Use of trace element analysis of feathers as a tool to track fine-scale dispersal in birds

Tracking dispersal and migratory movements of animals over small and large spatial scales is a challenge. In birds, a promising yet underutilized tool is the trace elemental composition of feathers. The elemental profile of a feather may reveal information about the geographic origin of a bird provided that molting occurs on the breeding grounds and that elemental differences exist between breeding areas. Here, we explore the use of trace elemental composition in body feathers of the Puget Sound white-crowned sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys pugetensis as a tool (1) to discriminate among birds collected in four different song dialect populations along a 400-km stretch of the Pacific Northwest coast and (2) to assign males singing nonlocal dialects in one population to potential natal populations. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detected 34 trace elements in sampled feathers and in a discriminant function analysis seven of these elements differed among the four source populations. Half of the six nonlocal dialect singers, who were likely to have immigrated into the focal population, were assigned to a population that matched their song dialect. Our study suggests that feather microchemistry is a promising tool for identifying geographic origins of dispersing birds over small geographic scales and in combination with other markers, such as song, may give insight into ecological and evolutionary processes.     

Oral bioaccessibility of trace metals in household dust: a review

Because household dust is a heterogeneous assortment of particles derived from a multitude of diverse sources, concentrations of toxicants, like trace metals, vary widely among sample populations. For risk assessment purposes, the bioaccessibility of a trace metal, or its degree of solubilization in the human lung or digestive environment, provides a better metric of its potential health impact than its total concentration. In this paper, the relatively little direct information that exists on the in vitro oral bioaccessibilities of metals in household dust is reviewed. Data and mechanisms from studies involving better characterized geosolids, like soil and street dust, or metal-rich components thereof, such as paints, are also extrapolated to the household setting, although use of these solids as surrogates of household dust is not recommended. The bioaccessibility of a given metal is highly variable in the household setting; for instance, reported accessibilities of Pb in fluids that mimic the human stomach range from 25 to 80%, and accessibility is usually, but not always, reduced when conditions are altered to mimic the intestine. While part of this variation reflects the inherent heterogeneity of samples arising from local to regional differences in geology, industrial emissions, and domestic (and cultural) practices, considerable variation results from the precise means by which bioaccessibility is determined in vitro. It is recommended, therefore, that the effects of physicochemical variables, and in particular, the solid to fluid ratio and the pH of the stomach phase, are studied systematically such that appropriate algorithms or corrections may be factored into measures of bioaccessibility obtained under operationally defined default conditions.     

A regularity in trace element contents of marine zooplankton species

Four zooplankton species, three Arthropoda and one Chaetognata, from the Sea of Japan were analyzed in 1984 for eight major and fifteen trace elements, mainly by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Major and trace element contents on a dry weight basis varied little within a factor of 3.7, except for Ca (a factor of 5.7) among the four species. A log-log linearity with a slope of almost-1 was observed between mean oceanic residence time calculated from the mean dissolved river-water input _R and the concentration factor with respect to mean seawater concentration (CF _SW )for each species. The products of _R and CF _SW were nearly constant within a factor of 10, except for Br and Sb over seven orders of variation of CF _SW for each zooplankton species. It demonstrates a new regularity in trace element contents of marine zooplankton species. This relationship leads to the conclusion that the concentration factors of elements for these zooplankton species with respect to elements for these zooplankton species with respect to mean dissolved river-water concentration (CF _RW )are nearly constant within a factor of 10 with average values of 2.98 to 3.43 in logarithm.     

Leaching of trace and major elements from coal ash dumps

Coal ash samples taken from an active, currently filled cassette as well as samples taken from passive cassettes of the power plant in Obrenovac (Yugoslavia) were subjected to sequential leaching, comprising of extraction with distilled water, 1 M KC1 and 0.1 M HC1. Concentrations of trace and major elements found in extracts revealed that lead and cadmium are not present in significant concentrations, while other elements show different behavior: practically all absorbed trace elements and most of the major elements are partially leached during transport, while later, on the dump, only a slow release of most of the examined ion‐exchangeable elements occurs.     

Sediment-associated trace and major metals in the headwaters of a tropical reservoir

Bed sediment samples of the two headwaters of a tropical reservoir in Southwestern Nigeria were analysed for some metal concentrations using ICP-OES for a period of one year. Sediment samples were collected bi-monthly from both the lower and upper reaches of the streams from May 2013 to March 2014. Sediment samples were microwave-digested and analysed using ICP-OES. Concentrations of metals were higher in the lower reach than in the upper reach, and wet season concentrations were higher than in the dry season with the exception of Fe and Mn. The annual mean metal concentrations were as follows: Fe (121.72?±?6.82?µg/g); Mn (9.34?±?2.57?µg/g); Na (6.20?±?2.29?µg/g); K (0.65?±?0.57?µg/g); Mg (8.07?±?1.36?µg/g); Ca (13.92?±?2.85?µg/g); Ba (0.17?±?0.17?µg/g); Al (106.54?±?5.55?µg/g); and Se (0.6?±?0.19?µg/g). These values were lower in comparison with the baseline concentrations of elements on the earth’s crust. Contamination assessment of all the metals investigated in this study showed that metals in the bed sediments of the two headstreams had not reached pollution status with the exception of Se.     

施用中量微量元素对小白菜产量和硝酸盐含量的影响

为研究降低蔬菜硝酸含量的施肥技术，在不同质地的土壤上设置田间试验，对小白菜施用不同的中量和微量元素。结果表明，小白菜对施用的各种中量、微量元素在不同质地的土壤上有不同的响应；在合理施氮、磷、钾肥的基础上，有选择性地适量施用中量、微量元素，不仅可提高蔬菜的产量，而且可降低其体内硝酸盐的含量。     

Long-term changes in the Georges Bank food web: trends in stable isotopic compositions of fish scales

Fish scales from seven species of demersal fish in an archival collection were analyzed for stable isotopic compositions of carbon and nitrogen to study long-term changes in trophic structure of the Georges Bank food web. Nitrogen isotopic compositions are often used to infer trophic level. In the case of haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus (Linnaeus), there was a trend towards feeding at 2/3 of one trophic level (2.45% in ¹⁵N) lower in 1987 than in 1929. Values of °¹³C, frequently employed to identify sources of organic carbon to consumers, declined by 1.5 from 1929 to 1960, and then increased again toward the present, suggesting changes in the food web at the level of the primary producers. Superimposed on long-term isotopic trends were short-term variations (1 to 10 yr).To identify potential causes for these isotopic trends, canonical correlation analysis was performed between isotopic data and a suite of environmental and population factors including sea surface temperature, the Greenland Regional Pressure Anomaly (GRPA), the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and the following haddock stock parameters; stock size, fishing mortality, recruitment, and weight-at-age-2 (a measure of growth rate). Isotopic variation was significantly correlated with a combination of environmental and population variables: GRPA, NAO, weight-at-age-2, stock size, and fishing mortality. On the basis of published gut content analyses, the seven fish species were predicted to vary in trophic level (TL) from American plaice, Hippoglossoides platessoides (Fabricius), (TL 2.9) to summer flounder, Paralichthys dentatus (Linnaeus), (TL 4.5), whereas measured °¹⁵N values suggested smaller differences in the trophic levels of these species (less than one TL). Four species showed good agreement between gut-predicted and measured ¹⁵N values, while three species did not. Inclusion of information on ontogenetic dietary shifts in our predictions improved the agreement in some cases but not in other. Differences between stable isotope analysis and gut content analysis in terms of what they measure, i.e., integrated assimilated diet vs short-term ingested diet, respectively, may account for some of the differences in results. Based on our analyses and previous studies, feeding habits of these fish may undergo considerable year-to-year and geographic variation, some of which may have been missed in gut content analyses. To the extent that these fish are representative members of the food web, trophic variation in these fish may indicate more general changes in the food web.     

Edible films and coatings for food packaging applications: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Food preservation technologies are currently facing challenges in prolonging the shelf life of perishable food products. The uses of edible films and coatings...     

Impact of micro- and macroelement content on potential use of freshwater sediments (gyttja) derived from lakes of eastern Latvia

Organic-rich freshwater sediments formed from the remains of water plants, plankton and benthic organisms, which are transformed by microorganisms, and mixed with mineral components supplied from the lake basin, are known as gyttja (sapropel or dy). Gyttja is a valuable natural resource that can be used in various fields such as agriculture, forestry, construction, chemical industry, balneology and the latter ones are especially interested in chemical composition and safety of natural materials. The aim of the study was to investigate micro- and macro-element content of gyttja derived from lakes of eastern Latvia (north-east of Europe). Depending on composition, sediment samples were identified as peaty, various algae, green algae, diatom, carbonate and organic-silicate types of gyttja. Dried samples were wet-digested by heating in HNO₃/H₂O₂ solution until complete mineralization. Sample solutions were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) to detect concentration of Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na and Zn, but inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied for As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr and V concentration measurements. Total content of elements was variable; higher macroelement concentration was detected for gyttja of carbonate type, but higher microelement concentration—for organic-silicate gyttja. As concentration of several elements was much lower than permitted by the European Union legislation, gyttja is not only safe, but also highly valuable resource applicable in organic agriculture. There is a potential to use gyttja as a peloid in health care, but element bioavailability should be estimated likewise.     

Recycling food and agriculture by-products to mitigate climate change: a review

Food loss and waste is a major issue affecting food security, environmental pollution, producer profitability, consumer prices, and climate change. About 1.3 billion tons of food products are yearly lost globally, with China producing approximately 20 million tons of soybean dregs annually. Here, we review food and agricultural byproducts with emphasis on the strategies to convert this waste into valuable materials. Byproducts can be used for animal and plant nutrition, biogas production, food, extraction of oils and bioactive substances, and production of vinegar, wine, edible coatings and organic fertilizers. For instance, bioactive compounds represent approximately 8–20% of apple pomace, 5–17% of orange peel, 10–25% of grape seeds, 3–15% of pomegranate peel, and 2–13% of date palm seeds. Similarly, the pharmaceutical industry uses approximately 6.5% of the total output of gelatin derived from fish bones and animal skin. Animals fed with pomegranate peel and olive pomace improved the concentration of deoxyribonucleic acid and protein, the litter size, the milk yield, and nest characteristics. Biogas production amounts to 57.1% using soybean residue, 53.7% using papaya peel, and 49.1% using sugarcane bagasse.

     

Histology of Sculpin spp. in East Greenland. II. Histopathology and trace element concentrations

Abstract

For many years, the sculpin has been utilized as a sentinel monitoring species for anthropogenic impacts on the marine environment. To further develop its potential as a screening model body burden of several trace elements, including cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and selenium (Se), were investigated. In addition, histopathology in shorthorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus scorpius; n?=?20) and fourhorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus quadricornis; n?=?10) were examined at three sites around the Scoresby Sound settlement in Central East Greenland. Fourhorn sculpins caught at the most distant site from the settlement, contained significantly higher hepatic Cu and Cd concentrations as well as significantly elevated gill Pb levels compared to the shorthorn sculpins collected at two other sites closer to the settlement. Histological examinations showed that fish with significantly higher concentrations of hepatic Cd and Se exhibited greater nuclear alterations, interstitial hyperplasia/hypertrophy, interstitial mononuclear infiltrations and granulomas. Further, fish with higher Cd and Cu gill tissue levels displayed a significantly higher number of cytoplasmic alterations and lamellar epithelium lifting, hypertrophic and hyperplastic epithelium along with mucus cell hyperplasia. While the presence of liver lesions were not species or sex-specific, the presence of gill lesions decreased in the order female fourhorn sculpins?>?female shorthorn sculpins?>?male fourhorn sculpins?>?male shorthorn sculpins. Hepatic Hg concentrations exceeded known lowest observable effect doses (LOED) for fish (0.1–0.5?μg g^?1 ww) in 27% of fish, while liver Cd residues in 80% exceeded LOED (0.42–1.8?μg g^?1 ww). Based upon these results, data suggest that using the sculpin as a valuable sentinel fish species histopathology may serve as a reliable tool for assessing marine ecosystem exposure to trace metals. However, confounding physiological and ecological factors also need to be considered.     

Variation in trace element mobility and nitrogen metabolism of Verbascum olympicum Boiss. under copper stress

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of copper (Cu) stress on accumulation and transport of trace elements, nitrogen assimilation, and growth parameters of Verbascum olympicum. Eight-week-old seedlings were grown in Hoagland's solution and exposed to 0, 50, 250, or 500?µM CuSO₄ for seven days in laboratory conditions. Bioaccumulation of trace elements (boron, bismuth, cobalt, Cu, iron, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, zinc) in the roots and leaves was determined by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry after one, three, and seven days. Chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase, and glutamine synthetase activities, soluble protein content, and biomass were determined. Copper accumulated in the roots and leaves (up to 19609.8 and 256.2?mg?kg^?1 dry weight, respectively). Other trace elements accumulated to higher levels in the roots of Cu-treated plants compared with those of control plants. High Cu concentrations decreased nitrogen-assimilatory enzyme activities. Compared with control plants, those treated with high Cu concentrations showed lower chlorophyll contents, total protein contents, and biomass. Nitrogen assimilation and growth parameters of V. olympicum were negatively affected by Cu treatment but mineral nutrition was not severely disrupted. The results support the suitability of V. olympicum as a candidate for phytoremediation of Cu-contaminated soils.     

Removal of melanoidin present in distillery effluent as a major colorant: a review

Effluent originating from distilleries contain large amount of dark brown coloured wastewater called molasses spent wash (MSW). This MSW is the unwanted residual liquid waste to dispose because of low pH, high temperature, dark brown colour, high ash content, unpleasant odour and high percentage of organic and inorganic matter. Dark brown colour of MSW is due to the presence of melanoidin pigment. It reduces sunlight penetration in rivers and lakes which in turn decrease both photosynthetic activity and dissolved oxygen concentration affecting aquatic life. So the disposal of this effluent is one of the critical environmental issues. A number of treatment processes have been employed for the distillery waste management. This review paper present an overview of the pollution problems caused by melanoidin and the technologies employed globally for its removal.     

Nitrogen content of food as an index of absorption efficiency in fishes

Gravimetric estimation of absorption efficiency in fishes is a time-consuming process and still subject to technical errors. Available marker methods require no quantitative recovery of feces, but their applicability is limited (e.g. chromic oxide method) or their reliability is questionable (e.g. Conover's ash ratio method). From over 100 values reported for about 50 fish species, it has been observed that nitrogen content of food holds a positive correlation to absorption efficiency; the relation is significantly (P<0.001) correlated (r=>0.9). Hence absorption efficiency (Ae) of fishes is predictable from the nitrogen content of food with less than 8% error, using the equation log Ae=1.3706+0.5807 log N.Dedicated to Professor O. Kinne on his 61st birthday, August 30, 1984     

The role of sample preparation in interpretation of trace element concentration variability in moss bioindication studies

Trace element concentrations in plant bioindicators are often determined to assess the quality of the environment. Instrumental methods used for trace element determination require digestion of samples. There are different methods of sample preparation for trace element analysis, and the selection of the best method should be fitted for the purpose of a study. Our hypothesis is that the method of sample preparation is important for interpretation of the results. Here we compare the results of 36 element determinations performed by ICP-MS on ashed and on acid-digested (HNO₃, H₂O₂) samples of two moss species (Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi) collected in Alaska and in south-central Poland. We found that dry ashing of the moss samples prior to analysis resulted in considerably lower detection limits of all the elements examined. We also show that this sample preparation technique facilitated the determination of interregional and interspecies differences in the chemistry of trace elements. Compared to the Polish mosses, the Alaskan mosses displayed more positive correlations of the major rock-forming elements with ash content, reflecting those elements’ geogenic origin. Of the two moss species, P. schreberi from both Alaska and Poland was also highlighted by a larger number of positive element pair correlations. The cluster analysis suggests that the more uniform element distribution pattern of the Polish mosses primarily reflects regional air pollution sources. Our study has shown that the method of sample preparation is an important factor in statistical interpretation of the results of trace element determinations.     

Principal component analysis of trace elements in industrial soils

The concentrations of the elements Cr, Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni, Mn, Cu and As in soil samples from industrial areas in Serbia were studied. The complexity of the data of eight elements in fifty-nine soil samples was reduced by principal component analysis. Three significant factors, in which 78% of the total variance in the data was found, were attributed to possible pollution sources. The crude and fuel oil burning, local smelters and exhaust emissions were shown to impact heavily the soil trace element profile, whereas no distinct soil type factor was observed. This approach, evidencing spatial relationship, enabled a differentiation between the soil samples originating from different areas.Selected article from the Regional Symposium on Chemistry and Environment, Krusevac, Serbia, June 2003, organised by Dr. Branimir Jovancicevic     

Geographical and seasonal variations in the relationship between trace metal content and body weight in Mytilus edulis

The relationships between trace metal content (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn) and body weight of Mytilus edulis L. show that smaller mussels are richer in trace metal than larger ones. According to the metal, the season and the locality examined, 3 types of relationships were obtained: (1) straight lines over the whole size range of mussels; (2) curves with steeper slopes in larger mussels and (3) curves with lowering slopes in larger mussels. For most metals the slopes changed from one locality to another. A detailed analysis of the relationship between Cd content and body weight showed a gradual decrease in metal content until maturity was reached, thereafter the relationship varied significantly with the season, and 2 different types of curves were obtained. Thus, our results contradict the idea that slopes are uniform for a given metal and species. Multivariate analyses showed that weight accounted for most of the variance in metal content while age and gonad maturation explained little of the variance observed. We propose the metabolic changes associated with sexual maturity and season continually change the relative importance of the circulating and storage compartments of metals and may be responsible for the variations of slope observed.     

Synthesis,properties and food packaging applications of sulfur quantum dots: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - About one billion tons of food is wasted annually due to microbial contamination and oxidative deterioration. Actually, this issue is solved by hazardous and...     

History of titanium dioxide regulation as a food additive: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Since its discovery in the late eighteenth century and mass production in the early twentieth century, titanium dioxide has been used in a wide range of...