Trace Element Concentrations in Tree Leaves and Lichen Collected Along a Metal Pollution Gradient Near Olkusz (Southern Poland)

The aim of the study was to assess the metal pollution in the vicinity of the Bukowno smelter near Olkusz in southern Poland. Birch and oak leaves, pine needles and a lichen Hypogymnia physodes, overgrowing pine bark were collected at stands at different distances from the smelter and analysed for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) content. Concentrations of metals in the lichen were usually higher than in the tree leaves/needles and decreased with distance from the smelter, apart from the Cu content. The strongest correlation was noticed between Cd and Pb concentrations, which indicates a common pollution source (the smelter). Our results show that birch leaves can be potentially useful as a bioindicator of Zn air pollution since this species was shown to accumulate high amounts of zinc, related to environmental pollution with that metal, in their leaves.     

A Multivariate Analysis of Metal Concentrations in Two Fish Species of the Nyl River System,Limpopo Province,South Africa

Increased toxicity due to high metal concentrations may hinder the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems in sustaining life. The non-biodegradable nature of metals may result in bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms. Due to ecological and social aspects it is imperative for monitoring schemes to identify possible impacts to the systems integrity. This paper discusses accumulation patterns of seven metals (Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sr and Zn) in tissues of two fish species, namely Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis mossambicus at two selected sites, the first located upstream of Modimolle (NRS1), and the second located downstream of the town (NRS2). Gills, liver, muscle and skin tissues were analysed for metal concentrations using standard microwave digestion and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry techniques. Statistical results indicated higher concentrations of metals at NRS2 in comparison to NRS1, indicating that Modimolle plays a potential role in introducing metals into the aquatic system.     

南洞庭湖区居民血防知识、卫生行为及相关因素的调查分析

目的进一步了解血吸虫病流行区居民血防知识、卫生行为,探讨有关的因素.方法在南洞庭湖区整群抽取326名居民作血防知识及相关的卫生行为问卷调查.结果受访的居民血防知识评分男女分别为6.34±1.46、6.12±1.55,无显著性差异(P＞0.05);卫生行为评分男女分别为7.93±2.45、9.55±2.57,差异显著(P＜0.01).相关分析显示受访居民血防知识与卫生行为无相关性(P＞0.05),而血防知识与文化程度、家中人口数、治疗次数、家属中患病人数明显相关;居民卫生行为与职业、文化程度、家庭收入、既往病史显著相关;逐步回归分析表明影响居民卫生知识的因素为文化程度和家庭人口数,卫生行为的主要影响因素有职业、文化程度及家庭收入.结论重视血防健康教育、提高居民的自我防护意识应是洞庭湖区血防部门的工作重点之一.     

Comparison of the Metal Concentrations in the Feathers of Three Bird Species from Southern Iran

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - This study was conducted to determine the concentration of metals, namely cadmium, lead, cobalt and copper, in the feathers of chukar...     

Effect of residential proximity to traffic on respiratory disorders in school children in upper Silesian Industrial Zone, Poland

Objective

A number of studies show an association between traffic-related air pollution and adverse respiratory health effects in children. However, most evidence relates to the regions with low or moderate levels of ambient air pollution. The study was undertaken to assess the impact of traffic-related air pollution on respiratory health status in children living in the area of high levels of industrial and municipal ambient air pollution.

Materials and Methods

Analyses involved data obtained from cross-sectional study on respiratory health in children (N = 5733), conducted between 2003–2004 in Bytom, one of the largest cities of Silesian Metropolis (Poland). Exposure to traffic-related air pollution was assessed by means of geographic information system and expressed as several measures of potential exposure to traffic-related air pollution, involving residential distance to major road and traffic density in the residential area. Logistic regression was used to examine association between reported respiratory health and traffic measures.

Results

Statistically significant association was found between doctor-diagnosed asthma and residential proximity to traffic. Results of multivariate logistic regression (logOR; 95%CI) confirmed the effect of living in an area of a city with high-traffic-density on childhood asthma: 1.60 (1.07–2.39). Similar effects were found in case of allergic rhinitis and rhinitis symptoms, but the observed associations were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

The study findings suggest that even in an area with poor regional ambient air quality, adverse respiratory health outcomes are more frequent in children living in a proximity to the high vehicle traffic flow.     

A Preliminary Study on Metal and Nutrient Concentrations in Running Water Systems in Southern New Caledonia

Metal and nutrient concentrations were measured in five running water sampling sites of New Caledonia. Metal concentrations were homogeneous (Ni; 22.7–50.6 μg L⁻¹) or not (Fe; 37–749 μg L⁻¹). Concentrations of Ni, Cr, Fe were high, including high dissolved fractions (up to 47.8, 70.8 and 417 μg L⁻¹, respectively). Concentrations of anthropogenic metals (Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, V, Zn) were low (maximum: total Cu, 0.6 μg L⁻¹). The contamination of waters is presumably due to soil weathering and mining activities. Metal concentrations and phosphate depletion (<0.04 μmol L⁻¹) suggest constrained conditions for the development of aquatic life.     

我国居民1995年主要疾病死亡率统计分析

借助ＳＡＳ软件，运用析因设计的方差分析、曲线拟合等统计方法，对我国居民１９９５年主要疾病的死亡率资料进行分析。结果发现城乡之间、男女之间、１９个年龄段之间以及１５种主要疾病之间均有极显著性差异，但４个因素之间无交互作用；在城乡、男女的４种组合下，分别进行曲线拟合，最佳模型均为５次多项式     

Metal Concentrations in the Groundwater in Birjand Flood Plain, Iran

The objective of the present study was to investigate the concentration of metals (cadmium, lead, chromium, zinc, copper, and iron) were measured in groundwater at 30 sites from the Birjand flood plain of eastern Iran during the November 2010; identify any relationships between metals and pH, total hardness. Metal concentrations in the groundwater samples were decreased in sequence of Zn > Fe > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd, respectively. The results showed that the overall mean concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Cr were at 0.000, 0.023, and 0.049 mg l⁻¹, respectively. The mean concentration of Cu, Zn, and Fe were 0.109, 0.192, and 0.174 mg l⁻¹, respectively. Results also indicated that there were correlations among Cd, Cu, and Zn metals.     

Professional profiles of physicians certified in epidemiology in the view of hospital managers in the Silesian Voivodeship of Poland

In Poland, the target profile of a new medical specialty--epidemiology--is subject to discussion. The objective of this paper was to review opinions concerning the tasks and areas of responsibilities of a physician-epidemiologist, expressed by 55 managers (out of 120 invited) of hospitals located in Silesian Voivodship. The results revealed that the preferable areas of professional activity of a physician-epidemiologist include: (a) control of infectious diseases, (b) design and control of vaccination programmes, (c) provision of health care in case of disasters/catastrophies, including assessment of potential health effects of emergency events, (d) prevention, diagnostics and evaluation of hospital-based infections, (e) planning and conducting population-based health monitoring programmes, (f) planning, designing, supervision and evaluation of population-based preventive measures, (g) design and conduct of investigations of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and preventive strategies; (i) involvement in planning of local health policies, and (j) assessment of the health impact of new technologies. The findings could be addressed while drafting the curriculum of postgraduate medical training in epidemiology.     

Metal Concentrations in Zebra Mussels and Sediments from Embayments and Riverine Environments of Eastern Lake Erie,Southern Lake Ontario,and the Niagara River

Concentrations of 14 metals were studied in the soft tissues of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and sediments from 16 Great Lakes embayments and riverine environments. Samples were collected in 1993 and 1994 during the early and late autumn period when the body mass of mussels is least affected by reproductive activities. There was a significant difference in geometric mean concentrations of all metals except Cu in mussels sampled from different sites, and there was a significant difference in the geometric mean concentrations of all metals but Cd, Mn, and Zn between years. The higher metal concentrations in mussels from this study were generally similar to those in mussels from contaminated European and U.S. locations, and those with lower concentrations were similar to those from uncontaminated European and U.S. locations. Geometric mean sediment concentrations of all metals differed significantly among sites. Sediment concentrations of metals from some sites were above EPA guidelines for moderately polluted harbor sediments. Sites where zebra mussels had higher concentrations of Al, Cr, and V tended to be the same sites as those where sediment concentrations of these metals were also higher. However, there was not a significant statistical relationship between concentrations of metals in zebra mussels and sediments, except for Mg. Received: 25 August 2001/Accepted: 5 April 2002     

Metal Concentrations of River Water and Sediments in West Java,Indonesia

To determine the water environment and pollutants in West Java, the contents of metals and general water quality of the Ciliwung River in the Jakarta area were measured. High Escherichia coli number (116–149/mL) was detected downstream in the Ciliwung River. In addition to evaluate mercury pollution caused by gold mining, mercury contents of water and sediment samples from the Cikaniki River, and from paddy samples were determined. The water was not badly polluted. However, toxic metals such as mercury were detected at levels close to the baseline environmental standard of Indonesia (0.83–1.07 μg/g of sediments in the Cikaniki River). From analyses of the paddy samples (0.08 μg/g), it is considered that there is a health risk caused by mercury.     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Feathers of Korean Shorebirds

This study presents concentrations of zinc, manganese, copper, lead, and cadmium in the feather of five shorebird species from Yeongjong Island, Korea in the East Asian–Australian migration flyways. The objectives of this study were to determine levels of heavy metal concentrations in the feathers of shorebirds, to evaluate the pattern of heavy metal concentrations in the feather and the liver, and to examine the correlation between heavy metal concentrations in the feathers and livers. We hypothesized that difference of heavy metal concentrations will show by the breeding ground of shorebirds. Lead concentrations in dunlins (geomean = 14.8 μg/g wet weight) and great knots (20.8 μg/g wet weight) feathers were significantly higher than Terek sandpipers (3.32 μg/g wet weight); other metals were not different among shorebirds. Zinc, lead, and cadmium concentrations in the feather were correlated with the liver concentrations, but manganese and copper concentrations were not. Zinc, manganese, copper, lead, and cadmium concentrations in the feather from this study were within the range of earlier studies for wild birds, but cadmium concentrations in dunlins were higher than other studies. Because lead concentrations in livers and feathers of the Terek sandpiper were lower than in other shorebirds, we suggest that Terek sandpipers were exposed to lower lead concentrations than Kentish plovers, dunlins, and great knots on their breeding ground. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Metal Concentrations in the Water of Chah Nimeh Reservoirs in Zabol,Iran

The main objectives of this article were to monitor the metal concentrations of Fe, Cu, Pb, B, Ni, V, Cd, Se, As, and Cr in the water of Chah nimeh reservoirs in Zabol, south-eastern Iran; and to identify any relationships between metals. Metal concentrations in the water samples were analyzed using ICP-OES. The results indicated that there were a highly positive correlation between Cr and Se, Ni (p < 0.01), and, between As and Ni (p < 0.01). Also, there were significant differences between Cr, Ni, Pb, and Se in the water of Chah nimeh reservoirs.     

Trace Metal Concentrations in Sediments and Oysters of Botany Bay,NSW, Australia

Surfical sediment (< 63 µm) trace metal concentrations (Zn, Cu, Pd, Cd, As) were analyzed from seven sites in Botany Bay, NSW, Australia, to assess the extent of contamination from the surrounding urban areas. The northwest shoreline of Botany Bay contained high surfical sediment trace metal concentrations relative to the southern shoreline. Surfical sediment Pb concentrations (10–120 µg/g) were above the current ANZECC/ARMCANZ interim sediment guideline value (50 µg/g) for the protection of benthic ecosystems at the northwest sites. Cooks River was identified as a major source of trace metals. Oysters grown in Botany Bay have greater Zn, Cu, and Cd concentrations than two relatively pristine reference locations, Jervis Bay and Batemans Bay, indicating that the Botany Bay region has elevated biologically available metal concentrations. Oyster tissue trace metal concentrations were below the Australian and New Zealand Food Authority standards. Translocation of oysters to sites around the bay identified Pb and Cd as the only trace metals to be accumulated over 3 months. Copper concentrations in transplanted oysters declined at most sites, indicating that the sites investigated in this study have less bioavailable copper than Woolooware Bay, the source of the oysters. The shallow waters along the southern shoreline are protected from the tidal flow that carry contaminated sediments and the biologically available trace metals appear to be low.Received: 31 May 2002/Accepted: 13 December 2002