Green Synthesis (Paeonia kesrouanensis) of Silver Nanoparticles and Toxicity Studies in Artemia salina

This study aims to describe a simple and environmentally friendly procedure for producing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Paeonia kesrouanensis (P. kesrouanensis) extracts and to determine the toxic effect in the aquatic environment. The morphologies, size, size distributions, and structural properties were analyzed using SEM-EDX, TEM, DLS, zeta potential, FTIR, and XRD. AgNPs were applied to Artemia salina (A.salina), aquatic organism individuals at 7 different concentrations (0.0, 0.2, 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 mg/L) for 24, 48, and 72 h. AgNPs accumulation and elimination, ion release amounts, and the survival rates of organisms were determined at periods of 24, 48, and 72nd hours. The highest accumulation was observed at the 24th hour at the 50 mg/L exposure level. The survival rate decreased as exposure time increased at all concentrations.