Accumulation and Dynamics of Cu,Pb, Zn and Mn Elements in Kandelia candel (L.) Druce Mangrove Community of Jiulong River Estuary of Fujian

The accumulation and biocycle of Cu, Pb, Zn and Mn elements were studied in Kandelia candel (L.) Druce mangrove community of Jiulong River Estuary of Fujian. The pool amounts of Cu, Pb, Zn and Mn elements in the forest soil (0～30 cm in depth) were 6.86, 4.23, 25.64 and 134. 67 g · m-2, respectively. The respective element contents ranged from in different parts of the plant, 1.85～6.97, 0.37～3.74, 16.0～25.2 and 140～1405 μg· g-1 of Cu, Pb, Zn and Mn. The pool amounts of elements in standing crop of the community were 87.98, 40. 34, 335.34 and 8006.99 mg · m-2 for Cu, Pb, Zn and Mn respectively. The pool amounts of Cu, Pb, Zn and Mn elements in residues were: 593.06, 49.27, 2450.79 and 43486.70 μg · m-2 respectively. The biocycle of the elements in the community were described as follows: Annual uptake of Cu was 10. 17, Pb 4.32, Zn 49. 14 and Mn 2268. 16 mg · m-2; Annual return of Cu was 2.21, Pb 0.70, Zn 18.63 and Mn 1574.98 mg· m-2; Annual retention of Cu was 7.96, Pb 3.62, Zn 30. 51 and Mn 693.18 mg · m-2. The turnover periods of Cu, Pb, Zn and Mn were 40, 58, 18 and 5 year, respectively. The absorption, utilatizion and cycle coefficients were in the order of Mn〉Zn〉Cu〉Pb.     

杉木成熟林乔木层营养元素生物循环的研究

广西龙胜县里骆林区25—28年生杉木林乔木层平均每年吸收10种营养元素的总量为139.278kg/ha,其中19.5%存留在立木上,48.1%通过凋落物、32.4%通过降水淋溶归还土壤。N、Mg、S、Mn、Zn、B的归还比都超过0.8;P、K、Ca的归还比为0.72一0.74;Cu的则低于0.7。影响杉木林乔木层营养元素循环的主要因素是土层厚度、土壤养分的浓度和林分测树因子。     

Evaluation of sewage sludge, septic waste and sludge compost applications to corn and forage: Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and B content of crops and soils

This is the second of two papers presenting the data from an experiment on the application of aerobically-digested sewage sludge (AES), anaerobic lagoon septic wastes (ANS), sewage sludge compost and fertilizer to soils for grass forage and feed corn production at two different sites in Nova Scotia. Crop yields, plant tissue and Mehlich-1 extractable soil nutrients were evaluated; 15 elements were analyzed in the plant tissue and 9 elements in the soil extracts. This paper describes the Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and B content of the crops and the Mehlich-1 extractable content of the soils. The response to the amendments was not consistent at the two sites with the two different crops. We found that the septic sludge (ANS) produced the highest forage Fe, Cu and Zn levels and was equal to compost in elevating corn stover and forage S and the forage B content. The compost produced the highest forage Ca and corn Zn, the AES produced the highest corn Mn, and fertilizer produced the highest forage Mn. None of the amendments produced excessive levels of the above nutrients; rather, the amendments improved the feed quality of the forage and corn stover. Lastly, it was noted that the Mehlich-1 extract only had a significantly positive correlation with forage Cu content.     

Acquisition of Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe by mycorrhizal maize (Zea mays L.) grown in soil at different P and micronutrient levels

Sustainability of soil-plant systems requires, among other things, good development and function of mycorrhizal symbioses. The effects of P and micronutrient levels on development of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) and uptake of Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe by maize (Zea mays L.) were studied. A pot experiment with maize either inoculated or not with Glomus intraradices was conducted in a sand:soil (3 :1) mix (pH 6.5) in a greenhouse. Our goal was to evaluate the contribution of mycorrhizae to uptake of Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe by maize as influenced by soil P and micronutrient levels. Two levels of P (10 and 40 mg kg⁻¹ soil) and three levels of a micronutrient mixture: 0, 1X and 2X (1X contained, in mg kg⁻¹ soil, 4.2 Fe, 1.2 Mn, 0.24 Zn, 0.06 Cu, 0.78 B and 0.036 Mo), were applied to pots. There were more extraradical hyphae at the low P level than at the high P level when no micronutrients were added to the soil. Root inoculation with mycorrhiza and application of micronutrients increased shoot biomass. Total Zn content in shoots was higher in mycorrhizal than non-mycorrhizal plants grown in soils with low P and low or no micronutrient addition. Total Cu content in shoots was increased by mycorrhizal colonization when no micronutrients were added. Mycorrhizal plants had lower Mn contents than non-mycorrhizal plants only at the highest soil micronutrient level. AMF increased total shoot Fe content when no micronutrients were added, but decreased shoot Fe when plants were grown at the high level of micronutrient addition. The effects of G. intraradices on Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe uptake varied with micronutrient and P levels added to soil. Accepted: 27 December 1999     

Correlation between serum cholesterols and trace element uptake in liver,kidney, and blood of hypercholesterolemic mice

The radioactive multitracer technique was applied to the simultaneous determination of the uptake of 17 trace elements (Be, Na, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, and Ru) in the liver, kidney, and blood of hypercholesterolemic model mice. The uptakes of Be, Sc, V, Cr, Fe, As, Rb, Y, Zr, Nb, and Ru in liver increased with an increasing feeding period of a cholesterol-rich diet, whereas the uptakes of Zn and Se decreased. Feeding of the diet resulted in a marked increase in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The metabolism of trace elements between cholesterolemic and normal mice was compared with respect to their serum cholesterol levels. A significant positive correlation was found between the concentration of serum triglycerides and liver uptakes of Cr, Fe, and As and a negative correlation for the uptake of Zn. A significant positive correlation was found between the concentrations of serum high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols and kidney uptakes of Cr and Rb. A negative correlation was found between the uptake of Be in the blood and the concentration of serum triglycerides. These results suggest that cholesterolemia have some specific effects on the metabolism of some elements.     

海甘蓝生长过程中植株体内矿质营养元素动态的研究

我们在法国西部的昂热市（Ａｎｇｅｒｓ）试验研究了海甘蓝在不同生长时期内植株生长量、体内矿质营养元素含量、植株对不同营养元素的吸收量的动态变化。结果表明,海甘蓝在５个月生长期内的田间总生长量为１２．２２ｔ·ｈｍ－２（干物质）,移栽后各月内海甘蓝的生长量大小顺序为第五个月＞第三个月＞第二个月＞第四个月＞第一个月。海甘蓝植株体内Ｂ、Ｓ、Ｃａ和Ｐ的含量以移栽后的第二个月最高,第五个月最低;Ｃｕ、Ｆｅ和Ｍｎ含量在第一个月最高,其它时期变化不大;Ｚｎ和Ｍｎ含量随移栽后的时间增加而降低;Ｎａ和Ｋ含量在整个生长季节内均无明显变化。在整个生长季节内,海甘蓝对各种矿质营养元素的总吸收量的大小顺序为Ｋ＞Ｃａ＞Ｓ＞Ｐ＞Ｎａ＞Ｆｅ＞Ｍｎ＞Ｚｎ＞Ｂ＞Ｃｕ。不同生长期,植株对多数营养元素的吸收量的大小顺序为第五个月＞第三个月＞第二个月＞第四个月＞第一个月     

Physiological metal uptake by Nostoc punctiforme

Trace metals are required for many cellular processes. The acquisition of trace elements from the environment includes a rapid adsorption of metals to the cell surface, followed by a slower internalization. We investigated the uptake of the trace elements Co(2+), Cu(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+), and Zn(2+) and the non-essential divalent cation Cd(2+) in the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme. For each metal, a dose response study based on cell viability showed that the highest non-toxic concentrations were: 0.5?μM Cd(2+), 2?μM Co(2+), 0.5?μM Cu(2+), 500?μM Mn(2+), 1?μM Ni(2+), and 18?μM Zn(2+). Cells exposed to these non-toxic concentrations with combinations of Zn(2+) and Cd(2+), Zn(2+) and Co(2+), Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) or Zn(2+) and Ni(2+), had reduced growth in comparison to controls. Cells exposed to metal combinations with the addition of 500?μM Mn(2+) showed similar growth compared to the untreated controls. Metal levels were measured after one and 72?h for whole cells and absorbed (EDTA-resistant) fractions and used to calculate differential uptake rates for each metal. The differences in binding and internalisation between different metals indicate different uptake processes exist for each metal. For each metal, competitive uptake experiments using (65)Zn showed that after 72?h of exposure Zn(2+) uptake was reduced by most metals particularly 0.5?μM Cd(2+), while 2?μM Co(2+) increased Zn(2+) uptake. This study demonstrates that N. punctiforme discriminates between different metals and favourably substitutes their uptake to avoid the toxic effects of particular metals.     

The effects of copper, manganese and zinc on plant growth and elemental accumulation in the manganese-hyperaccumulator Phytolacca americana

Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SRXRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to estimate major, minor and trace elements in Cu-, Zn- and Mn-treated Phytolacca americana. The effects of the addition of Cu, Zn and Mn on morphological parameters, such as root length, shoot height, and fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, were also examined. In addition, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidases (GPX) and catalase (CAT) and the expression of Fe-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, metallothionein-2 and glutathione S-transferase (GST) exposed to the highest amounts of Cu, Zn or Mn were detected. Our results confirmed the following: (1) Zn supplementation leads to chlorosis, disturbed elemental homeostasis and decreased concentrations of micro- and macroelements such as Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca and K. Cu competed with Fe, Mn and Zn uptake in plants supplemented with 25μM Cu. However, no antagonistic interactions took place between Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe uptake in plants supplemented with 100μM Cu. Mn supplementation at various concentrations had no negative effects on elemental deficits. Mn was co-located with high concentrations of Fe and Zn in mature leaves and the concentrations of macro elements were unchanged. (2) P. americana supplemented with increased concentrations of Zn and Cu exhibited lower biomass production and reduced plant growth. (3) When plants were supplemented with the highest Zn and Cu concentrations, symptoms of toxicity corresponded to decreased SOD or CAT activities and increased APX and GPX activities. However, Mn tolerance corresponded to increased SOD and CAT activities and decreased POD and APX activities. Our study revealed that heavy metals partially exert toxicity by disturbing the nutrient balance and modifying enzyme activities that induce damage in plants. However, P. americana has evolved hyper accumulating mechanisms to maintain elemental balance and redox homeostasis under excess Mn.     

Plant stoichiometry at different scales: element concentration patterns reflect environment more than genotype

All plant species require at least 16 elements for their growth and survival but the relative requirements and the variability at different organizational scales is not well understood. We use a fertiliser experiment with six willow (Salix spp.) genotypes to evaluate a methodology based on Euclidian distances for stoichiometric analysis of the variability in leaf nutrient relations of twelve of those (C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, S, Fe, Zn, B, Cu) plus Na and Al. Differences in availability of the elements in the environment was the major driver of variation. Variability between leaves within a plant or between individuals of the same genotype growing in close proximity was as large as variability between genotypes. Elements could be grouped by influence on growth: N, P, S and Mn concentrations follow each other and increase with growth rate; K, Ca and Mg uptake follow the increase in biomass; but uptake of Fe, B, Zn and Al seems to be limited. The position of Cu lies between the first two groups. Only for Na is there a difference in element concentrations between genotypes. The three groups of elements can be associated with different biochemical functions.     

Interaction of phosphorus and molybdenum and the availability of zinc,copper, manganese,molybdenum and phosphorus in waterlogged rice soil

Summary Laboratory incubation experiments were conducted with low-land rice soil to study the effect of applying three different levels of molybdenum (0, 2.5 and 5.0 ppm) and phosphorus (0, 100 and 200 ppm), in all possible combinations, on the changes in available Mo, P, Mn, Zn and Cu in soil. The results showed that application of Mo at both the levels increased the content of extractable Mo and P but decreased those of Cu and Mo in soil whereas application of Mo at higher level only increased the content of extractable Zn in soil. Application of P at both the levels decreased the content of extractable Mo, Mn and Cu but increased that of P whereas it showed an inconsistent effect on the extractable Zn content in soil. The P × Mo interaction effect was found to be beneficial for the content of P, Mo and Zn only. During the initial period of incubation all elements except Cu recorded an increase but with the progress of incubation period the content of all the elements except Mn gradually declined.     

Effects of ionic valency of interacting metal elements in ion uptake by carrot (Daucas carota cv. U.S. harumakigosun)

Interaction of elements in the course of element uptake by carrot (Daucas carota cv. U.S. harumakigosun) exerted by the addition of elements, such as Rb, Zn, and Al, was investigated. For the purpose of precise evaluation of uptake behavior, the simultaneous determination of absorption of Na, Be, Sr, Mn, Co, Zn, Ce, Pm, and Gd was conducted by the multitracer technique. For root uptakes, Al exhibited its influence on the uptake of essential elements and on the uptake of toxic or unbeneficial ones, presumably as a result of the large electric valency that caused cell membrane disintegrity. On the other hand, Zn as a divalent cation only affected the uptake of essential and beneficial elements. Rubidium, which is a monovalent cation, did not exhibit any effect on the uptake of other ions. Concerning shoot uptakes, inhibition by Zn and Al, but not by Rb, was observed for the uptake of Sr, Mn, Co, and Zn. From the present investigation, it is suggested that there exists an interaction between added ions and the elements taken into plants and that the degree of interaction increases in the increasing order of ionic valency: M+ (Rb), M2+ (Zn), and M3+ (Al).     

The uptake of trace elements by spinach and bean varieties of different root parameters

The uptake by plants of trace elements from the soil depends to a large extent on root characteristics and activities. Differences between plant species and varieties in the uptake of trace elements are well known. Less understood, however, are the mechanisms governing these differences and the relative significance of various root parameters.Spinach and bean varieties were, therefore, compared with respect to their root lengths and number of root apices, and to the uptake of Mn, Fe and Zn from soil-sand mixtures. The results showed significant differences among the varieties tested, both in root characteristics and in the uptake of trace elements. However, no relationships were evident between the trace element uptake by spinach varieties and their root characteristics. Contrary to this the Fe-uptake by bean varieies exhibited a clear dependence on the total number of root apices. The uptake of Mn and Zn showed a similar relationship with some exceptions. Whether the apical regions of individual roots are the most active sites of uptake or rather affect the solubility of trace elements will be the subject of further investigations.     

Trace element studies on four species of Fusarium.

Trace element studies were carried out on four species of Fusarium: F. moniliforme, F. solani, F. poae and F. bulbigenum. Out of fifteen trace elements tested, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mo and B were found to be essential for growth and sporulation of all these species of Fusarium. Optimum concentrations in ppm of essential trace elements of these fungi were as follows: F. moniliforme Fe 1.0, Zn 0.1, Mn 0.1, Cu 0.1, Mo 0.1, B 1.0-10.0; F. solani Fe 1.0, Zn 10.0, Mn 0.1, Cu 0.01, Mo 1.0, B 0.1; F. poae Fe 1.0, Zn 0.1, Mn 0.1, Cu 1.0, Mo 0.1, B0.1, F. bulbigneum Fe 10.0, Zn 1.0, Mn 1.0, Cu 1.0, Mo 0.01, B 1.0. Concentrations higher than the optimum were inhibitory to the respective fungi.     

氮磷肥对茶树锌硒等中微量元素吸收与分配的影响

锌（Zn）和硒（Se）及其他中微量元素（铝Al,钙Ca,铁Fe,铜Cu,锰Mn）是茶叶品质的重要指标,但茶树吸收Zn、Se能力及氮（N）磷（P）肥影响中微量元素吸收与分配的过程尚不清楚。以红壤丘陵区福鼎大白茶树为研究对象,开展Zn+Se、Zn+Se+N、Zn+Se+P、Zn+Se+N+P和对照共5种处理3次重复随机化区组试验,处理第3年春季分茶叶、成熟叶、吸收根、运输根和储藏根采集植物样品,测定其元素含量。结果表明,茶树地上和地下器官Zn和Se及其他中微量元素对N、P、Zn、Se添加的响应具分异性。与对照相比,茶树地上和地下器官Zn和Se含量均显著增加,与Zn+Se相比,施N和/或P肥仅显著提高茶叶和成熟叶Se含量（P<0.05）;与对照相比,施肥处理均显著提高吸收根和运输根Al、Fe含量以及储藏根Cu含量;运输根Mn含量表现为Zn+Se+N、Zn+Se+P、Zn+Se+N+P显著高于对照,储藏根Mn含量为Zn+Se+N+P显著高于其他处理;茶树各器官Ca含量对施肥处理无显著响应。此外,茶叶和成熟叶的Zn含量与吸收根显著正相关,而Se含量则与储藏根显著正相关。茶树具有吸收和积累Zn和Se的能力,而施N、P肥有助于提高茶叶Se含量,研究结果为红壤丘陵区培育高品质锌硒茶及营建生态高值茶园提供了依据。     

Effects of ionic and complexed metal concentrations on plant uptake of cadmium and micronutrient metals from solution

Summary Uptake of Cd and micronutrient metals by intact tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum, cv. Wisconsin-55) from solution cultures was investigated by establishing four levels of Cd-ion activity in the presence or absence of a metal-complexing agent (±EDTA). Activity ratios of Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn were controlled with chelating resin while activity ratios of K, Ca, and Mg were controlled with a strong-acid cation-exchange resin. Hydrogen ion activity was controlled with a weak-acid cation-exchange resin and P activity by a cation-exchange resin containing adsorbed polynuclear hydroxy-Al. The concentrations of all nutrients and Cd were maintained at concentrations similar to those occuring in solutions of sludge-amended soils. The EDTA treatments increased the concentrations of Cu and Ni in hydroponic solution by approximately four orders of magnitude, Zn by two orders of magnitude, Cd by a factor of 50, Mn by a factor of 2.4, and Fe by a factor of 1.6 Neither the Cd nor the EDTA treatments affected plant yield, and Cd treatments did not significantly affect uptake of other elements. EDTA treatments inhibited Fe uptake, enhanced Cu uptake, and had little effect on the uptake of Cd, Zn, and Mn. Accumulation of Cd, Zn, Mn, and Cu in plant shoots appears to be related to their respective ionic activities rather than their concentrations in hydroponic solution. Research supported by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison and by the United States Environmental Protection Agency through Grant CR807270010.     

Identification of the N-terminal region of TjZNT2, a Zrt/Irt-like protein family metal transporter, as a novel functional region involved in metal ion selectivity

The Zrt/Irt-like protein (ZIP) family of transporter proteins is involved in the uptake of essential metal elements in plants. Two homologous ZIP genes from Thlaspi japonicum, TjZNT1 and TjZNT2, encode products that share high amino acid sequence similarity except at the N-terminus and the cytoplasmic loop between transmembrane domains III and IV, and that have been shown to be Zn(2+) and Mn(2+) transporters, respectively. To identify the region that determines the ion selectivity of these transporters, we constructed a series of TjZNT1 and TjZNT2 chimeric genes and assayed for the Zn(2+) uptake of yeast cells expressing them. As a result, the extracellular N-terminal ends were identified as regions involved in Zn(2+) selectivity. TjZNT2 possesses a 36 amino acid hydrophilic extension at its N-terminus that is absent in native TjZNT1, and a mutant TjZNT2 lacking the N-terminal extension was shown to possess Zn(2+) uptake activity. This suggests that the extended N-terminal region inhibits Zn(2+) transport by TjZNT2. Further studies showed that it is the first 25 amino acid region of the N-terminus that is important for the inhibition of Zn(2+) transport. Furthermore, the N-terminal truncated TjZNT2 lacked Mn(2+) uptake activity. These findings suggest that the N-terminal region is a novel substrate selector in the ZIP family of transporters.     

Effects of Aluminum Exposure on Bone Mineral Density,Mineral, and Trace Elements in Rats

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of aluminum (Al) exposure on bone mineral elements, trace elements, and bone mineral density (BMD) in rats. One hundred Wistar rats were divided randomly into two groups. Experimental rats were given drinking water containing aluminum chloride (AlCl₃, 430 mg Al³⁺/L), whereas control rats were given distilled water for up to 150 days. Ten rats were sacrificed in each group every 30 days. The levels of Al, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), boron (B), and strontium (Sr) in bone and the BMD of femur were measured. Al-treated rats showed lower deposition of Ca, P, and Mg compared with control rats. Levels of trace elements (Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Se, B, and Sr) were significantly lower in the Al-treated group than in the control group from day 60, and the BMD of the femur metaphysis in the Al-treated group was significantly lower than in the control group on days 120 and 150. These findings indicate that long-term Al exposure reduces the levels of mineral and trace elements in bone. As a result, bone loss was induced (particularly in cancellous bone).     

北京石灰性草甸土冬小麦营养元素生物循环的特点与锰、锌肥效应

 本文用盆钵试验研究京郊石灰性草甸土冬小麦养分生物循环的结果表明：小麦对不同养分吸收、携出和归还数量的差异很大。根据随籽粒携出和以根茬归还的比例特点,可将养分划分为三种类型：1)低归还高携出型(N、P、K);2)低携出高归还型(Ca、Fe);3)中归还中携出型(Mg、Mn、Cu、Zn)。施锰增加植株对氮和锰的吸收及钾和锰随籽粒的携出;施锌则降低植株对锰的吸收和随籽粒携出的钾、钙、镁、铁、锰量。锰肥和锌肥有拮抗作用。     

Plasma manganese, selenium, zinc, copper, and iron concentrations in patients with schizophrenia

A number of essential trace elements play a major role in various metabolic pathways. Selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) are essential trace elements that have been studied in many diseases, including autoimmune, neurological, and psychiatric disorders. However, the findings of previous research on the status of trace elements in patients with schizophrenia have been controversial. We studied these elements in patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia and compared them with sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Plasma Cu concentrations were significantly higher (p<0.01) and Mn and Fe concentrations were lower (p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively) in schizophrenic patients than in controls. Se and Zn concentrations and protein levels did not differ between patients and healthy controls. These observations suggest that alterations in essential trace elements Mn, Cu, and Fe may play a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. However, findings from trace element levels in schizophrenia show a variety of results that are difficult to interpret.     

Plasma Levels of Trace Elements Have an Implication on Interferon Treatment of Children with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

This study evaluated the plasma levels of trace elements in children with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and assessed whether they can be a factor that affects the response to interferon alpha (IFN-α) treatment. The study included 35 cases (ten girls, 25 boys) aged 3–13 years with chronic HBV infection and the control group. Plasma levels of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) were measured before IFN-α treatment and biochemical, virological, and histopathologic response to treatment were assessed. Children were followed for at least 15 months. Although plasma Cu levels showed no difference between the groups, Mn, Mo, Se, and Zn levels were significantly lower in the study group before treatment. Fourteen cases (40%) showed biochemical response; 17 (48.6%) showed virological response; 16 (47.6%) showed histopathologic response, and ten (28.6%) showed response according to all three parameters. Plasma Cu and Mn levels of patients with triple response showed no difference; but Mo, Se, and Zn levels were significantly lower (p?<?0.001) in the study group. No difference was observed between responders and nonresponders (p?>?0.05). Plasma levels of Mn, Mo, Se, and Zn are lower in children with chronic HBV infection compared to healthy children. The pretreatment levels of these elements did not show difference between responders and nonresponders to IFN-α.