Characterization of household plastics for heavy metals using neutron activation analysis

Highly enriched concentrations of several heavy metals have been found in municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) ash. In an effort to identify possible sources of these metals in MSWI ash, a variety of disposable household plastic products was examined for heavy metal content. Using both thermal and epithermal neutron activation analysis (NAA) along with Compton suppression techniques, concentrations of several trace and heavy metals including Ag, As, Au, Ba, Br, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, V, W and Zn were determined. Results indicate a wide range of concentrations for these elements, with large variations in plastics of similar color and intended use. As limits dealing with heavy metal content of consumer products are lowered, NAA techniques will provide a useful method for verification of product compliance.     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water,Sediment and Fish from Izmit Bay,Turkey

Abstract

Mercury, cadmium and lead levels in water, sediment and fish samples from Izmit Bay, Turkey have been determined. Sampling and analysis methods are described. Variations of heavy metal concentrations from different sampling stations are discussed. Results indicate that the levels of mercury and cadmium were highest in the vicinity of a chlor-alkali plant while the highest concentration of lead was near a metallic pipe factory. The amounts of heavy metals found in the shoreline sediment samples were similar to those found in fish species from the bay.     

Impact of industrial activities on total chromium in alluvial Egyptian soils as determined by neutron activation analysis

Twenty-one surface (0-30 cm) soil samples were collected from different locations in Egypt representing non-, moderately and highly polluted soils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total Cr content in alluvial soils of Nile Delta in Egypt using neutron activation analysis (NAA). The prominent gamma-ray line at 320 keV was efficiently used for ⁵¹Cr determination. The results indicated that the Cr concentration in non-polluted soil samples ranged between 17.57 to 25.0 ppm. Chromium concentration in moderately polluted soils ranged between 34.65 to 41.45 ppm. The highest Cr levels, ranged from 71.97 to 87.03 ppm, were observed in soil samples collected from, either highly polluted agricultural soils due to prolonged irrigation with industrial wastewater or surface soil samples from industrial sites. Neutron activation techniques has shown to provide a good method for analysis of wide variety of samples of various fields of interest. It is applicable to multi-element analysis for both solid and liquid samples. NAA technique could be used successfully for the determination of heavy metals due to its high sensitivity. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Appraisal of venomous metals in selected crops and vegetables from industrial areas of the Punjab Province

Due to the inadequate water sources, usually sewerage water and industrial effluents are being use for irrigation of the agricultural land around the industrial areas in Pakistan wherein crops and vegetables are cultivated. As untreated effluents contain heavy elements, toxic metals and organic pollutants that may find its way through food chain to general public and may cause health hazards. It is, therefore, mandatory to assess the toxic metals in such crops and vegetables. In this regard, samples of corn, millet, cabbage, spinach and potato were collected within the vicinity of industrial areas of the Faisalabad and Gujranwala regions. The food samples were analyzed using neutron activation analysis (NAA) technique. The highest concentration values of Arsenic (1.9 ± 0.1 μg/g) and Cobalt (0.85 ± 0.01 μg/g) were found in cabbage whereas Manganese (91.6 ± 0.2 μg/g), Antimony (0.15 ± 0.03 μg/g) and Selenium (1.1 ± 0.1 μg/g) were observed in spinach and Chromium (9.63 ± 1.3 μg/g) was found in millet crop. The observed concentrations of all the toxic and heavy metals in crops and vegetables are higher than those reported in the literature.     

Neutron activation analysis of Urartian pottery from eastern Anatolia

The assessment of environmental pollution of the coastal areas of the Malaysian Peninsula was done by analyzing the contents of the heavy and trace elements in the bivalves blood clams (Anadara granosa) and green mussels (Perna viridis) and sediments at twenty-two sampling stations to look for prevailing trends. Heavy and trace elements analyzed in this study were As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Se and Zn. Two techniques, namely the neutron activation analysis (NAA) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) were used in the quantitative determination of the heavy metals while Marine Sediment Reference Material (BCSS) and Lobster Hepatopancreas (TORT-1) provided the certified reference materials in the quality assurance control. The potential use of these bivalves as suitable bio-indicators was evaluated from correlation tests based on the concentrations of heavy and trace elements in the sediment-metals system to those in the bivalves.     

Neutron activation analysis applied to the study of heavy metal marine pollution observed through bioaccumulation in macroscopic algae near El Jadida,Morocco

The heavy metals bio-accumulation ability of algae was studied along the North Atlantic Morrocan coast. Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used, to determine concentrations of various elements. The k ₀ standardization method was used. Some interferences corrections, particularly due to high concentrations of uranium were applied. The quality of the method was checked by using the CRM 140, a Fucus provided by IAEA. Important pollutions appear for several heavy metals from the Morrocan phosphate industry, with respect to the natural background environment.     

Assessment of the health of a river ecosystem due to the impact of pollution from industrial discharge using instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and neutron activation analysis (NAA) were employed in the determination of heavy metal concentrations in water, plant and sediment samples to assess the extent of heavy metal pollution in a river system which is located within an industrial zone. Elemental concentrations of As, Pb, Hg, Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni and Zn were measured in the samples. Statistical analysis was performed on the data obtained to look for trends in the pollution pattern of these elements on the river system. The trend in concentrations of heavy metals pollution in water samples is in the order of Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > As > Pb > Hg > Cd, whereas in plants the order is Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > As > Hg > Cd and in sediments Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > As > Hg.     

Occurrence of Selected Metals in Wastewater Effluent and Surface Water in Ireland

Metals occur naturally in the environment and as constituents of the Earth’s crust. They have many uses, and metals such as iron, copper, and zinc are widely used in industries. Elevated levels of metals in the environment also occur as a result of human activities (municipal, residential, and traffic–related activities). A list of 15 metals chosen for this study included priority substances and those listed in the European Union Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC. The concentrations of heavy metals in the environment are affected by several factors that must be taken into account when monitoring heavy metals released into the environment through wastewater treatment plants (WWPTs). This work examines the concentrations of metals found in WWPTs and the effects of treatment type on dissolved metal concentrations. Effluent samples were collected from the outflow of nine WWPTs in Dublin and Cork, Ireland from July 2009 to June 2011. All samples were found to contain priority metals that exceeded environmental quality standards in several cases. We present the frequency of occurrence and concentrations of metals in effluents of studied WWPTs and discuss relationships between the occurrence of heavy metals, the influence of factors such as industrial inputs, levels of treatment at WWPTs, and percentage urban area in an agglomeration. The results of this study are an indication that WWPTs may be contributing to the high levels of heavy metals found at discharge points back into river systems.     

Screening of biosorption bacteria tolerance towards copper and cadmium from oil sludge pond

Certain bacterial strains can be employed in the removal of heavy metals from the environment. The aim of this study was to screen potential bacteria that were tolerant towards Cu and Cd and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used to determine the concentrations of heavy metals in the sludge samples. The sludge samples from oil refinery plant in Malaysia contained Cr, Cs, Cu, Eu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Sb, Sc, Th, U and Zn. Seven bacterial isolates were identified to be tolerant to 100 mg/kg of copper and cadmium.     

A NAA collaborative study in white rice performed in seven Asian countries

Since 2000, collaborative studies for applying NAA have been performed through the Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA) sponsored by the Japanese Government. White rice is a main food for Asians and thus was selected as a common target sample for a collaborative study in 2008. Seven Asian countries including China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, are greatly concerned about the composition of arsenic, heavy metals, and essential trace elements and took part in this study. Rice samples were purchased and prepared by following a protocol that had been proposed for this study. Samples were analyzed by their own NAA systems. In each country, more than 10 elements were examined and the results were compared. These data will be very useful in the monitoring of the levels of food contamination and to evaluate the nutritional status for people living in Asia.     

Determination of Cadmium,Copper, Lead,and Zinc in Pilchard Sardines from the Bay of Boumerdés by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Fish are an important human food with increasing consumption in recent decades. Diet is the main route of exposure to heavy metals for human health. For this reason, many studies have been performed on the pollution by heavy metals in different species of fish. Our main objective was to evaluate the pollution by trace metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd) in sardine muscles collected from the bay of Boumerdés (Algeria). Flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used for the quantification of Cu and Zn. The quantification of Cd and Pb was achieved by graphite furnace (GF) AAS. The analysis revealed the presence of metal trace elements in the muscles of species at concentrations below the thresholds established by national and international regulations.     

Determination of heavy metals by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry in fish from the Piracicaba River in Southern Brazil

A total of 202 fish, representing 16 species, were collected during 2008 (March–October) in the Tanquan region of the Piracicaba River using nets. Flesh samples were collected and analyzed, using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy for Al, As, Cd, Co Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, Sr, and Zn. The results showed that the flesh of these fish all contained extremely high levels of Al and Sr, and moderately high levels of Cr, As, Zn, Ni, Mn and Pb. The metals were higher in these fish during rainy season, with fish collected during the months of March and October being the highest. In addition, the accumulation of metals was species-dependent. Cascudos (Hypostomus punctatus) and piranhas (Serrasalmus spilopleura) exhibited high levels of almost all of the metals, while curimbata (Prochilodus lineatus) had moderate levels. A few species, including pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) and dourado (Salminus maxillosus), had very low levels of most metals. The results show that the Piracicaba River Basin is widely contaminated with high levels of many toxic heavy metals, and that human consumption of some fish species is a human health concern.     

Determination of differential heavy metal and trace element accumulation in liver, gills, intestine and muscle of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) from the Danube River in Serbia by ICP-OES

The accumulation of heavy metals in fish has been extensively studied and well documented. However, the research has been mainly focused on the muscle tissue, while the distribution patterns among other tissues, such as liver and gills, have been mostly neglected. Within the present study, the concentrations of Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Zn and Li in the muscle, gills, liver and intestine of the sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) from the Danube River have been assessed by using the inductively-coupled plasma optical spectrometry. The analysis has revealed a high degree of differential accumulation of the studied heavy metals and trace elements in the tissues of the Danube sterlet. Liver appeared to be the main heavy metal storage tissue, while the lowest levels of analyzed metals were found in muscles. Heavy metal concentrations in the muscle were at acceptable levels for human consumption, except partly for cadmium. We conclude that, in order to enable a more efficient control of contaminants in fish products, there is an apparent need to resolve the problem of lack of legal limits for many metals in European legislation.     

Effects of sample preparation on methylmercury concentrations in Arctic organisms

The biogeochemical cycling of mercury (Hg) in the marine environment is an issue of global concern, as consumption of marine fish is a major route of human exposure to the toxic specie methylmercury (MeHg). The most widely utilised and accepted technique for preparing biological tissue samples for the analysis of MeHg involves an alkaline digestion of the sample. Recent studies suggest, however, that this technique is inadequate to produce satisfactory recoveries for certain biological samples, including fish, fur, feathers and other ‘indicator’ tissues which contain relatively high levels of MeHg. Thus an improved acidic extraction method has been proven to produce more satisfactory results for a wide range of biological tissues. The present study compares the two methods on real sample material from different organisms of an Arctic marine food chain, and shows how this could lead to misinterpretation of analytical results. Results show significantly (p < 0.05) lower concentrations for alkaline digestion for large parts of the food chain; especially in fish and birds. The mean differences in concentrations found between the two different methods were 28, 31 and 25% for fish (Polar and Atlantic cod), Little Auk and Kittiwake, respectively. For samples lower in the food chain (i.e. zooplankton and krill) no significant differences were found. This leads to a clear underestimation of the levels of MeHg found higher up in these food chains; the ratio of MeHg to Hg in biological samples; and thus potentially erroneous conclusions drawn from these results concerning the biological cycling of mercury species. We hypothesise that the main reasons for these differences are poor extraction efficiency and/or matrix effects on the ethylation step prior to analysis. This is the first study to examine the effects of these artefacts on real environmental samples covering a complete food chain.     

Improvement of analytical sensitivities for the determination of antimony,arsenic, cadmium,indium, iodine,molybdenum, silicon and uranium in airborne particulate matter by epithermal neutron activation analysis

As part of an ongoing Great Lakes deposition study, we have determined a series of heavy metals in air filter samples collected near Lake Ontario. To decrease our detection limits for key elements used in our receptor modeling, we have employed instrumental epithermal neutron activation analysis (NAA) and Compton suppression techniques. Our detection limits were much better than those with thermal NAA, typically, 0.3 ng for Sb, 0.7 ng for As, 8 ng for Cd, 0.2 ng for In, 14 ng for I, 5 ng for Mo and 2 ng for U. Silicon, which is usually not reported in conventional NAA results for air filters, was routinely determined at the 60 g level. Accuracy was corroborated by analyzing the certified reference material concurrently.     

An accurate and sensitive analysis of trace and ultratrace metallic impurities in plastics by NAA

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) has been studied to improve the accuracy and sensitivity of the analysis of trace and ultratrace metallic impurities in plastic materials. There are two main problems in the analysis of plastics by NAA. First the contamination during sample preparation, especially sample crushing procedure is very serious for ultratrace analysis. Another problem is the destruction of the sample capsule due to the pressure build-up by the gases formed during neutron irradiation. A simple preparation technique of the sample crushing method using liquid nitrogen and reducing the capsule pressure by a pin hole was developed to solve the above problems. Two different irradiation and seven cooling conditions were also investigated to optimize the experimental conditions. A SRM from NIST (1632b coal) has been used to investigate the accuracy of the analysis. More than thirty elements could be analyzed in the range of sub-ppb to percent. Samples analyzed in this work were polyethylene and polypropylene which were made by different manufacturing procedure, and pigments. Two kinds of plastic products used for food and drug containers were also analyzed. It was found that NAA could be a powerful technique for the analysis of metallic impurities in plastics even though their concentrations were at ultratrace levels.     

Comparative study of heavy metal and trace element accumulation in edible tissues of farmed and wild rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using ICP-OES technique

The objective of this research was to determine the differences between farmed and wild rainbow trout in terms of heavy metal and trace element accumulation in edible tissues. The samples were analyzed for As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr and Zn by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES); and for Hg by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS). The results were expressed as μg/g of dry weight. With the exception of Ba and Sr, liver had significantly higher heavy metal and trace element concentrations compared to the muscle in farmed or wild fish. Higher levels of Ba, Cr, Fe, Mn and Zn, as well as lower levels of Cu and Sr were found in tissues of wild rainbow trout compared to its farmed relative. Levels of Cd in 41.6% of farmed fish samples and 45.8% of wild fish samples exceeded the European Commission regulation. Regarding the Pb, concentrations in 50% of farmed fish samples and 62.5% of wild ones were above the European Commission limit. However, levels of Hg and As in all of the examined samples were lower than the legislated limits. The differences in heavy metal and trace element accumulation observed between farmed and wild fish were probably related to the differences in their environmental conditions and dietary element concentrations.     

Analytical problems related to the preparation of samples used in studies on metallobiochemistry of heavy metals pollution using neutron activation analysis

Severe analytical problems are associated with the analysis of heavy metals at very low levels in biological samples. This impose a high degree of sophistication of the NAA involving treatment of the sample before irradiation such as chemical separations, physical treatments and biochemical fractionation, the experimental evaluation of interfering nuclear reaction as well as the development of post-irradiation radiochemical separation. This paper treats of the problem related to the NAA of trace elements in environmental biochemical toxicology focussing attention of the sources of the elements during the analysis. Typical results and short discussion for every step of the analysis are reported.     

Determination of thorium and uranium in hot spring and crater lake waters by neutron activation analysis

Determination of Th and U in acidic hot spring and crater lake waters was investigated by neutron activation analysis (NAA). Before neutron irradiation, Th and U were preconcentrated and separated from interfering nuclides such as alkali metals and halogens by coprecipitation with aluminium. Irradiation was carried out in two ways, viz., irradiation with Cd foil wrapping (epithermal NAA) and irradiation without Cd foil wrapping (normal NAA). The final determined values of Th and U were at ppb levels. Higher reliability of the determined values was obtained for Th than for U. It was found that epithermal NAA was more effective for the determination of these two actinides than normal NAA and was more effective for the determination of U than that of Th.     

Determination of heavy metals in the Rock River (Illinois) through the analysis of sediments

Neutron activation analysis has been used to analyze sediment cores from the Rock River and two branches of Kent Creek, one of its tributaries, to determine the concentrations of thirteen heavy metals (Ti, Cu, V, Mn, As, Sb, Se, Cr, Ni, Sc, Fe, Zn, and Co) and two rare earths (Sm and La). The downstream sites of both the Rock River and the two branches of Kent Creek have elevated concentrations of several heavy metals including arsenic, antimony, and zinc. In addition, hundreds of parts per million of copper have been found in samples from the downstream site of the North Fork of Kent Creek. Toxicity tests of the sediment also indicate that the downstream sites are detrimental to lifeforms. Analysis of the data from the two branches of Kent Creek clearly indicate that heavy metal concentrations increase as the distance from the center of industrial activity (Rockford) decreases.