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.     

Determination of heavy metals in eggs of Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) around the wastewater treatment ponds,Khon Kaen University

Bird eggs can often be used as a bioindicator of potential effects in environment pollutions. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) lays the eggs around wastewater treatment ponds, Khon Kaen University. The aim of this study is to determine the contamination level of Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu in egg content, eggshell and to relate hatching success. Fifteen eggs, four sludge samples, and wastewater samples were collected during September 2016 to April 2017 and were digested and determined using ICP-MS. Clutch size was 1–6 eggs and the weight, width, and length of eggs (mean ± SD) were 11.64 ± 0.91 g., 24.96 ± 0.85 mm, 35.05 ± 1.32 mm, respectively. Hatching success (n = 15) was 96.7%. Cu and Pb were detected at low level in wastewater, and five heavy metals were contaminated in sludge samples. Cu> Cr> Pb> Hg were detected in egg samples (n = 15), and all concentrations in egg content were more than in eggshell. Cr, Cu, Pb, and Hg concentration were not correlated between eggshell and egg content. This study indicated that the heavy metals can be contaminated in sediment, wastewater and can be transferred to egg of Little Grebes. These suggest the ecological risk of heavy metals on other long-living vertebrates living in the area.     

Phytoremediation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn from aqueous solution using Phragmites cummunis, Typha angustifolia and Cyperus esculentus

A comparative bioaccumulation pattern and ultra structural changes were studied in Phragmites cummunis, Typha angustifolia and Cyperus esculentus in mixed metals solution of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). P. cummunis was observed to be a shoot accumulator for Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. However, T. angustifolia was found to be a root accumulator for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb. In addition, C. esculentus also accumulated most of the tested heavy metals in the roots, while Mn and Fe were translocated up to leaves. Further, the long term metal treatment showed maximum accumulation of all heavy metals in P. cummunis followed by T. angustifolia and C. esculentus. Among heavy metals, Fe was accumulated maximum, i.e., >1000 microg g(-1) by all three plants. Simultaneously, the adverse effects on biochemical parameters were noted earlier in C. esculentus than T. angustifolia and P. cummunis. Ultra structural observation showed the cellular changes in wetland plants after longer exposure. Results revealed that P. cummunis and T. angustifolia had more potential for tested metals than C. esculentus. This study established that these wetland plants could be used for heavy metals phytoremediation from metal containing industrial wastewater.     

Bioaccumulation and rhizofiltration potential of Pistia stratiotes L. for mitigating water pollution in the Egyptian wetlands

The bioaccumulation and rhizofiltration potential of P. stratiotes for heavy metals were investigated to mitigate water pollution in the Egyptian wetlands. Plant and water samples were collected monthly through nine quadrats equally distributed along three sites at Al-Sero drain in Giza Province. The annual mean of the shoot biomass was 10 times that of the root. The concentrations of shoot heavy metals fell in the order: Fe < Mn < Cr < Pb < Cu < Zn < Ni < Co < Cd, while that of the roots were: Fe < Mn < Cr < Pb < Zn < Ni < Co < Cu < Cd. The bio-concentration factor (BCF) of most investigated heavy metals, except Cr and Pb, was greater than 1000, while the translocation factor (TF) of most investigated metals, except Pb and Cu, did not exceed one. The rhizofiltration potential (RP) of heavy metals was higher than 1000 for Fe, and 100 for Cr, Pb and Cu. Significant positive correlations between Fe and Cu in water with those in plant roots and leaves, respectively were recorded, which, in addition to the high BCF and RP, indicate the potential use of P. stratiotes in mitigating these toxic metals.     

Heavy metal uptake capacity of fresh water algae (Oedogonium westti) from aqueous solution: A mesocosm research

The green macroalgae present in freshwater ecosystems have attracted a great attention of the world scientists for removal of heavy metals from wastewater. In this mesocosm study, the uptake rates of heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) by Oedogonium westi (O. westti) were measured. The equilibrium adsorption capabilities of O. westti were different for Cd, Ni, Cr, and Pb (0.974, 0.418, 0.620, and 0.261 mgg^–1, respectively) at 18°C and pH 5.0. Furthermore, the removal efficiencies for Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb were observed from 55–95%, 61–93%, 59–89%, and 61–96%, respectively. The highest removal efficiency was observed for Cd and Cr from aqueous solution at acidic pH and low initial metal concentrations. However, the removal efficiencies of Ni and Pb were higher at high pH and high concentrations of metals in aqueous solution. The results summarized that O. westti is a suitable candidate for removal of selected toxic heavy metals from the aqueous solutions.     

Decontamination of coal mine effluent generated at the Rajrappa coal mine using phytoremediation technology

Toxicity of the effluent generated at the Rajrappa coal mine complex under the Central Coalfields Limited (CCL, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited) in Jharkhand, India was investigated. The concentrations (mg L^?1) of all the toxic metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, and Cd) in the coal mine effluent were above the safe limit suggested by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA 2003). Among these, Fe showed the highest concentration (18.21 ± 3.865), while Cr had the lowest effluent concentration (0.15 ± 0.014). Efforts were also made to detoxify the effluent using two species of aquatic macrophytes namely “‘Salvinia molesta and Pistia stratiotes.” After 10 days of phytoremediation, S. molesta removed Pb (96.96%) > Ni (97.01%) > Cu (96.77%) > Zn (96.38%) > Mn (96.22%) > Fe (94.12%) > Cr (92.85%) > Cd (80.99%), and P. stratiotes removed Pb (96.21%) > Fe (94.34%) > Ni (92.53%) > Mn (85.24%) > Zn (79.51%) > Cr (78.57%) > Cu (74.19%) > Cd (72.72%). The impact of coal mine exposure on chlorophyll content showed a significant decrease of 42.49% and 24.54% from control values in S. molesta and P. stratiotes, respectively, perhaps due to the damage inflicted by the toxic metals, leading to the decay of plant tissues.     

Environmental risks posed by heavy metal contamination from mine waste: Case study from northwest Iran

Mining activities produce waste tailings that can be a significant source of pollution in the surrounding ecosystem. This study was designed to estimate the magnitude of Fe, As, Pb, Cd, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Cr in soil impacted by activities in the Moeil iron ore mine area of northwestern Iran and initially assess the potential risk to nearby residents and ecological habitats. For this, concentrations of elements in 24 samples from 8 locations were analyzed by inductivity coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Concentrations of heavy metals reported for samples collected from the area ranged from 50,247–466,200 mg/kg for Fe, 40–10,827 mg/kg for As, 9–84 mg/kg for Pb, 0.2–58.4 mg/kg for Cd, 32–424 mg/kg for Mn, 4–32 mg/kg for Ni, 37–60 mg/kg for Zn, and 32–337 mg/kg for Cr. Reported levels of Fe and As in particular are indicative of severe contamination and imply a high risk to ecological receptors. Reported levels of arsenic also imply elevated cancer and non-cancer health risks to residents who work in or pass through the area. Reported levels of Cd and Cr in soil samples also indicate an elevated cancer risk posed by these metals. The result of this study indicates it is important to estimate potential contamination of soils and drinking water wills in the vicinity of Moeil village to arsenic and heavy metals.     

Are Metals Accumulated in Human Hair Affected by Naturally Occurring Asbestos Fiber Contamination? A Case Study from a Rural Area of China

Little is known about the link between metals accumulated in human and asbestos fiber contamination in the environment. Therefore, hair samples of 368 subjects (128 males and 240 females) from a rural area contaminated by crocidolite asbestos fibers were collected to investigate the distributions of 17 metals accumulated in human. The results showed that the mean concentrations of As, Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn in hair of the total subjects were 0.23, 23.36, 4.33, 0.11, 0.05, 0.70, 10.53, 29.74, 0.37, 241.57, 3.52, 0.08, 153.21, 0.72, 4.26, 10.96, and 113.35 mg/kg, respectively. Moreover, approximately 86.14, 52.17, 73.91, 85.05, 80.98, 74.46, and 53.80 % of the hair samples of the total subjects contained much higher concentrations of Al, Ba, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, and Sr compared with the highest reference values, respectively. The mean concentrations of the determined metals (except for As, Co, Cr, Hg, and Mo) significantly varied among different age groups for both male and females. The results of correlation analysis and cluster analysis revealed that strong correlations were found between Al, Fe, Zn, Mg, and Na accumulated in human from the study area. These might suggest that Al, Ba, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, and Sr were significantly derived from contamination of crocidolite asbestos fibers. Zn, Mg, and Na might also originate from diet. However, Cd, Mo, Co, As, Cr, Hg, Ni, Mn, Pb, and Ba accumulated in human seemed to be mainly derived from soil. It can be concluded that metals accumulated in human hair have a link with asbestos fiber contamination in the environment.     

Spatial distribution of metals in the constructed wetlands

Investigation of the spatial distribution of metals was conducted for two constructed wetlands used as tertiary treatment in Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science (CNU) and Metal Processing Industries (MPI) located in Tainan, Taiwan. These two distinguished sites were selected to compare the distribution of metals for constructed wetlands treating different types of wastewater. Along the distance, samples of water, sediment, and macrophytes were analyzed for metals including Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Additionally, measurements of water quality including temperature, pH, EC, ORP, DO, TSS, BOD, COD, and turbidity were performed. Results show that, at CNU, wastewater contained higher organic consititute (BOD 29.3 +/- 11.7 mg/, COD 46.7 +/- 33.6 mg/L) with low metals content. Wastewater at MPI contained low level of organic consititute (BOD 7.1 +/- 3.3 mg/L, and COD 66.0 +/- 56.5 mg/L) and higher metals content. Metals distribution of both sites showed similar results where metals in the sediments in the inlet zone have greater concentrations than other areas. The constructed wetlands can remove Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. However, there was no removal of Al, Cr, Fe, and Mn. A distance along the constructed wetlands had no effect on metal concentrations in macrophyte and water.     

Disparities of Selected Metal Levels in the Blood and Scalp Hair of Ischemia Heart Disease Patients and Healthy Subjects

Imbalances in the concentrations of trace metals have become an increasingly recognized source of infirmity worldwide particularly in the development of ischemia heart disease (IHD). Present study is intended to analyze the concentrations of Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Sr, and Zn in the blood and scalp hair of the patients and counterpart controls by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after wet-acid digestion. On the average, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Li, Mn, Na, and Pb revealed significantly elevated concentrations in the blood of the patients compared with the controls (p < 0.05), whereas mean levels of Ca, Cd, Fe, K, Li, Pb, and Sr in the scalp hair were significantly higher in the patients than the controls (p < 0.05). Most of the metals exhibited noticeable disparities in their concentrations based on gender, abode, dietary/smoking habits, and occupations of both donor groups. The correlation study and multivariate statistical analyses revealed some significantly divergent associations and apportionment of the metals in both donor groups. Overall, comparative variations of the metal contents in blood/scalp hair of the patients were significantly different than the controls; thus, evaluation of trace metals status may be indicative of pathological disorders, such as IHD.     

Accumulation of metals and metalloids in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) irrigated with domestic wastewater in the peri-urban areas of Khushab City,Pakistan

Accumulation of different metals and metalloids was assessed in two vegetables radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) irrigated with domestic wastewater in the peri-urban areas of Khushab City, Pakistan. In general, the metal and metalloid concentrations in radish and spinach were higher at site-II treated with sewage water than those found at site-I treated with canal water. In case of radish at both sites the levels of metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, and Pb) were below the permissible level except those of Mn, Ni, Mo, Cd, and Pb. At both sites, the transfer factor ranged from 0.047–228.3 mg kg^?1 with Cr having the highest transfer factor. The metal pollution index in soil was in the following order: As > Fe > Ni > Zn > Cd > Mo > Se > Co > Pb > Mn > Cr > Cu, respectively. While in case of spinach at both sites, the concentrations of metals and metalloids in vegetable samples irrigated with canal and sewage water were observed below the permissible level except Mn, Ni, Zn, Mo, and Pb. At both sites, the transfer factor ranged from 0.038–245.4 mg kg^?1 with Cr having the highest transfer factor. The metal pollution index in soil was in the following order: Cd > Ni > Co > Se > Mn > Zn > Mo > Pb > Fe > Cr > As > Cu, respectively.     

Pistia stratiotes in the phytoremediation and post-treatment of domestic sewage

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the potential of phytoremediation using Pistia stratiotes as a plant for post-treatment of wastewater from domestic sewage. The experiment was conducted at Toledo-PR, Brazil, for 42 days, in a pilot scale model. In order to evaluate the efficiency of Pistia as a post-treatment of domestic sewage, parameters such temperature, pH, turbidity, total solids, COD, N_total and P_total contents were determined in the effluent, as well as the total contents of K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, and Pb. The bioaccumulation of K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, and Pb in the living tissues of P. stratiotes have also been detected. The results demonstrate efficiency removal of turbidity, N_total, P_total and COD of 98.5, 100, 100, and 79.18%, respectively. The effluent contents of nutrients and toxic metals fluctuated during the study. This can have occurred due to photosynthetic activities of microorganisms and the plant senescence. The evaluation of some parameters in the effluent, such as temperature, DO, and organic matter, influenced these facts. Low levels of DO were observed, in function to the physical barrier of macrophytes in water surface, preventing the entry of air and light. The use of P. stratiotes proved to be a good complement for post-treatment of wastewater from domestic sewage.     

Heavy metal accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa) near electronic waste dumps and related human health risk assessment

This research was conducted to assess heavy metal contamination in the environment and within Oryza sativa. The translocation factors (TFs) and bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for heavy metals in O. sativa and estimated daily intake (EDI) and health risk index (HRI) were measured. The samples were analyzed for heavy metals using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Pb and Cr concentrations in water samples within and near the electronic-waste dumping area exceeded water quality standards for surface water sources from the Pollution Control Department in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand (PCD). The Pb concentration in soil samples within the area also exceeded soil quality standards for habitat and agriculture from PCD. Most of the metals were highly concentrated in roots, except for Mn which has the highest concentration in leaves. Pb concentrations in rice grains exceeded the FAO/WHO standard (0.2 mg/kg). The average TF values for heavy metals from the soil to roots, roots to stems, stems to leaves, and stems to grains were Mn > Pb > Ni > Cr, Mn > Cr > Ni > Pb, Ni > Pb > Mn > Cr, and Pb > Ni > Cr > Mn, respectively. The average BAF values in O. sativa were Mn > Ni > Pb > Cr. The EDI for Cr, Pb, Mn, and Ni via O. sativa consumption were 6.19, 6.02, 370.57, and 3.80 µg/kg/day, respectively. The HRI for Cr, Pb, Mn, and Ni via O. sativa consumption were 0.30, 1.50, 2.60, and 0.002, respectively.     

珠江口桂山岛表层沉积物中重金属的分布特征及潜在生态危害评价

于2011年8月采集了珠江口桂山岛海域12个站点的表层沉积物, 对沉积物中重金属的含量进行了测定。结果表明, 桂山岛沉积物中重金属含量与国内外港湾相比属于中等水平, Pb、Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、Mn平均含量分别为40.06、31.29、14.17、30.67、100.18、599.76 mg/kg。富集系数法和 Hakanson潜在生态风险指数法评价表明:桂山岛沉积物各重金属元素的富集顺序为Cu﹥Pb﹥Zn﹥Mn﹥Cr﹥Ni, 其中Cu、Pb、Zn和Mn富集系数大于1;该海域重金属潜在生态风险总体上处于低水平, 从空间上看, S11危害最为严重。进一步通过主成分分析研究沉积物中重金属的来源, 发现前2个主成分贡献率分别为44.38%、42.61%, 表明重金属主要有2个来源:工业和生活污水排放、岩石的自然风化与侵蚀过程。     

Metal phytoremediation potential of naturally growing plants on fly ash dumpsite of Patratu thermal power station,Jharkhand, India

Three naturally growing plants Ipomoea carnea, Lantana camara, and Solanum surattense were found in fly ash dumpsite of Patratu thermal power station, Jharkhand, India. They were assessed for their metal uptake potential. The fly ash was slightly alkaline with very less nitrogen and organic carbon but enriched with phosphorus and heavy metals. Lantana camara and Ipomoea carnea showed good translocation from root to shoot for most of the metals except Mn and Pb. The order of metal accumulation in stem of both the plants were Fe(205mg/kg)>Mn(65mg/kg)>Cu(22.35mg/kg)>Pb(6.6mg/kg)>Cr(3.05mg/kg)>Ni(1 mg/kg)>Cd(0.5 mg/kg) and Fe(741 mg/kg)>Mn(154.05 mg/kg)>Cu(20.75 mg/kg)>Pb(6.75 mg/kg)>Ni(4.0 mg/kg)>Cr(3.3mg/kg)>Cd(0.05mg/kg), respectively. But Solanum surattense accumulated most of the metals in roots. The order was in the following order, Mn (382.2mg/kg) >Fe (264.1mg/kg) > Cu (25.35mg/kg) >Pb (5.95 mg/kg) > Ni (1.9 mg/kg) > Cr (1.8mg/kg) > Cd (0.55 mg/kg). The order of Bioconcentration factor (BCF) in root and shoot followed almost the same order as, Mn>Fe>Ni>Pb>Cu>Cr≈ Cd in all the three species. ANOVA showed significant variation in metal accumulation by root and stem between the species. Finally, it can be concluded that Solanum surattense can be used as phytostabilizer and other two species as phytoextractor of metal for fly ash dumpsite reclamation.     

An “ex situ” microbial process for the removal of heavy metals from polluted soil: A case study of Ada rice field,Adani, Enugu State,Nigeria

An “ex situ” microbial method for the removal of heavy metals from soil is described. Elemental sulfur was added to generate the lixiviant in shaker flask experiments in which soil sampled from a polluted agricultural field was treated. The biotic oxidation of sulfur to sulfuric acid resulted in significant drop in pH of the bioleaching liquor from 6.94 to 1.8 after 50 days. In batches operated at very low (10 g/kg) sulfur concentrations, pH changed from 6.94 to 5.45. The 50 g/kg soil sulfur concentration was found to be most beneficial to the solubilization process because more than 95% of metals such as zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) were recovered while approximately 67% of manganese (Mn) got solubilized. The least concentration of dissolved metals was lead (Pb) – (25%) and chromium (Cr) – (10%). Sulfate accumulation rose to 47% in samples spiked with 50 g/kg soil of sulfur. At lower sulfur concentrations, the sulfates generated were higher than the amount of sulfur added. The microbial process compared well to the abiotic process involving extraneous addition of sulfuric acid except that very high concentrations of acid had to be used. The treatment of the bioleaching wastewater promoted precipitation of the dissolved metals into insoluble hydroxides making discharge of the effluent into the environment safe. The leached soil recovered sufficiently for agricultural use after quick lime and animal manure was used to improve, stabilize, and restore its physical, chemical, and biological conditions.     

Lead, chromium and manganese removal by in vitro root cultures of two aquatic macrophytes species: Typha latifolia L. and Scirpus americanus pers

The ability of in vitro roots cultures of Typha latifolia and Scirpus americanus to remove metals was studied. Roots were cultivated on Murashige-Skoog medium with 15 microg L(-1) Cr 11, 60 microg L(-1) Pb II or 1.8 mg L(-1) Mn II. Adsorbed metal to root surface was removed by washing with 0.042% HNO3. T. latifolia roots were able to uptake 68.8 microg Pb g(-1), 22.1 microg Cr g(-1) and 1680 microg Mn g(-1), while the S. americanus roots removed 148.3 microg Pb g(-1), 40.7 microg Cr g(-1) and 4037 microg Mn g(-1). About 80-90% of Pb and Cr were absorbed in both cultures. On the contrary, the Mn removal was due mainly to an adsorption process (82-86%). In comparison to the T. latifolia cultures, S. americanus cultures were twofold more efficient to remove Pb and Cr, and threefold more efficient to remove Mn. Both plant species capture metals in the following order: Cr >Pb >Mn. This investigation confirms that in vitro roots cultures could be an alternative as a phytoremediation approach for contaminated water with heavy metals.     

Comparative Evaluation of Trace Metal Distribution and Correlation in Human Malignant and Benign Breast Tissues

Selected trace metals were analyzed in human malignant and nonmalignant (benign) breast tissue samples by the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In malignant tissues, dominant mean concentrations were revealed by Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Al at 927, 552, 231, 61.7, 36.5, 18.3, and 8.94 microg/g, respectively, while the mean metal levels in benign tissues were 903, 435, 183, 63.3, 24.7, 14.5, and 10.1 microg/g, respectively. Average concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, K, Ca, and Zn were noted to be significantly higher in the malignant tissues compared with the benign tissues. Significantly strong correlations (r > 0.50) in malignant tissues were observed between Mn and Co, Mn and Cd, Cd and Cr, Fe and Mn, Cd and Co, Fe and Co, Mg and Pb, Cd and Fe, Mg and Ni, Pb and Ni, Ni and Sr, and Fe and Pb, whereas, Cd and Co, Cd and Mn, Co and Mg, Co and Mn, Cu and Mn, Co and Ni, Mg and Ni, Cd and Cu, Cd and Ni, Ca and Mg, Mn and Pb, Cu and Ni, Fe and Ni, Cd and Mg, Co and Cu, Cr and Na, and Cd and Cr revealed strong and significant relationships in benign tissues at p < 0.001. Principal component analysis of the metals data yielded six principal components for malignant tissues and five principal components for benign tissues, with considerably different loadings, duly supported by cluster analysis. The study revealed a considerably different pattern of distribution and mutual correlations of trace metals in the breast tissues of benign and cancerous patients.     

Effects of Wastewater Irrigation on Chemical and Physical Properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Petroselinum crispum</Emphasis>

The present study was carried out to assess the impact of wastewater on parsley (Petroselinum crispum). The parameters determined for soil were pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic matter (SOM), nutrient elements (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Fe), and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb), while the parameters determined for the plant included pigment content, dry matter, nutrient element, and heavy metals. SOM, EC, and clay contents were higher, and pH was slightly acidic in soil treated with wastewater compared to control soil. The enrichment factors (EF) of the nutrient elements in contaminated soil are in the sequence of Na (2) > Ca (1.32) > Mn = Mg (1.17) > Cu (1.11) > Zn (1.08) > Fe (1.07) > K (0.93), while EF in parsley are Na (6.63) > Ca (1.60) > Mg (1.34) > Zn (1.15) > Fe (0.95) > Cu = K (0.90) > Mn (0.85). Application of wastewater significantly decreased dry matter, while photosynthetic pigment content increased in parsley. The enrichment of the heavy metals is in the sequence: Cd (1.142) > Pb (1.131) > Ni (1.112) > Cr (1.095). P. crispum shows a high transfer factor (TF > 1) for Cd signifying a high mobility of Cd from soil to plant. Thus, although the wastewater irrigation in parsley production aims to produce socioeconomic benefits, study results indicated that municipal wastewater is not suitable for irrigation of parsley because it has negative effects on plant and causes heavy metal accumulation.     

Biosorption of Chromium(VI) and Lead(II): Role of Spirulina platensis in the Treatment of Industrial Effluent

Biosorption is the process of removal of any chemical molecules by the treatment of biological material. Industrialization resulted in the discharge of various toxic heavy metals into water bodies, which poses serious health hazards to humans and animals. In the present study, live Spirulina platensis was used as a biosorbent for the removal of the heavy metals chromium (Cr(VI)) and lead (Pb(II)) from the aqueous samples. S. platensis were cultured in the presence of different concentrations of heavy metals. The growth of the algal cells was found to be decreased by 59% and 36% in media containing 50 ppm Cr(VI) and Pb(II), respectively. To assess the biosorption of heavy metals, at different time intervals, the spent culture media were used to detect Cr(VI) by atomic absorption spectroscopy method and Pb(II) by 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol indicator method. Results suggested that there was a significant uptake of Cr(VI) and Pb(II) from the medium by S. platensis, with corresponding decrease of metals in the medium. When metal salt solutions or industrial effluent samples were passed through the column containing immobilized live S. platensis in calcium alginate beads, the concentration of Cr(VI) was found to be reduced drastically. The present study indicates the application of S. platensis for the bioremediation of heavy metals from the samples obtained from industrial effluents.