Toxicity and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in mullet fish Liza klunzingeri (Mugilidae: Perciformes)

The mullet fish, Liza klunzingeri, commercially important and widely relished by Kuwaiti residents, and the stressed ecosystem in Kuwait Bay instigated us to conduct toxicity and bioaccumulation tests on heavy metals (Pb, Ni, V, Cu and Fe). Among five metals, Pb had the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) at 1 μg?l ^?1. Using multi-factor Probit analysis, toxicity tests (72 h) on L. klunzingeri reared in filtered sea water in the laboratory showed Pb with maximum effect at median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) followed by V, Ni, Cu and Fe. Their bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was in the sequence Pb>V>Fe>Cu and Ni. For fish exposed for 30 d, bioaccumulation exhibited increasing metal levels in liver followed by gills and muscles. These results suggest the potential use of L. klunzingeri as a bioindicator of metal pollution in the future.     

Accumulation and transportation of copper in different ecotypes of Leersia hexandra Swartz

ABSTRACT

This study used hydroponics with different copper (Cu) concentrations to assess metal accumulation and growth in two different populations of Leersia hexandra Swartz, one obtained from a contaminated area (CP) and the other from a non-contaminated area (NCP). Data demonstrated that Cu exerted a lesser effect on the biomass of CP than NCP. The root and shoot biomass measurements of CP were significantly higher than those noted at NCP. Copper concentration in the tissues of L. hexandra from CP increased markedly correlated with the concentration of metal in the culture solution, and this trend was stronger than that in NCP. Copper concentrations in roots and shoots were significantly higher in CP than NCP. As Cu stress levels in the culture solution rose, the transport coefficient of both populations decreased. Furthermore, the coefficient of CP was significantly higher than NCP. At a Cu concentration of 38.4 mg/L, the transfer factor value of CP is 40% higher than NCP. In summary, CP showed higher accumulation and resistance to Cu compared with NCP.     

Copper(II) ions’ removal from aqueous solution using green horse-chestnut shell as a low-cost adsorbent

The adsorption of copper(II) ions from aqueous solutions by the green horse-chestnut shell was studied in a batch adsorption system. It was determined how the parameters of the adsorption process, such as time, pH, copper(II) ions concentration and sorbent dose, influence the effectiveness of copper(II) ions’ removal. The adsorption process was fast and equilibrium was established about 10?min, and near 95–97% of Cu(II) ions were removed from aqueous solution. Maximum copper(II) ions’ adsorption occurred at around pH 5. The adsorption kinetics are also described, using pseudo-first-order model and pseudo-second-order model of type 1 and 2. A comparison of the kinetics models on the overall adsorption rate showed that the adsorption system was best described by the pseudo-second-order model of type 1 (r²?=?0.999) for all initial concentrations. Another key part of this study was the use of the Freundlich model to determine the adsorption isotherm and the experimental data were in strong correspondence with this model.     

虫螨腈对斑马鱼的急性毒性及生物富集性研究

以斑马鱼(Brachydanio rerio)为试验生物,采用半静态法测定虫螨腈对斑马鱼的急性毒性和生物富集系数。试验结果表明,虫螨腈对斑马鱼96 h-LC50为0.015 mg·L-1,其95%的置信限为0.011 mg·L-1~0.12 mg·L-1,属于高毒。在两个处理浓度2.0×10-4mg·L-1和2.0×10-3mg·L-1下,连续暴露8 d,斑马鱼对虫螨腈的生物富集系数(BCF8d)分别为1 211.6和1 549.7,属于高富集性农药。     

Response of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) to heavy metals contamination in soils with different organic fertilisations

The response of green roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) to Cu/Pb contamination and manure application in soil was investigated using pot experiments. Subsamples of a mineral soil were treated with increasing doses (0–500 mg kg^?1) of Cu/Pb only and/or amended (at 10% w/w) with poultry or swine manure. Roselle plants were grown, monitored for changes in growth rate and post-harvest aboveground dry biomass and tissue Cu/Pb concentrations were determined. The plants were typically greenish with linear growth profiles at all metal doses, indicating some level of tolerance. Dry biomass yields decreased as metal dose increased. Poultry manure enhanced roselle biomass yields better than swine manure. Tissue Cu/Pb concentrations increased linearly as metal doses increased in unamended soils; whereas nonlinear responses were observed in manure-amended soils. Soil-to-plant transfer factors, T _f (%) indicated that Cu (13≤T _f (% )≤60) was more phytoavailable to roselle than Pb (11≤T _f (% )≤20). Tissue metal concentrations were modelled from soil pH, organic matter, plant available and pseudototal metal; but the models appeared more reliable with plant available metal as a covariate than with pseudototal metal content. These observations may become useful whenever phytoextraction is the remedial option for soils moderately contaminated by toxic metals.     

镉在北京褐潮土中对玉米幼苗及其根际微生物的毒性效应

通过温室盆栽实验,研究了镉在北京褐潮土中对玉米(品种郑单958)幼苗的毒性效应及其生物富集特性,并通过聚合酶链式反应-变性梯度凝胶电泳(PCR-DGGE)技术,探讨了镉对玉米根际微生物群落结构的影响。结果表明,高浓度(>100mg·kg-1)镉对玉米幼苗的生长发育有明显的抑制作用,北京褐潮土中镉引起玉米幼苗株高下降1/2的效应浓度(EC50)为654.6mg·kg-1,引起玉米根部和地上部干质量下降1/2的EC50分别为323.6和110.2mg·kg-1,玉米幼苗地上部生物量(干质量)可作为评价重金属生态毒性的适宜终点。玉米幼苗对镉有一定的吸收累积效应,镉在玉米幼苗各组织中的浓度分布为根>茎>叶,其中根部对镉有一定的富集作用(生物富集系数BAF>1)。镉污染可引起玉米根际微生物群落结构发生改变,高浓度(1000mg·kg-1)镉可导致部分微生物种群数量减少甚至完全消失,表明镉污染可对植物幼苗、植物根际微生物以及植物-微生物之间的相互作用造成重要的干扰和威胁。     

Bioaccumulation of trace elements in wild-growing edible mushrooms from Lubuskie voivodeship,Poland

Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni and Zn contents were quantified for three wild-growing edible species of macrofungi (Boletus edulis, Macrolepiota procera and Cantharellus cibarius) and underlying soil samples collected at forest sites in Lubuskie voivodeship, Poland. The total concentration of the analysed elements was determined using an ASA iCE 3000 series atomic absorption spectrometer. The analysis found significant differences in bioaccumulation between species and differing distributions of trace elements in the caps and stalks of fruiting bodies. Bioaccumulation factors revealed that Zn and Cu are the most bioaccumulated elements, whereas Cr and Mn are excluded from bioaccumulation. Macrolepiota procera showed the highest bioaccumulation of Cu, and Zn is accumulated to the greatest extent by Boletus edulis. A few significant differences (p≤0.05) between the examined species were observed.     

Biosorption of cadmium and nickel ions using marine macrophyte,Cymodocea nodosa

ABSTRACT

Seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa) ability to remove cadmium and nickel ions from single metal solutions was investigated in the present study. Metal ions were measured in the solution using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Various operational parameters (initial pH, biomass dose, metal ion concentration, and contact time) were tested and found to affect the uptake capacity of Cd (II) and Ni (II). More than 70% of biosorption capacity occurred in the first few minutes for both metal ions. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir model were found to best fit the experimental data of Cd (II) and Ni (II) biosorption. The maximum uptake capacity (q_max) was 11.6 and 16.7?mg.g^?1 for Cd (II) and Ni (II), respectively. The biosorbent was characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The infrared spectrum demonstrated that hydroxyl, carboxyl, and phenolic functional groups are the major binding sites for Cd (II) and Ni (II) metals. The ion exchange mechanism plays an important role during biosorption process as shown in EDX analysis. Our results conclude that marine macrophyte C. nodosa can be used as a low-cost biosorbent for the removal of Cd (II) and Ni (II) in wastewater.     

Rapid release of heavy metals and anions from polyethylene laminated paper cups into hot water

Polyethylene laminated disposable paper cups are commonly used as a container for hot drinks, yet there is limited knowledge on the transfer of contaminants from the cup to the drink. Here we poured 95^?C hot water in 14 cups, to simulate the preparation of hot beverage for daily use. We studied the water composition after 15 min by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and ion chromatography. Results show the presence of metals such as vanadium, chromium, copper, cobalt and arsenic at concentration ranging from 0.04 to 1.80 µg/L. Nitrate, nitrite, chloride, bromate, fluoride and sulfate ions were also detected at concentration from 0.003 to 49.21 mg/L. All concentrations are below the WHO maximum permissible limits in drinking water. However, the levels of vanadium at 1.24 µg/L and fluoride ions at 1.03 mg/L are likely to induce a health risk by bioaccumulation after long-term water ingestion. Therefore paper cups composition should be modified to avoid the release of contaminants in hot drinks.

     

Effect of cobalt-supplemented diets on bioaccumulation,digestive enzyme activities and growth of Cyprinus carpio

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of excess dietary cobalt (Co) on bioaccumulation, digestive enzyme activities, and growth in freshwater Cyprinus carpio. Four isonitrogenous diets (average crude protein: 35%) were formulated to prepare a control diet (T₁) with no Co, and three Co-supplemented diets with 1 (T₂), 1.5 (T₃), or 2 (T₄)% Co. The results showed that C. carpio fed with T₃ diet showed maximal apparent protein digestibility, feed conversion, protein utilization, and growth. Protease and lipase activities were maximal in the fish group given T₃ diet. Accumulation of Co in different soft and hard tissues of fish did not correlate with levels of Co in the diet. The concentration of Co in the water increased with dietary level, being at a disturbing adverse effect level at 2% dietary Co. Evidence indicates that an additional supply of dietary Co up to a level of 1.5% is a viable option to augment growth of C. carpio, but at higher levels of Co it may be detrimental to fish health and the aquatic ecosystem.     

Transport and selectivity of indium through polymer inclusion membrane in hydrochloric acid medium

In the present paper, a polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (D2EHPA) which was used as extracting agent was used for the recovery of In(III) ions in hydrochloric acid medium. The effects of carrier concentration, feed phase pH, strip phase HCl concentration, temperature on the transport, and the membrane’s stability and thickness were examined. And the conditions for the selective separation of In(III) and Cu(II) were optimized. The results showed that the transport of In(III) across PIM was consistent with the first order kinetics equation, and also it was controlled by both the diffusion of the metal complex in the membrane and the chemical reaction at the interface of the boundary layers. The transport flux (J ₀) was inversely proportional to the membrane thickness, however, the transport stability improved as the membrane thickness increased. The transport flux of In(III) and Cu(II) was decreased by excessive acidity of feed phase and high concentration of Cl^–. The selectivity separation coefficient of In(III)/Cu(II) was up to 34.33 when the original concentration of both In(III) and Cu(II) was 80 mg?L^–1 as well as the pH of the feed phase and the concentration of Cl^– in the adjusting context were0.6 and 0.5 mol?L^–1, respectively.Within the range of pH = 1–3, the separation selectivity of In(III)/Cu(II) reached the peak in the case when the Cl^– concentration was 0.7 mol?L^–1.

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Bioaccumulation of cobalt,digestive enzyme activities,and growth of freshwater catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), fed cobalt-supplemented diets

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of excess dietary cobalt (Co) on its bioaccumulation, on digestive enzyme activities, and on the growth of freshwater catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). Four isonitrogenous diets (average crude protein: 32.7%) were formulated to prepare a control diet (T1) with no Co, and three Co-supplemented diets with 0.05 (T2), 0.1 (T3), and 1.0 (T4)% Co. The results showed that H. fossilis fed with T3 diet showed maximum apparent protein digestibility, feed conversion, protein utilization, and growth. Protease and lipase activities were also maximum in T3 diet. Accumulation of Co in different soft and hard tissues of the fish did not show any correlation with the level of Co in the diet. The concentration of Co in the water increased with its dietary level, being at an alarming level at 1.0% dietary Co. It is concluded that an additional supply of dietary Co up to a level of 0.1% is a viable option to augment growth of the catfish H. fossilis, but at higher levels of Co it may be detrimental to the fish and the aquatic ecosystem.     

Polyaspartic acid alleviates heavy metal toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of polyaspartic acid (PASP) on Pb, Cu, and Cd toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio). After 24 hours’ toxicity test on zebrafish, LC50, survival rates of zebrafish and catalase (CAT) activity were determined. The results revealed that the 24-hour survival rates of zebrafish exposed to Pb (P?P?P?P?in vitro and in vivo mechanisms.     

Sperm morphology in the marine gastropodArchitectonica perspectiva (Mollusca): Unique features and systematic relevance

The marine amphipodAllorchestes compressa Dana, fed on the seagrassHeterozostera tasmanica, was exposed to sublethal concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn for 4 wk in flowing sea water, and the concentrations producing the minimum detectable decreases (the minimum effect concentrations, MECs) in average weight, survival and biomass (average weight × survival proportion) were estimated by interpolation from regression models. Survival and biomass were more sensitive than average weight as indicators of sublethal effects. The lowest values of MEC for Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn were 11, >250, 3.7 and 99µg 1^–1, respectively. For Cu, this value fell below the minimum risk concentration (MRC) calculated from acute toxicity tests (LC₅₀) and application factors (AF); for Cd, the MEC was similar to the MRC; for Cr and Zn, the MECs were well above the MRCs. The metal concentrations in the amphipods at the MECs were 46, >46, 364 and 139µg g^–1 dry wt for Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn, respectively. Accumulation of the nutrient metals (Cr, Cu and Zn) showed some evidence of metabolic regulation, but the non-nutrient Cd was accumulated without regulation until the amphipods died. In general, those metals that were more highly accumulated by the amphipods were the more toxic.     

Barley lipid-transfer protein as heavy metal scavenger

A lipid-transfer protein was isolated from a domestic cultivar of brewers barley grain, Hordeum vulgare. The presence of Cu (II), Pb (II), Cd (II) and Zn (II) ions in its structure and its ability to bind Hg (II) and Ni (II) ions is known. We investigated its ability to bind other metal ions by differential pulse polarography. Here we demonstrate that the lipid-transfer protein has an affinity to bind Co (II) and Pb (II) and has no affinity towards Cd (II), Cu (II), Zn (II) and Cr (III). These results suggest a new possible role of barley lipid-transfer protein for phytoextraction.Selected article from the Regional Symposium on Chemistry and Environment, Krusevac, Serbia, June 2003, organised by Dr. Branimir Jovancicevic     

Trichoderma harzianum: a green sorbent for Pb(II) uptake from aqueous solutions

This investigation describes the use of specially cultivated, nonliving biomass of Trichoderma harzianum as a biosorbent for the batch removal of Pb(II) from a stirred system under different experimental conditions. The metal removal depended upon pH, sorbent particle size, initial Pb(II) concentration, shaking speed, and sorption time. The optimal experimental conditions for the removal of Pb(II) by T. harzianum with an initial metal concentration of 100 mg L^?1 were obtained at a particle size of 53 μm, a pH of 4.5, a shaking speed of 200 rpm, and a contact time of 720 min. The results were analyzed in terms of adsorption isotherms and kinetic models. The Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo second-order model fitted well in the data. T. harzianum proved to be a good biomaterial for accumulating Pb(II) from aqueous solutions (q = 460 mg g^?1).     

Chemical profile of Festuca arundinacea extract showing allelochemical activity

The allelopathic potential of fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.) was investigated under field and laboratory conditions. In the field, incorporation of fescue aboveground biomass into the soil provided an effective weed control as it significantly reduced both the number and the dry weight of all weed species. The effect on weeds was species specific. The reduction of the most abundant species, Picris echioides, with respect to the number of individuals and their dry weight was 67 and 45%. Fescue aboveground biomass, harvested immediately before soil incorporation, was utilized in a bioassay-oriented fractionation, aimed at identifying the compounds in the toxic extracts of the plant. While phytotoxic activity was detected for the n-butanol fraction, no activity was found for the aqueous one. Germination of an indicator species, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), was reduced by 33% at the higher extract concentration of 20 mg/mL, owing to the increase of the number of abnormal seedlings. The LC/MS profile of the extract revealed the presence of two alkaloids, seven flavonol glycosides, and two flavonol aglyca. Quercetin 3-O-rutinoside, isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside, and kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside were reported in fescue for the first time.     

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.     

Potentiometric studies of mixed complexes of cobalt(II) and copper(II) with l‐Asparagine and adenine

A potentiometric titration technique has been used to determine the stability constants for the various complexes of Co(II) and Cu(II) with L‐asparagine and from DNA base, e.g. adenine. Stability constants of ternary systems have been evaluated by the method suggested by Irwing‐Rossotti. In addition, the conditional constants were calculated as a function of pH. The maximum values of the conditional formation constants were found to be in accordance with the mixed‐ligand complex formation constants in a determined pH region. Furthermore, the molar fractions of different species from mixed complexes were calculated by means of formation constants. The values of stability constants of mixed‐ligand complexes at 25°C are as follows: log K= 5.25 for Co(II)‐L‐asparagine‐adenine; log K= 9.30 for Cu(II)‐L‐asparagine‐adenine. The ionic strength was kept constant at I = 0.20 with NaClO₄.