Mixed messages from benthic microbial communities exposed to nanoparticulate and ionic silver: 3D structure picks up nano-specific effects, while EPS and traditional endpoints indicate a concentration-dependent impact of silver ions

Kroll, Alexandra; Matzke, Marianne; Rybicki, Marcus; Obert-Rauser, Patrick; Burkart, Corinna; Jurkschat, Kerstin; Verweij, Rudo; Sgier, Linn; Jungmann, Dirk; Backhaus, Thomas; Svendsen, Claus ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7281-647X. 2016 Mixed messages from benthic microbial communities exposed to nanoparticulate and ionic silver: 3D structure picks up nano-specific effects, while EPS and traditional endpoints indicate a concentration-dependent impact of silver ions. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23 (5). 4218-4234. 10.1007/s11356-015-4887-7

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Official URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11356-...

Abstract/Summary

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are currently defined as emerging pollutants in surface water ecosystems. Whether the toxic effects of AgNP towards freshwater organisms are fully explainable by the release of ionic silver (Ag+) has not been conclusively elucidated. Long-term effects to benthic microbial communities (periphyton) that provide essential functions in stream ecosystems are unknown. The effects of exposure of periphyton to 2 and 20 μg/L Ag+ (AgNO3) and AgNP (polyvinylpyrrolidone stabilised) were investigated in artificial indoor streams. The extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and 3D biofilm structure, biomass, algae species, Ag concentrations in the water phase and bioassociated Ag were analysed. A strong decrease in total Ag was observed within 4 days. Bioassociated Ag was proportional to dissolved Ag indicating a rate limitation by diffusion across the diffusive boundary layer. Two micrograms per liter of AgNO3 or AgNP did not induce significant effects despite detectable bioassociation of Ag. The 20-μg/L AgNO3 affected green algae and diatom communities, biomass and the ratio of polysaccharides to proteins in EPS. The 20-μg/L AgNO3 and AgNP decreased biofilm volume to about 50 %, while the decrease of biomass was lower in 20 μg/L AgNP samples than the 20-μg/L AgNO3 indicating a compaction of the NP-exposed biofilms. Roughness coefficients were lower in 20 μg/L AgNP-treated samples. The more traditional endpoints (biomass and diversity) indicated silver ion concentration-dependent effects, while the newly introduced parameters (3D structure and EPS) indicated both silver ion concentration-dependent effects and effects related to the silver species applied.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1007/s11356-015-4887-7
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Acreman
ISSN:	0944-1344
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	biofilms, periphyton, silver nanoparticles, community ecotoxicology, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), 3D structure
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	16 Feb 2016 12:06 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/512971

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1007/s11356-015-4887-7

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Acreman

ISSN:

0944-1344

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

biofilms, periphyton, silver nanoparticles, community ecotoxicology, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), 3D structure