Total and bioavailable arsenic concentration in arid soils and its uptake by native plants from the pre-Andean zones in Chile

Arsenic is the most important contaminant of the environment in northern Chile. Soil samples and plant organs from three native plant species, Pluchea absinthioides, Atriplex atacamensis and Lupinus microcarpus, were collected from arid zones in order to determine the total and bioavailable arsenic concentrations in soils and to assess the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and transport index (Ti) of arsenic in the plants. Total arsenic concentrations in soils (pH 8.3–8.5) where A. atacamensis and P. absinthioides were collected, reached levels considered to be contaminated (54.3 ± 15.4 and 52.9 ± 9.9 mg kg⁻¹, respectively), and these values were approximately ten times higher than in soils (pH 7.6) where L. microcarpus was collected. Bioavailable arsenic ranged from 0.18 to 0.42% of total arsenic concentration. In the three plant species, arsenic concentration in leaves were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than in roots. L. microcarpus showed the highest arsenic concentration in its leaves (9.7 ± 1.6 mg kg⁻¹) and higher values of BCF (1.8) and Ti (6.1), indicating that this species has a greater capacity to accumulate and translocate the metalloid to the leaf than do the other species.     

Risk from Winter Vegetables and Pulses Produced in Arsenic Endemic Areas of Nadia District: Field Study Comparison With Market Basket Survey

Arsenic contaminated groundwater uses for irrigation potentially lead the incidence of arsenic into food chain. In present study we examined total arsenic concentrations in 32 types of vegetables and 7 types of pulses. Range of total arsenic concentration in edible parts of vegetables collected from grown fields was 0.114–0.910 mg/kg. Highest arsenic values were in spinach 0.910 mg/kg. Vegetable samples were grouped into leafy, non-leafy-fruity, root-tubers. 18 common types of vegetables and pulses were collected through market basket survey, total arsenic were approximately 100 mg lower than those observed for the vegetables collected from the fields.     

Levels of Total Mercury in Marine Organisms from Adriatic Sea,Italy

The presence of total mercury in fish, crustacean and cephalopod from Adriatic Sea, was investigated. The highest concentrations were observed in decreasing order in: Norway lobster (0.97 ± 0.24 mg/kg; mean ± SE), European hake (0.59 ± 0.14 mg/kg), red mullet (0.48 ± 0.09 mg/kg), blue whiting (0.38 ± 0.09 mg/kg), Atlantic mackerel (0.36 ± 0.08 mg/kg) and European flying squid (0.25 ± 0.03 mg/kg). A significant difference (p < 0.01) was found between the levels of total mercury in Norway lobster and those detected in all other species. The 25% of all samples exceeded the maximum limit fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006. The results show that fish and fishery products can exceed the maximum levels and stress the need of more information for consumers in particular for people that eat large amount of fish.     

Analysis of Arsenic Concentrations and Correlation in Water, Soil and Aurum by Neutron Activation Analysis Technique: A Case Study in Bagerhat, Bangladesh

Arsenic concentrations were measured in water, soil and arum (vegetables) samples using the Neutron Activation Analysis method and a correlation between arsenic concentrations in the samples was investigated. The case study at Bagerhat, Bangladesh revealed that almost all the water samples were contaminated by a hazardous level of arsenic that exceeding the World Health Organization recommended value of 0.05 mg/L for Bangladesh. Arsenic concentration of all the water samples ranged from 0.09 to 0.87 mg/L. The concentrations in soil and aurum samples were found to be in the range of 2.22–35.21 and 0.07–0.73 mg/kg, respectively. A positive correlation between arsenic concentrations in soil and water samples was observed. Aurum sample was found to be contaminated by arsenic to a harmful level if the corresponding water sample was also highly contaminated.     

Assessment of the State of the Gibel Carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carassius auratus gibelio</Emphasis> in the Amur River Basin: Heavy-Metal and Arsenic Concentrations and Histopathology of Internal Organs

This study describes the concentrations of heavy metals and arsenic (As) and the basic histopathological changes in the internal organs of gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio from five sites of the Amur River basin. Gibel carp from Sindinskaya Passage had the highest liver concentrations of zinc (Zn) (31.95 ± 13.443), copper (Cu) (12.52 ± 5.746), manganese (9.22 ± 8.121), and cadmium (0.37 ± 0.660 mg/kg wet weight [ww]) compared with fish captured from the Bol’shoi Ussuriiskii Island area and Kadi Lake; however, concentrations of nickel (0.22 ± 0.156 mg/kg ww) were not significantly different, and concentrations of lead (0.19 ± 0.121 mg/kg ww) were higher than those in fish from Kadi Lake. Mean concentrations of metals and As in muscles were lower than Russia’s recommended limits for food products; however, concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Hg in individual fish were greater than the limit. Kidney disease was detected in 100% of sampled carp. Kidney disease was characterized by the formation of numerous granulomas in kidney tissues between the renal tubules. The degree of granulomatosis varied among sites. Granulomatous kidney disease in gibel carp is widespread in many reservoirs of the lower Amur River basin. The following histopathological changes were detected in liver: vacuolization of hepatocytes, hypertrophy of multiple hepatocytes, binuclearity, presence of numerous irregularly shaped nuclei in hepatocytes, karyopyknosis, diffuse necrosis of hepatocytes (in some cases focal), and edema. Necrotic changes in hepatocytes, which are important indices of the toxic effect of pollutants, were found in the majority of investigated carp from the lower Amur River basin. Some fish had simultaneous pathological alterations in multiple organs.     

Cadmium and Nickel Composition of Nigerian Foods

Cadmium and nickel contents were determined in 78 different Nigerian foods of various classes. The food types included leafy and fruity vegetables, fruits, meats, fish, cereals, legumes, tubers, spices, dairy products, canned foods, sweeteners, fats and oils, and confectioneries, and they were obtained from markets in Ibadan city. Cadmium levels ranged from 0.01 to 0.62 mg/kg, with a general average of 0.16±0.14 mg/kg. Cadmium levels varied significantly between different groups of foods, with the highest levels occurring in dairy (0.41±0.25 mg/kg), and the lowest in confectioneries and fruits (0.07±0.04 mg/kg). Nickel levels ranged from 0.05 to 9.22 mg/kg with a general average of 2.1±1.5 mg/kg. The levels of both metals were found to be higher than the levels observed in similar foods in some developed countries, but also compared well with the levels in some other parts of the world.     

PAH Composition of Water Based Drilling Mud and Drill Cuttings in the Offshore Region,East Coast of India

As a consequence of offshore drilling, used Water Based Drilling Muds (WBMs) are typically disposed off, by discharging into the sea; such a disposal does not fully eliminate the environmental hazards. Hence, in this study, 2, 3, 4 and 5 ringed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs i.e. naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, chrysene and benzo (a) pyrene) were determined from the WBMs and associated drill cuttings obtained from varying depths(viz. 150, 300 and 600 m) from three offshore wells present in East coast of India. In both WBMs and drill cuttings, concentration of naphthalene was maximum i.e. 81.59 ± 2.73 and 39.87 ± 2.40 mg/kg respectively, while benzo (a) pyrene was minimum i.e. 0.19 ± 0.07 and 0.12 ± 0.03 mg/kg respectively. The WBMs contained significantly (p < 0.05) higher PAH concentration than drill cuttings. The individual PAH concentration significantly (p < 0.01) increased with increasing depth in each well.     

Effect of Bauxite Mineralized Soil on Residual Metal Levels in Some Post Harvest Food Crops in Jamaica

The concentrations of nine residual metals in some Jamaican foods were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique. Cadmium concentration was highest in yellow yam (0.21 mg/kg). Sweet potato had the highest concentrations of lead (0.31 mg/kg), arsenic (0.70 mg/kg) and mercury (0.35 mg/kg). Samples from Grove Place exceeded the regulatory limits of 0.1 mg/kg for cadmium, lead and arsenic and 0.05 mg/kg for mercury. Significant correlations were found between soil and agricultural produce concentrations for cadmium and lead (r² ≥ 0.5). These results suggest that the elements were available in soluble forms in the soil for absorption by food crops.     

Greenhouse study on the phytoremediation potential of vetiver grass, Chrysopogon zizanioides L., in arsenic-contaminated soils

The purpose of this greenhouse study was to assess the capacity of vetiver grass to accumulate arsenic from pesticide-contaminated soils of varying physico-chemical properties. Results indicate that vetiver is capable of tolerating moderate levels of arsenic up to 225 mg/kg. Plant growth and arsenic removal efficiency was strongly influenced by soil properties. Arsenic removal was highest (10.6%) in Millhopper soil contaminated with 45 mg/kg arsenic, which decreased to 4.5 and 0.6% at 225 and 450 mg/kg, respectively. High biomass, widespread root system and environmental tolerance make this plant an attractive choice for the remediation of soils contaminated with moderate levels of arsenic.     

Johor Strait as a Hotspot for Trace Elements Contamination in Peninsular Malaysia

Present study was conducted to evaluate current status of trace elements contamination in the surface sediments of the Johor Strait. Iron (2.54 ± 1.24%) was found as the highest occurring element, followed by those of zinc (210.45 ± 115.4 μg/g), copper (57.84 ± 45.54 μg/g), chromium (55.50 ± 31.24 μg/g), lead (52.52 ± 28.41 μg/g), vanadium (47.76 ± 25.76 μg/g), arsenic (27.30 ± 17.11 μg/g), nickel (18.31 ± 11.77 μg/g), cobalt (5.13 ± 3.12 μg/g), uranium (4.72 ± 2.52 μg/g), and cadmium (0.30 ± 0.30 μg/g), respectively. Bioavailability of cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic and cadmium were higher than 50% of total concentration. Vanadium, copper, zinc, arsenic and cadmium were found significantly different between the eastern and western part of the strait (p < 0.05). Combining with other factors, Johor Strait is suitable as a hotspot for trace elements contamination related studies.     

Arsenic in Air and Soil in the Vicinity of the Central Gas Station Molve,Croatia

Spatial and temporal distribution of arsenic levels in soil during the 9 year monitoring period was investigated on four different soil types in the area of the gas borehole system Podravina in Croatia. Arsenic levels in the PM₁₀ particle fraction were measured periodically at the same locations for 3 years. Arsenic levels in soil significantly depended on soil types. Elevated levels were found on gleysol vertic, at two sampling sites, with values exceeding 30 mg/kg of arsenic in soil. Arsenic levels in air were low and they were not significantly different between sampling sites, suggesting that gas borehole activities have no influence on arsenic levels in the environment.     

Determination of Dietary Tin Intake in an Adult French Citizen

The tin contents in fresh food or in food stored in lacquered or unlacquered cans were determined in order to estimate the daily tin intake in a French citizen. Tin levels were 76.6 ± 36.5 mg/kg in foods preserved in unlacquered cans, 3.2 ± 2.3 mg/kg in foods stored in lacquered cans, and 0.03 ± 0.03 mg/kg in fresh foods. Tin intake is essentially dependent on food stored in tin cans (98%), which only represents 5.6% of the total daily consumption of foods by a French citizen. The estimated tin intake (2.7 mg/day whether 0.04 mg/kg of body weight) remains widely inferior to the daily tolerable dose in humans (2 mg/kg of body weight). Received: 22 April 1998/Accepted: 30 September 1998     

Metal Concentrations of Common Freshwater and Marine Fish from the Pearl River Delta,South China

Sediments and fish, including tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), and mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) were collected from different fish ponds in the Pearl River Delta (Tanzhou, Sanjiao, Guangzhou, Shipai, Changan, and Mai Po) for the analysis of metalloids and heavy metals [arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb)]. The pollution of As in pond sediments was great; however, As in the edible parts of pond fish were within the international permissible safety levels for human consumption. Axial muscles from 10 species each of freshwater and marine fish purchased from markets in Hong Kong were also analyzed for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn. Freshwater fish contained 0.24 to 2.13 mg/kg As, 0.10 to 0.17 mg/kg Cd, 0.09 to 0.36 mg/kg Cr, 0.06 to 0.35 mg/kg Cu, 0.07 to 0.34 mg/kg Hg, 0.04 to 0.36 mg/kg Ni, 0.11 to 0.52 mg/kg Pb, and 2.67 to 19.1 mg/kg Zn (wet weight). Marine fish had higher Hg and lower Pb concentrations than freshwater fish. A few fish species had average concentrations greater than the international standards for Cd and Pb established by the European Union and the China National Standard Management Department. Total Hg concentrations in 10 of 20 market fish species were generally greater than those of the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 0.2 mg/kg for at-risk groups, such as children and pregnant women. Daily intake through fish consumption of these metals were compared with the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake proposed by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives. There appears to be potential threat to local people from Hg contamination because of the high marine fish consumption rate (142 g/d/person).     

Lead in Potable Water Sources in Abakaliki Metropolis,South-East,Nigeria

Lead concentration was analyzed in potable water samples (25 well water, 15 borehole water, 7 tap water and 3 stream/river water samples), collected randomly from 5 zones (Abakaliki urban, Azuiyiokwu, Kpirikpiri, Nkaliki and Onuebonyi/rice mill) in Abakaliki metropolis, South-East Nigeria, using Atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean ± SD lead levels of Tap, well, borehole and stream/river water were 0.13 ± 0.08, 1.04 ± 0.19, 0.78 ± 0.19 and 0.83 ± 0.22 mg/L, respectively. There was statistically significant difference (p = 0.016) in lead concentrations in well water, compared with tap water. The highest well water lead level was found in Azuiyiokwu whereas the highest level in borehole water was in Abakaliki urban.     

Monitoring of Selected Pesticides Residue Levels in Water Samples of Paddy Fields and Removal of Cypermethrin and Chlorpyrifos Residues from Water Using Rice Bran

Consumption of pesticides associated foods increased in recent decades in Bangladesh. Most of the pesticides come from paddy, as rice is the main food items here and about 70 % pesticides are used only on paddy fields. Water samples of paddy fields and Kaliganga River of Manikganj district were analyzed to provide base line data on cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos and diazinon residue by using high performance liquid chromatography. Levels of Cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos and diazinon detected in the paddy field water samples were (0.605 ± 0.011 μg/L), (0.06 ± 0.001 μg/L) and (0.039 ± 0.002 μg/L), respectively. 0.11 ± 0.003 μg/L of cypermethrin and 0.012 ± 0.0006 μg/L of chlorpyrifos were also identified in the water samples of Kaligonga River. Diazinon residue was not detected in the river water samples. The detected concentrations of pesticide residues in the river water were below the accepted maximum residue limit (MRL) value of drinking water (0.1 μg/l) adopted by the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission. Cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos were chosen for decontamination through rice bran, as it was found in river water. Two gm rice bran could easily decontaminated 95.6 % and 96.4 % of cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos. The result of this study showed that pesticide residue was detected in water samples were below the MRLs value, which can easily be decontaminated through absorption of rice bran.     

Heavy Metal Residues in the Milk of Cattle and Goats During Winter Season

Cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) residues (mg/L) were determined in the milk of cattle and goats. The milk samples of cattle from area 1 have higher levels of residues than area 2; Cd 0.089 ± 0.002 vs. 0.062 ± 0.01 Cr 1.14 ± 0.046 vs. 0.995 ± 0.017 Ni 23.38 ± 0.564 vs. 21.407 ± 0.275 Pb 21.781 ± 0.172 vs. 15.958 ± 1.00. The residual levels of Cd (0.084 ± 0.003) and Pb (42.687 ± 0.051) have been found higher in goat milk. The Ni residues in cattle milk (22.395 ± 0.988) are higher than in goat milk (19.522 ± 0.011) while residues of Cr are non significantly different in both species.     

Identification of Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. as an Efficient and Well Adapted Phytoremediation Tool for Cd Polluted Soils

A pot experiment was carried out to assess Cd uptake and accumulation efficiency of Sesbania sesban. Plants were grown in soil spiked with 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mg/kg Cd. After 120 days, plants were harvested and analyzed for Cd content. A steady increase in Cd accumulation with increasing metal concentration in soil was observed for all treatments. Accumulation of Cd was greatest in roots (86.7 ± 6.3 mg/kg), followed by stem (18.59 ± 1.9 mg/kg), and leaf (3.16 ± 1.1 mg/kg). Chlorophyll content declined with increasing Cd concentration, while proline and protein content increased as compared to control. At higher Cd levels, root, shoot length, and biomass were all significantly reduced (p ≤ 0.001). An increase in total protein along with greater A₂₅₀/A₂₈₀ value suggested an increase in metal-protein complexes. Considering the rapid growth, high biomass, accumulation efficiency, and adaptive properties, this plant could be used as a valuable tool for the phytoremediation of Cd contaminated soils.

     

BPA and Environmental Estrogen in Potable Water Sources in Enugu Municipality, South-East, Nigeria

BPA and environmental estrogen levels were assayed in potable water samples (38 tap water, 36 well water, 18 river water and 24 rain water samples) that were randomly collected from the different parts of Enugu metropolis, south-east Nigeria. The mean ± SD estrogen levels in tap, well, river and rain water samples were 0.10 ± 0.09, 0.05 ± 0.02, 0.05 ± 0.02 and 0.05 ± 0.02 μg/L respectively. Also, the mean BPA levels (μg/L) in the different water sources were 0.20 ± 0.07, 0.21 ± 0.07, 0.18 ± 0.04, and 0.40 ± 0.16, respectively. There was statistically significant difference (p = 0.0227) in BPA levels between the harvested rain water and the drinking tap water.     

Metal Concentrations in Sediments of the Tamsui River, Flows Through Central Metropolitan Taipei

This work analyzed metal concentrations and potential sources of sediment pollutants in the Tamsui River, Taiwan, by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The Tamsui River, the second longest of Taiwan’s three major rivers, flows through metropolitan Taipei City in northern Taiwan and is renowned for its preserved mangrove wetlands. In total 11 elements Al, As, Br, Cs, Fe, La, Mg. Mn, Na, Sc, and Ti were identified in 24 samples taken from three sites upriver, the mangrove area and estuary during the spring of 2004. Specifically, the most abundant Al metal concentration was 15.6–0.92 mg/g adopted as standard reference in this study. Only few sites had As at the statistical meaning (>DL). Furthermore, arsenic concentrations fluctuated at roughly 0.67 ± 0.09 mg/kg based on variations in background counts in various γ-ray spectra. Elemental concentrations of these elements were compared with those in other nations, and discussed in the context of enrichment factors calculated for elements using the earth crust of various sediments as references, based on elemental values of Al.     

Toxicological Responses of Red-Backed Salamanders (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Plethodon cinereus</Emphasis>) to Soil Exposures of Copper

Copper (Cu) has widespread military use in munitions and small arms, particularly as a protective jacket for lead projectiles. The distribution of Cu at many US military sites is substantial and sites of contamination include habitats in and around military storage facilities, manufacturing, load and packing plants, open burning/open detonation areas, and firing ranges. Some of these areas include habitat for amphibian species, which generally lack toxicity data for risk assessment purposes. In an effort to ascertain Cu concentrations in soil that are toxic to terrestrial amphibians, 100 red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) were randomly sorted by weight, assigned to either a control soil or one of four treatments amended with copper acetate in soil, and exposed for 28 days. Analytical mean soil concentrations were 18, 283, 803, 1333, and 2700 mg Cu/kg soil dry weight. Food consisted of uncontaminated flightless Drosophila melanogaster. Survival was reduced in salamanders exposed to 1333 and 2700 mg/kg by 55% and 100%, respectively. Mortality/morbidity occurred within the first 4 days of exposure. These data suggest that a Cu soil concentration of and exceeding 1333.3 ± 120.2 mg/kg results in reduced survival, whereas hematology analyses suggest that a concentration of and exceeding 803.3 ± 98.4 mg/kg might result in reduced total white blood cell count. No effects were observed at 283.3 ± 36.7 mg/kg.