Ecotoxicity of fungal-synthesized silver nanoparticles: mechanisms, impacts, and sustainable mitigation strategies.

Abstract

The review investigates the ecotoxicological implications of fungal-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), focusing on their behavior, transformations, and impacts across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Advanced techniques, such as Single-Particle ICP-MS and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, reveal the persistence and biotransformation of AgNPs, including silver ion (Ag⁺) release and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The review highlights species-specific bio-accumulation pathways in algae, soil microbes, invertebrates, and vertebrates, along with the limited biomagnification potential within trophic levels. Long-term exposure to AgNPs leads to reduced soil fertility, altered microbial communities, and inhibited plant growth, raising significant ecological concerns. Sustainable mitigation strategies, including bioremediation and advanced filtration systems, are proposed to reduce the environmental risks of AgNPs. This comprehensive analysis provides a framework for future ecological studies and regulatory measures, balancing the technological benefits of fungal-synthesized AgNPs with their environmental safety.