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Effects of engineered silver nanoparticles on the growth and activity of ecologically important microbes
Author(s) -
Beddow Jessica,
Stolpe Björn,
Cole Paula,
Lead Jamie R.,
Sapp Melanie,
Lyons Brett P.,
Colbeck Ian,
Whitby Corinne
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
environmental microbiology reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.229
H-Index - 69
ISSN - 1758-2229
DOI - 10.1111/1758-2229.12147
Subject(s) - nitrosomonas europaea , escherichia coli , bacillus subtilis , nitrification , silver nanoparticle , bacteria , nitrosomonas , microbiology and biotechnology , microorganism , ammonia , oxidizing agent , biology , biofilm , chemistry , food science , environmental chemistry , nanoparticle , biochemistry , nanotechnology , nitrogen , materials science , genetics , organic chemistry , gene
Summary Currently, little is known about the impact of silver nanoparticles ( AgNPs ) on ecologically important microorganisms such as ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria ( AOB ). We performed a multi‐analytical approach to demonstrate the effects of uncapped nanosilver ( uAgNP ), capped nanosilver ( cAgNP ) and Ag 2 SO 4 on the activities of the AOB : N itrosomonas europaea , N itrosospira multiformis and N itrosococcus oceani , and the growth of E scherichia coli and B acillus subtilis as model bacterial systems in relation to AgNP type and concentration. All Ag treatments caused significant inhibition to the nitrification potential rates ( NPRs ) of N itrosomonas europaea (decreased from 34 to < 16.7 μM NH 4 + oxidized day −1 ), N itrosospira multiformis (decreased from 46 to < 24.8 μM NH 4 + oxidized day −1 ) and N itrosococcus oceani (decreased from 26 to < 18.4 μM NH 4 + oxidized day −1 ). E scherichia coli ‐ A g interactions revealed that the percentage of damaged E . coli cells was 45% greater with Ag 2 SO 4 , 39% with cAgNPs and 33% with uAgNPs compared with controls. Generally, the inhibitory effect on AOB NPRs and E . coli / B . subtilis growth was in the following order Ag 2 SO 4 > cAgNP > uAgNP . In conclusion, AgNPs (especially cAgNPs ) and Ag 2 SO 4 adversely affected AOB activities and thus have the potential to severely impact key microbially driven processes such as nitrification in the environment.