The present research assessed, for the first time, toxicity of ZIF-8 (1 mg/L) and the building blocks (0.1 mg/L Zn2+ and 0.4 mg/L 2-methylimidazole (2-MIm)), besides that of AgNPs@ZIF-8 (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/L) and AgNO3 (0.1 mg/L) to aquatic organisms. Two consecutive generations (F0 & F1) of Artemia salina were exposed to these chemicals. All of the chemical treatments considerably caused mortality in F0, especially AgNPs@ZIF-8 and AgNO3, whereas F1 displayed notable tolerance and survived comparable to the control group, except in the case of AgNO3 treatment. Similarly, growth indices (weight, mainly in ZIF-8, Zn2+, and 2-MIm; length, in Ag-doped ZIF-8 and AgNO3) were significantly retarded in F0 and especially F1 of all treatments, and 2-MIm caused the greatest length retardation in F0. AgNPs@ZIF-8 (0.5 and 1 mg/L), 2-MIm, and AgNO3 postponed the ovary emergence in about 40%–60% of the exposed F0, and ZIF-8 delayed this phenomenon in some individuals of F0 and F1 up to 6 days. This temporal disturbance was also observed in time to first brood of almost all experimental F0 and F1 groups, with being over 80% of F1 exposed to ZIF-8, 2-MIm, and Zn2+, as well as about 50% of F0 treated with 2-MIm, and Zn2+. The highest neonate number was recorded for F0 and F1 exposed to AgNO3 and Zn2+, while ZIF-8 and, importantly, 2-MIm decreased the reproductivity to the lowest levels in both generations. Generally, the reproductive frequency was significantly decreased in all F0 and F1 treatments, especially 2-MIm, ZIF-8, AgNPs@ZIF-8 (0.25 & 1 mg/L). This study highlighted the neglected importance of 2-MIm in assessing overall toxicity of ZIF-8, and even other organic ligands of MOFs, and also filled a gap in the literature by investigating the potential effect of additives such as AgNPs on the toxicity of ZIF-8 and other MOFs.
