Journal article
In situ chemical transformations of silver nanoparticles along the water-sediment continuum
Environmental Science and Technology, Vol.49(1), pp.318-325
2015
PMID: 25405257
Abstract
In order to accurately assess the potential environmental risk posed by silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), their transformation and fate must be investigated in natural systems. This has proven to be very challenging due to the difficulties encountered in retrieving/analyzing NPs dispersed in complex and heterogeneous environmental matrices at relevant (i.e., low) concentrations. In this study, we overcame this challenge by immobilizing functionalized Ag-NPs onto plasma polymerized solid substrates to form "nano in situ deployment devices" (nIDDs). This method allowed us to retrieve and analyze the Ag-NPs after 48 h of direct exposure in freshwater-sediment and saltwater-sediment environments. The type and extent of Ag-NPs transformation was expected to vary along the water-sediment continuum as sediments typically contain steep gradients in solute concentrations and redox potential. To trace the distribution of redox sensitive elements (e.g., Fe, Mn), Diffusive Equilibration in Thin-films (DET) devices were inserted into the sediments alongside the nIDDs. Chemical transformation of the immobilized Ag-NPs across the water-sediment continuum was investigated after retrieval by synchrotron radiation X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy. Linear combination fitting of Ag K-edge X-ray absorption spectra indicated that the chemical transformations of Ag-NPs in both freshwater and saltwater sediments were strongly affected by the redox conditions over the investigated range. Silver bound to reduced sulfur was the principal product of Ag-NP transformations but different extents of transformation were observed for Ag- NPs exposed to different depths in the sediment. These field results add important insights about the transformation of Ag-NPs in heterogeneous environments.
Details
- Title
- In situ chemical transformations of silver nanoparticles along the water-sediment continuum
- Authors
- Maryam Khaksar (Author) - University of South AustraliaDianne F Jolley (Author) - University of WollongongRyo Sekine (Author) - University of South AustraliaKrasimir Vasilev (Author) - University of South AustraliaBernt Johannessen (Author) - Australian SynchrotronErica Donner (Author) - University of South AustraliaEnzo Lombi (Author) - University of South Australia
- Publication details
- Environmental Science and Technology, Vol.49(1), pp.318-325
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society
- Date published
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.1021/es504395m
- ISSN
- 0013-936X; 1520-5851; 0013-936X
- PMID
- 25405257
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99513874102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
8 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Engineering, Environmental
- Environmental Sciences
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites