Biomonitoring of trace elements in Vietnamese freshwater mussels

The objective of the present study was to conduct a preliminary investigation of the pollution situation in the northern part of Vietnam with focus on trace elements including heavy metals. A freshwater bivalve species of the Unionidae family (Pletholophus swinhoei), abundant in this part of the country and frequently used for human consumption, was chosen as biomonitor. Ten specimens each were collected at two rural sites, Duy Minh, approximately 40 km south of the capital Hanoi, and An Thin, situated approximately 11 km south of the Pha Lai power plant. The concentrations of 20 elements were measured using total reflection X-ray fluorescence and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. Significant site-specific differences were found for the elements As, Ba, Be, Br, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, P and Sr. A comparison with other in situ biomonitoring studies using Unionidae bivalves showed that the concentrations of most elements were within the same order of magnitude, whereas heavy metal concentrations were distinctively low, suggesting the absence of major anthropogenic pollution sources in this area. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Se and Zn were below the levels regarded as harmful according to the international standards for metals in mollusks compiled by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.     

Trace Metal and Persistent Organochlorine Levels in Wood Bison (Bison bison athabascae) from the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary

Abstract

Tissue samples were collected from ten healthy mature female wood bison (B. bison athabascae) for examination. Livers and kidneys were tested for toxic heavy metals and trace metals considered as essential nutrients for successful reproduction, while fat samples were analyzed for persistent chlorinated hydrocarbons. No elevated levels of toxic heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) were found and essential trace elements (copper, manganese, selenium, zinc) were within the acceptable ranges established for healthy cattle. All fat samples tested contained trace levels of α-BHC (mean value, 23 ppb) and lindane (mean value, 3 ppb).     

Distribution of trace elements in the marine sediments along the South China Sea,Malaysia

In order to complete having data base of elemental assessment of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia marine sediments along the South China Sea coasts, trace elements are analyzed and their distribution in marine sediments is undertaken. The present study is done parallel with pervious study on elemental assessment of heavy metals, rare earth elements and actinides in the marine sediments of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Thirty surface sediment samples were collected in this area, including regions of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Rompin and Johor Baharu. Multielemental analysis was carried out by instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. In both cases methodology validation was performed by certified reference material analyses. For the surface elemental distributions the enrichment factor values, average I _geo and mC _d values indicate that the trace elements of the surface sediments are uncontaminated in all sampling stations that are consistent with previous studies results of heavy metals, rare earth elements and actinides.     

微波消解/ICP-MS法测定镰形棘豆中18种元素含量

利用微波消解/ICP-MS法对青海省不同生长地点的镰形棘豆中18种元素进行了含量测定.方法的加样回收率在96.42%~104.29%之间,相对标准偏差在0.87%~2.13%之间,具有较高的准确度和精确度.结果表明镰形棘豆含有丰富的微量元素,同时重金属元素含量较低.试验结果为镰形棘豆的药效性和药理毒理提供了理论依据.     

Polyphenols contents,heavy metals analysis and in vitro antibacterial activity of extracts from Cladanthus arabicus and Bubonium imbricatum of Moroccan Origin

Abstract

Aim of this study was to evaluate polyphenols and major and trace elements of Cladanthus arabicus and Bubonium imbricatum, along with their in vitro antibacterial activity against six multidrug resistant Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli S33/16, E. coli S34/16, Proteus mirabilis S32/16, Klebsiella pneumoniae S12/16, Enterobacter cloacae S5/16, and Salmonella sp S12/14). UV spectrophotometry, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to evaluate total polyphenol content, quali-quantitative profile of single polyphenols and inorganic elements of the extract. The antibacterial activity was investigated by standard methods. Twelve polyphenols were identified in both plants and these were more concentrated in B. imbricatum than C. arabicus extracts. High levels of minerals, essential trace elements and tolerable levels of heavy metals (Cd, As and Pb) were found. Furthermore, the extracts showed also a strong in vitro antibacterial activity, particularly versus E. coli S33/16 (MIC, 0.125?mg ml^?1).     

Determination of rare earth elements in chloroplasts of Brassia napus by INAA and biochemical separation techniques

Intact chloroplasts were isolated from mesophyll protoplasts of Brassia napus. Concentrations of 8 rare earth elements (REEs) in the chloroplasts were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results showed that there were trace amounts of REEs in the chloroplasts, which corresponded to 1 atom of REEs per 2000 chlorophyll molecules. About 30% of the total REEs in the leaves are localized in the chloroplasts and the light REEs were enriched with respect to the heavy elements of the series.     

Trace elements in the water cycle of the Šalek valley,Slovenia, using INAA

Three watersheds were studied by sampling bulk precipitation deposition, seepage water at 50 cm soil depth and spring water. As the main analytical method for determination of trace elements and heavy metals in water samples, thek ₀-based method of INAA was used. The results showed an increased content and concentration range of trace elements in precipitation, soil water and spring water in the vicinity of the otanj Thermal Power Plant. We demonstrated that thek ₀-based method of INAA as a multielement nondestructive technique is a highly suitable approach to determining some toxic trace elements in environmental studies of the water cycle.     

Bio-accumulation kinetics of radioruthenium in marine bivalves: Laboratory study

Three kinds of marine bivalves (wild Saccostrea cucullata, aquacultured Perna viridis and aquacultured Pinctada martens), collected from Daya Bay, the South China Sea, were used to investigate the bio-accumulation of radioruthenium in the glass aquarium with natural seawater (pH 8.20, 35‰ salinity, filtered by 0.45 μm) at ambient temperature under laboratory feeding conditions. The experimental results show that the stead-state of biology concentration factor (BCF, ml/g) of radioruthenium was approached around 6 days for most species of bivalves. The values of BCF in shells are the highest in organs all the three bivalves. The orders of BCF values (ml·g⁻¹) are as: Perna viridis (33.2) < Saccostrea cucullata (47.0) < Pinctada martensi (208.4) for shells and Saccostrea cucullata (1.5) < Pinctada martensi (2.2) ≈ Perma viridis (2.4) for soft tissues, respectively, after exposed for 14 days. The rate constants of uptake and elimination of radioruthenium on marine bivalves were also discussed by first-order kinetics model. The Pinctada martensi may be applicable to be an indicator for monitoring radioruthenium among the three bivalves.     

Determination of trace elements in human gallstone and bile by k0-INAA

Summary The trace elements composition of gallbladder stones samples of the types cholesterol, pigment and mixed stones in addition to bile have been investigated by k₀-instrumental neutron activation analysis (k₀-INAA). The samples were obtained from several individuals of adult subjects of the Libyan population who undergone open surgery of gallbladder (cholecystectomy) at Al-khadra University Hospital in Tripoli. The samples were lyophilized, irradiated together with Au wire and Zr foil, which serve as flux ratio monitor and a parameter at TNRC. Concentrations of 24 elements in gallstone and 23 elements in bile were determined. The levels of the trace elements in the various samples investigated are measured and discussed. The reliability of the analysis was checked with several biological standard reference materials.     

Determination of trace elements in Chinese medicinal plants by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Roots of Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Codonopsis pilosula, which were often used as herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, were analyzed by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). The samples were collected in Gansu, northwest of China and irradiated at the 15 MW heavy water reactor in China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE). The induced activities were counted by a well calibrated low background γ-spectrometer equipped with a high efficiency coaxial high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The concentrations of eighteen trace elements (Ca, Fe, Na, Zn, Ba, Rb, Ce, Cr, La, Co, Th, Cs, Sb, Sc, Sm, Hf, Eu and Tb) in the herbs were determined. Possible links between pharmacological action of the herbs and content of some elements were also discussed in this paper. The measured results were compared with the reported values in literature.     

Trace elements in surface sediments from Kongsfjorden,Svalbard: occurrence,sources and bioavailability

Concentration levels, potential sources and bioavailability of trace elements in marine sediments from Kongsfjorden (Svalbard Islands, Norwegian Arctic) were assessed and discussed. Surface sediments were collected by a Ponar grab and characterised in terms of mineralogical composition, grain-size distribution, total organic carbon and nitrogen percentage contents, and major and trace elements concentrations. Anthropogenic and natural sources of trace elements were inferred from lead isotope ratios, while the potential metal bioavailability was evaluated by size-fractionation and solid-phase speciation studies and by the analysis of acid-volatile sulphides (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM). Concentrations of metals, their enrichment factors and solid speciation patterns collectively indicated that the anthropogenic impact of trace elements in the fjord is generally low, with a minor enrichment with respect to crustal values (by a factor of 2–11) for As, Cr, Ni and V. The lead isotope ratios (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁷Pb: 2.474–2.498 and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb: 1.206–1.212) were close to the natural signature except in the outer fjord, due to the influence of the Atlantic marine circulation. Many elements of toxicological concern (e.g. Pb, V, Zn) were enriched in the finest sediment fraction, which was by far the preponderant one, especially in the inner fjord. However, less than 15% of most trace elements (exceptions Cd and Mn) in the finest fraction was actually associated with easily leachable sediment phases. Finally, the high SEM/AVS ratios determined on samples from sites close to the glacier fronts (11–15), due to low AVS content, highlighted that the sediment in that zone cannot remove additional inputs of heavy metals by sulphide precipitation.     

Assessment of mineral elements and heavy metals in leaves of indigenous cypress of High Atlas Mountains

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was developed to determine 20 mineral elements and heavy metals in leaves of Cupressus atlantica Gaussen, a traditional Moroccan medicinal herb from five environmentally different sites in N'Fis valley (High Atlas Mountains). The results showed in the leaves that Ca, K, P, Mg, Na and Fe were the most abundant of the elements in all samples of the studied locality. The concentrations of trace metals from the leaves of this plant were in the order Ca>K > P > Mg>Na>Fe. The results of the mineral composition were analysed by hierarchical cluster and principal component analysis that established three statistically significant clusters.     

Atmospheric deposition of heavy metals in northern Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina studied by the moss biomonitoring, neutron activation analysis and GIS technology

The results on atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and other trace elements using the moss biomonitoring technique in the northern part of Serbia and some areas of Bosnia-Herzegovina are presented. Samples of Hypnum cupressiforme along with some other moss types were collected at 92 sites during the summer of 2000. A total of 44 elements were determined by INAA using epithermal neutrons. High values of Cl and V content in the moss samples at certain areas are suspected to be associated with fires in oil refineries damaged during the 1999 NATO military action.     

Preparation and certification of hijiki reference material, NMIJ CRM 7405-a, from the edible marine algae hijiki (Hizikia fusiforme)

A certified reference material, NMIJ CRM 7405-a, for the determination of trace elements and As(V) in algae was developed from the edible marine hijiki (Hizikia fusiforme) and certified by the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ), the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). Hijiki was collected from the Pacific coast in the Kanto area of Japan, and was washed, dried, powdered, and homogenized. The hijiki powder was placed in 400 bottles (ca. 20 g each). The concentrations of 18 trace elements and As(V) were determined by two to four independent analytical techniques, including (ID)ICP-(HR)MS, ICP-OES, GFAAS, and HPLC-ICP-MS using calibration solutions prepared from the elemental standard solution of Japan calibration service system (JCSS) and the NMIJ CRM As(V) solution, and whose concentrations are certified and SI traceable. The uncertainties of all the measurements and preparation procedures were evaluated. The values of 18 trace elements and As(V) in the CRM were certified with uncertainty (k = 2).     

Investigation of heavy-metal uptake by vegetables growing in contaminated soils using the modified BCR sequential extraction method

The heavy metal (Cu, Fe, Co, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, and Mn) concentrations in soils and in vegetable samples, i.e. lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), dill (Anethum graveolens), and onion (Allium cepa L.), taken from three urban vegetable gardens in Kayseri, Turkey, were determined by FAAS. The modified three-step sequential extraction procedure proposed by the European Bureau of References (BCR), now the Standards, Measurements and Testing Programme, was used in order to evaluate trace elements mobility in soil samples, and heavy-metal uptake by vegetables. Three operationally defined fractions were isolated using the BCR procedure: acid extractable (i.e. bound to carbonates), reducible (bound to Fe/Mn oxides), and oxidizable (bound to organic matter and sulphides). The vegetable samples were prepared to analysis using the wet-ashing procedure. To estimate the accuracy of the method used in analysis of the vegetable samples, the standard reference material (NIST SRM 1573a, Tomato leaves) was used. The results of recovery for all the elements were relatively satisfactory (87.7–108%). For the soil samples, the recovery values were calculated by proportioning the sum of the steps of the BCR procedure to those of the pseudototal digestion (i.e. aqua regia). In soils, the mobility of heavy metals followed the order Mn>Cd>Cu>Pb>Zn>Cr>Ni>Co>Fe. The relationship between the vegetable–metal and soil–extractable metal concentrations was examined in order to evaluate the bioavailability of metals, and the positive correlation, especially for the first (i.e. water, acid-soluble and exchangeable fraction) and for the third (i.e. oxidizable fraction) extraction steps, was obtained.     

Multi elemental analysis of indigenous food spices in Southern Ethiopia using INAA technique

The objective of this study is a quantitative and qualitative analysis of essential and trace elements of four indigenous Ethiopian spices and herbs using instrumental neutron activation analysis technique. Results obtained for 16 elements: Major elements; Mg, Cl, and K; Minor elements; Na, Fe, and Mn, Zn, Br. While Al, V, Sm, Sc, La, Ba, Eu, Rb were found in traces. The spices, Affromumom korarima and Lippa Adonesis var. Koseret sebsebe were found to be very good sources of essential trace elements like Fe, Zn and Mn. The highest concentration of Mg was found in Ajowan whereas K and Fe were measured in Coriander seeds. The average daily dietary intake of some essential elements from the use of these spices were found to be below the recommended upper limit by WHO.

     

Determination of major and trace elements in iron reference materials using k0-NAA

Major and trace element contents in iron ore reference materials were investigated using k ₀-instrumental neutron activation analysis (k ₀-INAA). To avoid iron interferences, radiochemical separation was developed (k ₀-RNAA). The determination of the investigated elements in the inorganic phase from hydrochloric acid solution was performed after radiochemical separation of iron by diisopropyl ether. It was found that after the Fe elimination, the limit of detection for some elements was much lower that enables their direct determination. The distribution of 39 elements (with intermediate/medium and long half-life radionuclides) after Fe removal was investigated.     

Characterization of trace elements in medicinal herbs by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Medicinal herbs are often used as alternative medicines for healing and controlling some diseases in the world. This study focuses on the content of heavy and trace elements of some widely consumed herbs in Libya. Nine most popular herbs were analyzed by k ₀-instrumental neutron activation analysis. All the samples, SRM and flux monitors were irradiated for 7 and 10 hours under thermal neutron flux of 1.3·10¹³ cm⁻²·s⁻¹ at Tajoura nuclear reactor. In total, 33 elements were analyzed in different herbs. The variations in the concentration of the elements are attributed to soil composition and the climate in which the plant grows. The study showed that the toxic elements found in the samples were below the levels prescribed by health regulations. The precision and the accuracy of the results were evaluated by analyzing the reference materials Pine Needles SRM 1575 and Citrus Leaves SRM1572.     

Trace element determination in beauty products by k0-instrumental neutron activation analysis

A recent study on trace elements in beauty products and cosmetics sold on the Asian market has shown the presence of high levels of U, Th and rare earth elements in so called “Hormesis cosmetics.” For the purpose of comparison, some more information about trace elements in European cosmetics would be useful. In this paper the results obtained using k ₀-standardised Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (k ₀-INAA) for more than 20 trace elements in 20 different beauty products collected from the European market are presented. We found traces of Ba, As and Sb which is in breach with European legislation. For some of the other elements like Cr and Co further speciation is needed in order to evaluate their presence in beauty products.     

Vanadium biomonitoring by using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perna perna</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758) mussels transplanted in the coast of the State of São Paulo,Brazil

The increased pollution in the aquatic ecosystem has led to the investigation of toxic elements in sea water by using marine organisms to assess marine pollution from human activities. Among these organisms, the mollusks bivalves have been used as biomonitors since they can accumulate trace elements and other substances, without the occurrence of their death. In this study, Perna perna mussels were transplanted from a mussel farm (reference region) to four sites located in coastal regions of São Paulo State, Brazil, close to anthropic discharge areas. Vanadium was determined in mussel tissues by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Quality control of V analysis was checked by analyzing biological reference materials and the results obtained were precise and in good agreement with the certified values. Comparisons between the V concentrations obtained in transplanted mussels indicated that those from São Sebastião region, close to an oil terminal presented the highest concentration of this element, during spring.