Does the Nano Character and Type of Nano Silver Coating Affect Its Influence on Calcareous Soil Enzymes Activity?

Numerous applications of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), as well as the toxic effects of these particles on soil organisms and microorganisms, raise the question of how reasonable the entry of these nanoparticles into the environment is. Studying the behavior of these nanoparticles with soil organisms and also their effect on soil microorganisms may be the first step to finding out the answer. Structural and form differences in these nanoparticles for use in different conditions can change their behavior. The surface of these nanoparticles is covered with diverse coatings with differing surface charges affecting their fate in soil environments. Naturally, studying this aspect is essential to better understand how these particles impact the environment. In the present study, urease and dehydrogenase enzymes were used as soil health indicators to evaluate the effect of AgNPs and silver nitrate (AgNO3). In order to investigate the effect of surface charge, concentration, and exposure time, three concentration levels (5, 25, 125 mg/kg soil), three different types of charged coatings (citrate (Cit), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyethyleneimine (PEI)) were added to the soil as a treatment and the activities of dehydrogenase (as an indicator of overall microbial activity) and urease (indicator of nitrogen cycle) were measured at three times (1 h, 1 day and 90 days) after soil contamination. The results showed that with increasing the concentration of AgNO3 and AgNPs, the amount of dehydrogenase and urease activity decreased significantly. In the case of urease enzyme, nanoparticles with PEI coating (positive charge) had the greatest effect on reducing activity. In the case of dehydrogenase the opposite was true, and nanoparticles with Cit coating (negative charged) showed a greater inhibitory effect. With increasing incubation time, the amount of enzymatic activity of both types of enzymes showed less decrease, so that the greatest decrease in activity was in the first hour, then in the first day, and finally in 90 days. By comparing silver nitrate and nanoparticles it was found that the effect of AgNPs on enzymatic activity was greater than silver nitrate.