Potential impacts of silver nanoparticles on bacteria in the aquatic environment

Zhiya Sheng; Yang Liu

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.01.028

Potential impacts of silver nanoparticles on bacteria in the aquatic environment

J Environ Manage. 2017 Apr 15:191:290-296. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.01.028. Epub 2017 Jan 24.

Authors

Zhiya Sheng¹, Yang Liu²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2W2, Canada.
² Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2W2, Canada. Electronic address: yang.liu@ualberta.ca.

PMID: 28129561
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.01.028

Abstract

It is inevitable that nano-silver will be released into the environment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand the effects of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) on microbes in natural and engineered environments. The most remarkable gap in our knowledge on this lies on the low Ag-NPs dose side. This review summarized studies on the effects of Ag-NPs on bacteria from simple to complicated aquatic systems. A hormetic model with a narrow stimulatory zone has been proposed based on both experimental phenomenon and the potential mechanisms of the observed effects. Spectrum of the stimulating zone depends on Ag-NP properties, bacterial types and environmental conditions tested. This may become a concern in terms of Ag-NP disposal, and further research is required to build a sophisticated toxicity model for Ag-NPs.

Keywords: Antimicrobial effects; Resistance; Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs); Stimulatory response; Tolerance.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Bacteria / drug effects
Environment
Metal Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles*
Silver*

Substances

Silver