Silver nanoparticle–induced ecotoxicity

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are unique because of their biocide properties and high efficiency in comparison with their micrometric counterparts. Therefore AgNP production and multiple applications increasing exponentially worldwide also is their ultimate disposal to environments where the aquatic bodies are always the final sinks. However, up to date, the emission and discharge of AgNP to environments have been poorly regulated. As a concern about the potential ecotoxicological effects that AgNP could induce to biota has remarkably raised in the last decades, this chapter aims to: (1) explain the main AgNP characteristics and how they reach the environments, with emphasis on the aquatic ones; (2) describe the intrinsic properties and possible AgNP transformations which ultimately will influence on their toxicity; (3) elucidate the main ecotoxicological mechanisms that AgNP could induce to biota, and (4) identify gaps in the knowledge of induced AgNP ecotoxicity and further needs for research.