Impact of polymer-coated silver nanoparticles on marine microbial communities: A microcosm study

► Marine microcosms exposed to PAAm-coated silver nanoparticles and ionic silver. ► Similar changes in bacterial richness and abundance with the two contaminants. ► Bactericidal properties of nanoparticles preserved under high ionic strength. ► Selection of a fraction of the initial community by PAAm silver nanoparticles.