Potentially Toxic Metal Accumulation in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) Irrigated with Industrial Wastewater and Health Risk Assessment from Consumption

This study aimed to determine the potentially toxic metal contents in soil and spinach samples in areas irrigated with industrial wastewater and to evaluate the potentially toxic metal accumulation in spinach samples according to pollution indices. Water, soil and spinach samples were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer AAS-300). In this study, it was determined that the potentially toxic metal values ??in the spinach samples irrigated with groundwater and sugar industry wastewater varied between 1.59 and 1.84, 0.22–0.68, 0.56–1.14, 1.41–1.56, 1.62–3.23, 0.57–1.02, 0.86–1.33, 0.20–0.32 and 0.35–2.10 mg/kg for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn and Mn, respectively. It was concluded that the difference between the metal values ??in the spinach samples according to the irrigation sources was statistically significant, except for Cu and Pb (p?>?0.05). According to the results of this study, there is no health risk for Pb, Co and Cr with HRI values ??below 1.0, while there is a risk for Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn and Zn. The much higher HRI values ??of Cd than 1 (196.8 and 169.6) suggested that this metal is likely to cause significant health problems in the region.

     

Assessing risk of heavy metals from consuming food grown on sewage irrigated soils and food chain transfer

Heavy metal pollution of soils resulting from sewage and wastewater irrigation is causing major concern due to the potential risk involved. In the present study Musi River and its environs were assessed for heavy metal contamination. The study area was assessed for Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co and Pb in soils, forage grass, milk from cattle, leafy and non-leafy vegetables. Partitioning pattern of soil revealed high levels of Zn, Cr, and Cu associated with labile fractions, making them more mobile and plant available. The associated risk was assessed using hazard quotient (HQ). Human risk was assessed in people known to consume these contaminated foods by analyzing metals concentrations in venous blood and urine. Results showed high amounts of Pb, Zn, Cr, and Ni compared to permissible limits. HQ was found to be high for Zn followed by Cr and Pb with special reference to leafy vegetables particularly spinach and amaranthus.     

An Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Vegetables Grown in Wastewater-Irrigated Areas of Titagarh,West Bengal,India

The effects of municipal wastewater irrigation on the accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni) in soil and vegetables were investigated by monitoring wastewater-irrigated agricultural field of Titagarh, 24-Parganas (North), West Bengal, India. The mean concentrations of Pb, Ni, Cu in the irrigation water and the mean Cd content in soil were much above the recommended level. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr and Ni in all the examined vegetables were beyond the safe limits. The study reveals that heavy metal-contaminated vegetables grown in wastewater-irrigated areas may pose public health hazards.     

Effects of industrial metals on wild fish populations along a metal contamination gradient

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among water, sediment, and fish tissue metal concentrations as they relate to fish diversity, tissue metal accumulation, and fish morphometric and reproductive condition. Fish were captured in 12 lakes near Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, that ranged in their degree of metal contamination. In general, metal concentrations in water and sediment decreased with increasing distance from industrial operations. However, only Cu and Ni demonstrated this trend in sediments. Although 20 fish species were identified in the 12 lakes, only one species, yellow perch (Perca flavescens), was common to all 12 lakes. Fish diversity was only associated with sediment metals, suggesting that short-term processes are much less important than long-term processes for fish community recovery in metal-contaminated lakes. Multivariate characterization of water metal concentrations resulted in three lake clusters: Group 1 consisted of reference lakes; Group 2 lakes had high alkalinity, conductivity, hardness, pH, waterborne metals (especially Se), and sediment Cu and Ni concentrations; Group 3 lakes had high pH, waterborne and sediment Cu, and sediment Ni, intermediate alkalinity, conductivity, and waterborne metals (except Al and Fe), and low hardness and waterborne Al and Fe. Liver Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, muscle Zn, and intestinal Cd and Zn were highest, and muscle Cu and male gonadosomatic index (GSI) were lowest, in Group 3 fish. Liver, muscle, and intestinal Se concentrations, and Fulton's condition factor (FCF), hepatosomatic index (HSI), and male GSI were highest in Group 2 fish. Group 1 fish had the highest muscle Hg concentrations and female GSI. Muscle Se appeared to have an antagonistic effect on muscle Hg accumulation as a function of distance from smelting operations. Neither Cu nor Ni, both metals of concern in the Sudbury area, was useful for predicting fish condition, probably because of homeostatic regulatory control. Liver Cd accumulation, which was negatively related to FCF (r = -0.16; P < 0.05), exhibited strong, nonlinear inhibition (r2 = 0.99; P < 0.0001) as a function of water hardness. Because Cd was not detected in water samples in this study, we suspect that branchial Ca2+ uptake may play some role in reducing dietary Cd uptake in hard water lakes. Selenium has received relatively little attention in the contaminated systems around Sudbury, yet our results demonstrated that tissue Se was related to all condition metrics studied. Moreover, evidence was provided that suggests that there is a gender-specific interaction between dietary Se and Cu uptake that may contribute to decreased female reproductive condition in wild yellow perch.     

Heavy metal contamination of soil and vegetables in suburban areas of Varanasi, India

Heavy metal contamination of soil resulting from wastewater irrigation is a cause of serious concern due to the potential health impacts of consuming contaminated produce. In this study an assessment is made of the impact of wastewater irrigation on heavy metal contamination of Beta vulgaris (palak); this is a highly nutritious leafy vegetable that is widely cultivated and consumed in urban India, particularly by the poor. A field study was conducted at three major sites that were irrigated by either treated or untreated wastewater in the suburban areas of Varanasi, India according to normal practice. Samples of irrigation water, soil, and the edible portion of the palak (Beta vulgaris L. var All green H1) were collected monthly during the summer and winter seasons and were analyzed for Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Mn, and Ni. Heavy metals in irrigation water were below the internationally recommended (WHO) maximum permissible limits set for agricultural use for all heavy metals except Cd at all the sites. Similarly, the mean heavy metal concentrations in soil were below the Indian standards for all heavy metals, but the maximum value of Cd recorded during January was higher than the standard. However, in the edible portion of B. vulgaris, the Cd concentration was higher than the permissible limits of the Indian standard during summer, whereas Pb and Ni concentrations were higher in both summer and winter seasons. Results of linear regression analysis computed to assess the relationship between individual heavy metal concentration in the vegetable samples and in soil showed that Zn in soil had a positive significant relationship with vegetable contamination during winter. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Mn in soil and plant showed significant positive relationships only during summer. Concentration of Cr and Pb during winter season and Zn and Ni during summer season showed significant negative relationships between soil and plant contamination. The study concludes that the use of treated and untreated wastewater for irrigation has increased the contamination of Cd, Pb, and Ni in edible portion of vegetables causing potential health risk in the long term from this practice. The study also points to the fact that adherence to standards for heavy metal contamination of soil and irrigation water does not ensure safe food.     

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。     

Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination in Reclaimed Mine Soil and their Accumulation and Distribution in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> Hybrid

The metal contamination in reclaimed mine soil (RMS) of Jharia coal field, Dhanbad (India) using various contamination indices and their accumulation in tissues of Eucalyptus hybrid were assessed. In RMS, metal concentrations were found higher (202%–533%) than control soil (CS) with major contribution of Co and Mn followed by Zn, Cu and Pb. Principal component analysis (PCA) of metals present in RMS was carried out to assess their origin in RMS. The contamination factor (CF) values in RMS indicated moderate to very high level of pollution (ranged between 2.02 and 5.33). Higher accumulation of Pb in barks (three times), Zn in leaves (4.5 times), Mn in leaves (19 times), and Cu in roots (1.4 times) was found in trees growing on RMS than CS. The study concluded that different tree tissues accumulate varied concentration of heavy metals in RMS and thus for biomonitoring of metals, specific tissues has to be selected.     

原子吸收法测定31种蔬菜水果中的微量元素含量

目的了解西安市市售常见蔬菜水果中微量元素含量,为指导人们的健康饮食提供参考数据。方珐采用原子吸收光谱法测定26种蔬菜和5种水果中的钙、镁、锌、铁、锰、铜、铅等元素含量。结果样品中钙含量前三位的蔬菜为白蒿、芹菜、青菜,钙含量最高的水果为橙子;镁含量前三位的蔬菜为白蒿、红薯、菠菜,镁含量最高的水果为香蕉;铁含量最高的蔬菜、水果分别为白蒿、菠萝;锌含量最高的蔬菜和水果分别为莴笋和苹果;铜元素含量最高的蔬菜和水果分别为红薯和苹果;锰含量最高的蔬菜和水果分别为生姜和菠萝;铅含量前三位的蔬菜是平菇、莲花白和莴笋。钙、镁、铁、锌、铜、锰含量的变化范围分别为18．64～2728．35mg／kg、46．03～572．28mg／kg、1．45～141．46mg／kg、8．25～83．67mg／kg、0．01～4．659mg／kg、0．124～43．383mg／kg、0．148～8．384mg／kg。结论不同蔬菜、水果中微量元素含量差别较大,人们应该合理膳食、平衡营养。     

Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Vegetables Grown Using Paper Mill Wastewater in Wonji Gefersa,Ethiopia

Heavy metals are among the major contaminants of vegetables. A study was conducted at Wonji Gefersa farms where paper wastewater is used for cultivation of vegetable crops. Four vegetable samples, namely Swiss chard, carrot, tomato, green pepper, as well as paper wastewater were examined for heavy metal [Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr) and Cobalt (Co)] contamination using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The levels of Pb, Cd and Cr in paper wastewater were all above the safe limit for FAO standards for wastewater quality for irrigation. The concentration of Pb in Swiss chard and Green peeper was exceeded the permissible limits. The study reveals that Pb metal contamination in the study area which poses health risk with time unless an urgent step is taken by relevant agencies to address this issue.     

Heavy Metal Concentration in Largehead Hairtail (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichiurus lepturus</Emphasis> Linneaus, 1758) and Savalai Hairtail (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepturacanthus savala</Emphasis> (Cuvier, 1829)) Obtained from Karachi Fish Harbour,Pakistan

In this study, muscle samples gathered from Largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus Linneaus, 1758) and Savali hairtail [Lepturacanthus savala (Cuvier, 1829)] from the Karachi Fish Harbour, Pakistan were analyzed to determine heavy metal concentrations (iron [Fe], zinc [Zn], copper [Cu], manganese [Mn], lead [Pb] and cadmium [Cd]) between January and December 2016. All samples were analyzed using the AAnalyst 700 Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. It was observed that the average measured level of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb and Cd in muscle were 77.72?±?47.84 µg/g, 20.34?±?8.49 µg/g, 2.23?±?1.16 µg/g, 0.57?±?0.36 µg/g, 0.20?±?0.16 µg/g and 0.42?±?0.19 µg/g for T. lepturus, respectively. Besides, the average level of the same metal concentrations in muscle for L. savala were 85.11?±?57.64 µg/g, 16.63?±?9.25 µg/g, 2.53?±?1.90 µg/g, 0.47?±?0.27 µg/g, 0.23?±?0.18 µg/g and 0.47?±?0.20 µg/g, respectively. The correlation between size groups and metal accumulation in muscle tissues were investigated for both fish. In terms of public risk assessment, the provisional tolerable weekly intake’s of various heavy metals were compared with the consumption of both fish. As a result of the analysis, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb and Cd accumulations in muscle tissues of T. lepturus and L. savala collected from Karachi Fish Harbour Pakistan did not exceed limit values.     

Impact of Long-Term Application of Sewage on Soil and Crop Quality in Vertisols of Central India

Shortfall of rain and the decreased groundwater level force farmers to use poor quality water for crop production in developing countries. In this study, the quality of agricultural produce and soil health affected by sewage water (Patranala) irrigation was evaluated. Sewage sediment, soil and crop samples were analyzed for physico-chemical properties. Sewage water found to contain trace concentration of heavy metals. However, long-term application of this water for crop production could build up a significant amount of trace metals in both soil and sediments. The DTPA extractable heavy metals ranged Cu 2.7–7.59, Cd 0.04–0.06, Pb 1.29–2.05, Cr 0.01–0.04, Ni 0.24–1.03 and Zn 0.63–2.59 mg kg^?1 soil. The heavy metal risk assessment (hazard quotient, HQ) was calculated and found that HQ for these metals in the crops under study was in safe limits. From the study, it is concluded that growing vegetables using sewage water of Patranala is safe, but periodic monitoring to be carried out to avoid food chain contamination.     

公路旁土壤中重金属和类金属污染评价

目的 评价公路旁土训重金属和类金属污染。方法 选择３１９国道龙岩市新罗区路段进行土壤４ 采样,用原子吸收光谱法和分光光度法分析封保重金属和类金属（Ｃｄ、Ｐｂ、Ｃｕ、Ｚｎ、Ｎｉ、Ｃｒ、Ａｓ）的含量。结果 土壤综合污染指数为１．６３,ｄ、ｂ,轻度污染的元素为Ｃｕ、Ｃｒ,污染晕带自公路起向其两侧扩散范围约为２５０ｍ,土壤对重金属元素的吸附及污染程度：Ｃｄ〉Ｐｂ〉Ｃｕ〉Ｃｒ〉Ｚｎ〉Ｎｉ〉Ａｓ。结论 公路旁     

Uptake and Distribution of Trace Elements in Dominant Mangrove Plants of the Indian Sundarban Wetland

Absorption, accumulation and translocation of 12 trace elements in nine dominant mangrove plants in the Indian Sundarban Wetland revealed both organ-specific and site-specific characteristics. An overall enrichment of elements was recorded in rhizosediment, exceeding the prescribed effects range-low (ER-L) of consensus based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) for Cu and Pb. Avicennia officinalis, A. alba, Ceriops decandra and Excoecaria agallocha exhibited unique potential for accumulating Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn and Zn and could be considered efficient accumulators. Maximum element accumulation in trunk bark (As 6.16, Cr 49.9, Co 2.67, Cu 91.00 and Zn 85.5 mg kg^?1) and root/pneumatophore (Al 1000 and Fe 2430 mg kg^?1) was recorded. Maximum bioconcentration factor (6.23) in A. officinalis and translocation factor (17.5 for Mn) in C. decandra distinguished their phytoremediation capacity. These halophytes could be used for trace element phytoremediation in stressed sites of Sundarban.     

Chronological Variation of Metals in Reclaimed Coal Mine Soil and Tissues of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> Hybrid Tree After 25 Years of Reclamation,Jharia Coal Field (India)

Fast-growing metal-accumulating woody trees are potential candidates for phytoremediation of coal mine overburden (OB) dumps. The present study assessed chronological variation in metals (Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu, and Co) concentration in reclaimed mine soil (RMS) and tissues (leaf, stem bark, stem wood, root bark and root wood) of Eucalyptus hybrid tree between 3 and 25-year old OB dumps (RMS3 and RMS25) from Jharia coal field (India). Total metal concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cu in RMS25 were 1.55, 3.46, and 1.44 times lower (p?<?0.05), respectively, than RMS3. Higher concentrations of total (110%–565%) and available form (DTPA-extractable) of metals (109%–480%) were observed in RMS25 than in control soil. Pb selectively accumulated in stem bark, Zn and Mn in leaves, and Cu and Co in root wood. Metal concentrations were higher (1.04–4.15 times at p?<?0.05) in tree tissues growing on RMS25 than in RMS3. This study concluded that Eucalyptus hybrid could be utilized for reclamation of coal mine OB dumps.     

Appraisal of Heavy Metals in Groundwater in Chennai City Using a HPI Model

Heavy metal contamination in Chennai city was evaluated using a heavy metal pollution index (HPI) model in conjunction with the spatial distribution maps. Metals such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in the groundwater were determined using standard methods and the resultant data was utilized in the development of a HPI model. The metal concentrations showed a dominance in the order of Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd respectively. About 14.3 % of the samples (n = 2), exhibited high HPI (>38) and the highest value, HPI = 97.55, has been recorded from Thiruvanmiyur area. Statistical analysis revealed a positive correlation between metals such as Cd and Cr (r = 0.606), Cd and Cu (r = 0.601), Cr and Cu (r = 0.464) and Pb and Zn (r = 0.416), suggested their common origin. The spatial distribution maps of heavy metals and the HPI suggested that the SW region, especially Adyar and Thiruvanmiyur regions are highly contaminated with the metals. Industrialisation and improper waste dumping were identified as the major cause for the accumulation of metals in the groundwater of Chennai city.     

Impact of metal pools and soil properties on metal accumulation in Folsomia candida (Collembola)

Soil-dwelling organisms are exposed to metals in different ways. Evidence exists for predominant pore water uptake of metals by soft-bodied oligochaete species. In the present research, uptake kinetics of metals and the metalloid As by the semi-soft-bodied springtail Folsomia candida were studied, for which uptake via the pore water is less obvious. Springtails were exposed in 16 field soils and in metal-spiked artificial Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (Paris, France) soil (OECD soil). Subsequently, accumulation parameters were statistically related to soil metal pools and soil properties. In Cd-spiked OECD soil, internal Cd levels were linearly related to external Cd concentrations, whereas the springtails maintained fixed internal levels of Cu and Zn regardless of spiked concentrations. In the field soils, all body concentrations of the elements As, Cr, and Ni were below detection limit. The essential metals Cu and Zn were presumably regulated, and no influence of soil characteristics could be demonstrated. For Cd and Pb, accumulation patterns were correlated mainly to solid-phase soil characteristics. The presence of these explanatory variables in the multiple correlations suggests that an uptake mechanism that is solely determined by pore water concentrations should not be taken as a universally applicable principle in risk assessments of metals for soil invertebrates. Cadmium in OECD soils was more available for uptake than in the field soils. The difference remained when extractability was taken into account. The results suggest that experiments in OECD soil cannot be used directly in risk assessment for nonessential metals (at least for F. candida), although a reduction of uncertainties in metal risk assessment can be reached by consistent use of body residues rather than external concentrations.     

Heavy Metal Contamination and Ecological Risk Assessment of Swine Manure Irrigated Vegetable Soils in Jiangxi Province,China

Heavy metal are often added to animal fodder and accumulate in the soils with swine manure. In this study, heavy metal (Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, As and Cr) concentrations were determined in agricultural soils irrigated with swine manure in Jiangxi Province, China. Results showed that the average concentrations of Cu, Zn, As and Cr (32.8, 93.7, 21.3 and 75.8 mg/kg, respectively) were higher than the background values, while Pb and Cd (15.2 and 0.090 mg/kg, respectively) were lower than the background values. Contamination factors \(\left( {C_{f}^{i}} \right)\) indicated that they were generally moderate for Cu, Zn, As and Cr and generally low for Pb and Cd. The contamination degree (C _d ) was calculated to be 7.5–10.0 indicating a moderate degree of contamination. The geoaccumulation index (I_geo) indicated that the soils were unpolluted with Zn, Cd and Pb, while unpolluted to moderately pollute with Cr, Cu and As. The single ecological risk factor \(\left( {E_{r}^{i}} \right)\) revealed that the six heavy metals all belonged to low ecological risk. The ecological risk indices suggested that all the sampling sites were at low risk level.     

Metal uptake by woodlice in urban soils

This study evaluated the uptake of bioavailable metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn) by woodlice (Isopoda) collected from public open spaces in urban areas of Renfrewshire, Central West Scotland, UK. The species Oniscus asellus and Porcellio scaber were collected at 13 different locations together with associated surface soil samples. Soils were subject to sequential extraction to evaluate metal availability and analyzed by ICP-AES and flame AAS for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn concentrations. The soil samples had metal concentrations typical of general urban environments and the potentially toxic elements were well below published guideline values for contaminated sites. The metal concentration showed differing inputs of natural and anthropogenic sources. Metals were bioconcentrated in the order Cu>Cd>Pb>Cr>Zn>Fe for O. asellus and Cu>Zn>Cd>Cr>Fe for P. scaber. Principal Component Analysis of soil geochemical properties and Isopoda metal concentration identified metal to metal variation in uptake. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied in order to investigate the metal uptake in relation to soil properties (total metal concentration, pH and organic matter (OM)). The results showed that factors affecting metal concentration were both species and site specific. The most available forms of metals were generally poorly related to metal accumulation by woodlice, with the only exception being for Cu, which was related to the exchangeable soil fraction. Soil conditions e.g. pH and OM, influenced metal association within the soil and OM played a significant role in restricting uptake of Cr and Pb in particular. For most of the metals studied, despite differences in the environmental availability of the metals, accumulation from ambient soil concentration is controlled by ecological and physiological factors influencing metal assimilation, storage and excretion and that the two biological species vary considerably in their regulation of individual metals.     

Biomarkers of Heavy Metal Contamination in the Red Fingered Marsh Crab, Parasesarma erythodactyla

Variation in glutathione antioxidant biochemistry in response to metal contamination and accumulation under field conditions was examined in the brachyurid grapsid, Parasesarma erythodactyla. Significant relationships suggesting accumulation were found between sediment metals and metals in crab tissue for Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn, and Se in males and Cd, Pb, Cr Zn, As, and Se in females. Higher pH and lower organic content were associated with greater uptake of selected metals in males and females. Higher salinity was related to increased metal uptake for Cu and Zn in males and lower salinities to increased Se uptake for males and females. When examining metals, which were elevated in crabs, patterns of site discrimination were similar to sediment metal site discrimination for both males and females. In terms of biochemical responses, glutathione levels remained constant while glutathione peroxidase activity was elevated in individuals where metals were elevated. Only females with the highest levels of accumulated metals exhibited increases in lipid peroxidation products. Glutathione peroxidase activity may be a sensitive biomarker of metal exposure and biological effect and lipid peroxides as a secondary marker when accumulated metals are high.     

Trace Element Concentrations in European Pond Turtles (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Emys orbicularis</Emphasis>) from Brenne Natural Park,France

We assessed trace elements concentration in European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) from Brenne Natural Park (France). We sampled road-killed turtles (N?=?46) to measure the concentrations of 4 non-essential (Ag, Cd, Hg, and Pb) and 10 essential (As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se, V, and Zn) elements in muscle, skin, liver and claws. Body size or sex did not influence the concentrations of most elements; except for Hg (liver, skin and claws) and Zn (muscle) which increased with body size. We found relatively high concentrations of Hg and Zn, possibly linked to fish farming. This result deserves future investigations to evaluate possible ecotoxicological effects on E. orbicularis.