Role of sulfide and ligand strength in controlling nanosilver toxicity

Nanosilver has been used broadly in nanotechnology enhanced consumer products because of its strong antimicrobial properties. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) released from these products will likely enter wastewater collection and treatment systems. This research evaluated the role of sulfide and ligand strength in controlling nanosilver toxicity to nitrifying bacteria that are important in wastewater treatment. The nanosilver toxicity in the absence and presence of ligands (SO(4)(2-), S(2-), Cl(-), PO(4)(3-), and EDTA(-)) commonly present in wastewater was determined from the oxygen uptake rate measurements. Sulfide appeared to be the only ligand to effectively reduce nanosilver toxicity. By adding a small aliquot of sulfide that was stoichiometrically complexed with AgNPs, the nanosilver toxicity to nitrifying organisms was reduced by up to 80%. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis indicated that AgNPs were highly reactive with sulfide to form new Ag(x)S(y) complexes or precipitates. These complexes were not oxidized after a prolonged period of aeration (18h). This information is useful for wastewater treatment design and operation to reduce nanosilver toxicity via sulfide complexation. While the biotic ligand model was successful in predicting the toxicity of Ag(+) ions, it could not accurately predict the toxicity of AgNPs. Nevertheless, it could be one of the many tools useful in predicting and controlling nanosilver toxicity to wastewater microorganisms.