Trace metals used as natural markers for discriminating some karstic freshwaters near Trieste (Italy)

Some heavy metals have been determined using voltammetry in freshwaters forming part of a karstic hydrological system (the Timavo River, north of Trieste), during attempts to characterize and discriminate the different sources of the springs. The trace elements can be considered natural markers, with lead appearing to be the most discriminating variable. Non parametric statistics and cluster analysis were used to estimate the significance of the determined parameters with respect to the considered ecosystem.     

Influence of cadmium on the storage and metabolism of HCH in rats

Male albino rats were administered Cd and HCH daily for six weeks to study the effect of Cd on storage and metabolism of HCH. The results indicated a marked inhibition of the metabolism of HCH in the group dosed with HCH + Cd. The metabolic rate of HCH in the group dosed with HCH + Cd was also significantly lower than that in the group dosed with HCH alone. The hepatic content of Cd and Zn was significantly increased whereas a marked depletion of Cu and Fe was observed in the groups exposed to Cd and HCH + Cd. A high level of free Cd and Zn or a low level of Fe and Cu in liver seemed to play an important role in the metabolic inhibition observed in this study.     

Bioaccumulation and adverse effects of trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the common onion Allium cepa as a model in ecotoxicological bioassays

The common onion Allium cepa can be easily used in ecotoxicological bioassays to evaluate the bioavailability and adverse effects of pollutants and complex mixtures like waste, industrial effluent or coal-mining drainage that contain elevated levels of trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this study, onions were exposed for 7 days to individual metals (1?µg?mL^?1), i.e., aluminium, copper, iron and manganese, or PAHs (1.5?ng?mL^?1), i.e., benzo[a]antracene and benzo[a]pirene. Biological effects, measured as growth inhibition of roots and leaves, were integrated with analysis of bioaccumulation in roots, bulbs and leaves. Copper, iron and benzo[a]pirene caused a significant inhibition in root development of newly formed tissues, whereas only slight variations were caused by other chemicals; the number of new root filaments and the length of the leaves did not show significant variations, thus not representing sensitive parameters to evaluate adverse effects of pollutants in A. cepa. Chemicals bioaccumulation was always significant in roots, whereas levels in bulbs and leaves exhibited increased levels only for manganese, and a decrease for aluminium. The overall results confirmed the sensitivity of the bioassays with A. cepa, suggesting their utility for future applications to evaluate the adverse effects of complex mixtures containing metals or PAHs.     

Trace metal contents in some brands of canned beef in Nigeria

The concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, zinc, manganese, iron, cobalt, and nickel in some brands of canned beef in Nigerian markets were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean concentration ranges for these metals in mg?kg^?1 were 0.02–0.37 for Cd, <0.04–0.75 for Cr, 1.1–2.4 for Cu, <0.001–1.5 for Pb, 1.1–8.0 for Zn, <0.04–0.57 for Mn, 13.8–28.8 for Fe, 0.05–0.26 for Co, and 0.8–5.9 for Ni. The estimated dietary intake of metals from these products did not indicate any risk since the values were far below the permissible dietary intakes.     

Comparative evaluation of trace elements in the scalp hair of arthritis patients and healthy donors

This study was aimed to evaluate the comparative distribution, correlation and apportionment of selected elements (Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Pb and Zn) in the scalp hair of arthritis patients and healthy subjects. The hair samples collected from the patients (rheumatoid and osteoarthritis) and healthy donors were digested in nitric acid and perchloric acid mixture, followed by the quantification of trace elements using atomic absorption spectrometry. In the case of healthy donors, highest mean concentration was shown by Ca (3240?µg?g^?1), followed by Mg (340?µg?g^?1), Zn (192?µg?g^?1), Fe (184?µg?g^?1) and Pb (27?µg?g^?1), whereas, the estimated average metal levels in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients were 3160, 290, 197, 61 and 23?µg?g^?1, and 3090, 300, 182, 50 and 21?µg?g^?1, respectively. Most of the elements revealed diverse and random distribution in the scalp hair of the donor groups. The correlation study pointed out significant disparities in the mutual relationships among the trace elements in the patients and controls. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis of the element data manifested diverse apportionment of the selected elements in the scalp hair of the patients compared with the healthy counterparts.     

天津市某社区老年人PM2.5暴露痕量元素健康风险评估

为研究PM_2.5暴露特征,对天津市某社区101名老年人(平均年龄67岁)夏季(2011年6月13日—7月2日)和冬季(2011年11月30日—12月12日)的PM_2.5暴露水平进行了监测,并分析了PM_2.5载带痕量元素的含量及其健康风险. 结果表明,研究对象夏、冬两季PM_2.5个体暴露浓度分别为(124.2±75.2)、(170.8±126.6)μg/m3,室内暴露浓度分别为(120.0±48.9)、(164.9±125.7)μg/m3,环境暴露浓度分别为(98.6±33.3)、(140.0±87.7)μg/m3. 10种痕量元素中,ρ(Zn)最高,夏季为324.18~345.65ng/m3,占痕量元素总质量浓度的37%以上;冬季为148.36~362.00ng/m3,占痕量元素总质量浓度的35%以上. V、Cr、Mn、Cu、Zn和Pb的非致癌风险值均小于1,理论风险较小;但其中Cr和Mn风险值均超过0.1〔HQ(风险系数)分别为0.882和0.306〕,对于属于易感人群的老年人群体,仍有可能对其身体健康产生危害,需引起重视;As、Cd和总体致癌风险均超过10-6,对人体健康的危害不容忽视.      

Comparison of sample digestion procedures for the determination of trace elements in antarctic krill by GF‐AAS

Two independent digestion procedures for Antarctic krill samples were compared. Dry ashing (DA) and microwave (MW) acid‐assisted digestion were tested for decomposing the samples to determine essential (Cu, Fe, Cr) and toxic elements (Cd, Pb) by graphite furnace‐atomic absorption spectrometry (GF‐AAS). A mixture of HNO₃ and H₂O₂ as digesting agent was used in the microwave procedure. For the dry ashing digestion, the organic matter was oxidated at 480°C in an open system. Both digestion methods were compared in terms of accuracy and applied to the analysis of a certified reference material: MURST‐ISS‐A2 (Antarctic krill).

The detection limits for the five elements analysed ranged from 3 to 150 ng g^‐1. Both digestion procedures are suitable for the decomposition of krill samples. However, dry ashing is not recommended to determine Pb and Cd because losses can occur.     

Fluxes and Transport of Organic Carbon and Trace Metals in the Tropical Tsengwen Estuary,Southwestern Taiwan

Distributions of organic carbon and trace metals were investigated in the tropical Tsengwen river end-member and in the estuary to better understand thoroughly the riverine fluxes and estuarine transports of constituents into the sea. Experimental results indicated that riverine fluxes of organic carbon and trace metals possessed a highly temporal variability, attributed primarily to temporal variation in river water discharge and suspended load. More than 70% of annual fluxes of dissolved constituents and >90% of particulate constituents arose from river floods caused by summer typhoons. the flushing time of fresh water in the estuary varied from a half month in the dry season to a half day in the flood period. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nutrienttype metals (Cd, Cu, Zn) were conservatively transported through the estuary. Dissolved particle-reactive metals (Mn, Pb), however, were apparently transported non-conservatively through the estuary. Particulate organic carbon (POC) and trace metals (PTM) were transported non-conservatively by following the transport mode of total suspended matter (TSM) in the estuary. DOC slightly dominates the transport of organic carbon while particle-reactive PTM predominates the transport of trace metals through the estuary. Total organic carbon (TOC) in estuarine sediment was progressively enriched with ¹³C downstream, as derived by mixing the overlying TSM between terrestrial and marine end-members. Distributions of trace metals in sediment were subsequently controlled by sedimentary TOC and particle size. Based on results presented here, we believe that enrichments of trace metals in the estuary are attributed primarily to the natural processes of transport and sedimentation of fluvial TSM     

Serial variations of trace metal concentrations in aquatic insect Stenopsyche marmorata

Caddisfly larvae (Stenopsyche marmorata) instar V, periphyton, sediment and river water at a non‐contaminated upstream site, a metallic contaminated downstream site, and industrial wasterwater which caused the metallic contamination were collected once a month for 21 months. Nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) concentrations in these samples were measured. Significant serial variations of the 4 metal concentrations in the larvae showed a seasonal tendency at the upstream site but not at the downstream site. The larvae more clearly indicated the influence of industrial wastewater than periphyton. As the larvae of Stenopsyche marmorata could be collected throughout the year, this larva is useful for monitoring trace metal contamination in rivers.