SILVER NANOPARTICLES IN THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT: A SYNTHESIS OF TOXICITY IN FISH

Silver nanoparticles are one of the most exploited metal nanoparticles due to their unique properties. They are synthesized via chemogenic and biogenic routes. Their widespread applications have resulted in their unintentional release into various environmental matrices, ultimately making way to the aquatic environment. Silver nanoparticles have a broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy, which coupled with their increasing concentration in the environment has raised concerns about their safety and ecotoxicity. Fishes are most likely to be affected in aquatic ecosystems. Studies have reported toxic effects of silver nanoparticles in different fishes at various levels of organisation i.e. haematological, histological and biochemical level. This review aims to summarize all the available information on biological effects and establish an understanding of the toxicity mechanism of silver nanoparticles to illuminate associated potential risks and safety.