Quantifying the adsorption of ionic silver and functionalized nanoparticles during ecotoxicity testing: Test container effects and recommendations

Ryo Sekine; Kanupriya Khurana; Krasimir Vasilev; Enzo Lombi; Erica Donner

doi:10.3109/17435390.2014.994570

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Quantifying the adsorption of ionic silver and functionalized nanoparticles during ecotoxicity testing: Test container effects and recommendations

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Quantifying the adsorption of ionic silver and functionalized nanoparticles during ecotoxicity testing: Test container effects and recommendations

Ryo Sekine, Kanupriya Khurana, Krasimir Vasilev, Enzo Lombi and Erica Donner

Nanotoxicology, Vol.9(8), pp.1005-1012

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/17435390.2014.994570

PMID: 25697180

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Abstract

Adsorption

isotope tracing

nanoparticles

silver

toxicity

silver nanoparticle

tannin

ion

nanoparticle

algal growth

Article

EC50

ecotoxicity

effective concentration

environmental impact

experimental design

geometry

growth inhibition

nanoto

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are used in a wide variety of products, prompting concerns regarding their potential environmental impacts. To accurately determine the toxicity of Ag-NPs it is necessary to differentiate between the toxicity of the nanoparticles themselves and the toxicity of ionic silver (Ag) released from them. This is not a trivial task given the reactive nature of Ag in solution, and its propensity for both adsorption and photoreduction. In the experiments reported here, we quantified the loss of silver from test solutions during standard ecotoxicity testing conducted using a variety of different test container materials and geometries. This sensitive 110mAg isotope tracing method revealed a substantial underestimation of the toxicity of dissolved Ag to the green algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata when calculated only on the basis of the initial test concentrations. Furthermore, experiments with surface-functionalized Ag-NPs under standard algal growth inhibition test conditions also demonstrated extensive losses of Ag-NPs from the solution due to adsorption to the container walls, and the extent of loss was dependent on Ag-NP surface-functionality. These results hold important messages for researchers engaged in both environmental and human nanotoxicology testing, not only for Ag-NPs but also for other NPs with various tailored surface chemistries, where these phenomena are recognized but are also frequently disregarded in the experimental design and reporting.

Details

Title: Quantifying the adsorption of ionic silver and functionalized nanoparticles during ecotoxicity testing: Test container effects and recommendations
Authors: Ryo Sekine (Author) - University of South Australia
Kanupriya Khurana (Author) - University of South Australia
Krasimir Vasilev (Author) - University of South Australia
Enzo Lombi (Author) - University of South Australia
Erica Donner (Author) - University of South Australia
Publication details: Nanotoxicology, Vol.9(8), pp.1005-1012
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Date published: 2015
DOI: 10.3109/17435390.2014.994570
ISSN: 1743-5390; 1743-5404; 1743-5390
PMID: 25697180
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99513873402621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Nanoscience & Nanotechnology; Toxicology

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