Pollution studies of trace elements in sediments from the Upper Saronikos Gulf,Greece

Seventeen trace elements (As, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hg, Hf, La Lu, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Yb and Zn) have been determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis in sediments from the upper Saronikos Gulf, Greece. It was found that the discharge of industrial and domestic wastes in the Keratsini and Elefsis bays of the upper Saronikos Gulf had led to elevated concentrations of all toxic and other trace elements determined over at least 100 km² of seafloor. Increases above natural level range from 2 fold for rare earths to 200 fold for arsenic.     

Determination of rare earth elements in sediment cores from Northern Saronikos Gulf,Greece, by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) has been applied for the determination of 8 rare earth elements (REE) in sediment cores collected from stations of polluted and unpolluted areas of Northern Saronikos Gulf. The REE determined in cores are: La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Yb and Lu. Higher levels of all REE were found in the cores from polluted areas of N. Saronikos Gulf as compared with those from unpolluted areas. Different vertical profiles of REE were found in the cores from two stations of polluted areas which indicate that REE may distinguish pollution sources.     

Study of the correlation of trace elements in caprenters' toenails

Toenail samples were collected from 129 carpenters (average age 47). The bone and blood lead data for these carpenters have shown a broad range of lead-level exposure in this population. A total of 28 elements were measured in the sample set by a combination of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) methods. Of the elements measured, only Co, Cr, Fe, Na, Cd, Cu, F, and Ni were significantly correlated with lead. A statistical treatment of the overall data set, including principal component analysis, was further applied in an attempt to correlate the elements in the samples.     

Determination of total sterols in brown algae by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

A procedure is proposed for the determination of the total amount of sterols in brown algae Bifurcaria bifurcata, Cladostephus hirsitus, Dictyota dichotoma and Cystoseira sedoides, globally determined as fucosterol, which is the major sterol contained in these algae. The method involves the use of cholesterol as reference standard and a correction factor of 1.259 ± 0.003, which represents the ratio between the slopes of calibration lines obtained from fucosterol and cholesterol. The method provides precise and accurate results for the IR analysis of real samples.     

High-speed liquid chromatograhic separation of glycerides, fatty acids and sterols.

The high-speed liquid chromatographic separation and detection of triglycerides, diglycerides, fatty acid and sterols was carried out to permit the analyses of total lipids from soybeans and soybean food. The study was conducted with a Varian Aerograph LC 1200 liquid chromatograph equipped with a hydrogen flame ionization detector. Linear-gradient, solvent-flow programming was used. Separation of the total lipids by the gradient was achieved in 30 minutes and the column prepared for the next analysis by washing with solvents. The detector response curves for authentic compounds were linear and equivalent to within 2.3% error, based on the response to 1-monopalmitin. The minimum detectable amounts of the authentic substances were between 0.1 and 1.4mug. When a three-stranded wire was used instead of single filament wire, the sensitivity was increased by 37%.     

Pollution studies of silver and antimony in Saronikos Gulf,Greece by INAA

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) has been applied for the determination of Ag and Sb in water column, sediment cores, and two marine organisms from Saronikos Gulf, Greece. Higher levels of Ag and Sb were found in the water column and cores from polluted areas of the Gulf as compared to those from unpolluted areas. No significant differences of Ag and Sb were found in the two marine organisms from all areas of Saronikos Gulf.     

Determination of PAHs, PCBs, minerals, trace elements, and fatty acids in Rapana thomasiana as an indication of pollution

The aim of this investigation was to introduce several analytical methods for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), minerals, trace elements, and fatty acids in Rapana thomasiana as a marine pollution indicator organism. The chemical differences of the gastropod Ra. thomasiana from polluted and nonpolluted sites of the Black Sea on the Bulgarian coast were investigated. Chromatography and high-resolution inductively coupled plasma/MS analyses were used for evaluation of PAHs, PCBs, fatty acids, minerals, and trace elements. These methods can be applied to other marine products.     

Application of two INAA methods to pollution studies of sediments from Saronikos Gulf,Greece

Thirty elements were determined by two INAA methods in sediment core samples from N. Saronikos Gulf, Greece, and the results were subjected to multivariate analysis. This procedure resulted in the separation of samples into chemical groups that were environmentally meaningful and sufficient to (a) distinguish among different pollution sources; (b) trace the routes and the extent of pollution in sediments; and (c) define the least affected areas representing the geochemical background. The principal components analysis of the analytical data for 18 selected elements revealed that, among the elements determined in this study, the most discriminating were As, Sb, Ag, Ca, Au, Zn and the rare earth elements (REE).     

Separation and quantitation of fatty acids, sterols and bile acids in feces by gas chromatography as the butyl ester-acetate derivatives

A system allowing the separation and quantitation of individual species of fecal fatty acids, sterols and bile acids in a single chromatographic step is described. The system is based on the butylation of carboxyl groups and acetylation of free hydroxyls of the compounds in fecal lipid extracts, followed by their resolution by temperature-programmed gas chromatography. As the butyl ester-acetate derivatives, fatty acids, sterols and bile acids elute separately and with no overlap on a variety of chromatographic columns, obviating the need for prior separation of each class by thin-layer or column chromatography. All common bile acids, a wide variety of sterols and keto-steroids, as well as saturated and unsaturated fatty acids may be routinely resolved. Quantitation is facilitated by the addition of the internal standards, heptadecanoic acid and nor-deoxycholic acid to each sample. With an automatic sample injector, the rapid assessment of a wide range of potential risk factors for colorectal cancer may be carried out in large numbers of samples.     

Determination of toxic and trace elements in algae by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis has been applied in the determination of toxic and other trace elements in a set of three algae materials provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency, with the aim of environmental preservation through enhanced applications of nuclear analytical techniques. The quality of the analysis method has been evaluated by analyzing a number of biological standard reference materials. By adding mineral nutrients, the cultivation of algae for metals is enhanced, in particular, selected toxic heavy metals such as As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni and Pb. It is believed that the level of elemental concentration in algae samples are dependent on environmental conditions due to its biochemical properties. Therefore, algae materials may be useful as an indicator or controller of environmental water pollution.     

Sterols from Sargassum oligocystum, a brown algae from the Persian Gulf, and their bioactivity

Sargassum oligocystum (Heterokontophyta) is one of the most abundant algae distributed in the Persian Gulf. In this study, the cytotoxic effects of this algae on brine shrimp larvae were evaluated and the main sterols of the algae identified. Separation and purification of the compounds was carried out using silica gel column chromatography and HPLC to obtain eight pure compounds, 1-8. Structural elucidation of the constituents was based on the data obtained from (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, HSQC, HMBC, DEPT and EI-MS. The compounds separated from S. oligocystum were identified as 22-dehydrocholesterol (1), cholesterol (2), fucosterol (3), 29-hydroperoxystigmasta-5,24(28)-dien-3β-ol (4), 24-hydroperoxy-24-vinylcholesterol (5), a mixture of 24(S)-hydroxy-24-vinylcholesterol (6) and 24(R)-hydroxy-24-vinylcholesterol (7), and ostreasterol (8) based on their spectral data and from comparison with those previously reported in the literature.     

Determination of trace elements in ancient glasspieces and correlation with corrosion and devitrification

Differently corroded glass-pieces of Roman, mediaeval and baroque origin were inspected by light and electron microscopes and afterwards several impurities determined semi-quantitatively in the glass matrix and corrosion layers by neutron activation analysis. Sodium glasses contained in general less trace elements and proved to be more resistant against corrosion and devitrification than potassium glasses which showed a high content of foreign elements. In the intermediate layers between glass and corrosion products not only an increased number of impurities was detected, but also an enrichment factor of about 20 in comparison to the glass matrix was found. According to the observed relation between content of trace elements and degree of corrosion, impurities seem to deteriorate the long term stability of a glass matrix. Dedicated on the occasion of the 70th birthday of Prof. Dr. R. KIEFFER, University of Technology, Vienna.     

Determination of trace elements in bottled water in Greece by instrumental and radiochemical neutron activation analyses

Summary Four different bottled water brands sold in Greece in the winter of 2001-2002 were analyzed for a wide range of chemical elements, using neutron activation analysis (NAA). The elements Na and Br were determined instrumentally (INAA), whereas the other metals and trace elements radiochemically (RNAA). The results indicated that the mean level of all the elements determined in the samples were well within the European Union (EU) directive on drinking water and accomplish the drinking water standards of the World Health Organisation (WHO) as well as of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).     

Study of the diffusion of trace elements and radionuclides in soils

Thin layer method of measuring diffusion processes was modified to shorten time and to increase efficiency of experiments. For this purpose small and fine glass capillaries of 20 mm length and inner diameter of several millimeters were used as diffusion cells. The diffusion of trace amounts of¹³⁷Cs, its dependence on soil moisture and interaction with the soil have been studied. Experimental technique. evaluation of records and the basic interpretation of the migration process are described.     

酸性水稻土有效态砷与糙米砷含量相关性的研究

为了更好地探究酸性水稻土中有效态砷和糙米砷含量的相关性,采用土液比1:10、振荡时间240 min和振荡速度200 r·min-1为中间条件,比较4种浸提剂0.01 mol·L-1 CaCl2-DTPA,0.5 mol·L-1 NaHCO3,0.05 mol·L-1 NH4H2PO4和0.43 mol·L-1 HNO3提取酸性水稻土中有效砷的提取效果。结果表明,4种浸提剂提取的土壤有效态砷与其糙米砷含量之间均存在显著相关,0.43 mol·L-1 HNO3提取的土壤有效态砷与糙米砷含量的相关性最高为0.828,土壤有效态砷平均提取率最高为8.63。选择0.43 mol·L-1 HNO3为提取酸性水稻土有效态砷的最优浸提剂,进一步优化浸提剂的提取条件,确定土液比1:10、振荡时间120 min和振荡速度200 r·min-1为酸性水稻土有效态砷最佳提取条件,土壤有效态砷与糙米砷含量的相关性最高为0.831。0.43 mol·L-1 HNO3提取酸性水稻土中有效砷的方法操作简便、试剂用量少,提取的土壤有效砷和糙米砷的相关性好,确定为酸性水稻土有效态砷的提取方法,为科学评价酸性水稻土壤有效态砷与糙米砷的生物有效性以及酸性水稻土壤砷环境风险评价提供参考依据。     

Atmospheric deposition of trace elements in Greece using moss Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. as biomonitors

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Mosses have been used for monitoring trace elements airborne pollution due to their ability to accumulate elements directly from wet and dry...     

Study on the relationship between intake of trace elements and breast cancer mortality with chemometric methods

Several chemometric methods were employed to survey the interaction among the trace elements and the relationship between the intake of these elements and the breast cancer mortality. It is indicated that there are strong interactions among the trace elements so as to form a dynamic balance; the intake of Cr is the most important factor that could cause the increase of breast cancer mortality; no definite relation can be observed between the intake of Cu and that of Zn. However, either the ratio of the intake of Cu and that of Zn or the intake of Cd could show a certain state of dynamic balance among some of the trace elements. Comparison of the analytical methods reveals that it is important to select a suitable method so as to obtain the most appropriate explanation.     

Influence of extractant on quality and trace elements content of peat humic acids

Among several extractants used to isolate humic acids (HA) from terrestrial environments, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium pyrophosphate (Na₄P₂O₇) are the most utilized. In order to evaluate the influence of these different extractant solutions on the HA quality and on their trace elements content, HA were isolated from five Sphagnum-peat samples using three different solutions: (a) 0.5 M NaOH; (b) 0.1 M Na₄P₂O₇; (c) 0.5 M NaOH + 0.1 M Na₄P₂O₇. The obtained HA have been analyzed with respect to ash content, elemental composition, main atomic ratios and characterized by FT-IR and total luminescence (TL) spectroscopies. In addition, both raw peat and HA have been analyzed using X-ray fluorescence in order to determine the Br, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn contents.

Results showed that HA extracted with NaOH and NaOH + Na₄P₂O₇ are quite similar with respect to ash, elemental contents and spectroscopic characteristics, while Na₄P₂O₇ solution, which in general reduces the extraction yield, seems to affect the nature of HA, featuring a more complex and aromatic character. With respect to the contents in the corresponding raw peat samples, the HA fractions were richer in Br, Cu and Ni, regardless of the extractant used, and poorer in Fe, Pb and Zn. Further, Br, Cu, Ni and Zn were more concentrated in HA extracted with Na₄P₂O₇ than in those extracted with NaOH and NaOH + Na₄P₂O₇, probably because of the greater affinity of these elements for these more aromatic humic molecules.     

Instrumental determination by neutron activation analysis of trace elements in particulate matter separated from riverine and marine coastal waters of the gulf of Gaeta (Central Italy)

This work presents the results obtained on suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected from the rivers Volturno and Garigliano and from the sea stretch between the mouth of the Volturno river and the Sabaudia lake (Central Tyrrhenian Sea). The elements As, Au, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, La, Lu, Mn, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Ta, Th, W and Yb were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The results show that the element concentrations in SPM tend to be higher in surface than in bottom samples. Also, enrichment factors (EF's) were calculated with respect to Sc assumed as representative of alumino-silicates. Higher values of EF's were found for Zn, As, Se, Sb, Hg, W, and Au.Work partly carried out under the contract No. BIO-B322-I (S) of the Commission of the European Communities.     

Dimethylaminoethyl esters for trace, rapid analysis of fatty acids by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

The development of a new derivative, the dimethylaminoethyl ester, for the analysis of fatty acids by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry is described. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of long to very long chain fatty acids in plasma, blood, urine and wax were performed. Branched chain, unsaturated, dicarboxylic, hydroxy, amino and keto acids were studied. The quantitative analysis method using the new derivative is simple, rapid and precise with small sample size. It has good potential as a screening method for biologically important fatty acids. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.