北京灰霾天气PM10中微量元素的分布特征

采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS)对北京市2008年4月和5月不同采样点采集的灰霾天PM₁₀样品中的15种微量元素进行了分析,得出了Ti、Fe、Zn、Sn、Pb为全样样品中相对含量较高元素;Ti、Mn、Ni、Cu、Zn、Pb是水溶样样品中相对含量较高元素。与晴天相比,灰霾天样品中微量元素可溶性增强,对人体危害更严重。与2002年分析数据进行对比,因2002年缺少Cr、Cd元素的测试值,全样样品中除了Co、Ni、Cu、Mo元素外,其余测试元素的浓度均有不同程度的升高,Fe和Sn元素的增幅最大。水溶样品中,参与对比元素的含量均下降。文中对含量相对较高的Cr、Mn、Fe、Cu、Zn、Cd、Sn和Pb元素进行了源解析,分析得出采样点附近的交通源及地面扬尘是这些元素的主要来源。     

微波消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法同时测定废水中20种元素

采用微波消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法,同时测定了废水中Be、V、Cr、Mn、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Se、Mo、Ag、Cd、Sb、Ba、Hg、Tl、Pb、Th、U等20种元素,比较了5种不同消解体系对废水样品的加标回收结果,确定采用硝酸+过氧化氢消解体系。Hg在0.050μg/L～2.00μg/L、其他元素在5.00μg/L～500μg/L范围内线性良好,检出限为0.01μg/L～0.2μg/L,国家有证标准物质的测定结果符合要求,废水样品平行测定的RSD为2.6%～6.5%,加标回收率为84%～110%。     

Season variations for metallic elements compositions study in plant Bidenens pilosa L. var. radiate Sch. in central Taiwan

The possibility of using Bidens pilosa L. var. radiate Sch leaves as environmental indicators of metallic element pollution has been investigated. Samples were analyzed with respect to the following pollutants: Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Ca, and Mg by using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The results obtained on the metallic elements had the following average composition order: Ca > Mg > Fe, Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cr > Cd for plant B. pilosa L. var. radiate Sch. at HK sampling site. In addition, the metallic elements had the following average composition order: Ca > Mg > Fe > Mn, Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cr > Cd for plant B. pilosa L. var. radiate Sch. at TMP sampling site. Finally, the metallic elements had the following average composition order: Ca > Mg > Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd for plant B. pilosa L. var. radiate Sch. at LH sampling site. The seasonal average composition for metallic elements Mg, Fe, and Pb were ranked highest at HK sampling site in winter. In addition, seasonal average composition for metallic elements Mn, Zn, and Cd were ranked highest at TMP sampling site in winter. Finally, seasonal average composition for metallic elements Mg, Fe, and Cu were ranked highest at LH sampling site in spring.     

Fractionation of eleven elements by chemical bonding from airborne particulate matter collected in an industrial city in Argentina

A four-step chemical sequential extraction procedure was used to evaluate the distribution of Al, As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti, V and Zn in airborne particulate matter collected on glass fibre filters using a high-volume sampler. Two sets of samples were collected in 2001 (winter and summer campaigns) in representative zones of an industrial city of Argentina. The leaching scheme was applied to PM-10 particles and consisted in extracting the elements in four fractions, namely soluble and exchangeable elements; carbonates, oxides and reducible elements; bound to organic matter and sulfidic metals; and residual elements. Metals and metalloids at microg g(-1) level were determined in each fraction by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Analyte concentration varied from 14 microg g(-1) (equivalent to 1.0 ng m(-3)) for As to 11.8 mg g(-1) (equivalent to 2,089 ng m(-3)) for Al. Seven elements, namely Al, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ti and Zn showed similar distributions in both seasons while As was distributed in a significantly different manner in each season. The results exhibited low As contents in the first and second fractions that could be associated with routine coal combustion and a high content in the third and fourth fractions of the summer samples that could be linked to the use of pesticides. Aluminium, As, Cu, Mn, Ni, Ti, V and Zn were found in different percentages in the more bioavailable aqueous fraction with As, Mn, V and Zn exhibiting solubilities greater than 1% while Cr and Pb being insoluble. The content of Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the residual fraction was, in average, higher than 50%. A comparative assessment of the use of the underlying information available from fractionation studies compared to that obtained from total element content was done for Fe and Mn. It showed that the results obtained using chemical sequential extraction procedures allowed further discrimination of the potential air pollution sources.     

Essential and toxic elements in infant foods from Spain, UK, China and USA

Spanish gluten-free rice, cereals with gluten, and pureed baby foods were analysed for essential macro-elements (Ca and Na), essential trace elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Cr, Co and Ni) and non-essential trace elements (As, Pb, Cd and Hg) using ICP-MS and AAS. Baby cereals were an excellent source of most of the essential elements (Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn). Sodium content was high in pureed foods to improve their flavour; fish products were also rich in Se. USA pure baby rice samples had the highest contents of all studied essential elements, showing a different nutrient pattern compared to those of other countries. Mineral fortification was not always properly stated in the labelling of infant foods. Complementary infant foods may also contain significant amounts of contaminants. The contents of Hg and Cd were low enough to guarantee the safety of these infant foods. However, it will be necessary to identify the source and reduce the levels of Pb, Cr and As in Spanish foods. Pure baby rice samples contained too much: Pb in Spain; As in UK; As, Cr and Ni in USA; and Cr and Cd in China.     

Atmospheric deposition studies of heavy metals in Arctic by comparative analysis of lichens and cryoconite

Lichens and cryoconite (rounded or granular, brownish-black debris occurring in holes on the glacier surface) from Ny-Ålesund were used for understanding the elemental deposition pattern in the area. Lichen samples collected from low-lying coastal region and cryoconite samples from high altitudinal glacier area were processed and analysed for elements such as aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), cesium (Cs), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results showed that heavy metals, Al and Fe, are present in high concentration in the cryoconite samples. Al was also present in high amounts in seven of the eight lichen samples studied. The general scheme of elements in the decreasing order of their concentrations for most of the cryoconite samples was Al?>?Fe?>?Mn?>?Zn?>?V?>?Pb?>?Cr?>?Ni?>?Cu?>?Co?>?As?>?Cs?>?Cd while that for the lichen samples was Al?>?Fe?>?Zn?>?Mn?>?Pb?>?Cu?>?Cs?>?Cr?>?Ni?>?V?>?Co?>?As?>?Cd. Similarity in trends in the two sample types confirms that the environment indeed contains these elements in that order of concentration which overtime got accumulated in the samples. Overall comparison showed most elements to be present in high concentrations in the cryoconite samples as compared to the lichen samples. Within the lichens, elemental accumulation data suggests that the low-lying site (L-2) from where Cladonia mediterranea sample was collected was the most polluted accumulating a number of elements at high concentrations. The probable reasons for such deposition patterns in the region could be natural (crustal contribution and sea salt spray) and anthropogenic (local and long-distance transmission of dust particles). In the future, this data can form a baseline for monitoring quantum of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in lichens and cryoconite of Svalbard, Arctic.     

Trace element concentration in groundwater of Pesarlanka Island, Krishna Delta, India

There is a growing concern over the potential accumulation of trace element concentration in groundwater of coastal aquifer owing seawater encroachment in the last several decades. A total of 29 groundwater samples collected from Pesarlanka Island, Krishna delta, Andhra Pradesh, India were analyzed for 13 trace elements (B, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Sr, Cd, Ba, and Pb) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results reveal that B, Fe, Ni, As, Sr, and Pb vary from 11.22 to 710.2, 1.25 to 684.6, 0.02 to 37.33, 27.8 to 282.3, 164.1 to 7,009, and 1.97 to 164.4 μg/l, respectively. Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, V, and Zn are almost within permissible limits for drinking water, but As, Fe, Mn, Pb, B, and Sr are above the permissible limit. The toxic element Pb is 1.64 times more than the maximum permissible limits of drinking water. The minimum value of As is also 2.78 times more, whereas the maximum is 28.2 times the permissible limit. The spatial distributions of alkaline earths (Sr, Ba), transition metals (V, Co, Ni, Fe), metallic elements (Cu, Pb), and (As) were found in considerable variation in the entire Island. Good cross-correlations were found between As, B, Co, and Sr with total dissolved solids and among other trace elements such as B, As, Co, and Sr. The variability observed within the groundwater samples is closely connected to the sea spray input; hence, it is primarily a consequence of geographical and meteorological factors, such as distance from the ocean and time of year. The trace element levels, in particular those of heavy metals, are very low, suggesting an origin from natural sources rather than from anthropogenic contamination. A few trace elements (Sr and B) are found as sensitive parameters responding to changes in fresh to saline groundwater environment. The highly elevated trace elements in this area which may be attributed to marine sediments or death and decay of plants are presented in this paper.     

Concentrations of toxic heavy metals and trace elements in raw milk of Simmental and Holstein-Friesian cows from organic farm

Concentrations of toxic heavy metals (cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb)) and major nutritional and trace elements (Ca, Mg, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, Zn) were analyzed in the milk of Simmental (n?=?20) and Holstein-Friesian (n?=?20) cows from an organic farm. Elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma emission atomic spectrometry. The conducted research showed that the milk of Simmental cows was characterized by the more advantageous mineral composition and lower concentration of noxious heavy metals compared to the milk of Holstein-Friesian cows. In the milk of Simmental cows, significantly lower concentrations of Pb and Cd (P?<?0.001) and Cu (P?<?0.05) and significantly higher concentrations of Fe and Mg (P?<?0.05) as well as nonsignificantly higher concentrations of Ca, Mn, and Se were found. In the milk of both breeds, very low Cu concentrations were recorded. The higher-than-recommended concentration of Pb in milk was also found. In the milk of both breeds, the significant positive correlations between concentrations of the following elements were observed: Pb–Cd, Pb–Se, Cd–Se, Cd–Mn, Zn–Cu, Zn–P, Ca–P, Ca–Mg, and Mg–P. The correlations between other elements within each of the analyzed breeds separately were also found.     

Heavy Metal Pollution of Surface Soil in the Thrace Region, Turkey

Abstact Samples of surface soil were collected at 73 sites in the Thrace region, northwest part of Turkey. Two complementary analytical techniques, epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) with flame and graphite furnace atomization were used to determine 35 elements in the soil samples. Concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined using AAS and GF AAS, and ENAA was used for the remaining 27 elements. Results for As, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu Eu, Fe, Hf, I, In, K, La, Mn, Mo, Na, Nd, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, U, V and Zn are reported for the first time for soils from this region. The results show that concentrations of most elements were little affected by the industrial and other anthropogenic activities performed in region. Except for distinctly higher levels of Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn in Istanbul district than the median values for the Thrace region, the observed distributions seem to be mainly associated with lithogenic variations. Spatial distributions of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were plotted in relation to the concentration values in soil using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology     

Use of tree bark for comparing environmental pollution in different sites from Buenos Aires and Montevideo

Multi-elemental profiles in bark of green ash trees collected in three representative areas of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay, were assessed as potential air pollution indicators. Ten elements: Al, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn, were measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emissions spectrometry from 70 samples collected in different environments: central, residential and rural (reference site), in order to compare spatial patterns of metal concentration. The samples used as a control were collected from a nature reserve situated far away from any significant influences, not even a nearby road. The reference site (RF) exhibited the lowest concentrations of Al, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn. However, Ba and Mn showed similar concentrations in all measured sites. Magnesium is the only element that had a greater concentration in RF than at the other sites. Copper did not show any clear pattern. The Centre of Montevideo (MVD) showed higher concentrations of Al, Ba, Cr, Fe, Pb and Zn than the Centre of Buenos Aires (BA). In the A sectors, Montevideo (SAMVD) showed higher concentrations of Al, Cu, Mg, Ni, and Zn and lower concentrations of Ba, Cr, Fe, Mn, and Pb than Buenos Aires (SABA). In the B sectors, Montevideo (SBMVD) showed higher concentrations of Al, Ba, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn and lower concentrations of Cr and Mg than Buenos Aires (SBBA), but similar concentrations of Mn and Ni. The use of bark for biomonitoring metals allowed us to detect concentration differences related to the urban fabric and the different kinds of vehicles and their fuels. In the cities, the differences in metal concentrations detected in bark were more striking between the sectors than between centers, despite CBA being much larger than CMVD in population, extension and vehicular traffic.     

Accumulation of some heavy metals in Hysterothylacium aduncum (Nematoda) and its host sea bream, Sparus aurata (Sparidae) from North-Eastern Mediterranean Sea (Iskenderun Bay)

The sea bream??s nematode and Sparus aurata, sampled from the Iskenderun Bay, Mediterranean, in March 2008 were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma?Catomic emission spectrometry for their some heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mg, Pb, and Zn) levels. The metal concentrations of the parasites were compared to different organs (liver, muscle, gill, intestine, and skin) of the fish hosts. There were significant differences in Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Hg, Mg, and Pb concentrations in tissues of fish and its parasite. The parasite Cd, Cu, and Pb concentration was higher than the other tissues. Furthermore, significant differences were detected in the heavy metal accumulations between the parasitized and unparasitized fish tissues in Cd, Cu, Hg, and Pb concentrations. The Cd, Hg, and Pb concentrations were found in fish muscle at mean concentrations over the permissible limits proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization.     

Element content of propolis collected from different areas of South Spain

The aim of this work is to determine the content of essential and toxic elements in 25 raw propolis samples, when considering pollution agents and geographical and botanical factors. The microwave-assisted digestion was the most reliable and accurate method for determination of inorganic elements in propolis samples. The results were obtained using certified reference materials in a good agreement with certified values. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy was used for the determination of 23 macro- and microelements (Ag, Al, As, B, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, and Zn). A Mercury analyzer was also utilized for the detection of the total Hg. Among the analyzed metals, Ca, K, Mg, Zn, Si, S, Fe, Al, P, and Na were found to be the most predominant. Heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) were determined in minimal concentration, and Pb was the highest mean contained toxic (<3.80 mg/kg), without influence on provisional tolerable weekly intake values. The method can be applied for routine analysis and quality and environmental pollution controls of toxic elements in propolis samples. The results obtained indicate no pollution of the collection areas and naturally high concentration of Al (460?±?62.2 mg/kg).     

Heavy metal contamination and metallothionein mRNA in blood and feathers of Black-tailed gulls (Larus crassirostris) from South Korea

The objectives of this study were to determine levels of heavy metal in the feathers and blood of Black-tailed gulls (Larus crassirostris), to evaluate metallothionein (MT) mRNA level in Black-tailed gulls on three independent islets, and to examine the correlation between heavy metal concentrations and MT mRNA expression. Eleven heavy metals (Al, Cd, Mn, Pb, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Hg, and As) were investigated in blood and feathers of 65 chicks from breeding colonies (Seomando, Hongdo, and Dokdo islet) of South Korea in 2010. Heavy metals were assayed by PerkinElmer NexION 300 inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The mean concentrations of non-essential heavy metals were found to blood containing Cd (0.002?~?0.02 ppm), Pb (0.06?~?0.18) ppm, Hg (0.03?~?0.05) ppm, and As (0.26?~?0.48 ppm), and feather containing Cd (0.05?~?0.30 ppm), Pb (2.47?~?10.80 ppm), Hg (1.18?~?1.57 ppm), and As (0.15?~?0.44 ppm). Chicks on Seomando islet showed the highest levels of metals (Cd, Pb, Mn, Cr, Cu, and Se in blood; Al, As, Mn, Cr, Fe, Cu, and Se in feathers) among the colonies. Concentrations of Pb and Hg in feathers were the highest on Hongdo, and the levels of Cd and Zn in feathers were the highest on Dokdo islet. MT mRNA in the blood of Black-tailed gulls was relatively higher in gulls from Seomando than in gulls from Hongdo and Dokdo islet. MT mRNA level is thus positively correlated to heavy metal concentrations in Black-tailed gulls.     

Trace element content in tea brewed in traditional metallic and stainless steel teapots

The migration of metals in tea brewed in metallic teapots was investigated. The teapots were obtained from North Africa stores in Brussels in 2005–2006 and in 2011. Chinese gunpowder green tea, the most commonly used tea in the Moroccan community, was used to prepare the tea. Tea brewed in metallic teapots was compared to tea brewed in a glass vessel in order to evaluate the contribution of the tea and the teapots to the metal concentrations in the brewed tea. Tea samples were also collected in Moroccan households and in tearooms in Brussels. The elements As, Cd, Pb, Sn, Mn, Fe, Cr, Co, Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Al were analyzed by high-resolution sector field inductively coupled mass spectrometry. The relationship between the metal composition of the alloy of the teapot and the metal concentration in tea was also investigated. Migration of Pb and to a lesser amount Ni, Cu, and Zn was observed in brass teapots and migration of Cd from a number of stainless steel teapots was observed. The soldering connecting the sprout to the teapot was shown to be an important source of Pb to the tea. High levels of Mn and Al were also observed in the brewed tea and these elements where shown to originate from the tea itself. Metal exposure from tea drinking was calculated for different tea consumption levels and different metal concentration levels and compared to toxicological reference values.     

渭河陕西段表层沉积物重金属污染特征及潜在风险

为了解渭河陕西段表层沉积物重金属的污染特征，采用ICP-MS分析了13个采样断面表层沉积物中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb和Zn 8种重金属的含量，并对其来源和生态风险进行了评价。结果表明：渭河陕西段8种重金属的平均含量顺序依次为Mn > Zn > Cr > Cu > Ni > Pb > As > Cd；除Ni外的其余7种重金属的平均含量均超过陕西省A层土壤背景值。各断面表层沉积物重金属的潜在生态风险指数（RI）介于111.4~7 043.7，其中23.1%的断面有极强生态风险，46.2%的断面为中等生态风险，其余为轻微生态风险。Cd污染最为严重，对各断面的潜在生态风险介于较强生态风险与极强生态风险之间，对RI的贡献平均为85.2%；其余7种重金属在所有断面均属于轻微生态危害。渭河陕西段表层沉积物As、Cd、Cu和Zn主要为工业与农业来源；Cr和Ni主要为自然来源；Pb和Mn与城市污水和交通污染来源有关。     

Spatial distribution and metal contamination in the coastal sediments of Al-Khafji area,Arabian Gulf,Saudi Arabia

To document the spatial distribution and metal contamination in the coastal sediments of the Al-Khafji area in the northern part of the Saudi Arabian Gulf, 27 samples were collected for Al, V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, Sr, As, Fe, Co, and Ni analysis using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results revealed the following descending order of the metal concentrations: Sr > Fe > Al > As > Mn > Ni > V > Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Co > Hg > Cd. Average levels of enrichment factor of Sr, As, Hg, Cd, Ni, V, Cu, Co, and Pb were higher than 2 (218.10, 128.50, 80.94, 41.50, 12.31, 5.66, 2.95, 2.90, and 2.85, respectively) and that means the anthropogenic sources of these metals, while Al, Zn, Cr and Mn have enrichment factor less than 2, which implies natural sources. Average values of Sr, Hg, Cd, Cr, Ni, and As in the coastal sediments of Al-Khafji area were mostly higher than the values recorded from the background shale and earth crust and from those results along coasts of the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The highest levels of Cu in the northern part of the studied coastline might be due to Al-Khafji desalination plant, while levels of Al, Ni, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn in the central part may be a result of landfilling and industrial sewage. The highest levels of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, and V in the southern part seem to be due to oil pollutants from Khafji Joint Operations (KJO). The higher values of Sr in the studied sediments in general and particularly in locality 7 could relate to the hypersalinity and aragonitic composition of the scleractinian corals abundant in that area.     

Heavy Metal Pollution Assessment in Sediments of the Izmit Bay, Turkey

Surface sediments in the fraction < 63 μm collected from eight stations along the north coastline of Izmit Bay, north-eastern Marmara Sea, Turkey, were analyzed for major (organic carbon, Al, Ba, Fe and Mg) and trace (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn) elements by using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Sediments heavily contaminated are evaluated by the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG) of US EPA. The results were compared with the marine sediment quality standards (SQS), as well as literature values reported to assess the pollution status of the sediments. The enrichment factors (EFs) were calculated to evaluate actual level of contamination for all the elements using the earth crust as reference matrix, based on elemental values by Mason which show a normal pattern near to unity. The analysis revealed two groups of elements: (i) Arsenic, Cd, Pb, and Zn are the most enriched elements; (ii) Barium, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mo and Ni are at background levels. The results show that road traffic run-offs, paint industries and coal combustion are among the most significant sources.     

Heavy metal concentrations in two barb, Barbus xanthopterus and Barbus rajanorum mystaceus from Atatürk Dam Lake, Turkey

Concentration of some heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in muscle, liver, kidney and gill of two barb, Barbus xanthopterus and Barbus rajanorum mystaceus, which have great economic values, in the Atatürk Dam Lake (Turkey). Heavy metal levels in fish samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP/OES). Heavy metal concentrations vary significantly, depending on the type of the tissue in fish species. The metal accumulation in the liver, kidney and gill of Barbus xanthopterus and Barbus rajanorum mystaceus was found to be quite high in comparison with that in the muscle. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in muscle tissues of Barbus xanthopterus were as follows: Co, 0.09; Cr, 0.12; Cu, 0.27; Fe, 5.26; Mn, 0.20; Ni, 0.08; Pb, 0.68; Zn, 1.39, whereas in muscle tissues of Barbus rajanorum mystaceus were as follows: Co, 0.11; Cr, 0.10; Cu, 1.07; Fe, 3.97; Mn, 019; Ni, 0.04; Pb, 0.66; Zn, 1.70 microg/g wet weight. Cd levels in gill and muscle tissues were below detection limits. All metal levels detected in tissues were safe for human consumption and within the limits for fish proposed by FAO/ WHO, EU and Turkish Food Codes.     

Ligustrum lucidum Ait. f. Leaves as a Bioindicator of the Air-Quality in a Mediterranean City

The concentration of 11 elements, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and V, have been determined in leaves of Ligistrum lucidum Ait. f. growing in Palermo, by simultaneous inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A total of 72 samples from six different sites were investigated to deduce the bioindicator ability of this species. Differences were found in the element concentrations in the leaves from the different sites and, in general, anthropogenic pollutant patterns match traffic levels. This paper describes and discusses the spatio-variations of the different elements. Cluster analyses established three different groups giving an idea about the origins of the elements. Results demonstrate that this species is useful as a bioindicator in a Mediterranean climate, especially as it has the added advantage of being an evergreen tree.     

Risk assessment of trace elements in cultured freshwater fishes from Jiangxi province,China

The levels of trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) in eight species of cultured freshwater fishes from Jiangxi province were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. All the studied trace element levels in fish muscles from Jiangxi province did not exceed Chinese national standard and European Union standard, and they were often lower than previous studies. The calculated target hazard quotient values for all the studied trace elements in fish samples were much less than 1, suggesting that the studied trace elements in fish muscles from Jiangxi province had not pose obvious health hazards to consumers. As and Cd concentrations in northern snakehead were much higher than that in other fishes, demonstrating that this fish species could be valuable as a bioindicator of As and Cd in environmental surveys. In addition, the highest concentrations of Fe, Zn, and moderate contents of other essential trace elements in crucian carp indicated that crucian carp could be a good nutrient source of essential trace elements for human health.