Copper Drinking Water Pipes as a Previously Undocumented Source of Silver-Based Nanoparticles

Abstract

Wastewater streams are widely known to release silver-based nanoparticles (Ag-b-NPs) into the environment with a plethora of unknown consequences. Until recently, studies have commonly associated Ag-b-NP sources with products that contain these NPs for antimicrobial reasons, such as fabrics, cosmetics, and medical products. However, our study reveals that there is a thus far completely undocumented source of Ag-b-NPs: copper drinking water pipes. We applied cloud point extraction hyphenated to electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry or single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to analyze the concentration and perform size-selective quantification of Ag-b-NPs in tap water passing through copper pipes. Up to 83 ng of total silver and 25 ng of Ag-b-NPs were present in tap water samples per liter, which resulted in an NP proportion of approximately 30% of total silver. In total, 96% of the measurable particle sizes ranged from 10 to 36 nm. Additionally, 53 μg of copper was released per liter tap water on average. The measurements included tap water from different sampling days and from four different buildings with varying ages, whereas Ag-b-NPs could be detected in the tap water of two buildings. Silver traces in the copper pipe material of 27.5 ± 4.4 μg g–1 were found to be responsible for the release of nanoparticulate silver into the tap water.

Speciation Analysis of Ag2S and ZnS Nanoparticles at the ng/L Level in Environmental Waters by Cloud Point Extraction Coupled with LC-ICPMS

“…For example, 1−100 ng/L Ag-based NPs were found in the effluent of WWTP, 42,43 and up to 83 ng/L total silver and 25 ng/L Agbased NPs were detected in the tap water released form the copper pipes. 44 Thus, the spiking levels of 81.2−385 ng/L were reasonable. As can be seen in Table 1, the obtained recoveries of Ag 2 S-NPs and ZnS-NPs for these samples were in the range of 81.3−96.6%, proving the applicability of the developed methodology for environmental samples.…”

Nanobionics in Crop Production: An Emerging Approach to Modulate Plant Functionalities

“…Metal-based NPs are most likely to release their constituents in the soil as elemental or ionic forms that can be used as nutrients (in the case of NPs of Cu, Mg, Mn, Se, Zn, etc. ); however, the NPs of Ag, As, Pt, Ti, etc., that are equally promising in crop production, may accumulate after continuous and repeated applications and affect the environment negatively [ 119 , 120 , 121 ]. This can affect the germination of seeds as well as root and shoot development, thereby affecting the biomass and yield of the crops.…”

“…This can affect the germination of seeds as well as root and shoot development, thereby affecting the biomass and yield of the crops. NPs such as Ag NPs have been analysed in the soil, surface water, and sediment [ 59 , 121 , 122 , 123 ]. The accumulated NPs are transported via interfaces of soil particles and affect the beneficial soil microbes undesirably [ 118 , 123 ].…”

Analytical applications of single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: a comprehensive and critical review

“…38,[243][244][245]247,251 Tap waters have been analysed in relation to the release of incidental nanoparticles containing different metals from copper pipes. 255,256 Throughfall water from the wash-off of vine leaves treated with Cu-based fungicides has also been analysed by SP-ICP-MS in combination with other techniques to study the mobilization of Cu-containing particles. 258 The occurrence of Zn-, 246 Ag-, 246,247 Ti-, 246,247 Cu- 246 and Ce- 247 containing ARTICLE Journal Name…”

“…When lower LODs are required, cloud point extraction has proved to be a valid approach for the isolation and concentration of nanoparticles, while preserving their core size and morphology. 104,132,140,241,256,281 Cloud point extraction involves the addition of a non-ionic surfactant (e.g., Triton X114) at concentrations over the critical micellar concentration, the incorporation of the nanoparticles in the micellar aggregates and the separation of the surfactant phase from the aqueous one by mild heating (ca. 40ºC).…”