Nanosilver: How Do These Tiny Particles Impact Freshwater Ecosystems?
Trent School of the Environment’s Dr. Chris Metcalfe is one of the co-leaders on a study into the environmental impacts of microscopic silver particles.
These microscopic silver particles, also known as nanosilver, serve as an antimicrobial agent in a vast array of consumer products including clothing and condoms. Because they are even smaller than cells in the body, there is concern that they could disrupt biological systems. A study conducted by a research team that includes Trent University’s Professor Chris Metcalfe, as well as dean of Arts and Science (Science) Dr. Holger Hintelmann, Dr. Maggie Xenopoulos and Dr. Paul Frost, delved into the tiny material’s impact on freshwater ecosystems, including fish.
Much of the Lake Ecosystem Nanosilver (LENS) project took place at the IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) near Kenora, Ontario, with funding support from NSERC and Environment and Climate Change Canada, with a timeline that spanned from 2012-2019. Part of this study was conducted as a whole-lake ecosystem study of the impacts of nanosilver added to one of the lakes at the IISD-ELA. Findings from the most recent study published by Master’s student, Lauren Hayhurst and LENS colleagues indicate that there is a negative impact on fish, specifically yellow perch, from chronic exposure to nanosilver added to the lake at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Prof. Metcalfe explains that this study shows that nanosilver could harm the aquatic environment, but if nanosilver concentrations are maintained below the existing Canadian Water Quality Guideline for silver, which currently does not cover nanosilver, then there should be no harmful effects.
“We should be keeping an eye on it and applying the regulatory limits that we have for silver," notes Prof. Metcalfe.
Throughout the duration of the project more than 15 post-doctoral fellows, as well as graduate and undergraduate students from Trent and other universities were involved in the research, with the work done primarily at Trent and the IISD-ELA. Much of the analytical work was done at Trent’s world class Water Quality Centre.
This research has been making big headlines, including coverage with The Globe and Mail and Radio Canada International.
Learn more about Trent’s Water Quality Centre.
Learn more about the IISD-ELA.