Distribution of Silver (Ag) and Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) in Aquatic Environment

Nanomaterials, classified as emerging pollutants that are toxic to the environment, known bioaccumulate across different trophic levels in aquatic ecosystem. This study therefore investigates distribution of silver and nanoparticles (AgNPs) environment Skudai River, Johor, Malaysia. Water, sediment, plant, fish samples were collected seasonally along four sites River between May 2018 April 2019. All subjected Ag analysis using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The demonstrated concentration detected water ranging from 0.001 0.505 mg/L was lowest, whereas plants, 0.235 4.713 mg/kg quantified. upper sediments contained 0.036 28.115 Ag, whilst presented highest accumulation averaging 9.144 53.784 Ag. Subsequently, formation further proven by TEM-EDX analysis, where size AgNPs ranged 20 nm 35 nm. overriding conclusion implied bioaccumulation factor (BAF) biota–sediment (BSAF) calculations suggested indeed polluted AgNPs. values obtained stipulated is occurring at alarming rate could endanger consumers.