Abstract
The contribution of the form of silver nanomaterials (nAg) towards toxicity in aquatic organisms is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the toxicity of various structures (sphere, cube and prism) of nAg in Dreissena bugensis mussels. Mussels were exposed to increasing concentrations of polyvinyl-coated nAg of the same size for 96 h at 15 °C. They were then analyzed for biophysical changes in the cytoplasm (viscosity, protein aggregation and lipids), neuro-activity (fractal kinetics of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)), oxidative stress (labile zinc (Zn) and lipid peroxidation) and inflammation (arachidonate cyclooxygenase). Although some decreasing effects in protein aggregation were observed, viscosity was more strongly decreased in mussels exposed to spheric and prismatic nAg. The activity of AChE was significantly decreased in the following form-dependent manner: prismatic > cubic > spheric nAg. The fractal dimension of AChE reactions was reduced by all geometries of nAg, while dissolved Ag had no effects. For nanoparticles with the same coating and relative size, spheric nAg produced more significant changes towards the fractal dimension of AChE, while prismatic nAg increased both protein aggregation and viscosity, whereas cubic nAg decreased protein aggregation in the cytoplasm. It is concluded that the geometries of nanoparticles could influence toxicity in aquatic organisms.
Highlights
The nanotechnology industry has grown exponentially over the last decades and pervaded many areas or our economy [1]
Mussels were exposed to three concentrations (2, 10 and 50 μg/L) of different forms diomf nenAsgio(nspshoefrtehs,ecnuAbegswanedrepirnistmhes)saanmdetrwaongceonacnedntarlaltwionerseocfoiaotneidc Awgit(h1PaVndP 1to0 mμga/xLi)m. ize thTehiendfliumeenncseioonfsnoAf gthgeeonmAgetwryer(eTaibnleth1e).saTmhee rsaiznegeraanngdesalol fwthereencAoagtefdorwmisthwPeVreP 7t0o nm dimamaxeimteirzefotrhethinefslupehnecreeos,f 7n5Angmgeofomretthryef
Decreases in the fractal dimension (fD) of AChE suggest that the various forms of nAg change the spatial organisation of the enzyme AChE, perhaps by crowding effects
Summary
The nanotechnology industry has grown exponentially over the last decades and pervaded many areas or our economy [1]. Silver nanoparticles (nAg) are frequently found in consumer products and medical equipment because of their biocidal properties [2]. The increasing use and disposal of nAg-contaminated products have led to the release of nAg into the environment, which could lead to harmful effects in wildlife [3]. Ag is mainly released by municipal wastewaters into the aquatic environment [4]. A previous study revealed that most Ag particles at the nanoscale (1–100 nm) were effectively removed (95%) but significant amounts were still released in effluents, albeit at the low ng/L range [5]. Ag nanoparticles consisted of
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