Palladium Nanoparticles: Is There a Risk for Aquatic Ecosystems?

Abstract

Nano-sized palladium (nano-Pd) is used in catalytic converters of automobiles, where it can be released into the environment by abrasion. Although these particles may subsequently be transported into surface water bodies, no data estimating their fate and toxicity in aquatic systems exists. This study characterized the particle size development of nano-Pd (advertised size *12 nm; hydrodynamic size *70 nm) in media with variable ionic strength (IS). Additionally, the particles' acute toxicity for daphnids and chironomids was assessed. While nano-Pd agglomerated more quickly with increasing IS, it caused only marginal effects in both test species after 96 h of exposure. After 144 h of exposure, however, an EC50 value of 1.23 mg nano-Pd/L for daphnids was determined indicating effects over the long run. When considering the relatively low environmental concentration of elemental Pd in surface waters (usually ng/L), though, this study suggests only a low aquatic risk in response to nano-Pd.

Keywords

Nanomaterial; Palladium; Aquatic risk; Benthic invertebrates; Pelagic species

Published in

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
2016, volume: 97, number: 2, pages: 153-158

SLU Authors

• Seisenbaeva, Gulaim

  • The Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Kessler, Vadim

  • Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Bundschuh, Mirco

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • University of Koblenz-Landau

Global goals (SDG)

SDG14 Life below water

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences
Nano Technology
Inorganic Chemistry

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-1803-x

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/80507