Long-term exposure to high-concentration silver nanoparticles induced toxicity, fatality, bioaccumulation, and histological alteration in fish (Cyprinus carpio)

Background: Currently, nanotechnology and nanoparticles have quickly emerged and have gained the attention of scientists due to their massive applications in environmental sectors. However, these environmental applications of silver nanoparticles potentially cause serious effects on terrestrial and aquatic organisms. In the current study, freshwater fish C. carpio were exposed to blood-mediated silver nanoparticles for toxicity, mortality, bioaccumulation, and histological alterations. Silver nanoparticles were fabricated using animal blood serum and their toxic effect was studied against common carp fish at different concentrations levels (0.03, 0.06, and 0.09 mg/L). Results: The findings have revealed a little influence of blood-induced silver nanoparticles on fish behavior at the highest concentration (0.09 mg/L). However, bioaccumulation of blood-mediated silver nanoparticles was reported in different organs of fish. Maximum bioaccumulation of silver nanoparticles was reported in the liver, followed by the intestine, gills, and muscles. Furthermore, the findings have shown that the bioaccumulation of silver nanoparticles led to histopathological alterations; including damaged structure of gill tissue and have caused necrosis. It is summarized that histopathological alteration in gill and intestine mostly occurred by the highest concentration of blood-induced silver nanoparticles (0.09 mg/L). Conclusion: This study provides evidence of the silver nanoparticles influence on aquatic life; however, further systematic studies are crucial to access the effects of AgNPs on aquatic life.

Automated summary

The study revealed that blood-mediated silver nanoparticles had minimal impact on fish behavior at the highest concentration, but resulted in histological alterations. Additionally, bioaccumulation of silver nanoparticles was observed in different organs of the fish, with the highest accumulation in the liver, followed by the intestine, gills, and muscles. Furthermore, the study showed that bioaccumulation of silver nanoparticles led to histopathological alterations, including damaged gill tissue and necrosis, predominantly at the highest concentration tested.