Dissolution of Silver Nanoparticles in Stratified Estuarine Mesocosms and Silver Accumulation in a Simple Planktonic Freshwater Trophic Chain

The increasing presence of nanomaterials in consumer products has led the scientific community to study environmental fate these contaminants emerging concern. Silver nanoparticles, used mainly for their antibacterial properties, are among most common nanomaterials. Understanding transformations and interactions with living organisms, especially under environmentally relevant conditions that can modify metal bioavailability, is a crucial step impacts on aquatic ecosystems. In present study, citrate-coated silver nanoparticles (20 nm; 10 µg/L) were added surface freshwater layer mesocosms simulating stratified estuary. investigation by dialysis nanoparticle dissolution showed large amount total was found (and very low seawater layer) 5–15% form dissolved silver. These results indicate halocline, separating fresh water from seawater, acted as strong density barrier limiting sedimentation nanoparticles. A simple trophic chain, composed alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii invertebrate Daphnia magna, determine bioavailability. This suggests do not significantly contribute Ag accumulation algae but may so invertebrates.