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Heavy metals, pervasive in the environment due to natural processes and human activities, pose substantial threats to ecosystems and human health. This study aims to delve into the sources, contamination pathways in natural waters, and subsequent bioaccumulation of heavy metals across various organisms. The overview encompasses an exploration of the environmental persistence, bioaccumulation dynamics, and ecotoxicological impacts of these metals. Methodologically, this research undertakes a comprehensive review synthesizing existing literature and studies on heavy metal contamination, bioaccumulation mechanisms, and ecotoxicity. Key findings highlight the protracted environmental persistence of heavy metals, perpetuating significant threats to ecological balance and human well-being. Notably, the transfer of these metals through food chains culminates in their bioaccumulation in diverse organisms, raising concerns about potential toxicity, including human exposure. The discussion underscores the imperative nature of assessing heavy metal pollution and its ramifications on ecosystems and human health. Emphasizing the essential role of bioindicators and biomarkers, this article elucidates their significance in evaluating heavy metal-induced environmental stressors and their impact on both biota and human populations. This comprehensive study contributes to a nuanced understanding of heavy metal dynamics, advocating for proactive measures in monitoring and mitigating their deleterious effects on ecosystems and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the amplitude data of geo-radar electromagnetic (EM) waves were extracted using EM wave property analysis software, and the variation relationship between the heavy metal concentrations measured in the field and the geo-radar EM wave was analyzed to construct the characteristic function of geo-radar signal waves and heavy metal pollution. Heavy metal concentrations were obtained through inversion and compared with the measured heavy metal concentrations to further explore the feasibility of inversion by geo-radar signal waves. The variations of electromagnetic wave amplitude properties with burial depth on different profiles were analyzed, and it was concluded that the variation of the mean absolute amplitude for geo-radar electromagnetic waves was most consistent with the variation in burial depth. The trend of mean absolute amplitude was found to have a significant correlation coefficient (0.8329). The root mean square (RMS) amplitude fluctuated between 2000 and 3000 as the concentration stayed in the range of 250–300 mg/kg and stabilized around 1000 in the concentration range of 50–100 mg/kg. The mean absolute amplitude showed a similar trend to the RMS amplitude, displaying decreasing amplitude within the concentration range of 50–100 mg/kg. The characteristic function of heavy metal pollution concentration and EM wave amplitude was expressed as c = - 0.00006 × F a 2 +0.36 × F a - 247.52 , which could be used to predict the actual heavy metal concentration changes through the changes in mean absolute amplitude. This provides a theoretical foundation for developing a model of the relationship between heavy metal pollution concentrations and electromagnetic wave amplitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Central South University is the property of Springer Nature 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.)

This research investigates the ecological impacts of heavy metals in downstream river sediments with a focus on carbon emission efficiency in agriculture under the environmental regulation context. In this study, thirty sediment samples have been taken from the downstream region of the Shichuanhe River located in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China, to analyze the availability of heavy metals. The results show that there are high ecological impacts in relation to the heavy metals and that impacts the carbon emission efficiency in agriculture directly. The analysis has also found the importance of significant environmental regulations in the management of such risks. This research has offered a unique angle on the relationship between heavy metal pollution and agricultural carbon release and has given important information on the improvement of environmental control measures. The implications highlight the need for the implementation of measures to enhance the policies that will help to prevent the ecological threats that are connected with heavy metals in the agricultural areas and, thus, improve the management of the environment.

This study evaluates the potential of red blood cockle Tegillarca granosa as a biomonitor for heavy metal contamination in coastal environments, with a focus on the differential bioaccumulation patterns across three sites: Teluk Kemang (TK), Pasir Panjang (PP), and Port Dickson (PD). Four major findings emerged from the analysis. First, T. granosa demonstrated significant variations in metal accumulation, with PD exhibiting the highest concentrations of Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), and Iron (Fe). This confirms the species' sensitivity to varying pollution levels and highlights PD as the most contaminated site among the three. Second, strong correlations between metal levels in the environment and their accumulation in the cockle’s soft tissues underscored its effectiveness in reflecting the bioavailability of contaminants, particularly for Zn and Cu. This finding validates the use of T. granosa as an effective bioindicator of environmental metal exposure. Third, the study highlighted the role of cockle shells as indicators of long-term exposure, with consistently higher metal concentrations observed at PD. This suggests persistent environmental contamination in this area and demonstrates the value of shell analysis in assessing chronic pollution. Finally, the stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed complex interactions between environmental media and bioaccumulation processes, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to biomonitoring. These interactions indicate that bioaccumulation in T. granosa is influenced by multiple environmental factors, necessitating an integrated monitoring strategy. These findings support the use of T. granosa as a reliable indicator species for monitoring heavy metal pollution and assessing ecological risks in coastal ecosystems.

Abstract A total of 30 samples from the downwind direction of a certain electroplating company in Jiaxing were collected in layers to analyze their heavy metal content. The soil risk assessment was conducted from the perspective of ecological and human health risks using the ground accumulation index method and human health risk assessment method. The results showed that in all samples, cadmium and arsenic far exceeded the soil background values, with an average exceeding multiple of 14.31 and 64.42, respectively, and a exceeding rate of 100%. After evaluation by the ground accumulation index, among these six heavy metals, arsenic and cadmium belong to extremely serious pollution levels. The human health risk assessment of electroplating plants found that in the exposure risk assessment, the ingestion value was much greater than the harm caused by breathing and skin, and the maximum exposure damage value of arsenic to children and adults was 4.17 × 10–3, among the carcinogenic risks, the risk brought by consumption is much greater than the respiratory and skin carcinogenic risk index, with the highest value score of 3.37 for cadmium, arsenic, and zinc carcinogenic risks 3.37 × 10–6, 2.42 × 10–3, 1.10 × 10–4.

The brewing process of craft beer can introduce contamination by heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, and Zn from various sources. Cadmium and lead metals are particularly worrisome because of their harmful effects on human health. This study aimed to evaluate a method for quantifying the levels of Cd, Pb, and Zn in craft beer brands sold in the northern region of the Metropolitan District of Quito, Ecuador, using atomic absorption spectroscopy. For confidentiality, the brands were anonymized as Brands A to I. Standard addition curves were employed for metal quantification, with repeatability assessed via the coefficient of variation (CV%) and accuracy determined by recovery (R%). The Cd content in Brands B–G and I was below the threshold established by the Mercosur Resolution Nº 12/11. Additionally, Brands A and D–H complied with the Ecuadorian INEN 2262 standard for maximum Pb concentration in beer. All samples showed Zn levels substantially below the maximum levels permitted by Ecuadorian regulations. Brands A, B, C, and H exhibited the highest concentrations of Cd and Pb.

Conspecific amphibian populations may vary widely in local demography and average body size throughout their geographical range. The environmental drivers of variation may reflect geographical gradients or local habitat quality. Among fire salamander populations (Salamandra salamandra), local demography shows a limited range of variation because high concentrations of skin toxins reduce mortality from predation to a minimum, whereas average adult body size varies significantly over a wide range. This study on four neighboring populations inhabiting the catchments of low-order streams in the upper middle Rhine Valley (Koblenz, Germany) focuses on the identification of local environmental drivers of variation in age and body size. I collected 192 individuals at two localities per stream, measured snout–vent length, clipped a toe for posterior skeletochronological age determination, and released salamanders in situ again. Populations were similar in age distribution. Local habitat quality accounted for a significant proportion of demographic variability, mediated by the impact of landscape-induced mortality risk, including roads and agriculture. Still, the main effect of variation in habitat quality was on adult body size, the result of growth rates of aquatic larvae and terrestrial juveniles. Larvae exposed to non-lethal heavy metal contamination in streams developed into smaller juveniles and adults than clean-water larvae, providing evidence for carry-over effects from one stage to another. The generally small average adult size in the Rhine Valley populations compared to those in other parts of the distribution range indicates the action of a still unidentified environmental driver.

This study investigates the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in urban gardens in a highly industrialized city in Brazil and evaluates the effectiveness of different washing methods in reducing contamination. Ten elements (arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn)) were analyzed for their concentration, and a health risk assessment was performed. The results showed that Pb concentrations in lettuce from gardens near the Capuava Petrochemical Complex reached 0.77 mg kg−1, exceeding both national and international safety limits. The most effective washing procedure involved the use of sodium hypochlorite, which reduced As by 46%, Pb by 48%, and V by 52%. However, elements such as Ba, Cd, Cr, and Ni showed limited reductions of less than 10% across all washing methods. Health risk assessments revealed a particular concern for children, with the total cancer risk (TCR) exceeding acceptable limits in some gardens. Isotopic analysis of Pb revealed that atmospheric pollution from gasoline emissions and industrial activities were the primary sources of contamination. The elevated levels of Pb, Cr, and As highlight the need for targeted health education in local communities, especially regarding the importance of proper washing techniques. Risk management strategies, including improved contamination control and public awareness, are crucial to minimize exposure to these harmful elements, particularly in vulnerable populations like children.

The concept of circular economy, aiming at increasing the sustainability of products and services in the water and other sectors, is gaining momentum worldwide. Driven by this concept, novel bio-composite materials produced by recovering resources from different parts of the water cycle are now manufactured in The Netherlands. The new materials are used for different products such as canal bank protection elements, as an alternative to similar elements made of hardwood. As much as these new materials are appealing from the sustainability point of view, they may leach toxic substances into the aquatic environment given some of their ingredients, e.g., cellulose recovered from wastewater treatment. Therefore, a methodology for the assessment of related environmental risks is needed and it does not exist currently. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by presenting a framework for this. The framework is based on European environmental risk assessment guidelines, and it includes four key steps: (i) hazard identification, (ii) dose–response modelling, (iii) exposure assessment and (iv) risk characterisation (i.e. assessment). As part of the first step, laboratory leaching tests were carried out to evaluate the potential release of specific chemical substances such as heavy metals and resin compounds into the aquatic environment. Laboratory test results were then used as input data to evaluate the risk of potential leaching from canal bank protection elements into surface water. A deterministic model was used first to identify the chemicals exceeding the guideline threshold. Subsequently, a stochastic model was applied to evaluate the environmental risks across a range of leachate concentrations and water velocities in the canal, thereby simulating a broader spectrum of possible situations. The risk analyses were conducted for four alternative bio-composite materials made of different ingredients, two different flow conditions (stagnant water and advective flow) in two types of canals (wide ditch and primary watercourse) and for two different water levels based on season conditions (summer and winter conditions). The results obtained from leaching tests identified Cu, Mn, Zn, styrene and furfuryl alcohol as potentially troublesome chemicals. In the case of stagnant water, the absence of a flow rate increases the residence time of the chemicals in the surface water, resulting in a higher PEC/PNEC (i.e. risk) value. However, under stagnant case conditions, environmental risks for all chemicals considered turned out to be below the safety threshold. In the advective case, the existence of a flow rate, even at low velocities simulating the conditions of 'almost no flow,' contributes to increased dilution, resulting in lower PEC/PNEC ratio values. The results presented here, even though representing real-case scenarios, are only indicative as these are based on laboratory leaching tests and a number of assumptions made. Additional field tests involving collecting and analysing water and sediment samples from the canal where the canal bank protection elements are located, over a prolonged period, are required to come up with more conclusive findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid growth of industrialization and urbanization in China has led to an increase in soil heavy metal pollution, which poses a serious threat to ecosystem safety and human health. The advancement of spectral technology offers a way to rapidly and non-destructively monitor soil heavy metal content. In order to explore the potential of rice leaf spectra to indirectly estimate soil heavy metal content. We collected farmland soil samples and measured rice leaf spectra in Xushe Town, Yixing City, Jiangsu Province, China. In the laboratory, the heavy metals Cd and As were determined. In order to establish an estimation model between the pre-processed spectra and the soil heavy metals Cd and As content, a genetic algorithm (GA) was used to optimise the partial least squares regression (PLSR). The model's accuracy was evaluated and the best estimation model was obtained. The results showed that spectral pre-processing techniques can extract hidden information from the spectra. The first-order derivative of absorbance was more effective in extracting spectral sensitive information from rice leaf spectra. The GA-PLSR model selects only about 10% of the bands and has better accuracy in spectral modeling than the PLSR model. The spectral reflectance of rice leaves has the capacity to estimate Cd content in the soil (relative percent difference [RPD] = 2.09) and a good capacity to estimate As content in the soil (RPD = 2.97). Therefore, the content of the heavy metals Cd and As in the soil can be estimated indirectly from the spectral data of rice leaves. This study provides a reference for future remote sensing monitoring of soil heavy metal pollution in farmland that is quantitative, dynamic, and non-destructive over a large area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Central South University is the property of Springer Nature 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 land use change can negatively impact ecosystems, enriching water and soil with heavy metals (HMs). The fragile riparian areas along the Medjerda River of Northern Algeria are particularly affected by this phenomenon, and biological tools able to combine information about both matrices can be preferred in their monitoring. This research aimed to evaluate the suitability of the spiny toad (Bufo spinosus D.) as a biomonitor for assessing the impact of three different land uses (agricultural (AGR), urban (URB), and industrial (IND) managements) on soil and water for Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn by using the non-lethal skin biopsy. The IND land use, followed by URB, mostly impacted soils for Cu and Pb, whereas management was not able to influence water differently despite worrying Pb levels. The cluster analysis allows to show that toad responds like soil in terms of land use and like water for HMs, as it is possibly related to the metal–chemical affinity. Although the single skin analyses do not display any difference among the managements, the bioaccumulation factor (BF > 1) shows that B. spinosus absorbs more HMs from water; skin accumulates Fe and Zn regardless of the land use, probably for both natural and anthropogenic assimilation and Pb and Cu for URB and IND, as it is related to their ionic forms and human impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is very little information on Andean condors scavenging on fish. Here we report five events of condors feeding on fish carrion in the Bolivian Chaco Serrano in three consecutive years. In 2019, 2020, and 2021, condors were observed feeding on discarded fish from local fishermen, 3 km west of Villa Montes, in the 'El Angosto' section of the Pilcomayo River. Fishing, mainly for sábalo (Prochilodus lineatus), is the most important economic activity in that part of the Pilcomayo basin and its discards explain fish carrion availability there, while driving scavengers to feed on this resource. We believe that fish carrion abundance, the intensity of intra‐ and interspecific competition for access to carrion, and overall carrion availability hierarchically influence the fact that condors feed on fish, something we will investigate later based on the observations reported here. From a conservation perspective, the main consequence of scavengers feeding on fish from the Pilcomayo is that they could be getting heavy metal poisoning. Heavy metal poisoning is a serious threat with widely known negative effects for wildlife. Our observations should serve to promote comprehensive bio‐monitoring of the Pilcomayo basin, using approaches such as One Health, and emphasizing the importance of coexistence between humans and the rest of biodiversity, with the Andean Condor as the flagship species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work studied the impact of different levels of PVC–microplastics (PVC–MPs), namely 0 (no PVC–MPs), 2, and 4 mg L−1, along with mercury (Hg) levels of 0 (no Hg), 10, and 25 mg kg−1 in the soil, while concurrently applying titanium dioxide–nanoparticles (TiO2–NPs) at 0 (no TiO2–NPs), 50, and 100 µg mL−1 to sorghum (Pennisetum glaucum L.) plants. This study aimed to examine plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange characteristics, oxidative stress indicators, and the response of various antioxidants (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) and their specific gene expression, proline metabolism, the AsA–GSH cycle, and cellular fractionation in the plants. The research outcomes indicated that elevated levels of PVC–MPs and Hg stress in the soil notably reduced plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and gas exchange attributes. However, PVC–MPs and Hg stress also induced oxidative stress in the roots and shoots of the plants by increasing malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and electrolyte leakage (EL) which also induced increased compounds of various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and also the gene expression and sugar content. Furthermore, a significant increase in proline metabolism, the AsA–GSH cycle, and the pigmentation of cellular components was observed. Although, the application of TiO2–NPs showed a significant increase in plant growth and biomass, gas exchange characteristics, enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds, and their gene expression and also decreased oxidative stress. In addition, the application of TiO2–NPs enhanced cellular fractionation and decreased the proline metabolism and AsA-GSH cycle in P. glaucum plants. These results open new insights for sustainable agriculture practices and hold immense promise in addressing the pressing challenges of heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar, as a soil amendment, can be applied to remediate heavy metal (HM) contaminated farmland. However, there is little research on the effect of tobacco biochar (TB) derived from tobacco waste on HM controlling in edible parts of vegetables. In this study, the impact of two TB levels on the plant growth, copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) accumulation in the edible parts of lettuce and chrysanthemum, and on Cu and Cd bioavailability of rhizosphere soil was investigated through in-situ field experiments. The results showed that TB has rich oxygen containing functional groups, high porosity, high nitrogen adsorption capacity. The addition of 5 t ha−1 and 10 t ha−1 TB significantly increased the shoot biomass of chrysanthemum, but had no effect on the growth of lettuce. Two levels of TB significantly increased the pH value, but decreased the available Cu and Cd concentrations of rhizosphere soil, thereby reducing the Cu and Cd accumulations in the edible parts of lettuce and chrysanthemum. The findings provided effective evidences that TB derived from tobacco waste is an efficient strategy for controlling Cu and Cd accumulation in the edible parts of vegetables to ensure agri-product safety production in HM-polluted farmland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban soil contamination by heavy metals poses a significant environmental and public health challenge. As an assessment of four heavy metals in urban soils of Hyderabad, Pakistan, employing spatial variability mapping, geographic information system (GIS), and multivariate analysis. A total of 415 soil samples were collected from different urban areas, processed, and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The results revealed distinct groups of elements, with Cd, Pb, and Zn displaying anthropogenic origins, while as showed natural abundance. GIS-based maps identified metal contamination hotspots, with Zn and Pb concentrations elevated in the city center, primarily attributed to vehicular emissions. The study also highlighted Ni hotspots in industrial areas and the Phulleli canal. The potential ecological risk (PER) assessment indicated moderate and considerable risk only for Cd. Integrated PER analysis revealed that 95% of samples had low PER, emphasizing the importance of these findings for guiding future urban planning and research and development activities. This comprehensive assessment provides valuable insights for policymakers, government authorities, and stakeholders to address and mitigate heavy metal contamination in urban soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is the most common and indissoluble substance in the ecosystem. It is really sad that the development of cities, people, and industries has side effects on water resources, as they are getting worse. Heavy metals are mostly found in industries; their toxicity levels are a big challenge. The work details the latest methods employed in the removal of water contaminants with heavy metals, absorption being the technique used. Following the completeness of the literature review for various sorbents that are used to remove heavy metals from wastewater, this article details one of the possible sorbents that can play this role, using carbon nanotubes as a sorbent. Through the test, it has been demonstrated that CNTs have high efficiency, yet some shortcomings have also been shown. It should, additionally, be known that further improvement of desulfurizing agents to make them better at removing heavy metals is needed. This work demonstrates that, in comparison to IL's, which must be supplied by producers, DES's, as an alternative approach, are cheaper, more accessible to use, and much safer for the environment. In other words, the method of adsorption with functionalized CNTs + DESs proved to be the most suitable. The practical diagnostics and conclusions generated from this research should prove valuable to engineers and environmental scientists involved in carbon nanotube applications in environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) due to various human activities is a significant concern. This study has employed 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) spectrometry to investigate HMS concentrations and identify bacterial strains exhibiting resistance to HMS, and used the PICRUSt tool to assess the metabolic pathways of bacterial communities. Our primary focus was to assess HMs concentrations in the soils of Baghdad (BG) and the Baiji Oil Refinery (BOR) area while examining the bacterial diversity in these regions. The results revealed that the average levels of Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in BOR were higher than in BG and the global average. In BOR, the most prevalent bacterial genera were Flavobacterium, Shewanella, and Pseudomonas. Using the PICRUSt tool, we identified that Cd and Pb substantially impacted the metabolic pathways of these bacterial communities. This study marks the first report in Iraq to employ 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze bacterial communities in Iraqi soil and investigate how HMs affect them. However, this study can serve as a reference for future research and the development of innovative strategies for the sustainable management of soil ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on assessing the water quality and heavy metal contamination in surface and groundwater in the Owo metropolis. Water, a vital resource for human existence and ecosystem maintenance, plays a crucial role in various activities. The research emphasizes the significance of water quality in preventing waterborne illnesses, particularly in areas lacking proper sanitation. The physicochemical characteristics of surface and groundwater were analyzed, revealing parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride (Cl), sulfate (SO4), bicarbonate (HCO3), and concentrations of various metals. The results indicate that the studied parameters generally fall below the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian guidelines, suggesting a lower risk to public health. Cluster analysis revealed associations between water samples, linking certain clusters to anthropogenic activities like dumpsites, farming, and households. Correlation analysis demonstrated relationships between different hydrochemical parameters, highlighting potential sources of major ions. Geochemical assessments, illustrated through Piper and Gibbs diagrams, indicated the dominance of Ca-Cl water types and the influence of rock weathering on water composition. Bivariate plots and ion exchange processes provided insights into water-rock interactions. The study also evaluated ecological risks and water quality indices, revealing potential risks from heavy metals. Hazard and cancer risk assessments suggested the cumulative potential of heavy metals to pose health risks, particularly for children. The research emphasizes the need for urgent interventions to address water quality issues in the Owo metropolis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) contamination poses a major threat to plants and human health, as well as to ecosystem services. Biostimulants provide a promising eco-friendly solution to enhance the phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soils. We examined the influence of a humic and fulvic acids-based biostimulant on two plant species, e.g., Plantago weldenii and Sonchus oleraceus (common sowthistle), in a soil spiked with Cd at 45 mg kg−1. The aim of this study was to determine whether a biostimulant can potentially affect Cd mobility in soil and absorption in plant tissues. We found that the biostimulant significantly decreased Cd bioavailability (recorded as DTPA extractability) in the soil where Plantago was grown from 17.57 to 13.12 mg kg−1, probably due to the Cd immobilization effect of the added biostimulant. However, the biostimulant had the opposite effect in the soil where S. oleraceus was grown (Cd-DTPA significantly increased from 10.13 to 13.03 mg kg−1). S. oleraceus was found to have accumulated higher Cd concentrations in its aerial parts, resulting in a soil-to-plant transfer value close to 1 and root-to-shoot translocation value well above 1. These two indices exhibited the potential of S. oleraceus to be used as hyperaccumulator in Cd-contaminated soils, while P. weldenii behaved rather as a Cd excluder. These findings highlight the complex dynamics of added biostimulants and Cd behavior in soil and plants. We recognize the need for further research so that the mechanisms dictating Cd behavior after biostimulant application can be better elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we present a novel colorimetric method for the precise and sensitive detection of Hg ions utilizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) produced and stabilized in an aqueous medium using Poly allyl amine hydrochloride (PAH). Nanoparticles were prepared from silver nitrate and NaBH4 along with CTAB at 26 ± 2 °C with an average size of 30.21 ± 6.5 nm. The prepared AgNPs solution exhibited yellowish brown color with a surface Plasmon peak at 420 nm. By adding Hg ions, the yellow color of the solution was transformed into a colorless suspension, and the color change was proportional to the Hg ion concentration. The presence of other metal ions had no effect on the color (sensitivity); confirming the selectivity of CTAB stabilized PAH capped AgNPs towards Hg ions. The generated probe has a 1 nM low detection limit when measured using a UV–visible spectrophotometer. The proposed approach has the potential to be utilized in real-time environments with greater precession by applying RGB values to make a revolutionary sensor using visible light imaging technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northern part of James Ross Island is the largest deglaciated area in the Antarctic Peninsula region with a unique ecosystem created during the Late Glacial. This research aims to evaluate the degree of contamination of the locality with toxic metals (As, Hg, Cd, and Pb) through bioindicators in the aquatic environment—colonies of cyanobacteria and algae. For this purpose, bottom lake sediments of Big Lachman Lake were studied for contents of Fe, As, Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, as well as samples of cyanobacterial mat, in which Fe, As, Hg, Cd, and Pb were determined. Metal contents were determined by means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry. The contents of metals in sediments did not differ from the usual values in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula. The bioaccumulation of metals in cyanobacterial mat was evaluated by calculating enrichment factors (the calculation to Fe as a reference element). According to this method, moderate pollution of Big Lachman Lake was confirmed for Hg and Cd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducted in the Kyungpook National University Eco-friendly Agriculture Research Centre between 2022 and 2023 investigates the environmental implications of fence-type solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in diverse agricultural settings. Despite the increasing adoption of solar energy for climate change mitigation, there is a noticeable gap in research regarding the potential environmental impact of these specific PV systems. Focusing on heavy metal concentrations, including Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Arsenic (As), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6), Zinc (Zn), and Nickel (Ni), across distinct fields, the study reveals significant fluctuations. Notably, the Rice Field experienced a substantial increase in Cd levels from 0.47 mg/kg in 2022 to 1.55 mg/kg in 2023, while Cu and Pb concentrations decreased to acceptable levels in 2023. The findings underscore the dynamic nature of heavy metal concentrations, emphasizing the importance of continuous soil quality monitoring to prevent contamination. This research provides valuable insights into the impact of fence-type solar PV system installations on agricultural soil quality, emphasizing the urgent need to secure these ecosystems through vigilant monitoring and environmental management practices.

Introduction: Metal contamination in surface water in urban cities has become a common scenario in underdeveloped and developing countries. Nowadays, the extent of this contamination is suspected to be traced in remote islands due to the transportation of metals with downward water flow. Unfortunately, we found a dearth of research on our remote island, where thousands of people live and use surface water for their daily needs. Objectives: The current study aims to investigate the status of heavy metals in surface water from a remote island, Hatiya Coast, to determine the existence of heavy metals and their risks to human health. Ten surface water samples were collected, and their concentrations were measured using AAS. Later, various pollution indices were analyzed to understand their pollution level. Results: The mean metal concentrations were ranked in descending order of Mg (65.44 mg.L−1)> Fe (0.375 mg.L−1)> Zn (0.139 mg.L−1)>Mn (0.016 mg.L−1)> and Cu was below the detection limit (BDL). According to different metal pollution indexes, the surface water of the Hatiya coast is low to moderately polluted. The standard HEI value was 1.58, and the range was 1.29–2.25, indicating that all sampling stations had a low level of metal contamination. The mean and range of HPI values were found at 44.58 and 34.33–69.33, respectively. All of the sampling stations indicated low pollution levels except sampling station 6. NPI values revealed moderate contamination in stations 2, 3, and 7. According to the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) for adults and children, heavy metals were found to have no carcinogenic risks for children and adults through dermal exposure. Conclusion: Along with the metals coming from upstream, several local sources of heavy metals were identified during fieldwork, including metallurgical businesses, oil spills from the ship, and some trawlers associated with fishing activities. Overall, these findings would be valuable for aquaculture sectors and future researchers to compare, correlate, and understand the pollution level of the island and serve as a foundation for conducting further investigations in similar island environments, both locally and globally.

The auto parts industry occupies an important strategic position in our national economy, which brings about the pollution problem in the processing of auto parts, particularly in soil polluted by heavy metals. Soil samples were collected from an automobile parts company in Jiaxing, China, and the data were evaluated using the land accumulation index method. The study found that the heavy metal pollution in the downwind direction of the Automobile Parts Co., Ltd. is mainly As, CD, and Zn mixed heavy metal pollution, and the distribution is uneven. The coefficient of variation of As was the largest, and the regional variation amplitude was large. The coefficient of variation of CD, Cr, and Ni is 50%, that of Zn is 39.38%, and that of PB is the lowest. The accumulative index of AS and CD was 6, which was a very serious pollution level. The content of As was 1994.7 mg/kg, exceeding the standard by more than 44 times, and the distribution of As in soil was uneven. The pollution level of Zn is 3, which belongs to the moderate level. The pollution degree of heavy metals in the soil decreases as the distance from the downwind outlet of the plant increases. According to the health risk assessment, the main route of heavy metals entering the body is through the mouth by breathing. Among exposure routes, oral exposure to heavy metals is the most harmful, so we need to pay special attention to farmland soil heavy metal pollution.

The emergence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics (MPs) as pollutants in agricultural soils is increasingly alarming, presenting significant toxic threats to soil ecosystems. Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.), a plant of significant medicinal and culinary value, is increasingly subjected to environmental stressors that threaten its growth and productivity. This situation is particularly acute given the well-documented toxicity of chromium (Cr), which has been shown to adversely affect plant biomass and escalate risks to the productivity of such economically and therapeutically important species. The present study was conducted to investigate the individual effects of different levels of PVC−MPs (0, 2, and 4 mg L−1) and Cr (0, 150, and 300 mg kg−1) on various aspects of plant growth. Specifically, we examined growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange attributes, oxidative stress responses, antioxidant compound activity (both enzymatic and nonenzymatic), gene expression, sugar content, nutritional status, organic acid exudation, and Cr accumulation in different parts of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.) seedlings, which were also exposed to varying levels of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) (0, 25, and 50 µg mL−1). Results from the present study showed that the increasing levels of Cr and PVC−MPs in soils significantly decreased plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange attributes, sugars, and nutritional contents from the roots and shoots of the plants. Conversely, increasing levels of Cr and PVC−MPs in the soil increased oxidative stress indicators in term of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and electrolyte leakage, and also increased organic acid exudation pattern in the roots of T. ammi seedlings. Interestingly, the application of TiO2−NPs counteracted the toxicity of Cr and PVC−MPs in T. ammi seedlings, leading to greater growth and biomass. This protective effect is facilitated by the NPs' ability to sequester reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing oxidative stress and lowering Cr concentrations in both the roots and shoots of the plants. Our research findings indicated that the application of TiO2−NPs has been shown to enhance the resilience of T. ammi seedlings to Cr and PVC−MPs toxicity, leading to not only improved biomass but also a healthier physiological state of the plants. This was demonstrated by a more balanced exudation of organic acids, which is a critical response mechanism to metal stress.

Abstract In the current industrial scenario, cadmium (Cd) as a metal is of great importance but poses a major threat to the ecosystem. However, the role of micronutrient − amino chelates such as iron − lysine (Fe − lys) in reducing Cr toxicity in crop plants was recently introduced. In the current experiment, the exogenous applications of Fe − lys i.e., 0 and10 mg L − 1, were examined, using an in vivo approach that involved plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, oxidative stress indicators and antioxidant response, sugar and osmolytes under the soil contaminated with varying levels of Cd i.e., 0, 50 and 100 µM using two different varieties of canola i.e., Sarbaz and Pea − 09. Results revealed that the increasing levels of Cd in the soil decreased plant growth and growth-related attributes and photosynthetic apparatus and also the soluble protein and soluble sugar. In contrast, the addition of different levels of Cd in the soil significantly increased the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which induced oxidative damage in both varieties of canola i.e., Sarbaz and Pea − 09. However, canola plants increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and non-enzymatic compounds such as phenolic, flavonoid, proline, and anthocyanin, which scavenge the over-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cd toxicity can be overcome by the supplementation of Fe − lys, which significantly increased plant growth and biomass, improved photosynthetic machinery and sugar contents, and increased the activities of different antioxidative enzymes, even in the plants grown under different levels of Cd in the soil. Research findings, therefore, suggested that the Fe − lys application can ameliorate Cd toxicity in canola and result in improved plant growth and composition under metal stress.

Background: Leafy greens, particularly romaine lettuce, are often associated with outbreaks due to their susceptibility to contamination from various environmental sources. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of E. coli, Salmonella, copper, nickel, zinc, and manganese in irrigation water, lettuce leaves, and agricultural soil in the Litani River Basin (LRB), Lebanon. Method: Samples were collected from five demonstration plots employing different agricultural practices. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry, while E. coli and Salmonella testing were conducted through conventional culturing techniques. The impact of E. coli contamination on seed germination and the interaction effects between E. coli and heavy metals were also examined. The study also compared the effectiveness of various irrigation systems in reducing bacterial contamination. Results: The results demonstrated that contamination levels varied significantly across the plots and irrigation types. This variation underscores the necessity of site-specific mitigation strategies to enhance food safety. Our findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate irrigation methods and implementing tailored agricultural practices to minimize the risk of contamination. Conclusion: This research provides valuable insights for optimizing agricultural practices in the LRB to ensure food safety and environmental sustainability.

This study evaluates the impact of multi-year protection of grapevines using copper-based pesticides on heavy metal content in soil, leaves, and fruit under organic and conventional cultivation methods. Conducted on Solaris, Hibernal, and Muscaris grapevine varieties in north-western Poland, the research highlights significant differences between the two cultivation approaches. In organic vineyards, copper content in soil averaged 10.25 mg/kg, significantly higher than the 9.05 mg/kg found in conventional soils. Manganese levels were also elevated in organic soils (223 mg/kg) compared to conventional ones (299 mg/kg). Conversely, conventional vineyards exhibited higher zinc and lead concentrations, averaging 47.10 mg/kg and 20.34 mg/kg, respectively, versus 43.50 mg/kg and 11.22 mg/kg in organic soils. The organic soils also had higher salinity (46.50 mg/kg) than conventional ones (30.50 mg/kg). The fruits of grapevines in organic cultivation showed higher copper and zinc levels, with the Solaris variety containing 15.01 mg/kg of copper and the Muscaris variety having 11.43 mg/kg of zinc. These levels exceed the commonly encountered ranges of

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Determining food composition and bioactivity is critical to both theoretical and applied research in food science and technology. This is frequently used to determine the nutritional value and overall acceptance of the food by consumers. The current study's goal is to determine the macronutrient, mineral and antioxidant activity of selected wheat and soybean varieties with the potential to be useful in the food industry to develop value-added products that are safe for consumption.METHODS: The proximate and mineral composition, gluten characterization, total phenolic contents, and antioxidant activity of three wheat cultivars and five soybean cultivars that are indigenous to India were studied.FINDINGS: Wheat varieties were found to be rich in carbohydrates (65.8-68.8 percent) and gluten (27.2-28.6 percent), whereas soybean varieties were found to be the richest source of protein (32.8-33.7 percent), fat (17.1-17.6 percent), fiber (21.7-28.8 percent), polyphenols (2.76-3.59 milligram gallic acid equivalent per gram, and antioxidant activity (97-123 microgram ascorbic acid equivalent per gram). These samples were also found to have significant content of essential minerals.CONCLUSION: The tested samples had a high nutritional value and energy content and could be a good source of nutrition for a large population. A comprehensive report on the proximate and mineral composition, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the wheat and soybean varieties collected from the Rewa district, India, was reported.

Abstract Accumulation of heavy metals in soil can lead to the deterioration of soil quality, reduce soil fertility and crop yields, and thus threaten human and animal health. The study aimed to assess the potential ecological risk of heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils in Kazakhstan. The study was carried out in 2021 on the soils of the Zhdanovskoye owner-operated farm in the Sokolovsko-Sarybai district of the Kostanay region. The quantitative content of heavy metals, such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd), was determined, and concentrations of trace elements, such as zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn), were calculated for the considered contaminated lands. The potential ecological risk index (RI) proposed by L. Hakanson was used in the study concerning heavy metal contamination of soil. As a result, the presence of trace elements and heavy metals in the considered areas of the Kostanay region was shown. The RI values for all sites ranged from 137 to 447, corresponding to the level of ecological risk grading from low to high. The average RI for As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cu amounted to 328, which indicates a high ecological risk. Detected levels of As, Cd, Zn, and Pb in long-term abandoned mining areas were well above national thresholds, indicating the impending need to fully investigate and assess the suitability of the land for further agricultural use. The availability of such data will allow predicting cluster-based development of processing infrastructures in the vicinity of agricultural lands.

Gas flaring, a common practice in many countries, has been associated with environmental and health concerns. A recent study in Bangladesh's largest gas field, Kailashtilla, assessed the influence of gas flaring on soil quality in the surrounding areas. Physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics were assessed on soil samples collected from three union zones. Considerable influences have been found on soil quality, with several physical and chemical characteristics failing to meet the standards for healthy plant growth. Heavy metal contamination in the earth's soil was identified, specifically cadmium and lead, having a risk index indicating a moderate risk to the ecosystem in the future. Gas flaring also impacted the amount of bacteria in the soil, with the highest number being found farthest from the flaring zone. The soil was only marginally contaminated and potential health risks found. AAS and digestion methods were used to estimate the content of heavy metal contamination in the soil. To depict the geographically distributed abundance of heavy metals in the study area, the Kriging spatial interpolation procedure was utilized, and PCA and CA were used to assess the condition of soil. Findings indicate that particular gas flaring may have a deleterious influence on soil bacteria, which could have further consequences for the ecosystem. The study is likely to contribute to our understanding of the current state of soil's surrounding gas fields and serve as a platform for future research in this area emphasizing the necessity for sustainable energy methods and the importance of limiting environmental repercussions.

In response to mounting concerns over heavy metal contamination in soils, this review explores the potential of beneficial soil microorganisms, particularly Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), as a sustainable solution. These microorganisms play a pivotal role in enhancing plant growth, development, and resilience against heavy metal stress. Effective phytoremediation strategies depend on selecting suitable plant families, including Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, and Poaceae, known for their unique attributes that contribute to heavy metal mitigation. Utilizing beneficial microbes and fostering plant-microbe interactions, commonly termed as 'green technology,' offers a compelling strategy to address heavy metal contamination and promote environmental restoration. AMF species like Glomus and Rhizophagus, and PGPR species belonging to Bacillus and Pseudomonas, significantly enhance phytoremediation. The synergistic interaction between (AMF) and (PGPR) represents a significant advancement, especially in heavy metal-contaminated soils. This interaction amplifies plant growth, enhances resistance to heavy metals, and holds promise for soil restoration and phytoremediation. Future research should focus on elucidating the underlying mechanisms, optimizing synergies, and translating findings into practical applications. Tailored, crop-specific approaches may revolutionize agriculture, considering long-term effects and multi-stress tolerance.

In the current industrial scenario, cadmium (Cd) as a metal is of great importance but poses a major threat to the ecosystem. However, the role of micronutrient − amino chelates such as iron − lysine (Fe − lys) in reducing Cr toxicity in crop plants was recently introduced. In the current experiment, the exogenous applications of Fe − lys i.e., 0 and10 mg L − 1, were examined, using an in vivo approach that involved plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, oxidative stress indicators and antioxidant response, sugar and osmolytes under the soil contaminated with varying levels of Cd i.e., 0, 50 and 100 µM using two different varieties of canola i.e., Sarbaz and Pea − 09. Results revealed that the increasing levels of Cd in the soil decreased plant growth and growth-related attributes and photosynthetic apparatus and also the soluble protein and soluble sugar. In contrast, the addition of different levels of Cd in the soil significantly increased the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which induced oxidative damage in both varieties of canola i.e., Sarbaz and Pea − 09. However, canola plants increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and non-enzymatic compounds such as phenolic, flavonoid, proline, and anthocyanin, which scavenge the over-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cd toxicity can be overcome by the supplementation of Fe − lys, which significantly increased plant growth and biomass, improved photosynthetic machinery and sugar contents, and increased the activities of different antioxidative enzymes, even in the plants grown under different levels of Cd in the soil. Research findings, therefore, suggested that the Fe − lys application can ameliorate Cd toxicity in canola and result in improved plant growth and composition under metal stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Coal Geology & Exploration is the property of Xian Research Institute of China Coal Research Institute 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.)

Phytoremediation is used to treat wastewater, wherein plants, microorganisms, and soil work together to remediate pollutants. We evaluated the plant processes that can affect metal mobilization during phytoremediation. The experimental columns were filled with silica sand and soil mixture spiked with redox-sensitive metal(loid)s—arsenic, manganese, and iron, and fitted with an ORP probe and oxygen sensors. Three columns were planted with poplars and three others were no-plant controls. Carbon-rich, synthetic food-processing wastewater was applied at 15.4 mm/day to the columns. Leachate water was analyzed every other week for water quality. Both soil and plant tissue samples were analyzed for metal concentrations, and soils were analyzed for microbial populations. Both treatments reduced 65–70% carbon. ORP ranged from −321 mV to 916 mV and affected metal mobilization. Oxic conditions in planted treatments yielded high ORP, oxygen concentration, and nitrates. Microbial communities were enhanced in both treatments, but the planted columns had more microbial abundance and evenness. Plants successfully accumulated metals in roots from soil with an accumulation factor of up to 40 for some metals and translocated to shoots from roots with a translocation factor of 10.62. The crop coefficient was 1.88, indicating accelerated loss of water in planted columns compared to control columns. The results demonstrated the benefits of plants in creating more oxic conditions, removing more wastewater from the rhizosphere, accumulating and translocating metals in the biomass, and enhancing rhizodegradation of pollutants by microbial population enhancement. Knowledge of the soil–plant–microbial processes is useful in designing engineered phytoremediation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Industrial Minerals & Processing / Huagong Kuangwu yu Jiagong is the property of Industrial Minerals & Processing 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 central section of China's South-to-North Water Diversion Project has been designated as a national water conservation area, and the soil ecological security in its associated watersheds is of great importance. A total of 204 soil samples (0–20 cm depth) were obtained from the Laoguanhe River Basin. The concentrations of seven elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb and Hg) were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and atomic fluorescence spectrometry following a near-total acid dissolution. Data analyses (including potential ecological risk, principal component analysis, geostatistical analysis and the positive matrix factorization model) were applied to evaluate the contamination of soil heavy metals and to identify their sources. The research results demonstrated that the mean contents of these seven elements exceeded background values for Henan Province, China, indicating human disturbance. Ecological risk evaluation revealed that Cd was the most frequently detected and the heavy metal causing the most pollution. Principal component analysis indicated that Cr, Ni and Cu stem from natural sources, while Zn and Cd are predominantly influenced by agricultural activities. Additionally, industrial activities and atmospheric deposition were responsible for the excess presence of Pb and Hg. The study suggests taking measures to control Cd sources in agricultural areas, reducing input of heavy metals into the river and providing scientific support for managing water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contamination of agricultural soils by toxic heavy metals, such as As, Cd, and Pb, is of great concern for crop safety as well as environmental and public health. Various adsorbents for the in situ immobilization of these metals have been widely studied, but researches on the potential and superiority of metal adsorption in agricultural soil amendments are still lacking. This study was conducted to investigate the nature of their sorption processes on soil amendments including slaked lime (SL), phosphogypsum (PG), bone meal (BM), and biochar (BC) using a series of laboratory batch tests. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm was used to predict sorption parameters. The experimental data fitted reasonably well on the Langmuir model with high correlation coefficients (R2 = 0.64–0.99) suggesting that monolayer sorption/complexation/precipitation was the dominant mechanism. Among the amendments, SL achieved the highest maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) for As and Cd at 714.3 and 2000 mg g−1, respectively, while PG had the highest qmax for Pb at 196.08 mg g−1. The results indicate that there is no direct correlation between sorption stability and maximum adsorption capacity. Among the sorbents, BC had the highest sorption stability for As (0.007 L mg−1), Cd (0.121 L mg−1), and Pb (2.273 L mg−1), respectively, albeit the qmax values for these three metals were not high. This indicates that the As, Cd, and Pb sorbed on biochar tended to be more stable than those retained on other amendments. While a large sorption capacity is important, our results provide important insights into the metal sorption stability/energy of adsorbents that will aid in the development of long-term management efficiency strategies to rehabilitate metal-contaminated arable soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This pioneering study utilizes Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS) and Picosecond Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (Ps-LIBS) to quantify heavy metal contents in samples of Lactuca sativa L. and Trifolium alexandrinum L. collected from Banha and Giza, Egypt for the first time. In order to enhance the performance of Ps-LIBS, laser parameters were carefully optimized. Expressly, laser energy was set to 100 ± 5% J/cm², pulse duration was calibrated to 170 picoseconds, and 1064 nm Nd: YAG pulses were employed. This optimization facilitated the creation of linear LIBS calibration curves, a crucial element in ensuring precise elemental quantification and bolstering the overall analytical reliability. The assessment of pollution indices revealed concerningly high levels of copper, nickel, and cadmium consistently across all study sites. Lactuca sativa L. and Trifolium alexandrinum L. also demonstrated multiple metals' bioaccumulation factors (>1), further underscoring the potential health risks associated with copper, nickel, and cadmium contents. Given these findings, it is imperative to recommend constructing a dedicated wastewater treatment facility to address Al Mansouria village's environmental challenges in the Giza governorate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To optimize soil health, land use, and soil management decisions need to be guided by an understanding of the underlying soil health. Although widely used fertilizers guarantee crop production, they ultimately damage agricultural soil environmental quality and threaten the overall food chain safety. Thus, an integrative assessment considering both environmental safety and soil fertility is required for the sustainable development of long-term fertilization systems. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of soil health using 20 soil physical, chemical, and biological indicators and assessed them according to four heavy metals—copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead. This experiment was conducted in an area where there is an ongoing, 23-year-long fertilization experiment in a typical red soil region of southern China, including four treatments of common inorganic chemical fertilizer (CF), CF mixed with micronutrients (CF + T), CF mixed with pig manure (PM), and PM mixed with micronutrients (PM + T). To assess the soil fertility quality, we selected a minimum data set consisting of soil water-stable aggregates mean weight diameter, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon, and dehydrogenase activity. The results revealed that soil fertility quality followed the order of PM + T ≈ PM > CF + T > CF. We also used a modified potential ecological risk index to assess the soil environmental quality. This approach considered the acid-soluble and exchangeable fraction of heavy metals as the bioavailability component. Both PM and PM + T treated soils were significantly contaminated by heavy metals, with particularly large amounts of Cd contamination. The soil health index escalated from CF, CF + T, PM to PM + T, which indicated that the use of pig manure allowed for more fertile soil relative to standard chemical fertilization. Moreover, applying additional micronutrients also had a significant influence on soil fertility. Therefore, our study revealed that long-term fertilization using organic pig manure was beneficial to overall soil fertility; however, these benefits were coupled with significant limitations regarding heavy metal contamination. Collectively, this study provides a better supporting method for soil health management and long-term fertilization strategies.

The widespread use of lithium, one of the heavy metals, in many industrial processes has significantly contaminated the groundwater as well as the surface water. Such contaminants enter into the food chain ecosystem and thereby challenge humans health. In fish, absorption of lithium is most likely through the default Na channel in the gills and muscle. In fish gills, the cell type primarily responsible for the regulation of atoms and ionic regulation are mitochondria-rich cells, also known as chloride cells. Here, we studied the effect of lithium toxicity on tissues of Goldfish, Carassius auratus (Linn.) as a model. We did spectrophotometric measurements to determine the effects of lithium dose (50 mg/L) in C. auratus at different times (24, 48, 72 and 96 h) of lithium dose. The results have shown LiCl induced alterations in CAT, SOD and GPx enzyme activities in the tissues of C. auratus depending on the concentration and duration of action at MDA, 8-OHdG and caspase-3 levels. Further, we observed increased levels of 8-OHG, modificationsof nucleotides, and DNA damage due to lithium toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Small islands of safety, accompanied by clonal integration, could have important impacts on plant performance in stressful environments. Although the effects of environmental heterogeneity and clonal integration on clonal plant growth have been well studied, little attention has been paid to the impacts of islands of safety and the interaction with clonal integration on plant performance in the context of soil contamination. Methods: We conducted an experiment consisting of two soil treatments (with/without an island of safety, i.e., a patch with uncontaminated soil, located in the middle of cadmium-contaminated soil) and two stolon connection statuses (stolon between the mother ramets and their daughter ramets was either severed or kept connected) using the stoloniferous clonal plant Glechoma longituba. Results: Overall, the presence of the safe island significantly increased the number of ramets, total mass, leaf mass, and stolon mass of the daughter ramets and the whole clone. Clonal integration significantly decreased the number of ramets, total mass, leaf mass, and stolon mass of mother ramets. The presence of the island of safety enhanced total mass, leaf mass, and stolon mass of the mother ramet in the group with severed stolons and root mass and root to shoot ratio in the group with connected stolons. Conclusions: Building islands of safety can contribute to daughter ramet growth in a contaminated ecosystem, which suggests assembling smaller safe islands coupled with clonal plants with strong clonal integration may be a promising measure to vegetation restoration in heavy metal contaminated ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]