The aim of the study was to assess the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs1 = 2.7 d·nm, AgNPs2 = 6.5 d·nm) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) on Enchytraeus crypticus and Folsomia candida using toxicity tests (OECD Guideline 220, 232). A 28-day chronic toxicity study was performed to evaluate the reproduction and mortality rate. E. crypticus reproduction was more sensitive to AgNO3 with a 28dEC50 of 86.40 (62.52-119.4) mg·kg-1 dry weight (d.w.) compared to AgNPs1 (28dEC50 = 119.3 (60.4-235.6) mg·kg-1 d.w). Similarly, the reproduction of F. candida was inhibited the most by AgNO3 with a 28dEC50 of 126.2 (104.2-152.9) mg·kg-1 d.w. followed by AgNPs1 (28dEC50 = 158.7 (64.05-393.2) mg·kg-1 d.w.) and AgNPs2 (28dEC50 = 206.4 (181.9-234.1) mg·kg-1 d.w.). No mortalities were observed for tested soil invertebrates exposed to AgNPs at concentrations up to 166 mg·kg-1 d.w. of AgNPs1 and 300 mg·kg-1 d.w. of AgNPs2, respectively. It was found that silver ions are more toxic in comparison with AgNPs.

Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zooanimals Game Fish and Bees Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno Palackeho tr 1946 1 612 42 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Inorganic Chemistry Faculty of Science Palacky University 17 Listopadu 12 771 46 Olomouc Czech Republic

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