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This study evaluated enamel mineral content and surface microhardness before and after bleaching treatment using 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) containing calcium (Ca) or amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). Thirtysix bovine slabs were randomly allocated into 3 groups (n = 12) according to bleaching treatment: G1 Opalescence PF 10% (CP), G2 NiteWhite ACP (CP+ACP), and G3 Opalescence PF (10%) with calcium (CP+CA). The bleaching agent was applied on enamel surface for 6 h/day over a period of 21 days. Enamel surface was evaluated by Knoop microhardness (KNH) and micro energydispersive Xray fluorescence spectrometry (μEDXRF) at baseline and at after bleaching treatment. Data were statistically analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). There was a significant decrease in microhardness after bleaching treatments for all study groups, but no difference between bleaching gels. There was no difference in the Ca/P ratio measured by μEDXRF for all groups at the study times, but the mean value was lower in group CP+CA than in group CP+ACP. Group CP was similar to both CP+ACP and CP+CA. It can be concluded that enamel microhardness decreased after the bleaching process, regardless of the presence of calcium or ACP, but there was no significant change in the Ca/P ratio of enamel after bleaching for each tested gel. This indicates that the bleaching gels have erosive potential, causing softening of enamel without promoting surface loss, regardless of the presence of calcium of ACP ions.

Trace elements concentrations (As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) were found in samples of Halodule wrightii Aschers (Cymodoceaceae) seagrass from Todos os Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This bay has been impacted by the presence of industrial activity that includes chemical and petrochemical plants as well as an oil refinery and harbor activities located in the north and northeastern area. Samples were collected at 4 stations to evaluate the distribution of element concentrations in this area and under different climatic conditions. The mean concentrations, in mgkg(-1), found in dry tissues for all the studied metals and stations were: As (1.08-5.42), Ba (3.72-32.0), Cd (0.135-1.68), Cr (1.15-10.4), Cu (2.23-13.4), Ni (1.95-9.87), Pb (0.873-5.18), V (3.39-22.4) and Zn (13.1-39.5). Statistical analysis (ANOVA) of the seagrass data showed significant inter-site differences for all elements examined except nickel and vanadium., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Concentrations of elements (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) were determined in ten species of macroalgae collected from six sites in the Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil, between May and July of 2010. An optimized microwave-assisted digestion procedure was used to digest the samples. The elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A wide range of metal concentrations were observed between the species analysed. Somewhat higher concentrations of Cd (5.99μg g(-1)), Co (372μg g(-1)), Mn (640μg g(-1)), Ni (17.2μg g(-1)) and Zn (51.4μg g(-1)) were found in the brown macroalgae species Padina spp., whereas elements, such as As (19.7μg g(-1)) and Pb (8.27μg g(-1)), were mainly concentrated in the species Sargassum spp. and Bostrychia montagnei, respectively. Statistical analyses (ANOVA) of the Padina data showed significant inter-site differences for all metals examined except nickel., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)