Effect of silver nanoparticles on marine organisms belonging to different trophic levels

• Ag-NP effects were investigated in marine species at different trophic levels.
• Algae, cnidarians, crustaceans and echinoderms were exposed to Ag-NP suspensions.
• Acute and behavioral end-points were evaluated to detect Ag-NP toxicity.
• All end-points underlined a dose-dependent effect at any level of the trophic chain.
• Ag-NPs exposure influenced different trophic levels within the marine ecosystem.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are increasingly used in a wide range of consumer products and such an extensive use raises questions about their safety and environmental toxicity. We investigated the potential toxicity of Ag-NPs in the marine ecosystem by analyzing the effects on several organisms belonging to different trophic levels. Algae (Dunaliella tertiolecta, Skeletonema costatum), cnidaria (Aurelia aurita jellyfish), crustaceans (Amphibalanus amphitrite and Artemia salina) and echinoderms (Paracentrotus lividus) were exposed to Ag-NPs and different end-points were evaluated: algal growth, ephyra jellyfish immobilization and frequency of pulsations, crustaceans mortality and swimming behavior, and sea urchin sperm motility. Results showed that all the end-points were able to underline a dose-dependent effect. Jellyfish were the most sensitive species, followed by barnacles, sea urchins, green algae, diatoms and brine shrimps. In conclusion, Ag-NPs exposure can influence different trophic levels within the marine ecosystem.