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Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae
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Functionalized silver nanoparticles enable efficient mercury removal and toxicity reduction toward microalgae.

Arianna Bellingeri1, Andrea Calantropio1, Iole Venditti2

  • 1Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.

Nanotoxicology
|January 18, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPcitLcys) effectively remove mercury (Hg) from water, showing low ecotoxicity to aquatic life. While efficient in marine environments, Hg removal in freshwater was less effective but still reduced toxicity.

Keywords:
Nanosilveraquatic speciesecotoxicitymercuryremoval

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Ecotoxicology

Background:

  • Mercury (Hg) is a persistent, bioaccumulative, and highly toxic heavy metal pollutant.
  • Nanotechnology offers efficient, cost-effective, and reusable solutions for heavy metal removal from water.
  • Silver nanoparticles functionalized with citrate and L-cysteine (AgNPcitLcys) are designed for Hg removal with minimal ecotoxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the efficacy of AgNPcitLcys in removing Hg from water.
  • To evaluate the ecotoxicity of AgNPcitLcys using freshwater (Raphidocelis subcapitata) and marine (Dunaliella tertiolecta) microalgae.
  • To determine Hg removal efficiency and toxicity reduction in different aquatic media.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles functionalized with citrate and L-cysteine (AgNPcitLcys).
  • Exposure of Raphidocelis subcapitata and Dunaliella tertiolecta to AgNPcitLcys and Hg-contaminated water.
  • Measurement of Hg removal percentages and assessment of microalgal growth inhibition.

Main Results:

  • AgNPcitLcys exhibited low ecotoxicity to both microalgae species, with 10 mg/L causing 40% growth inhibition in D. tertiolecta.
  • Hg removal efficiency was significantly higher in marine water (99.26%) compared to freshwater (63.07%).
  • AgNPcitLcys successfully reduced Hg toxicity in marine water for D. tertiolecta, but not in freshwater.

Conclusions:

  • AgNPcitLcys demonstrate high efficiency in removing Hg from marine water and show potential for real-world applications.
  • The nanoparticles possess low ecotoxicity, making them a promising tool for mitigating mercury pollution.
  • Further research is needed to optimize Hg removal in freshwater systems and fully understand long-term ecotoxicological impacts.