Challenges associated with in-situ TEM in environmental systems: The case of silver in aqueous solutions

► Effects of the electron beam on silver in an aqueous environment of varying silver activity were investigated. ► Dissolution of Ag primarily results from ionization induced by the primary beam. ► Deposition of Ag primarily results from reduction of Ag+ ions in solution by secondary electrons generated in the substrate. ► Relative rates vary with the activity of silver in solution.