Fate of Silver in an Aquatic System Inhabited by Hediste diversicolor

Silver is a natural metal and is geologically rare. It has been used in making jewellery, electronic equipment and photographic processes amongst other products. People are exposed to very low amount of silver daily, an amount that is not threatening their health. However, silver is persistent and bioaccumulate in the environment, which makes it an environmental hazard. Although silver is mostly found under its ionic form, silver nano particles are becoming more and more part of the anthropogenic inputs. There are many unknown aspects of silver nano particles, which makes them hard to monitor and regulate. This study provides a start point in the understanding of the silver nanoparticles behaviour and toxicity. The results consisted of two main parts : biological and chemical aspects. Nevertheless, the knowledge about silver nano particles at the moment is scarce, and this study may set a start point in this research field.

were three students from Roskilde University who focused on the behaviour of silver nanoparticles in the Roskilde fjord, Denmark. The results that were brought set up a starting point for the understanding of silver's behaviour in aquatic systems. Pierre- Aymeric Bouyou now resides in Montreal continuing his studies in environmental chemistry.