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This study's goal was to learn more about how agrowaste plants tolerate, absorb, and accumulate a number of metals that are of relevance to the environment. Adsorption of lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) ions from synthetic aqueous solutions and wastewater using natural waste residues (NWRs) such as moringa, Lupinus, sugarcane straw, and tea residue was evaluated. The adsorbents used for this study were prepared by washing, drying, and grinding. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis were used to characterize the adsorbents' waste residues. The effect of different parameters such as pH, dose of adsorbents, and the initial concentration of heavy metals, as well as the adsorption isotherm parameters were studied. Moringa, Lupinus, sugarcane straw, or tea residue results were found to fit the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The adsorption capacity reached 14.59, 16.10, 12.73, and 15.01 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption study's overall results indicated the removal efficiency pattern as moringa > tea > Lupinus > sugarcane straw. At a dose of 0.5 g/L, the maximum removal percentages for lead, chromium, selenium, copper, and zinc ions were 90.2, 76.55, 70.55, 76.6, and 78.9, respectively. The materials might be regarded as efficient adsorbents for extracting the ions Pb, Cr, Se, Cu, and Zn from wastewater, according to the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between heavy metal contamination in sediment and macrofauna in the upper Gulf of Thailand is presented as an indication of the environmental quality of coastal waters. This study aims to monitor five heavy metal elements (As, Cd, Mn, Ni, and Pb) between sediment and the sandworm (Perinereis quatrefagesi (P. quatrefagesi)). The geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), and contamination factor (CF), including the pollution load index (PLI), were used for statistical analyses by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and differences in the data were compared using the least significant difference (LSD) test. The sediment heavy metal concentrations were found to decrease (Al > Mn > Pb > Ni > Cd > As), and the quantity of heavy metal contamination in the sediment was not over the emergency point defined by the Pollution Control Department in Thailand. The Mn at the SH and SP points has Igeo > 0 but <1 and is considered not polluted to moderately polluted. The EF overall is <2 and is deficient in mineral enrichment. The CF of the Samut Sakhon (SH) and Samut Prakan (SP) sites had high Al and Mn values, indicating a low pollution level, but the PLI had an all-site average of 0.0215 ± 0.0252, which is <1. This indicates that the present areas are close to ideal and not polluted. To measure heavy metals in macrofauna, P. quatrefagesi was assessed, and concentrations were found to decrease (Mn > Ni > Cd > Pb > As). The Mn between sediment and the sandworm was directly correlated (r = 0.976; p < 0.01). The sandworm performs as a bioindicator for the quality of coastal sediment, specifically with Mn; thus, the result present at a baseline level may grow in the future if there is no control measure for defensive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study analyzes the survey data on the surface sediments in 355 stations in Xiamen Sea area during 2004-2006, 2007-2009, 2010-2013, and 2014-2016. The result finds that contents of TOC, sulfide, and oils in the surface sediments were generally low but showed significant spatial differences (p < 0.05) in most cases, with TOC in the West Sea area (WS) staying significantly higher than other sea areas. Xiamen Sea area suffered universal heavy metal pollution mainly from Cu and Zn for years in the WS, the Jiulong River Estuary (JE), and the East Sea area (ES), and the heavy metal pollution index (HPI) exhibited significant spatial differences across the four periods (p < 0.05). With the source of heavy metals in the WS being mainly related to human activities, Cu and Zn were related to the development of port shipping and Pb to aquaculture. The heavy metal pollution in JE was mainly related to the input of rivers emptying into the sea. The high Cu content in the ES was related to the direct discharge of massive domestic sewage into the sea at the time. From 2004 to 2016, the potential ecological risks of heavy metals in Xiamen Sea area stayed low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the level of heavy metals in the Holeta and Golli rivers and their impacts on the community of Holeta town, Ethiopia. Water samples were collected from eight randomly selected locations (4 sites from each river). A questionnaire survey, FGD, and KII were also used. Secondary data were also taken from the nearby health center. The flame atomic absorption spectrometer was used to analyze the samples. Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Co, and Cd were the identified heavy metals. The Holeta River contains Fe > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb > Co > Cd, whereas the Golli River contains Fe > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb > Co > Cd. The levels of Fe, Cr, Ni, Fe, and Mn were above the permissible limit of WHO (1984) and USEPA (1992). The primary sources of income for the people who lived in the area were farming and jobs on flower farms. Wastewaters discharged from the surrounding flower farms were the major polluting source (84.3%) of the river. About 84.3% of the surrounding community claimed that wastewaters discharged from the flower farms are the major polluting sources of both rivers. Many of the flower farmworkers (43.9%) have also exposure to toxic insecticides and pesticides used on the farm. About 60% and 20.5% of the workers have frequent severe headaches and skin irritation due to exposure to heavy metals. Generally, both the surrounding community and flower farmworkers are facing significant health and socioeconomic impacts due to the heavy metals joining the rivers. Therefore, effective management of pollution sources and continuous monitoring of the river quality is very imperative to minimize the impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Welders are exposed to metal ions or oxides through direct contact at occupational sites or indirectly through uptake from contaminated dust or air. This study was a case-control study designed to assess the levels of some heavy metals and the hematological profile of welders (cases) as compared to nonwelders (controls) from Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai District of Ghana, comparatively to determine whether their values are within acceptable international range. A quantitative-based survey using structured questionnaires was used to collect demographic data from purposively selected welders (n = 40) and nonwelders (n = 40) from the study area. Five (5 mL) blood samples were collected from the study participants and analyzed for blood cell count as well as levels of Mn, Fe, Pb, and Zn. There were no significant differences in the Mn, Zn, and Fe levels between the welders and nonwelders (p=0.431, 0.53 vs. 0.23 mg/L, p=0.05, 0.41 vs. 0.15, p=0.886, 1.82 vs. 1.11). The level of Pb was, however, significantly lower among welders compared to the nonwelders (p=0.016, 0.09 < 0.3 mg/L). The total white blood cell count did not differ significantly between welders and nonwelders (p=0.365, 5.16 vs. 4.85 × 109/L). However, the mixed cell fraction was significantly higher among welders compared to nonwelders (p=0.027, 0.34 × 109/L > 0.28 × 109/L). Red blood cell count and indices showed no significant differences between the welders and nonwelders. Hemoglobin levels in welders were, however, higher (14.47 g/dL) but this was not statistically significant compared to their nonwelder counterparts (13.85 g/dL). It was concluded from the study that welders in Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai District of the Western Region of Ghana had elevated levels of Pb in their bodies. This was associated with an increase in mixed white blood cell fraction platelets. However, the recorded levels were within the accepted physiological limits suggesting that the heavy metal exposure of welders had no clinically pathological significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Welders are exposed to metal ions or oxides through direct contact at occupational sites or indirectly through uptake from contaminated dust or air. This study was a case-control study designed to assess the levels of some heavy metals and the hematological profile of welders (cases) as compared to nonwelders (controls) from Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai District of Ghana, comparatively to determine whether their values are within acceptable international range. A quantitative-based survey using structured questionnaires was used to collect demographic data from purposively selected welders (n = 40) and nonwelders (n = 40) from the study area. Five (5 mL) blood samples were collected from the study participants and analyzed for blood cell count as well as levels of Mn, Fe, Pb, and Zn. There were no significant differences in the Mn, Zn, and Fe levels between the welders and nonwelders (p = 0.431 , 0.53 vs. 0.23 mg/L, p = 0.05 , 0.41 vs. 0.15, p = 0.886 , 1.82 vs. 1.11). The level of Pb was, however, significantly lower among welders compared to the nonwelders (p = 0.016 , 0.09 < 0.3 mg/L). The total white blood cell count did not differ significantly between welders and nonwelders (p = 0.365 , 5.16 vs. 4.85 × 109/L). However, the mixed cell fraction was significantly higher among welders compared to nonwelders (p = 0.027 , 0.34 × 109/L > 0.28 × 109/L). Red blood cell count and indices showed no significant differences between the welders and nonwelders. Hemoglobin levels in welders were, however, higher (14.47 g/dL) but this was not statistically significant compared to their nonwelder counterparts (13.85 g/dL). It was concluded from the study that welders in Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai District of the Western Region of Ghana had elevated levels of Pb in their bodies. This was associated with an increase in mixed white blood cell fraction platelets. However, the recorded levels were within the accepted physiological limits suggesting that the heavy metal exposure of welders had no clinically pathological significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Heavy metal concentration [mg/dL, MP] in soil and the transfer to vegetable organs may have a sampling effect. We compared the [MP] in soil and organ samples of Beta vulgaris collected in sites with socioeconomic differences potentially inducing phytotoxicity.Materials and Methods: Samples of Beta vulgaris and soils (n = 4 per sample of soil and plant material) were randomly collected from two distant geographic areas (Mosquera and Sibaté, Cundinamarca, Colombia). We determined the [MP] using acid digestion of HCl : HNO3 [1 : 1]; the [MP] was obtained by atomic absorption in Varian AA-140 and Shimadzu AA-7000 equipment. A two-way ANOVA estimated the effect (partial η2) of the sampling site and metal type on the [MP] and transfer to the vegetable.Results: In Sibaté, the means (SD) of As_1.44 (0.18), Co_1.09 (0.51), Cr_6.21 (0.33), Ni_0.22 (0.02), and Pb_4.17 (0.87) were higher than in Mosquera (As_1.06 (0.21), Co_0.81 (0.19), Cr_3.72 (0.51), Ni_0.13 (0.04), and Pb_1.69 (0.40)) (p value <0.05). The effect of the interaction between the metal type and Beta vulgaris organs on the [MP] (0.801) in Sibaté was more meaningful than in Mosquera (0.430). Additionally, there was a strong correlation (Spearman's ρ > 0.8, p value <0.001) between [MP_soil] and [MP_plants] and between the transfer of metals to the plant and to the leaves. Discussion. The sampling location has a differential effect on the [MP] in soil and the transfer to Beta vulgaris. Given the differential effect described, the monitoring and phytoremediation strategies must be adjusted to scenarios with potentially phytotoxic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human exposure to nonessential trace elements occurs from food crops that are contaminated by the soil. The present study aimed to determine the level of heavy metals in soil and rice samples using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer from three major industrial areas in Bangladesh: Savar, Gazipur, and Ashulia. Heavy metals were detected in the order Fe > Zn > Ni > Cr > Pb > Co > Cu > Cd > As and Zn > Cu > Cr > Co > Fe > Cd > Pb > Ni > As in the soil and rice samples, respectively. From this analysis, it was observed that the detected concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cr, and Co were higher than the WHO/FAO recommended maximum tolerance values. The transfer factor of the detected heavy metals from soil to rice was detected in the following order: Zn > Cu > Cr > Co > Cd > Pb > Fe > As > Ni. The accumulation of heavy metals in rice is a major public health concern. Therefore, we recommend strict regulations for the safety of food crops grown in the study areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appreciable levels of trace metals have been reported in the Tano basin, but data on the corresponding levels in fish and the risk they pose to consumers are limited. The levels of 7 trace metals in 18 fish muscles were assessed between November 2016 and October 2017 using acid digestion and PerkinElmer (PinAACle 900T) Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Apart from Cu, all the metals studied were detected in all fish samples. The levels of Cr, As, and Hg were higher than the acceptable levels of fish muscles. Cr concentration ranged from 16.10 ± 0.2 mg/kg in Clarias gariepinus to 57.9 ± 4.2 mg/kg in Sarotherodon galilaeus. The levels of As ranged from 1.01 ± 0.08 in Clarias gariepinus to 3.00 ± 0.01 mg/kg in Mormyrus rume. Hg level was 0.58 ± 0.69 mg/kg in Oreochromis niloticus and 2.52 ± 0.70 mg/kg in Ctenopoma kingsleyae. However, Pb, Zn, and Cd concentrations were below the Food and Agriculture Organization limits with low target hazard quotients in all fish samples, suggesting no possible noncarcinogenic risks to adult consumers. Possible noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks were recorded for As, Hg, and Cr in all fish species. Strong associations were observed between Hg, As, Zn, and Cr and between Pb and Cd suggesting a possible common source. Mormyrus rume fish species was under stress in the river, but the remaining species were in good condition. Periodic monitoring of trace metal concentrations in fish and enforcement of the buffer zone policy are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]