Transformation of PVP coated silver nanoparticles in a simulated wastewater treatment process and the effect on microbial communities

Chemistry Central Journal

Casey L Doolette²  Mike J McLaughlin⁴  Jason K Kirby⁴  Damien J Batstone³  Hugh H Harris¹  Huoqing Ge³  Geert Cornelis⁵ 

[1] School of Chemistry and Physics, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia

[2] School of Agriculture Food & Wine, The University of Adelaide, PMB 1, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia

[3] Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia

[4] CSIRO Land and Water, Environmental Biogeochemistry Program, Advanced Materials Transformational Capability Platform-Nanosafety, Waite Campus, Waite Road, Urrbrae, SA, 5064, Australia

[5] Department of Chemistry, The University of Gothenburg, Kemivägen 10, Göteborg, 41296, Sweden

关键词: Biosolids;    Synchrotron;    XAS;    Silver speciation;    Pyrotag sequencing;    Microbial communities;    Nitrification;    Sequencing batch reactor;    STEM HAADF;    Wastewater treatment;    Silver sulfide;    Silver nanoparticles;   

Others  :  787946
DOI  :  10.1186/1752-153X-7-46

 received in 2013-01-03, accepted in 2013-02-28,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

Manufactured silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most commonly used nanomaterials in consumer goods and consequently their concentrations in wastewater and hence wastewater treatment plants are predicted to increase. We investigated the fate of AgNPs in sludge that was subjected to aerobic and anaerobic treatment and the impact of AgNPs on microbial processes and communities. The initial identification of AgNPs in sludge was carried out using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The solid phase speciation of silver in sludge and wastewater influent was then examined using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The effects of transformed AgNPs (mainly Ag-S phases) on nitrification, wastewater microbial populations and, for the first time, methanogenesis was investigated.

Results

Sequencing batch reactor experiments and anaerobic batch tests, both demonstrated that nitrification rate and methane production were not affected by the addition of AgNPs [at 2.5 mg Ag L^-1 (4.9 g L^-1 total suspended solids, TSS) and 183.6 mg Ag kg ^-1 (2.9 g kg^-1 total solids, TS), respectively].

The low toxicity is most likely due to AgNP sulfidation. XAS analysis showed that sulfur bonded Ag was the dominant Ag species in both aerobic (activated sludge) and anaerobic sludge. In AgNP and AgNO₃ spiked aerobic sludge, metallic Ag was detected (~15%). However, after anaerobic digestion, Ag(0) was not detected by XAS analysis. Dominant wastewater microbial populations were not affected by AgNPs as determined by DNA extraction and pyrotag sequencing. However, there was a shift in niche populations in both aerobic and anaerobic sludge, with a shift in AgNP treated sludge compared with controls. This is the first time that the impact of transformed AgNPs (mainly Ag-S phases) on anaerobic digestion has been reported.

Conclusions

Silver NPs were transformed to Ag-S phases during activated sludge treatment (prior to anaerobic digestion). Transformed AgNPs, at predicted future Ag wastewater concentrations, did not affect nitrification or methanogenesis. Consequently, AgNPs are very unlikely to affect the efficient functioning of wastewater treatment plants. However, AgNPs may negatively affect sub-dominant wastewater microbial communities.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Doolette et al.; licensee Chemistry Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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