The distribution of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the biota of two freshwater sites with different trace metal inputs

The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were determined in the abiotic and biotic components at two sites in the Fox River, Illinois. Analysis of the metals was completed on solutions of wet ashed or dry ashed samples with a single beam atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Despite different inputs of the trace metals there were no significant differences in the concentration of Cu or Zn in the biota between the two sites. This was postulated to be due to physiological control of these metals. However, Cd and Pb concentrations were higher in the biota and substrate at the high input site. No accumulation of Cd or Pb occurred at higher trophic levels. Cu and Zn concentrations were similar for all biota with the exception of crayfish and snails which had higher Cu and Zn concentrations, respectively.     

Metabolomics and Trace Element Analysis of Camel Tear by GC-MS and ICP-MS

Acne vulgaris is a very common skin disorder affecting human beings. There is a paucity of report on the role of heavy metals—lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd)—globally, and trace metals—zinc (Zn) and copper (Cd)—particularly in Nigeria in the development/severity of acne vulgaris. This study is aimed to determine the blood levels of some heavy metals—cadmium and lead—and trace metals—zinc and copper—in acne vulgaris sufferers in a Nigerian population. Venous blood samples were collected from a total number of 90 non-obese female subjects consisting of 30 mild, 30 moderate and 30 severe acne vulgaris sufferers for blood Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn determination. They were age-matched with 60 females without acne vulgaris who served as the control subjects. Acne sufferers had significantly higher blood Cd and Pb (P = 0.0143 and P = 0.0001 respectively) and non-significantly different blood levels of Cu and Zn (P = 0.910 and P = 0.2140 respectively) compared to controls. There were significant progressive increases in blood levels of Cd and Pb (P = 0.0330 and P = 0.0001 respectively) and non-significant differences in the mean blood level of Cu and Zn (P = 0.1821 and P = 0.2728 respectively) from mild to moderate and severe acne vulgaris sufferers. Increases in blood Cd and Pb may play critical roles in the pathogenesis/severity of acne vulgaris, while Cu and Zn seem to play less significant roles in the development of this disorder in this environment.     

应用碳氮同位素技术研究重金属在大亚湾食物网中的累积

大亚湾是受人类活动影响严重的典型亚热带半封闭海湾,长期受到重金属污染的压力,但是重金属在大亚湾生态系统中的累积情况尚不清楚.于2015年夏、冬两季(6月和12月)分别采集海水、沉积物和生物样品(包括浮游生物、游泳生物、底栖生物),在通过稳定同位素(δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N)构建大亚湾食物网结构的基础上,分析重金属(Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Ag、Cd和Pb)在大亚湾食物网中的累积和传递特征.结果表明:大亚湾生物体的主要物质来源于海洋,但也受到淡水输入的影响;大亚湾生态系统的食物链长度较短,最高营养级为3.48;高级捕食者鱼类在夏季摄食广泛,而冬季偏向于底栖食性.大亚湾环境和生物体内重金属浓度整体符合国家标准,仅发现个别站位海水中Zn和Pb超出第一类海水水质标准,口虾蛄和断脊口虾蛄体内Cd超过农产品安全标准.Cr、Co、Ni、Zn、Cd、Pb在夏、冬两季沿着食物链的传递其生物累积水平显著降低;Cu在夏季沿着食物链的传递其生物累积水平显著降低,冬季有降低趋势但不显著;Ag与营养级之间并没有显著相关性,但在甲壳动物中有生物放大的潜能.研究表明大亚湾生态系统中重金属基本处于正常状态,而Zn、Ag、Cd、Pb等重金属需要进一步关注.     

Etude du transfert de quelques oligo-éléments dans les chaînes trophiques néritiques et estuariennes: Accumulation biologique chez les poissons omnivores et super-carnivores

Five species of fishes(Dicentrarchus labrax, Gobius microps, Stizostedion lucioperca, Gadus luscus, Merlangius merlangus) and their major prey organisms were collected monthly from two stations in the Loire estuary (France). The levels of several trace elements (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) in their tissues were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations of Cd, Pb and Cu were shown to decrease in the highest trophic levels: the relatively highest metal levels were determined in annelids, followed by crustaceans, the lowest levels being encountered in fishes. However, a preferential uptake of Cu was observed in crustaceans. There is no biomagnification for these three metals, the concentrations in preys being generally lower than in predators. For Zn, the highest concentrations were measured in worms and copepods but preys such as shrimps and mysids exhibit values of the same order of magnitude compared to predator fishes.

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Avec la collaboration technique de R. Ferre.     

Leaching Behavior of Heavy Metals and Transformation of Their Speciation in Polluted Soil Receiving Simulated Acid Rain

Heavy metals that leach from contaminated soils under acid rain are of increasing concern. In this study, simulated acid rain (SAR) was pumped through columns of artificially contaminated purple soil. Column leaching tests and sequential extraction were conducted for the heavy metals Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn to determine the extent of their leaching as well as to examine the transformation of their speciation in the artificially contaminated soil columns. Results showed that the maximum leachate concentrations of Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn were less than those specified in the Chinese Quality Standards for Groundwater (Grade IV), thereby suggesting that the heavy metals that leached from the polluted purple soil receiving acid rain may not pose as risks to water quality. Most of the Pb and Cd leachate concentrations were below their detection limits. By contrast, higher Cu and Zn leachate concentrations were found because they were released by the soil in larger amounts as compared with those of Pb and Cd. The differences in the Cu and Zn leachate concentrations between the controls (SAR at pH 5.6) and the treatments (SAR at pH 3.0 and 4.5) were significant. Similar trends were observed in the total leached amounts of Cu and Zn. The proportions of Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn in the EXC and OX fractions were generally increased after the leaching experiment at three pH levels, whereas those of the RES, OM, and CAR fractions were slightly decreased. Acid rain favors the leaching of heavy metals from the contaminated purple soil and makes the heavy metal fractions become more labile. Moreover, a pH decrease from 5.6 to 3.0 significantly enhanced such effects.     

Fingernails as biological indices of metal exposure

Metal determination in human tissues is the most common application of biological monitoring for screening, diagnosis and assessment of metal exposures and their risks. Various biopsy-materials may be used. This paper deals with the quantitative determination of Cd, Pb, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn concentrations in nails of male subjects exposed to these metals alongwith their respective controls, while working in locomotive, carriage and roadways workshops, and lead battery factories. The levels of Cd, Pb, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn in fingernails, assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, were compared with their respective controls by student ‘t’ test. All the obtained values were correlated to the personal and medical history of the subjects under study. Significantly high levels of Cd, Pb, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn were present in smokers, compared to nonsmokers. The concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cr, Mn and Fe were not significantly high in vegetarian subjects. It was also observed that there is no contribution of liquor towards nail-metal concentration. Significant correlations were observed between skin disease and Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu; hypertension and Cd, Mn, Cu; mental stress and Cd, Pb, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn; diabetes and Cr, Mn, Ni; chest pain and Pb; respiratory trouble and Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn; tuberculosis and Zn; acidity and Cd; and ophthalmic problems and Mn, Fe, Ni, and Zn     

Metal (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) concentration patterns in components of a macrophyte-based coastal lagoon ecosystem

Information on the metal biological fate in macrophyte-based coastal lagoons is provided; this information can contribute to the assessment of the environmental effects of metal pollution and to the development of predictive models for rational management of coastal lagoons. Iron, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd concentrations in the dominant invertebrate and fish species of Monolimni Lagoon, Mediterranean Sea, as well as in potential major sources for metal accumulation in these animals (water, sediments, angiosperms, seaweeds), were measured. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted using metal concentrations in invertebrates and fishes. All five metal concentrations loaded significantly on the first PCA axis; however, Zn and Cu loadings were less significant than Cd and even less than Fe and Pb ones. The samples of deposit-feeding invertebrates were separated from those of the rest of the organisms (browsing, herbivorous and carnivorous invertebrates, carnivorous gobies and muscle tissues of detritivorous mullets) along the first PCA axis. Deposit-feeding invertebrates displayed the highest Fe and Pb contents, and in general, the highest or comparatively high Cd, Zn and Cu ones. Carnivorous gobies showed comparatively high Zn contents and carnivorous shrimps the highest Cu ones, while muscle tissues of detritivorous mullets had low metal loads. In addition, there was no essential increase in metal concentrations corresponding to the increasing trophic level (autotrophs, to herbivores, to carnivores). Our findings suggest that (a) the variability in Fe, Pb and Cd contents in invertebrates and gobies depends at least to some extent on interspecific differences in feeding habits—deposit feeders accumulated the highest metal amounts probably due to high rates of uptake from sediments, (b) the variability in Zn and Cu concentrations in these organisms depends also on other interspecific differences apart from those in feeding habits, (c) metal accumulation in mullet muscle tissues does not depend markedly on feeding habits and (d) the trophic transfer of macrophyte-bound metals to the coastal lagoon food web is of relatively minor importance.     

Metal content of some green and brown seaweeds from Antikyra Gulf (Greece)

An analysis was made of the levels of Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Na, K, Ca and Mg in three green and four brown seaweeds, abundant in the Antikyra Gulf (Viotia, Greece). After Ca and the macroelements K, Mg, Na, the higher concentrations found were of Fe and Pb, with Fe>Pb. Cadmium content was low in most species. Differences between species and taxonomic groups were also considered. Fe, Zn, Cd and Ca in the green algaDasycladus vermicularis increased from March to July and had their maxima in summer or autumn (Cd), whereas Cu, Pb and Mg showed an opposite pattern of seasonal variation with maxima in winter. Cu, Zn, Cd and K inD. vermicularis were correlated with their concentrations in the sediment and not with their dissolved levels in seawater. Iron inD. vermicularis was positively correlated with Zn and negatively with Cd.     

重金属复合污染对小麦种子根活力的影响

应用二次回归旋转设计法,以小麦种子为材料,研究了水培条件下重金属复合污染对其根生长及活力的影响;借助回归分析建立了相应的数学模型,分析了Cu、Zn、Cd和Pb4种重金属对根活力的毒性、两两重金属问的联合作用以及各重金属的边际毒性效应．结果表明重金属对根活力的影响顺序为Pb＞Cu＞Cd＞Zn;Cu与Cd、Cu与Zn、Zn与Cd以及Cd与Pb元素间的互作效应显著;在0-20mg.L^-1浓度范围内,Cu和zn两元素在最小浓度时的边际效应值最大,Cd和Pb两元素的边际效应最大值却出现在最高浓度处．     

广西英罗湾红海榄林重金属元素的累积及动态

 探讨了广西英罗湾红海榄红树林重金属Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr元素的累积及动态。结果表明：植物体不同部位元素的含量范围,分别为Cu 0.433～1.21、Pb 0.369～1.88、Zn 2.94～7.66、Cd0.020～0.233和Cr0.330～0.562μg／g。林地残留物组分元素含量远高于植物体及凋落物组分含量。该群落Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr的现存储量,分别为28.73、25.25、143.68、3.14和14.61mg／m2。林地残留物相应元素的储量,分别为271.68、323.41、1983.70、8.18和34.44μg／m2。群落Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr元素的生物循环为：年吸收量分别为1351.70、1613.12、8808.37、240.74和759.30μg／m2;年存留量分别为842.46、806.91、4694.10,94.88和464.80μg／m2;年归还量分别为509.24、806.21、4114.27、145.86和294.50μg／m2;周转期分别为56、31、35、22和50年;流动系数Cd>Pb、Zn>Cu、Cr。     

Source analysis and health risk of heavy metals in the different seasons from Taizihe River,China

Twenty five water samples were collected along the Taizihe River, the concentration and health risks of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr and Cd were detected and evaluated, and the pollution sources was analyzed through principal components analyses. The results indicated that the order of average concentration of heavy metals was follows: Pb > Cr > Cu > Zn and Cd. Among that, the concentrations of Zn, Cu and Cr were at the permissible levels, but Pb and Cd exceeded grade V standard at some sites. The concentrations of Zn and Cu in the wet season were significant higher than that in the dry season (p < 0.05), but the average concentrations of Pb, Cr and Cd were not significantly different in the two seasons (p > 0.05). The annual average risks of human health caused by Cd and Cr were 10⁻³/a and 10⁻⁴/a, respectively, which were higher than the recommended maximum acceptable risk level. The human health risk values of Zn, Pb and Cu were all concentrated at 10⁻⁸/a or 10⁻⁹/a levels, which did not exceed the recommended standard. On the whole, Cd and Cr were the main health risk pollutants of Taizihe River. Pollution sources of Pb was different from other heavy metals in wet and dry season, Cd and Cr were similar in the wet and dry season. The mainly pollution source of heavy metals was industry, especially mining, metal smelting and electroplating industry.     

Biomonitoring Heavy Metal Pollution Using an Aquatic Apex Predator,the American Alligator,and Its Parasites

Monitoring the bioaccumulation of chemical elements within various organismal tissues has become a useful tool to survey current or chronic levels of heavy metal exposure within an environment. In this study, we compared the bioaccumulations of As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, Se, and Zn between the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, and its parasites in order to establish their use as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution. Concomitant with these results, we were interested to determine if parasites were more sensitive bioindicators of heavy metals relative to alligators. We found parasites collectively accumulated higher levels of As, Cu, Se, and Zn in comparison to their alligator hosts, whereas Fe, Cd, and Pb concentrations were higher in alligators. Interestingly, Fe levels were significantly greater in intestinal trematodes than their alligator hosts when analyzed independently from other parasitic taxa. Further analyses showed alligator intestinal trematodes concentrated As, Cu, Fe, Se, and Zn at significantly higher levels than intestinal nematodes and parasites from other organs. However, pentastomids also employed the role as a good biomagnifier of As. Interestingly, parasitic abundance decreased as levels of As increased. Stomach and intestinal nematodes were the poorest bioaccumulators of metals, yet stomach nematodes showed their ability to concentrate Pb at orders of magnitude higher in comparison to other parasites. Conclusively, we suggest that parasites, particularly intestinal trematodes, are superior biomagnifiers of As, Cu, Se, and Zn, whereas alligators are likely good biological indicators of Fe, Cd, and Pb levels within the environment.     

Soil Heavy Metal Pollution Assessment Near the Largest Landfill of China

To assess the extent and potential hazards of heavy metal pollution at Shanghai Laogang Landfill, the largest landfill in China, surface soil samples were collected near the landfill and concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cr were determined. The results revealed that the concentrations of heavy metals, except Pb, were higher in the surface soil near the landfill than in the background soil. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis suggested that the enrichment of Cu in soil was probably related to agricultural activities and Cd and Pb to landfill leachates, whereas Zn and Cr concentrations were probably controlled by soil matrix characteristics. The pollution indices (PIs) of the metals were: Cd > Cu > Cr > Zn > Pb. Among the five measured metals, Cd showed the largest toxic response and might cause higher ecological hazards than other metals. The integrated potential eco-risk index (RI) of the five metals ranged from 26.0 to 104.9, suggesting a low-level eco-risk potential. This study indicated the accumulations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cr did not reach high pollution levels, and therefore posed a low eco-risk potential in surface soil near the landfill.     

Relationship among placental cadmium, lead, zinc, and copper levels in smoking pregnant women

Previous studies on Cd-exposed pregnant animals have reported a Cd-Zn interaction that result in increased placental Cd levels and decreased placental Zn transport. In this study, placental Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn status in pregnant women exposed to Cd and Pb through cigarette smoke was investigated. Placental tissues obtained from 30 nonsmokers (controls), 70 passive smokers, and 90 smokers were analyzed for Cu and Zn levels using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and for Pb and Cd levels using an EG&G PARC Model 303A hanging mercury drop electrode. The result showed that whereas the placental Cd and Pb levels in smokers were higher that those of nonsmokers, Cu and zinc levels were lower in nonsmokers. These results imply that smoking during pregnancy could be harmful for both the mother and the fetus.     

Heavy Metals (Cd,Cu, Ni,Pb, and Zn) Fractionation in River Sediments,Hamedan, Western Iran

Five heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in river sediments from Abshineh River, Hamedan, western Iran, were fractionated by a sequential extraction procedure. Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn existed in sediments mainly in residual fraction (mean 92%, 86%, 77%, and 65%, respectively), whereas Cd occurred mostly as organic matter (mean 41%) and exchangeable (mean 25%) fractions. The mean percent of mobile fraction of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in contaminated sediments was 25, 13, 4, 24, and 10, respectively, which suggests that the mobility and bioavailability of the five metals in sediments probably decline in the following order: Cd = Pb > Cu > Zn > Ni. The metal levels were also evaluated according to the contamination factor, which revealed significant anthropogenic pollution of Cd and Pb.     

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Water and Sediments from the Ghalechay River,Baychebagh Copper Mine Area,Iran

The concentrations of selected heavy metals in sediments and waters in Baychebagh copper mine were determined using ICP-OES. Except for Co, the average concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in sediments from the Ghalechay River in the district exceed the world-average shale and continental upper crust value. Enrichment factors for Pb, Cu, and Cd were significantly enriched in sediments, indicating environmental contamination. Geoaccumulation index calculated for different sampling stations indicates that the sediments are unpolluted with respect to Co and Zn while unpolluted to moderately polluted with Cu and highly polluted with Pb and Cd. The Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) suggest that Cd and Pb may pose the highest risk for the environment. Sequential extraction analyses of sediments revealed that Cu, Co, Pb, and Zn bound to extractable, carbonate, reducible and oxidizable fractions are lower than residual fraction. About 10% of the total Pb was associated with the exchangeable fraction, indicating remobilization, while Cd (89%), Pb (73%) Co (58%), Cu (76%), and Zn (68%) closely associated with the residual and oxidizable fractions, resulting in their environmental immobility. The residual forms are not expected to be released under normal conditions in the river and could be considered an inert phase.     

Distribution of Heavy Metals and Arsenic in Greenbelt Roadside Soils of Pudong New District in Shanghai

We studied the distribution of seven heavy metals and As in typical municipal greenbelt roadside soils in Pudong New District, Shanghai, China. As and Ni showed no significant accumulation compared with the background values of the local soils, but there was strong evidence of accumulation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn in the roadside soils. However, only Zn and Cd contents were higher than the pollution thresholds of the Chinese National Soil Quality standard. The concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s in the soils were significantly affected by the length of time since the roads were constructed. Soils from areas adjacent to an older road had higher levels of Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn. In terms of spatial distribution, more Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were found in the soil from the green areas of median between carriageways than from those of the roadside verges. Vertical distribution analysis shows that the contents of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn had maximum values in the topsoil and were substantially lower in the deeper layers of the soil profile. Moreover, correlation analysis reveals that these four heavy metals originated from the same pollution sources and their contents were directly associated with the traffic density.     

Maternal and neonatal scalp hair concentrations of zinc, copper, cadmium, and lead: relationship to some lifestyle factors

Postpartum scalp hair samples from 82 term-pregnancy mother/ neonate pairs were analyzed for their concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Maternal and neonatal Zn concentrations had geometric means (and 99% confidence intervals) of 122.5 microg/g (117.9--131.5 microg/g) and 146.9 microg (141.5--156.7 microg/g) respectively. Corresponding Cu values were 18.4 microg/g (17.6--23.8 microg/g) and 6.7 microg/g (6.3--7.6 microg/g). Those of Cd were 0.49 microg/g (0.47--0.69 microg/g) in the mothers and 0.57 microg/g (0.55--0.86 microg/g) in the neonates. For Pb, they were 7.95 microg/g (7.60--9.32 microg/g) and 4.56 microg/g (4.39--5.56 microg/g). Cigarette smoking, despite its relatively low prevalence (19.5%), was associated with lower Zn and higher Cd and Pb concentrations and in lower Zn/Cd and Zn/Pb molar concentration ratios. Smoking also altered interelemental relationships, particularly those of Zn with Cd and Pb and those between Cd and Pb. Smoking frequency appeared to show negative dose-response effects on maternal and neonatal Zn concentrations, Zn/Pb molar concentration ratios, and birth weight. Mothers with a history of oral contraceptive (OC) usage had significantly higher Cu concentrations and lower Zn/Cu molar concentration ratios than non users, with the highest Cu concentrations and lowest Zn/Cu values being associated with third-generation OCs. No similar effects were elicited in the respective neonatal Cu concentrations. Neither alcohol consumption nor prenatal supplementation with iron and/or folic acid had discernible effects on the maternal or neonatal elemental concentrations. The data from this study suggest that in a given population of term-pregnancy mothers and neonates, significant interindividual variations in hair trace element concentrations can occur, irrespective of commonality of general environment, and that lifestyle factors, including cigarette smoking and OC usage history, can be significant contributory factors to such variations. The data are discussed in relation to the effects of smoking-associated exposure to Cd and Pb exposure on Zn availability for placental transfer, as well as on the quantitative maternal Zn supply levels to the fetus resulting from the known tendency of smokers to have lower dietary intakes of Zn.     

The effect of heavy metals on the soil-earthworm-European mole food chain under the conditions of environmental pollution caused by the emissions of a copper smelting plant

The paper examines the effect of heavy metals on the soil-earthworm-European mole food chain in the area affected by the operation of the Middle Urals Copper Smelting Plant (MUCSP), located in Revda (Sverdlovsk region). Compared to the surrounding territory, in the polluted zone, the increase in the content level of physiologically essential elements (Cu and Zn) is less pronounced in the tissues of earthworms than in the soil, while the content level of nonessential elements (Pb and Cd) is higher in the tissues of earthworms than in the soil. The only biomagnification that has been revealed is that of Cd: the Cd content is 8–10 times higher in the tissues of earthworms than in the soil (3.9–4.5 times higher as compared to the litter) and 4–6 times more considerable in the liver of the mole than in the tissues of earthworms. Zn, Cu and Pb do not accumulate in the liver of moles, since their levels grow in the gastric contents, while a higher Cd level in food leads to the disproportionate accumulation of this substance in the liver. Even though there is an excessively high Cd content in the organism of the mole, this animal is the ultimate “depot” of this element in terrestrial ecosystems.     

Roadside Topsoil Concentrations of Lead and Other Heavy Metals in Ibadan,Nigeria

Concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr, Co, and Ni were determined in roadside topsoil collected from locations of varied vehicular traffic densities in the city of Ibadan, Nigeria, with a view to determining the level of contamination and the contribution of traffic density. Levels of Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cu were elevated above background concentrations measured in control areas. Average values (ppm) for all sample locations were Pb — 81±140; Zn — 48±37; Cd — 0.55±0.49; Cu — 17±17; Cr — 22.1±9.6; Co — 7.9±3.8; Ni — 10.5±9.7. Factors of accumulation of metals in roadsides relative to control sites were highest for Pb. Vehicular traffic was not an important source of chromium, cobalt and nickel, for which roadside concentrations were about those of the control sites. Metal concentrations were poorly correlated with traffic volumes. An average of about 60% of total soil concentration of the metals were determined to be held in bioavailable geochemical phases, of which the highest concentrations were mostly held in either the reducible or oxidizable phase. Levels of the metals in the topsoil were generally lower than the soil quality criteria of some developed countries.