Terrestrial snails as quantitative indicators of environmental metal pollution

Concentrations of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc were measured in individuals of Arianta arbustorum from different urban sampling sites. In comparison to snails from a reference site, the animals collected in the city showed higher concentrations of cadmium, lead, and copper, indicating elevated levels of metal pollution. The most pronounced difference in tissue concentrations between control animals and contaminated snails was observed for lead. Within the city, metal levels in snails differed significantly, even between adjacent populations. Arianta arbustorum is a suitable species for biomonitoring, because it is widespread, resident and easy to collect; it has a high capacity for metal accumulation and shows different concentrations depending on metal contamination of the sampling area. An interspecific comparison of metal concentrations in terrestrial gastropods was conducted to define background levels and classes of burden. Three pollution levels are distinguished on the basis of the snails' metal burden: no pollution (class 1: reference sites), moderate (class 2: traffic and other human activities in urban areas), and high pollution (class 3: mining and heavy industry).     

Blood lead levels of residents living around 350 abandoned metal mines in Korea

In 2007, as part of the control and prevention of environmental contamination threatening public health, the Korean Ministry of Environment planned to implement a national biomonitoring survey of three metals: lead, cadmium, and mercury in the blood of residents living near 350 abandoned metal mines known to be contaminated and as possible threats to the health of inhabitants. Thus, we investigated demographic and lifestyle variables and blood lead levels in residents living around the mines and compared them against those of control subjects. We measured the blood lead concentrations in 14,849 subjects (14,132 from nearby the 350 abandoned metal mines and 717 subjects from eight control areas). A questionnaire was provided to all subjects to determine gender, age, mining experience, period of time living in the vicinity of mines, smoking status, and personal perception of abandoned mines as a health risk. The geometric means (95% confidence intervals) of the blood lead levels of residents living around the abandoned metal mines and control areas were 3.017 (2.996-3.037 μg/dL) [female, 2.797 μg/dL (2.771-2.822 μg/dL); male, 3.330 μg/dL (3.298-3.363 μg/dL)] and 2.757 (2.677-2.837 μg/dL) [female, 2.604 μg/dL (2.506-2.700 μg/dL); male, 2.993 μg/dL (2.859-3.126 μg/dL)], respectively. Among residents of the mining areas, nonsmokers and residents who had no mining experience showed significantly lower mean blood lead levels than did smokers, past smokers, and those with mining experience. The mean blood lead concentrations of residents who expressed some concern about the abandoned mines were significantly higher than those of residents without concerns. The mean blood lead concentration of residents living around the abandoned mines was significantly higher than that of residents living in control areas as well as that of the general adult Korean population. We also confirmed that smoking is an important variable to consider, as it increases blood lead concentration.     

Blood levels of cadmium and lead in residents near abandoned metal mine areas in Korea

We analyzed national data on blood lead levels (BLL) and blood cadmium levels (BCL) in residents living near 38 abandoned metal mining areas (n?=?5,682, 18–96 years old) in Korea that were collected by the first Health Effect Surveillance for Residents in Abandoned Metal mines (HESRAM) from 2008 to 2011. The geometric mean BCL and BLL were 1.60 μg/L (95 % CI?=?1.57–1.62 μg/L) and 2.87 μg/dL (95 % CI?=?2.84–2.90 μg/dL), respectively, notably higher than levels in the general population in Korea and other countries. We found significantly higher BLL and BCL levels in people living within 2 km of an abandoned metal mine (n?=?3,165, BCL?=?1.87 μg/L, BLL?=?2.91 μg/dL) compared to people living more than 2 km away (n?=?2,517, BCL?=?1.31 μg/L, BLL?=?2.82 μg/dL; P?<?0.0001) and to the general population values reported in the literature.     

Monitoring pollution in River Mureş, Romania, part II: metal accumulation and histopathology in fish

As a part of an exposure and effect monitoring conducted along the river Mureş, Western Romania in 2004, the health status of two indigenous fish species, sneep (Chondrostoma nasus) and European chub (Leuciscus cephalus) was investigated upstream and downstream the city of Arad. In fish, histopathology was assessed in liver and gills, and heavy metals (cadmium, copper, lead and zinc) were analyzed in liver samples. In both fish species, histopathological reactions in the gills (epithelial lifting, focal proliferation of epithelial cells of primary and secondary lamellae and resulting fusion of secondary lamellae, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of mucous cells, focal inflammation and necrosis of epithelial cells) were most severe at the two sampling sites upstream Arad city, which were shown to be polluted by copper, cadmium, faecal coliforms and streptococci in a parallel study. At these two sites, also histopathology in the liver of L. cephalus was more prominent than at the two downstream sites. In C. nasus, symptoms in the liver (focal inflammation with lymphocytic infiltrations, macrophage aggregates and single cell necrosis) were also highly pronounced at the sampling site located directly downstream the municipal sewage treatment plant of Arad. With the exception of copper accumulation in L. cephalus caught at the most upstream sampling site, in both fish species cadmium and copper accumulation were exceptionally high and did not differ significantly between the four sampling sites.     

Lead and cadmium concentrations in shorebirds from the Yeongjong Island, Korea

This study presents concentration levels of pollutants (lead, and cadmium) in tissues (livers, kidneys, muscles, and bones) of shorebirds (Kentish Plovers (n = 5), Mongolian Plovers (n = 2), Dunlins (n = 6), Great Knots (n = 10), Terek Sandpipers (n = 10)) from Yeongjong Island, Korea in the East Asian–Australian migration flyways during the autumn migration in 1994–1995. Lead concentrations in livers, in kidneys, in muscles, and in bones were significantly different among shorebird species. Lead concentrations in livers of Kentish Plovers (4.76 ± 2.72 μg/wet g), Mongolian Plovers (2.05 μg/wet g), Dunlins (3.77 ± 1.07 μg/wet g), and Great Knots (4.27 ± 3.19 μg/wet g) were less than the toxic level, and lead concentrations in livers of Terek Sandpipers (1.20 ± 0.94 μg/wet g) were at the background level. Cadmium concentrations in livers, in kidneys, in muscles, and in bones did not vary among shorebirds, and concentrations of cadmium in livers and in kidneys were at background level (respectively, approximate 1 μg/wet g, approximate 2.67 μg/wet g) in all shorebird species. We suggest that interspecific differences of lead and cadmium concentrations were attributed to differences in exposure time and differences of diet, microhabitats in wintering ground. In livers and kidney of shorebirds from Yeongjong Island, lead and cadmium concentrations were higher than other locations previously reported.     

Particle-phase Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Emissions from Non-catalysed, In-use Four-stroke Scooters

Metals and radionuclide levels in marine birds of the Aleutians are of interest because they are part of subsistence diets of the Aleut people, and can also serve as indicators of marine pollution. We examined geographic and species-specific variations in concentrations of radionuclides in birds and their eggs from Amchitka, the site of underground nuclear tests from 1965 to 1971, and Kiska Islands (a reference site) in the Aleutians, and the levels of lead, mercury and cadmium in eggs. In 2004 we collected common eiders (Somateria mollissima), tufted puffins (Fratercula cirrhata), pigeon guillemot (Cepphus columba) and glaucous-winged gulls (Larus glaucescens) from Amchitka and Kiska, and eggs from eiders and gulls from the two island. We also collected one runt bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) chick from both Amchitka and Kiska Islands. For most species, the levels of radionuclide isotopes were below the minimum detectable activity levels (MDA). Out of 74 cesium-137 analyses, only one composite (gulls) was above the MDA, and out of 14 composites tested for plutonium (Pu-239, 240), only one exceeded the MDA (a guillemots). Three composites out of 14 tested had detectable uranium-238. In all cases, the levels were low and close to the MDAs, and were below those reported for other seabirds. There were significant interspecific differences in metal levels in eggs: gulls had significantly higher levels of cadmium and mercury than the eiders, and eiders had higher levels of lead than gulls. There were few significant differences as a function of island, but eiders had significantly higher levels of cadmium in eggs from Kiska, and gulls had significantly higher levels of mercury on Kiska. The levels of cadmium and mercury in eggs of eiders and gulls from this study were above the median for cadmium and mercury from studies in the literature. The levels of mercury in eggs are within the range known to affect avian predators, but seabirds seem less vulnerable to mercury than other birds. However, the levels of mercury are within the action levels for humans, suggesting some cause for concern if subsistence Aleuts eat a large quantity of eggs.     

The use of bioaccumulation, biomarkers and histopathology diseases in shape Procambarus clarkii to establish bioavailability of Cd and Zn after a mining spill

Individuals of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii (males and females) were exposed simultaneously to cadmium and zinc during 21 days. Exposure concentrations were those determined at the Guadiamar river after the Aznalcóllar mining spill (SW, Spain): 10 and 30 μg L⁻¹ of cadmium and 1000 and 3000 μg L⁻¹ of zinc. Three biomarkers (MT: metallothioneins like proteins, VTG: vitellogenin/vitellin like proteins and histopathology) together with heavy metal bioaccumulation were determined in soft tissues of male and female P. clarkii. At the concentrations tested, increasing cadmium exposure resulted in increasing cadmium bioaccumulation and increasing subletal effects (induction of MT, VTG and histopathological damage in tissues). Nevertheless, although increasing zinc exposure showed increasing VTG induction and histopathological damages, not a positive relationship was determined with MT induction. Concerning to responses determined in male and female crayfishes only differences were found between sexes at the highest cadmium exposure concentration related to bioaccumulation in hepatopancreas tissues. Biomarkers responses to heavy metal contamination in this crayfish, even VTG induction not before tested in heavy metal contamination assessment in crustaceans resulted potential tools for the monitoring of heavy metal environmental contamination.     

Metals, Boron, and Selenium in Neosho Madtom Habitats in the Neosho River in Kansas, U.S.A.

In 1991 and 1992 we determined the levels of metals, arsenic, boron, and selenium in the Neosho River drainage in southeastern Kansas, the primary habitat for the threatened Neosho madtom (Noturus placidus). We evaluated concentrations in sediments, mussels (Quadrula pustulosa and Q. metanevra), and fish(Percina phoxocephala, Cyprinus carpio,and Ictiobus bubalus) from three sites on theNeosho River and one site on the Cottonwood River. We also evaluated contaminant concentrations in C. carpio composite samples collected by theKansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)at two additional locations on the Neosho River in1990–92. Sediments were contaminated by lead. Concentrations of selenium, boron, and most metalsin mussels were low to normal for biota. Arseniclevels in mussels and fish suggest low-levelcontamination of biota. Aluminum, barium, manganeseand strontium concentrations were much higher inmussels than in fish. Five fish composite sampleshad cadmium concentrations that indicate chronicdeleterious effects on biota. Lead concentrationsin six fish samples were elevated. Mercuryconcentrations in most large fish compositesexceeded concentration for protection of animalsthat might consume them. We believe that reductionsin cadmium, lead, and mercury contamination, inparticular, would benefit aquatic life in theriver.     

Contamination of soil and the medicinal plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllanthus niruri</Emphasis> Linn. with cadmium in ceramic industrial areas

Phyllanthus niruri is a plant that is used to prevent calcium oxalate crystallisation and to block the stone formation in urolithiasis. Contaminants in the environment can be readily taken up by medicinal plants due to their ability to absorb chemicals into their tissues. If contaminated plants are ingested, they have the potential to negatively affect human and environmental health. The aim of this study was to assess contamination in the soil and the medicinal plant P. niruri by cadmium (Cd) in ceramic industrial areas of Monte Carmelo, Brazil. Soil samples and plant samples (divided in root, shoot and leaves) were collected from a contaminated monitoring site and from a rural area (which was used as a reference site for comparative purposes). The Cd concentrations of the samples were analysed with an atomic absorption spectrometer. P. niruri was found to be sensitive to soil contamination by Cd that was attributed to ceramic industrial emissions. The results revealed that Cd bioaccumulation in the roots and shoots of P. niruri was associated with a significant increase (p?<?0.05) in the concentration of active lignan compounds (phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin) in the leaves. The identification of high concentrations of Cd and active lignan compounds suggests a risk of contamination of the site and the risk of a high dose of Cd to people exposed at the site.     

Blood Pb Levels in pregnant Nigerian women in Abakaliki, South-Eastern Nigeria

Environmental lead (Pb) exposure and toxicity have been recognised as public health problems of global importance, affecting both the developed and developing nations. In this work, blood Pb of pregnant women that were not exposed to lead by their occupation (n?=?349), with mean ± SD age of 27.0?±?4.8 years and gestational age of 21.8?±?3.1 weeks at recruitment were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that 309 (88.5 %) of the women had a mean?±?SD blood Pb of 40.0?±?16.5 μg/dl, which is higher than the current US Centre for Disease Prevention and Control action limit (>10 μg/dl). The observed high prevalence of elevated blood Pb levels may be related to maternal low socioeconomic status. Health education is, therefore, urgently needed to sensitise the general public and the policy makers of the level of Pb exposure in Abakaliki environment and the inherent health implications. In addition to mandatory environmental lead monitoring, blood Pb screening for would-be mother is recommended, and those whose blood Pb are found elevated should be appropriately treated.