Quantification of transition metals in biological samples and its possible impact on ferro-alloy workers

Increased risk of ill-health and diseases has been associated with employment in the ferro-alloy factory. Since measurement of transition metals in human blood and hair along with respective exposure rates, provides a means of assessing individual risk, it has been the most important part of the study. In the study majority of the elements in the transition series, such as, vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt, (Co) nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) were considered which are randomly emitted from the source, that is, manganese ore (used during ferro-alloy manufacturing process). The commonly available transition, metals, observed in biological samples of ferro-alloy workers, were found to be Fe, Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd, V Mn and Mo in blood, while in hair, Mn, Fe, Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd, V and Mo were present in decreasing order Surveillance of bio-concentration of these metals in workers, exposed to close proximity of the coke-ovens and smelting furnaces, revealed that the workers were prone to several physical disorders.     

Environmental and technological studies on the interaction of wool with some metal ions

The technical feasibility of using a suitable sorbent for the removal of some heavy metal ions from their aqueous solutions was investigated. The scope of the work covers the use of low-class native wool or wool wastes from industrial processes or from recycled woolen textiles for the removal of copper, nickel, cobalt, chromium, and zinc ions from their effluents. The sorption efficiency of the aforementioned metals by wool is in the following order: copper?>?cobalt?=?nickel?>?zinc?>?chromium.

The effect of time of sorption, temperature of the effluent, and concentration of metal ions on the rate of sorption was examined. The effect of oxidation or reduction of wool on its sorption power of copper ions is studied. The reduced wool was found to be better than native or oxidised wool in the sorption of copper metal from its effluents. The reuse of wool as metal sorber after elution of the metal, using hydrochloric acid, was also studied. It was found that wool can be reused for sorption after elution of copper up to 25 times of elution; a very limited amount of permanently fixed copper was observed. The use of sufficient woolen layers displays the best way of obtaining an effluent of zero copper content.     

Amberlite XAD-7 impregnated with morpholine dithiocarbamate as trace metal extractant

Application of Amberlite XAD-7 impregnated with morpholine dithiocarbamate (MDTC) for separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of lead, copper, cobalt, iron, nickel, cadmium and zinc and determination by ICP-AES has been described. The optimum experimental parameters, such as pH, sample flow rate, eluent and effect of matrix ions on the preconcentration were investigated. Simultaneous enrichment of the seven metals was accomplished. The t _1/2 values for sorption are 2.9, 3.3, 3.7, 3.6, 2.8, 4.1 and 2.8 respectively for Pb(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II). The method was applied for the determination of trace metal ions in seawater and natural water samples. The results have been compared with extraction GFAAS method.     

Trace metal contents in some brands of canned beef in Nigeria

The concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, zinc, manganese, iron, cobalt, and nickel in some brands of canned beef in Nigerian markets were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean concentration ranges for these metals in mg?kg^?1 were 0.02–0.37 for Cd, <0.04–0.75 for Cr, 1.1–2.4 for Cu, <0.001–1.5 for Pb, 1.1–8.0 for Zn, <0.04–0.57 for Mn, 13.8–28.8 for Fe, 0.05–0.26 for Co, and 0.8–5.9 for Ni. The estimated dietary intake of metals from these products did not indicate any risk since the values were far below the permissible dietary intakes.     

Trace metals in the roadside mountain soils of Sierra Nevada,Spain

The investigations were made to determine the total contents of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr in the roadside soils and rocks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Spain. There were differences in both the age and lithology of the bed-rock in the study area. The surface soil layer is primarily enriched with lead in relation to the bed-rock, but zinc, manganese, and cadmium also occur.Lead, zinc and cadmium concentrations show a decrease with increasing distance from the road, whereas the levels of iron, manganese, copper, nickel and chromium do not show such a variation. The change in lead and zinc concentrations with increasing distance from the road is related to the topography of the area immediately adjacent to the road. On the descending slopes the concentrations of these metals remain unchanged or increase with the increasing distance from the road, whereas on the ascending slopes they show a clear decrease.     

电镀厂污染土壤重金属形态及淋洗去除效果

以某电镀厂污染场地重污染区域土壤为研究对象,对土壤中重金属全量和各形态含量进行分析,并研究筛选高效土壤淋洗剂,比较其淋洗去除效果。结果表明,该土壤以铬和镍污染最为严重,土壤铬和镍含量分别达1 564.00和679.00 mg.kg-1,土壤铜、锌和铅含量分别为297.00、276.00和51.40 mg.kg-1,铜、铬、镍、锌和铅的有效态比例分别为41.77%、13.16%、28.08%、21.50%和31.18%。去离子水、盐酸、乙酸、草酸、柠檬酸和EDTA 6种淋洗剂中,去离子水对5种重金属提取量均较少;草酸对铜、铬、镍和锌去除效果较好,去除率分别为55.1%、24.8%、47.5%和29.3%;柠檬酸对铜、铬、镍和锌去除效果较好,去除率分别为26.3%、25.7%、33.0%和21.6%;EDTA对铜、镍、锌和铅去除效果较好,去除率分别为31.5%、28.9%、21.4%和30.6%。综合考虑淋洗剂的提取效果、水溶性以及操作难度和成本,建议采用柠檬酸作为淋洗剂,最佳液土比〔V（液）∶m（土）〕为10∶1,最佳淋洗时间为6 h。     

Phytoremediation of landfill leachate using Pennisetum clandestinum

Landfills are still the most widely used solid waste disposal method used across the world. Leachate generated from landfill areas exerts environmental risks mostly on surface and groundwater, with its high pollutant content, most notably metals, which cause an unbearable lower water quality. During dumping or after the capacity of the landfill has been reached, a decontamination and remediation program should be taken for the area. This study was conducted to assess the capacity and efficiency of Pennisetum clandestinum, a prostrate perennial plant, to accumulate chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb). Leachate, taken from the Sofulu Landfill Site, was given to Pennisetum clandestinum for 180 days, in 3 dilution sets as 1/1, 1/2 and 1/4, in batch configuration. An additional control set was also installed for comparison. Results showed that, even though the metal content of soil had risen, plants accumulated 2 to 8.5 times higher concentrations than the control set. It is important to see, the plant showed almost no stress symptoms even if the set was fed by pure leachate. Pennisetum clandestinum was observed to accumulate metals mostly in the upper bodies, excluding Fe and Cu. 76% of accumulated Cr, 85% of Ni, 66% of Zn and 100% of Pb was observed to accumulate in above-ground parts, where only 20% of Cu and 4% of Fe was accumulated. Due to the high pollution tolerance of Pennisetum clandestinum, makes this plant suitable for decontamination and remediation of landfill sites.     

Natural and anthropogenic metal inputs to soils in urban Uppsala, Sweden

Urban soils are complex systems due to human activities that disturb the natural development of the soil horizons and add hazardous elements. Remediation projects are common in urban areas and guideline values are set to represent a desired level of elements. However, the natural content of trace elements may not always equal the desired levels. In this study, an attempt is made to distinguish between metals that are present in the soil due to natural origins and to anthropogenic origins. Seventy-five soil samples of the 0–5, 5–10 and 10–20 cm layers were collected from 25 sites in urban areas of Uppsala City and analysed for aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), tungsten (W) and zinc (Zn) using aqua regia for digestion. In order to highlight elements of geological origin, the results were compared to a similar study carried out in Gothenburg City, which has about three times as many inhabitants as Uppsala and has a more industrial history. A cluster analysis was also performed to distinguish between elements of natural and anthropogenic origin. Contents of As, Al, Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn and W in Uppsala were concluded to be of mainly geological origin, while contents of Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb and Hg seemed to have been impacted upon by mainly urban activities.     

Assessment of contamination by percolation of septic tank effluent through natural and amended soils

Fly ash has been found to be a potential material for the treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater, and may be useful in the treatment of septic tank effluent. Laboratory columns (30 cm) were used to determine the sorption capacity and hydraulic properties of lagoon fly ash, loamy sand, sand, and sand amended by lagoon fly ash (30 and 60%) and red mud gypsum (20%). The removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was high in all column effluents (71-93%). Extent of nitrification was high in Spearwood sand, Merribrook loamy sand and 20% red mud gypsum amended Spearwood sand. However, actual removal of nitrogen (N) was high in columns containing lagoon fly ash. Unamended Spearwood sand possessed only minimal capacity for P sorption. Merribrook loamy sand and red mud gypsum amended sand affected complete P removal throughout the study period of 12 weeks. Significant P leakage occurred from lagoon fly ash amended sand columns following 6-10 weeks of operation. Neither lagoon fly ash nor red mud gypsum caused any studied heavy metal contamination including manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) of effluent. It can be concluded that Merribrook loamy sand is better natural soil than Spearwood sand as a filter medium. The addition of lagoon fly ash enhanced the removal of P in Spearwood sand but the efficiency was lower than with red mud gypsum amendment.     

固定化球形红假单胞菌处理电镀废水中Cd和Cr的研究

比较了4种固定化球形红假单胞菌(Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides)处理含Cd、Cr重金属废水的效果,对固定化菌吸附Cd和Cr的工艺条件进行了优化,并通过生物反应器连续处理实际电镀废水,分析了处理后的效果。通过比较,确定了20g.kg-1沸石和20g.L-1海藻酸钠组合作为共固定材料,固定化菌对Cd和Cr的去除效果明显优于游离菌。采用正交试验优化废水处理工艺条件,结果表明,废水pH值、菌体投加量对固定化菌体的处理效果影响较大,当处理废水的pH值为6.0、菌体投加量为10.00g.L-1时,对40.00mg.L-1含Cd废水的去除率可达96.68%。4轮吸附-解吸循环试验结果显示,固定化菌体可重复利用3次,固定化菌体在使用第3次时,Cd去除率仍可达51.20%。在生物反应器中,用固定化菌体处理质量浓度为92.61mg.L-1的含Cd电镀废水,3h时对Cd的去除率达到98.80%,对含Cu、Au、Ni废水中重金属的去除率也高于90.00%。     

Heavy metals in soils and crops in Southeast Asia

In a reconnaisance soil geochemical and plant survey undertaken to study the heavy metal uptake by major food crops in Malaysia, 241 soils were analysed for cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic carbon (C), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and available phosphorus (P) using appropriate procedures. These soils were also analysed for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) using aqua regia digestion, together with 180 plant samples using nitric acid digestion. Regression analysis between the edible plant part and aqua regia soluble soil As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations sampled throughout Peninsular Malaysia, indicated a positive relationship for Pb in all the plants sampled in the survey (R2 = 0.195, p < 0.001), for Ni in corn (R2 = 0.649, p < 0.005), for Cu in chili (R2 = 0.344, p < 0.010) and for Zn in chili (R2 = 0.501, p < 0.001). Principal component analysis of the soil data suggested that concentrations of Co, Ni, Pb and Zn were strongly correlated with concentrations of Al and Fe, which is suggestive of evidence of background variations due to changes in soil mineralogy. Thus the evidence for widespread contamination of soils by these elements through agricultural activities is not strong. Chromium was correlated with soil pH and EC, Na, S, and Ca while Hg was not correlated with any of these components, suggesting diffuse pollution by aerial deposition. However As, Cd, Cu were strongly associated with organic matter and available and aqua regia soluble soil P, which we attribute to inputs in agricultural fertilisers and soil organic amendments (e.g. manures, composts).     

Assessment of Contamination By Percolation Of Septic Tank Effluent Through Natural and Amended Soils

Fly ash has been found to be a potential material for the treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater, and may be useful in the treatment of septic tank effluent. Laboratory columns (30 cm) were used to determine the sorption capacity and hydraulic properties of lagoon fly ash, loamy sand, sand, and sand amended by lagoon fly ash (30 and 60%) and red mud gypsum (20%). The removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was high in all column effluents (71–93%). Extent of nitrification was high in Spearwood sand, Merribrook loamy sand and 20% red mud gypsum amended Spearwood sand. However, actual removal of nitrogen (N) was high in columns containing lagoon fly ash. Unamended Spearwood sand possessed only minimal capacity for P sorption. Merribrook loamy sand and red mud gypsum amended sand affected complete P removal throughout the study period of 12 weeks. Significant P leakage occurred from lagoon fly ash amended sand columns following 6–10 weeks of operation. Neither lagoon fly ash nor red mud gypsum caused any studied heavy metal contamination including manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) of effluent. It can be concluded that Merribrook loamy sand is better natural soil than Spearwood sand as a filter medium. The addition of lagoon fly ash enhanced the removal of P in Spearwood sand but the efficiency was lower than with red mud gypsum amendment.     

Heavy metals in soils and crops in Southeast Asia 2. Thailand

A reconnaissance soil geochemical and concomitant plant survey based on 318 soil (0-15 cm) and 122 plant samples was used for the assessment of heavy metal pollution of agricultural soils and crops of Thailand. Arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were determined in soils using aqua regia digestion, and in plants using nitric acid digestion. Organic carbon (C), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and available phosphorus (P) were determined on the soil samples using appropriate procedures. Results indicated that concentrations of heavy metals varied widely among the different regions of Thailand. Regression analysis between the concentrations of metals in soil (aqua regia extractable) and edible plant parts indicated a small but positive relationship for Cd in all the plants sampled in the survey (R2 = 0.081, p < 0.001). There was also a positive relationship between soil and plant Cd concentrations in rice (R2 = 0.242, p < 0.010), and negative relationships for Zn in rice (R2 = 0.385, p < 0.001), and Cu (R2 = 0.355, p < 0.001) and Zn (R2 = 0.122, p < 0.026) in glutinous rice. Principal component analysis of the soil data suggested that concentrations of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni and Pb were strongly correlated with concentrations of Al and Fe, which is suggestive of evidence of background variations due to changes in soil mineralogy. Thus, the evidence for widespread contamination of soils by these elements through agricultural activities is not strong. On the other hand, Cd and Zn were strongly correlated with organic matter and concentrations of available and aqua regia extractable P. This is attributed to input of contaminants in agricultural fertilisers and soil amendments (e.g. manures, composts).     

Concentration and distribution of heavy metals in tissues of two cephalopods,Eledone cirrhosa and Sepia officinalis,from the French coast of the English Channel

The concentrations of 11 heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) were measured in the tissues (digestive gland, branchial hearts, gills, digestive tract, kidney, genital tract, muscle, skin, shell) of the two cephalopods Eledone cirrhosa (d'Orb.) and Sepia officinalis (L.) collected from the French coast of the English Channel in October 1987. The tissues of both species displayed a similar pattern of heavy-metal accumulation: the digestive gland, branchial hearts and kidney were the major sites of concentration for all 11 metals; the digestive gland accumulated silver, cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead and zinc, the branchial hearts high concentrations of copper, nickel and vanadium, and the kidney high concentrations of manganese, nickel and lead. The digestive gland, which constituted 6 to 10% of the whole-animal tissue, contained >80% of the total body burden of Ag, Cd and Co and from 40 to 80% of the total body burden of the other metals. The ratios between heavy metal concentrations in the digestive gland and those in the muscle separated the elements into three groups, those with a ratio 10 (Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, Zn), those with a ratio >10 to <50 (Co, Cu, Fe), and those with a ratio 50 (Ag, Cd). The digestive gland of cephalopods (carnivorous molluscs whose age can be easily calculated with great accuracy) would seem to constitute a good potential indicator of heavy metal concentrations in the marine environment.     

Determination of Cd,Cr, Cu,Pb and Zn from various water samples with use of FAAS techniques after the solid phase extraction on rice bran

A facile and novel method has been developed for the determination of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and zinc from various water samples using FAAS. In the present investigation, a syringe was loaded with sorbent (rice bran) for the separation and enrichment of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and zinc, prior to their analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrometry which was described to substitute the batch and column techniques. The syringe was loaded with 2.0 g of sorbent in order to retain the analyte elements. Six milliliter of sample solution (pH 8.0 ± 0.2) was drawn into the syringe in 15 s and discharged over a period of 15 s. Then, 2.0 M HCl eluent was drawn into the syringe and ejected back to desorb the analyte elements. At the optimum conditions, the percentage recoveries of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn was in the range of 95.5–99.4% with SD of 0.10%. The elements could be concentrated by drawing and discharging several portions of sample successively. The detailed study of various interferences made the confirmation of the method highly selective. The risk of contamination is less than that with the column technique. The method was successfully applied for the determination of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in spiked and natural water samples. The results obtained are in good agreement with the reported methods at the 95% confidence level.     

Heavy metals in contemporary Chinese sewage sludges

The heavy metal content in sewage sludges from a big Chinese city was investigated. Concentrations of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in the sludges were 258–4050 mg kg^‐1, bd: 994 mgkg^‐1, 8.3–566 mg kg^‐1, 26.3–370mgkg^‐1 4.2–113 mg kg^‐1 0.9–6.4 mg kg^‐1 and 1.8–12.4 mg kg^‐1 respectively. The concentrations of Zn and Pb in the sewage sludges from the residential areas were higher than those in the mixed ones (from both residential and industrial areas). The concentrations of heavy metals in the flocculently dewatered sewage sludges were higher than those in the sediment of the centrifuged undewatered sewage sludges. After centrifuging, more than 60% of heavy metals remained in the sludge sediment with an exception of Cd. The content of organic matter, total phosphorus (T‐P) and total potassium (T‐K) in these sewage sludges was also measured.     

烟气脱硫石膏对滩涂围垦土壤重金属解吸及残留形态的影响

滩涂围垦土壤是重金属等难降解污染物的主要最终归宿场所之一,其重金属的解吸将影响重金属的迁移性、生物有效性和潜在毒性,研究重金属的解吸对土壤污染评价、修复及环境容量预测至关重要.研究了烟气脱硫石膏对广州市南沙滩涂围垦土壤重金属的解吸效果,并分析了烟气脱硫石膏对重金属形态的影响.在离心管中称取20.0 g过0.25mm筛土样,加入20 mL水和不同量的烟气脱硫石膏,在室温下于恒温振荡器振荡,风干研碎后用原子吸收分光光度法测定重金属全量,并用Tessier连续提取法研究了处理前后重金属形态变化.研究结果表明,随着脱硫石膏施用量的增加,经过振荡离心后的滩涂围垦土壤中重金属质量分数先急剧下降,之后变化趋于平缓.与原土相比各重金属最大解吸率分别为:Cd 30.38%,Cu17.73%,Ni 15.00%,Zn 14.19%,Pb 9.46%,Cr 8.89%.比较处理前后重金属的形态变化,发现各重金属的可交换态解吸率均达50%以上,并且重金属碳酸盐结合态质量分数也有减少.说明烟气脱硫石膏能降低土壤对重金属的吸附,经振荡离心后能降低土壤中重金属的毒性和生物可利用性.     

Heavy metals in soils and crops in Southeast Asia

In a reconnaissance soil geochemical and plant survey undertaken to study the heavy metal uptake by major food crops in Malaysia, 241 soils were analysed for cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic carbon (C), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and available phosphorus (P) using appropriate procedures. These soils were also analysed for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) using aqua regia digestion, together with 180 plant samples using nitric acid digestion. Regression analysis between the edible plant part and aqua regia soluble soil As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations sampled throughout Peninsular Malaysia, indicated a positive relationship for Pb in all the plants sampled in the survey (R ² = 0.195, p < 0.001), for Ni in corn (R ² = 0.649, p < 0.005), for Cu in chilli (R ² = 0.344, p < 0.010) and for Zn in chilli (R ² = 0.501, p < 0.001). Principal component analysis of the soil data suggested that concentrations of Co, Ni, Pb and Zn were strongly correlated with concentrations of Al and Fe, which is suggestive of evidence of background variations due to changes in soil mineralogy. Thus the evidence for widespread contamination of soils by these elements through agricultural activities is not strong. Chromium was correlated with soil pH and EC, Na, S, and Ca while Hg was not correlated with any of these components, suggesting diffuse pollution by aerial deposition. However As, Cd, Cu were strongly associated with organic matter and available and aqua regia soluble soil P, which we attribute to inputs in agricultural fertilisers and soil organic amendments (e.g. manures, composts).     

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Octopus vulgaris from coastal waters of Alexandria (Eastern Mediterranean)

Heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in various tissues (hepatopancreas, branchial hearts, salivary gland, gills, genital tract, mantle, arms and skin) of Octopus vulgaris collected from three different contaminated sites in front of Alexandria (Egypt) during 2000. All collected tissues displayed high enrichment factors when compared to ambient levels. Heavy metal concentrations in most tissues displayed significant differences among sites, sizes and sex. This study suggests that hepatopancreas, and to a lesser extent branchial hearts, are better indicators of chronic Cu, Fe, Zn and Cd contamination than edible tissues. The enrichment factor (EF) for heavy metals in the hepatopancreas and in edible tissues allowed discriminating our samples into three main groups; (1) EF?>?55 (Cu), (2) EF ranging from 15 to 7.5 (Fe, Cd and Zn) and (3) EF?相似文献   

Levels of heavy metals in blue whiting caught from the eastern Black Sea area of Turkey

This paper presents data on the concentrations of 5 metals, copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) in Blue Whiting sampled from the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey. The highest metal concentrations of Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn and Pb were recorded in Blue Whiting with the values of 2.71, 0.601, 14.137, 15.322 and 1.078 μg g^‐1 dry weight, respectively. On average the metal concentrations in Blue Whiting followed the order of Zn > Fe > Cu > Pb > Cd. Temporal differences of concentrations of these metals were significant (p < 0.05). Spatial fluctuations of Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn and Pb concentrations in Blue Whiting were also significant (p < 0.01). It was found that the concentrations of Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn and Pb in the muscle in Blue Whiting were below the limit of Public Health Regulation in Turkey.