Analysis of Engineered Nanoparticles in Seawater Using ICP-MS-Based Technology: From Negative to Positive Samples

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Marine Pollution

Background:

• Global emissions of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) into aquatic environments pose a growing safety concern.
• Effective methods are needed to identify and quantify ENPs in seawater.
• Anthropogenic impacts on coastal regions necessitate monitoring of emerging contaminants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and apply a method for detecting and quantifying ENPs in coastal Black Sea waters.
• To assess the relationship between ENP concentrations and anthropogenic influences in different coastal areas.
• To determine the persistence and distribution of ENPs in marine environments.

Main Methods:

• Utilized sector-field inductively coupled mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS) for ENP analysis.
• Employed ultrafiltration (3 kDa membrane) to separate ENPs from bulk seawater.
• Applied ultrasound-mediated acidic dissolution to prepare ENP-bound metals for quantification.

Main Results:

• Successfully quantified ENPs containing Cu, Zn, V, Mo, and Sn in Black Sea surface waters for the first time.
• Measured ENP concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 μg L⁻¹ (as metal).
• Detected ENPs up to 2 km from the coast, correlating with industrial and urban pollution sources.

Conclusions:

• The developed method is effective for identifying and quantifying ENPs in marine environments.
• ENP levels in coastal waters are linked to anthropogenic activities and can persist significant distances offshore.
• Further research is needed to understand the long-term fate and ecological impact of these ENPs.