Palladium Nanoparticles: Is There a Risk for Aquatic Ecosystems?

  • Simon Lüderwald
  • Frank Seitz
  • Gulaim A. Seisenbaeva
  • Vadim G. Kessler
  • Ralf Schulz
  • Mirco Bundschuh
Article
First Online:
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Accepted:

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 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the helpful comments by reviewers and editors on earlier versions of this manuscript. The present study is part of the research group INTERNANO, supported by the German Research Foundation (SCHU2271/5-2) and additionally by funding from the Ministry of Science Rhineland-Palatinate.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  • Simon Lüderwald
    • 1
  • Frank Seitz
    • 1
    • 2
  • Gulaim A. Seisenbaeva
    • 3
  • Vadim G. Kessler
    • 3
  • Ralf Schulz
    • 1
  • Mirco Bundschuh
    • 1
    • 4
  1. 1.Institute for Environmental SciencesUniversity of Koblenz-LandauLandauGermany
  2. 2.nEcoTox ConsultSchifferstadtGermany
  3. 3.Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, BiocenterSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)UppsalaSweden
  4. 4.Department of Aquatic Sciences and AssessmentSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)UppsalaSweden

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