.

Techniques and Protocols for Dispersing Nanoparticle Powders in Aqueous Media-Is there a Rationale for Harmonization?

Selecting appropriate ways of bringing engineered nanoparticles (ENP) into aqueous dispersion is a main obstacle for testing, and thus for understanding and evaluating, their potential adverse effects to the environment and human health. Using different methods to prepare (stock) dispersions of the same ENP may be a source of variation in the toxicity measured. Harmonization and standardization of dispersion methods applied in mammalian and ecotoxicity testing are needed to ensure a comparable data quality and to minimize test artifacts produced by modifications of ENP during the dispersion preparation process. Such harmonization and standardization will also enhance comparability among tests, labs, and studies on different types of ENP. The scope of this review was to critically discuss the essential parameters in dispersion protocols for ENP. The parameters are identified from individual scientific studies and from consensus reached in larger scale research projects and international organizations. A step-wise approach is proposed to develop tailored dispersion protocols for ecotoxicological and mammalian toxicological testing of ENP. The recommendations of this analysis may serve as a guide to researchers, companies, and regulators when selecting, developing, and evaluating the appropriateness of dispersion methods applied in mammalian and ecotoxicity testing. However, additional experimentation is needed to further document the protocol parameters and investigate to what extent different stock dispersion methods affect ecotoxicological and mammalian toxicological responses of ENP.

Engineered nanoparticles and organic matter: a review of the state-of-the-art

Growth in the development and production of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in recent years has increased the potential for interactions of these nanomaterials with aquatic and terrestrial environments. Carefully designed studies are therefore required in order to understand the fate, transport, stability, and toxicity of nanoparticles. Natural organic matter (NOM), such as the humic substances found in water, sediment, and soil, is one of the substances capable of interacting with ENPs. This review presents the findings of studies of the interaction of ENPs and NOM, and the possible effects on nanoparticle stability and the toxicity of these materials in the environment. In addition, ENPs and NOM are utilized for many different purposes, including the removal of metals and organic compounds from effluents, and the development of new electronic sensors and other devices for the detection of active substances. Discussion is therefore provided of some of the ways in which NOM can be used in the production of nanoparticles. Although there has been an increase in the number of studies in this area, further progress is needed to improve understanding of the dynamic interactions between ENPs and NOM.

Nano-silver in drinking water and drinking water sources: stability and influences on disinfection by-product formation

Nano-silver is increasingly used in consumer products from washing machines and refrigerators to devices marketed for the disinfection of drinking water or recreational water. The nano-silver in these products may be released, ending up in surface water bodies which may be used as drinking water sources. Little information is available about the stability of the nano-silver in sources of drinking water, its fate during drinking water disinfection processes, and its interaction with disinfection agents and disinfection by-products (DBPs). This study aims to investigate the stability of nano-silver in drinking water sources and in the finished drinking water when chlorine and chloramines are used for disinfection and to observe changes in the composition of DBPs formed when nano-silver is present in the source water. A dispersion of nano-silver particles (10 nm; PVP-coated) was used to spike untreated Ottawa River water, treated Ottawa River water, organic-free water, and a groundwater at concentrations of 5 mg/L. The diluted dispersions were kept under stirred and non-stirred conditions for up to 9 months and analyzed weekly using UV absorption to assess the stability of the nano-silver particles. In a separate experiment, Ottawa River water containing nano-silver particles (at 0.1 and 1 mg/L concentration, respectively) was disinfected by adding sodium hypochlorite (a chlorinating agent) in sufficient amounts to maintain a free chlorine residual of approximately 0.4 mg/L after 24 h. The disinfected drinking water was then quenched with ascorbic acid and analyzed for 34 neutral DBPs (trihalomethanes, haloacetonitriles, haloacetaldehydes, 1,1 dichloro-2-propanone, 1,1,1 trichloro-2-propanone, chloropicrin, and cyanogen chloride). The results were compared to the profile of DBPs obtained under the same conditions in the absence of nano-silver and in the presence of an equivalent concentration of Ag(+) ions (as AgNO3). The stability of the nano-silver dispersions in untreated Ottawa River water, with a dissolved organic carbon concentration of 6 mg/L, was significantly higher than the stability of the nano-silver dispersions in distilled, organic-free water. Nano-silver particles suspended in the groundwater agglomerated and were quickly and quantitatively removed from the solution. Our data confirm previous observations that natural dissolved organic matter stabilizes nano-silver particles, while the high-ionic strength of groundwater appears to favor their agglomeration and precipitation. As expected, nano-silver was not stable in Ottawa River water through the chlorination process, but survived for many days when added to the Ottawa River water after treatment with chlorine or chloramines. Stirring appeared to have minimal effect on nano-silver stability in untreated and treated Ottawa River water. The profile of DBPs formed in the presence of nAg differed significantly from the profile of DBPs formed in the absence of nAg only at the 1 mg/L nAg concentration. The differences observed consisted mainly in reduced formation of some brominated DBPs and a small increase in the formation of cyanogen chloride. The reduced formation of brominated congeners may be explained by the decrease in available bromide due to the presence of Ag(+) ions. It should be noted that a concentration of 1 mg/L is significantly higher than nAg concentrations that would be expected to be present in surface waters, but these results could be significant for the disinfection of some wastewaters with comparably high nano-silver concentrations.

Interactions of dissolved organic matter with natural and engineered inorganic colloids: a review

This contribution critically reviews the state of knowledge on interactions of natural colloids and engineered nanoparticles with natural dissolved organic materials (DOM). These interactions determine the behavior and impact of colloids in natural system. Humic substances, polysaccharides, and proteins present in natural waters adsorb onto the surface of most colloids. We outline major adsorption mechanisms and structures of adsorption layers reported in the literature and discuss their generality on the basis of particle type, DOM type, and media composition. Advanced characterization methods of both DOM and colloids are needed to address insufficiently understood aspects as DOM fractionation upon adsorption, adsorption reversibility, and effect of capping agent. Precise knowledge on adsorption layer helps in predicting the colloidal stability of the sorbent. While humic substances tend to decrease aggregation and deposition through electrostatic and steric effects, bridging-flocculation can occur in the presence of multivalent cations. In the presence of DOM, aggregation may become reversible and aggregate structure dynamic. Nonetheless, the role of shear forces is still poorly understood. If traditional approaches based on the DLVO-theory can be useful in specific cases, quantitative aggregation models taking into account DOM dynamics, bridging, and disaggregation are needed for a comprehensive modeling of colloids stability in natural media.

Preferential interaction of Na+ over K+ with carboxylate-functionalized silver nanoparticles

Elucidating mechanistic interactions between monovalent cations (Na(+)/K(+)) and engineered nanoparticle surfaces to alter particle stability in polar media have received little attention. We investigated relative preferential interaction of Na(+) and K(+) with carboxylate-functionalized silver nanoparticles (carboxylate-AgNPs) to determine if interaction preference followed the Hofmeister series (Na(+)>K(+)). We hypothesized that Na(+) will show greater affinity than K(+) to pair with carboxylates on AgNP surfaces, thereby destabilizing the colloidal system. Destabilization upon Na(+) or K(+) interacting with carboxylate-AgNPs was evaluated probing changes in multiple physicochemical characteristics: surface plasmon resonance/optical absorbance, electrical conductivity, pH, hydrodynamic diameter, electrophoretic mobility, surface charge, amount of Na(+)/K(+) directly associated with AgNPs, and Ag(+) dissociation kinetics. We show that Na(+) and K(+) react differently, indicating local Na(+) pairing with carboxylates on AgNP surfaces is kinetically faster and remarkably favored over K(+), thus supporting Hofmeister ordering. Our results suggest that AgNPs may transform into micron-size aggregates upon release into aqueous environments and that the fate of such aggregates may need consideration when assessing environmental risk.