沉积物生源要素对水体生态环境变化的指示意义

受人类活动影响,输入到湖泊、河口中的营养盐剧增,导致水体富营养化、食物链结构改变、底质季节性缺氧等生态环境变化。这些环境变化会在沉积物中留下记录,沉积物中生源要素及其稳定同位素的变化是指示水域古生产力、营养盐水平的有效指标。总结归纳了沉积物中生源要素(碳、氮、磷、硅)指标对水体环境中初级生产力、物质来源、营养盐水平3方面变化的指示作用。沉积物中TOC、TN、δ13C、CaCO3和BSi可以反映水体沉降有机质含量和浮游植物的生长状况,是指示水域初级生产力水平的有效指标。根据不同类型植物来源的有机质中δ13C、δ15N和C/N的差异,可以追踪沉积物中有机质的来源。有效地区分有机质来源对于研究人类活动对水体环境的影响及水体富营养化具有重要的价值。沉积物中TN、δ15 N、TP和非磷灰石磷(NAIP)含量的升高直接反映了陆源输入氮、磷的增加。BSi在指示浮游植物生长状况的同时,还反映了水体溶解硅浓度水平和富营养化状况。水体中的生源物质在沉降和埋藏的过程中,会受到早期成岩作用、水动力搬运等众多因素的作用,使沉积物记录的环境变化信息发生改变,从而干扰其对水体环境演变的重建作用。因此综合分析各生源要素指标反映的环境变化信息及其可能的干扰因素,方能正确地反映水域的环境变化过程。     

稳定碳同位素技术在北京市公园湖泊沉积物有机质来源分析与评价中的应用

湖泊是陆地水圈的重要组成部分,湖泊沉积物是水体污染物的源和汇,北京湖泊生态环境和环境质量评价越来越受关注。本研究对2012—2013年北京市19个公园湖泊表层沉积物中δ13Corg、C/N值及TOC、TON含量进行分析,探讨了湖泊生产力分布、湖泊营养输入、表层沉积物营养含量以及各沉积物有机质来源。结果表明,湖泊表层沉积物由于存在地域差异,δ13Corg、C/N、TOC、TON含量的差别较大、湖泊生产力与营养水平各不相同;通过有机指数评价法推断,所研究的湖泊中只有3个湖泊较清洁,其他均受到不同程度的有机污染;结合δ13Corg(-27.6‰~-22.1‰)和C/N(8.2~58.1)2个特征值对沉积物进行有机质来源的定性及半定量分析,推断出北京市公园湖泊有机质大多来源为污水有机质,应主要从控制污水输入方面降低湖泊污染风险。     

太湖沉积物有机碳与氮的来源

选取太湖梅梁湾和湖心柱状沉积物,研究了其有机碳同位素（δ13C）和氮同位素（δ15N）、C/N、总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)、总磷（TP）含量,并结合210Pb和137Cs沉积物年代测定技术,探究了近百年太湖沉积物有机质和氮的来源。结果表明：太湖梅梁湾湖区在近百年来,其有机质来源总体以自生为主。50年代以前,湖区受到人类活动的影响较小,沉积物有机质主要来自于湖泊自身水生植物的沉积;50年代到70年代,湖泊内部环境发生变化,湖区逐渐出现藻类大量死亡并沉积的现象,有机质主要来自于水生植物和藻类的共同沉积;70年代到80年代沉积物机质藻类贡献进一步增大;90年代后到现在,则以藻类的沉积为主要来源方式。梅梁湾湖区沉积物氮素的来源在50年代以前主要以流域土壤流失和大型水生植物的死亡为主;50年代到70年代,人类活动的加剧导致大量工业废水、生活污水的输入,藻类开始大面积爆发,氮主要来自于外源的输入、大型植物和藻类的死亡沉积;90年代后到现在,外源氮的输入得到有效地控制,藻类对沉积物氮的贡献相对显著。湖心区域沉积物有机质和氮的来源主要来自于湖泊内部水生植物的沉积。70年代前,沉积物有机质和氮的来源主要来自于水生植物的沉积和水土流失作用;70年代至今,虽然湖泊受到人类活动外源物质输入影响逐渐增大,但总体来讲贡献较小,沉积物有机质和氮的来源仍以湖泊自生为主。     

龙感湖沉积物碳、氮同位素记录的环境演化

通过对龙感湖沉积物样品中δ13Corg、δ15N、有机碳与总氮比值(C/N)、总有机碳(TOC)和总氮(TN)含量的测定,分析了自1948年以来龙感湖沉积物有机质的来源,探讨了湖泊生产力变化以及随后的沉积演化过程.结果表明:在这个沉积历史阶段中,湖泊沉积物有机质以自生有机物源为主,大型水草发育,伴有低等藻类参与,湖泊沉积物受陆源输入影响较小,基本不受城市污染物的输入影响,但受流域农业化肥大量使用的影响较大;随着营养物质的输入,湖泊的初级生产力逐渐增大,藻类开始发育;在沉积历史上L2点附近低等藻类相对发育早,但L1点沉积物相对能够固定更多的营养盐.     

深水湖泊沉积物不同形态氮的生物地球化学特征——以百花湖为例

深水湖泊经历氧化及还原环境的交替变化,影响着湖泊水体氮的生物地球化学过程;其底层沉积物中一般具有特有的还原环境,其间氮的生物地球化学转化过程复杂。本文以云贵高原典型深水湖泊百花湖为例,在湖泊水体夏季分层期采集底层沉积物柱体,将沉积物柱体分层处理后,对不同深度沉积物中孔隙水、水溶态和吸附态不同形态氮含量,以及沉积物中颗粒态有机氮(PON)含量和同位素进行分析。结果表明,沉积物柱体孔隙水中的总氮(TN)主要由NH4+-N和有机氮两种形式存在,TN含量为6.9~42.8 mg·L-1,NH4+-N含量为6.6~25.6 mg·L-1。硝态氮及亚硝态氮含量均低于检测限,说明沉积物中硝酸盐经历了充分的反硝化过程以及可能存在的异化还原过程。吸附态NH4+-N含量明显高于水溶态。沉积物中的颗粒有机氮含量为0.22%~0.60%。同时,颗粒有机氮含量在剖面上的变化趋势符合指数衰减模式,表明颗粒态有机氮含量的变化可能经历成岩作用和微生物矿化过程;δ15N-PON值在31 cm以上随着深度的加深逐渐减小,变化范围为3.4‰~10.0‰,平均值为6.4‰,其中以10 cm以上同位素值降低趋势明显,其可能原因与微生物降解活动以及湖泊水体的交换有关。31 cm以下δ15N-PON值的变化趋势与表层相反,则可能是早期成岩作用影响的结果。孔隙水中δ15N-TN同位素值最高,吸附态和水溶态差异较小,且该同位素组成较PON富集15N,可推测孔隙水剖面NH4+-N浓度的升高可能与硝酸盐的异化还原有关。     

异龙湖近百年来湖泊沉积物有机碳、氮稳定同位素变化及其环境指示意义

通过对异龙湖沉积物岩芯(YLH-1)样品有机碳、氮及其稳定同位素、C/N值测定,结合人类活动的阶段性特征,分析了近百年来异龙湖沉积物有机质的来源,探讨受人类活动影响下湖泊的生态环境变化过程。结果表明:异龙湖沉积物中有机质的碳、氮稳定同位素分别为-25.9‰～-22.5‰和0.5‰～4.7‰,C/N值16.4～20.4,表明异龙湖有机质主要受大型水生植物影响,而藻类和陆源有机质贡献较小。δ~(13)C逐渐偏负的过程反映了异龙湖富营养化加剧的过程,可能与藻类吸收有机质降解产生的CO_2有关,而δ~(15)N的变化则与流域内工业污染物、农业化肥和大气氮沉降有关。异龙湖的生态环境变化可以分为3个阶段:19世纪80年代至20世纪60年代初期,湖泊初级生产力较低,水质好,受人类活动干扰较小; 20世纪60年代中后期至20世纪90年代,随着人类活动的加强,湖泊生产力迅速提高,富营养化程度加剧,水质恶化,藻类大量繁殖; 20世纪90年代之后,湖泊处于高生产力水平,湖泊富营养化严重。因此,未来管理部门要重视人类活动对湖泊生态环境影响,加强湖泊生态环境治理,改善湖泊生态环境。     

黄土地区不同覆被下土壤无机碳分布及同位素组成特征

土壤无机碳在剖面上的分布在评估区域碳库储量、陆地碳循环以及全球变化的研究中具有重要作用.本文通过测定黄土地区不同植被类型覆盖下土壤pH值、碳酸盐含量、δ13C和δ18O值,探讨了黄土地区植被类型对碳酸盐在土壤剖面中分布和同位素组成特征的影响.结果表明:各剖面碳酸盐含量为5.7％ ～ 14.1％,其均值大小为荒地＞草地＞林地;林地中,阔叶林＞灌木林＞针叶林,针叶林变化最明显;受成土母质影响,各剖面土壤pH值在7～8,呈弱碱性;土壤碳酸盐δ13C值分布为-6.2‰～-1.8‰,各剖面δ13C均值大小为荒地＞灌木林＞针叶林＞草地＞阔叶林;植被类型主要是通过向土壤输入有机质来影响土壤无机碳同位素组成;不同覆被下土壤剖面碳酸盐δ18O值差异明显,其可能受土壤物理性质如孔隙度、湿度等影响;黄土地区不同覆被下土壤无机碳含量和δ13C、δ18O值明显不同,因此,在植被演替过程中,植被类型的改变会影响到土壤无机碳库的储量和区域碳循环过程.     

浮游动物稳定碳、氮同位素特征及其在水生态系统研究中的应用

浮游动物在水域生态系统食物网中起着承上启下的作用,其稳定碳、氮同位素(δ¹³C、δ¹⁵N)被广泛用于研究对食物资源的利用,揭示物质循环路径及与其他生物之间的营养关系等.浮游动物的稳定同位素也常用于解释初级生产力,判断水体污染物和环境变化过程.明确浮游动物稳定同位素组成的时空变化及影响因子,对于以其稳定同位素组成作为研究水生态系统生态过程和环境变化的指示物尤为重要.本综述基于国内外学者对水生态系统中浮游动物δ¹³C、δ¹⁵N特征及其应用的研究成果,梳理了浮游动物δ¹³C 和δ¹⁵N在不同类型水体、不同类群及时空变化的差异:浮游动物δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N时空变化则主要受食物来源及其同位素组成的影响,后者又受到初级生产力和氮源及水体物理化学性质等因素的影响.未来,浮游动物稳定同位素技术通过与新兴污染物、新兴技术及统计分析方法结合,将在地学、生物学等领域形成多手段、多学科、多尺度的研究方向.     

湖北省若干浅水湖泊沉积物有机质与富营养化的关系

分析了湖北省月湖、龙阳湖、后官湖、梁子湖、牛山湖、保安湖、鲁湖等7个湖泊表层沉积物有机质、总氮与总磷的含量,并考察了其在月湖、龙阳湖沉积物中的垂直分布及月湖、龙阳湖与保安湖表层沉积物的颗粒组成,结果表明：位于城市与城郊的月湖与龙阳湖表层沉积物有机质含量较高,且表现出沿岸带较丰富的空间分布特征。在垂直及水平方向上,有机质与总氮和总磷含量均显著相关,颗粒组成与有机质和总氮含量亦显著相关。有机质富集应是促进城市湖泊富营养化的重要因素。     

六盘山朝那湫湖泊沉积物磁化率的环境指示意义

在古环境研究中,湖泊沉积物磁化率的环境指示意义通常被解释为:磁化率升高指示流域内侵蚀和径流搬运能力增强,间接反映降水较多,气候湿润;磁化率降低指示流域内侵蚀和径流搬运能力减弱,间接反映降水较少,气候干旱。本文结合多代用指标(粒度、TOC、C/N等)指示的环境变化信息,对六盘山朝那湫湖泊沉积物磁化率的环境指示意义进行综合判别。结果显示:朝那湫湖泊沉积物磁化率能够指示流域降水变化历史,且与邻近地区树轮等高分辨率气候记录有良好的对比关系,表明本文重建的结果可靠。同时,本文也揭示了湖泊沉积物磁化率不同以往研究的特殊环境指示意义:磁化率升高指示流域内侵蚀和径流搬运能力减弱,反映降水较多,气候湿润;磁化率降低指示流域内侵蚀和径流搬运能力增强,反映降水较少,气候干旱。这主要是由流域基岩成分、植被覆盖和雨型决定的。由于湖泊沉积环境和过程的复杂性,沉积物磁化率的环境指示意义具有多解性。因此,在不同的湖泊沉积研究中,应充分考虑影响磁化率的各种因素,并结合其他多种代用指标进行综合辨识,方可得出可靠结论。     

Crystal structure, detonation performance, and thermal stability of a new polynitro cage compound: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonanitro-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonaazaheptacyclo [5.5.1.13, 11. 15, 9] pentadecane

A new polynitro cage compound 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonanitro-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonaazaheptcyclo [5.5.1.1(3,11).1(5,9)] pentadecane (NNNAHP) was designed in the present work. Its molecular structure was optimized at the B3LYP/6-31 G(d,p) level of density functional theory (DFT) and crystal structure was predicted using the Compass and Dreiding force fields and refined by DFT GGA-RPBE method. The obtained crystal structure of NNNAHP belongs to the P-1 space group and the lattice parameters are a = 9.99 ?, b = 10.78 ?, c = 9.99 ?, α = 90.01°, β = 120.01°, γ = 90.00°, and Z = 2, respectively. Based on the optimized crystal structure, the band gap, density of state, thermodynamic properties, infrared spectrum, strain energy, detonation characteristics, and thermal stability were predicted. Calculation results show that NNNAHP has detonation properties close to those of CL-20 and is a high energy density compound with moderate stability.     

Relations of the Al,B, Ba,Br, Ca,Cl, Cu,Fe, K,Li, Mg,Mn, Na,P, S,Si, Sr,and Zn mass fractions to morphometric parameters in pediatric and nonhyperplastic young adult prostate glands

The variation with age of the 18 trace element mass fractions and some histological characteristics of intact prostate glands of 50 subjects aged 0–30 years was investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, and a quantitative morphometric analysis. Mean values ± standard error of the mean (M ± SΕΜ) for the mass fractions (in milligrams per kilogram wet tissue) of these trace elements in pre-puberty were: Al 28.5 ± 9.0, B 0.40 ± 0.11, Ba 1.48 ± 0.44, Br 10.5 ± 1.5, Ca 241 ± 30, Cl 3,203 ± 278, Cu 3.51 ± 0.89, Fe 33.7 ± 4.1, K 2,364 ± 145, Li 0.020 ± 0.004, Mg 153 ± 23, Mn 0.46 ± 0.06, Na 2,286 ± 130, P 1,391 ± 100, S 1,698 ± 132, Si 62 ± 11, Sr 0.38 ± 0.08, and Zn 27.6 ± 2.3. During puberty and postpuberty, when there is a significant increase in circulating androgens, the mean values were: Al 7.2 ± 1.4, B 0.21 ± 0.05, Ba 0.25 ± 0.06, Br 5.8 ± 1.0, Ca 433 ± 81, Cl 2,314 ± 201, Cu 1.77 ± 0.13, Fe 20.9 ± 1.6, K 2,585 ± 118, Li 0.0088 ± 0.0014, Mg 232 ± 27, Mn 0.34 ± 0.04, Na 1,875 ± 107, P 1,403 ± 98, S 1,673 ± 73, Si 22.2 ± 3.1, Sr 0.22 ± 0.03, and Zn 93.3 ± 8.9. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) of percent volumes (%) of the stroma, epithelium and lumen in the prostate before puberty were 73.4 ± 2.6, 20.4 ± 1.7, and 4.45 ± 0.94, respectively, versus 46.5 ± 2.5, 38.5 ± 1.9, and 14.9 ± 1.2 during puberty and postpuberty. This work’s results confirm that the Zn mass fraction in prostate tissue is an androgen-dependent parameter. For the first time it has been demonstrated that the glandular lumen is a main pool of Ca, Mg, and Zn accumulation and that the stroma is a main pool of Al, B, Ba, Br, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, and Si accumulation in the normal human prostate, for the age range 0–30 years. It was concluded that the Ca, Mg, and Zn binds tightly within the prostatic fluid, because the volume of glandular lumen reflects the volume of prostatic fluid.     

The Effect of Age and Gender on Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Sr, V, and Zn Contents in Rib Bone of Healthy Humans

The effect of age and gender on major, minor, and trace element contents in the intact rib bone of 80 relatively healthy 15–55-year-old women and men was investigated. Contents or upper limit of contents of 16 chemical elements in the rib bone were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Mean values (M?±?SΕΜ) for the mass fraction of Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Na, P, S, Sr, and Zn (milligram per kilogram of dry bone) were as follows: 2.54?±?0.16, 171,400?±?4,050, 1.35?±?0.22, 140?±?11, 1,874?±?71, 0.049?±?0.011, 2,139?±?38, 5,378?±?88, 75,140?±?1,660, 1,881?±?51, 291?±?20, and 92.8?±?1.5, respectively. The upper limits of contents of Al, B, Mn, and V were <7.20, <0.65, <0.36, and <0.03, respectively. Statistically significant tendency for the Ca, Mg, and P content to decrease with age was found in the human rib bone, regardless of gender. The mass fraction of Fe in the male rib bone increases with age. It was shown that higher Ca, Mg, Na, P, and Sr mass fractions as well as lower Fe content were typical of female ribs as compared to those in male ribs.     

Simultaneous measurement of the trace elements Al, As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn in human serum and their reference ranges by ICP-MS

The goal of this article was to establish reference ranges of the concentration of trace elements in human serum and to compare these results with those reported by other authors. We describe the sample preparation and measurement conditions that allow the rapid, precise, and accurate determination of Al, As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn in human serum samples (n=110) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Accuracy and precision were determined by analyzing three reconstituted reference serum samples by comparison with other methods and by the standard addition procedure. The advantages of the ICP-MS method include short time of analysis of the elements mentioned, low detection limit, high precision, and high accuracy. Disadventages include a high risk of contamination due to the presence of some of the elements of interest in the environment, the relatively delicate sample handling, and the high cost of the equipment.     

Distribution of N,P, K,Ca, Mg,S, Zn,Fe, Mn and Cu in groundnut

Summary Concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S in summer groundnut crop was higher than in kharif while Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu contents were higher in summer crop. Kernel's N, P and Zn; Leaflet's Ca and Mn; Stem's K and Fe; Root's S and Cu and Petiole's Mg contents were highest. Shell's N, P, K, Mg, S, Zn and Cu; Kernel's Ca, Fe and Mn contents were the least. N, P, K, S, Zn and Cu concentrations decreased linearly as the crop grew. Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn concentrations did not display any distinct pattern. Ca concentration was positively correlated with pod yield in both the seasons.     

Potential Compounds for Oral Cancer Treatment: Resveratrol,Nimbolide, Lovastatin,Bortezomib, Vorinostat,Berberine, Pterostilbene,Deguelin, Andrographolide,and Colchicine

Oral cancer is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths in South-Asian countries. There are very limited treatment options available for oral cancer. Research endeavors focused on discovery and development of novel therapies for oral cancer, is necessary to control the ever rising oral cancer related mortalities. We mined the large pool of compounds from the publicly available compound databases, to identify potential therapeutic compounds for oral cancer. Over 84 million compounds were screened for the possible anti-cancer activity by custom build SVM classifier. The molecular targets of the predicted anti-cancer compounds were mined from reliable sources like experimental bioassays studies associated with the compound, and from protein-compound interaction databases. Therapeutic compounds from DrugBank, and a list of natural anti-cancer compounds derived from literature mining of published studies, were used for building partial least squares regression model. The regression model thus built, was used for the estimation of oral cancer specific weights based on the molecular targets. These weights were used to compute scores for screening the predicted anti-cancer compounds for their potential to treat oral cancer. The list of potential compounds was annotated with corresponding physicochemical properties, cancer specific bioactivity evidences, and literature evidences. In all, 288 compounds with the potential to treat oral cancer were identified in the current study. The majority of the compounds in this list are natural products, which are well-tolerated and have minimal side-effects compared to the synthetic counterparts. Some of the potential therapeutic compounds identified in the current study are resveratrol, nimbolide, lovastatin, bortezomib, vorinostat, berberine, pterostilbene, deguelin, andrographolide, and colchicine.     

New Coleoptera records from New Brunswick, Canada: Stenotrachelidae, Oedemeridae, Meloidae, Myceteridae, Boridae, Pythidae, Pyrochroidae, Anthicidae, and Aderidae

We report 19 new species records for the faunal list of Coleoptera in New Brunswick, Canada, six of which are new records for the Maritime provinces, and one of which is new Canadian record. We also provide the first recent records for five additional species in New Brunswick. One new species of Stenotrachelidae, Cephaloon ungulare LeConte, is added to the New Brunswick faunal list. Additional records are provided for Cephaloon lepturides Newman, as well the first recent record of Nematoplus collaris LeConte. Two species of Oedemeridae, Asclera puncticollis (Say) and Asclera ruficollis (Say), are newly reported for New Brunswick, and additional locality and bionomic data are provided for Calopus angustus LeConte and Ditylus caeruleus (Randall). The records of Ditylus caerulus are the first recent records for the province. Three species of Meloidae, Epicauta pestifera Werner, Lytta sayi LeConte, and Meloe augustcollis Say are reported the first time for New Brunswick; Epicauta pestifera is newly recorded in Canada. Lacconotus punctatus LeConte and the family Mycteridaeis newly recorded for New Brunswick. The first recent records of Borus unicolor Say (Boridae) are reported from the province. One new species of Pythidae, Pytho siedlitzi Blair, and the first recent records of Pytho niger Kirby are added to the faunal list of New Brunswick. Three species of Pyrochroidae are newly reported for the province, including Pedilus canaliculatus (LeConte) and Pedilus elegans (Hentz), which are new for the Maritime provinces. Five species of Anthicidae and the first recent record of Anthicus cervinus LaFerté-Sénectére are newly reported for New Brunswick. Anthicus melancholicus LaFerté-Sénectère, Sapintus pubescens (LaFerté-Sénectère), Notoxus bifasciatus (LeConte), and Stereopalpus rufipes Casey are new to the Maritime provinces faunal list. Ambyderus granularis (LeConte) is removed from the faunal list of the province. Three species of Aderidae, Vanonus huronicus Casey, Zonantes fasciatus (Melsheimer), and Zonantes pallidusWerner, are newly recorded for New Brunswick; Zonantes fasciatus and Vanonus huronicus are new for the Maritime provinces' faunal list. Collection data, bionomic data, and distribution maps are presented for all these species.     

Reference values for the concentrations of As,Cd, Co,Cr, Cu,Fe, I,Hg, Mn,Mo, Ni,Pb, Se,and Zn in selected human tissues and body fluids

This report attempts to formulate reference ranges of elemental concentrations for 15 trace elements in selected human tissues and body fluids. A set of samples consisting of whole blood, blood serum, urine, milk, liver, and hair were chosen and considered for 15 elements of biological significance: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, I, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn. The results represent wholly or partially data received from 40 countries of the global regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, North, South, and Central America, Australia, and New Zealand. This survey, even if qualitative, has been useful in demonstrating certain trends of trace-element scenarios around the world. It is of course recognized that both diet and environment exert a strong influence on the distribution pattern of several elements, such as As, Cd, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn. A limited comparison of the available information on soil status of different countries reflected some interesting associations for elements, such as Mn and Zn. Importantly, this study revealed that only a few countries were in a position to identify a reasonable amount of data on samples requested for this project. Regretably, for a number of countries, any dependable data for even such essential elements as Cu, Fe, and Zn were not available. In view of the nutritional importance of many elements, the time is ripe for concerted efforts by intergovernmental agencies to initiate investigations or commission task forces/projects to generate reliable reference data for selected global regions, which sadly lack data of any kind at present.