Distribution of 14 Elements in Tissues and Organs of Oceanic Seabirds

The concentrations of 14 trace elements (Li, V, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Pb, and Hg) were determined in tissues and organs of three species and in the liver of 11 species of seabirds. Comparatively high concentrations of Li, Co, Sr, and V were found in the femur. Cd, Se, Cu, and Mn concentrations were relatively higher in the kidney than in other tissues and organs. Rb, Cs, and Pb concentrations were rather uniform among tissues. Concentrations of essential elements such as Mn, Cu, and Co were comparable among seabird species, except high Cu concentrations in northern giant petrel. Among nonessential elements, concentrations of Cd and Hg were variable according to seabird species. Pb levels were low in all the species. High Se levels (100 μg/g dry weight) were found in the liver of black-footed albatross and grey petrel. There were significant positive correlations between Se and Cd concentrations in three species and between Se and Hg in black-footed albatross, suggesting that Se has an antagonistic action on the toxic effects of Cd and Hg. Concentrations of Li, V, Ag, and Cs were usually low (less than 1 μg/g dry weight). Received: 30 October 1997/Accepted: 17 May 1998     

Assessment of Mine Water Quality Using Heavy Metal Pollution Index in a Coal Mining Area of Damodar River Basin,India

A total no. of 16 mine water (underground and opencast coal mine pump discharges) samples were collected from East Bokaro coalfield during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, As, Se, Al, Cd and Cr were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the assessment of spatio-temporal variations, source apportionment and heavy metal pollution indexing. The results demonstrated that concentrations of the metals showed significant seasonality and most variables exhibited higher levels in the pre-monsoon season. The principle component analysis for ionic source identification was synthesized into three factors with eigen values cut off at greater than unity and explained about 64.8% of the total variance. The extracted factors seemed to be associated to the geogenic, extensive mining and allied transportation sources of the elements. The heavy metal pollution index (HPI) of the mine water calculated for the individual locations varied from 7.1 to 49.5. Most of the locations fall under low to medium classes of HPI except few locations which are under the influence of surface mining and associated transportation.     

Determination of normal concentration levels of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se and Zn in hair of the child population in the Czech Republic

Knowledge of normal levels of concentrations of trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se and Zn) in the population serve, among others, in the designing of regulations of exposure limits and prevention of diseases caused by deficiency in essential trace elements. Concentrations of the named elements in the hair of children in the Czech population were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples of hair were collected during 1994- 2001 from 3,556 children (1,741 boys and 1,815 girls, average age 9.9 years). Mineralization in a microwave digestion system was used following a washing procedure. The accuracy of results was checked by means of the control materials CRM Human Hair GBW 07601. Values of concentrations of the trace elements in hair found for children were (in medians) 0.14 microg Cd.g(-1), 0.22 microg Cr.g(-1), 12 microg Cu.g(-1), 0.19 microg Hg.g(-1), 1.6 microg Pb.g(-1), 0.22 microg Se.g(-1) and 124 microg Zn.g(-1), respectively. Statistically significant differences between boys and girls were found for Cd, Cu and Zn. Concentrations of the elements under study correspond to the published values for the non-exposed population.     

十堰地区儿童静脉血微量元素检测结果

目的:了解各年龄段儿童血清中微量元素的含量,为合理补充微量元素、防治Pb、Cd污染提供科学的理论依据。方法:918例0～12岁儿童按发育阶段分为4组,分别为婴儿组、幼儿组、学龄前组、学龄组,取静脉血,采用北京博晖的BH5100型原子吸收光谱仪检测全血Cu、Zn、Ca、Mg和Fe含量,BH2100型原子吸收光谱仪检测Pb和Cd含量。结果:各年龄组间Fe、Cd含量无统计学差异,而不同年龄组间Ca、Mg、Cu、Zn、Pb含量差异有统计学意义(P0.01),Ca含量随着年龄的增加而降低,而Zn的含量随着年龄的增加而升高。Ca、Cu、Zn缺乏和高Pb率在各年龄组不同,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),而Fe、Mg缺乏以及高Cd与年龄没有明显的关系,各年龄组之间无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:十堰市儿童Ca、Zn、Fe缺乏普遍存在,Cu、Mg缺乏少见,存在一定程度的Pb污染,Cd污染程度较轻,需合理补充微量元素,预防Pb污染。     

Body distribution of trace elements in black-tailed gulls from Rishiri Island, Japan: age-dependent accumulation and transfer to feathers and eggs

Body distribution and maternal transfer of 18 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Hg, Tl, and Pb) to eggs were examined in black-tailed gulls (Larus crassirostris), which were culled in Rishiri Island, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. Manganese, Cu, Rb, Mo, and Cd showed the highest levels in liver and kidney, Ag, Sb, and Hg in feather, and V, Sr, and Pb in bone. Maternal transfer rates of trace elements ranged from 0.8% (Cd) to as much as 65% (Tl) of maternal body burden. Large amounts of Sr, Ba, and Tl were transferred to the eggs, though maternal transfer rates of V, Cd, Hg, and Pb were substantially low. It also was observed that Rb, Sr, Cd, Cs, and Ba hardly were excreted into feathers. Concentrations of Co in liver, Ba in liver and kidney, and Mo in liver increased significantly with age, whereas Se in bone and kidney, Hg in kidney, and Cr in feather decreased with age in the known-aged black-tailed gulls (2-20 years old). It also was suggested that feathers might be useful to estimate contamination status of trace elements in birds, especially for Hg on a population basis, although the utility is limited on an individual basis for the black-tailed gulls. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the maternal transfer rate of multielements and also on the usefulness of feathers to estimate contamination status of Hg in birds on a population basis.     

Retrospective study of concentration levels of Pb, Cd, Cu and Se in serum of the Czech population in time period 1970-1999.

The retrospective study evolution of trends in concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu and Se in the population of the Czech Republic over 30 years period could be useful in design of regulations concerning health protection, prevention of diseases caused by deficiency of trace elements and have considerable economic importance. Concentrations of the named elements in the serum were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after mineralisation in a microwave digestion system. The 1433 samples of serum (730 males and 703 females, average age 48.7 and 49.1 years respectively) from a time period 1970-1995 were obtained from the Serum bank of National Institute of Public Health and volunteers (1999). Serum samples from the years 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 1999 were examined. The accuracy of the results was checked by means of the Control material Seronorm Whole Blood 404,107 and Seronorm Serum 704,121, Nycomed. The concentration of Cd had a decreasing trend for the years 1975-1999 (0.82 microgram Cd.l-1 vs 0.47 microgram Cd.l-1). The levels of Pb are falling in the interval 1970-1980 (15.6 micrograms Pb.l-1 vs. 6.6 micrograms Pb.l-1). In year 1985 concentration of Pb increased (10.7 micrograms Pb.l-1) but subsequently decreased again (1995--6.4 micrograms Pb.l-1). In year 1999, it was 8.9 micrograms.l-1. The concentration of Cu decreased in period 1970-1990 (1525 micrograms Cu.l-1 vs. 990 micrograms Cu.l-1). From 1990 to 1999 the levels of Cu had an increasing tendency (1999--1060 micrograms Cu.l-1). Levels of Se in the interval 1970-1985 were surprisingly equal (58.1 micrograms Se.l(-1)-54.4 micrograms Se.l-1). However in the interval 1986-1990 the level of Se sharp declined (38.3 micrograms Se.l-1). Since 1990 levels of Se in serum increased again, up to 67.1 micrograms Se.l-1 in 1999. Statistically significant differences between men and women were found only in Cu and Pb concentrations. Concentrations of under study elements corresponded to the published values concerning unexposed population.     

Modeling metal bioaccumulation in the invasive mussels Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena rostriformis bugensis in the rivers Rhine and Meuse

The metal-specific covalent index and the species-specific size-based filtration rate were integrated into a biokinetic model estimating metal bioaccumulation in mussels from the dissolved phase and phytoplankton. The model was validated for zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) mussels in the rivers Rhine and Meuse, the Netherlands. The model performed well in predicting tissue concentrations in different-sized zebra mussels from various sampling sites for (55) Mn, (56) Fe, (59) Co, (60) Ni, (82) Se, (111) Cd, (118) Sn, and (208) Pb (r(2) =0.71-0.99). Performance for (52) Cr, (63) Cu, (66) Zn, (68) Zn, and (112) Cd was moderate (r(2) <0.20). In quagga mussels, approximately 73 to 94% of the variability in concentrations of (82) Se, (111) Cd, (112) Cd, and (208) Pb was explained by the model (r(2) =0.73-0.94), followed by (52) Cr, (55) Mn, (56) Fe, (60) Ni, and (63) Cu (r(2) =0.48-0.61). Additionally, in both zebra and quagga mussels, average modeled concentrations were within approximately one order of magnitude of the measured values. In particular, in zebra mussels, estimations of (60) Ni and (82) Se concentrations were equal to 51 and 76% of the measurements, respectively. Higher deviations were observed for (52) Cr, (59) Co, (55) Mn, (56) Fe, (111) Cd, (63) Cu, and (112) Cd (underestimation), and (66) Zn, (68) Zn, (208) Pb, and (118) Sn (overestimation). For quagga mussels, modeled concentrations of (66) Zn and (68) Zn differed approximately 14% from the measured levels. Differences between predictions and measurements were higher for other metals.     

Nutritional Quality and Safety Related to Trace Element Content in Fish from Tyrrhenian Sea

This study analyzed for the detection of the following trace elements: As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, Zn, in muscle of four widely traded and consumed marine fish species (Mullus surmuletus L., Merluccius merluccius L., Micromesistius poutassou (Risso, 1827), Scomber scombrus L.) selected for their wide trade and consumption. Mean concentrations found in fish muscle, irrespective of species, ranged from 3.61 to 105.49 (As); 0.01–0.08 (Cd); 0.74–4.71 (Cu); 0.09–1.10 (Hg); 0.02–0.58 (Pb); 0.30–2.88 (Se); 11.56–73.37 (Zn) mg/kg wet weight. As, Hg, Cu and Se concentrations showed a significant difference (p < 0.01) among the analyzed species in winter and in summer. Cd exhibited a significant difference (p < 0.01) only in summer. The maximum levels set for Hg, Cd and Pb by European Regulation No 1881/2006 were exceeded by 5 (8.9 %), 1 (1.8 %) and 4 (7.1 %) samples, respectively. In particular the species exceeding the legal limits were red mullet for Cd and Pb, Atlantic mackerel and blue whiting for Hg and Pb.     

Biological monitoring of metals in children and pregnant women in Poland

A pilot study was carried out on the concentration of cadmium, lead, mercury and selenium in blood and urine from 15 first grade school children, 7–8 years of age, living in Katowice‐Szopienice (Silesian Region), and eight pregnant women living in Krakow. The two Polish communities have high levels of pollution from the metallurgic and coal industry. The concentrations of lead in blood for the children ranged from 77 to 255 µg Pb 1^?1 with a median (Md) of 163 µg Pb 1^?1 and for the women from 32 to 64 µg Pb 1^?1 with a Md of 38 µg Pb 1^?1 The high lead levels in blood among the children were related to the distance from their home to a smelter. The analysis of lead in urine also identified the children with the highest levels of exposure. The median levels of cadmium in blood were for children 0.5 µg Cd 1^?1 and for women 0.7 µg Cd 1^?1 and in urine 0.4 µg Cd 1^?1 for children and 0.5 µg Cd 1^?1 for women. Mercury levels in blood were below 4 µg Hg 1^?1 in both groups. The concentrations of selenium in plasma and blood were low and for children the range in blood was 57 to 79 µg Se 1^?1 with a Md of 64 µg Se 1^?1. The selenium in blood for the pregnant women ranged from 30 to 86 µg Se 1^?1 with a Md of 50 µg Se 1¹.     

北京市居民饮用水中16种金属元素暴露水平

目的了解北京市居民饮用水中16种金属元素(铅Pb、镉Cd、铜Cu、锌Zn、铁Fe、锰Mn、镍Ni、银Ag、锑Sb、硒Se、铝Al、钡Ba、铍Be、铊Tl、钼Mo和钠Na)暴露水平。方法采用多阶段整群抽样设计,在北京市18个区县随机抽取5个区的270户,采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法,对枯水期、丰水期居民饮用水中16种金属指标进行监测。结果居民饮用水中16种元素的暴露水平由低到高可以分为3层:Ag、Cd、Sb、Be和Tl暴露水平为:未检出～0.083μg/L,Mo、Pb、Ni和Se暴露水平为:0.06～100μg/L,Cu、Al、Zn、Mn、Fe、Na和Ba暴露水平为:0.00036～6.579mg/L。统计表明,11种元素(Pb、Se、Mo、Cu、Zn、Mn、Ni、Al、Ba、Fe和Na)暴露水平枯水期明显高于丰水期(P<0.05),以《生活饮用水卫生标准》GB5749—2006中的标准值为评价标准,枯水期Na、Al、Mn、Zn、Fe、Ba、Pb、Se的合格率为87.4%～98.9%;丰水期Mn、Ni、Zn、Fe、Pb和Se的合格率为95.2%～99.6%,其他元素合格率为100%。来自市政水源的饮用水中8种元素(Pb、Cu、Zn、Mn、Al、Ba、Fe和Na)的暴露水平明显低于来自自备水源的饮用水(P<0.05)。结论北京市居民饮用水中16种金属元素总体处于低暴露水平,大部分指标市政供水好于自备水源供水。     

Worrying exposure to trace elements in the population of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Background and objectives

The particularly high rate of urbanization in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) is associated with environmental degradation. Outdoor and indoor air pollution, as well as water pollution and waste accumulation, are issues of major concern. However, little documented information exists on the nature and extent of this pollution. A biomonitoring study was conducted to document exposure to trace elements in a representative sample of the population in Kinshasa.

Methods

Fifteen trace elements were measured by ICP-MS, CV-AAS, or HG-AFS in spot urine samples from 220 individuals (50.5% women) aged 6–70?years living in the urban area and from 50 additional subjects from the rural area of Kinshasa. Data were compiled as geometric means and selected percentiles, expressed without (μg/L) or with creatinine adjustment (μg/g cr).

Results

Overall, living in urban Kinshasa was associated with elevated levels of several parameters in urine as compared to the population living in the rural area (Asi, Ba, Cd, Cr, and V) as well as compared to an urban population of the southeast of Congo (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, Se, V, and Zn). Elevated levels were also found by comparison with the reference values in databases involving American, Canadian, French, or German populations.

Conclusions

This study provides the first biomonitoring database in the population of Kinshasa, revealing elevated levels for most urinary TE as compared to other databases. Toxicologically relevant elements such as Al, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg reach levels of public health concern.     

The concentration levels of Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn and Se in blood of the population in the Czech Republic

Knowledge of normal levels of concentrations of trace elements (Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, and Se) in the population serves, among others, in design of regulations concerning health protection, determination of exposure limits and prevention of diseases caused by deficiency of trace elements. Concentrations of the named elements in whole blood of the Czech population were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. The blood was collected during 1996-1998 from 1,216 blood donors (896 males and 320 females, average age 33 years) and 758 children (397 boys and 361 girls, average age 9.9 years). Mineralisation in a microwave digestion system was used in sample preparation. The accuracy of results was checked by means of the Control material Seronorm Whole Blood 404107 and Seronorm Serum 704121, Nycomed. Values of concentrations of the trace elements in blood found for adult (medians) were 0.7 microgram Cd.l-1, 800 micrograms Cu.l-1, 0.78 microgram Hg.l-1, 41 micrograms Pb.l-1, 76 micrograms Se.l-1, and 5,800 micrograms Zn.l-1, respectively. Statistically significant differences between men and women have been found in the concentrations of Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn. In the juvenile population following medians of concentrations have been found: 0.15 microgram Cd.l-1, 1,047 micrograms Cu.l-1, 0.46 microgram Hg.l-1, 34 micrograms Pb.l-1, 69 micrograms Se.l-1, and 8,180 micrograms Zn.l-1. Statistically significant differences between boys and girls were found only in Pb and Zn concentrations. Concentrations of the studied elements correspond to the published values concerning population not exposed professionally.     

Arsenic,Cadmium, Copper,Lead, and Selenium in Migrating Blue-Winged Teal (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anas discors</Emphasis> L.)

The blue-winged teal (Anas discors L.), an abundant waterfowl species in North America, winters primarily in Mexico, Central America, and South America. Its transcontinental migratory behavior provides the opportunity to examine contaminant acquisition across a diverse biogeographic landscape that has varied environmental regulations and wildlife laws. We determined concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and selenium (Se) in liver samples of blue-winged teal migrating through southern Texas during autumn 1998 (n = 47) and spring 1999 (n = 46). Concentrations for As (range 0.006 to 0.22 μg/g wet weight [ww]), Cd (range 0.007 to 8.14 μg/g ww), and Pb (range 0.012 to 1.79 μg/g ww) were at background levels for birds, whereas Cu (8.1 to 227.3 μg/g ww) and Se (0.36 to 5.07 μg/g ww) were increased in several individuals. All 24 hatch-year (HY) blue-winged teal had detectable levels of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Se, and eight had detectable levels of As. A seasonal effect was found for Cd, in which the mean Cd concentration in autumn was lower (p < 0.015) than in spring. Comparisons between autumn-collected HY and autumn-collected after-hatch-year (AHY) blue-winged teal found the mean concentration of Cd was higher (p < 0.001) in AHY birds. A seasonal effect occurred for Cu, in which the mean concentration was higher (p < 0.001) in autumn than in spring. Comparisons between seasons using only AHY blue-winged teal found that the mean concentration of Cu was higher (p < 0.001) in autumn than in spring. No sex effects (p > 0.05) were found for the five elements examined. Results indicated that blue-winged teal were acquiring all five elements; that HY blue-winged teal were exposed to these elements in North America; and that increased Se concentrations in 15% of the 93-bird sample were at levels known to cause impairment in birds.     

Heavy Metals in Hair of Residents in an E-Waste Recycling Area,South China: Contents and Assessment of Bodily State

Heavy metals were measured in hair from occupationally and nonoccupationally exposed populations in an e-waste recycling area and from residents from a control rural town. The levels of five heavy metals were in the following order of Zn > Pb, Cu > Cd > Ni, with the highest levels found in the occupationally exposed workers. The levels of Cd, Pb, and Cu were significantly higher in residents from the e-waste recycling area than in the control area. Elevated Cd, Pb, and Cu contents along with significant positive correlations between them in hair from the e-waste recycling area indicated that these metals were likely to have originated from the e-waste recycling activities. The similarity in heavy metal pattern between children and occupationally exposed workers indicated that children are particularly vulnerable to heavy metal pollution caused by e-waste recycling activities. The increased Cu exposure might be a benefit for the insufficient intake of Cu in the studied area. However, the elevated hair Cd and Pb levels implied that the residents in the e-waste area might be at high risk of toxic metal, especially for children and occupationally exposed workers.     

Lead, cadmium, manganese, cobalt, zinc and copper levels in whole blood of urban teenagers with non-toxic diffuse goiter

The amount of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) present in whole blood of 118 teenagers were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The blood samples of 23 healthy teenagers were compared with the blood samples of 95 adolescents who were diagnosed with non-toxic diffuse goiter (NTDG). The study was aimed at examining whether in addition to mild iodine deficiency other trace elements could contribute to the development of non-toxic diffuse goiter. The results indicated that the levels of Pb, Cd and Mn in the blood samples of teenagers diagnosed with NTDG were higher than that in healthy children. Also, the results indicated that higher levels of metals were present in the blood samples with NTDG in adolescent patients who lived in areas with a higher amount of pollution.     

Cadmium-induced changes in trace element bioaccumulation and proteomics perspective in four marine bivalves

Bivalves are employed widely as biomonitors of metal pollution and proteomics has increasingly been applied to solve ecotoxicological issues. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Cd exposure on the bioaccumulation of other trace elements and reveal the molecular mechanisms using proteomics technologies. The results showed that Cd exposure resulted in remarkable changes in body concentrations of Zn, Cu, Ag, Co, Ni, Pb, and Se in four marine bivalves (scallop Chlamys nobilis, clam Ruditapes philippinarum, mussel Perna viridis, and oyster Saccostrea cucullata). Generally, the bivalves exposed to higher Cd concentration accumulated higher concentrations of Zn, Cu, and Se, but a lower concentration of Co. The accumulation of Ag, Ni, and Pb was specific for different species. The data strongly suggest that the influences of one metal exposure on the bioaccumulation of other metals/metalloids need to be considered in interpreting body concentrations of the elements in the biomonitors. Cd exposure had little effect on bivalve proteomes, and the identified proteins were insufficient to explain the observed disruption of trace element metabolism. However, protein expression signatures composed of the altered proteins could distinguish the clams and the mussels with different body Cd levels. The strong up-regulation of galectin in Cd-exposed oysters indicated the protein as a novel biomarker in environmental monitoring.     

Determination of Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals and Selenium in Tissues of Brown Trout Salmo trutta macrostigma (Duméril, 1858) from Munzur Stream, Tunceli, Turkey

The objective of the present work was to determine the bioaccumulation of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), uranium (U) and selenium (Se) in gill, liver, and muscle tissues of the fresh water fish Salmo trutta macrostigma (Duméril, 1858) in Munzur Stream, Tunceli, Turkey. The highest concentrations of U (1.83?μg?kg^?1), Pb (119.84?μg?kg^?1) and Se (1.31?μg?kg^?1) were recorded in the gills of S. t. macrostigma. Concentrations of As (46.27?μg?kg^?1), Cd (109.19?μg?kg^?1), Hg (16.40?μg?kg^?1), Cu (18.19?μg?kg^?1) were recorded at highest levels in the liver. The results showed that there were significant differences in concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Se, U and Hg in gill, liver and muscle tissue (p?<?0.05). Heavy metals were within the edible parts of the investigated fish were in the permissible safety levels for human uses.     

动态反应池电感耦合等离子体质谱法快速监测人体尿液中19种元素的含量

目的利用DRC-ICP-MS,建立快速监测尿液中19种元素(Be、Rb、Sr、Cd、Pb、Cs、Tl、V、Cr、Mn、Ni、Co、Cu、Zn、Sn、Sb、Te、As和Se)的检测方法。方法尿液样品经过1∶20稀释后上机检测,采用DRC模式消除干扰,检测元素V51、Cr52、Mn55、Ni58、Co59、Cu63、Zn64、Sn120、Sb121、Te130、As75和Se80,其余元素采用标准模式检测。结果 19种元素(Be9、V51、Cr52、Mn55、Ni58、Co59、Cu63、Zn64、As75、Se80、Rb85、Sr88、Cd114、Sn120、Sb121、Te130、Cs133、Tl205和Pb208)的方法检出限分别为2.7、2.0、2.7、1.5、3.9、0.8、5.8、35.3、32.4、21.1、1.4、4.2、1.1、9.1、1.1、8.6、0.1、0.2和1.0ng/L,方法的精密度在3%以内。结论该检测方法准确快速,前处理简便,样品用量少,检测成本低,适合大量样本的快速筛查和监测。     

Heavy-metal contamination and solid-phase fractionation in street dust

Fourteen street-dust samples were collected from Hamedan, western Iran. Street-dust samples received different amounts of heavy-metal pollution. The samples were analyzed for total cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn), and binding forms of heavy metal were determined in five fractions. The results showed Cd was the only metal present appreciably, 25.21% and 25.92%, in the exchangeable and carbonates fractions, respectively, and Cu was the only metal predominantly associated, 31.77%, with organic fraction. Zn, 45.84%, was present mainly in the Fe–Mn oxide fraction, and the residual fraction was the most dominant solid phase pool of Ni and Pb, respectively, with 42.56% and 41.31%. The order of apparent mobility and potential metal bioavailability for these contaminated street-dust samples is Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni. The risk-assessment code results showed very high risk for Cd; medium risk for Cu, Pb, and Zn; and low risk for Ni.     

Relationships among developmental stage,metamorphic timing,and concentrations of elements in bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana)

We collected bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) larvae from a coal combustion waste settling basin to investigate the effects of developmental stage and timing of metamorphosis on concentrations of a series of trace elements in bullfrog tissues. Bullfrogs at four stages of development (from no hind limbs to recently metamorphosed juveniles) and bullfrogs that metamorphosed in the fall or overwintered in the contaminated basin and metamorphosed in the spring were analyzed for whole-body concentrations of Al, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Pb, Cd, Zn, Ag, Sr, and Se. After the effects of dry mass were removed, tissue concentrations of six elements (Al, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, As, and Pb) decreased from the late larval stage through metamorphosis. Decreases in concentrations through metamorphosis ranged from 40% for Cu to 97% for Al. Tissue concentrations of these elements were also similar or higher in spring; Al and Cr concentrations were 34 and 90% higher in the spring, respectively, whereas As, Ni, Cu, and Pb concentrations were <10% higher. Concentrations of Cd, Se, and Ag varied among seasons but not among stages; Cd and Ag concentrations were 40 and 62% lower, respectively, and Se concentrations were 21% higher in spring. Concentrations of Zn varied only among stages; concentrations decreased gradually through late larval stage and then increased through metamorphosis. Concentrations of Sr varied among stages, but this variation was dependent on the season. Concentrations of Sr were higher in larval stages during the spring, but because concentrations of Sr increased 122% through metamorphosis in the fall and only 22% in the spring, concentrations were higher in fall metamorphs when compared with spring metamorphs. Our results indicate that metamorphosis and season of metamorphosis affects trace element concentrations in bullfrogs and may have important implications for the health of juveniles and the transfer of pollutants from the aquatic to the terrestrial environment.