树木年轮中的微量元素含量与克山病关系的初步分析

森林是陆地生态系统中的一个重要组成部分,在一定程度上可以说它是“历史的见证”,因为在森林中记录了过去生态环境的一些变化和特点。 树木年轮是过去环境记录的一个重要各面,大家知道,通过观察树木年轮,可分析研究近千年来地球上气候的变化。这一方法在国内外已得到广泛的应用。但是从生物地球化学观     

Trace element imbalances in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis therapy – Report of an observational study in a cohort of Portuguese patients

IntroductionPatients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis therapy are at risk of developing deficiencies of essential trace elements and/or overload of toxic trace elements, both of which may significantly affect their clinical status of. Those imbalances may result from the disease itself but also from the quality of the therapeutic process, namely the hemodialysis process, which has greatly evolved in the last decades. Thus, old observations that have been assumed as very well-proven have been recently questioned. In this case-control study we evaluate the current trace elements status in a group of Portuguese patients under hemodialysis therapy.Material and methodsSerum samples from patients (n = 93), collected for the routine periodic control of Al levels, were analyzed for a wide panel of trace elements (Li, Al, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Ba, Pb) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique (hemodialysis patients’ group). For comparison purposes, samples of individuals with no evidence of renal disease according to standard laboratory analytical criteria (n = 50) were also analyzed (control group).ResultsThe results showed significant differences between the two groups, with higher values in hemodialysis patients group for Al (14.6 vs. 9.5 μg/L), Co, Ni, Sr, Mo (4.5 vs. 1.4 μg/L), Cd (0.058 vs. 0.025 μg/L) and Pb (0.55 vs. 0.30 μg/L); and lower values in hemodialysis patients group for Li (4.0 vs. 75.8 μg/L), Mn, Cu (943.5 vs. 1038.5 μg/L), Zn (943.5 vs. 1038.5 μg/L), Se (71.5 vs. 103.8 μg/L), Rb (202.4 vs. 300.3 μg/L) and Ba (0.65 vs. 8.7 μg/L).ConclusionThis study confirms that hemodialysis patients tend to present significant trace elements imbalances, which may be related to the higher morbidity and mortality observed in this specific patients’ group.     

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.     

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.     

Can multiple harvest of aboveground biomass enhance removal of trace elements in constructed wetlands receiving municipal sewage?

Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in the Czech Republic are commonly planted with reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea). Phalaris is a fast-growing grass which may be cut several times during the growing season. During 2005, the experiments were carried out at horizontal sub-surface flow constructed wetland B?ehov to evaluate whether multiple harvest may increase the amount of 23 trace elements removable via mowing. The plants were cut in mid-June and re-harvested in mid-August. The single harvest was carried out at the end of July during the peak standing crop of this species. The biomass of Phalaris cut once and twice during the year was nearly identical but analyses of the biomass indicated that the amount (standing stock) of trace elements varied. For 13 elements (As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb and U) the standing stock was higher for single harvest, indicating that these trace elements are transported to the aboveground biomass later in the growing season. Standing stock found in the biomass harvested at the peak standing crop as percentage of the cumulative standing stock from two harvests was highest for Hg (385%), Pb (249%) and U (244%). On the other hand, for 10 elements (Al, Cd, Li, Mo, Rb, Se, Sn, Sr, Tl and Zn) cumulative standing stock was higher than the standing stock for one harvest, indicating high accumulation during the early growth stages. For those elements, multiple harvest could be beneficial for element removal from wastewater.     

Insight into the pattern of heavy-metal accumulation in lichen thalli

BackgroundHeavy metals that pass through the plasmalemma are expected to influence on lichen metabolic processes; however, lichens may tolerate high concentrations of metals by sequestrating them extracellularly. Heavy metal accumulation level fundamentally determine the success of lichens in the colonisation of polluted sites; however, the proportions between extra- and intracellular metal concentrations in lichen thalli are still poorly recognized. In this study metal accumulation patterns of selected toxic trace elements, i.e. Pb, Cd, and micronutrients, i.e. Zn, Cu and Ni, in Cladonia cariosa thalli were recognised in relation to extra- and intracellular fractions.MethodsThe intracellular and total concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu and Ni in lichen thalli collected from eleven variously polluted sites were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. Additionally, organic carbon and total nitrogen contents as well as pH of soil substrate were measured.ResultsThe accumulation patterns differed between studied metal elements; the major part of Zn, Pb and Cd loads was accumulated extracellularly, whereas Cu and Ni accumulation was mostly intracellular. Like toxic trace elements, Zn was accumulated mainly extracellularly at high polluted sites. The non-linear models most reliably reflect relationships between intracellular and extracellular metal contents in C. cariosa thalli. The intracellular contents of Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu increased slower at higher than at lower extracellular concentrations. Moreover, at higher total concentrations of elements in the thalli, their extracellular proportions were markedly increased.ConclusionThe results suggest that in the face of extreme Zn-enrichment, lichens demonstrate the ability to accumulate the excess of Zn outside the cells. Therefore, it can be concluded that metal accumulation depend not only on the element but also on its abundance in the environment and direct availability for lichens. The studied species showed a defence against excessive intracellular accumulation when a given element is in excess. Such capability may facilitate the colonization of extremely polluted sites by certain pioneer lichens.     

Cr and Mn total,accessible species,and protein-fraction contents in plants used for traditional anti-diabetes treatment

BackgroundOur survey has found eleven plants that have being consumed for traditional treatment of diabetes mellitus, particularly in Saudi Arabia and generally in many countries across the world. The literature reported about trace elements such as Cr and Mn positively affecting diabetes mellitus. The aim of this work is to determine the total, accessible element species, and protein-fraction contents of Cr and Mn in the edible parts of those plants.MethodsThe total contents of Mn were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), while the total contents of Cr was determined by ICP-sector field (sf)-mass spectrometry (MS) due to lower concentration. The protein-fraction contents were determined in accessible element species by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC)-ICP-MS.Results and discussionThe separation was successfully carried out to quantify Cr and Mn bound up to 11 protein fractions. The examined plants recorded wide ranges of total contents (Cr 44.7–1880.0 μg/kg and Mn 3.7–59.0 mg/kg) and accessible element species contents (Cr 0.93–29.40 μg/kg and Mn 0.82–35.85 mg/kg). Also wide ranges of percentages of accessible element species contents to total contents of Cr (0.65–4.21%) and Mn (5.43–68.42%) were obtained. The hazardous indices of both trace elements Cr and Mn for all examined plants consumed by both children and adults were all < 1, indicating no probability of health risk to occur. Moreover, Cr as carcinogen element reported no probability of cancer risk to occur from the consumption of all examined plants. Irrespective of plant species, Cr was quantified in all SEC fractions (mainly protein fractions), with the exception of 1.9-3.7 kDa, while Mn was quantified in all SEC fractions with the exception of 100–120 and 1.3-3.7 kDa. Nevertheless, the majority of accessible Cr species contents bound to the 10–14 and 0.05–0.40 kDa fractions, while that of Mn bound to 0.05–0.40 kDa fraction. To gather, the benefits of specific plant species in terms of accessible Cr and Mn species contents, in addition to accessible Zn species contents reported in our previous study, Haloxylon Salicornicum, Olea Europaea Momordica and Charantia are recommended to be consumed for traditionally controlling T2DM.     

Distribution of toxic elements between biotic and abiotic components of terrestrial ecosystem along an urbanization gradient: Soil,leaf litter and ground beetles

Urbanization and anthropogenic activities are the major source of environmental pollution which may cause damage in terrestrial ecosystems and their organisms. Toxic elements can accumulate in soil and leave tissue; thus, through the food chain they can accumulate in predatory organisms. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of urbanization on toxic element concentration in soil, leaf litter and Carabus violaceus and Pterostichus oblongopunctatus specimens along an urbanization gradient. The studied predator species were common and their distribution is widespread along the urbanization gradient. Soil, leaf litter and ground beetles were collected from three forested area: urban park, suburban forest and rural forest. The following toxic element concentrations were analyzed in all samples: Al, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn. In the soil there was no significant difference in toxic element concentration between areas, except in seasons. Significantly higher toxic element concentration was found in autumn than in spring in the soil. In the case of leaf litter we found significant differences between areas in the following toxic elements: Ba, Cu, Mn, Sr and Zn. The concentrations of all elements were significantly higher in autumn than in spring. Significantly higher concentration was found in P. oblongopunctatus specimens than in C. violaceus for all studied elements, except Sr. We found significant differences in elemental concentrations between sexes in both species. Significantly higher Cu and Pb concentration was found in male beetles than in female ones. Just the opposite was true for the Sr concentration. We found positive correlation between toxic element concentration of C. violaceus and leaf litter for Mn and Zn. Negative correlations were found between toxic elements of ground beetles and soil for Al, Ba, Fe, Sr and Zn. Our study confirms that different breeding strategies and sexes cause differences in the accumulation of toxic elements. In summary, we demonstrated that ground beetles, leaf litter and soil were suitable bioindicators for monitoring the effects of urbanization and anthropogenic activities on terrestrial ecosystem.     

Trace metals accumulation in the eco-system water – soil – vegetation (Agropyron cristatum) – common voles (Microtus arvalis) – parasites (Hymenolepis diminuta) in Radnevo region,Bulgaria

BackgroundCoal and coal processing industries provoke trace metal pollution, which has a negative effect on the water – soil – vegetation – small mammals eco-system, constituting part of the food chain and exerting a serious impact on human health.ObjectivesAssessment of the environmental impact of Maritza iztok coal complex, situated east of Radnevo town, Bulgaria, by tracking the dynamics and accumulation of trace metals in the eco-system water – soil – vegetation – common voles – parasites.MethodsSamples from surface waters, their nearby uncultivated soils, meadow uncultivated vegetation (Agropyron cristatum) and field common voles (Microtus arvalis) were collected. In situ measurements and laboratory extraction procedures and analyses were performed. Accumulation and mobility indices were calculated. The distribution of dissolved Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb chemical species in water-soil extracts was calculated using a thermodynamic approach. Two thermodynamic models were applied – the classical ion-association model for calculating the inorganic trace metal species and the Stockholm Humic Model (SHM) accounting for the complexation reactions of trace metals with organic matter. Visual Minteq computer program, Version 3.1 was used. The relationship chemical species - bioaccumulation was discussed.ResultsPb and Mn, together with SO₄²⁻ and PO₄^3- were found to be the main pollutants of waters in the region. The soils studied exhibited low concentrations of trace metals, not exceeding the specified MACs. The content of Mn was the highest, followed by Zn, Pb, Cu and Ni. The highest phytoaccumulation coefficients in the studied uncultivated grass vegetation were calculated for Cu and Zn, being 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than those of Mn and Ni. The accumulation of trace metals was explained on the basis of ions mobility and chemical species distribution. In the case of the host-parasite system Microtus alvaris - Hymenolepis diminuta, Zn displays the highest accumulation coefficient, followed by those of Cu and Pb. The parasite showed a higher bioaccumulation compared to infected common voles, with the highest bioaccumulation found for Ni.ConclusionsThe bioaccumulation of trace metals depends on their mobility, concentration and chemical forms in water-soil solutions. Metal-organic species stimulate the phytoaccumulation of trace metals while inorganic ones suppress it. The sequence of trace metals bioaccumulation in common voles is analogous to that of soil contamination. The parasite exhibited higher bioaccumulation levels compared to infected common voles.     

Elemental metabolomics in human cord blood: Method validation and trace element quantification

BackgroundTrace elements are an essential requirement for human health and development and changes in trace element status have been associated with pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pre-eclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and preterm birth. Elemental metabolomics, which involves the simultaneous quantification and characterisation of multiple elements, could provide important insights into these gestational disorders.MethodsThis study used an Agilent 7900 inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) to simultaneously measure 68 elements, in 166 placental cord blood samples collected from women with various pregnancy complications (control, hypertensive, PE, GDM, FGR, pre-term, and post-term birth).ResultsThere were single element differences across gestational outcomes for elements Mg, P, Cr, Ni, Sr, Mo, I, Au, Pb, and U. Hypertensive and post-term pregnancies were significantly higher in Ni concentrations when compared to controls (control = 2.74 μg/L, hypertensive = 6.72 μg/L, post-term = 7.93 μg/L, p < 0.05), iodine concentration was significantly higher in post-term pregnancies (p < 0.05), and Pb concentrations were the lowest in pre-term pregnancies (pre-term = 2.79 μg/L, control = 4.68 μg/L, PE = 5.32 μg/L, GDM = 8.27 μg/L, p < 0.01). Further analysis was conducted using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for differentiating pregnancy groups. The ratio of Sn/Pb showed the best diagnostic power in discriminating between control and pre-term birth with area under the curve (AUC) 0.86. When comparing control and post-term birth, Mg/Cr (AUC = 0.84), and Cr (AUC = 0.83) had the best diagnostic powers. In pre-term and post-term comparisons Ba was the best single element (81.5%), and P/Cu provided the best ratio (91.7%).ConclusionsThis study has shown that analysis of multiple elements can enable differentiation between fetal cord blood samples from control, hypertensive, PE, GDM, FGR, pre and post-term pregnancies. This data highlights the power of elemental metabolomics and provides a basis for future gestational studies.     

Human health risk assessment of toxic elements in fish species collected from the river Buriganga,Bangladesh

Abstract

Multielement (48) analysis was carried out of various fish species collected from river Buriganga, the most polluted river in Bangladesh to assess human health risk by toxic elements. Sixteen elements that is, Be, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Ba, Hg, Pb, Bi, and U, were taken into account due to their toxicities on human health. Results show that concentrations of elements in various fish species were higher in winter than those in monsoon. Among 16 elements, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ba, Pb were above Food Safety Guideline in some fishes in winter. THQ and TTHQ/HI values were less than 1 for all fishes in monsoon while THQ and TTHW/HI values were more than 1 for most of fishes in winter. These results suggesting non-carcinogenic health hazard through consumption of contaminated fishes. Only As showed low cancer risk while no cancer risk was observed for other toxic elements in monsoon. In winter, Pb showed only moderate cancer risk for Mystus vittatus (site-7) while for other fishes low cancer risk was found by Pb. It can therefore be concluded that there is human health risk in consuming of fishes collected from river Buriganga especially in winter.     

Mapping bone microstructure trace element composition: Sr,Ba, Cu,and Pb in an early modern Danish skeleton

Objectives

A Geographical Information System (GIS) approach enhances the acquisition, management, and analysis of trace element data from cortical bone. A high-resolution spatial dimension expands the research potential of Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data from cortical bone cross-sections. The chemical characterization of hundreds of osteons, notably sequences of superimposed osteons, permits more exacting studies of individual life histories than is possible with analyses of bulk bone samples.

Methods

A GIS procedure was used to estimate Sr, Ba, Pb, and Cu concentrations, originally generated through LA-ICP-MS, for bone microstructural features, notably fragmentary and intact osteons, in a human femoral cross-section. The skeleton is from Ribe, Denmark, and dates to the early modern period.

Results

Postmortem chemical alteration was limited to the bone's outer and inner margins. Two dietary indicators, Sr and Ba, and two socioeconomic indicators, Pb and Cu, measured for individual osteons were correlated with one another. Osteon sequences indicate concentrations of all four elements increased late in life for this individual.

Conclusions

The application of GIS procedures expedites fine-grained analyses of variation in the distribution of trace elements in bone microstructure identifiable in cortical bone cross-sections. It provides an efficient means of extracting the most information possible from LA-ICP-MS data about the lives of people in the past. Combining the two procedures makes it easier to track exposure to elements such as Pb across the part of an individual's life represented by osteon sequences.

     

Concentrations of trace elements in sera of newborns, young infants, and adults

Concentrations of trace elements in newborns, infants, and adults may be significantly different from each other. Serum trace element reference ranges for different age groups are of value for diagnostic purposes. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was applied to the determination of the 21 trace elements Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, La, Li, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sn, Sr, TI, and Zn in a total of 117 sera of individuals representing different age groups. After microwave-assisted acid digestion with high-purity reagents, 20 umbilical cord sera, 5 sera of fully breast-fed infants, 6 sera of formula-fed infants, 66 sera of patients suffering internal diseases, and 20 sera of healthy blood donors were analyzed for trace elements. One serum and two whole-blood reference materials were analyzed for quality control. Experimental concentrations were in good agreement with certified values. Umbilical cord serum concentrations of the essential elements Ca, Co, Cu, and Mg and of the nonessential and toxic elements Ba, Be, Li, Pb, and Sb were elevated compared to the elemental concentrations in the sera of infants and adults. Serum levels of Ba, Ca, Co, Mn, Pb, and Sb of infants were much higher and serum Cu was significantly lower than in adults. Serum Cu increased significantly with age (newborns: 353 microg/L; infants: 755 microg/L; healthy adults: 810 microg/L), whereas for other trace elements no age-dependence could be established.     

行道树毛白杨树干中重金属元素分布

采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法(ICP),测定分析首都机场高速公路旁毛白杨(Populus tomentosa Carr.)树干中Pb、Cd、Cr、Cu、Zn、Ni和Mn 7种重金属元素的含量及积累量,比较分析树干不同组织、不同方位、不同龄级年轮重金属含量差异及与交通量、关键气候因子的相关性。结果表明:树干木质部中各重金属平均含量由大到小依次为Zn、Cu、Cr、Mn、Ni、Pb、Cd,树皮中依次为Zn、Mn、Cr、Pb、Cu、Cd、Ni,树皮中各重金属元素的含量明显高于木质部;同一树干木质部中,各重金属元素在不同方位的分布有所差异,其中,靠近车道一侧的各重金属元素含量均高于背离车道一侧,南北向比较中,Ni、Zn为南侧含量高于北侧,其他5种重金属元素均为北侧高于南侧;以5a为一个龄级将年轮划分为5个龄组,各龄级年轮中重金属含量随时间的变化趋势各异,其中Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn总体呈递减趋势,且与年降水量、最低气温、日照时数、雨天日数和大风日数呈正相关趋势,与年平均气温和最高气温呈负相关趋势;各元素在毛白杨树干木质部中的积累量表现为ZnCrCuMnPbNiCd。     

Trace element contamination in feather and tissue samples from Anna’s hummingbirds

Trace element contamination (17 elements; Be, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Ba, Hg, Tl, and Pb) of live (feather samples only) and deceased (feather and tissue samples) Anna's hummingbirds (Calypte anna) was evaluated. Samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS; 17 elements) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Hg only). Mean plus one standard deviation (SD) was considered the benchmark, and concentrations above the mean + 1 SD were considered elevated above normal. Contour feathers were sampled from live birds of varying age, sex, and California locations. In order to reduce thermal impacts, minimal feathers were taken from live birds, therefore a novel method was developed for preparation of low mass feather samples for ICP-MS analysis. The study found that the novel feather preparation method enabled small mass feather samples to be analyzed for trace elements using ICP-MS. For feather samples from live birds, all trace elements, with the exception of beryllium, had concentrations above the mean + 1 SD. Important risk factors for elevated trace element concentrations in feathers of live birds were age for iron, zinc, and arsenic, and location for iron, manganese, zinc, and selenium. For samples from deceased birds, ICP-MS results from body and tail feathers were correlated for Fe, Zn, and Pb, and feather concentrations were correlated with renal (Fe, Zn, Pb) or hepatic (Hg) tissue concentrations. Results for AA spectrophotometry analyzed samples from deceased birds further supported the ICP-MS findings where a strong correlation between mercury concentrations in feather and tissue (pectoral muscle) samples was found. These study results support that sampling feathers from live free-ranging hummingbirds might be a useful, non-lethal sampling method for evaluating trace element exposure and provides a sampling alternative since their small body size limits traditional sampling of blood and tissues. The results from this study provide a benchmark for the distribution of trace element concentrations in feather and tissue samples from hummingbirds and suggests a reference mark for exceeding normal. Lastly, pollinating avian species are minimally represented in the literature as bioindicators for environmental trace element contamination. Given that trace elements can move through food chains by a variety of routes, our study indicates that hummingbirds are possible bioindicators of environmental trace element contamination.     

Measurement of selected trace elements in Olea europaea L. cv. ‘Sigoise’

BackgroundOlive-trees (Olea europaea L.) are the dominant rustic trees cultivated in the Mediterranean agricultural zones. Major and micronutrients play an indispensable role in their plant physiological functions although; the effect of trace elements on metabolic processes has not been sufficiently investigated, especially in olive-trees.MethodsIn the current study, we have used X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry to determine selected major and trace elements (Br, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, P, Rb and Zn) in the main olive cultivar cultivated in Algeria, cv.‘Sigoise’. Certified reference materials viz. IAEA-336 (Lichen) and NIST-1646a (Estuarine sediment) were evaluated simultaneously with the soil and plant samples for quality control of the analytical method.ResultsThe results show that Fe and Mn concentrations were superior in leaves than fruits. However large amounts of K, Cu and Rb were accumulated in the olive-fruits. The contents of all chemical elements were above the threshold limits for possible plant nutrient deficiencies, except for P whose concentration was in borderline requirement of olive trees. High values of a translocation factor index were found for K, Cu and Rb (TFs > 4). Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that K was highly related with olives-fruits, suggesting that the fruit was the principal organ of K storage. Furthermore, dietary element intake through consuming olives was also estimated and compared to recommended daily intakes (RDIs) and daily permissible limits (DPLs). The estimations of chemical element intakes were below the DPLs set by WHO/FAO guidelines for human nutrition.ConclusionThe present work indicates that the concentrations of macro- and microelements (Cu, Fe, K, Mn and Zn) were above the threshold limits for possible plant deficiencies except for P, and this cultivar can easily accumulate high amount of K in their organs (predominance in olives). These findings will be used to achieve efficient fertilization for O. europaea orchards.     

Seasonal and spatial variability of elemental concentrations in boreal forest larch foliage of Central Siberia on continuous permafrost

We measured the seasonal dynamics of major and trace elements concentrations in foliage of larch, main conifer species of Siberia, and we analyzed cryogenic soils collected in typical permafrost-dominated habitats in the Central Siberia. This region offers a unique opportunity to study element fractionation between the soil and the plant because of (i) the homogeneous geological substratum, (ii) the monospecific stands (Larix gmelinii) and (iii) the contrasted habitats (North-facing slope, South-facing slope, and Sphagnum peatbog) in terms of soil temperature, moisture, thickness of the active layer, tree biomass and rooting depth. The variation of these parameters from one habitat to the other allowed us to test the effects of these parameters on the element concentration in larch foliage considered with high seasonal resolution. Statistical treatment of data on larch needles collected 4 times in 3 locations during entire growing season (June–September) demonstrated that : (1) there is a high similarity of foliar chemical composition of larch trees in various habitats suggesting intrinsically similar requirements of larch tree growth for nutrients, (2) the variation of elemental concentrations in larch needles is controlled by the period (within the growing season) and not by the geographical location (South-facing slope, North-facing slope or bog zone) and (3) there are three groups of elements according to their patterns of elements concentration in needles over the growing season from June to September can be identified: (1): nutrient elements [P, Cu, Rb, K, B, Na, Zn, Ni and Cd] showing a decrease of concentration from June to September similar to the behaviour of major nutrients such as N, P and K; (2): accumulating elements [Ca, Mg, Mo, Co, Sr, Mn, Pb and Cr] showing an increase of concentration from June–July to September; (3): indifferent elements [Al, Zr, Fe, Ba, Ti, REEs (Pr, Nd, Ce, La, Gd, Er, Dy, Tb, Lu, Yb, Tm, Sm, Ho, Eu), Y, Th and U] showing a decrease of concentration from June to July and then an increase of concentration to September. A number of micronutrients (e.g., Cu, Zn) demonstrate significant resorption at the end of growing season suggesting possible limitation by these elements. Although the intrinsic requirement seems to be similar among habitats, the total amount of element stored within the different habitats is drastically different due to the differences in standing tree biomass. The partitioning coefficients between soil and larch appear to be among the lowest compared to other environments with variable plants, soils and climates. Applying the “space for time” substitution scenario, it follows that under ongoing climate warming there will be an increase of the element stock following enhanced above-ground biomass accumulation, even considering zero modification of element ratios and their relative mobility. In this sense, the habitats like south-facing slopes can serve as resultant of climate warming effect on element cycling in larch ecosystems for the larger territory of Central Siberia.     

Serum Levels of Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Patients with Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke

Trace elements are essential components of biological structures, but alternatively, they can be toxic at concentrations beyond those necessary for their biological functions. Changes in the concentration of essential trace elements and heavy metals may affect acute hemorrhagic stroke. The aim of this study was to measure serum levels of essential trace elements [iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and magnesium (Mg)] and heavy metals [cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb)] in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke. Twenty-six patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke and 29 healthy controls were enrolled. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (UNICAM-929) was used to measure serum Fe, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Co, Mn and Mg concentrations. Serum Cd, Pb and Fe levels were significantly higher in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke than controls (p < 0.001), while serum Cu, Zn, Mg and Mn levels were significantly lower (all p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the groups with respect to serum Co levels (p > 0.05). We first demonstrate increased Cd, Pb, and Fe levels; and decreased Cu, Zn, Mg, and Mn levels in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke. These findings may have diagnostic and prognostic value for acute hemorrhagic stroke. Further studies are required to elucidate the roles of trace elements and heavy metals in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke.     

Biosorptive-flotation of copper(II) from environmental water samples using sugar beet pulp as sorbent and oleic acid as surfactant

Abstract

Wounds are likely to have existed ever since mankind has existed. Wound healing is an enormously complicated process and the actual scientific mechanisms and events that take place during healing are far more complex and dynamic than might be imagined. Essential elements, especially trace elements are believed to be pivotal to the wound healing process. Their involvement in tissue regeneration and repair appears to be wide ranging and their deficiencies have been reported to impair the healing process. However, further research is required to establish the involvement of trace elements and their specific species in the wound healing process.

Thus assessments of trace element levels in wound tissues using new, reliable, verified and validated technologies could be beneficial for trace element based wound healing. Here, is an attempt made to assess the link between trace element concentrations and healing processes of chronic and acute wounds. Wound tissue samples from 58 chronic leg ulcers and 50 acute wounds were analysed for concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ca, Sn, Cr, Cd and Pb using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Blood samples were also collected from the same patients and analysed in the same manner. All the data were tested for normality by Ryan–Joiner normality test (α = 0.05) and one-way ANOVA was done for the normally distributed data.

The results showed that the concentration of Ca, Zn, Cu and Mn were similar in both acute and chronic wounds. Apart from Ca, which showed elevated concentrations, other metal concentrations are either similar or lower than the analysed concentrations in blood. It appears that there is a significant difference in the concentrations of iron accumulated in the tissues of chronic and acute wounds.

The concentrations of Sn, Cr, Cd and Pb, which are considered as toxic metals, were not present in detectable levels with the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry in both types of wound tissues.     

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.