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Introduction: Human activities have inadvertently led to the release of harmful substances, including trace metals, into aquatic environments, with consequential impacts on aquatic organisms and potential health risks for consumers. This research assessed the presence, origins, and health implications of trace elements within the muscles of Clarias batrachus and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus from the Bomadi and Gbotebo rivers and their surroundings in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Methods: Thirty samples from each fish species were collected and analyzed to conduct the study. Through the use of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, the researchers determined the concentrations of trace metals, including iron, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, cadmium, and cobalt, in the fish tissues. Results and discussion: The concentrations of the metals within the two fish species varied, with notable differences in zinc and cadmium levels. Utilizing statistical analyses like Pearson correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (CA), it was established that the trace metals originated from diverse sources. The study then evaluated health risks associated with these trace elements, considering both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic hazards for different age groups. The results indicated that children's total target hazard quotient fell below 1 for both fish species, implying a limited tendency toward non-carcinogenic risks through lifelong fish consumption. However, in some adult fish samples, the quotient exceeded 1, indicating a higher potential for non-carcinogenic risks. Regarding carcinogenic hazards, the mean risks were generally lower than the accepted threshold, except for lead in both fish species among adults and children. Stricter values highlighted that only lead concentrations in fish from both categories were deemed acceptable. Consequently, this study highlights the importance of raising awareness among consumers who buy fish from the studied region. Moreover, consistent monitoring of potentially harmful trace elements in water, sediments, and fish is recommended to safeguard consumer health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrations of one metalloid (As) and eight metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined in tissues (muscle, liver, and kidney) of eight snake species (Bothrops neuwiedi, Crotalus durissus, Dipsas mikanii, Epicrates crassus, Helicops modestus, Micrurus carvalhoi, Oxyrhopus guibei, and Oxyrhopus trigeminus) from Lagoa Santa Karst. Except for Cu and Zn, all other analyzed elements were detected in concentrations within the ranges previously reported for snakes inhabiting polluted areas, emphasizing Hg (specific Hg mean concentrations varied from 0.87 to 9.76 μg g−1 d.w). The highest mean concentrations of all elements except Zn were found in muscle samples of the false corals O. guibei (means ranged from 2.01 [Pb] to 9.76 [Hg]). The highest Zn mean concentration (13.77 μg g−1 d.w) was detected in the kidney of the water snake H. modestus. No significant correlation was found between element concentrations and body size for all species. Significant interorgan differences were observed for As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the three tissues in H. modestus. Significant interspecific differences were found in at least one organ for all elements. Significant pairwise differences were found between diet specialist species and between these species and broader diet species, while no significant difference was found between the broader diet species. The bioaccumulation of As and metals in snakes from Lagoa Santa Karst could be associated with natural rock dissolution and erosion processes but also with the wide-scale mining in the region and the increased agriculture and urbanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal contamination of the environment poses a significant threat to human health and can cause significant damage to aquatic ecosystems. Danio rerio was exposed to Sorocaba River water for 96 h from two different sites in summer (S) and winter (W). Concentrations of Al, Cd, Cu, Mn and Zn were determined in the exposure water and in sediment. At the end of the exposure, the concentrations of Al, Cu and Mn at the Ibiúna point (P1) and Mn at the Itupararanga point (P2) decreased compared to the initial concentrations in the water. In summer and winter, the highest concentrations of Cu and Mn were found in the sediment. Exposure to the Sorocaba River water caused various responses both in summer and winter. For example, GPx decreased in winter, Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) increased in summer, and Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) decreased in both seasons in the viscera. In winter, SOD Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) increased, while GPx and GST (winter) decreased in muscle; regarding viscera carbonyl proteins, there was an increase in the summer at P2. Acetylcholinesterase activity decreased in the brain in winter at P2 and NOS decreased in the summer-exposed groups and increased in the winter P2-exposed group. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) decreased in viscera (S, P1) and increased in muscle (S, P1 and P2). The glucose and triglycerides increased in muscle, both in summer and winter. Correlation analysis revealed associations between biomarkers from different organs. These alterations suggest that the fish experienced oxidative stress in response to exposure to the Sorocaba River, contaminated with metals, highlighting their vulnerability to environmental pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination by metals poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems and the health of marine organisms, including cetaceans. This study aimed to assess the concentrations of some metal and metalloids in the skin of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico using Flame Atomic Absorption (FAA) spectrometry. A total of 41 skin samples were collected, comprising 22 samples from Yucatán in the Gulf of Mexico and 19 samples from Chetumal Bay in the Caribbean. The results of our analysis revealed the presence of various elements in the skin of bottlenose dolphins from coastal waters in the Yucatan Peninsula. Among the detected metals, zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and arsenic (As) exhibited notable concentrations, with the order of abundance being Zn > Fe > As > Cu > Cr > Cd > Ni. The elevated concentrations of Zn and Fe suggest potential exposure and accumulation of these metals in the studied dolphin population. Interestingly, measurable concentrations of lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) were not detected in the skin samples, indicating either low levels or the absence of their accumulation in the studied dolphin populations. The absence of measurable Pb concentrations is particularly encouraging as Pb is known to have detrimental effects on marine organisms and is commonly associated with anthropogenic activities. This study provides valuable insights into the metal contamination status in bottlenose dolphins from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The notable concentrations of Zn, Fe, and As raise concerns about potential health risks to these charismatic marine mammals. Further research is warranted to investigate the sources and pathways of heavy metal exposure in this population and to understand the potential consequences of such exposure on the health and well-being of bottlenose dolphins in the Yucatan Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil samples from wild solid waste dumpsites were collected in the Bijeljina-Zvornik region (Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina), and the concentrations potentionally toxic metals (Ni, Cr, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Fe and Al). The disposal of waste at wild dumpsites has emerged as a serious environmental challenge affecting both developed and developing countries. This paper aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the complex issue of wild dumpsites, focusing on the contamination of the environment with toxic metals. The improper disposal of solid waste has become a global concern, with wild dumpsites being a significant component of the problem. In accordance with national legislation, the mean values for Cd and Ni exceeded the limit values. Very strong positive correlations are observed between Zn and Cu, between Cd and Pb and between Ni and Cr. The ecological risk assessments for Mn are extremely high; for Ni and Pb, they are high; for Zn, Cu and Cr, they are appreciable; and for Cd, they are moderate. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Contamination Factor were used to evaluate metal pollution in soil samples. PLI values exceeding 1.0 in five samples signify soil pollution, supported by mean values indicating contamination. Research findings reveal different contamination levels, with Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn at low levels, and Ni and Cd at moderate levels. The visualized results of ecological risk assessments for heavy metals in the soil underscore the critical importance of continuous monitoring and effective management of heavy metals at illegal dumpsites to preserve and protect surrounding ecosystems. The use of Surfer 12 software and the kriging method has proven to be an invaluable tool for exploring the spatial distribution of toxic metals in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil is a component of the environment. An environmental policy should identify the sources of trace metals in the soil and their effects on people and living beings. The concentrations of 29 surface soil samples (0–25 cm) were determined using the methods EPA 3050B. The data were analyzed using simple and robust statistical analysis that allowed for determining geochemical baseline values. Principal component and correlation analyses were performed, which, together with a spatial analysis, allowed us to distinguish between geogenic and anthropogenic sources. The degree of soil contamination was evaluated using different ecological indices, and the health risks to children and adults were calculated using formulas proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The median concentrations of the analyzed elements correspond to Al 17,666 (mg/kg), As 8.7 (mg/kg), Ba 61.4 (mg/kg), Cd 0.17 (mg/kg), Cr 11.3 (mg/kg), Cu 20.5 (mg/kg), Fe 25,953 (mg/kg), Hg 0.06 (mg/kg), Mn 499 (mg/kg), Ni 20.8 (mg/kg), Pb 15.9 (mg/kg), and Zn 60.6 (mg/kg). In the principal component analysis, four factors were identified that explain 70.3% of the variability of the elements, which, together with the correlation analysis, suggest that the origin of the elements is mainly geogenic with some possible anthropic contributions. The elements analyzed in the soil with moderate contamination correspond to As, Cd, and Pb, in addition, As is the only element that indicated a value above the limit for carcinogenic risk in children. The estimated geochemical baseline values correspond to Al 34,734 (mg/kg), As 15.3 (mg/kg), Ba 113 (mg/kg), Cd 0.41 (mg/kg), Cr 33.8 (mg/kg), Cu 42.9 (mg/kg), Fe 46,181 (mg/kg), Hg 0.12 (mg/kg), Mn 1015 (mg/kg), Ni 42.2 (mg/kg), Pb 21.6 (mg/kg), and Zn 121 (mg/kg). 89.7% of the total samples are at a low level of contamination. The carcinogenic risk due to As in children represents 3.4% of the total samples, so it is considered insignificant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The content of trace elements from Crassostrea tulipa (Ostreidae, Bivalvia) from four localities (Pra Estuary, Densu Estuary, Kpone Beach, and Anyanui Creek) along the coast of Ghana has been used as a bioindicator of environmental pollution. The lowest values of heavy metals correspond to the Crassostrea shells from Densu Estuary and Anyanui Creek, whereas the highest contents are recorded in the shells from Pra Estuary and Kpone Beach. Densu Estuary and Anyanui Creek are located in areas not affected by major industries, and only Densu is located in a densely urbanized setting. Crassostrea shells from Densu Estuary are only enriched in Ni. However, the Total Organic Carbon content of the sediments of the Densu Estuary indicates anthropogenic organic pollution not evidenced by the composition of Crassostrea shells. The Crassostrea shells from the Pra Estuary show enrichment in most of the analysed trace elements (Li, Be, V, Cu, Cr, Zn, Ga, Y, Sn, Pb, U, Th, ∑REE, and As) compared with other studied sites. This enrichment is related to heavy metals influx to the Pra River by the mining activities, extensive forest clearance, and loss of soil minerals. The Crassostrea shells from Kpone Beach present comparatively high content of some trace elements (Be, Ba, Cu, Zn, Nb, Pb, and REE). The metal pollutants are related to the input of the Heavy Industrial Area of Tema (located around 3.5 km west of Kpone Beach) and urban effluences from the Greater Accra Region. The high content of Ba, Cu, Zn, and Pb in Crassostrea is directly related to high phytoplankton productivity (mainly for diatoms) linked to the input of trace metals transferred into the marine food webs. In addition, some analyses of gastropod shells from Kpone Beach indicate that Cerithium and Nerita are more sensitive to accumulating Ni and As than Crassostrea. The values of trace metals from the Crassostrea shells of the Densu Estuary and Anyanui Creek are comparatively low. Considering the role of Crassostrea shells as bioindicators for heavy metals pollution, the less polluted localities are Anyanui Creek and Densu Estuary, whereas Pra Estuary and Kpone Beach are affected by anthropic activities such as mining, urban effluents, and industry.

On a global scale, the urban design of city centers is a topic of discussion concerning various aspects such development and its impact on public health. This research examines the health effects of urban agglomeration in city centers with compact, close development. In this work, the potentially toxic metals in street dust were studied by collecting and measuring street dust samples, measuring trace metal concentrations, and using index assessment, spatial analysis, correlation analysis, and health risk assessment models. Eskişehir, located in the part of Central Anatolia close to the Aegean region, west Türkiye, has been widely recognized as one of the most popular, known for having many narrow and old buildings in urban environments. The present paper investigates the atmospheric dust-related chemical speciation, urban environmental pollution, and human health risks in Eskişehir City by studying 66 dust samples collected at 11 points in the selected streets in August 2023. the study found that the concentrations of trace elements followed the order Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd > Cu. The primary source of these high levels is believed to be traffic-related contamination involving Cd, Pb, and Ni. The assessment of non-carcinogenic health risks has shown that the significant sources of potential toxic metals exposure for both children and adults are i) through ingestion and ii) dermal contact. The Hazard index (HI) for selected metals decreased in the order Cr > Pb > Ni > Cd > Cu for both children and adults without imposing possible non-carcinogenic risk (HI<1). On the contrary, Cr posed cancer risks above the safety threshold (> 10-4) through ingestion. Based on the available findings, Eskişehir still suffers from considerable environmental and ecological degradation and severe health risks due to street dust contamination. However, while high pollution was detected in the city center, where there is commercial land use, low values were observed in the region, rich with the water surface, bicycle paths, landscape design, and where traffic is slowed down. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three separate mangrove ecosystems in Kerala's Kannur district were examined for trace metal build-up in sediment and two polychaete species, Marphysa gravelyi and Dendronereis aestuarina. By classifying the areas according to the intensity of anthropogenic activity, metal deposition in polychaete tissue was investigated. ICP-MS was used to assess the heavy metal load and the accumulation of metals in sediment in the range of, Zn 24.37-59 mg/kg, Ni 23.67- 59.25 mg/ kg, Cu 11.27-38.6 mg/kg, Pb 4.5-16.4 mg/kg, Cd 0.1-1.8 mg/kg, Fe 1.25-3.67 %, and Al 0.65- 2.43 %. The soil sample's Zn concentration was at its highest and heavy metals accumulated in the pattern Zn>Ni>Cu>Pb>Cd. By just switching the concentrations of Ni and Cu, polychaetes' trace metal concentrations follow the same pattern as those found in soil, however, M. gravelyi was discovered to have larger amounts of accumulation when compared to D. aestuarina, mostly for metals like Zn and Pb. Based on data compiled from all stations, the average concentration of accumulation for Zn was 62.34 mg/kg & 43.45 mg/kg, and for Pb, it was 6.59 mg/kg & 1.86 mg/kg in M. gravelyi and D. aestuarina, respectively. Most metal buildup is found in mangrove soil, which has higher levels of organic carbon and clay particles. The findings imply that D. aestuarina is an organism that is sensitive to pollution and that M. gravelyi is a species that is extremely tolerant of pollution, suggesting that the species can be used to anticipate the state of its surrounding environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geochemical and sedimentological analyses and C-14 dating of four cores from Erdek and Bandırma Bays were performed to evaluate the metal pollution, history and sources, and content in the southern Sea of Marmara (SoM) caused by industrial, agricultural and domestic activities during the sediment deposition. The selected elements' pollution (Al, Fe, Mn, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) data were evaluated using contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI). The sedimentary succession in all cores consists mainly of clay (9–96%), silt (1–78%) and sand (0.1–20%) with small amounts of gravel (0.1–7%). The results of CF and PLI reveal that the upper 20 cm core sediments in Erdek Bay were contaminated with Hg (0.07–1.1 mg/kg), Pb (4–72 mg/kg) and Zn (12–255 mg/kg) by both anthropogenic and lithogenic input via the Biga and Gönen streams. Furthermore, the upper 20 cm of MD72 and BK1 core sediments were moderately polluted with As, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn caused by the discharge of untreated industrial wastewater and domestic sewage from the surrounding area of Bandırma Bay. Moreover, lithogenic Pb-Zn was transported to Erdek Bay by Biga and Gönen streams from the Pb-Zn mineralized zones in the southern SoM drainage area. C-14 dating reveals that As, Hg, Pb and Zn contamination in the study area was started about 400–500 years before the present based on preliminary sedimentation rate estimates and has increased intensely in the last century. Our work is a significant effort to help the environment protection agency or other stakeholders draw a framework to solve this emerging challenge from sewage and wastewater treatment plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meiofaunal communities are dominated by free-living nematodes and harpacticoid copepods. Most of the studies defining the environmental drivers that influence meiofauna focus on these profuse groups. The 'rare' meiofaunal organisms (densities <5%) are frequently overlooked, making it difficult to know which abiotic variables influence their populations, or their ecological role in the benthic ecosystems. In this study, we explore the ecological factors that characterize a low human-polluted mangrove in French Guiana (western Atlantic Ocean) along an urban-to-natural gradient, focusing on the 'rare' phylum Kinorhyncha. This taxon seems to be mainly influenced by sediment size, being more abundant in silty sediments. The presence of microorganisms also enhances the community, likely due to a higher food availability. Oppositely, some trace metals of both lithogenic and anthropogenic origin, as well as predominance of coarser sediment particles, seem to negatively affect their populations. The importance of including the lesser abundant groups of meiofauna in ecological studies is evident, since it allows to have a better idea of the ecological state of marine benthic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly anthropized areas as ports represent complex scenarios that require accurate monitoring plans aimed to address the environmental status. In this context, the activities of the EU Interreg Project "GEstione dei REflui per il MIglioramento delle Acque portuali (GEREMIA)" were focused on comparing sites differently affected by human presence, as the Port of Genoa and the natural area of the S'Ena Arrubia fishpond: a panel of analyses was carried out on Mugilidae fish sampled in these two areas, aimed to address trace metal accumulation in the liver, gills, and muscle, as well as cytochrome P450 (CYP450) induction in liver and biliary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites, and histopathological alterations in the liver and gills. Chemical analyses in the liver, gills, and muscle of specimens collected in the port area showed an overall higher degree of trace metal contamination compared to the natural fishpond, and similar results were obtained in terms of CYP450 induction and biliary PAH metabolites, suggesting a higher exposure to organic compounds. In addition, histopathological analyses revealed a significant alteration and then a loss of functionality of liver and gill tissue in individuals from the port. Overall, this study describes the complex environmental pollution scenario in the Port of Genoa, confirming the importance of using multidisciplinary approaches and different types of analyses to address both the presence and the effects of contaminants in marine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents the results on the spatial distribution and concentration of different chemical elements in the topsoil (0–5 cm) and the subsoil (20–30 cm), focusing on the identification of natural and anthropogenic sources of elements at 99 locations and 198 samples throughout the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. The samples were digested with acid mixture in Teflon vessels and the technique of inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied for the analysis of 20 elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, V and Zn). The multivariate statistical method was employed for the statistical processing of the data using cluster and factor analysis. Four groups of elements were identified, three of which were with geogenic factors: (Co, Cr, Ni, Fe, Mg), (Ba, K, Na, V), (Al, Ca, Sr) and one with local enrichment tendencies (anthropogenic origin) (Pb, Zn). The data obtained show natural presence of the analyzed elements and low concentration of heavy metals in the entire territory of Kosovo, with the exception of some areas where higher levels of concentration are shown as a result of the influence of the anthropogenic factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ebonyi River, Nigeria, acts as a sink for the trace metal-laden wastewater discharged from the mining zone into the river. This study evaluated the enrichment characteristics and ecological risks of trace metals in the fluviatile sediments of the Ebonyi River. Fifteen sediment samples were collected: five samples were collected at the upstream (US) and midstream (MS), and four samples were collected from the downstream (DS). The MS coincides with the mining zone. A control sample was collected from a lake that was not connected to the river. Different pollution indices, including the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), and pollution load index (PLI), were used to assess the degree of contamination of these trace metals in the sediments. The associated ecological risk was assessed using the potential ecological hazard index (EI). The results showed that the average values of the concentrations of the trace metals varied spatially (US, MS, and DS). The Igeo results revealed that the sediment samples were practically unpolluted by Cu, Ni, V, and Ba (Igeo <0) across the three zones but were strongly polluted by Pb and Zn in the midstream. The calculated EI showed the upstream and downstream samples have low ecological risks, while the midstream samples have ecological risks that range from low to considerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural environment, as well as human production and survival, is intrinsically dependent on soil. This study comprehensively assessed the pollution status, health risks, and sources of trace metals in the middle reaches of the River Gui Basin (MRGB) utilizing the geoaccumulation index, potential ecological risk index (PERI), and human health risk evaluation method. The findings of this study provide the following key insights: (1) only Cu and Pb levels in the MRGB soils did not exceed the background values established for soils in Weifang City (WFC). (2) The geoaccumulation status in most areas of the MRGB ranged from non-polluted to mildly polluted, with the overall ecological risk classification ranging from mild to moderate. (3) The cumulative non-carcinogenic risk for humans in the MRGB remained within acceptable limits, whereas the carcinogenic risk indices fell within tolerable levels. Oral ingestion emerged as the primary exposure pathway for both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. (4) Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cr concentrations in MRGB soils primarily stemmed from natural sources associated with parent rocks, with Zn exhibiting additional influence from anthropogenic factors. In contrast, Pb, Cd, Hg, and As concentrations were predominantly driven by anthropogenic sources. Although the soils in the MRGB typically exhibited mild-to-moderate contamination levels, the contamination levels of Hg and Cd were notably more severe. As and Cr were significant health hazards. Most soil contamination sources are attributed to anthropogenic factors, warranting heightened attention from the relevant authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorghum is a major staple crop in many parts of semi-arid tropics, but soil nutrient deficiencies and pollution are limiting its performance. The study was carried out to determine the combined effects of elevated levels of manganese and zinc in the soil on the germination and performance of Sorghum bicolor seedlings at the early stage of growth. A 9x3 complete block design (CBD) experiment consisting of 10 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg manganese (Mn) levels each with sub-levels of zinc (Zn) at 0 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg were setup in three replicates alongside the uncontaminated control. Sorghum bicolor L. Moench were sown in the treatments after two weeks of spiking. The set-up was observed for germination (as from 1 day after sowing - DAS), cchlorophyll index (at 7 DAS and 14 DAS), leaf nitrogen (at 14 DAS), biomass accumulation of seedlings (at 14 DAS). The results showed that germination occurred in all the treatments at 3 DAS and the combined low (10 mg/kg) Mn with low (10 mg/kg) Zn treatment achieved the highest germination rate (100%) while high (100 mg/kg) Mn without Zn had the least (26.67%). High Mn combined with high Zn improved chlorophyll index and leaf N. Contrarily, increasing levels of Mn had no significant impact on biomass accumulation/carbon sequestration. The study concluded that Mn and Zn spiking differently impacted on the performance indices of sorghum. The combined low levels of Mn and Zn improved germination while increasing levels of both metals enhanced chlorophyll and foliar N concentration in sorghum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to establish the baseline concentrations of thirteen trace elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe, Mg, Na, K, Sr, Ca, and Zn) in feathers of the common blackbird Turdus merula (n=9) at the Natura 2000 site "Marine Dunes from Agigea" (ROSCI0073). Both remiges and rectrices were pooled, and the quantification of trace elements was accomplished using two spectrometry analysis methods: high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometer with a graphite furnace (HR-CS GF-AAS) and flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FL-AAS). The concentration of Ca was the highest of the thirteen trace elements, registering at 209.9146±192.4098 µg·g-1 w.w., while Cd had the lowest concentration levels in feathers, 0.0243±0.0158 µg·g-1 w.w., respectively. However, the results obtained were significantly lower than those in the relevant literature. These findings suggest that the bioavailability of the analysed trace elements is minimal in our study area. Thus, it is imperative to conduct further research on the impact of these trace elements' accumulation and effects on avifauna in the Natura 2000 site "Marine Dunes from Agigea". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants have been used as biological filters by taking advantage of their capacity to remove dust and heavy metals from the air, which make them effective biomonitors to detect the presence of these metals even at trace levels. The present study was aimed to assess the levels of heavy metal in foliar dust of some selected urban trees along the roadside in Sauna Kawaji, Magwan, Kwanar Ganduje, and Nassarawa GRA of Kano Metropolis. From each sample site, leaf samples of neem trees (Azadirachta indica) were randomly collected along the roadside. The leaves were processed, digested and analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry. From the results, site variation showed that Zinc, Manganese, and Cadmium had the highest levels of 0.019, 0.137 and 0.0039 mg/L at Magwan and Kwanar Ganduje, respectively. In the evening hours, zinc, manganese and cadmium had the highest levels of 0.022, 0.140, and 0.002 mg/L at Magwan, Sauna Kawaji and Kwanar Ganduje, respectively. However, lead was not detected in all samples. Manganese was found to be the highest from all sampling sites, while cadmium had the least. However, the levels of the analysed metals were below the permissible limits of WHO and EPA. Therefore, foliar dust contained heavy metals in relative amount, which might be a cause of concern for environmental issues and could serve in environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material (TENORM) on coastal zones were ecologically evaluated using Posidonia oceanica. Radionuclides and trace element levels were investigated in Posidonia oceanica to evaluate if seagrasses can be assessed as a biomarker for biomonitoring surveys. The radionuclide concentrations were determined using radiometric methods. Furthermore, trace element levels were obtained using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The mean activity concentrations of 210Po and 40K were found to be 375.5 and 1.6 Bq/kg, respectively. The mean levels of trace elements of Al, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Pb and Cr were 1620, 183, 15.3, 7.9, 7.1, 2.8 and 67 ppm, respectively. The absorbed dose rates (D) of 210Po and 40K were calculated, with the average levels being 1.2 × 10− 3 and 4.4 × 10− 3 µGy/h, respectively. In marine ecology, P. oceanica can be a biomarker for detecting trace metals (40K and 210Po) and absorbed dose rates. The concentrations and sources of TENORM were evaluated in terms of ecological and industrial hazards to the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing pollution in the environment calls for the precise determination of metal toxicity in plants as they are at the base of the food chain. Mosses are often employed as biomonitors and provide good models for testing metal adsorption. However, species may react differently and many studies only look at one metal at a time, even though toxicity levels are affected by metal combinations. In this study, the effects of CuCl2, MnCl2, FeCl2, and Sb-acetate were examined individually and in combinations on the moss species Pohlia drummondii and Physcomitrium patens. In general, the two species reacted differently to the presence of trace metals; although, for both, the tolerance limit was at 100 µM. Overall, individual metals were less toxic than combinations, with some exceptions for Fe and Mn in P. patens. Additionally, we demonstrate that multiple combinations of metals are especially toxic if Cu is present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meiofaunal communities are dominated by free-living nematodes and harpacticoid copepods. Most of the studies defining the environmental drivers that influence meiofauna focus on these profuse groups. The ‘rare’ meiofaunal organisms (densities

In this study, an updated analysis of urban pollution in the Saïda city watershed, located in North-Western Algeria, is conducted. Our study focused on the presence of heavy metals and organic pollution in urban drainage sediments. The description and quantification of the contaminants detected are presented, and the total levels of trace metals in the sediment samples are compared with standard reference values. The results show that rainfall events and sediment sampling periods have an influence on pollution generation and regeneration processes in the urban catchment. In this research, pollution indices and factors are used to assess the degree of pollution in the study area. Chromium, lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, nickel, and cobalt contents in sediment samples collected after rainfall episodes exceeded toxicity reference limits, indicating significant pollution of the investigated sediments. Cadmium exhibited very high contamination based on the contamination factor and geo-accumulation index values, while lead, copper, and chromium indicated moderate to high contamination. The geo-accumulation index values for zinc and nickel revealed modest contamination, while cobalt and iron contamination in the sediments was non-existent. The contamination levels, on the other hand, suggested that the sediments were heavily polluted. Our findings also indicated the presence of anthropogenic enrichment, since the enrichment factor values are above the threshold value. Furthermore, the results revealed that the sediments possessed a high to severe potential ecological risk rating. A comparison with other basins in Algeria and around the world validated the research site's contamination level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The failure of the waste management system and the distribution of uncontrolled dumpsites across Lebanon has turned this small state into a source of major environmental concern in the Eastern Mediterranean. The coastline of Lebanon hosts several landfills, such as the Tripoli Municipal Solid Waste Landfill, which are often poorly studied. The situation is particularly concerning because the drainage of their untreated leachate often seeps into the surrounding water systems including the Mediterranean Sea and nearby ricers. In the case of the Tripoli Municipal Solid Waste Landfill, no previous studies have investigated the composition of this leachate and its effect on the surrounding water systems. The aim of this study is to assess the seasonal variation of leachate characteristics in this landfill's two units and their potential of contamination on the nearby Abou Ali River and Mediterranean Sea. In accord with the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 40 leachate quality parameters (19 physicochemical, and 21 metals) were monitored for two years. The results of this study showed the heterogeneous state of the landfill's body. Leachate quantity and quality heavily depended on weather conditions. The annual fluxes of chemical oxygen demand, chloride, biological oxygen demand, total kjeldahl nitrogen, sulphates, and total phosphorus, were 577 tons, 253 tons, 207 tons, 38 tons, 25 tons, and 7 tons, respectively. The annual fluxes of the Σ21metals achieved 217 tons. The leachate pollution index of Tripoli's landfill indicates its high contaminating potential on Abou Ali River and Mediterranean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The submerged surface sediment of the artificial lake at Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan, was investigated to evaluate its contamination with trace metals. Chemical characterization was applied to leachates of sediment samples collected from 11 sampling stations at the study zone. The metal concentration (Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni, Zn, Fe, and Hg) in the sediment samples was matched to the limits set by the Jordanian standard for water-sludge-uses of treated sludge and sludge disposal. According to the results obtained via thermal decomposition, mercury amalgamation, and inductively coupled plasma—atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), most metals were below the detection limit. Several metals were found to be below the limits fixed by the Jordanian standards except for stations 10 and 11 which connected the wastewater channels to the lake. At these two stations, Pb recorded contents were 439 and 335 mg/kg dry matter, respectively, and thus exceeded the limits set by the Jordanian standard. Thus, the overall results were in favor of the environmental safety of the JUST lake for setting up a fish aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, contamination levels and the spatial pattern identification, as well as human and environmental health risk assessments of the heavy metals in the phreatic groundwater aquifer of the Oued Souf Valley were investigated for the first time. The applied methodology comprised a combination of heavy-metal pollution indices, inverse distance weighting, and human health risk assessment through water ingestion on samples collected from (14) monitoring wells. The contamination trend in the phreatic aquifer showed Al > B > Sr > Mn > Fe > Pb > Ni > Cr > Ba > Cu > Zn. Similarly, the enrichment trend was Al > B > Sr > Mn > Ni > Pb > Cr > Ba > Cu > Zn. Ecologically, most of the analyzed metals reflected a low potential ecological risk, except for two wells, S13 and S14, which represented a considerable and high ecological risk in terms of Pb. According to the applied grouping method, the samples in the first group indicated a lower risk of contamination in terms of heavy metals due to their lower concentration compared to the second group. This makes the area containing the second group's samples more vulnerable in terms of heavy metals, which could affect urban, preurban, and even agricultural areas. All of the samples (100%) indicated the possibility of potential health risks in the case of children. While six samples showed that the non-cancer toxicity risk is considered low, the rest of the samples had high Hazard Index (HI) values, indicating the possibility of health risks occurring in the case of adults. The constructed vertical drainage system is acting as a supporter and accelerator of the pollution levels in the shallow groundwater aquifer. This is due to its contribution to the penetration of different pollutants into this aquifer system, depending on the residence time of the water, which appears to be long within the drainage system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seagrasses provide crucial ecosystem services in the coastal environment, but are under increasing threat associated with anthropogenic activities. Seagrass meadows effectively trap suspended sediment, a key vector for trace metal transport, by altering local hydrodynamic conditions around their leaves and stems. As a result, seagrass meadows often have different geochemical sediment characteristics compared to adjacent bare sediments and may accumulate higher concentrations of trace metals. The aim of this systematic review was to identify research trends and knowledge gaps in the relationships between metals and seagrasses. The systematic search of the literature identified a total of 191 relevant articles. Although seagrasses have a broad geographic distribution, the highest diversity and endemism exists in the Indo-Pacific region, yet most studies (40%) were conducted in the Mediterranean Sea. There were also taxonomic gaps with some common species groups, including Amphibolis and Thalassodendron spp., being poorly studied. The reviewed studies examined the relationship between seagrass and 39 metal elements. There were no studies examining rare-earth elements (REEs) or platinum-group elements (PGEs), both of which are critical classes of metals in emerging technologies. Furthermore, the review determined that all 191 studies focused on the impact of metals on seagrasses, while only six also considered the effect of seagrasses on metal geochemistry in sediments. We conclude that further research is necessary to address these key gaps in knowledge to better understand the role(s) of seagrasses in the distribution, immobilization, and release of trace metals in coastal ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the negative impacts of trace metals is crucial to assess the health and stability of ecosystems. In salt marshes, halophyte plants were reported as possible bioaccumulators of these elements. The aim of this work was to explore the bioaccumulation potential of Bolboschoenus maritimus as a tool for monitoring the presence of metals in coastal environments. Bolboschoenus maritimus were collected from a brackish water lagoon, and the presence of the trace metals lead, cadmium, and nickel were seasonally evaluated in distinct parts of the plants, and in water and sediment samples. Lead was the trace metal with the highest concentration detected in water and sediments of the sampling site. The highest lead concentrations in B. maritimus were recorded in the spring season. The transport index indicated an accumulation of lead in the leaves of around 70% in the spring of 2009. Cadmium in leaves in spring and summer of 2009 reached values above 5 mg Cd. kg−1. Nickel was not detected in most samples collected. Bolboschoenus maritimus was considered an adequate biomonitor for lead and cadmium, since it bioaccumulates both metals with seasonally distinct results, as the bioaccumulation factor results indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution is the change in air composition that disrupts human health and environmental balance. Although natural and anthropogenic processes include crustal movements, photosynthesis, and plant and animal emissions, other sources of contamination also include industrial operations, transportation activities, household resources, and the chemical and metal industries. Thus, biomonitoring can be employed as a quick, affordable, and efficient method for estimating air pollution. In this study, some inorganic pollutants were detected using olive trees (Olea europaea L.) at eleven different points, depending on the traffic density in Artvin, Turkey. Trace element concentrations (Cr, Ti, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, Al, and Mn) were measured in soil once a year and seasonally in plant samples with ICP-OES. Furthermore, basic component analyses total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), total hydrogen (TH), and total sulfur (TS) were done with an elemental analyzer, total chlorophyll contents with a portable chlorophyll meter, and morphological and particle-based plant analyses with SEM–EDS. The pollution levels of these metals were calculated using the enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) parameters. Furthermore, the accuracy and validity tests of the analyses for trace metals were tested by applying certified reference materials (CRM) (ERM-CD281) for the plant samples and CRM (LGC-6187) for soil samples. Results indicated that soil trace element pollution distributions were ranked according to the following descending order: Fe (37,873.33 mg/kg) > Al (13,300 mg/kg) > Mn (1101.33 mg/kg) > Ti (353.5 mg/kg) > Zn (252.86 mg/kg) > Cu (87.77 mg/kg) > Cr (30.52 mg/kg) > Pb (19.65 mg/kg) > Ni (17.07 mg/kg) > Co (7.65 mg/kg). Moreover, air pollution from anthropogenic sources substantially increased average trace metal concentrations and sulfur emissions in autumn and winter. The average highest values of Fe (321.08 mg/kg) > Al (304.05 mg/kg) > Mn (32.75 mg/kg) > Zn (31.01 mg/kg) > Cu (17.92 mg/kg) > Ti (11.07 mg/kg) Cr (2.57 mg/kg) > Ni (17.07 mg/kg) were found in leaf samples taken from the roadside in autumn and winter. According to the EF and Igeo values, the main polluting trace elements in the soil were Zn, Cu, and Pb, while in the plant, these were detected as Fe, Al, Ti, Cr, Ni, and Cu. Kruskal–Wallis and correlation analysis statistically supported this relationship among metals. Results show that olive leaves are an effective bioindicator for detecting urban air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the temporal variability of PM10 water-soluble and water-insoluble constituents (Ca++, Cl−, Na+, Mg++, K+, Fe(2;3)+, PO43−, NH4+, NO3−, SO4=, Pb, Zn, and Cu), as well as, the ecological and human health risks associated with toxic metals. It was conducted at the proximity of a traffic crossroad (≈22,580 vehicles per day) close to some kindergartens and schools (50–100 m) located in Suburban Sfax (Southern Tunisia), from January to October 2017. The results revealed the significant impact of multi-scale sources and meteorology. The source apportionment based on enrichment factors and principal component analysis highlighted three main origins: crustal (for Ca++, Mg++, Na+, K+, and Fe(2;3)+), marine (for Cl−), and anthropogenic (for NO3−, NH4+, SO4=, PO43−, Pb, Zn, and Cu). Computed Igeo values of Pb, Zn, and Cu show that the most PM10 samples (80%) were ranged from 0 to 3. Based on Müller scale, they were moderately to strongly polluted. Eighteen percent of them were found to be strongly to extremely polluted. As regard m-ERM-Q values, the results showed that almost 50% of samples were characterized by a moderate ecological toxicity risk, and only 5% of them were distinguished by a high risk. Computed Hazard Index levels were shown to be significant for ingestion in the children's group (4.09E+01) and for ingestion and dermal absorption in adults (8.49E+00 and 3.05E+02, respectively). These levels, well above 1, show a strong possibility of the chronic effects' occurrence for the two age groups. The carcinogenic risk (CR) levels linked to Pb showing values ranged between 2.27E−06 and 7.60E−03 indicate moderate chances of developing any type of cancer due to lifetime exposure to this metal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Petroleum Refinery Engineering is the property of Petroleum Refinery Engineering Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of the study was to assess the contamination of Arenosols on the beach, for this purpose the soil reaction and the content of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb) were examined. To carry out the study, a municipal beach in Gdansk, Jantarowa Street, N Poland, which is heavily visited by tourists throughout the year, was selected. Twenty samples of sandy soil were taken from the beach, 18 samples from the designated bathing area and 2 control samples 500 meters away. They were taken every 10 meters from the surface layers of sandy soil (0-25 cm) using an Egner's stick. The surveys were performed in the spring of 2022. The construction of the beach was looked at and the possibilities of its economic use were analyzed. It focused on the problem of pollution of beaches around the world and pointed out the small amount of research on the subject, which may be related to the non-use of the beach area for activities other than tourism. Potential sources of pollution were analyzed and the most harmful ones were identifi ed with an indication of the connection to the presence of large industrial plants in the vicinity. It was determined whether the permissible standards for heavy metals and soil pH are exceeded based on the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of September 1, 2016 on how to conduct an assessment of pollution of the earth's surface and the guidelines of the Institute of Fertilization and Soil Science in Puławy. No risk was found on the basis of trace metal limits, and therefore the sandy soil was considered uncontaminated with natural trace metal contents. The average cadmium content in the area is 0.073 mg·kg-1, zinc is 9.34 mg·kg-1, copper is 4.06 mg·kg-1, lead is 4.54 mg·kg-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of sediment texture along with geochemical variation, potential sources, and ecological risk assessment of major elements and trace metals in the bottom sediments of Iranian territorial waters situated in the northeast Persian Gulf. To achieve this, diverse laboratory methods, GIS techniques, statistical analyses, and index analysis approaches were employed. Over 50% of the sediment particles are mud, while one-third are sand-sized particles, primarily composed of skeletal fragments. The sediment's elements concentrations were ranked in descending order as Ca > Al > Fe > Sr > Mn > Ba > Cr > Ni > V > Zn > Cu > Pb > As > Co > Mo > Cd. Cluster analysis revealed strong correlations among Al-Ni-Cr-V, Cd-Cu-Zn-Pb, Ba-Fe, silt-clay, and Ca-Sr. Calcium and strontium showed extremely severe enrichment due to high content of carbonate matter. Arsenic and Mo were significantly enriched, while Ba, V, Co, Zn, and Cu demonstrated moderate enrichment. Nevertheless, all the sampling stations were classified as having zero to very low levels of contamination, indicating a low potential ecological risk. Arsenic emerged as the primary contributor to the ecological risk index. Notably, no strong correlation was found between As, Mo, and other elements, indicating that As and Mo likely originate from distinct sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper smelting has been a source of soil contamination with trace metals in Penga Penga (Lubumbashi). The residents are exposed to trace metal ingestion, and planting trees is challenging in such soil conditions. Nevertheless, planting trees in former household dumps or using various types of amendments has allowed the provisioning of fruits in a few residences. From the perspective of scaling up the process, a survey has been conducted with the aim of assessing the effectiveness of the planting processes on the trace metal content in fruits and leaves of Mangifera indica L. and Syzygium guineense (Willd) DC. Samples were collected from residential households in Penga Penga and Kalebuka (a non-polluted suburb). The bioconcentration factor (BCF) and the safe weekly consumption (SWC) were calculated for each species. The results showed higher values of total and soluble concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn in the rhizosphere of the two species in Penga Penga. Metal concentrations were higher in the fruits and leaves from Penga Penga, with 47% of samples above the FAO and WHO thresholds (vs. 18.5% in Kalebuka). The BCF values were below 1, demonstrating the effectiveness of the process in reducing the translocation of metals to leaves and fruits. Recommendations from the SWC limit Pb consumption to 9 kg for mango flesh and Cd consumption to 6.6 kg for S. guineense fruits in Penga Penga (vs. 78 kg and 68 kg in Kalebuka). Finally, the results of this study provide interesting lessons for the scaling up and technical itinerary of planting trees in Penga Penga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangrove is one of the most precious ecosystems with the greatest losses due to climate change, human activities, and pollution. The objective of this study is to assess the accumulation and distribution of some trace metals (Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in sediments and Avicennia marina roots and leaves and to discuss the antioxidant potential of A. marina under metallic pollution stress. Sediments, leaf, and root samples of A. marina were collected from five sites along the Red Sea Coast of Egypt. Several ecological pollution indices, including the geo accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), bioconcentration factor (BCF), and translocation factor (TF), were used to assess the pollution load. Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn average concentrations in sediments were 167.4, 0.75, 110.65, 39.79, and 220 μg g−1, respectively, and the average values of these metals in A. marina roots were 44.9, 0.5, 87.96, 39.02, and 54.68 μg g−1, respectively, while in leaves their concentration were 50.46, 0.5572, 88.24, 40.08, and 56.08 μg g−1, respectively. The values of the Igeo, CF, and PLI index indicated that location 1 and 5 are moderate-to-heavily contaminated sites. On the other hand, leaves and roots of A. marina grown in polluted locations 1 and 5 showed high accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA), low chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents concomitant with a decrease in total soluble sugars. High total antioxidant capacity was associated with a significant increase in activity levels of antioxidant enzymes (Catalase, Polyphenol oxidase, Polyphenol peroxidase, and Ascorbic acid oxidase), accumulation of secondary metabolites (total phenols, flavonoids, and tannins), and proline and carotenoids content increase. Overall, the present study suggests that the mangrove habitat of the Egyptian Red Sea coast is under the stress of anthropogenic activities, which necessitates a conservation plan to avoid further contamination and protect the unique biota of this distinctive habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A methodological framework for a system of ecological and geochemical monitoring of urban landscapes has been developed based on a joint analysis of the chemical composition of microparticles in transit (atmospheric aerosol and precipitation, river water and suspended sediments) and depositing (road dust, snow and soil covers, bottom sediments) environments. For automated monitoring on the territory of the Lomonosov Moscow State University Meteorological Observatory, the Aerosol Complex has been created, and seasonal variations in mass concentrations of PM10, black carbon, metals, metalloids, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric aerosol and precipitation in the Moscow megacity has been analyzed. In the aerosol–precipitation subsystem, a high washout capacity of precipitation with respect to Pb, Sb, As, Ni, Mg, K, Al, and S in the aerosols has been revealed. The enrichment of PM10 with metals and metalloids decreases in the snow–road dust–soil series, and Sb, W, Bi, Sn, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mo, and Zn are accumulated in PM10 in all three environments. The particles of PM10 suspended matter and of the Moskva River bottom sediments play a key role in transport and accumulation of Pb, Cu, Ni, and V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trace metals pollution in the freshwater system is an emerging concern. Thus, a systematic study was performed in the Wadi Fatimah basin to appraise the trace metals pollution status, sources and associated health risks using integrated tools, namely indices, international standards, multivariate statistical techniques and health risk assessment models. The groundwater salinity shows a wide range (TDS = 391 to 11,240 mg/l). The heavy metal pollution index and contamination index justify that most of the samples are unfit for drinking due to high metal pollution. Severe pollution is noticed by the Li (100%), Ni (98%), Pb (86%) and B (78%), and it is in the decreasing order of Mo > Cr > Al > Fe = Mn > V > Sr > Ag > Cu. Pearson correlation matrix suggests that most of the metals have a significant strong positive correlation with Al, Fe and Mn and originated from geogenic sources. Principal components analysis and R-mode HCA indicate that trace metals are mostly derived from weathering of aluminium silicates, oxides/hydroxides of Fe and Mn followed by evaporation, evaporite dissolution and restricted flow. Q-mode HCA resulted in 4 clusters, and the water chemistry of WG1 and WG4 is governed by mineral weathering. In addition, evaporation also enriched the metal load and salinity in WG4 wells. In WG2, the water chemistry is predominantly affected by long storage, evaporation and mineral weathering. In WG3, the water chemistry is influenced by evaporation, irrigation return flow and evaporite dissolution. The hazard quotient and hazard index suggest that groundwater in this basin causes potential non-carcinogenic health risks to the consumer. This study strongly recommends treatment for groundwater before supply to the local inhabitants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to establish the distribution of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn, in the muscle and liver of the spotted ratfish Hydrolagus colliei from the northern Gulf of California to establish the bioaccumulation background data in this species. The individuals (n = 110) were obtained by bycatch from the Gulf of California hake fisheries, and the metals and metalloid were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. The element with the highest concentration in the muscle (15.19 ± 5.40 mg kg−1) and the liver (20.98 ± 10.30 mg kg−1) was As, followed by essential elements (Zn > Cu), and the lowest were the non-essential Pb (0.029 ± 0.014 and 0.048 ± 0.038 mg kg−1, muscle and liver, respectively) and Cd (0.022 ± 0.014 and 0.796 ± 0.495 mg kg−1, muscle and liver, respectively). The liver showed higher bioaccumulation than the muscle in all the studied elements. The sex was not a factor that influenced the bioaccumulation. The concentrations of As in the muscle did not exceed the maximum permissible limits of Mexican legislation, and < 50% of the samples exceed Cd and Pb limits of the Mexican, European Union, and WHO/FAO regulations. The differences found between the elements and tissues could be related to the different diets of the species, their migratory patterns, and their life conditions. Studies in the deep-sea water H. colliei are limited, and further investigations are needed regarding the feeding habits of H. colliei as well as the interactions of potentially toxic elements within the deep-sea water habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cetaceans are recognized as bioindicators of pollution in oceans. These marine mammals are final trophic chain consumers and easily accumulate pollutants. For example, metals are abundant in oceans and commonly found in the cetacean tissues. Metallothioneins (MTs) are small non-enzyme proteins involved in metal cell regulation and are essential in many cellular processes (cell proliferation, redox balance, etc.). Thus, the MT levels and the concentrations of metals in cetacean tissue are positively correlated. Four types of metallothioneins (MT1, 2, 3, and 4) are found in mammals, which may have a distinct expression in tissues. Surprisingly, only a few genes or mRNA-encoding metallothioneins are characterized in cetaceans; molecular studies are focused on MT quantification, using biochemical methods. Thus, we characterized, in transcriptomic and genomic data, more than 200 complete sequences of metallothioneins (mt1, 2, 3, and 4) in cetacean species to study their structural variability and to propose to the scientific research community Mt genes dataset to develop in future molecular approaches which will study the four types of metallothioneins in diversified organs (brain, gonad, intestine, kidney, stomach, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to study whether the metal concentrations in Sparisoma cretense and Serranus atricauda differ between different coastal areas around the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands and to study whether these species are good bioindicators of pollution. Thirty samples of each species were collected from three parts of the coastline around the island, and samples of muscle and liver tissue were taken from the collected specimens. The determination of the metal content (Al, Cd, Pb, Ca, K, Mg, Na, B, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn) was performed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) before conducting a PERMANOVA analysis. The mean metal concentration was significantly higher in the liver tissue than in the muscle tissue of the two species studied. S. atricauda specimens had a larger number of metals with a higher concentration, and the samples from the northern and eastern zones were found to have a higher concentration of elements than those from the southern zone. The northern and eastern zones were found to have a higher concentration of metals and trace elements than the southern zone, which could be explained by the fact that these zones are more polluted due to their higher population density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrations of metals along with pH, potential redox (Eh), total dissolved solid (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC) and salinity were measured for sediments of different layers, pore and surface water in the Anzali wetland. Also, the diffusive flux of metals was calculated ad compared with the values in other aquatic bodies. The abundance of metals in sediments was Al > Fe > Ca > Ti > Mn > Zn > V > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > As > Mo > Ag > Cd, while the pore-water results indicated a different concentration profile: Ca > Mn > Fe > Al > V > Mo > As > Ni > Cu > Co. Anzali wetland is classified within a high ecological risk. Pore-water toxicity test showed it is in non-polluted condition. Eh–pH diagrams showed that all species of elements are in a stable state in surface and pore-waters. However, Mn and Co (in some layers) are in soluble form and free ions and thus are bioavailable to the organisms. V and As are also present in the form of hydrogen compounds and Ni in the form of hydroxides, therefore, they are toxic to aquatic animals due to their solubility and ionic forms. Diffusive fluxes for As, Al, Fe, Ca, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni and V are 0.43, 1.80, 48.52, 43,147.50, 0.12, 1.47, 0.15, 1.28, 0.21 µg/m2/day, respectively. Cluster analysis showed that in a solid phase of sediments, elements such as Cr, As and Ti are of petroleum and terrestrial origin. In pore-waters, Cu is of petroleum and biological origin, and Mo, As, Cu and Co are controlled by pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metals stored in sediments of lakes can bioaccumulate through the food chain, posing a risk to the environment and human health. Alpine lakes are supposed to be less affected by pollution than lowland lakes and are vulnerable to any changes and impacts in their catchment areas because of their remote position and ultra-oligotrophic character. Therefore, we used a model Alpine lake, Bohinj (in the Triglav National Park, Julian Alps, Slovenia), to evaluate the load of metals in the abiotic and biotic compartments of the ecosystem, in order to assess the spatial distribution of metals, and finally, to determine whether past and present human activities in the lake's catchment area may be causing pollution. To this aim, the contents of Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd, Co, Mn, Fe, Zn, Hg and Ni in the sediment, water, and macrophyte samples were determined. The results showed that the average content of some toxic elements, especially in the sediments (Cd 0.52 mg/kg; Hg 0.03 mg/kg) and plants (Co 0.71 mg/kg; Cr 5.88 mg/kg) was elevated compared to natural background values. High Hg contents could be connected with natural geological sources, while other elements were probably of anthropogenic origin. High levels of all elements in the eastern part of the lake indicated long-term pollution, which could be a consequence of past iron extraction and military activities in the vicinity. On the other hand, high contents of elements in the water suggests that intensive touristic activities in the area may cause temporal pollution in the summer. The study sheds light on complicated processes governing the distribution of trace metals in Alpine lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work is to assess the contamination of the Essouk stream, under acid drainage from the Sidi Kambar mine (southwest of Skikda, Algeria), which has been widely exploited during the previous decades. The methodology was conducted to control the current state of water chemistry, its evolution in space and time according to the variation of water physicochemical parameters and the content of trace metals (Pb, Fe, and Zn). In general, Essouk stream are highly sulphated (reached 598.56 mg/L) and have an elevated salinity, resulting in a high conductivity (1925 µS/cm) and presented a low pH (3.01). In addition, Fe, Pb and Zn contents reached 5.17 mg/L, 2.05 mg/L and 4.05 mg/L, respectively. Such results were linked to the bedrock of Sidi Kambar that is composed of galena, pyrite and sphalerite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the geochemical characteristics of the metals and the environmental pollution of sediments of upstream in Ulutaş Erzurum, Turkey. Stream sediment samples were taken from 93 sites. The majority of samples showed high Ag, As, Au, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn concentrations and were the major pollutants in the study area. Analytical data were evaluated by statical methods. The total variance of the three factors obtained from the data was determined as 55.66%. Associated elements are as follows: Ag–Cu–Mn–Mo–S–Se–Zn, As–Pb–Sb and Cr–Ni–W. Factor 1 is close to mineralization and shows mechanical enrichment (Ag, Cu, Mn, Mo, S, Se and Zn). Factor 2 (As, Pb, Sb and Bi) probably indicates hydromorphic transport with water solutions. Factor 3 (Au, Cr, W and Ni) indicates that granodioritic rocks are weathered and associated with these rocks. Statistical analyzes were made to determine the concentration values and distribution of the elements in the studied stream sediments. Ag, As, Au, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sb and Zn elements show the anomaly distributions in the study area. The anomalies seen especially for Ag, As, Fe, Mn and Pb elements show very high anomaly with a strong contrast to other areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrations of essential metals (Cu, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni, Mn, and Zn) and non-essential and toxic metals (Ag, Cd, Hg, and Pb) were quantified in hepatopancreas and abdominal muscle for 73 specimens (37 males and 36 females) of Procambarus clarkii from Lake Trasimeno (Italy) in a year's campaign (July 2018 to June 2019). Elemental concentrations determined in crayfish differed in tissues, seasons, and gender. Both sexes showed lower concentrations in abdominal muscle than in hepatopancreas. Essential metals accumulated in higher concentrations in both tissues than non-essential elements, while associations between essential metals were stronger, especially for females; however, a strong correlation was also observed between Cu and Ag in both sexes. No significant differences in concentrations were recorded between sexes for all seasons; contrarily, significant differences among the total seasonal concentrations (males plus females) were observed only for essential metals and for Ag. Seasonal Toxic Contamination Index (TCI) for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Hg were calculated to assess the toxicity level of metals in the sediments. TCI higher than 1 was detected for Ni only in summer, confirming the close connection between the fluctuating hydrological levels of the shallow Lake Trasimeno, strongly dependent on precipitation, and the metal contamination levels of sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Caspian Sea is exposed to numerous anthropogenic activities such as untreated wastewater discharge and agricultural activities which increased trace metals contamination. The current study was employed to assess the distribution, ecological risk assessment, and source identification of some trace metals in 125 samples of surface sediments and soil from 6 distinctive sections of Babolsar in the coastal line of the Caspian Sea. The sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) and individual risk assessment indices including enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (Cf), and potential risk factor (Er) suggested a hazardous level of Cd and Cr contamination. There was a relatively high level of Pb contamination while other studied trace metals were at a low contamination level. Cumulative risk indices such as modified degree of contamination (mCD), pollution load index (PLI), and the potential ecological risk index (RI) identified that the river, wetland, and farmland sites were more contaminated compared to the Caspian Sea samples which exhibited a moderate level of contamination. The lowest level of contamination was recorded in the coastline and river delta sites. Two analytical methods including Pearson's correlation coefficient and multivariate clustering dendrogram were also applied to identify the potential sources of contamination. The results suggested that wastewaters, nitrogen, and phosphate fertilizers were the main anthropogenic source of Cd, Co, Pb, and Ni while fossil fuels and transportation activities were the predominant sources of anthropogenic Cu, V, and Zn contamination. Further studies about trace metals risk assessment and fractionation could contribute to more effective decisions for reducing the anthropogenic trace metal pollution in the Caspian Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumption of soft drinks with high potentially toxic elements concentrations may lead to acute or chronic poisoning. Soft drinks have been shown to contain traces of some potentially toxic elements such as cadmium, lead, mercury arsenic, zinc, etc. which may be due to environmental pollution from the surface and underground water, food and fruits utilised during production, and can be toxic for humans. In this study, Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometer (Q-ICP-MS) was used in a simple validated method of analysis for direct determination of Al, Sb, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, Sn, and Zn in soft drink samples. Analysis of 130 samples covering 14 different brands of popular soft drinks in Egypt to assess whether the intakes complied with the upper permissible levels for tested metals was performed. The results showed that all analysed samples were free from any detectable amount of Hg, while the mean concentrations, in µg/L, were as follows: 1.48 (Cr), 1.96 (As), 0.77 (Sb), 0.53 (Co), 20.27 (Mn), 108.83 (Fe), 0.52 (Cd), 13.18 (Cu), 8.55 (Ni), 20.00 (Sn), 80.09 (Al), 36.54 (Zn), and 1.05 (Pb). The health risk assessment was evaluated for estimated weekly intake, the hazard quotient, the hazard index and the target cancer risk using the Food and Nutrition Board, FAO/WHO and USEPA recommendations. The weekly intakes of all elements were found to be significantly below the recommended tolerable levels. Also, the hazard quotient, the hazard index and the target cancer values for all elements were found to be lower than acceptable guideline values, which indicated that there was no any non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic effects may occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentration of nine heavy metals in Oreochromis niloticus inhabiting Agodi reservoir, Nigeria, was investigated. Samples were collected at the inlet, centre and outlet of the reservoir. The concentration of the metals was determined with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Ecological Risk Quotient (ERQ) was used to numerically quantify the ecological risks associated with the mineral, while Box Plot was used to evaluate the tolerance of the fish to heavy metals. The ERQ, which was in the order of Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu > Cd > Pb > Cr > Co > Ni, showed that Ni, Co, Cr and Pb had values of less than one, implying that they did not constitute an ecological threat to the environment, while Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu and Cd were of ecological risk. Results revealed that the concentration of Cd, Co and Ni exceeded the bio‐tolerance of the fish at the inlet, while Cd, Pb, Cu and Ni were beyond the tolerability of the fish at the centre. Similarly, the concentration of Co, Cu, Cr, Pb, Zn and Ni was above the tolerance limit of the fish. This showed that Fe and Mn were within the tolerance range of the fish and that the tolerability of the fish in relation to the location was inlet < Centre < Outlet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]