Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have significantly increased in production and use for anti-microbial propose. This agent, after used, is released into sewerage system resulting in possibility to inactivate non-targeted microorganisms in wastewater treatment plants. In this study, the inhibitory effect of AgNPs on ammonia oxidation was investigated using respirometric assay. The initial concentrations of AgNPs and ammonia ranged 0.25–10.00 and 14–280 mg/L, respectively. Half saturation constant (K s) for ammonia oxidation was found to be 15.9 mg N/L. Under the presence of AgNPs, the maximum oxygen uptake rate and K s declined. The effect of AgNPs was proved to follow an uncompetitive-like inhibition kinetic type with the inhibition coefficients (K i) of 5.5 mg/L. Increasing AgNPs from 0.25 to 10.00 mg/L inhibited 4 to 50 % of ammonia-oxidizing activities at the initial ammonia concentrations from 14 to 280 mg/L. Based on transmission electron microscopic observation, AgNPs could damage the microbial cells. All findings indicated that AgNPs substantially reduced ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms and their activities. Thus, special attention should be made to manage discharge of AgNPs into the environment.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank Professor Dr. Eakalak Khan and Associate Professor Dr. Alisa S. Vangnai for their mentoring. The financial support was provided by the 90th Anniversary of Chulalongkorn University Fund (Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endowment Fund) and New Researcher Grant (MRG5380280) granted by the Thailand Research Fund, Office of the Higher Education Commission, and Ubon Ratchathani University, Thailand. This work was conducted as a part of the research cluster “Fate and Removal of Emerging Micropollutants in Environment” granted by the Center of Excellence for Environmental and Hazardous Waste Management and Special Task Force for Activating Research program of Chulalongkorn University. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the grant agencies.
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Giao, N.T., Limpiyakorn, T. & Siripattanakul-Ratpukdi, S. Inhibition Kinetics of Ammonia Oxidation Influenced by Silver Nanoparticles. Water Air Soil Pollut 223, 5197–5203 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-012-1271-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-012-1271-9