Combined toxic effect of airborne heavy metals on human lung cell line A549

Many studies have demonstrated that heavy metals existing as a mixture in the atmospheric environment cause adverse effects on human health and are important key factors of cytotoxicity; however, little investigation has been conducted on a toxicological study of a metal mixture from atmospheric fine particulate matter. The objective of this study was to predict the combined effects of heavy metals in aerosol by using in vitro human cells and obtain a suitable mixture toxicity model. Arsenic, nickel, and lead were selected for mixtures exposed to A549 human lung cancer cells. Cell proliferation (WST-1), glutathione (GSH), and interleukin (IL)-8 inhibition were observed and applied to the prediction models of mixture toxicity, concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA). The total mixture concentrations were set by an IC₁₀-fixed ratio of individual toxicity to be more realistic for mortality and enzyme inhibition tests. The results showed that the IA model was statistically closer to the observed results than the CA model in mortality, indicating dissimilar modes of action. For the GSH inhibition, the results predicted by the IA and CA models were highly overestimated relative to mortality. Meanwhile, the IL-8 results were stable with no significant change in immune reaction related to inflammation. In conclusion, the IA model is a rapid prediction model in heavy metals mixtures; mortality, as a total outcome of cell response, is a good tool for demonstrating the combined toxicity rather than other biochemical responses.     

Heavy metals and soil microbes

Heavy metal pollution is a global issue due to health risks associated with metal contamination. Although many metals are essential for life, they can be harmful to man, animal, plant and microorganisms at toxic levels. Occurrence of heavy metals in soil is mainly attributed to natural weathering of metal-rich parent material and anthropogenic activities such as industrial, mining, agricultural activities. Here we review the effect of soil microbes on the biosorption and bioavailability of heavy metals; the mechanisms of heavy metals sequestration by plant and microbes; and the effects of pollution on soil microbial diversity and activities. The major points are: anthropogenic activities constitute the major source of heavy metals in the environment. Soil chemistry is the major determinant of metal solubility, movement and availability in the soil. High levels of heavy metals in living tissues cause severe organ impairment, neurological disorders and eventual death. Elevated levels of heavy metals in soils decrease microbial population, diversity and activities. Nonetheless, certain soil microbes tolerate and use heavy metals in their systems; as such they are used for bioremediation of polluted soils. Soil microbes can be used for remediation of contaminated soils either directly or by making heavy metals bioavailable in the rhizosphere of plants. Such plants can accumulate 100 mg g^?1 Cd and As; 1000 mg g^?1 Co, Cu, Cr, Ni and 10,000 mg g^?1 Pb, Mn and Ni; and translocate metals to harvestable parts. Microbial activity changes soil physical properties such as soil structure and biochemical properties such as pH, soil redox state, soil enzymes that influence the solubility and bioavailability of heavy metals. The concept of ecological dose (ED₅₀) and lethal concentration (LC₅₀) was developed in response to the need to easily quantify the influence of pollutants on microbial-mediated ecological processes in various ecosystems.     

应用斜生栅藻生长抑制实验对重金属污染土壤的毒性进行诊断

应用斜生栅藻（Scenedesmus Obliquus）对重金属污染土壤的毒性进行诊断.结果表明，斜生栅藻的生长率与土壤中的重金属含量明显相关，并且随重金属投加量的增加而逐渐降低.对两种测试参数进行比较，发现采用细胞数生长率作为土壤毒性的检测指标要比采用光密度D(λ)增长率更为敏感.当采用细胞数生长率作为检测指标时，4种重金属的EC50顺序为Pb>Cu>Zn>Cd;采用光密度生长率作为检测指标时，4种重金属的EC     

环草隆对城市绿地重金属污染土壤有机氮矿化、基础呼吸及相关酶活性的影响

城市土壤重金属和有机污染物复合污染广泛存在,而城市草坪除草剂的应用使城市绿地土壤的农药污染问题成为了新的关注点。为了准确评价城市绿地重金属污染土壤的农药污染生态风险,选择不同重金属污染程度的土壤为研究对象,以土壤有机氮矿化量、基础呼吸以及土壤酶活性为指标,采用室内模拟试验方法,探讨了草坪除草剂环草隆污染对土壤微生物的生态毒理效应。结果表明:(1)土壤有机氮矿化、基础呼吸、芳基硫酸酯酶和碱性磷酸酶对重金属和环草隆污染响应较为敏感,脲酶和蔗糖酶对重金属和环草隆污染不敏感。(2)环草隆浓度为0~1 000 mg·kg~(-1)范围内,和污染较轻的样点N土壤的碱性磷酸酶活性抑制(激活)率的线性相关关系显著,和污染较为严重的样点D和G土壤的芳基硫酸酯酶活性抑制(激活)率的线性关系显著。(3)土壤中环草隆对样点D和G土壤芳香硫酸酯酶活性、对样点N土壤碱性磷酸酶活性抑制(激活)率的EC10分别为568 mg·kg~(-1)、1 306 mg·kg~(-1)(抑制值)和56 mg·kg~(-1)(激活值)、99 mg·kg~(-1),EC50分别为1 901 mg·kg~(-1)、3 806 mg·kg~(-1)、2 321 mg·kg~(-1)。以上研究结果能够为城市土壤重金属和农药复合污染生态风险评价提供基础数据和技术方法。     

Impact of Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) on biogassification of potato waste

A study was conducted on anaerobic digestion of potato waste and cattle manure mixture, inoculated with 12% inoculum and diluted to 1:1 substrate water ratio at 37 +/- 1 degrees C. Initially pH of substrate was found to be 4.5 to 5.0. Lime and sodium bicarbonate solutions were employed to adjust the pH to 7.5. Biogas production continued up to 10 and 7 days, when lime and sodium bicarbonate solutions were used to adjust the pH, respectively. Biogassification potential was studied in response to different ratio of waste and cattle manure. Biogas production rate was higher when potato waste and cattle manure were used in 50:50 ratio. Effect of two different concentrations (2.5 and 5.0 ppm) of three heavy metals viz. (Ni (II), Zn (II) and Cd (II)) on anaerobic digestion of substrate (potato waste--cattle manure, 50:50) was studied. At 2.5 ppm, all the three heavy metals increased biogas production rate over the control value. The percentage increase in biogas production over the control was highest by Cd, followed by Ni and Zn. In all the treatments, methane content of biogas increased with increase in time after feeding. Various physico-chemical parameters viz. total solids, total volatile solids, total organic carbon and chemical oxygen demand considerably declined after 7 days of digestion and decline was greater in presence of heavy metals as compared to control. The physico-chemical parameters revealed maximum decrease in the presence of 2.5-ppm concentrations of heavy metals with the substrate. Among all the three heavy metals employed in the study, Cd++ at 2.5 ppm was found to produce maximum biogas production rate. The use of three heavy metals to enhance biogas production from potato and other horticultural waste is discussed.     

Biokinetic modeling of heavy metals in earthworms

Studies concerning bioaccumulation kinetics and bioconcentration factor (BCF) of heavy metals like zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) in earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae tissues including integument, gizzard, clitellum, and head region were undertaken. Calculated BCF, predicted K _ow, and predicted K _oc showed a significant correlation between heavy metals in different earthworm tissues, in substrate spiked with heavy metals. The regression coefficient (r ²) between heavy metal uptake concentration and exposure time varied between 0.73 and 0.99, indicating significant correlation. The K _oc was a maximum of 13.9016 in case of Cu and integument at an exposure time of 100 days and a minimum of 0.1114 in case of Cr with respect to head at the same exposure time. Earthworms accumulated heavy metals following chronic exposure to municipal solid waste containing heavy metals. BCF and uptake rate kinetics of heavy metals were calculated and showed increased values in head tissue followed by integument.     

Cellular response of mouse splenocytes to heavy metals exposure

Among the environmental contaminants recognised for their toxicity and their global presence, heavy metals are certainly a major concern. They can elicit a number of immunomodulatory effects leading ultimately to an enhanced susceptibility (sensitivity) of immune cells to microbial agents and the appearance of neoplastic diseases and autoimmune phenomena. Heavy metals also provoke changes in the function(s) of immune cells. A striking biological effect of heavy metals is the induction of intracellular thiols (cysteine, glutathione, metallothioneins). Thiols are involved in many physiological processes, including protection from free radical damage and detoxification of chemicals. The purpose of this study was to assess the differences of susceptibility (sensitivity) in both pre-activated (concanavalin A was used) and non-pre-activated cells in the presence of heavy metals. Five were evaluated on murine splenocytes. The lymphoblastic proliferation test was performed for lymphocytes and a phagocytosis test for macrophages. Data showed that the levels of thiols in the pre-activated cells are greater than non-pre-activated cells following exposure to various heavy metals; macrophages were more resistant than lymphocytes to the toxic effects of heavy metals, and pre-activated cells were more resistant than cells at rest. One possible explanation is that macrophages produce more thiols than lymphocytes and this provides an increased protection from the deleterious effects of heavy metals.     

我国典型土壤上重金属污染对番茄根伸长的抑制毒性效应

采用盆栽试验观测了我国3种典型土壤——黄泥土、褐土、红壤上不同重金属(铜、锌、铅)作用下敏感植物番茄的根伸长,其中黄泥土和褐土上重金属添加量范围为Cu(0～2000mg·kg-1)、Zn(0～4000mg·kg-1)和Pb(0～5000mg·kg-1),红壤上为Cu(0～400mg·kg-1)、Zn(0～750mg·kg-1)和Pb(0～2000mg·kg-1).对不同土壤上Cu、Zn、Pb对番茄的根伸长抑制率进行了比较,以阐明不同土壤上重金属种类及用量对蔬菜根生长的抑制及毒性效应.结果表明,相同Cu、Zn、Pb污染水平(添加量)下,土壤中重金属对番茄的根伸长抑制率大小顺序基本表现为:红壤>黄泥土>褐土.番茄对红壤中的重金属最敏感,其次是黄泥土,再次是褐土.番茄对不同重金属的毒性响应不同,对Cu最敏感,Zn和Pb次之.土壤中有效态重金属含量与番茄根伸长呈显著(p<0.05)或极显著(p<0.01)负相关,表明有效态重金属含量是影响蔬菜根伸长的重要因素.     

Heavy metals in top core sediments from the southern Campania shelf (Italy): Hints to define large-scale geochemical backgrounds

The results of a geochemical survey carried out on the southern Campania shelf (southern Italy) are illustrated, offering a tempting opportunity to discuss the statement and definition of regional geochemical backgrounds for selected heavy metals. A total of 104 top core sediments, collected on average 1.5 km from one another and covering a shelf area of about 1300 km², were analysed for grain size, organic carbon content (OC), and heavy-metal (As, Al, Fe, Cd, V, Cr, Zn, Cu, Ni, Hg, and Pb) concentrations. The characteristics of the area, scarcely influenced by industrial activities, and the extensive data set, make this study suitable for an appropriate multivariate and spatial geostatistical methodologies used for i) a reliable definition of large-scale marine sediments' geochemical backgrounds and ii) an accurate discrimination of different geological controls on trace-element distribution patterns. Enrichment factors estimated with respect to both the average shale composition and the weighted average metal concentrations measured in inland soils rule out significant anthropogenic inputs. A spatial-geostatistics approach (kriging of spatial component based on an accurate implementation of variographic surveying) was applied, and this is proposed as an appropriate quantitative methodology to define the geochemical backgrounds for the different heavy metals. Two nested spatial structures were identified for some of the heavy metals, thus allowing clear identification of local and regional geochemical controls related to the different spatial variability of grain size.     

Fractionation of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments of Taihu Lake, East China

The BCR (European Communities Bureau of Reference) three-step sequential extraction procedure was applied to fractionate heavy metals in the sediment of Taihu Lake. For the determination of total metal concentration of the sediments, sample digestion was achieved by using HF/H₂O₂/HNO₃(2/1/1) acid mixture in a microwave-irradiated closed vessel system. The concentrations of Cd, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cu and Pb in various extracts solutions were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results obtained from the BCR three-step sequential extraction indicated relatively high mobility of Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni in the sediments while Cd and Cr were poorly mobile. Enrichment of heavy metals was found in the sediments collected in the northern parts of Taihu Lake. In the sediments collected in the southern and western sides of the Lake, heavy metal concentrations were relatively low. The relationship between total organic carbon (TOC) and heavy metals concentrations in the sediments is discussed.     

Temperature effects on the toxicity of four trace metals to adult spotted Babylonia snails (Babylonia areolata)

A study was conducted to determine the median lethal toxicity of four heavy metals on the marine gastropod Babylonia areolata. Median lethal toxicity tests were conducted to observe the sensitivity of this gastropod to metals and how variations in temperature might affect toxicity of test elements. Four heavy metals were used in the study. It was observed that the 96-hr LC₅₀ (in mg/L) for the different metals was found to be nickel (Ni) 33.53 (35.22–28.43), copper (Cu) 44.59 (46.43–41.53), cadmium (Cd) 21.53 (23.43–18.37), and zinc (Zn) 27.34 (28.81–24.24) at room temperature 24 °C. With temperature as a variable, median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values were observed to increase from 22.41 mg/L at 10 °C to 27.34 mg/L at 28 °C and reduce to 18.43 mg/L at 30 °C and a further rise in toxicity was observed at 35 °C where LC₅₀ value was 12.7 mg/L as seen in the case of Zn. It was also observed that at 40 °C thermal and chemical toxicity overlapped as 100% mortality was observed in controls. This trend was noted in all metals for Babylonia areolata indicating that temperature played an important role in determining LC₅₀ values of toxicants.     

Modelling the distribution and effect of heavy metals in an aquatic ecosystem

Models are reviewed describing the distribution and effect of heavy metals in an aquatic ecosystem. Since a model used for an impact statement should give the maximum concentration level rather than the seasonal variation, a model focussing on this situation is suggested. The basic differential equations describe (1) the variation in concentration of the toxicant per biomass dry matter in a given trophic level, and (2) the exchange of toxicant between sediment and water. Furthermore, since a substantial part of the heavy metal in an aquatic ecosystem is bound to suspended matter, an equation describing the equilibrium between dissolved and suspended matter must be included.A literature review has been carried out on the parameters used in the above mentioned equations and a demonstration, showing how it is possible to find approximate values for such parameters as excretion coefficient and uptake coefficient on the basis of a relationship between these two parameters and the size of an organism, is given.     

重金属对发光海藻Pyrocystis lunula的毒性研究——一种新型的快速生物毒性测试方法QwikLite

利用海洋发光藻--新月梨甲藻Pyrocystis lunula的生物发光特性(QwikLite方法),以发光抑制为测试终点,研究了6种重金属离子Zn2+、Cu2+、Pb2+、Cr6+、Cd2+、Hg2+的毒性,24h EC50分别为4.6601mg·L-1、0.0960mg·L-1、1.4935mg·L-1、0.1626mg·L-1、0.1272mg·L-1、0.0048mg·L-1.将该结果与这6种金属离子对其它发光藻、发光菌、糠虾和泥螺的毒性效应进行了比较.结果表明,利用QwikLite方法和Vibrio覱scheri(Microtox方法)测定的6种重金属离子的毒性顺序相似,但QwikLite法比Microtox法的灵敏度高1～2个数量级;发光藻与糠虾和泥螺的灵敏度相似或者更高,与泥螺存在显著的相关性.发光藻毒性测试方法QwikLite由于灵敏度高、操作简便、快速经济等优点,可以作为一种新型的快速生物测试方法.     

生物沥浸法去除畜禽粪便中重金属的影响因素研究

研究了粪液固体浓度和硫细菌混合菌液接种量对猪粪中重金属生物沥浸的影响。结果表明,猪粪固体浓度越低,重金属沥浸周期越短,沥浸效果越好。从沥浸效果和经济效益2方面综合考虑,固体质量浓度采用70~100 g.L-1较为合适。接种量也是影响生物沥浸的重要因素,试验结果表明,接种量越大,生物沥浸速度越快,但接种量小的粪样只需适当延长沥浸时间即可达到较高的重金属去除效果,2%接种量的猪粪沥浸14 d时,Cu、Zn和Cd沥出率可分别达到76.9%、75.2%和47.8%。从经济角度考虑,接种量采用2%即可满足生物沥浸的需要。     

Leaching characteristics of heavy metals during cement stabilization of fly ash from municipal solid waste incinerators

The leaching characteristics of heavy metals in products of cement stabilization of fly ash from a municipal solid waste incinerator were investigated in this paper. The stabilization of heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn in fly ash from such incinerators was examined through the national standard method in China based on the following factors: additive quantity of cement and Na₂S, curing time, and pH of leaching liquor. The results showed that as more additives were used, less heavy metals were leached except for Pb, which is sensitive to pH of the leachate, and the worse effect was observed for Cd. The mass ratio of cement to fly ash = 10% is the most appropriate parameter according to the national standard method. When the hydration of cement was basically finished, stabilization of heavy metals did not vary after curing for 1 d. The mixtures of cement and fly ash had excellent adaptability to environmental pH. The pH of leachate was maintained at 7 when pH of leaching liquor varied from 3 to 11.     

Ecotoxicological testing of soil by four bacterial biotests

The objective of this work was threefold. Firstly, this paper intends to introduce four microbial toxicity screening methods (Bacillus subtilis agar diffusion method, Azotobacter agile and Pseudomonas fluorescens dehydrogenase enzyme inhibition tube test, and Photobacterium phosphoreum contact toxicity test) for the investigation of contaminated solid samples such as soil and sediment. Secondly, this work was carried out to prove that both soil characteristics and chemical form of contaminants influence the bioavailability of contaminants and alter the toxicity of soil sample considerably. Thirdly, the sensitivity of the above mentioned four biotests to different contaminants of the soil (heavy metals, organic compounds) was determined and compared. The data evaluation was processed by computer aided statistical methods such as cluster, correlation and principal components analysis by the use of Statgraphics^R.

According to cluster analysis carried out separately for chemical data and biological data, we observed that those samples that have similar chemical composition do not show similar toxicity, which is probably due to different bioavailability of contaminants, the impacts of soil characteristics as well as interaction of contaminants. According to the investigation of sensitivity of the examined four biotests the following conclusion could be drawn: P. phosphoreum and A. agile tests are similar in the sense that they are sensitive to Cu to a large extent and also to PAHs and hydrocarbons (CH) to a lesser extent. B. subtilis test corresponds well with P. fluorescens test method since both tests give good correlation with heavy metals. Neither B. subtilis nor P.fluorescens biotests are sensitive to organic soil contaminants such as PAH and CH.     

环草隆与重金属复合污染对黄瓜及小麦的毒性效应评估

为探究草坪除草剂与重金属复合污染对高等植物的生态毒性效应,以小麦与黄瓜为敏感受试植物,采用滤纸发芽试验法,研究了典型草坪除草剂环草隆与4种重金属(Cu/Zn/Pb/Cd)单一及复合污染条件下,对2种植物种子萌发与幼苗生长的毒性效应并进行评估。在此基础上采用评估因子法外推环草隆在土壤中的预测无效应浓度(PNECsoil)。结果表明,2种植物的根长及小麦的芽长对环草隆与重金属非常敏感(P<0.01),且存在明显的剂量-效应关系。黄瓜根长对环草隆最敏感,根长半抑制浓度(RI50)为0.281 mg·L-1。小麦根长对Cu、Pb、Cd比黄瓜根长更敏感。环草隆与重金属复合污染时,黄瓜根长表现得最为敏感,可作为敏感生物标记物。环草隆与重金属复合污染对小麦及黄瓜根长抑制具有协同作用,并且随着重金属浓度的增大,黄瓜和小麦根生长对环草隆的敏感性增加。环草隆与重金属复合污染对小麦芽长的联合效应主要与重金属种类及其暴露浓度有关。以黄瓜的根伸长抑制率为急性毒性终点,利用外推法计算得环草隆在土壤中的PNECsoil为1.90μg·kg~(-1),远远低于环草隆田间推荐使用量1.5~9 mg·kg~(-1)。与重金属复合污染时,环草隆的PNECsoil明显降低,导致其生态风险提高。上述研究结果能够为草坪除草剂环草隆与重金属复合污染的生态风险评价提供数据支持。     

Total immobilization of soil heavy metals with nano-Fe/Ca/CaO dispersion mixtures

This report shows that soil heavy metals can be totally immobilized by grinding with nano-Fe/Ca/CaO. Remediation of soils contaminated by heavy metals is a critical issue in Japan. Indeed, contaminated soils are notoriously difficult to remediate using available technologies. Major setbacks in typical immobilization techniques for heavy metals are wet conditions, forming secondary effluents and further treatment for effluents. Solidification with nano-Fe/Ca/CaO dispersion mixture is a promising treatment for the total immobilization of soil heavy metals As, Cd, Cr, Pb, and separation in dry conditions. Here, we studied the heavy metal immobilization by simple grinding with the addition of three mixtures: nano-Fe/CaO, nano-Fe/Ca/CaO, and nano-Fe/Ca/CaO/PO₄. Samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and scanning electron microscopy combined with electron dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS). Results show that the addition of nano-Fe/Ca/CaO immobilized 95–99 % of heavy metals, versus 65–80 % by simple grinding. After treatment, 36–45 wt% of magnetic and 64–55 wt% of nonmagnetic fractions of soil were separated. Their condensed heavy metal concentration was 85–95 % and 10–20 %, respectively. Nano-Fe/Ca/CaO treatment reduced the concentration of leachates heavy metals to values lower than the Japan soil elution standard regulatory threshold of 0.01 mg/l for As, Cd, and Pb; and 0.05 mg/l for Cr. This technology can therefore immobilize totally soil heavy metals and reduce heavy metal by separation.     

The Adsorption of Lead and Copper from Aqueous Solution on Modified Peat–Resin Particles

Raw peat was modified with sulfuric acid, then mixed modified with resin to prepare the modified peat–resin particles. Using the batch experimental systems, the removal of heavy metals (copper and lead) on the modified peat–resin particles was investigated. The data of the adsorption isotherm could be fitted by the Langmuir equation well. The adsorption rate of heavy metals on modified peat–resin particles was very swift. The removal processes of heavy metals on modified peat–resin particles could be well described by pseudo-second order model. The adsorption rate of lead was affected by the initial heavy metal concentration, initial pH, particle size, agitation speed and particle mass. In the adsorption of heavy metals (lead and copper) on the modified peat–resin particles, ion exchange was the major reaction mechanism. Desorption data showed that the lead adsorbed by modified peat–resin particle could be desorbed by 0.5 N or 1.0 N HNO₃. The desorption rate was swift. The experiments indicated that the modified peat–resin particles have great potential for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater.     

沉积物中重金属Pb和Cd对河蚬的毒性效应研究

以河蚬为受试生物,以存活率、呼吸抑制率为测试终点,研究了沉积物和上覆水中重金属Pb、Cd对底栖生物的毒性效应,并探讨了沉积物中酸挥发性硫化物(acid volatile sulfide,AVS)和同时提取金属(simultaneously extracted metals,SEM)对重金属生物有效性的影响。结果表明,沉积物中Pb、Cd对河蚬致死效应较低,当Pb、Cd浓度分别为400、100 mg獉kg-1,连续暴露21 d时,致死率低于20%;沉积物中Pb、Cd对河蚬14 d的呼吸抑制率EC50分别为519和151 mg獉kg-1;上覆水中Pb和Cd离子浓度较低,对生物毒性效应贡献可以忽略;SEM/AVS值和生物呼吸抑制率有着明显的线性相关性,当SEMPb/AVS1,SEMCd/AVS0.6时,重金属对河蚬有明显的毒性效应。