Abstract
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is a method with high potential to visualize the distribution of elements in different samples, including a variety of organisms. This study aimed to demonstrate the broad application of LA-ICP-MS in nanomaterial-biota fate studies as a high throughput bioimaging tool and to broaden the choice of standard organism models in material-biota interaction research. In this study, operation parameters of LA-ICP-MS were optimised on one organism, woodlice Porcellio scaber. Subsequently, the scanning conditions were tested on a range of aquatic (Girardia tigrina, Lumbriculus variegatus, and Oncorhynchus mykiss), terrestrial organisms (Lumbricus rubellus, Porcellio scaber) and one plant (Triticum aestivum) upon exposure to Ag2S nanoparticles (NPs) and silver nitrate (AgNO3). Model organisms were exposed in aquatic or terrestrial mesocosm experiments where nominal concentrations of Ag were 10 mg Ag per L of water and 10 mg Ag per kg of soil, respectively. The results showed that both sample preparation and LA-ICP-MS imaging conditions, as optimized on the selected organism (65 mm laser diameter, scan rate 100 mm s−1 , measuring duration 35 min), are applicable on different tissues. These LA-ICP-MS imaging conditions enable recognition of the main biological structures and biodistribution of elements of interest. By using fast-screening LAICP-MS, we confirmed the presence of Ag2S NPs on the body surface or in the gut lumen (adsorbed and retained), but not in other internal parts of organisms, which is consistent with our previous toxicokinetic studies. The presence of Ag was also confirmed in some parts of wheat roots. The advantage of this technique is the possibility of sequential use of fast- and slow-scanning steps to optimise the duration of analysis and data processing, whilst also improving cost-effectiveness without compromising the quality of results.
DOI
10.1039/d3ja00223c
Publication Date
2023-10-10
Publication Title
Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry
Issue
11
ISSN
0267-9477
Embargo Period
2023-11-03
Organisational Unit
School of Biological and Marine Sciences
Recommended Citation
Marolt, G., Novak, S., Kokalj, A., Talaber, I., Kononenko, V., Loureiro, S., Khodaparast, Z., Silva, P., Fité, M., Handy, R., & Drobne, D. (2023) 'High throughput laser ablation ICP-MS bioimaging of silver distribution in animal organisms and plant tissue after exposure to silver sulfide nanoparticles', Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, (11). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1039/d3ja00223c
