Environmental Risk Assessment of Silver Nanoparticles in Aquatic Ecosystems Using Fuzzy Logic

Abstract

The rapid development of nanotechnology has stimulated the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in various fields that leads to their presence in different ecosystem compartments, in particular aquatic ecosystems. Several studies have shown that a variety of living organisms are affected by AgNPs. Therefore, a methodology to assess the risk of AgNPs for aquatic ecosystems was developed. The methodology is based on fuzzy logic, a proven method for dealing with variables with an associated uncertainty, as is the case with many variables related to AgNPs. After a careful literature search, a selection of relevant variables was carried out and the fuzzy model was designed. From inputs such as AgNPs’ size, shape, and coating, it is possible to determine their level of toxicity which, together with their level of concentration, are sufficient to create a risk assessment. Two case studies to assess this methodology are presented, one involving continuous effluent from a wastewater treatment plant and the second involving an accidental spill. The results showed that the accidental spills have a higher risk than WWTP release, with the combination of Plates–BPEI being the most toxic one. This approach can be adapted to different situations and types of nanoparticles, making it highly useful for both stakeholders and decision makers.

Aquatic Ecosystem Risk Assessment Generated by Accidental Silver Nanoparticle Spills in Groundwater

“…However, the results from the fuzzy functions show that the sensitivity of the toxicity in relation to the AgNPs’ size in the studied range (5–15 nm) was zero (insensitive). This result agrees with the sensitivity analysis for the same type of nanoparticle that was conducted by the authors of [ 41 ], who focused their attention for the sensitivity analysis on the concentration of AgNPs.…”

“…For the purpose of this study, a fuzzy model previously developed by the authors [ 41 ] was adapted and used to test the proposed case studies. From inputs such as the size, shape, and coating of the AgNPs, it is possible to determine their level of toxicity which, together with their concentration level, provides a risk assessment (see Figure 1 ).…”

“…For the evaluation of risk sensitivity, a simple approach using a sensitivity ratio (SR) was used [ 41 ]. A SR is a common metric of sensitivity analysis and, for quantitative parameters, measures the change in model output per unit change in an input variable.…”

“…This approach consists of integrating two models for risk assessment: Monte Carlo simulation and fuzzy logic. Several Monte Carlo simulations were recently applied to model the concentration of the NPs in wastewater [ 40 , 41 ] and environmental compartments [ 8 ], and a fuzzy logic approach developed by our group was used to assess the risk of AgNPs in aquatic ecosystems [ 41 ]. The combination of both models has been tested in the evaluation of the health risks associated with groundwater contamination [ 42 , 43 ], water contamination [ 44 ], and air contamination [ 45 ].…”

An integrated approach to occupational health risk assessment of manufacturing nanomaterials using Pythagorean Fuzzy AHP and Fuzzy Inference System

“…In this study, the proposed approach was precise and helpful in determining the risk management strategies. Moreover, many studies have focused on the environmental risk assessment of various nanoparticles that is used using fuzzy logic 35 , 36 . Based on our research, none of the MCDM techniques in literature has been used to assess occupational and health risks of nanomaterials.…”