Evaluation of the bioaccumulation of trace elements in tuna species by correlation analysis between their concentrations in muscle and first dorsal spine using microwave-assisted digestion and ICP-MS

Environmental pollution by metals is a recognized problem worldwide. As a result of the exposure to this pollution, marine species may bioaccumulate metals in both muscle and fishbone, as has been demonstrated in some species of tuna. The objective of this study has been the development and optimization of an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) based method, which allows the quantification of 21 elements including priority pollutants and biologically essential elements (B, Mg, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Pd, Cd, Ba, La, Hg and Pb) in muscle and in the first spine of the first dorsal fin of albacore (Thunnus alalunga) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). A microwave-assisted digestion has been developed for sample treatment, which has been evaluated using isotope dilution analysis (IDA) of Cr, Se, Cd, Ba and Pb. Evaluation of the analytical method in terms of sensitivity (LOQ between 0.002 and 1?mg?kg^?1), accuracy and precision within and between days (CV?<?11.3%) has also been conducted. The developed method has allowed information to be obtained on levels of these metals in both matrices. The correlation analyses performed for each of the metals in both matrices shows a positive linear relationship between the concentrations in muscle and fishbone for Zn, Se, Rb, Cd, As and Hg, which could be due to a higher bioaccumulation of these elements in muscle as it is concluded from the low spine/muscle ratios observed for these elements. The 34 specimens of tuna analyzed show that while the levels of Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu and Cr in muscle are below the limits set by the WHO/FAO, EC and the US-EPA, Hg shows higher concentration than the limits set by the EC in four samples, indicating a potential risk to human health.     

Determination of Essential and Toxic Elements in Vegetables from South Korea

This study reports the determination of trace essential (Co, Cr, Cu, Se, and Zn) and toxic (Al, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) elements in greenhouse tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers from supermarkets of Seoul, Busan, Gangneung, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju, South Korea using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and direct mercury analysis. The methods were validated by linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, accuracy, and recovery measurements that provided satisfactory results in all cases. Among the essential trace elements, Zn was found to have the highest concentrations (0.84–2.5?mg/kg) followed by Cu (0.21–0.62?mg/kg) and Cr (0.01–0.06?mg/kg). The mean concentrations (mg/kg) of the toxic elements were in the order Al?>?Pb?>?As?>?Cd?>?Hg for tomatoes and cucumbers and Al?>?Pb?>?Cd?>?As?>?Hg for peppers; all were below the permissible limits set by World Health Organization for human consumption. The estimated dietary intake, target hazard quotients (THQs), and hazard indices of the samples were within safe levels. The combined THQ values for the toxic elements in the vegetables were from 0.002 to 0.012 with significant contribution from arsenic, aluminum, cadmium, and mercury. The results of this study show that trace and toxic elements in the analyzed vegetables do not impose any serious health harmful effects for the population upon consumption.     

佛山市蔬菜中若干重金属元素含量调查与分析

对广东佛山市蔬菜中重金属含量进行了调查与分析。结果表明,蔬菜中重金属元素含量取决于蔬菜种类和土壤环境,佛山市蔬菜中重金属元素含量基本上是正常的,仅个别样点土壤受污染,蔬菜重金属元素含量异常。蔬菜中重金属元素含量由高到低顺序大体上是:叶菜类,瓜果类蔬菜,根菜类蔬菜。蔬菜必需元素锌、铜含量比汞、镉、铅、铬、镍等非必需元素含量高。     

Determination of Hg,As, Pb,and Cd in Orchard Soils by Sequential Injection Vapor Generation Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry

An analytical procedure was developed for determination of Hg, As, Pb, and Cd in soil samples using sequential injection vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (SI-VG-AFS) with sample preparation by microwave digestion system. The effects of analytical conditions on the fluorescence intensity were investigated and optimized. Under the optimized condition, the detection limits of the method were 5, 68, 40, and 3 ng L^?1 for Hg, As, Pb, and Cd, respectively. The accuracy of method was verified by the determination of the certified reference soil, and the recoveries for Hg, As, Pb, and Cd were in the range of 98.7–106.1%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to determine the heavy metals in navel orange orchard soils in Ganzhou, and the environmental quality of the orchard soils was assessed based on the content of the heavy metals. According to the second criterion of environmental quality standard for soils, Pb content in all soil samples collected from the orchards of 18 districts were within safe limits, but a few orchards were slightly contaminated with Hg, As, and Cd. Comparison of heavy metal mean concentrations with the safe limits of environmental quality standard for soils, the quality of Ganzhou navel orange orchard soils were in line with the request of the green food production base.     

Dietary intake of 25 elements by man estimated by neutron activation analysis

The trace element content of the total daily diet (food and beverages) of each of 4 adult males was determined over a period of one week. A method of radiochemical neutron activation analysis is briefly described which enables the determination of up to 31 elements in biological samples. Of the 25 elements determined in the diet 12 are essential elements (Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Na, Se, Zn) while 6 (As, Ba, Br, Cd, Hg, Sb) are classified as toxic. The average concentrations of the toxic trace elements As, Cd and Hg of the diet are below the provisional tolerable dietary intakes recommended by WHO/FAO. The contents of Cl, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Na and Zn are adequate to the proposed nutritional requirements.     

Elemental composition of drinking water supplies in three states in Southeastern Nigeria

The levels of some trace elements; Co, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb, Fe, Hg, Se, As, Ni and minor elements; Na, K, Ca and Mg were determined in public drinking water supplies (public taps and groundwaters) in three states in Southeastern Nigeria using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The mean levels of most of the trace elements in the groundwater samples were below the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water quality limits, the only exception being Hg whose mean value of 3.69 μg/l exceeded the WHO limit of 1.0 μg/l. Violations of the WHO limits were also observed for Fe, Zn, Se and Pb in some of the groundwater samples. In the public tap samples only Hg violated the WHO limit.     

Determination of Metals in Fruits of Cucurbitaceae Species from South Korea,to Characterize Potential Effects on Human Health

Recent research studies have confirmed that the dietary intake of vegetables and fruits has a positive and profound impact on human health, performance, and disease. This research was designed to determine the concentrations of essential trace elements; cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn), toxic metals; cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb); and a metalloid; arsenic (As) in fruits of seven species of Cucurbitaceae family including gourd, zucchini, pumpkin, sweet pumpkin, melon, watermelon, and oriental melon commonly consumed in South Korea. The concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Se, and Zn were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and Hg by a mercury analyzer. To analyze the samples after microwave digestion for the validation of analytical techniques, satisfactory values of all quality parameters of linearity, detection limits, precision, accuracy, and recovery experiments were obtained in all cases. On the whole, all analyzed elements were found in accordance to the published literature around the world and well within the critical recommended standards by CODEX and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Korea. The estimated daily intake values, and hazard quotients and indices of the analyzed samples were all below the World Health Organization, Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives, and European Food Safety Authority limits.     

Elemental Analysis of Stone Fruits by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Direct Mercury Analysis

This study reports the concentrations of eight trace essential (Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, V, and Se) and four toxic elements (Pb, As, Cd, and Hg) in commonly consumed stone fruits from South Korea. The samples were digested by microwave-induced combustion and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The concentrations of mercury were analyzed by direct mercury analysis (DMA). The analytical techniques were validated by linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, recovery, and for accuracy by analyzing a spinach leave-certified reference material; satisfactory results were obtained in all cases. The concentrations of essential trace elements varied considerably among the stone fruits. Generally stone fruits contained comparatively high concentrations of Zn (0.946 to 7.86?µg/g) and Mn (below the limit of detection to 1.66?µg/g), while lower contents of Cu (0.214 to 1.24?µg/g), Cr (0.032 to 0.114?µg/g), Ni (0.006 to 0.091?µg/g), Co (0.004 to 0.016?µg/g), V (below the limit of detection to 0.023?µg/g), and Se (0.0002 to 0.005?µg/g) were obtained. The concentrations (µg/g) of toxic metals were 0.007 (peach) to 0.016 (cherry) for Pb, 0.001 (plum) to 0.007 (cherry) for As, 0.002 (apricot and cherry) to 0.003 (peach) for Cd, and 0.0003 (peach) to 0.0016 (jujube) for Hg. The values for the estimated dietary intakes, target hazard quotients, and hazard indices were lower than the recommended safety limits by World Health Organization. Therefore, the analyzed stone fruits were deemed to be safe for human consumption.     

Mineral profile of Ghanaian dried tobacco leaves and local snuff: A comparative study

The concentration of thirty-four elements each in Ghanaian dried tobacco leaves and snuff (powdered tobacco) have been determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The concentration of Hg, Cr, As and Cd in both set of samples were found to be in excess of WHO limits for drinking water, thus indicating potential toxicity of the samples. Cr, Cd, Sb and Cu were two to eight times high, whilst As and Hg were comparable in powdered tobacco and tobacco leaves. The aim of the study was to determine the pattern of elemental concentrations and the toxicological strengths in both tobacco leaves and tobacco powder. The results indicated that the toxicity of the snuff was higher than the tobacco. This indicated strongly that from the medical point of view, the level of toxic accumulation in users might be potentially high in the tobacco powder compared to the leaves. Thus, education of the Ghanaian public on the threshold value of toxic elements contained in both set of samples was suggested to safeguard users against these addictives.     

Determination of Essential and Toxic Elements in Tropical Fruit by Microwave-Assisted Digestion and Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry

The concentrations of eight essential (Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Se, V, and Zn) and five toxic elements (Al, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) were determined in 457 samples of commonly consumed fresh tropical fruit including bananas (Musa acuminata), kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa), mangos (Mangifera indica), and pineapple (Ananas comosus) from supermarkets from Seoul, Busan, Gangneung, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju, South Korea. The samples were digested by microwave-assisted combustion using HNO₃ and H₂O₂ and determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The Hg concentrations were evaluated by furnace-gold amalgamation direct mercury analysis. The techniques were validated by linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, recovery, and the analysis of a NIST-1570a spinach leaves certified reference material. The concentrations of essential elements varied considerably among the tropical fruit. Overall, the tropical fruit was higher in Mn (0.027–13.2?µg/g) and Zn (0.514–2.20?µg/g), while lower in Co (0.002–0.005?µg/g) and V (0.001–0.002?µg/g). The concentrations (µg/g) of toxic elements were 0.001 (kiwi) to 0.003 (mango) for As and Cd, 0.0004 (pineapple) to 0.002 (banana) for Hg, and 0.005 (kiwi) to 0.013 (mango) for Pb. The calculated values of estimated dietary intake, target hazard quotients and hazard indices were lower than one and the safety limits established by World Health Organization. The tropical fruits were therefore safe and did not pose any threat to consumers.     

湖北典型地区茶叶-土壤重金属相关性研究

本文旨在分析湖北典型地区茶叶以及土壤中各种元素的含量,采用原子荧光法(AFS)和电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS)等方法对135对茶叶及土壤样品进行测定,并探讨各种元素之间的相互关系和影响。研究结果表明,土壤中元素的分布对茶叶中元素含量分布有一定意义,典型区土壤养分有效磷和碱解氮较丰富,有机质和速效钾较缺乏。典型区茶叶作物表层土壤 Cd、Pb、Cu、Cr、As 均存在不同程度的超标。土壤 Cd 和 Hg 的污染指数高,潜在生态风险强。典型区茶叶可食部分重金属含量均值依次为 Cu>Pb>Cd>Hg>As>Cr,重金属元素在茶叶中含量均为中等变异性。 茶叶对 Cu、Pb 的富集系数明显高于 Hg、As、Cd、Cr,不同茶叶对同一元素的富集能力存在差异。土壤重金属含量与土壤 pH 值、CEC、有效磷、总氮等理化指标关系密切。茶叶重金属含量与土壤重金属含量水平相关性较弱,但与茶叶对重金属的富集能力均呈显著正相关关系。     

黔产市售绿茶重金属的含量特征及健康风险评估

为研究黔产市售绿茶中重金属的含量分布特征及健康风险,以五个生产加工地的黔产市售绿茶为研究对象,分析其9种重金属(Pb、Cr、Cd、Hg、Cu、Zn、Mn、Ni和As)含量,利用美国环境保护署(USEPA)推荐的健康风险评价模型进行人体重金属的健康风险评价。结果表明,五种茶叶中Cr、Cd、Pb、Hg、Cu和As含量均低于国家限量标准。黔产市售绿茶的重金属浸出率大小次序为Zn>Mn>Hg>As>Cd>Pb>Cr>Cu>Ni。健康风险评价结果表明,五个产地的绿茶中重金属通过饮茶途径所产生的健康危害个人年风险大小次序为Cd>As>Mn>Ni>Cr>Hg>Pb>Zn>Cu,茶叶中重金属通过饮茶途径所产生的个人健康危害年风险总和为4.33×10-6~5.73×10-6 a-1,均低于USEPA和ICRP推荐的最大可接受风险水平,表明重金属引起的健康危害极小,其对暴露人群造成的健康危害可忽略不计,绿茶中重金属均处于安全范围内。     

原子吸收光谱法测定益寿回春口服液中砷铅镉铬汞的含量

采用原子吸收光谱法测定了益寿回春口服液中砷、铅、镉、铬和汞的含量，并参照食品中重金属的限量规定进行了比较。结果表明，益寿回春口服液中的砷、铅、镉、铬和汞均低于限量标准，为该产品的质量控制提供了依据。     

Arsenic and heavy metals in leachate from a real landfill and a laboratory landfill

A preliminary study, based particularly on Arsenic and some heavy metals determination (Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb) in three leachate tipologies produced from municipal waste landfill plant, lab-scale aerobic landfill, lab-scale anerobic landfill was undertaken. Leachate was collected and analysed monthly; samples were homogenized and then, all heavy metals were determined after mineralization, except for Hg, determined before mineralization, due to his high volatility. In all samples pH was measured. In general we can say that low concentrations of the elements analyzed were found in all kinds of landfills considered; in particular, in the lab-scale anaerobic reactors, where low pH values have been found, we have a more considerable mobilization of As and the others heavy metals, moreover due to the behaviour of these elements.     

Characterization of ARC/CL wheat flour, pork meat and skim milk powder reference materials for contents of toxic elements

Summary Wheat flour, pork meat and skim milk powder reference materials (RM) prepared and employed for the activities of the Sub-network on Trace Element Status in Food of the FAO European Cooperative Research Network on Trace Elements were subjected to an interlaboratory comparison study on the contents of Pb, Cd and Hg. The homogeneity of the above materials had earlier been shown to be within 2% for several essential elements and within 5 to 10% for Pb and Cd. An interlaboratory comparison study was conducted involving 17 reference laboratories recognized for their reliability and specialized in heavy metal determinations in biological materials. A total of seven methods based on four different analytical principles were employed to determine the contents of the above heavy metals. After the exclusion of outliers, the recommended concentration values expressed as the medians ±95% confidence limits were established. All of the recommended values reported here fell into category A, i.e. values recommended with a high degree of confidence according to the certification criteria established by Pszonicki. The present materials contain very low naturally occurring levels of all the heavy metals studied and have been successfully employed in the analytical quality control program of the above FAO study during the past five years.     

Trace elements content in size-classified volcanic ashes as determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

At present there is an increasing concern as regards the release of potentially toxic metals into the environment. Volcanic eruptions are a natural source of metals and metalloids in the atmosphere. Toxic trace elements ejected during an eruptive episode may produce hazardous effects for people and the environment in areas close to the volcano. In this context, a study was undertaken to investigate the concentration of metal and metalloids in ashes ejected from Copahue volcano, Neuquén, Argentina. Two samples (A and B) of deposited particles were collected one day after the first eruption and size-fractionated in four sub-samples (S1, S2, S3 and S4). Analysis was performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the accuracy for the entire analytical procedure was performed by means of the certified reference material CRM GBW 07105 Rocks (NRCCRM, China). The elements considered were: As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, U, V and Zn. The adverse effect of potentially interfering species on the mass-spectrometric determination of these elements was also taken into account. The concentration intervals found in the four fractions are as follows (in μg g⁻¹): As, 6.0-2.6; Cd, 0.71-0.36; Cr, 29.5-54.0; Cu, 132-49.0; Hg, 0.020-0.007; Ni, 36.0-26.0; Pb, 15.5-2.55; Sb, 1.07-0.30; U, 2.57-1.94; V, 152-106; Zn, 85.5-55.0. The elements with the highest concentrations were: Cu, V and Zn. All fractions, in both samples, were found to be enriched in some toxic trace elements in the following order Sb>Cd>As. On the contrary, samples were depleted in Ni, Cr and Hg. Lead was the element that exhibits a noticeable difference in concentration between the finer and coarser fractions.     

Availability of metals and radionuclides present in phosphogypsum and phosphate fertilizers used in Brazil

Phosphogypsum (PG) is a by-product of the phosphate fertilizer industry. In Brazil, three main phosphate industries are responsible for the production of 5.5 × 10⁶ metric tons of PG per year, which is stored in stacks. Part of this by-product can be reused to improve fertility of agricultural soils. For its safe application, it is necessary to characterize the impurities (metals and radionuclides) present in PG and to evaluate their availability to the environment. The main objectives of this paper are: to determine the total concentration of radionuclides (²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra and ²¹⁰Pb) and metals (As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn) in the Brazilian PG samples using different methodologies, to evaluate the available fraction of these elements in the PG samples using a methodology with mild leaching with EDTA, to compare the results obtained for PG samples with those obtained for the most used phosphate fertilizers. The total concentration obtained for the metals using methodologies with different initial digestion (strong attack with acids and HF and mild attack with nitric acid) are slightly different. The results obtained using the methodology with mild leaching showed that the metals and radionuclides are not available to the environment, giving evidence that the application of PG in agriculture is safe as far as contamination by such elements. PG presented metals concentration lower than the phosphate fertilizers. The results obtained for the PG samples, for As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb and Se, are below the limits established by the Brazilian Regulatory Agency.     

Some trace elements in the waters,marine organisms and sediments of the Adriatic by neutron activation analysis

A number of investigations of trace elements in the waters, organisms and sediments of the Adriatic, using neutron activation analysis with radiochemical, separations are reported. These include studies of Hg in mussels from the Northern Adriatic, of Hg and Se in edible animals from the Rijeka region, and of seven elements (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Se and Zn) in marine invertebrates from the Slovene coast. Additionally, plankton, sediment cores and water samples were taken from a grid of stations covering the whole Adriatic and analyzed for 6 to 11 of the trace elements As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Sb and Zn (Hg only in water). Generally, levels found were not indicative of pollution as compared with oceanic samples, but some evidence of locally increased levels was found, especially for Hg. The levels of eleven trace elements in three marine Intercomparison samples prepared by the IAEA Monaco Laboratory are also presented.     

Spurenelementbestimmung in verschiedenen natürlichen Wasserproben mittels Neutronen-Aktivierungsanalyse

The aim of the presented paper is to determine the capability of neutron activation analysis as a routine control of drinking water. Water samples of waterworks in an area of Southern Germany have been analysed in respect to the content of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Sb und Zn. The samples were freeze-dried before irradition. The disturbing Na-24 content has been removed by ion-exchange in the case of Cu, while the other elements have been measured directly. The results are compared with the tentative limits for drinking water suggested by the WHO. The corresponding element concentrations exceeded in two cases significantly these limits. The cost of water analysis by neutron activation is calculated.