Assessment of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in 10 samples of Iranian and foreign consumed tea leaves and dissolved beverages

The tea bush (Comellia sinensis) is grown commercially in a large number of countries. Tea is a beverage, which consists of processed and dried tea leaves and is one of the most popular global drinks. Tea contains some heavy metals, such as Pb and Cd, which exert adverse effects on human health. The aim of this study was to determine the Pb and Cd levels in tea leaves and in the solution following dissolution in boiling water. In order to assess Pb and Cd in Iranian consumed tea, 10 tea samples were analyzed for metal concentration in tea leaves and boiled water solutions. For tea leaf analysis, the samples (5 g) were oven dried, ash dried in a cold oven, cooled at room temperature and then 2 mL nitric acid were added to the samples and the acid were evaporated on hot plate. For tea solution analysis, tea (5 g) was added to 250 mL of boiling distilled water and after filtering, the liquid was collected as tea solution. The results show that the average concentration of Pb and Cd in Iranian tea leaves was 9.73 and 0.67 mg kg^?1 and in foreign tea leaves 2.5 and 0.53 mg kg^?1, respectively. Shariat and Golkis representing Iranian, and Red Shahrzad and Ahmad representing foreign tea, showed the highest and lowest concentration respectively of Pb. Bamdad and Shariat representing Iranian, and Black Sedaghat and Ahmad representing foreign tea, showed the highest and lowest levels of Cd, respectively. The results showed that the longer the time of dissolution of the tea, the higher concentration of Pb and Cd in tea solution. In order to control Pb and Cd levels in tea, the type of water used in agriculture and quality of soil needs to be regulated.     

Solid phase extraction of trace metals from environmental samples using Amberlite XAD-7 loaded with 2-hydroxy-propiophenone-4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone and determination by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry

A method for the solid phase extraction of trace metals, namely Co, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn, from environmental and biological samples using column Amberlite XAD-7 loaded with 2-hydroxy-propiophenone-4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (HPPPTSC) and determination by inductively coupled spectrometry (ICP–AES) has been developed. The reagent has the capacity to form chelate complexes with the metals because of three binding sites in the reagent molecule. The optimum experimental conditions for the quantitative sorption of five metals, pH, effect of flow rate, concentration of eluent, sorption capacity and the effect of diverse ions on the preconcentration of analytes have been investigated. The sorption capacity of the resin has 83, 127, 35, 88 and 85?µmol?g^?1 for Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺, respectively. The preconcentration factors for Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ were 100, 110, 120, 140 and 150, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed procedure was evaluated by standard reference materials. The achieved results were in good agreement with certified values. The proposed method was applied for the determination of trace metals in river water and plant leaves.     

Magneto-biomonitoring of intra-urban spatial variations of particulate matter using tree leaves

Preliminary mineral magnetic results from a pilot project investigating the suitability of roadside tree leaves as depositories of vehicular pollution are presented. Tree leaf surfaces (Lime: Tilia europaea; Sycamore: Acer pseudoplatanus) at four roadside and one woodland location in Wolverhampton, UK, have been monitored (July 2003 to November 2003). Mineral magnetic technologies have revealed spatial variations of particulate pollution concentration throughout the conurbation and data analysis indicates that magnetic concentration parameters are suitable proxies for fine particulate pollution, which are particularly hazardous to health. Site-specific traffic management and associated vehicle behaviour appear to be chiefly responsible for the magnetic concentration differences between sites. Magneto-biomonitoring in this way allows the high-resolution spatial mapping of particulate matter (PM) pollution, which may also benefit epidemiology in better assessing exposure to vehicular-derived particulates. Given the speed, measurement sensitivity and non-destructive nature of the technique, it is proposed that this low-cost approach offers some advantages over centralised monitoring stations to monitor urban roadside particulate pollution.     

上海市中心城区樟树叶片中多环芳烃的分布及来源辨析

采用GC-MS对上海市中心城区樟树叶片中16种优控多环芳烃(PAHs)进行定量分析.结果表明,樟树叶片中∑16PAHs、致癌性PAHs、BaPeq含量范围分别为199.14~488.77、56.63~209.37、4.39~14.80ng/g(干质量),最高值均出现在工业区,其次是交通区、商业区,最低值均出现在公园绿地.各采样点樟树叶片不同环数PAHs分布特征相似,以3~4环为主,平均含量分布占∑16PAHs的31.60%和54.25%,其次为2环和5环PAHs,分别占5.83%和5.97%,6环最低,仅占2.35%;主要单体为菲(Phe)、 (Chry)、荧蒽(Fl)、芘(Pyr),工业区萘(Nap)的含量显著高于其他功能区.运用因子分析法和特征比值法源解析表明,樟树叶片中PAHs主要来源于化石燃料的不完全燃烧.     

Using T-RFLP technology to analyze bacterial diversity in the rhizospheric soils of tea tree at different ages北大核心CSCD

The rhizospheric soils of Tieguanyin at different ages were used as the study materials, and terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) was used to analyze the changes in bacterial diversity. The results showed that the number of T-RFs, Simpson index, and Shannon index decreased significantly with the age of the tea tree. Results of correlation analysis showed that 9 T-RFs from the bacterial community were significantly and positively correlated with the age of the tea tree, and included 34 species of microbes belonging to 10 classes. The 34 microbes were divided into 6 types according to their functional attributes, and included pathogenic bacteria, bacteria that improved soil texture or inhibited pathogenic bacteria, and bacteria associated with the carbon, nitrogen, or sulfur cycles, in which the percentage of pathogenic bacteria was 58.82%. Seventeen T-RFs were significantly and negatively correlated with the age of the tea tree, and included 38 species of bacteria belonging to 12 classes. The 38 bacterial species were divided into 5 types according to their functional attributes, and included pathogenic bacteria, bacteria that improved soil quality or inhibited pathogenic bacteria, and bacteria associated with the carbon cycle or nitrogen cycle, in which all the others, barring the pathogenic bacteria, accounted for 78.95% of the bacterial population. In brief, the diversity and function of bacteria in the rhizospheric soil of tea tree changed significantly with the age of the tea tree, which provides a theoretical basis for studying the interactions of bacterial communities. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Trees and rural households’ adaptation to local environmental change in the central highlands of Ethiopia

This study assesses the role of trees in adaptation strategies of rural households to local environmental change in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Change in tree cover was assessed by producing Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) maps using satellite remote sensing images, and household survey was conducted to generate socioeconomic data. The results show that tree cover has increased over the last 30 years, mostly in the form of eucalyptus woodlots around homesteads. Eucalyptus reportedly helps households pass through livelihood shocks and provide protection against negative effects of climate change and variability. Despite some concerns on the part of local agricultural experts that planting eucalyptus may affect future food production, farmers are converting their croplands into eucalyptus woodlots. We conclude that land use planning and proper allocation of land resource is important to improve local livelihoods while also supporting adaptation of communities to local environmental change in general and climate change in particular.     

冬青和女贞叶表面颗粒物微形态及叶际细菌群落结构

植物叶表面颗粒物和微生物的结构动态对近地表环境和生态具有重要意义.本研究以青岛市不同功能区冬青和女贞植物的新鲜叶片为研究对象,利用环境扫描电镜观察叶表面颗粒物与微生物微形态特征及季节变化规律;采用Illumina高通量测序技术分析植物叶际细菌群落结构.结果表明,冬青和女贞植物叶片颗粒物滞留量秋、冬季节高于春、夏两季,两种植物叶片更易滞留PM₁₀和PM_2.5,但冬青叶片的滞尘能力尤其是对粒径大于10 μm的颗粒物滞留效果高于女贞,城市主干道植物叶片滞尘能力高于文教区和城市公园植物,受地面扬尘和汽车尾气影响较大;另植物叶际微生物组成存在季节差异,叶片易滞留不同类型真菌、真菌孢子及菌丝体等,且两种植物因叶片革质更适宜菌丝体生长,此外女贞叶表皮还易镶嵌一种表面均匀褶皱的真菌孢子,微生物丰富度城市公园 > 城市主干道 > 文教区,湿度对微生物的生长繁殖呈现积极影响;高通量测序下不同季节的冬青和女贞植物叶际细菌群落差异显著,春季植物叶际细菌丰度最高,夏季最低,两种植物叶际细菌相对丰度最高的优势菌门和优势菌纲为变形菌门（Proteobacteria）和γ-变形菌纲（γ-Proteobacteria）,且同一功能区两种植物共用一个核心微生物群,另外受地面扬尘污染严重的城市主干道植物叶际细菌群落结构与其他两个功能区差异明显.本研究结果证明城市不同功能区典型绿化植物叶表面颗粒物与微生物群落结构之间存在显著相关性,为城市绿化建设提供参考.     

Is tree growth reduction related to direct foliar injuries or soil chemistry modifications?

In the context of intense emissions causing atmospheric pollution, tree growth reductions could be related to soil chemistry modifications or direct foliar injuries. To verify these hypotheses, mineral soils were sampled in an area (Murdochville, Canada) where previous studies had demonstrated that tree growth was impacted by smelter emissions and that forest floor lead concentrations could be used as a proxy for atmospheric pollutant depositions. Samples were analysed for Al, Pb (concentrations and isotope ratios), basic cations (Ca, K, P, and Mg) and Zr. Mass balance calculations were performed on soil profiles to assess vertical migration of elements. Pb concentrations in litter diminished gradually with distance from the smelter. The Pb isotope ratios in these organic soil layers were close to those measured in the Murdochville ores. These patterns were not encountered in mineral soil layers. Pb isotope ratios in these layers were close to those measured in uncontaminated geological materials, and Pb concentrations and basic cation depletions were not related to the proximity of the smelter. Growth reduction was closely associated with litter Pb concentrations, which were used as a proxy for atmospheric deposition, but was not correlated with any elemental concentration or cation depletion measured in mineral soil layers. Our overall results suggest that trees responded mainly to direct atmospheric emissions, which caused foliar damage, rather than to soil chemistry modifications.     

荠菜叶挥发性成分分析

采用水蒸气蒸馏法对荠菜叶挥发油进行了提取。通过毛细管气相色谱—质谱联用法分离并鉴定了其化学成分,用气相色谱面积归一化法测定了各成分的相对百分含量,共分离确定了其中12种化合物,所鉴定化合物的含量占全油的65.62%,主要化学成分为：L-胍基琥珀酰亚胺（21.28%）、植醇（18%）、植酮（9.6%）、油酸（4.71%）、棕榈酸（3.97%）等。     

Chlorobenzenes in waterweeds from the Xijiang River （Guangdong section） of the Pearl River

The Xijiang River is the major source of water for about 4.5 millions of urban population and 28.7 millions of rural population. The water quality is very important for the health of the rural population. The concentration and distribution of chlorobenzenes (CBs) in both water and waterweeds collected from 4 stations in the Xijiang River (Gangdong section) of the Pearl River in April and November were determined. The result showed that nearly every congener of CBs was detected. The total contents of CBs (∑CBs) in the river water ranged from 111.1 to 360.0 ng/L in April and from 151.9 to 481.7 ng/L in November, respectively. The pollution level of CBs in the water in April was higher than that in November. The contents of ∑ CBs in waterweeds ranged from 13.53×102 μg/g to 38.27×102μg/g dry weight (dw). There was no significant difference between April and November in waterweeds. The distribution of CBs in roots, caulis, and leaves of Vallisneria spiralis L. showed different patterns. The leaves mainly contained low-molecular-weight CBs(DCBs), whereas the roots accumulated more PCBs and HCBs. The average lgBCFlip (bioconcentration factor) of CBs ranged from 0.64 to 3.57 in the waterweeds. The spatial distribution character of CBs in the Xijiang River was: Fengkai County ＜ Yunan County ＜Yun'an County ＜ Gaoyao County according to the ∑CBs, and the pollution deteriorated from the upstream to the downstream of the Xijiang River. Further analysis demonstrated that the discharge of waste containing CBs may be the main source of CBs pollution in the Xijiang River.