Quantification and Characterization of Ti-, Ce-, and Ag-Nanoparticles in Global Surface Waters and Precipitation

Abstract

Nanoparticle (NP) emissions to the environment are increasing as a result of anthropogenic activities, prompting concerns for ecosystems and human health. In order to evaluate the risk of NPs, it is necessary to know their concentrations in various environmental compartments on regional and global scales; however, these data have remained largely elusive due to the analytical difficulties of measuring NPs in complex natural matrices. Here, we measure NP concentrations and sizes for Ti-, Ce-, and Ag-containing NPs in numerous global surface waters and precipitation samples, and we provide insights into their compositions and origins (natural or anthropogenic). The results link NP occurrences and distributions to particle type, origin, and sampling location. Based on measurements from 46 sites across 13 countries, total Ti-and Ce-NP concentrations (regardless of origin) were often found to be within 10 4 to 10 7 NP mL −1 , whereas Ag NPs exhibited sporadic occurrences with low concentrations generally up to 10 5 NP mL −1 . This generally corresponded to mass concentrations of <1 ng L −1 for Ag-NPs, <100 ng L −1 for Ce-NPs, and <10 μg L −1 for Ti-NPs, given that measured sizes were often below 15 nm for Ce-and Ag-NPs and above 30 nm for Ti-NPs. In view of current toxicological data, the observed NP levels do not yet appear to exceed toxicity thresholds for the environment or human health; however, NPs of likely anthropogenic origins appear to be already substantial in certain areas, such as urban centers. This work lays the foundation for broader experimental NP surveys, which will be critical for reliable NP risk assessments and the regulation of nano-enabled products.

Analysis of Ti- and Pb-based particles in the aqueous environment of Melbourne (Australia) via single particle ICP-MS

“…The average size of TiO 2 across all sampling locations was 79.8 nm, which was larger than sizes previously reported (typically between 40 and 50 nm) elsewhere [ 41 , 53 ]. The TiO 2 PNCs were generally within a range reported across various metropoles in a study by Azimzada et al [ 34 ].…”

“…Praetorius et al [ 32 ] and Loosli et al [ 33 ] demonstrated that SP ICP-ToF-MS improved the characterisation of suspended NMs and were able to distinguish between natural and engineered NMs by comparing elemental compositions of particles. Similarly, Azimzada et al [ 34 ] described the global abundance and composition of Ti-, Ce-, and Ag-based NMs. The performance of ICP-MS can also be improved via sector-field ICP-MS and ICP-MS/MS.…”

Exploring Nanogeochemical Environments: New Insights from Single Particle ICP-TOFMS and AF4-ICPMS

“… 26 However, few studies have examined the ability of spICP-TOFMS to conduct nanogeochemical analyses in aquatic systems by analyzing the composition of NNPs and natural colloids. 27 …”

Dissolution of Silver Nanoparticles in Stratified Estuarine Mesocosms and Silver Accumulation in a Simple Planktonic Freshwater Trophic Chain

“…Due to the rapid growth in their commercialization, AgNPs are likely to be released into the aquatic environment. However, there are still no fully developed analytical techniques that can specifically detect anthropogenic nanoparticles in complex matrices such as a natural environment [2,3]. Their predicted environmental concentrations (PEC) have been estimated by environmental fate models or material flow analysis in several studies (see [4] for a recent review).…”