海南岛西部地区砖红壤中微量元素含量及其分布特征

对海南岛西部地区发育典型的5个砖红壤剖面微量元素的组成特征进行研究发现,5个剖面微量元素的含量变化趋势具有一定的相似性,其中Cu、Pb、Zn、As平均含量大多高于中国南方砖红壤的平均值,而Ni、Mo、Cd、Sn、Sb等微量元素则刚好相反。各剖面微量元素含量的纵向变化规律显示,土壤中微量元素含量及其垂直变化从根本上取决于土壤母质的特征。受区内自然条件影响,区内土壤微量元素的垂向迁移能力相对较弱,而人类的工业活动、农业活动也可导致少量As、Cd、Pb等有害外源微量元素进入土壤并趋向于在土壤的浅层富集。     

三峡库区生活垃圾的重金属污染程度评价

长期以来,我国的城市生活垃圾处理与处置主要以填埋为主,且大部分为简易填埋或堆放,形成众多的垃圾堆放场。它们不仅影响周围的生态环境,而且威胁到居民的身体健康,特别是不少堆存的生活垃圾受到重金属元素不同程度的污染,任意放置可能会产生严重的后果,所以评价生活垃圾的重金属元素污染程度有助于垃圾堆放场的环境影响评价以及污染防治措施的提出。以三峡库区为例,通过测定三峡库区各个区县主要垃圾堆放场堆存生活垃圾的重金属元素含量, 包括砷、铅、铬、镉和汞,采用单因子评价和综合评价法确定三峡库区堆存生活垃圾的重金属污染程度,为库区的环境保护提供决策支持。     

微生物对沉积物主要化学组分吸附重金属能力的影响

通过松花江水中微生物与铁、锰氧化物和腐殖酸形成的复合物质的比表面积及吸附Pb、Cd能力的分析,探讨微生物对沉积物中主要化学组分理化性质的影响及机理.结果表明:锰氧化物的比表面积大于铁氧化物和腐殖酸,与微生物结合后比表面积均不同程度增加. 固体物质的比表面积与吸附Pb和Cd的能力并不完全一致,与它们对重金属的吸附机制不同有关.复合物质的的吸附能力并不符合加和模型,微生物的存在掩盖了铁、锰氧化物和腐殖酸表面部分官能团,造成了复合物质的吸附量小于各组分的吸附量之和.     

以梭鱼金属硫蛋白基因表达监测海洋重金属污染

分离了梭鱼金属硫蛋白132个碱基对应44个氨基酸的部分基因序列,以此为基础建立了分析梭鱼金属硫蛋白基因表达的实时定量PCR方法,并用于分析渤海南戴河和大神堂近岸海域野生梭鱼金属硫蛋白基因的表达.结果表明,南戴河野生梭鱼金属硫蛋白基因的表达水平(雄鱼:0.012 ± 0.0064 copies/copy β-actin;雌鱼:0.0099 ± 0.0042 copies/copy β-actin)明显高于大神堂野生梭鱼的表达水平(雄鱼:0.0017± 0.0011 copies/copy β-actin;雌鱼:0.0014 ± 0.00095 copies/copy β-actin).该结果与两地野生梭鱼体内重金属残留水平相一致,提示梭鱼金属硫蛋白基因可作为监测海洋重金属污染的敏感标志物之一.     

Genotoxic effects of metals on human salivary gland tissue and lymphocytes as detected by the Comet assay

The etiology of salivary gland malignancies still remains unclear. Metal compounds are of special interest since they show ubiquitous presence in the environment, are present in many working places, and are accepted (co-)carcinogens in some other malignancies. Metals enter the body as xenobiotics by inhalation or ingestion. This study investigated the genotoxic potential of sodium dichromate (Na₂Cr₂O₇), nickel sulfate (NiSO₄), cadmium sulfate (CdSO₄) and zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) on human salivary gland cells and lymphocytes. Macroscopically healthy tissue of salivary glands was harvested from 46 patients during surgery and isolated to single cells by enzymatic digestion. The cells were incubated with Na₂Cr₂O₇, NiSO₄, CdSO₄ or ZnCl₂. Na₂Cr₂O₇ was also incubated in combination with the other metal compounds listed. Carcinogenic and co-carcinogenic effects of cadmium were tested by incubation with Na₂Cr₂O₇ and consecutive repair intervals. DNA damage and repair were evaluated by the Comet assay, determining DNA-strand breaks. The extent of damage was quantified using a digital analysis system. Na₂Cr₂O₇ produced significantly enhanced DNA-strand breaks in human salivary gland tissue and lymphocytes. All other metal compounds exerted no damaging effect on both cell types. Co-incubation of Na₂Cr₂O₇ with the other metals revealed a significant additive effect only for CdSO₄. Specific analysis of the influence of cadmium showed a reduction of DNA-repair after Na₂Cr₂O₇-induced strand breaks in salivary gland cells. This study provides evidence that exposure to distinct metals may significantly contribute to malignant salivary gland tumors. In consequence, further studies as epidemiological and toxicological data are warranted to determine the role of distinct metals as potential (co-) carcinogens.     

Use of different soft tissues of Perna viridis a s biomonitors of bioavailability and contamination by heavy metals (Cd,Cu, Fe,Pb, Ni,and Zn) in a semi-enclosed intertidal water,the Johore Straits

Green-lipped mussels, Perna viridis, were collected from the eastern and western parts of the Johore Straits in September 2004 and January 2005. Based on the heavy metal concentrations in the different soft tissues (gonad, foot, mantle, gills, muscle, and remaining soft tissues) of these mussel samples, the eastern part of the Johore Straits (which is divided into two portions by a causeway), recorded higher levels of bioavailability and contamination by Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Zn when compared to the western part, while Kg. Pasir Puteh in the eastern part was found to record the highest bioavailability and contamination by heavy metals. The use of different soft tissues of P. viridis as biomonitors of bioavailability and contamination by Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, and Zn in the semi-enclosed Johore Straits is proposed, since erroneous results due to spawning and the problem of defecation before dissection could be overcome. Hence, a more accurate interpretation of the bioavailability and contamination by heavy metals in coastal waters could be obtained. To our knowledge, this is the most detailed study on the bioavailability and contamination of heavy metals in the Johore Straits on the Malaysian side of the waterway carried out by using the different soft tissues and metal distribution based on the Mussel Watch approach.     

The correlation of total and extractable heavy metals from soil and domestic sewage sludge and their transfer to maize ( Zea mays L.) plants

A study to understand the mobility and transport of heavy metals (HMs) from soil and soil amended with sewage sludge to maize plants was carried out. The total and ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA)-extractable HMs in agricultural soil and untreated domestic sewage sludge samples, and the correlation between the total and extractable metals in soil and sewage sludge were carried out. Pot experiments were performed to study the transfer of HMs to maize grains, grown in soil (control) and in soil amended with sewage sludge (test samples). The total and extractable HMs in soil, sewage sludge, and maize grains were analysed by FAAS/ETAAS (flame atomic absorption spectrometer/electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer) after digestion in microwave oven. Statistically significant correlations were obtained between the total contents of Cu, Cd, As and their respective extractable fractions in soil, while in domestic wastewater sludge (DWS) the better correlation was observed only for Ni and Cd. The edible part of maize plants (grains) from test samples presented high concentration of Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cu, As, and Cr concentrations (80.7–85.6, 3.8–3.95, 2.35–2.5, 0.75–0.82, 3.21–3.29, 0.23–0.27, and 0.22–0.29?mg?kg^?1, respectively). Good correlations were found between metals in exchangeable fractions of both soil and DWS and total metals in control and test samples of maize grains. The transfer factor of all HMs from DWS to maize grains was also determined.     

Determination of types of interactions exhibited by binary mixtures of heavy metals tested against the hermit crab,Clibanarius africanus

Single and joint action toxicity of heavy metal compounds (ZnCO₃, CuSO₄ and CdSO₄) were carried out against the hermit crab, Clibanarius africanus in laboratory bioassays. On the basis of 96?h LC₅₀ values, CuSO₄ (96?h LC₅₀?=?0.03?mM) was found to be the most toxic followed by CdSO₄ and ZnCO₃ (96?h LC₅₀?=?0.24?mM) in decreasing order of toxicity. The evaluation of the metal compounds in mixtures of ZnCO₃–CuSO₄, ZnCO₃–CdSO₄ and CdSO₄–CuSO₄ in pre-defined molar ratios revealed that interactions between Zn–Cu and Zn–Cd test mixtures were in conformity with the models of antagonism (reduction in toxicity of constituent metals). The synergistic ratios (S.R.s) and relationship between observed/predicted 96?h LC₅₀ values (relative toxic unit, RTU) were consistently below 1, indicating antagonistic interactions. Analysis using isobolograms also indicated the interactions between the mixture components to be antagonistic. However, with regards to CdSO₄–CuSO₄ test mixtures, the interactions between these metals were mainly in conformity with the model of synergism. The S.R. and RTU values were largely above 1, indicating synergistic interactions. The importance of the joint action evaluations for the management and protection of aquatic ecosystems, particularly in the setting up of water quality criteria was discussed.     

Speciation of heavy metals in Albanian coastal sediments

This article presents results on heavy metal (Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn) speciation in the coastal sediments of Albania. Sediment samples were collected within the framework of the activities of the Interreg Italia–Albania Project, carried out in the Southern Adriatic Sea in 2000–01. This study shows that Albanian coastal sediments are highly influenced by river input, as the decreasing concentrations from coast to offshore confirm. Pb represents an exception of the general trend; meteoric inputs are prevalent for this metal. Ni, Cr, Fe, Zn and Cu correlate significantly and positively in the entire area, indicating a common origin for these metals in the analyzed sediments. All metals result mostly associated to the most refractory phases, which constitute up to 80% of the total concentration. Nevertheless a recent input of Cr, Ni, Cu and Mn can be observed, as the result of mining and industrial activities, in some selected areas, such as the Drin Bay and Durres. Their high concentration in the bioavailable phase can determine toxic effect upon biota.     

Electromigration techniques as a modern tool to control the work of sewage treatment plant

In the present work, the possibility of using isotachophoresis (ITP) as an alternative method for the continuous control of sewage treatment plant efficiency is presented. The performed experiments focused on the nitrification process products as well as the determination of heavy metal concentration in raw sewage. Total concentration of nitrates and heavy metals is analysed in the sewage samples, ranging from 50 to 120mg/L and 0 to 1.9mg/L, respectively. The analytical error (below 10%), the analysis time (shorter then 50 minutes for heavy metals, and 12 minutes for nitrates) and the general analytical performance are better from those obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and ion selective electrode (ISE).