Bioaccumulation of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) Co-Exposed with Graphene Oxide Nanosheets (GNs) in the Gill and Intestine Tissues of Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and graphene oxide nanoparticles (GNs) have known health effects on humans and other organisms. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the bioaccumulation and depuration of AgNPs in guppy (Poecilia reticulata) tissues in the presence of GNs. In so doing, two non-lethal concentrations of AgNPs, one non-lethal concentration of GNs, and two concentrations of the combination of AgNPs and GNs were used along with a control group. Based on the results obtained, on day 28, the level of silver in the gill tissue was 0.980 and 1.22 mg/g in the individual groups and 1.34 and 1.23 mg/g in the combined groups, respectively. Conversely, the silver uptake in the intestine tissue on day 28 was 0.377 and 0.267 mg/g in the individual groups and 0.659 and 0.475 mg/g in the combined groups, respectively. Silver uptake in guppy tissues increased with higher concentrations and longer exposure times, and it varied depending on the specific tissues involved. Also, findings show that the depuration rate within 14 days for both tissues is similar across individual and mixture exposure modes, indicating a comparable capacity for the depuration of silver particles. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the presence of GNs has a synergistic effect on the uptake of silver in guppy tissues.

Keywords: Bioaccumulation; Chronic toxicity; Combined exposure; Nanomaterial.