Accumulation of lead and cadmium by four tropical forage weeds found in the premises of an automobile battery manufacturing company in Nigeria

The potentials of tropical weeds namely, Nephrolepis biserrata, Panicum maximum, Eleusine indica, and Chromolaena odorata to accumulate lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) from soil within the premises of an automobile battery manufacturing company in Ota, south-western Nigeria, were explored. The weed samples were collected in both wet and dry seasons. Standard analytical methods were employed to collect, digest, and analyze the weeds. Lead levels in the weeds for both seasons ranged from 1990–4870, 1090–1730, 4800–7890, and 400–1210 µg g^?1 dry weight (DW) for Nephrolepis biserata, Panicum maximum, Eleusine indica, and Chromolaena odorata, respectively, while the cadmium level in the weeds for both seasons ranged from 3.92–6.78 µg g^?1 DW for N. biserata, 1.99–6.85 µg g^?1 DW for P. maximum, 2.90–7.40 µg g^?1 DW for E. indica, and 2.90–5.09 µg g^?1 DW for C. odorata. There was no significant difference in the accumulation of both Pb and Cd for the two seasons. All the weeds showed Pb levels higher than the phytotoxic range. On the contrary, 99% of the weeds showed Cd concentration within the phytotoxic range. The weeds demonstrate good phytoremediation potentials of contaminated soil.     

The status of heavy metal levels in a Ramsar site,Kuala Gula bird sanctuary: the impact of the anthropogenic inputs

Distributions of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the surface sediments from two sites of the Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, Malaysia were monitored for a period of 6 months from October 2006 to March 2007. In December 2006, the concentration of Zn in one location was significantly (p??1) than the other metals at both sites, but in the oxidizable organic fraction it was highest at both sites during October; with mean concentrations of 18?mg?kg^?1 at both locations. In the acid-reducible fraction, high concentrations of Pb (2.3?mg?kg^?1) were detected at station 2 in February 2007, being highest among all four metals at both stations. The acid-reducible fraction found in Pb ranged from 0.10% to 3.1% in both stations. Percentages ranging from 51% to 96% were observed for all four metals in the resistant fraction throughout the sampling period. These results indicate low contributions from anthropogenic sources. The findings constitute a baseline data archive for future reference.     

Interspecific variation of heavy metal concentrations in the different tissues of tropical intertidal gastropods from Malaysia

The present study aims to determine the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the different tissues of five species of tropical intertidal gastropods from Malaysia. Each of the species have organs/tissues that highly accumulated certain metals. For Cu, the mantles of Cerithidea obtusa, Pugilina cochlidium, and Murex trapa; and the digestive caeca of Thais sp. and Chicoreus capucinus highly accumulated Cu. The shells of Chi. capucinus and M. trapa, the digestive caeca of P. cochlidium, and the digestive glands of Thais sp. and Chi. capucinus highly accumulated Cd. The tentacles and the digestive caeca of Cer. obtusa and P. cochlidium, respectively, highly accumulated Zn, the digestive glands of Thais sp., Chi. capucinus, and M. trapa also highly accumulated Zn. The shells of most of the gastropods accumulated high levels of Pb and Ni. The opercula of most of the gastropods, besides the digestive glands for Thais sp., accumulated high levels of Fe. The present study on interspecific variations of heavy metals in gastropods provided information on differences of metal distributions in the different tissues, which could be useful in proposing potential tissues as better biomonitoring tools of heavy metal bioavailabilities in the coastal waters of Peninsular Malaysia.     

Development and application of cross-linked polyethylenimine for trace metal and metalloid removal from mining and industrial wastewaters

Pollution of water bodies by trace metals is an established problem and several studies have been conducted to deal with it. South Africa is amongst those countries whose water systems are most affected as a result of intensive mining activities. This research was dedicated to the development of an insoluble chelating polymer for use as an adsorbent for abstraction of metal ions from mining and industrial wastewaters. Polyethylenimine (PEI), well known for its metal chelating potential, was cross-linked by epichlorohydrin (ECH) in order to convert it into a water-insoluble form for direct use as an adsorbent. The binding affinity of the cross-linked polyethylenimine (CPEI) to heavy metal ions was assessed as well as its ability to be regenerated for re-use. CPEI exhibited good complexation ability to metal ions with high affinity to Cr and most divalent metal ions. The observed order of complexation was: Cr?>?Zn>?Fe?>?Ni?>?Mn?>?Pb. On the other hand, it showed very poor ability to bind oxo-anions such as SeO₃ ^2? and AsO₂ ^? which has been attributed to the unavailability of suitable functional groups to interact with these ions.     

Influence of temperature and pH on the effects of zinc and copper on proteolytic activities of the intestinal mucosa of planktivorous and benthophagous fishes and their potential preys

Influences of temperature (0 and 20°C) and pH (3.0, 5.0, and 7.4) on the effect of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) on proteolytic activities of intestinal mucosa in planktivorous (blue bream, bleak), bentophagous (bream, roach) fishes and their potential preys (pond snail Limnaea stagnalis, planorbid Planorbarius purpura, dreissena Dreissena polymorpha, midge larvae Chironomus sp., water flea Daphnia longispina and total zooplankton) are revealed in this article. Cu decreases the caseinolytic and hemoglobinolytic activities in both fish and their preys more than Zn at temperature 20°C and pH 7.4. Low temperature intensifies the negative effect of the metals on the protease activity in fish (in the case of Zn 5–10 times, in the case of Cu 5–30 times). In fish prey species, the negative effect of the metals on the proteinase activity may be more significant. The influence of pH on Zn and Cu effects is less pronounced than that of low temperature. Maximum reduction of enzyme activities is observed for the combined action of low temperature and pH as well as of the studied metals.     

Metals contamination in the foraging area of Milky Stork: evidence of anthropogenic inputs in the aquatic environment of Kuala Gula,Malaysia

The rapid decline of the wild Milky Stork population in Malaysia has led to the reintroduction of the captive bred species in Kuala Gula, Perak. The area is known as an important migratory stopover and sanctuary for both visitors and resident birds. Although Kuala Gula and its adjacent areas are regarded as pristine and unpolluted, recent study suggested that accumulation of certain pollutants is occurring in the aquatic environment of the area. Surface sediment samples from five foraging areas considered important to the reintroduced Milky Storks have been analyzed for metals contamination. The results show that elevations of Cu, Zn, and Pb ranging from 9.7 to 57 mg kg^?1, 71 to 120 mg kg^?1, and 28 to 47 mg kg^?1 have occurred, except for Cd (0.9–1.7 mg kg^?1). The accumulation of these metals is site-specific which reflects continuous anthropogenic inputs into the aquatic environment of Kuala Gula. In addition, metal levels in some areas have exceeded the effects range low values, and thus urgent action is needed to ensure good practice and sustainable management of Kuala Gula by responsible parties.     

Presence of metals in drinking water distribution networks due to pipe material leaching: a review

Drinking water quality should remain constant from the drinking water treatment plant to the consumer's tap. However, water quality characteristics might be affected by interactions with pipe materials. This review describes the iron, copper, lead, zinc, aluminum, chromium, and cadmium in drinking water leached from the pipe material present in drinking water, as well as the factors and mechanisms that affect leaching processes. Data analysis suggests that monitoring the water quality in distribution systems is important for their proper management; however, the low measured concentrations highlight the need for sensitive sensors. In addition, further research is necessary to anticipate possible future effects before the installation of new materials/infrastructure or changes in water source/treatment.     

Metal levels in computer monitor components discarded in the vicinities of electronic workshops

Levels of Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Cd in the glass screens (GS) and printed wiring boards (PWBs) of obsolete computer monitors (OCMs) were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) following standard digestion. Metal concentrations (mg kg^?1) in GS were in the following ranges (medians in brackets): Pb ND – 3100 (46), Cd 0.5–2.6 (0.8), Cr ND – 18.7 (3.1), and Zn 8.1–600 (37) and in PWBs (mg kg^?1): Pb 34,600 ± 17,000, Cd 11 ± 9, Cr 59 ± 45, Zn 15,900 ± 7800, Cu79,000 ± 22,600, and Ni 3200 ± 2500. In GS, the levels of the six metals were lower than their total threshold limit concentrations (TTLC), except for Pb with a TTLC of 1000 mg kg^?1 in 10% of the samples. In the PWBs, the TTLC of Pb and Cu (2500 mg kg^?1) was exceeded many fold. For Zn (5000 mg kg^?1) and Ni (2000 mg kg^?1); they were exceeded by 90% and 65%, respectively. For OCMs manufactured in 2001 and later, Pb and Zn levels in GS and Cr, Zn, and Ni in PWBs were significantly reduced.     

Mechanistic aspects of the thermal formation of halogenated organic compounds including polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins. Part V†: Hypotheses and summary

The hypotheses on the de novo syntheses of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDDs), based on known literature, are presented. Polychlorinated benzenes and polychlorinated phenols are probably key intermediates.

In the present article, hypotheses that may account for the presence of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDDs) in the effluents from municipal and industrial incinerators are put forward. These hypotheses are based on the previously surveyed literature (Ref. 203–206) and experimental results on laboratory scale and thermodynamic calculations are considered. The interconnections of various reaction steps are speculative and no technological information was added to account for conditions in real incinerators. Conclusion of the discussions on the related subject matter, presented in the Parts I‐IV (Ref. 203–206), are also described in this paper.