Effects of sulfidation of silver nanoparticles on the Ag uptake kinetics in Brassica rapa plants

Land application of sewage sludge containing increasing levels of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) raises concerns about the risk for plant exposure. This study compared the uptake kinetics and distribution of Ag in Brassica rapa seedlings grown in Lufa 2.2 natural soil spiked with 20 nm Ag2S NPs, with those from 3 to 8 nm AgNPs, 50 nm AgNPs and AgNO3 exposures (10 mg Ag/kg dry soil). A two-compartment model was used to describe the uptake kinetics of Ag in plants, distinguishing two stages: stage I with increasing Ag uptake followed by stage II with decreasing Ag uptake. The concentration of Ag in roots from Ag2S NPs was about 14 and 10 times lower than for the other AgNPs and AgNO3 exposures, respectively, at the end of stage I, with root translocation rate constants being higher for Ag2S NPs. In stage II, Ag uptake occurred only for the 50 nm AgNPs. The distribution of Ag in B. rapa exposed to pristine, ionic and sulfidized AgNPs differed at the end of exposure. This study shows that Ag uptake and distribution in plants depends on the Ag form in soil, highlighting the importance of studying the environmentally relevant chemical species in NPs risk assessment. [Display omitted] •The accumulation of Ag in Brassica rapa differed during the plant life cycle.•Pristine AgNPs accumulated 14 times more Ag in B. rapa roots than Ag2S NPs.•A two-stage two-compartment model described the Ag uptake kinetics.•In Ag2S NPs, Ag was transferred to the shoots faster than for the other Ag forms.•NP stability determined different Ag uptake and translocation in plants.