Tissue distribution and kinetics of dissolved and nanoparticulate silver in Iceland scallop (Chlamys islandica)

The fast expansion of the global nanotechnology market entails a higher environmental and human exposure to nanomaterials. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are used for their antibacterial properties; however, their environmental fate is yet poorly understood. Iceland scallops (Chlamys islandica) were exposed for 12 h to three different silver forms, dissolved Ag(I) (Agdiss), small (S-NP, ∅ = 10–20 nm) and large AgNP (L-NP, ∅ = 70–80 nm), labeled with 110mAg, and bioaccumulation kinetics and tissue distribution using in vivo gamma counting and whole-body autoradiography were determined. All Ag forms were readily and rapidly accumulated. Elimination process was also fast and bi-exponential, with mean biological half-life ranging from 1.4 to 4.3 days and from 17 to 50 days for fast and slow compartments, respectively. Most of the radioactivity concentrated in the hepatopancreas. Agdiss and S-NP tissue distributions were similar indicating a rapid dissolution of the latter in the tissues, contrarily to L-NP which appeared to form long lasting aggregates in the digestive system. Estimated steady-state bioconcentration factors (BCF), ranging between 2700 and 3800 ml g−1 for dissolved and particulate silver forms, showed that C. islandica can accumulate significant quantities of Ag in a short time followed by an efficient depuration process.

► Iceland scallops were exposed to ionic silver (Ag) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).
► Bioaccumulation and tissue distribution using autoradiography were determined.
► Scallop accumulated significant quantities of dissolved and particulate silver.
► AgNPs agglomerated and concentrated mainly in digestive system.
► Fast depuration process for all chemical forms is observed within a few days.