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Floriculture is a new and rapidly expanding sector in Ethiopia that aids economic growth but has also come under blame for pollution of the surrounding soil. The purpose of this study was to assess the soil physicochemical properties and heavy metal contents in floriculture in the Amhara Region of Northwest Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from seven different greenhouses (2ABC, 4DEF, 5ABC, 7DEF, 8ABC, 9DEF, and 11DEF), and a control soil sample was taken on the 15‐cm depth from a nearby agricultural area. They were analyzed for soil physicochemical parameters and heavy metal compositions. Soil texture showed a significant difference between the soils sampled from the greenhouses and the control group. The highest average clay, silt, and sand contents were recorded in the control group, 4DEF, and 9DEF, respectively. The lower clay content was at 9 DEF, silt at 11 DEF, and sand in the control group. Clay was positively correlated to soil pH (r = 0.66) and TN (r = 0.38) but showed significant negative correlation with the sand fraction (r = −0.96). The average bulk density (BD) values of the soils from the greenhouses were within acceptable ranges; however, the mean BD value of 7DEF was relatively highest (1.34 g/cm3). There were significant (P < 0.05) changes in soil pH and electrical conductivity, with pH values ranging from 5.8 to 7.17 and EC from 0.08 to 1.72 mScm−1. Soil organic carbon, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, and carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratio of the soil samples from the greenhouses and the control group were significantly different. There were also significant differences in soil exchangeable aluminum and acidity between greenhouse soil samples and the control group. Soil contents of some of the heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Mn, and Cu) in the floriculture soil were above the permissible limits, while Cr, Zn, and Ni contents were below. The soil in floriculture showed low quality compared to the control group and international standards, indicating the need for improved soil quality management. This study recommends reducing agrochemical use, increasing bio‐fertilizers, using botanicals, and transitioning to organic farming. Further studies are needed to assess soil microbial diversity and abundance for soil fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased anthropogenic activities are suspected to have contributed to the Tano basin heavy metal/metalloids water quality. However, data on land use contribution to the basin's heavy metal/metalloids pollution are limited. The study assessed the contribution of land use to the basin's heavy metals/metalloids pollution by assessing the levels of heavy metals/metalloids in 36 water samples taken from the source/control and experimental sites along the basin. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to analysis samples. Metals/metalloids concentrations in water samples from the basin's source and the physicochemical parameters were compared with the corresponding concentrations in samples from the experimental sites. Significantly, higher heavy metal/metalloids concentrations and physicochemical levels were identified in the experimental sites than the source/control site. Heavy metal/metalloids levels at the source were as follows: As (0.001 ± 0.11 mg/L) < Cd (0.003 ± 0.34 mg/L) < Zn (0.011 ± 0.97 mg/L) but Pb, Hg, and Cr were not detected. The corresponding levels in the experimental sites were As (0.014 ± 0.88 mg/L) < Hg (0.051 ± 0.76 mg/L) < Cd (0.056 ± 0.45 mg/L) < Zn (0.166 ± 1.95 mg/L) < Cr (0.299 ± 0.42 mg/L) < Pb (0.428 ± 0.44 mg/L). Control water pH was slightly acidic (5.38 ± 3.4) but the experimental sites were near neutrality (7.35 ± 2.1). Noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were detected for water consumption by children and adults in the experimental but none in the control. Land use activities identified were industrial, agricultural, and commercial. Enforcement of buffer zone protection laws is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study reveals the concentration of heavy metals in sediment, water, and three fish species of the Korotoa River in Bangladesh. Two diverse seasons, namely wet (August–September 2021) and dry (January–February 2022) were chosen to compare the seasonal differences of five concerning heavy metals (Cr, Co, Pb, As, and Cd) adjacent to coal mining area using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Different physicochemical parameters of water quality along with the concentration of heavy metals varied significantly with the seasons. However, the average concentrations of the examined heavy metals followed the downward order of Cr > Pb > As > Co > Cd for both wet and dry seasons. The mean concentration of heavy metals in fish was found higher in Mastacembelus armatus compared with Labeo bata and Amblypharyngodon mola. The values of the researched heavy metals' enrichment factors were reported in the following order: As > Co > Cr > Cd. The pollution load index (PLI) specified that the sediment of the river under study was not seriously contaminated (PLI <1). However, the content of heavy metals in the water was discovered to be much greater than the standards for safe drinking water limits and the preservation of freshwater aquatic life, demonstrating that the river water from this area is unsafe for use as drinking water or for cooking. However, the study suggests relevant authorities should take necessary action to stop further pollution in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on heavy metal pollution in horticultural farms located around lakes in the Central Ethiopian Rift Valley Region has focused on measuring the levels of heavy metals and their health implications. However, the ecological risks of horticultural farms contaminated with heavy metals in this region have not been studied. The current study addresses this gap by providing information on the degree of heavy metal contamination and the ecological risk associated with horticultural farms around Lake Ziway, using various pollution indices. An inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP‐OES) was used to measure the concentrations of nine heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Hg, and Zn) in a total of 30 composite soil and irrigation water samples, each consisting of a mix of six subsamples. The results indicated that the mean concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb, and Zn in soils collected from all the sampling sites exceeded the FAO/WHO maximum permissible limit (MPL). The values of both the contamination factor (CF) and contamination degree (Cd) of the heavy metals ranged from 0.04 to 2.66 and 2.81 to 6.14, respectively, indicating a low to medium level of contamination for both indices. The pollution load index (PLI) values of 0.451, 0.449, and 0.157 for sites 2, 1, and 3, respectively, indicate "unpolluted" to "moderately polluted" levels of heavy metal pollution. However, the ecological risk indices (ERIs) at sites 2 and 1 (158.92 and 141, respectively) showed a potentially high ecological risk due to soil pollution. Therefore, close monitoring and early intervention mechanisms must be in place to control pollution in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, activated carbon cloth (ACC) derived from cypress fruit was employed to investigate the adsorption of Pb2+, Cd2+, and Co2+ from synthetic aqueous systems. The correlation between adsorption features (pH, adsorbent dosage, temperature, initial ion concentration, and contact time) and adsorbent removal efficiency was investigated. Analysis by FT-IR, SEM, and EDS was employed to confirm the adsorption of metal ions onto the ACC. Results revealed the best adsorption efficiencies for heavy metal ions were attained at pH = 7, 11, 6; the adsorbent dosage of 0.06, 0.08, and 0.04 g for Pb2+, Cd2+, and Co2+, respectively; the ion initial concentration of 50 mg·L−1 for Pb2+ and 70 mg·L−1 for both Co2+ and Cd2+; and contact time of 90 minutes for both Pb2+ and Co2+ and 120 minutes for Cd2+. Kinetic studies exposed the second-order adsorption of all aforementioned heavy metal ions. Additionally, the equilibrium data were fitted by Langmuir and Freundlich's isotherms, while the former performed better than the latter. The maximum adsorption capacity values for Pb2+, Co2+, and Cd2+ were attained to 81.87, 55.30, and 117.3 mg·g−1, respectively. Considering the thermodynamic data, the studied processes were exothermic and spontaneous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health implications for the population due to consuming contaminated crops have been a great concern worldwide. This study aimed to measure the levels of potential toxic elements in lentils and their growing soil in Dawunt Woreda, Ethiopia. Accordingly, 15 soil samples along with the lentil samples were collected to measure the level of potential toxic elements, including chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and cobalt (Co), by using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer and for assessing the potential ecological and human health risk. The wet digestion method using aqua regia (HCl/HNO3 3 : 1) was employed for soil and lentil sample preparation. The mean concentrations of Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Cr in the lentil sample were 60.4, 9.68, 0.75, 5.7, 0.25, 0.9, and 1.15 mg/kg, respectively. In soil, the mean concentrations of Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Cr were 649, 19.9, 3.32, 40.0, 15.2, 1.83, and 69.1 mg/kg, respectively. All of the potential toxic metals in agricultural soil and lentil samples were found to be below the reference level set by the World Health Organization, except Cd, in the soil samples. Five single metal and three cumulative pollution index parameters were employed for the data and results showed that Fe, Cu, and Cr moderately pollute the soil and are highly contaminated by Cd. The cumulative pollution indices also confirmed that the extent of soil pollution varied from highly contaminated to moderate contamination. The possible health risks at various exposure routes have also been estimated. The single-metal and cumulative-metals health risks (cancer and noncancer) of adults and children due to chronic exposure to soil and consumption of lentils were estimated using the health quotient and health index values as per the United States Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. Thus, the results revealed no significant adverse health risks (cancer and noncancer) for adults and children. Therefore, the inhabitants in the study area have no significant health impacts due to either the consumption of lentil crops or exposure to agricultural soil particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contamination of aquatic environments by heavy metals can have detrimental effects on fish, impacting their growth and overall health, including the regulation of antioxidant genes. An investigation was carried out to assess the distribution and habitat of Gymnocypris eckloni in the Yellow River basin. Simultaneously, heavy metal concentrations in its habitat and in selected locations within the upper Yellow River were measured. In an effort to explore the potential roles of specific genes in antioxidant responses, G. eckloni was exposed to low concentrations of copper (Cu2+) and lead (Pb2+) for varying durations (12, 24, and 48 hours). The mRNA levels of GeCu/Zn-SOD, GeMn-SOD, GeHsp90, and GeMT were quantified in the gills, kidneys, and liver through qRT-PCR. The findings suggest that the habitat of G. eckloni is generally safe; however, occasional exceedances of safety standards could pose a potential threat to its growth. Importantly, the expression of GeCu/Zn-SOD, GeMn-SOD, GeHsp90, and GeMT exhibited responses to the low concentrations of copper-induced and lead-induced stress. Notably, GeCu/Zn-SOD, GeMn-SOD, and GeMT demonstrated heightened sensitivity to lead compared to copper. Furthermore, the expression of these genes displayed tissue-specific responses under identical metal stress conditions. These results indicate that GeCu/Zn-SOD, GeMn-SOD, GeHsp90, and GeMT genes have the potential to serve as early, sensitive biomarkers for the detection of metal toxicity induced by Cu2+ and Pb2+. This study also provides valuable insights into the functioning of antioxidant genes under oxidative stress in fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of farm produce by toxic heavy metals has become a serious global health concern. These metals can bioaccumulate in plant tissues and are precursors for major public health problems such as cancer and neural impairment. Khat (Catha edulis) also referred to as miraa has the potential to sequester and accumulate both micronutrients and potentially toxic heavy metals in its consumable parts—tender leaves and soft barks of young shoots which are known to possess psychoactive properties when consumed. Therefore, the motivation behind this contribution is to determine the levels of six heavy metals, namely, cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), and nickel (Ni) in consumable Meru khat samples, compare these levels with the permissible limits of World Health Organization (WHO) in order to predict associated health risks, and to estimate the noncarcinogenic risks of these metals by total health quotient (THQ) and health index (HI) on khat consumers. 1.0 g of dry ground khat samples was digested in 0.05 M HCl and allowed to stand for 5 hours before being analyzed for heavy metals using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The mean heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg) in dry khat samples of six toxic heavy metals were Cd (7.81 ± 1.56), Cr (15.98 ± 2.22), Cu (15.81 ± 2.84), Fe (97.35 ± 32.67), Ni (0.37 ± 0.02), and Pb (32.36 ± 9.95). Based on the results, the mean levels of Pb, Cd, and Cr exceeded WHO permissible limits. In addition, the Pb and Cd THQ values and the HI of the six heavy metals investigated in the khat samples exceeded the threshold value of 1.0. Furthermore, the THQ and HI values showed that Pb and Cd were potentially the major contributors to noncarcinogenic risks on regular khat consumers. This is a matter of concern on the excessive consumption of Meru khat-based products, which over time may cause a toxicological response. Based on the findings of this study, the use of agrochemicals should significantly be minimized in khat farming. Accordingly, the Meru khat farmers should be sensitized on alternative farming practices that do not potentially cause heavy metal contamination in khat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluates the human health risk of metals in locally consumed herbal preparations used to treat diabetes. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used after microwave-assisted digestion to mineralize the samples. Toxic metal assessment was done by adopting mathematical modeling for carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks in the exposed population and comparing the raw results with maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by regulatory authorities. Hazard quotient (HQ) values for Fe, Hg, Cu, Pb, and Zn were recorded above 1. Noncarcinogenic health risks remain in 29% of samples for Fe, 67% of samples for Hg, 17% of samples for Cu, 33% of samples for Pb, and 4% of samples for Zn. Hazard index (HI) values in 33% of samples were above 1. Carcinogenic risks for Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni were higher than the acceptable limit (1 × 10−6). Carcinogenic health risks exist in 54% of samples for Pb, 58% of samples for Cr, 46% of samples for Cd, and 58% of samples for Ni. MRLs for metals were crossed in samples in varying degrees. This is a harrowing account and may put public health safety at risk. Considering these facts, there should be more investigation into toxic metals in other frequently marketed herbal drugs in the antidiabetic and other therapeutic classes. Pre- and postmarket monitoring strategies for the preparations should also be in place to ensure safe consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, for the first time, the levels of thirteen micro- and macromineral nutrients in the leaves, seeds, and supportive soil of Moringa stenopetala (M. stenopetala) were simultaneously determined using microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES). The samples were collected during the arid season, in 2019 from the three main M. stenopetala growing areas in southern Ethiopia (Chano Mile Kebele, Nechisar Kebele, and Konso Special Woreda). A novel digestion method for leaf and seed samples was developed using an optimized acid mixture (2.5 : 0.75 : 0.5 of HNO3, HClO4, and H2O2) at 240°C for 2 hrs and 30 min, resulting in clear and colorless solutions. The method makes the digestion process more efficient by minimizing the reagent volume, reducing digestion temperature and time, and simplifying the overall procedure. The efficiency of the optimized procedure was validated by spiking experiments, and the percentage recovery ranged between 94 and 110%. Under optimized experimental conditions, higher concentrations of essential minerals (K, Na, Ca, and Mg) were observed in the plant leaf and seed samples from the three areas. In addition, significant amounts of trace elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) were also found. Importantly, no traces of the toxic elements (Cd and Pb) were detected in any of the analyzed samples, suggesting that the leaves and seeds of M. stenopetala are valuable sources of both micro- and macromineral nutrients and are safe from toxic metals. From a dietary perspective, the seed contains almost comparable concentrations of minerals as the leaves. As a result, the seeds of M. stenopetala can serve as an alternative source of minerals and play a role in overcoming the current global food crisis, particularly in the dry season. Analysis of variance at a 95% confidence level revealed significant differences in the levels of all mineral nutrients between the three sample means except K, Ca, Co, and Cu. Generally, the developed method includes an innovative digestion procedure that minimizes reagent consumption, operates at lower temperatures, and requires shorter digestion times, thereby optimizing resource utilization and maintaining analytical accuracy. Notably, the absence of toxic elements in the MP-AES procedure highlights the safety and reliability of M. stenopetala leaves and seeds as valuable, contamination-free sources of essential nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longyan City in Fujian Province is one of China's top-quality tobacco-producing areas and plays an essential role in local economic development. To determine the correlation between heavy metal content in tobacco leaves and soil factors, soil physical and chemical properties and heavy metal contents of lead, cadmium, and copper in tobacco leaves were measured and analyzed by the correlation regression method. The content of lead, cadmium, and copper in soil was determined using hydrochloric acid extraction-AAS and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was used to determine heavy metal in tobacco leaf. The findings revealed that the average concentrations of lead, cadmium, and copper in the soil were 12.1, 0.092, and 3.88 mg/kg, respectively. In contrast, the average levels of lead, cadmium, and copper in tobacco leaves were 2.33, 4.89, and 4.35 mg/kg, respectively. The cadmium enrichment coefficient of 54.3 was higher than lead and copper, indicating a greater health risk. Soil pH value was negatively correlated with lead content in tobacco leaf, while potassium and phosphorus nutrient levels were negatively correlated with copper content. In contrast, a positive correlation was established between the presence of organic matter with cadmium content in tobacco leaves. The prediction models of lead, cadmium, and copper in tobacco leaves can be expressed by the regression equation corresponding to each heavy metal as follows: Y Pb = 2.33 − 0.005 ∗ X K + 0.007 ∗ X N − 0.271 ∗ X pH + 0.065 ∗ X Pb ( R 2 = 0.787), Y Cd = 1.55 + 0.012 ∗ X OM − 0.014 ∗ X Cu + 34.6 ∗ X Cd ( R 2 = 0.891), and Y Cu = 4.64 − 0.029 ∗ X P − 0.007 ∗ X K + 0.245 ∗ X Cu ( R 2 = 0.724), respectively. The prediction models above provide an effective predictive tool for assessing heavy metal risk in tobacco leaves using soil properties in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several scientific investigations have revealed that the leaching of metals from packaging material into the packed food is an unavoidable process. Hence, this study is aimed at investigating the effect of leached heavy metals from food packing materials on normal human gut flora. We analysed the effect of vanadium, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury present in digested packaging materials (DPM) on standard strains of Escherichia coli ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 70063, and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of laboratory-grade heavy metal salts and heavy metals present in DPM was determined by the agar dilution method. For all four bacteria, the MIC of cadmium and arsenic in the DPM was 7 μg/ml and 1.6 μg/ml, respectively. The MIC of mercury in DPM was 1.6 μg/ml for E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and E. faecalis and 1.4 μg/ml for P. aeruginosa. MIC of vanadium for E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and E. faecalis was 2.2 μg/ml, and for K. pneumoniae was 2.0 μg/ml. The difference in MICs of heavy metals in DPMs and heavy metal salts was not statistically significant. MICs were within CODEX-specified permissible levels. Though heavy metals in packaging material have not shown a deleterious effect on representative human gut flora, there is scope to study their effect on the gut microbiome. Thus, understanding the risk of heavy metal ingestion through unknown sources and avoiding any possible ingestion is crucial to preventing chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of the environmental receptors with heavy metals due to mining is a major topical environmental issue in Ghana. This research investigates the possible ecological and human health risks of heavy metal impacts due to mining in the Amansie West District in Ghana. A total of 18 soil samples were taken from the Bontesso illegal mining site in the district and analyzed for the levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). From principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and correlation coefficient analysis, the metals are derived from multiple sources, with substantial levels of correlations. Using geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (Cd), pollution load index (PLI), ecological risk index (Er), and noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, respectively, the impacts of As (12.2 mg/kg) and Cd (1.3 mg/kg) are above the WHO stipulated limit. Findings for pollution indices indicate moderate contamination, while HQ < 1 for inhalation and dermal exposure route, except for ingestion which is HQ > 1. Based on the USEPA standard, the carcinogenic risk of the pollutants for humans is higher than the range of 1 × 10−6 to 1 × 10−4. Furthermore, the ingestion route represents the highest contributor to cancer risk with arsenic posing the greatest risk. The results so far suggest that chemical components gradually accumulate and thus emphasize the importance of implementing the necessary mitigation methods to minimize the impacts of illegal mining activities in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a nutritious food, eggs are capable of accumulating heavy metals and are a good indicator of environmental contamination. This study is aimed at determining the levels of heavy metal residues (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in hen eggs after applying different cooking methods. In an experimentally designed study, forty-four hen egg samples were selected from 22 best-selling brands of supermarkets in Tehran and categorized into one of four groups (raw, dry-frying, and boiling with and without eggshells). The levels of heavy metal residues were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The average levels of heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in raw samples were 0.307, 1.654, 0.121, and 6.5 (μg.kg-1), respectively. After applying cooking methods, the residue of two heavy metals in boiling without eggshells (As: 0.228 ± 0.197 ; Cd: 1.985 ± 0.037) was lower than boiling with eggshells (As: 0.457 ± 0.918 ; Cd: 2.11 ± 0.223 μg.kg-1), while the dry-frying method had the lowest level of heavy metal residue (As: 0.222 ± 0.109 ; Cd: 1.54 ± 0.223) (p < 0.05) and could be identified as efficient in reducing the amount of these heavy metals. In addition, different cooking methods did not make a significant difference in other heavy metal residues (Hg and Pb). To explain this reduction, two hypotheses can be proposed to explain the reduction of heavy metals after applying different cooking methods. First, the eggshell is permeable; the second is the association of heavy metals bonding with sulfur groups and weight loss due to evaporation. All heavy metal residues were found to be within acceptable permissible thresholds. Therefore, policymakers should protect the health of the population by continuously monitoring heavy metals in foods and prioritizing education and research on how to reduce them in the food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 120-day growth trial was completed to assess rearing water quality and fish performance in terms of growth, feed efficacy, digestive enzymes, immunity, and antioxidant activity of seabass fed an experimental diet (ED) supplemented with commercial wood charcoal (WC) and activated wood charcoal (AC). Three levels (0, 10, and 20 g) of WC and AC were administered, representing five treatments: control (CD) fish-fed ED without additives, (WC-1) fish-fed ED containing 10 g kg−1 WC, (WC-2) fish-fed ED containing 20 g kg−1 WC, (AC-1) fish-fed ED containing 10 g kg−1 AC, and (AC-2) fish-fed ED containing 20 g kg−1 AC. Three hundred fish (60.12 ± 0.20 g/fish) were stocked in 15 cement tanks (4.0 m × 2.0 m × 1.2 m, water volume 5 m3 each) at 20 fish/tank and a daily feed ration of 3% of body weight. Results revealed significant improvements with increased growth variables (final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate), decreased FCR, and decreased ammonia levels and heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Fe, Mn, and Zn) content in rearing water, muscle, and liver with fish fed WC and AC supplemented diets. Furthermore, considerable improvements in digestive enzymes, immunity, and antioxidant activity, with enhanced kidneys, liver, intestines, gills, and spleen. Fish fed the WC-1 diet had a higher final weight (171.90 g), better FCR (1.25), and improved internal organs than the other groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fingerprinting techniques, which utilize the unique chemical and physical properties of food samples, have emerged as a promising approach for food authentication and traceability. Recent studies have demonstrated significant advancements in food authentication through the use of fingerprinting methods, such as multivariate statistical analysis techniques applied to trace elements and isotope ratios. However, further research is required to optimize these methods and ensure their validity and reliability in real-world applications. In this study, the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analytical method was employed to determine the content of 21 elements in 300 cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) samples from 5 brands. Multivariate statistical methods, such as principal components analysis (PCA), were employed to analyze the data obtained and establish the provenance of the cashew nuts. While cashew nuts are widely marketed in many countries, no universal method has been utilized to differentiate the origin of these nuts. Our study represents the initial step in identifying the geographical origin of commercial cashew nuts marketed in Vietnam. The analysis showed significant differences in the means of 21 of the 40 analyzed elements among the cashew nut samples from the 5 brands, including 7Li, 11B, 24Mg, 27Al, 44Ca, 48Ti, 51V, 52Cr, 55Mn, 57Fe, 60Ni, 63Cu, 66Zn, 93Nb, 98Mo, 111Cd, 115In, 121Sb, 138Ba, 208Pb, and 209Bi. The PCA analysis indicated that the cashew nut samples can be accurately classified according to their original locations. This research serves as a prerequisite for future studies involving the combination of elemental composition analysis with statistical classification methods for the accurate establishment of cashew nut provenance, which involves the identification of key markers for the original discrimination of cashew nuts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) is one the most toxic metals harmful for both animals and plants. In this study, we test whether silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can protect plants from cadmium toxicity. AgNPs treatments (0 and 100 μg/L) were applied to Datura stramonium calli grown in different cadmium metal environments (0, 150, 300, 450, and 600 μM). Cd application led to a decrease in fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), relative water content (RWC), total chlorophyll content (Chl.T), tolerance index (Ti), and bioaccumulation factor (BCF). The Cd treatment increased the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), catalase (CAT), and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) contents and Cd accumulation (Cd con). These results show the positive role of AgNPs in protecting the callus cultures from oxidative stress. The AgNPs pretreatment improved the growth of tissue cultures compared to nontreatment, increasing FW, DW, RWC, and Chl.T; the highest CAT and GPX activities were detected in the AgNPs pretreatment condition; and AgNPs pretreatment improved Ti and BCF, despite increased Cd. Also, this treatment caused a decrease in H2O2. Based on these results, we propose AgNPs as an effective agent to reduce the toxic effects of Cd metal on D. stramonium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the analysis of hydrothermal carbonization of Tetra Pak residues using diluted sulfuric acid to obtain hydrochars for cleaning water polluted by heavy metal ions. The hydrochar samples were prepared under different carbonization conditions, and a detailed study of their composition, textural parameters, and surface functionalities was performed. It was found that the hydrothermal carbonization and dwell time of the Tetra Pak wastes significantly affected the composition of the hydrochars. These hydrochar samples contained oxygenated functional groups and aluminum-silicon moieties that were responsible for the Pb2+, Zn2+, and Hg2+ adsorption. The removal of these heavy metal ions using Tetra Pak hydrochars was an endothermic and multi-ionic process. Hydrothermal carbonization is a promising approach to improve Tetra Pak waste management, generating materials with interesting properties for addressing the problem of wastewater and industrial effluent depollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals are well-known as destructive environmental pollutants that cause serious health problems. The use of bacterial biological biosorption has been proposed as a practical and environmentally friendly solution for the removal of heavy metals. The current study was conducted in in vitro and in situ conditions. Initially, seven strains of lactic acid bacteria with probiotic properties (Lacticaseibacillus casei, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus helveticus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus) were screened for their ability to bind cadmium, lead, and nickel in an aqueous solution. Three of the potent probiotic strains that showed the highest biosorption efficiency at this stage were selected for further analysis. The effect of these bacteria mixed at a ratio of 1 : 1 : 1 on the removal of toxic metals in fresh leaves of edible vegetables including coriander, leek, and parsley was evaluated within 15 and 30 minutes. During in vitro analysis, the sorption percentage of Pb and Cd appeared higher than 99% during 15 minutes of initial contact, while increasing contact time (30 minutes) had no significant effect on the removal of these metals. While during in situ analysis, Ni sorption by the selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates was significantly enhanced with increasing contact time, such that the highest biosorption rate was recorded in coriander leaves at 30 minutes (91.15%). Overall, E. faecium showed the highest sorption of Pb, Cd, and Ni (79.75 ± 0.11, 75.28 ± 0.05, and 83.99 ± 0.10%), respectively. The combination of three bacterial strains had a synergistic effect on the toxic metal binding capacity compared to the single state of these bacteria, and the biosorption level increased to 99.94 ± 0.02, 99.91 ± 0.01, and 93.75 ± 0.04%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed that the majority of Pb, Cd, and Ni were bound to the surface of the bacterial cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants represent an important class of traditional medicines. This research was conducted to assess the levels of selected heavy metals in some medicinal plants from Obuasi, a mining area in Ghana. Twenty different medicinal crops were sampled for this study. The levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) after wet digestion. The concentrations (mg/kg) of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, and Pb were 1.092 − 0.206, 1.341 − 0.253, 6.603 − 2.005, 0.045 − 0.001, 282.798 − 20.583, 4.967 − 1.676, and 26.410 − 0.629, respectively. Some concentrations of Cr, Cd, As, Mn, and Pb analyzed in all 20 medicinal plant samples exceeded WHO permissible limits for medicinal food while concentrations of Ni, As, and Hg for all the samples were below the WHO permissible limit. The estimated dietary intake (EDI) was compared to the tolerable daily intake recommended by WHO/FAO. Results obtained from hazard indices such as the hazard quotient and carcinogenic risk show that the medicinal plants are not likely to cause cancer if they are consumed over a prolonged period of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of different refining stages on physicochemical parameters, heavy metal, and mineral contents of sesame oil were investigated. The sesame oil from different refining stages (crude oil, neutralization, bleaching, deodorization, and refining stages) was taken from the local oil factory in Yazd, Iran. The fatty acid composition of oil samples was determined by GC-FID. The oxidation indexes including peroxide value, p-Anisidine, free fatty acid, TOTOX, total polar material, as well as antioxidant activity (FRAP and DPPH), and total phenolic content were measured. The mineral and heavy metal content of oil samples were analyzed by ICP-OES. Linoleic acid (41.1-42.4%), oleic acid (41-41.4%), palmitic acid (8.3-9.1%), and stearic acid (6.1-6.3%) were reported as the most dominant fatty acids in all oil samples. The results illustrated that the refining process had no significant effects on fatty acid composition except for slight changes in palmitic acid. It was shown that all oxidation indexes, antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and mineral, and heavy metals were decreased during oil refining. The highest decrease in oxidative indexes was reported in the deodorization stage. The total phenolic content, DPPH, and FRAP ranged from 4.79 to 56.56 mg GAE/100 g, 6852.64 to 867.89 mg/ml, and 54.74 to 127.4 mM FeSO4.7H2O in RSO and CSO, respectively, which the highest decrease was shown during the neutralizing stage. The order of metals in RSO was shown as P>Ca>K>Fe>Mg>Al>Cr>Pb>Ni>Cd>Cu>Co. Although all metals were decreased by the refining process, the Pb concentration (0.16 mg/kg) of RSO was evaluated as higher than the permissible limit. Considering that the refining process effectively reduces undesirable compounds, the consumption of crude sesame oil is not recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable and eco-friendly composite adsorbent was synthesized from modified jute fiber and gelatin and evaluated its efficacy in removing cadmium (Cd2+), lead (Pb2+), and chromium (Cr3+) ions from an aqueous solution. The prepared sample was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analyses, which revealed that gelatin successfully intercalated into the microcrystalline cellulose matrix. In batch adsorption studies, the effects of pH, adsorbent dosage, initial metal ions concentration, and temperature on the removal of heavy metal ions were investigated. The adsorption capacity of the composite varied with changing parameters, and the maximum removal efficiency obtained for Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cr3+ was 95%, 88%, and 70%, respectively, at pH 6 with 60 ppm of each metal ions concentration and an adsorbent dosage of 1.0 g L−1. Different functional groups in composite adsorbent facilitated heavy metal ions adsorption. Five error analysis methods were used to evaluate the fit the goodness of the data. The equilibrium adsorption and kinetic data were well-fitted with the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order, respectively. Moreover, the thermodynamic study showed that the adsorption was spontaneous, chemisorption, and endothermic. Our work offers a sustainable and biodegradable composite synthesized from modified jute fiber and gelatin for multimetal ions removal from an aqueous, which is an eco-friendly alternative to conventional nonbiodegradable adsorbents with potential environmental risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, polymeric nanocomposites of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) were synthesized by assembly of a biomimetic polymer-polydopamine (PDA)onto halloysite nanotubes (HNTs@PDA), followed by the in situ growth of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) on the surface of HNTs@PDA. The obtained nanocomposites (HNTs@PDA/ZIF-8) prevented agglomeration of ZIFs and increased the number of active sites derived from PDA. The factors influencing heavy metal ions (Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+) adsorption by HNTs@PDA/ZIF-8 were discussed. The Langmuir model was able to well describe the adsorption, and the maximum adsorption capacity of HNTs@PDA/ZIF-8 was calculated to be 285.00 mg/g for Cu2+, 515.00 mg/g for Pb2+, 185 mg/g for Cd2+ and 112.5 mg/g for Ni2+. Thermodynamic parameters confirmed that the adsorption was exothermic and spontaneous. Moreover, HNTs@PDA/ZIF-8 has good regenerability, which is very important in practical applications. The adsorption mechanism study showed that electrostatic attraction, coordination reactions and ion-exchange were the main mechanisms between the adsorbents and heavy metal ions. Hence, HNTs@PDA/ZIF-8 is a promising candidate for removing heavy metal ions from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hazardous heavy metal ions such as copper, zinc, nickel, chromium, cadmium, and lead engender a potential risk to human health. Among the processes involved in the retention of these contaminants, adsorption is advantageous for removing toxic metals because of its environmentally friendly aspect, efficiency, and low-cost operation. Information on the adsorption of heavy metals in soils from the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil is still scarce. In this study, the adsorption of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Pb) by a semiarid Brazilian bentonitic soil is investigated. This soil has been used as a bottom liner in an experimental municipal solid waste (MSW) cell located in Campina Grande, State of Paraíba, Brazil. The experimental cell consists of a landfill unit on an experimental scale, with the same constructive elements of a sanitary landfill. Disturbed and undisturbed samples of the investigated soil were collected at a quarry in the rural zone of Boa Vista (state of Paraiba, Northeast Brazil). Sorption attributes were determined via batch tests with a soil-solution ratio of 1 : 12.5 (4 g of dry soil to 50 mL of solution). Linear, Freundlich, and Langmuir isotherms were fitted to the experimental data, using as fitting parameters Pearson correlation coefficient ( R 2 ) and p value with a significance level α = 5 %. The ascending order of maximum adsorption capacity for heavy metals followed the series Ni < Cr < Zn < Cd < Cu < Pb. The maximum adsorbent capacities obtained were similar to those of other Brazilian soils and other adsorbents. Therefore, the studied soil has a high potential to be used in the retention of heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drinking water quality is fundamental to human physiology and health. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of drinking water in Gazer Town and selected kebele, in south Ari district, South Omo zone, Southern Ethiopia. A total of four drinking water samples were collected from densely populated urban areas of the Gazer Town and one rural Kebele. All the collected samples were analyzed for eight heavy metals, (Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) using standard procedures. The results were compared with other national and international standards. Among the analyzed samples, drinking water samples collected from selected kebele (Aynalem kebele), show mean concentrations heavy metals in (μg/L), (Mn (973 ± 10), Cu (1068 ± 1.5), Cr (2785 ± 25), Fe (4302 ± 15), Cd (1218 ± 18), Pb (720 ± 12), Co (1478 ± 3), and Zn (1790 ± 5)), and the results revel except, Co and Zn metals, all show concentrations higher than the national and international standards (such as USEPA (2008), WHO (2011), and New Zealand) recommended values. Among the eight heavy metals analyzed from drinking waters in Gazer Town, Cd and Cr were below the method detection than that of all sampling area. However, the concentration of Mn, Pb, Co, Cu, Fe, and Zn were ranged from mean values of 9 μg/L, 17.6 μg/L, 7.6 μg/L, 12 μg/L, 765 μg/L, and 494 μg/L, respectively. Except Pb metals, the analyzed metals in waters were below the currently recommended guidelines for drinking. Therefore, the government should adopt some treatment technologies such as sedimentation and aeration to minimize the concentration of zinc for safe drinking the water to the community of Gazer Town. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrations of heavy metals, namely, chromium, lead, cadmium, and copper, were evaluated in the water samples and selected fish organs (Labeobarbus intermedius) from the Borkena River, Ethiopia. The concentrations of these metals were determined using ELICO's SL-176 double-beam atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The distribution of heavy metals in water samples analyzed was in the order of magnitude of Cu > Cr > Cd > Pb. The average heavy metal concentrations recorded in the water samples were below the maximum permissible limit established by international and national organizations (WHO, EPA, and USEPA), except for cadmium. Organ specificity was observed for accumulating the selected heavy metals in the order of liver > kidney > muscles. Pearson's correlation results revealed that Cr and Cd originated from similar sources. Hazard quotient (HQ) and total hazard index (THI) results showed that Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb contents were safe and might not have adverse public health effects. From the point of carcinogenic risk, this study suggests that the observed Cr and Cd concentrations possibly pose a risk of developing cancer in the future. Controlling waste at the source and implementing remediation strategies should be done to reduce heavy metal pollution in the river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have emerged as a viable method for bioremediation of toxic metals while also producing energy. In this paper, we examine the issue of organic substrate as a source of metabolism for microbe growth in MFC, as well as its significance for metal ion degradation in tandem with energy production. This study focused on the use of commercial sugar as an organic substrate in a single-chamber MFC. The MFC was operated for 27 days, with the highest voltage of 150 mV achieved on day 12, and toxic metal bioremediation efficiencies of 89%, 76.45%, and 89.45% for Pb2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+, respectively. Every 24 hours, the organic substrate (sugar solution) was fed into the cell. This study's mechanism of metal ion degradation and electron transport is also thoroughly described. In addition, some future views have been highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Peri-implant diseases are emerging issues in contemporary implant dentistry. As biofilms play a critical role in peri-implant diseases, the characteristic of resisting bacterial adhesion would be ideal for dental implants. The aims of the study were to compare titanium (Ti) and zirconia (Zr) implants regarding the amount of biofilm formation at different time frames and assess the distribution of biofilm on different aspects of dental implants. Methods. Biofilm was developed on Ti and Zr dental implants with a peri-implant-related multispecies model with Streptococcus oralis, Actinomyces naeslundii, Veillonella dispar, and Porphyromonas gingivalis, for 3 and 14 days. Quantitative assessment was performed with the measurement of total bacterial viability (colony forming units, CFU/mg). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate biofilm formation on different aspects of the implants. Results. Three-day-old biofilm on Ti implants was significantly higher than that on Zr implants (p < 0.001). The Ti and Zr groups were not significantly different for 14-day-old biofilm. SEM images demonstrated that 3-day-old biofilm on Zr implants was sparse while biofilm growth was more pronounced for 3-day-old biofilm on Ti implants and 14-day-old biofilm groups. It appeared that less biofilm formed on the valley compared to the thread top for 3-day-old biofilm on Zr implants. Differences between the valley and the thread top became indistinguishable with the development of mature biofilm. Conclusion. While early formed biofilms show greater accumulation on Ti implants compared to Zr implants, older biofilms between the two groups are comparable. The distribution of biofilms was not uniform on different areas of implant threads during early biofilm development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct ingestion of indoor dust particles at historical heritage sites is a primary exposure pathway for employees to heavy metals. Water-soluble ions (WSIs) and heavy metal levels, sources, bioaccessibility, and health risks associated with indoor dust in the Mogao Grottoes were analyzed using comprehensive methods to determine the differences in the concentrations and distribution characteristics of WSIs and heavy metals between statue dust and floor dust. The concentrations of WSIs and heavy metals and the magnetic values of χ lf and SIRM in indoor dust were higher than those in street dust and topsoil. The mean χ lf and SIRM of statue dust particles were 100.3 × 10 − 8 m 3 k g − 1 and 1686.9 × 1 0 − 5 Am 2 k g − 1 . Specifically, the concentration of Pb was 277 mg k g − 1 , 15-fold higher than the background value, indicating the continual receipt of heavy metals with high magnetic minerals during dust deposition. WSIs mainly originate from the weathering of surrounding rocks and earthen plaster; Pb originates from the shedding of paint of murals and sculptures; and Zn, Cu, and magnetic minerals originate from traffic sources. The bioaccessibility of heavy metals is high in the gastrointestinal phases of indoor dust. Overall, the health risks posed by heavy metals in indoor dust were low, with moderate to high risks in individual caves. Ingestion presents the highest noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risk to employees. These results provide essential knowledge on indoor dust characteristics in the Mogao Grottoes, facilitating strategies for dust pollution mitigation and employee health risk control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isolation of nanocellulose has been extensively investigated due to the growing demand for sustainable green materials. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), which have the same chemical composition but have different morphology, particle size, crystallinity, and other properties depending on the precursor and the synthesis method used. In comparison, CNC particles have a short rod-like shape and have smaller particle dimensions when compared to CNF particles in the form of fibers. CNC synthesis was carried out chemically (hydrolysis method), and CNF synthesis was carried out mechanically (homogenization, ball milling, and grinding), and both can be modified because they have a large surface area and are rich in hydroxyl groups. Modifications were made to increase the adsorption ability of heavy metal ions. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric (TG), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) can reveal the characteristics and morphology of CNCs and CNFs. The success and effectiveness of the heavy metal adsorption process are influenced by a few factors. These factors include adsorbent chemical structure changes, adsorbent surface area, the availability of active sites on the adsorbent's surface, adsorption constants, heavy metal ionic size differences, pH, temperature, adsorbent dosage, and contact time during the adsorption process. In this review, we will discuss the characteristics of CNCs and CNFs synthesized from various precursors and methods, the modification methods, and the application of CNCs and CNFs as heavy metal ion adsorbents, which includes suitable isotherm and kinetics models and the effect of pH on the selectivity of various types of heavy metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their toxicity, long persistence, bioaccumulative nature, and biomagnification in the food chain, heavy metals pose a serious hazard. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health risks associated with the consumption of Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) and to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of four potentially toxic metallic elements. Three hundred and sixty specimens of sardine were collected between December 2020 and October 2021 at three Mediterranean coast sites, Beni-Ensar, Ras el Ma, and El-Houceima, in the northeast region of Morocco. The toxic metallic elements were evaluated by assessing the contamination level of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) in the muscle, liver, and gills of sardine from the Mediterranean Moroccan coast. The results showed a significant effect of the study area, organ, and season (p > 0.05) on Moroccan Mediterranean sardine heavy metal contamination levels. Regardless the location and season, the liver presents the higher concentration of the studied metals (p < 0.05). The highest heavy metal concentrations of Cd (0.408 μg·g−1 wet weight (ww)), Hg (0.044 μg·g−1 ww), and As (6.74 μg·g−1 ww) were found in winter while the concentration of Pb was the highest in autumn (0.056 μg·g−1 ww). Furthermore, the lowest contamination of metal levels was found in the spring. El-Houceima region contains the highest values for Hg (0.093 μg·g−1 ww), Pb (0.018 μg·g−1 ww), and As (7.73 μg·g−1 ww). However, the highest values for Cd (0.172 μg·g−1 ww) were recorded in Beni-Ensar. Regarding the assessment of possible risks to human health, the results showed that the indices are below the established safety values in the case of estimated weekly intake, and target hazard quotient (THQ). In contrast, the carcinogenic risk index and total THQ were above the threshold limits and thus represented a potential carcinogenic risk to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Fresh vegetables are of a great value and the most common foods in the human diet around the world. They contain minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, antimetabolites, protein, carbohydrates, and water. However, they are a major source of heavy metals, which contain both essential and toxic heavy metals over a wide range of concentrations. The study sites serve as a regional commercial center, where vegetables such as cabbages, onions, carrots, potatoes, beetroots, lettuce, and tomatoes were irrigated year round and sold to consumers. The aim of the study was to determine the level of cadmium, chromium, copper, and lead and to estimate the health risks associated with their daily intake of vegetables marketed in Bahir Dar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods. The concentrations of copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) were determined, and their health risks were estimated using estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TCR) for selected heavy metals by using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. A total of 5 kg composite samples for each type of vegetable were collected by simple random sampling from an open market in Bahir Dar town, Northwest Ethiopia, and subsamples (1.25 kg) were digested via the wet digestion method. Results. The average concentrations of Cr and Cu in all selected vegetables were lower than the maximum limit of expected values. However, the concentration (mg.kg−1) of Pb in carrots, potatoes, and beetroots exceeded the safe limit of 0.3 mg·kg−1 set by the FAO/WHO and the concentration of Cd (mg·kg−1) in carrots, which is higher than the FAO/WHO limit, 0.2 mg·kg−1, in dry weight. The health index (HI) values (mg·kg−1 day−1) of all vegetables except carrots were lower than one. The TCR values for Pb, Cd, and Cr in all vegetables exceeded the US-EPA recommended threshold risk limit, but the TCR value of carrot was above the moderate risk limit (>1 × 10−3) set by the US-EPA. Conclusion. This study indicated that the concentration level of lead and cadmium in potatoes, onions, carrots, and beetroots marketed in Bahir Dar town is not safe for use by the local community. The consumption of carrots in the study area may cause both noncancerous and cancerous health risks. Therefore, regular monitoring of these toxic metals in vegetables should be carried out to prevent heavy metal toxicity associated with the consumption of those vegetables marketed in Bahir Dar town, Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a modified BCR procedure and a column leaching test were used to examine the bioavailability and mobility of heavy metals in soils collected from a gold mining area in Ghana. The results for the fractionation of Cd, Cr, Fe, and Mn indicated that high percentages of metals were found in the residual fraction. This implies that the concentrations of metals in the soil are stable under normal environmental conditions. The bioavailability of metals in the soils declined in the following order: Mn (92.4%) > Cd (64.6%) > Cr (46.4%) > Fe (39%). However, the concentrations of labile metals may pose no risk to the environment. In the column test, different rainwater conditions (i.e., natural rainwater and acidified rainwater) were used to imitate the leaching potential of the metals in the actual field. The pH of the soil primarily controlled metal migration into deeper layers. Cumulative metal concentrations in the leachates showed that Fe, Mn, and Cd were high in the tested soils but present at low concentrations, except for Cd. Cadmium showed a higher concentration than the WHO guideline for drinking water, and its seepage into deeper layers may affect the quality of groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 presence of heavy metals in wastewater, such as Ni, Pb, Cd, V, Cr, and Cu, is a serious environmental problem. This kind of inorganic pollutant is not biodegradable for several years, and its harmful effect is cumulative. Recently, semiconductor nanomaterials based on metal oxides have gained interest due to their efficiency in the removal of heavy metals from contaminated water, by inducing photocatalytic ion reduction when they absorb light of the appropriate wavelength. The most commonly applied semiconductor oxides for these purposes are titanium oxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), and binary nanomaterials composed of both types of oxides. The main purpose of this work is to critically analyse the existent literature concerning this topic focusing specially in the most important factors affecting the adsorption or photocatalytic capacities of this type of nanomaterials. In particular, photocatalytic activity is altered by various factors, such as proportion of polymorphs, synthesis method, surface area, concentration of defects and particle size, among others. After a survey of the actual literature, it was found that, although these metal oxides have low absorption capacity for visible light, it is possible to obtain an acceptable heavy metal reduction performance by sensitization with dyes, doping with metallic or nonmetallic atoms, introduction of defects, or the coupling of two or more semiconductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the applicability of dry faecal sludge activated carbon (DFSAC) as a wastewater pollutant removal technology by employing both laboratory- and large-scale setups. The setups were monitored using effluent from the Mudor wastewater treatment plant in Accra. The DFSAC was produced from primary sludge obtained from a primary treatment to treat approximately 1000 liters of effluent water per hour to meet the needs of backwashing, cleaning, irrigation, and flushing purposes. The laboratory-scale experiment was monitored for a period of two weeks, while the large-scale experiment was monitored for a period of 16 weeks. Physicochemical, microbial, and metal characteristics were analyzed for the polished effluent. The results obtained from the lab scale showed high removal efficiencies of the wastewater pollutants for the first and second weeks of treatments, respectively, as follows: colour (99.47%, 69.06%), turbidity (99.59%, 42.59%), COD (96.58%, 43.49%), BOD (99.26%, 77.42%), TSS (100%, 62.296%), TDS (92.92, 32.90), ammonia (98.41%, 50.83%), and EC (73.60%, 19.94%). The P value obtained indicated a highly significant difference between the influent and effluents of both weeks. The large-scale application of the DFSAC yielded a percentage reduction of 99.36%, 99.37%, 99.52%, 79.63%, 100%, 48.85%, 90.08%, and 46.72% for colour, turbidity, COD, BOD, TSS, TDS, ammonia, and EC, respectively. The DFSAC showed high removal potential for heavy metals and microbial contaminants over the study period. Pollutant removal in wastewater with DFSAC proved a promising intervention by significantly reducing pollutants in wastewater effluent as a tertiary treatment. The removal efficiencies are indications that physisorption and chemisorption play an important role in the adsorption of pollutants onto the DFSAC. The study has shown that faecal sludge can be used as activated carbon for remediation of wastewater pollutants, especially in treatment facilities, which do not meet EPA effluent discharge guidelines while ensuring a close resource utilization loop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spices have been recognized to have medicinal properties. Among several spices and medicinal plants, black cumin and fenugreek are very common. Geographical, climatic, and cultivating soil type can change the chemical composition of these spices. The objective of this work is to determine proximate, phytochemical, and heavy metal content in black cumin and fenugreek cultivated in the Gamo zone, Ethiopia. The proximate composition (moisture, ash, fiber, fat, protein carbohydrate, and gross energy) was determined; their content (%) in black cumin is 6.98 ± 0.12 , 5.02 ± 2.9 , 6.90 ± 0.21 , 32.1 ± 0.68 , 20.9 ± 0.09 , 34.1 ± 0.73 , and 498 ± 4.4 , respectively, and 6.30 ± 0.35 , 4.27 ± 0.17 , 9.36 ± 0.25 , 12.8 ± 0.41 , 30.8 ± 0.09 , 46.1 ± 0.52 , and 422 ± 1.6 , respectively, in fenugreek. The total means of phenolic flavonoids and alkaloids in black cumin are 193 ± 5.3 mg GAE / 100 g , 87.6 ± 4.3 mg QE / 100 g , and 69.4 ± 4.7 mg AE / 100 g , respectively, and 382 ± 11 mg GAE / 100 g , 123 ± 3.6 mg QE / 100 g , and 37.6 ± 2.2 mg AE / 100 g , respectively, in fenugreek. In black cumin and fenugreek collected from Kamba, Daramalo, and Dita woredas, nine heavy metals were determined by using FAAS. The total mean concentrations in mg/kg for detected heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Co) in black cumin are 78.5 ± 5.9 , 27.3 ± 1.5 , 3.06 ± 0.26 , 8.47 ± 0.22 , and 10.1 ± 0.37 , respectively, and Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd were not detected in black cumin. Similarly, the concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, and Ni in fenugreek are 168 ± 5.2 , 14.8 ± 0.20 , 4.76 ± 0.1 , 13.7 ± 0.40 , 3.66 ± 0.21 , and 2.12 ± 0.03 , respectively, and Cr, Pb, and Cd were not detected in fenugreek. All the results of determined parameters were compared to previous studies, and the values were in agreement with slight variations. Therefore, black cumin and fenugreek cultivated in the Gamo zone were free from heavy metal toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the electrodeposition technique, toxic metals in wastewater can be removed and deposited on a chosen substrate with excellent selectivity. In this work, we use this technique to extract lead cations from simulated wastewater by using fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate at various temperatures. In situ tracking of lead nucleation at advanced stages has been achieved by chronoamperometry. According to the experimental results, the theoretical models developed to study the kinetic growth of lead deposits in 2D and 3D are in good agreement. Nucleation rate and growth rate constants, for example, were found to be strongly influenced by temperature. Cottrell's equation is used to calculate the diffusion coefficient. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersiveX-ray techniques were used to investigate and characterize the lead deposits. The reported results could provide insight into the optimization of electrodeposition processes for heavy metal recovery from wastewater and electronic wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of trace elements and heavy metals in honey is essential for honey quality and safety and also monitoring environmental pollution. This study aimed to evaluate the composition of thirty-seven honey samples of different botanical origins (14 multifloral and 23 unifloral) obtained from beekeepers located in the west region of Algeria. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) methods were used to determine the levels of 19 elements in honey (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, V, Cr, Co, As, Ru, Rh, Cd, W, Pt, Au, and Pb). Ru, Rh, Pt and, Au were not detected in any of the tested honey samples. The most abundant minerals were K, Ca, Na, and Mg ranging within 153.00–989.00 mg/kg, 33.10–502.00 mg/kg, 13.30–281.00 mg/kg, and 20.80–162.00 mg/kg, respectively. Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu were the most abundant heavy metals while Pb, V, Cr, W, Co, and Cd were the lowest ones (<1 mg/kg) in the honey samples surveyed. Several honey types, lavender, rosemary, mild white mustard, thyme, milk thistle, carob tree, orange tree, Euphorbia, Eucalyptus, camphor, jujube tree, sage, and harmal, were studied, and the statistical analysis was carried out using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) techniques to evaluate the data. The results showed that the analyses of mineral content were sufficient to determine the floral origin and their variability may be related to geochemical and geographical differences. On other hand, all elements detected were at levels below safe thresholds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study is concerned with the primary environmental assessment of the physicochemical characterization of seasonal fluctuations in the leachate of Tanjaro open dump site in Sulaymaniyah City, and its impact on the quality of the groundwater. The primary characteristics of the leachates were their high levels of organic and inorganic components and their toxicity because of the presence of heavy metal concentrations. For almost all physicochemical parameters, the leachate from the Tanjaro area dumping has incredibly high values. All heavy metals were present in leachate, with the exception of cadmium and mercury, albeit at levels below their respective permitted limits. The characterization revealed that Leachate 1 (L1) may be referred to as young leachate, whereas Leachate 2 (L2) and Leachate 3 (L3) can be referred to as old leachate due to their pH values. It was indicated that the Tanjaro dumping is operating and in the early stages of stabilization. BOD5/COD was around 0.63, and the leachate was highly biodegradable in the anaerobic phase. Groundwater, which contains little to no organic matter, was not found to be severely affected by monitoring wells located close to the dumpsites. The conductivity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, Mn, and Fe were some of the values that went above the WHO guidelines. Correlation analysis was used as a preliminary descriptive technique to establish the strength of the association between the relevant variables. Some parameters were discovered to be statistically significantly correlated with one another, pointing to a close connection between these parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the issue of microbial resistance to medicines and heavy metals is getting worse. There are few reports or data available for Proteus vulgaris (P. vulgaris), particularly in India. This investigation intends to reveal the bacteria's ability to transmit genes and their level of resistance as well. The wastewater samples were taken from several hospitals in Lucknow City, India, and examined for the presence of Gram-negative bacteria that were resistant to antibiotics and heavy metals. The microbial population count in different hospital wastewaters decreases with increasing concentrations of metal and antibiotics. Among all the examined metals, Ni and Zn had the highest viable counts, whereas Hg, Cd, and Co had the lowest viable counts. Penicillin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin, among the antibiotics, demonstrated higher viable counts, whereas tetracycline and erythromycin exhibited lower viable counts. The MIC values for the P. vulgaris isolates tested ranged from 50 to 16,00 μg/ml for each metal tested. The multiple metal resistance (MMR) index, which ranged from 0.04 to 0.50, showed diverse heavy metal resistance patterns in all P. vulgaris isolates (in the case of 2–7 metals in various combinations). All of the tested isolates had methicillin resistance, whereas the least number of isolates had ofloxacin, gentamycin, or neomycin resistance. The P. vulgaris isolates displayed multidrug resistance patterns (2–12 drugs) in various antibiotic combinations. The MAR indexes were shown to be between (0.02–0.7). From the total isolates, 98%, 84%, and 80% had urease, gelatinase, and amylase activity, whereas 68% and 56% displayed protease and beta-lactamase activity. Plasmids were present in all the selected resistant isolates and varied in size from 42.5 to 57.0 kb and molecular weight from 27.2 to 37.0 MD. The transmission of the antibiotic/metal resistance genes was evaluated between a total of 7 pairs of isolates. A higher transfer frequency (4.4 × 10−1) was observed among antibiotics, although a lower transfer frequency (1.0 × 10−2) was observed against metals in both the media from the entire site tested. According to exponential decay, the population of hospital wastewater declined in the following order across all sites: Site II > Site IV > Site III > Site I for antibiotics and site IV > site II > site I >site III for metal. Different metal and antibiotic concentrations have varying effects on the population. The metal-tolerant P. vulgaris from hospital wastewater was studied in the current study had multiple distinct patterns of antibiotic resistance. It could provide cutting-edge methods for treating infectious diseases, which are essential for managing and assessing the risks associated with hospital wastewater, especially in the case of P. vulgaris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Environmental contamination by heavy metals has become a worldwide problem in recent years because of industrial and agricultural development which causes cereal crop contamination via their wastes. The presence of toxic heavy metals in cereal crops accumulate in the body for a prolonged period of time which poses acute and chronic health risks. The aim of the study was to assess the level of heavy metals in selected cereals sold at Debre Markos local market, in Ethiopia. Methods. The samples were prepared for analysis by using the dry ashing method, and their cadmium, lead, chromium, and copper contents were analyzed by using microwave-induced plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES) and were expressed in mgkg−1 dry weight. The accuracy of the method was analyzed by the spike recovery test. Results. The percentage recovery for Cr, Cu, Pb, and Cd in each sample ranged from 85.6 to 112.8%. The levels of heavy metals (mean ± SD) were as follows: chromium, 2.20 ± 0.072, 2.22 ± 0.061, 1.57 ± 0.48, and 1.84 ± 0.26; copper, 2.94 ± 0.19, 2.31 ± 0.06, 1.28 ± 0.13, 1.52 ± 0.035, and 2.31 ± 0.06; lead, 0.49 ± 0.031, 0.34 ± 0.121, 0.52 ± 0.029, and 0.37 ± 0.15; and cadmium, 2.01 ± 1.73, 1.84 ± 1.60, 1.95 ± 1.69, and 1.93 ± 1.67 for barley, teff, wheat, and maize, respectively. This study revealed that the levels of Cr and Cu are generally below the permissible limit. However, the levels of Pb and Cd in all cereal samples were found to be above the permissible limit set by FAO/WHO, 0.2 and 0.1 mg kg−1, respectively. Conclusion. The findings of the study suggest that most of the analyzed crops contained unsafe levels of lead and cadmium that exceeded the WHO permissible limits. Therefore, regular monitoring of these toxic metals in cereal crops should be carried out to prevent heavy metal toxicity associated with the consumption of some cereal crops marketed in the Debre Markos local market, Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is an increasing problem that can lead to noncommunicable diseases. The role of dietary factors on one's obesity is confirmed in many studies. One nutritional approach that can be used for assessment of the foods and diets is the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ). Our study is aimed at exploring the association between INQ and obesity. Our hypothesis is that enriched and high-quality diets reduce the risk of overweight or obesity. This study was carried out on 6248 overweight and obese participants, from whom 4356 (69.7%) and 1892 (30.3%) were overweight and obese, respectively. To assess the dietary intake for the participants, a valid food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) with 130 food items was utilized. The analysis revealed an inverse association between the overweight and the INQ of iron, thiamin, riboflavin, B6, folate, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin C and E. For the obese group, this inverse association was found for iron, B6, folate, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin C and E. These results approved our hypothesis that a rich nutrition diet may lead to a lower risk of obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to assess the effects of raw (RGNH), ethanol-extracted (EEGNH), and acid-treated (ATGNH) groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) husk for removal of chromium from tannery effluent from the Mojo tannery industry, Ethiopia. The effects of biosorbent dose, agitation speed, and contact time of heavy metal on biosorbent were measured. The percentage removal of chromium was examined by a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS). Functional group characteristics of the biosorbents were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). The results indicated that at low doses (2 g), acid-treated groundnut husk (ATGNH) exhibited the highest removal efficiency (89.93%), whereas at a high dose (4 g), the raw groundnut husk (RGNH) has a potential removal efficiency (91.03%). The least removal efficiency was displayed by ethanol-extracted groundnut husk (EEGNH) (65.43%) at a dose of 3 g. Relating to the contact time, the highest chromium removal (94.41%) was exhibited by ATGNH with a 1-hour contact time. However, as contact time increased from 2 to 4 hours, there was a general decrease in the efficiency of biosorption. The removal of chromium by RGNH and EEGNH increased as contact time increased from 1 to 3 hours. The highest chromium removal (90.02%) was observed with ATGNH at 160 rpm agitation speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The release of harmful particles from industries is one of the important sources of environmental pollution worldwide. The goal of this study was to determine the amounts of dust deposition and heavy metal pollution in the soils surrounding a cement mill in Konongo, Ghana. Topsoils (0-10 cm) were sampled at the four geographical axes of the factory within a radius of 400 m, while at the same time, about 500 g of cement was sampled with a hand trowel. A Frisbee dust sampler was used to examine the levels of dust depositions at the various geographical axes of the factory. The heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) were measured in a total of 20 soil samples using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The results obtained for climatic elements such as wind speed and direction, temperature, and relative humidity were 2.25, 25.7, and 49.5 m3/s, respectively. The average deposition of dust within the study period using the geographical axis indicated that the southern axis recorded the highest dust accumulation with a mean of 60.2 g/m2 per month. The mean concentrations of metals at the various axes were 1.04 mg/kg, 4.78 mg/kg, 8.95 mg/kg, 9.30 mg/kg, and 18.4 mg/kg for Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Pb, respectively. The concentration of chemical components investigated in the soil was below the WHO/FAO standard, except for Cd. The spatial distribution pattern of the examined heavy metals showed that Cd, Cr, and Cu represent possible sources of soil contaminants. According to the conclusions of this research, this paper suggests an approach to investigate the areas contaminated with heavy metals to call out the attention of local authorities to take action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal (HM)-induced toxicity and its associated complications have become a major issue in the medical world. HMs are not biodegradable, enter into the food chain, and gets accumulated in the living systems. Increased concentrations and accumulation of HMs can cause severely damaging effects and severe complications in living organisms and can even lead to the death of the organism. In Ayurvedic medicine, ingredients of natural origin, including whole plants or certain portions of the plant, animal sources, and minerals, are used for therapeutic purposes as medicine, both alone and in combination. HM such as cadmium, copper, zinc, lead, chromium, nickel, and arsenic cause hazardous effects on animals, human health, and the environment. This review focuses on mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic effects of HM , mechanism, organ toxicity, available remedies in the market, and their side effects. Also, emphasis is given to alternative systems of medicine to treat HM toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese goldthread (Coptis chinensis Franch.) is an important medicinal plant worldwide. However, its clinical safety is negatively impacted by high cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) levels. Understanding the accumulation pattern and detoxification mechanism of heavy metals, such as Cd and Cr, is important for regulating their transportation and reducing their accumulation in plants. Free amino acids (FAAs), metallothioneins, and chemical forms of heavy metals are closely associated with heavy metal accumulation and detoxification mechanisms. In the present study, we evaluated the uptake of Cd and Cr in Chinese goldthread and characterized the changes in FAA levels, CcMT2, a metallothionein gene, expression under Cd and Cr stress, and Cr chemical forms in various tissues of Chinese goldthread. The majority of Cd and Cr was retained in the roots; this might be the tolerance strategy utilized by Chinese goldthread to protect the aboveground photosynthetic tissues. A chemical continuous extraction method was utilized to analyze the chemical forms of Cr, and the results suggested that Cr was primarily fixed by oxalate in all tissues, and after Cr treatment, Cr tended to combine with phosphate to form an insoluble complex that reduced the toxicity and bioavailability of Cr in Chinese goldthread. The accumulation of Cd and Cr was significantly positively correlated with valine, histidine, threonine, tyrosine, and serine levels and significantly negatively correlated with glutamic acid and alanine levels. The variation in proline levels under Cd stress was different than that under Cr stress. FAAs might affect the accumulation of and resistance to Cd and Cr through various detoxification strategies, such as chelation with heavy metals ions and conversion into the required products. Furthermore, CcMT2 was isolated for the first time and found to be dominantly expressed in leaves. CcMT2 was induced under Cd and Cr stress in all plant tissues, indicating its role in the accumulation of and tolerance to Cd and Cr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, physicochemical characteristics, mineral and polyphenolic composition, and anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of wild cornelian cherry fruits from two regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina were determined. Values of flesh weight and fruit:flesh ratio were higher for samples from the western region. Samples from the southern region had significantly higher (p ≤.05) dry matter, total sugar and pectin content, as well as color parameters L* and a*, whereas samples from the western region had significantly higher (p ≤.05) total acidity. Significant content of potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus were determined in all samples. A higher content of flavonols was found in the samples of cornelian cherries from the southern region, whereas a higher content of flavan‐3‐ols and anthocyanins was found in the samples from the western region. All cornelian cherry fruit samples showed anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. Polyphenolic components had significant (p ≤.05) antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli cultures. Novelty impact statement: The wild cornelian cherries are widespread in the territories of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but so far, it has not been fully explored, and the results presented in this paper provide new findings. The ethanolic extract of all tested cornelian cherry samples had a significant amount of essential macrominerals, whereas heavy metal cadmium was not found and lead was found only in traces. All ethanolic extracts exhibited high antimicrobial and anti‐inflammatory activity, and the content of flavonols, flavan‐3‐ols, and anthocyanins was found to depend on the growth region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution is one of the main factors that significantly affect biological systems and human health. Soil pollution with heavy metals is an increasingly pressing problem worldwide. In general, heavy metals are stable and do not decompose, unlike other organic pollutants. The quantity of them is natural components of soil crust, the remaining come from human activities, which may result from the extensive use of sewage. In the present study, a methodology aimed at simultaneous quantification of 16 heavy elements in soil of 3 different regions was developed. The concentration of 16 soil heavy metals (Se, Cd, V, Be, As, Mn, Co, Zn, Fe, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cu, Mo, Hg, and Ti) was measured in 11 sampling along Riyadh, Qassim, and Medina, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 3 sites soil treated with sewage water. These chemical minerals were identified in the samples using an ICPE-9000 spectrometer. The assessment of heavy metal contamination was derived using enrichment factors (EF), the pollution load index (PLI), and geoaccumulation index (Igeo). This study revealed that the soil is predominantly polluted by Cd, As, and Mo of Riyadh and Medina and As, Mo, and Cd of Qassim region at site B and site C, respectively. As recorded, the highest concentration value of 5000 mg/kg for Fe at site (B) followed by Cu. The Igeo value of Cd is 1.1520 in Medina region. The Igeo value of Se is 3.2395 in Medina region, while its cumulative geographical index decreased in the regions of Riyadh and Qassim, which amounted to 2.6114 and 2.1699, respectively. The Igeo values of the rest of the minerals in the three regions studied indicated that the soil is unpolluted, while it was slightly to moderately polluted for both Mo and Hg in most regions studied. The minerals in the soil at all sites studied were less than the general average concentration. With the exception of mercury, molybdenum, arsenic, cadmium, and selenium, whose concentration exceeded the permissible and recommended limits. The increasing order of concentration of minerals was Be < V < Cd < Hg < Mo < Co < Zn < Pb < Cr < Se < As < Ni < Ti < Mn < Cu < Fe at all sites, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]