Contamination of wild-grown edible mushrooms by heavy metals in a former mercury-mining area

The aim of this study was to evaluate the contamination of six edible wild species of mushrooms (Boletus pulverulentus, Cantharellus cibarius, Lactarius quietus, Macrolepiota procera, Russula xerampelina and Suillus grevillei) by heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, Mn and Fe). Mushroom samples were collected from sites contaminated by emissions from mining and processing of polymetallic ores in operation during the period 1969–1993 in Rudňany, southeast Slovakia. The four study sites spanned up to a 5-km distance from the emission source. The collected mushroom samples were analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and/or Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry with graphite furnace. Mercury, Cd and, in some samples, also Pb present the highest risks in terms of contamination of the food chain following subsequent consumption. The content of two metals in the dry matter (dm) of the mushrooms exceeded the limits set by the European Union (EU; Cd: 0.5 mg/kg dm, Pb: 1.0 mg/kg dm). The highest mean contents of the eight metals recorded for S. grevillei were 52.2, 2.15, 107, 104, 2.27, 2.49, 81.6 and 434 mg/kg dm for Hg, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Mn and Fe, respectively. The highest content of Cd was recorded in M. procera (3.05 mg/kg dm) and that of Co in L. quietus (0.90 mg/kg dm). The calculated weekly intake for Hg, Pb and Cd shows that regular consumption of mushrooms from the studied area poses risks to human health.     

原子吸收法直接测量土壤中的汞含量

实验采用DMA-80自动测汞仪直接测定土壤中的汞含量，详细介绍了土壤样品中汞分析条件的选择，方法在0．4—400ng范围内，线性良好，其检出限为0．2ug／kg。     

高压实新疆阿尔泰膨润土微观结构随吸力变化特征

采用压汞法(MIP)和扫描电镜(SEM)法,在自由和侧限状态下,试验研究了高压实新疆阿尔泰膨润土在不同吸力条件下的微观结构变化特征。吸力的控制采用了气相法和渗析(液相)法。研究结果表明:(1)低吸力范围内,自由膨胀和侧限条件下的高压实膨润土土水特征存在明显差异;(2)膨润土在自由和侧限状态下的水化过程中呈现出了截然不同的微结构变化特征。自由膨胀条件下,土的吸水膨胀量主要来自土中大孔隙的逐渐膨胀。侧限状态下,随着控制吸力的降低,膨润土的大孔隙逐渐被压缩,较小孔隙的数量不断增加,土中孔隙分布变得更加均匀。     

Inorganic and methyl-mercury speciation in sediments of the Swarzędzkie Lake

Sediment samples were analysed for mercury and methylmercury content in different parts of the bottom sediment of Swarz ?dzkie Lake, which were influenced by different external pollution sources. The results of determination with two methods of mineralization using two separate media (HNO₃/H₂O₂ and HF) were compared. The accuracy of the studied methods was analysed using certified reference material IAEA 405 of river sediment. The recovery of mercury was satisfactory and ranged from 97.5 to 98.8%. Methylmercury compounds in the studied sediments were found in limited concentrations. Their concentrations ranged from 0.26 to 58.1 μg kg^?1, i.e. 1.0–7.4% of the total mercury content. The depth profile displayed high values of both total and methylmercury content at a depth of 10–20 cm, related to the heavy pollution of the lake in the 1980s. Canonical analysis displayed the relationship of both total mercury and methylmercury concentrations with organic matter and phosphorus content in bottom sediments.     

Electrochemical study of the fungicide acibenzolar-s-methyl and its voltammetric determination in environmental samples

The electrochemical behavior of new generation fungicide acibenzolar-s-methyl (S-methyl 1,2,3-benzothiadiazole-7-carbothioate, ASM) on the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) was investigated using square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry. This method of determination is based on the irreversible reduction of ASM at the HMDE. The well-defined ASM peak was observed at ?0.4 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in BR buffer at pH 2.2. The reduction peak current was proportional to concentration of ASM from 1.0 × 10^?8 to 6.0 × 10^?8 mol L^?1 with detection and quantification limit 3.0 × 10^?9 and 1.0 × 10^?8 mol L^?1, respectively. The applicability of the developed method for analysis of spiked samples of tap water, river water, and soil is illustrated. The effect of adsorption on the mercury electrode was studied in detail using the AC impedance method. Possible interferences with other common pesticides and heavy metal ions were examined. Clarification of the electrode mechanism was made using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique.     

硫酸含汞问题的追踪研究

以辽宁省最大的硫酸生产企业（辽西某锌厂）为研究对象，剖析了硫酸含汞问题的来源，论述了该厂原料、中间产品、最终产品、车间内外环境汞的污染状况。并论述了使用该厂硫酸的十大企业的中间产品、最终产品的含汞状况，给出了厂内外环境受汞污染的测定结果，研究表明含汞硫酸污染问题是急待解决的重要问题。     

三峡消落带沉积物-大气界面汞交换通量及其影响因素

应用动力通量箱(Dynamic Flux Chamber,DFC)与高时间分辨率的RA-915+自动汞分析仪联用技术,在消落带沉积物出露期,野外现场监测沉积物-大气界面汞交换通量,同时对其影响因素进行了分析。结果表明:三峡库区消落带沉积物-大气界面汞交换通量范围为-6.80±12.35~28.17±36.17 ng/(m2·h)晴天库区消落带沉积物-大气界面汞交换通量表现出相同的变化趋势,即从早晨开始沉积物-大气界面汞的交换通量逐渐增加,到正午左右达到峰值,之后交换通量逐渐减小,但阴天这一趋势不明显。暖季白天沉积物-大气界面汞交换通量都以释放为主,冷季白天则以沉降为主。暖季晴天,沉积物-大气汞交换通量与气温、沉积物温度、光照强度呈显著正相关关系,与相对湿度呈显著负相关关系。无论晴天还是阴天,大气汞浓度都与沉积物-大气汞交换通量呈负相关关系。白天,光照强度和大气汞浓度是影响消落带沉积物/大气界面汞交换通量的主要因素,而在夜间,沉积物温度和大气汞浓度是其主要影响因素。     

Combined effects of mercury and hexachlorobenzene in the rat

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to assess the potential interactive effects of two Great Lakes chemical contaminants, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and mercury (HgCl₂). Groups of 10 female Sprague‐Dawley rats were administered by gavage single doses of HCB (400, 600 mg/kg b.w. in corn oil), HgCl₂ (10.0, 12.5 mg/kg b.w. aqueous) or combinations of both followed by observation for clinical signs of toxicity for 14 days. Five animals from treatment groups died before the termination of the study; one animal each in 600 mg HCB, 400 mg HCB + 10 mg HgCl₂, and 600 mg HCB + 10 mg HgCl₂, and two animals in 600 mg HCB + 12.5 mg HgCl₂. The surviving animals were necropsied at the termination of the study, and hematological, clinical chemistry, histopathological and tissue residue analyses were performed. Relative liver weights were increased in both low and high dose groups of HCB but not in animals treated with HgCl₂ alone. Co‐administration of HgCl₂ did not alter the HCB effects on the liver weight of the animals. Serum cholesterol levels were increased in all the groups receiving HCB but not HgCl₂. No interactive effects on other serum parameters were seen in animals administered with both chemicals. Mild to moderate morphological changes occurred in the liver, thyroid, thymus, ovary and bone marrow of rats exposed to HCB or HCB + HgCl₂, and in the kidney of HgCl₂ or HgCl₂ + HCB treated animals. More severe histological changes occurred in the groups receiving both chemicals. The histological effects appeared to be additive. It was concluded that co‐administration with HCB and HgCl₂ resulted in additive effects in some of the endpoints measured but no synergism or antagonism was observed.     

Thimerosal in childhood vaccines contributes to accumulating mercury toxicity in the kidney

Mercury (Hg) is a hazardous chemical that accumulates in many cells and tissues, thereby producing toxicity. The kidney is a key target organ for Hg accumulation and toxicity. The contributing factors to Hg accumulation in humans include: (1) elemental and inorganic Hg exposure, often occurring by inhalation of Hg vapors; (2) exposure to methyl Hg (meHg), for example, through contaminated seafood; and (3) exposure to ethyl mercury (etHg) via thimerosal-containing vaccines. Systematic investigations on the toxic effects of etHg/thimerosal on the nervous system were carried out, and etHg/thimerosal emerged as a possible risk factor for autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. There is, however, little known about the mechanisms and molecular interactions underlying toxicity of etHg/thimerosal in the kidney, which is the focus of the current review. Susceptible populations such as infants, pregnant women, and the elderly are exposed to etHg through thimerosal-containing vaccines, and in-depth study of the potential adverse effects on the kidney is needed. In general, toxicity occurring in association with different forms of Hg is related to: intracellular thiol metabolism and oxidative stress reactions; mitochondrial function; intracellular distribution and build-up of calcium; apoptosis; expression of stress proteins; and also interaction with the cytoskeleton. Available evidence for the etHg-induced toxicity in the kidney was examined, and the main mechanisms and molecular interactions of cytotoxicity of etHg/thimerosal exposure in kidney described. Such accumulating knowledge may help to indicate molecular pathways that, if modulated, may better handle Hg-mediated toxicity.     

Mercuric chloride effects on adult rat oval cells-induced apoptosis

In the present investigation, the toxicity of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) was evaluated in adult oval cells isolated from rat utilizing the 2-acetylaminofluorene/partial hepatectomy technique. Isolated oval cells were incubated with 5 μM of HgCl₂ for 8 hr to elucidate in vitro cytotoxic responses. Recently, autophagic cell death was found in rat hepatocytes in vitro within 30 min of incubation with 5 μM of mercury (Hg) which triggered apoptosis and necroptosis in a time-dependent manner. Nuclear degradation occurred within 30 min of incubation and progressed with time until 8 hr. Apoptosis evidenced by activation of caspase-dependent pathway between 30 min to 8 hr of incubation was mediated via interchange of death domain signaling pathways. Receptor-interacting protein played a positive role to modulate the death domain receptors in the scenario of apoptotic death of oval cells until 6 hr. Autophagic marker proteins ATG12 and LC3B exerted a significant role in triggering apoptosis in 5 μM Hg-treated oval cells. No apparent expression of apoptosis-inducing-factor (AIF) and HMGB1 indicated absence of caspase-independent apoptosis and necrosis in the rat oval cells between 30 min and 8 hr. Thus a low concentration of Hg modulates programmed cell death in adult rat oval cells by altering expression of proteins involved in the molecular mechanisms of cellular functions.