This study examined the solid-liquid distribution of 14.8-nm Ag and 6.2-nm CeO 2 nanoparticles in soil suspensions and compared it to that of Ag + and Ce 3+ ions, to better understand their environmental behaviour and fate. After 24 h incubation, more than 51% or 29% of the spiked amounts of Ag or CeO 2 nanoparticles, respectively, can be retrieved in the liquid phase of (re)suspended soils. The Ag or Ce concentration remaining in solution depends on the incubation time and was influenced by soil properties. Significant correlations are obtained between, on the one hand, the relative amounts of Ag or CeO 2 nanoparticles in suspension and the soil-pH, CEC, texture, suspended matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, TOC and main and trace elements content on the other hand. The presence of dissolved natural organic matter stabilizes CeO 2 nanoparticles in the aqueous phase. In soil suspensions, Ag + and Ce 3+ ions seemingly interact more strongly with soil constituents compared to their nanoparticle counterparts, rendering the Ag and CeO 2 nanoparticles to be more stable and potentially bioavailable.
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