From water to edible fish. Transfer of metals and metalloids in the San Roque Reservoir (Córdoba,Argentina). Implications associated with fish consumption

The concentration of Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Ag, Mo, Nd, Al, Ce, As, Sr, Pb, Pt and Hg was analysed in water, sediments, and aquatic organisms from the San Roque Reservoir (Córdoba-Argentina), sampled during the wet and dry season, to evaluate their transfer through the food web. Stable nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) isotopes were used to investigate trophic interactions. According to this, samples were divided into three trophic groups: plankton, shrimp (Palaemonetes argentinus) and fish (Silverside, Odontesthes bonariensis). Liver and gills are the main heavy metal storage tissues in fish. Hg and As concentrations in the muscle of O. bonariensis exceed the Oral Reference doses for metals established by USEPA (2009). Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) for each element were determined from the slope of the regression between trace element concentrations and δ¹⁵N. Calculated TMFs showed fundamental differences in the trophodynamics of the studied elements during the wet and dry season in the San Roque Reservoir. Concentrations of Ni, Cd, Cr, Al, Mn, Fe, Mo, Ce, Nd, Pt and Pb during both seasons, and Sr during the dry season, showed statistically significant decreases (TMF < 1) with increasing trophic levels. Thus these elements were trophically diluted in the San Roque food chain. Conversely, Cu, Ag and As (dry season) showed no significant relationships with trophic levels. Among the elements studied, Hg in the wet season, and Zn in the dry season were the only ones showing a statistically significant increase (TMF > 1) in concentration with trophic level. Current results trigger the need for further studies to establish differential behaviour with different species within the aquatic web, particularly when evaluating the transfer of toxic elements to edible organisms, which could pose health risks to humans.     

Variations of chemical element composition of bee and beekeeping products in different taxons of the biosphere

Geographical variations in element composition of bee products are poorly investigated though a lot of attempts are made to utilize the data in ecological monitoring. So the comparison of chemical element composition of bee and beekeeping products in different taxons of the biosphere may become valuable to test the efficiency of such approach. For this purpose content of 25 elements in bee body, bee bread, propolis and honey from Ribnitsa district of Moldavia (unpolluted area, control), Henty province of Mongolia (selenium deficient area) and Voskresensk district of Moscow region (mineral fertilizers production) were determined by means of the ICP-MS. Among 3 investigated regions Mongolia was characterized by the lowest Se levels and the highest accumulation of Al, Ca, Cd, Cu, Co, K, Mn, Mg, Na, Ni, P, Zn and V in bee bodies. The highest levels of Pb, Cr, Fe, Si, Sr and B, Se, Li, Sn were typical for Voskresensk and Moldavia bees accordingly. The highest correlation coefficients were registered between element concentrations in bee body and bee bread (r = +0.97–0.99, P < 0.0001), less significant – in bee body and propolis (r = +0.5–0.7; P < 0.001) and no correlation was demonstrated between element composition of bee body and honey. Propolis was characterized by significantly higher capacity to accumulate Pb, Cr, Sn and Al than bee body. Compared to bee body honey accumulated the lowest level of Mn and the highest of Si in Se-deficient Mongolia but the opposite phenomenon was demonstrated in Moldavia with moderately increased Se content in the environment. The results suppose that the most promising object for ecological monitoring is bee body. Element composition of propolis seems to reflect prolonged accumulation of elements, especially Pb, Al, Sn and Cr, by plant resin rather than dynamic temporal elements loading. Accumulation levels of elements in bee bread may be used on a par with bee body mineral content only in cases with equal honey content in bee bread. Honey utilization in monitoring of geochemical elements loading should be used with caution due to peculiarities of pollen/nectar elements distribution.     

The concentrations of major and trace elements in rat kidney: Aging effects and mutual relationships

The concentrations of 26 major to trace elements in rat kidneys aging from 5 to 113 weeks old were determined. The rats investigated were the same rats used previously reported to have 29 elements in bones (femurs). The samples were decomposed by high purity nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Eight elements (Na, Mg, Si, P, K, Ca, Fe and Zn) were determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and 18 elements (Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Tl, Pb, Bi and U) were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The aging effects on the concentrations of these elements and mutual elemental relationships were investigated. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for age variations indicated that the concentrations of P, K, Mn and Mo were almost constant across the age of rats (p > 0.3). The concentration of many elements such as Na, Mg, Ca, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sn, Sb, Tl, Pb and Bi, showed significant increasing trends (p < 0.01) with different patterns. Rubidium, Cs, Pb and Bi showed significant age variations but not monotonic trends. Silicon, Ni, Sr, Ba and U showed large concentration scatterings without any significant trends (p > 0.01). The metabolism of these elements may not be well established in the kidney. Many toxic elements such as As, Cd, Sn, Pb and Bi showed a narrow concentration range among age-matched rats. The kidney may have established metabolic mechanisms to confine or accumulate these toxic elements even though their concentrations are very low (e.g., 10 ng g^?1 of Cd). These elements also closely coupled with Fe. A cluster analysis was performed using an elemental correlation matrix and indicated that these elements, including Fe, formed a cluster. However, another cluster analysis using “an aging effect eliminated” elemental correlation showed different clustering in which the Fe, Cd cluster disappeared.     

Bioaccumulation of heavy elements by Armadillidium vulgare (Crustacea,Isopoda) exposed to fallout of a municipal solid waste landfill

This paper reports the response of isopods exposed to fallout of a municipal solid waste landfill located in central Italy. Soil samples and specimens of Armadillidium vulgare were collected at different distances from the landfill and analyzed to determine the concentrations of heavy elements such as As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb, V and Zn. The isopod analysis was performed on unpurged and purged specimens. Analytical data indicate that the soil contents of heavy elements were quite uniform and within the respective local geochemical background. Slight enrichments of Cu and Pb were found in some soils collected within the solid waste. Purged isopods showed an accumulation of As, Co, Cr, Ni, Sb and V whose body levels decreased as the distance from the landfill increased. Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations in purged specimens were rather uniform and no significant variation trend occurred. This result probably was due to the fact that the isopods are provided with physiological mechanisms of regulation for these heavy elements. Analytical data also indicate the ability of A. vulgare to adsorb differently the heavy elements according to the following order: As > Co > Ni > Pb > V. The contents of heavy elements in unpurged specimens were higher than in purged ones. This finding suggested that the defecation has marked effects on the tissue levels of heavy elements in isopods. This study indicates that the isopods provide useful information about environmental quality in areas characterized by low and discontinuous emission of heavy elements and their low accumulation in soil.     

Heavy metals in wetland soils along a wetland-forming chronosequence in the Yellow River Delta of China: Levels,sources and toxic risks

Surface soil (0–20 cm) samples were collected from four chronological sequences of wetlands (i.e., >50-yr-old wetlands, 40-yr-old wetlands, 30-yr-old wetlands and 10-yr-old wetlands) in the Yellow River Delta of China in May and June of 2007. Total contents of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic absorption spectrometry (ICP-AAS) to investigate the levels, sources and toxic risks of heavy metals in these wetlands. Our results showed an increasing trend for Pb, Cu and Zn along the wetland-forming chronosequence although their pollution levels were low. Both As and Cd exhibited significant enrichment due to their high enrichment factor (EF) values (EF > 5), especially in older wetlands (i.e., >50-yr-old and 40-yr-old wetlands), whereas other heavy metals were minimally or moderately enriched in this region. The results of principal component analysis showed that 83.09% of total variance based on eigenvalues (eigenvalue > 1) could be explained by three principal components (PCs) in four wetlands. The source of Al, Cu, Pb and Zn was different from Cd, Cr and Ni. According to the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) of China, soil samples in the younger wetlands, especially the 10-yr-old wetlands, were moderately polluted by As, Cd and Ni. According to the SQGs of US EPA, all soil samples were heavily polluted by As and moderately polluted by Ni and soil samples in the older wetlands were moderately polluted by Cr. However, with the exception of As and Ni, the contents of other heavy metals in the four wetlands did not exceed the probable effect level (PEL) values. As, Cd and Ni were identified as heavy metals of primary concerns in four wetlands, Cr were of moderate concern in older wetlands, and Pb, Cu and Zn should be paid more attention in younger wetland (i.e., 10-yr-old and 30-yr-old wetlands). A new and sensitive toxic risk index (TRI) is developed for the accurate assessment of toxic risk for heavy metals in wetland soils compared with the sum of the toxic units (∑TUs), and As, Cr, Ni and Cd showed higher contributions to TRI.     

Age-related effects of major and trace element concentrations in rat liver and their mutual relationships

The concentrations of 22 major and trace elements in livers from rats aging from 5 to 113 weeks old were determined. The rats investigated were the same rats previously reported with respect to 29 elements in bones (femur) and 26 elements in kidneys. The samples were decomposed with high-purity nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Seven elements (Na, Mg, P, K, Ca, Fe and Zn) were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and 15 elements (Mn, Co, Cu, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Pb and Bi) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for age variations indicated that the concentrations of many elements, such as Mg, P, K, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sr, Mo and Cd, were almost constant across the ages of the rats with the exception of 5 weeks old (p > 0.05). Arsenic, Pb and Bi showed significant increasing trends, while Na and Co showed decreasing trends (p < 0.01). Selenium showed a decreasing trend except at the initial stage of 5–9 weeks old. Calcium, Rb, Sn, Sb, Cs and Ba showed significant age-related variations, but their patterns were not monotonic. The liver clearly contrasts with the kidneys, in which many elements showed significant age-related variations with increasing trends. The concentration ranges of Mg, P, K, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Mo were controlled within 15% across all ages of rats. The homeostasis of the aforementioned elements may be well established in the liver. The toxic elements, such as Cd, Pb and Bi, showed a narrow concentration range among age-matched rats.     

Bioaccumulation and translocation of heavy metals by Plantago major L. grown in contaminated soils under the effect of traffic pollution

The present study was performed at a heavy-traffic affected soil to examine the efficacy of bioaccumulation and translocation potentials of heavy metals by the naturally growing weed Plantago major. Heavy metals were analyzed in soil as well as in plant below- and above-ground parts along different distances from a heavy-traffic highway. All the investigated soil heavy metals, except Cd, varied significantly, while pH and E.C had no significant difference, with increasing distance from the highway. Likewise, there was a significant decrease of heavy metals in plant below- and aboveground parts. In addition, no significant difference between most soil and root heavy metals at 20 and 100 m as well as those at 500 and 750 m distance from the highway. The bioaccumulation factor (BF) of all heavy metals, except Cd and Sr, were less than unity at most distances. However, Cd showed relative BF decline with the distance in contrast to Sr, which increases as distance from the highway increases. On the other hand, the translocation factors (TF) of Cd, Co, Cu, Pb and Zn were higher at the distances far from the highway, while that of Fe, Cr and Sr were higher near the highway. Furthermore, the enrichment factor (EF) showed small variations, among the investigated heavy metals, with varying distances from the pollution source. It was found that soil Fe, Al, Cr, Ni, Sr, V and Zn had significant positive correlation with all investigated heavy metals in P. major roots. The higher TFs of Cd, Fe and Pb in P. major shoots makes it suitable for phytoextraction from soil, while the lower ratios of Al, Mn, V, Co, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cu and Sr make it suitable for their phytostabilization. Therefore, this plant can be used as a bioindicator and biomonitor for traffic related heavy metals.     

Content of trace elements and chromium speciation in Neem powder and tea infusions

Total concentrations of selected trace elements in Neem powder and in Neem tea were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The data revealed that despite high total concentrations of the potentially toxic elements Al and Ni in Neem powder, their amounts dissolved in Neem tea were low. Total concentrations of the other toxic elements Pb, As and Cd were also very low and do not represent a health hazard. In contrast, total concentrations of the essential elements Fe, Cu, Zn, Se Mo and Cr in Neem powder were high and also considerable in Neem tea. Consuming one cup of Neem tea (2 g per 200 mL of water) covers the recommended daily intakes for Cr and Se and represents an important source of Mo and Cu.Speciation analysis of Cr by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to ICP-MS with the use of enriched Cr isotopic tracers to follow species interconversions during the analytical procedure demonstrated that toxic Cr(VI) was not present either in Neem powder or in Neem tea. Its concentrations were below the limits of detection of the HPLC–ICP-MS procedure applied. The speciation analysis data confirmed that even Cr(VI) was added, it was rapidly reduced by the presence of antioxidants in Neem leaves. By the use of enriched Cr isotopic spike solutions it was also demonstrated that for obtaining reliable analytical data it is essential to apply the extraction procedures which prevent Cr species interconversions, or to correct for species transformation.     

Heavy metal bioaccumulation by the organs of Phragmites australis (common reed) and their potential use as contamination indicators

The concentrations of heavy metals in the roots, rhizomes, stems and leaves of the aquatic macrophyte Phragmites australis (common reed), and in the corresponding water and sediment samples from the mouth area of the Imera Meridionale River (Sicily, Italy), were investigated to ascertain whether plant organs are characterized by differential accumulation, and to test the suitability of the various organs for heavy metal biomonitoring of water and soil. Heavy metals considered were Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn. Results showed that belowground organs were the primary areas of metal accumulation. In particular, metal concentrations in plant organs decreased in the order of root > rhizome ≥ leaf > stem. All four organs showed significant differences in concentration for Cr, Hg, Mn, Zn, thus suggesting low mobility from roots to rhizomes and to aboveground organs. Although the organs followed different decreasing trends of metal concentration, the trend Mn > Zn > Pb > Cu was found in each plant organ. Mn showed the highest concentrations in all organs whereas the lowest concentrations regarded Cd and Cr in the belowground and aboveground organs, respectively. The toxic threshold was exceeded by Cr in roots, rhizomes and leaves, Mn in roots and leaves, Ni in roots. The highest average concentrations were found as follows: Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn in root, Cr, Mn, Ni in sediment, Cu in water. Positive linear relationships were found between heavy metal concentrations in all plant organs and those in water and sediment, thus indicating the potential use of such organs for pollution monitoring of water and sediment. Advantages of using plant species as biomonitors, especially Phragmites australis, were also discussed.     

Toxic and essential elements in children's blood (<6 years) from Kinshasa,DRC (the Democratic Republic of Congo)

In this study we determined the concentration of 9 trace elements (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se and Zn) in whole blood of children (n = 100, 64 girls, 36 boys and median age: 36 months) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The proportion of children potentially deficient in essential elements or poisoned by toxic elements was evaluated. The aging effects on the concentration of these elements were also investigated. The median values were 3.17 μg/L (As), 0.15 μg/L (Cd), 1.1 mg/L (Cu), 2.1 μg/L (Hg), 10.4 μg/L (Mn), 17.7 μg/L (Mo), 8.7 μg/dL (Pb), 10.7 μg/L (Se) and 5.0 mg/L (Zn). The concentration of many elements (As, Cd, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn) showed significant age variations but not sex influence. Regarding levels of the essential elements (Cu, Mn, Mo, Se and Zn), B-Cu, B-Mn, B-Se and B-Zn were in the normal range, whereas exceeded levels were observed for B-Mo. None of these children was deficient in essential elements. Except B-Cd, all toxic elements showed exceeded blood levels. The proportion of children potentially poisoned by toxic elements varies from 10% (n = 10) to 95% (n = 95) and depends on toxic element: 95% for As, 10% for Hg and 35% for Pb. The main health concerns emerging from this study are the high As, Hg and Pb exposures of the Kinshasan children requiring further documentation, corrective actions and the implementation of appropriate regulations.     

Deciduous tree leaves in trace elements biomonitoring: A contribution to methodology

Air quality biomonitoring using plant leaves has been widely applied to assess the effects of atmospheric pollution. Although practiced for many years, it has not given completely satisfactory data, due to different and even opposing results. This study comprises an investigation on the content of some trace elements (Al, As, Ba, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, Pb) in leaves of four tree species common for the urban area of Belgrade (Serbia). The assay took place in July 2009 when the selected trees (Acer platanoides, Aesculus hippocastanum, Betula pendula, Tilia cordata) were in the maximum of physiological activity during the vegetation season. Among the investigated species, leaves of A. platanoides contained the highest concentrations of the measured elements. The assumption that a large green area in the Belgrade city periphery would be a suitable control site appeared to be disputable due to the substantial load of the elements obtained in the leaves. It was shown that even a short rinse with bidistilled water (3–5 s), applied twice to the leaves prior to chemical analysis, led to a significant decrease of some element concentrations (most pronounced for Al, Fe and Pb in all species, but also evident for Cu, Cr, Co and Zn for some of them). However, by washing leaves, the representativeness of leaf samples per studied site could be improved due to removal of some superficial loosely adhered impurities and so diminished large variability of element concentrations among leaf subsamples providing more representative information on the element content in leaves per site, and the area, respectively.     

Trace elements accumulation and temporal trends in leaves of urban deciduous trees (Aesculus hippocastanum and Tilia spp.)

Leaves of common deciduous trees: Aesculus hippocastanum and Tilia spp. from three parks within the urban area of Belgrade (Serbia) were studied as biomonitors of trace elements (Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) atmospheric pollution. The seasonal trace elements accumulation (September/May) in the leaves, and their temporal trends, were assayed in a multy-year period (2002–2006). Significant seasonal accumulation was evident in samples of A. hippocastanum for: Cr, Fe, Ni, Zn, and Pb, as well as in Tilia spp. leaves, except for Zn. For Cu, no regular seasonal accumulation was observed in leaves of the studied species. Decreasing temporal trend in leaf tissue concentrations were evident for Pb in A. hippocastanum (16.0 μg g^?1 in September of 2002 to 4.6 μg g^?1 in September of 2006) which is in accordance with the bulk atmospheric deposition measurements. The leaf Cu concentrations were the highest at one of the studied sites, also marked previously with extremely high atmospheric Cu loadings by some other monitoring (bulk deposition, particulate matter, moss) surveys. Decreasing Cu concentrations temporal trend at that site in the leaves of A. hippocastanum was evident through the studied years and also confirmed with the bulk deposition measurements. The Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zn leaf tissue concentrations remained at about the same level in the studied species throughout the experiment and no agreement was observed with the bulk deposition data. Comparing the studied biomonitors, the leaves of A. hippocastanum showed significantly higher elements accumulation and more consistency than Tilia spp., so it may be considered as more suitable species for assessment of Pb and Cu atmospheric pollution.     

Bloodletting therapy in hemochromatosis: Does it affect trace element homeostasis?

Hemochromatosis is the most common hereditary disorder in the Nordic population, if left untreated it can result in severe parenchymal iron accumulation. Bloodletting is mainstay treatment. Iron and trace elements partially share cellular uptake and transport mechanisms, and the aim of the present study was to see if bloodletting for hemochromatosis affects trace elements homeostasis. We recruited patients referred for diagnosis and treatment of hemochromatosis, four women and 22 men 23–68 years of age. Thirteen were C282Y homozygote, one was C282Y heterozygote, three were H63D homozygote, seven were compound heterozygote and two had none of the mutations above. Iron and liver function tests were performed; serum levels of trace elements were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results before the start of treatment and after normalization of iron parameters were compared. On completion of the bloodlettings the following average serum concentrations increased: Co from 5.6 to 11.5 nmol/L, serum Cu 16.2–17.6 μmol/L, Ni increased from 50.0 to 52.6 nmol/L and Sb from 13.2 to 16.3 nmol/L. Average serum Mn concentration declined from 30.2 to 28.3 nmol/L. All changes were statistically significant (by paired t-test). B, Ba, Cs, Mo, Se, Sr and Zn were not significantly changed. We conclude that bloodlettings in hemochromatosis lead to changes in trace element metabolism, including increased absorption of potentially toxic elements.     

Potential of Typha angustifolia for phytoremediation of heavy metals from aqueous solution of phenol and melanoidin

Typha angustifolia was evaluated for various heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Ni, Fe, Mn, and Zn) bioremediation potential from aqueous solution containing variable concentrations of phenol (100–800 mg l^?1) and melanoidin (2500–8500 Co–Pt) at 20, 40, and 60 days. The concentration of phenol (200–400 mg l^?1) along with melanoidin 2500 Co–Pt showed optimum for phytoremediation of tested heavy metals, while, higher concentrations of melanoidin (5600–8500 Co–Pt) showed toxic effect on T. angustifolia along with phenol. Phenol and melanoidin showed adverse effect on T. angustifolia of up to 20 days incubation, but this leads to induction of peroxidase and ascorbic acid activity to cope with adverse conditions. Subsequently, as pollutants were decreased along with plant growth, peroxidase and ascorbic acid also declined. However, with reduction of peroxidase, catalase level was increased. The Cu, Zn, and Ni were accumulated at maximum in all tested conditions. The TEM observations of T. angustifolia showed clotted deposition of metals and shrinkage of cell in root, breakdown of spongy and palisade parenchyma of leaves at higher concentration of phenol (100 mg l^?1) and melanoidin (5500 Co–Pt). Thus, this study concluded that T. angustifolia could be a potential phytoremediator for heavy metals from metal, melanoidin, and phenol containing industrial wastewater at optimized condition.     

In vivo determination of aluminum,cobalt, chromium,copper, nickel,titanium and vanadium in oral mucosa cells from orthodontic patients with mini-implants by Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Miniscrews are used as orthodontic anchorage devices in the dentistry clinical practice but the in vivo metallic release from these structures has been not previously investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the content of Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Ti and V in oral mucosa cells of control subjects, patients under orthodontic treatment and with both, orthodontic treatment and miniscrew, in order to know the contribution of these mini-implants to the total metallic content. ICP-MS measurements revealed the following ascending order: Cr < Ni < Ti < Cu < Al, and Co and V were practically undetected. Significant differences in comparison to the control group were found for Cu in the orthodontic group, and for Ni in both, orthodontic and orthodontic + miniscrew groups. Potential correlations among metallic elements and with some clinical factors were also explored. These findings suggest that miniscrews do not increase significantly the metal release.     

Metallic and metalloid elements in various developmental stages of Amanita muscaria (L.) Lam

There is growing evidence that mushrooms (fruiting bodies) can be suitable for biogeochemical prospecting for minerals and as indicators of heavy metal and radioactive contaminants in the terrestrial environment. Apart from the nutritional aspect, knowledge of accumulation dynamics and distribution of elements in fruiting bodies, from emergence to senescence, is essential as is standardization when choosing mushroom species as potential bioindicators and for monitoring purposes. We studied the effect of fruitbody developmental stage on the contents of the elements (Li, K, V, Cr, Mn, Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Ag, Al, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Pb, Tl and U) in the individual parts of the Amanita muscaria fruiting body. Elements such as K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn and Se remained similar throughout all developmental stages studied, however for K, differences occurred in the values of caps and stipes, as expressed by the cap to stipe concentration quotient (index Q_C/S). The other elements quantified, i.e., Li, V, Cr, As, Rb, Sr, Ag, Al, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Pb, Tl and U are considered as nonessential or toxic (with the exception of V in A. muscaria). Their accumulation in the fruiting bodies and their distribution between cap and stipe did not show a uniform pattern. Pb, Sb, Tl, Ba, Sr, Li, Rb and Cs decreased with increasing maturity of the fruitbodies, implying that translocation, distribution and accumulation in stipes and caps was not a continuous process, while V, Cr, As, Ag, Cd, and U remained at the same concentration, similarly to the essential elements. Our results for A. muscaria confirm that elemental distribution in different parts of fruiting bodies is variable for each element and may change during maturation. Soil properties, species specificity and the pattern of fruitbody development may all contribute to the various types of elemental distribution and suggest that the results for one species in one location may have only limited potential for generalization.     

Analysis methods and reference concentrations of 12 minor and trace elements in fish blood plasma

A comprehensive review of the analytical literature revealed substantial under-representation of trace element concentrations in fish blood, particularly for marine species. We describe a simple dilution procedure to measure Li, Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Ba and Pb concentrations in low volumes of blood plasma of adult plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) using high resolution-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS). Captive male and female plaice (n = 18) were serially sampled for one year and samples collected outside of the spawning season (n = 157) used to estimate reference ranges for this species. Method accuracy was deemed satisfactory, based on its application to the analysis of a certified reference material. Precision was generally <3%, with the most conservative measure of precision being ≤10% for all elements except Pb (～20%). This is the first study to analyse fish blood plasma by ICP-MS and includes some of the first reference ranges for trace element concentrations in fish blood.     

Relationship of lead and essential elements in whole blood from school-age children in Nanning,China

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate blood lead level and its relationship to essential elements (zinc, copper, iron, calcium and magnesium) in school-age children from Nanning, China.MethodsA total of 2457 children aged from 6 to 14 years were enrolled in Nanning, China. The levels of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were determined by an atomic absorption spectrometer.ResultsThe mean blood lead level (BLL) was 57.21 ± 35.00 μg/L. 188 (7.65%) asymptomatic children had toxic lead level higher than 100 μg/L. The school-age boys had similar lead level among different age groups, while the elder girls had less BLL. The blood Zn and Fe were found to be increased in the boys with elevated BLL, but similar trends were not observed in the girls. Positive correlations between Pb and Fe or Mg (r = 0.112, 0.062, respectively, p < 0.01) and a negative correlation between Pb and Ca (r = −0.047, p < 0.05) were further established in the studied children.ConclusionsLead exposure in school-age children was still prevalent in Nanning. The boys and girls differed in blood levels of lead and other metallic elements. Lead exposure may induce metabolic disorder of other metallic elements in body.     

Trace elements in Phragmites australis growing in constructed wetlands for treatment of municipal wastewater

Biomass of Phragmites australis growing in four constructed wetlands with horizontal sub-surface flow (HF CWs) designed for treatment of municipal sewage in the Czech Republic have been analyzed for 19 trace elements. The biomass was harvested during the peak standing crop in early September and divided into stems, leaves, flowers, roots and rhizomes. Concentrations of monitored elements in both aboveground and belowground plant tissues were similar to those found in plants growing in natural stands. The highest concentrations were recorded for Al, Fe, Mn, Ba and Zn while the lowest concentrations were those of Hg, U and Cd. Concentrations decreased in the order of roots > rhizomes > leaves > stems. The root/leaf ratio averaged 70 and varied between 1.4 for molybdenum and 392 for cobalt. The belowground/aboveground concentration ratio ranged between 0.9 and 69.5 with an average value of 19. Due to average aboveground/belowground biomass ratio > 1, the belowground/aboveground standing stock ratios were lower with six elements (Ba, Zn, Se, Hg, Mo, and Mn) having this ratio < 1.     

Major and trace elements in Sphagnum moss from four southern German bogs,and comparison with available moss monitoring data

In this paper, we present concentrations of an array of major and trace elements (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sr, Th, Tl, U, V, Zn) in living Sphagnum mosses from four southern German bogs and compare them with moss monitoring data of the respective regions. To do this, Sphagnum mosses were collected in Upper Bavaria (Oberbayern, OB) and the Northern Black Forest (Nordschwarzwald, NBF). Surfaces of Sphagnum carpets were marked with plastic mesh and, one year later, the annual moss production was harvested. Up to 12 samples (40 cm × 40 cm) were collected per site, and 6–10 sites investigated per bog. The concentrations of these elements were then determined in acid digests using sector field ICP-MS. Variations within a given sampling site were in the range of 2 to 3-fold for all major and trace element concentrations except for Mn (12-fold) and Tl (38-fold). For most of the elements, concentrations between bogs of a given region were significantly different and atmospheric deposition of particles seems to be considerably affected by local circumstances such as tree canopy interception and microtopography. Comparing trace element concentrations measured in Sphagnum mosses for 2007 with published moss monitoring data for 2005 resulted in a very good agreement for most elements. Clearly, Sphagnum mosses from bogs are useful biomonitors for estimating atmospheric contamination by metals. This supports the use of Sphagnum in atmospheric deposition monitoring especially in cases where Sphagnum is abundant (e.g., boreal forests). In regions with neither bogs nor forests, living Sphagnum moss bags could be used to the same effect.