Metals in some dominant vascular plants, mosses, lichens, algae, and the biological soil crust in various types of terrestrial tundra, SW Spitsbergen, Norway

Arctic environments are commonly considered to be relatively pristine because of minimal local human activity. However, these areas receive air pollution from lower latitude regions. Our goal was to determine concentrations of metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in dominant species of vascular plants, mosses, lichens, algae, and in the biological soil crust (BSC), and topsoil (0–3 cm) from various types of tundra in the southwestern part of Spitsbergen, Norway. Results indicate that mosses are more efficient bioaccumulators of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn than lichens. The highest levels of Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, and Pb were found in the BSC, and the moss species Racomitrium lanuginosum, Sanionia uncinata, and Straminergon stramineum from the polygonal tundra, initial cyanobacteria-moss wet tundra, snow bed cyanobacteria-moss tundra, and flow water moss tundra alimented by melting ice or snow. The observed higher concentrations of Cu and lower concentrations of Hg in mosses, lichens, and vascular plants compared with values observed 20 years earlier were apparently associated with changes in the atmospheric deposition of contaminants over Spitsbergen due to changes in the long-distance transport of anthropogenic emissions from industrialized areas. Prasiola crispa and Salix polaris may be useful bioindicators of Cd and Zn, and the BSC, R. lanuginosum, S. uncinata, and S. stramineum as bioindicators of Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, and Pb. These results may be extrapolated across other areas of Spitsbergen with similar climates.     

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.     

Differences in Trace Metal Concentrations (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, and Ni) in Whole Blood, Plasma, and Urine of Obese and Nonobese Children

High-performance ion chromatography and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry methods have been applied to estimate the content of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Ni in whole blood, plasma, and urine of obese and nonobese children. The study was conducted on a group of 81 Polish children of age 6–17 years (37 males, 44 females). Obese children were defined as those with body mass index (BMI) >95th percentile in each age–gender-specific group. Statistical testing was done by the use of nonparametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis's and Mann–Whitney's U) and Spearman's correlation coefficient. Significant correlations appeared for control group in plasma (Mn–Cd, Ni–Co), urine (Cu–Co), and blood (Fe–Cu), while for obese patients in plasma (Cd–Mn, Ni–Cu, Ni–Zn) and urine (Fe–Cd, Co–Mn). Sex criteria did not influence correlations between metals' content in plasma and urine of obese patients. Metals' abundance was correlated in non-corresponding combinations of body fluids. Rare significant differences between content of metals according to sex and the type of body fluids were discovered: Zn in plasma from obese patients of both sexes, and Zn, Co, and Mn in blood, Mn in plasma from healthy subjects. Negative correlations between BMI and Zn in blood, Cu in plasma, and Fe in urine were discovered for girls (control group). Positive correlation between Co content in plasma and BMI was discovered for obese boys. The changes in metals' content in body fluids may be indicators of obesity. Content of zinc, copper, and cobalt should be monitored in children with elevated BMI to avoid deficiency problems.     

Pollution Assessment and Potential Sources of Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soils around Four Pb/Zn Mines of Shaoguan City,China

A total of 455 agricultural soil samples from four nonferrous mines/smelting sites in Shaoguan City, China, were investigated for concentrations of 10 heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn). The mean concentrations of the metals were 72.4, 5.16, 13.3, 54.8, 84.5, 1.52, 425, 28.2, 529, and 722 mg kg^?1, respectively. The values for As, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Zn were more than 8 and 1.5 times higher than their background values in this region and the limit values of Grade II soil quality standard in China, respectively. Estimated ecological risks based on contamination factors and potential ecological risk factors were also high or very high for As, Cd, Hg, and Pb. Multivariate analysis (Pearson's correlation analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and principal component analysis) strongly implied three distinct groups; i.e., As/Cu/Hg/Zn, Co/Cr/Mn/Ni, and Cd/Pb. Local anomalies for As, Cu, Hg, and Zn by a probably anthropogenic source (identified as mining activity), Co, Cr, Mn, and Ni by natural contribution, and a mixed source for Cd and Pb, were identified. This is one of the few studies with a focus on potential sources of heavy metals in agricultural topsoil around mining/smelting sites, providing evidence for establishing priorities in the reduction of ecological risks posed by heavy metals in Southern China and elsewhere.     

Chemical characterization and ligand behaviour of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas veronii</Emphasis> 2E siderophores

Siderophores are low-molecular weight ligands secreted by bacteria as a survival strategy in Fe(III)-lacking environments. They bind not only Fe(III), but Co(II), Zn(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Ga(III) as a detoxification alternative. The synthesis, purification and characterization of siderophores produced by Pseudomonas veronii 2E were evaluated to be applied in future environmental technologies. Optimal production was obtained in Fe(III)-free M9-succinate at 25 °C, 40 h and pH 6.9. Siderophores were chemically characterized as hydroxamate and catechol mixed-type. Spectroscopic analysis indicated their belonging to the pyoverdine family, behaving as ligand to Cd(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Cr(III), which promoted siderophoregenesis during growth. Siderophore-Cd(II) complexation was studied by electrochemical monitored titration revealing one family of moderate-strength binding sites. Mass spectral analysis evidenced the secretion of a variety of molecules (molecular mass ca.1200 u). Non pathogenic Pseudomonas veronii 2E siderophores represent a safe alternative for the concrete application of environmental technologies and clinical procedures.     

Applicability of Heavy-Metal Phytoextraction in United Arab Emirates: An Investigation of Candidate Species

Phytoremediation of contaminated calcareous desert land in the United Arab Emirates has been investigated. Soils from 12 northern UAE sites, suspected of metal contamination, were acid-extracted and analyzed by ICP-OES for Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Twenty-two plants naturally growing at contaminated sites were sampled and analyzed for their uptake of Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn and eight commercially available plants, grown under controlled conditions, were also studied for their phytoextraction capabilities. The concentration of available Cr was found to be 1300 ± 150 mg/kg in the soil of the Ajman Industrial Zone and 80 ± 10 mg/kg of Pb was found at Bithna. Among the plants investigated, Portulaca oleracea and Iresine herbstii showed potential for Cr(VI) and Pb(II) accumulation, respectively, with bioconcentration factors (BCF) greater than unity. Atriplex halimus accumulated Co(II), Cr(III), and Cu(II) each with a BCF > 1.     

Alleviation of heavy metals toxicity by the application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and effects on wheat grown in saline sodic field

The aim of the study was to determine tolerance of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in different concentrations of Cu, Cr, Co, Cd, Ni, Mn, and Pb and to evaluate the PGPR-modulated bioavailability of different heavy metals in the rhizosphere soil and wheat tissues, grown in saline sodic soil. Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas moraviensis were isolated from Cenchrus ciliaris L. growing in the Khewra salt range. Seven-day-old cultures of PGPR were applied on wheat as single inoculum, co-inoculation and carrier-based biofertilizer (using maize straw and sugarcane husk as carrier). At 100 ppm of Cr and Cu, the survival rates of rhizobacteria were decreased by 40%. Single inoculation of PGPR decreased 50% of Co, Ni, Cr and Mn concentrations in the rhizosphere soil. Co-inoculation of PGPR and biofertilizer treatment further augmented the decreases by 15% in Co, Ni, Cr and Mn over single inoculation except Pb and Co where decreases were 40% and 77%, respectively. The maximum decrease in biological concentration factor (BCF) was observed for Cd, Co, Cr, and Mn. P. moraviensis inoculation decreases the biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) as well as translocation factor (TF) for Cd, Cr, Cu Mn, and Ni. The PGPR inoculation minimized the deleterious effects of heavy metals, and the addition of carriers further assisted the PGPR.     

In-vitro biological evaluation of some ONS and NS donor Schiff's bases and their metal complexes

Complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) with the Schiff bases salicylidene-o-aminothiophenol (H₂L) and thiophene-o-carboxaldeneaniline (SB) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic measurements, thermogravimetric analyses as well as infrared spectra and reflectance spectra. The nature of the bonding has been discussed on the basis of IR spectral data. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and electronic spectral data suggest a six-coordinated octahedral structure for these complexes. The complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) are paramagnetic, while Zn(II) and Cd(II) are diamagnetic in nature. The complexes were tested for their antimicrobial activities against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens using the “Disc Diffusion Method”. The results are compared with the standard drug (tetracycline) and show moderate activity.     

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.     

Kinetic,thermodynamic, and equilibrium biosorption of Pb(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) using dead mushroom biomass under batch experiment

In this study, a low-cost biosorbent, dead mushroom biomass (DMB) granules, was used for investigating the optimum conditions of Pb(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) biosorption from aqueous solutions. Various physicochemical parameters, such as initial metal ion concentration, equilibrium time, pH value, agitation speed, particles diameter, and adsorbent dosage, were studied. Five mathematical models describing the biosorption equilibrium and isotherm constants were tested to find the maximum uptake capacities: Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson, Sips, and Khan models. The best fit to the Pb(II) and Ni(II) biosorption results was obtained by Langmuir model with maximum uptake capacities of 44.67 and 29.17 mg/g for these two ions, respectively, whereas for Cu(II), the corresponding value was 31.65 mg/g obtained with Khan model. The kinetic study demonstrated that the optimum agitation speed was 400 rpm, at which the best removal efficiency and/or minimum surface mass transfer resistance (MSMTR) was achieved. A pseudo-second-order rate kinetic model gave the best fit to the experimental data (R² = 0.99), resulting in MSMTR values of 4.69× 10^?5, 4.45× 10^?6, and 1.12× 10^?6 m/s for Pb(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II), respectively. The thermodynamic study showed that the biosorption process was spontaneous and exothermic in nature.     

Free metal ion depletion by “good's” buffers: II. N-(2-acetamido)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (ACESH): Complexes with Calcium(II), Magnesium(II), Manganese(II), Cobalt(II), Zinc(II), Nickel(II), and Cooper(II)

Potentiometric, visible, and infrared studies of the complexation of N-(2-acetamido)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (ACESH) by Ca(II), Mg(II), Mn(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) are reported. Ca(II), Mg(II), and Mn(II) were found not to complex with ACES^?, while Co(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) were found to form 2:1, ACES^? to M²⁺, complexes, and [Cu(ACES)₂] was found to undergo stepwise deprotonation of the amide groups to form [Cu(H_?1ACES)₂^2?]. Formation (affinity) constants for the various metal complexes are reported, and the probable structures of the various metal chelates in solution are discussed.     

Interaction of Lead with Calcium,Iron, and Zinc in the Biological Samples of Malnourished Children

There have been few investigations of trace elements in the urine and hair of populations exposed to high levels of arsenic (As) in drinking water. Therefore, concentrations of selected metals in urine and hair samples from a population in a study area where arsenism was endemic and a control area were determined. It was found that the median concentrations of barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and As in the urine samples from the population in the study area were 3.87, 0.47, 0.50, 61.84, 26.82, 1.33, 128.45, 7.05, 1.10, 233.75, and 339.63 μg/L, respectively. The corresponding values in the urine samples from a population in the control area were 29.08, 0.19, 0.21, 27.77, 10.32, 4.61, 14.01, 2.19, 3.90, 113.92, and 20.28 μg/L, respectively. In the study area, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn excreted in the urine were likely to be mainly derived from drinking water with high levels of arsenic. The median concentrations of Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Zn, and As in the hair samples from the study area were 4.16, 0.03, 0.09, 1.09, 6.54, 1.97, 0.06, 0.53, 1.64, 144.28, and 1.67 mg/kg, respectively. The corresponding values from the control area were 4.76, 0.03, 0.02, 1.41, 8.31, 1.34, 0.07, 0.39, 0.86, 154.58, and 0.29 mg/kg, respectively. Significant positive correlations were observed between As and Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the urine in the study area. However, As was not positively associated with these metals in the hair samples. Exposure to high levels of As in drinking water increased the accumulation of Ba and Mn in the hair and the excretion of Cd, Cu, and Mo in the urine in the study area. The population in the study area might experience Cu and Mo deficiencies for an increasing excretion of Cu and Mo.     

Heavy metals in water,sediments, fish and plants of river Hindon,U.P., India

We analysed the concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in the water, sediments, fish and plants of the River Hindon, U.P., India, at seven sampling stations, in the year 1982. Considerable variation in concentration between water, sediments, fish and plants were noted. The concentration in the water was in the order Fe > Zn > Cr > Mn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Co > Cd, in the sediments, Fe > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > - Co > Cu > Pb > Cd; in a fish (Heteropnuestes fossilis) Fe > Zn > Mn > Pb > Ni > Co > Cu > Cd > Cr, and in a plant (Eicchornia crassipes) Fe > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cu > Cr > Pb > Co > Cd.     

Solution and solid-state studies of complexation of transition-metal cations and Al(III) by aroylhydrazones derived from nicotinic acid hydrazide

Reactions of first series transition-metal cations, Cd(II) and Al(III) with two aroylhydrazones derived from nicotinic acid hydrazide and salicylaldehyde or o-vanillin were studied at 25 °C in buffered dioxane/water 1/1 mixture (pH 5.8) by means of spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric titrations. The addition of Mn(II) or Cd(II) ions in hydrazone solutions had no effect on their absorption spectra whereas the addition of Ni(II) and Cr(III) immediately caused precipitation. The reaction of Zn(II) with salicylaldehyde derivative was found to be photosensitive. Relatively high conditional stability constants of 1:1 complexes of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Al(III) with both ligands were determined. Solid complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) with aroylhydrazones studied were isolated and characterized by elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements (in the case of Cu(II) and Ni(II)) and IR spectrometry.     

Concentration Levels of Selected Metals in the Leaves of Different Species of Thyme (T. schimperi and T. vulgaris) Grown in Ethiopia

The contents of some selected metals Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cd in different thyme leaf samples widely consumed in Ethiopia were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) after acid digestion with 1:1 HNO₃/HClO₄ for 3 h at a temperature of 240°C by a Kjeldahl apparatus hot plate digester. The level of the nutrients in the four samples ranged from 1,239–2,517 μg/g, Ca; 1,524–1,786 μg/g, Mg; 728–2,517 μg/g, Fe; 37.7–114 μg/g, Mn; 2.59–4.3 μg/g, Co; 7.69–9.3 μg/g, Cu; 8.7–52 μg/g, Zn; and 9.83–14.2 μg/g, Ni; respectively. While the level of toxic metal Cd in the four samples ranged from 0.87–1.3 μg/g. The concentration of Ca was higher than the other metals in the three samples and Cd was the least of all the metals in the analyzed samples. The overall reproducibility of the method obtained from spiking experiment was within the range ±10%. This result will complement available data on food composition in Ethiopia.     

Comparison of the toxicity of heavy metals to cabbage growth

Summary Cabbage plants were grown for 55 days with a nutrient solution containing 1 and 10 ppm of V, Cr(III), Cr(VI), Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg(I), orHg(II). A comparison of the plant growth and chemical analysis revealed that Cr(VI), Cu, Cd, and Hg(II) in the solution are most toxic to the plant growth (hence detrimental to the cabbage-head formation) and Mn, Fe, and Zn are less toxic than other heavy metals, and that Mn, Zn, Co, Ni, and Cd and translocated into all the plant organs while V, Cr(III), Cr(VI), Fe, Cu, Hg(I), and Hg(II) are accumulated in the roots.     

Biosorption of heavy metals by the exopolysaccharide produced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paenibacillus jamilae</Emphasis>

The biosorption of several toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Co, Ni, Zn and Cu) by the exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Paenibacillus jamilae, a potential biosorbent for metal remediation and recovery was studied. Firstly, the biochemical composition of this bacterial polymer was determined. Glucose was the most abundant neutral sugar, followed by galactose, rhamnose, fucose and mannose. The polymer presented a high content of uronic acids (28.29%), which may serve as binding sites for divalent cations. The presence of carboxylic groups was also detected by infrared spectroscopy. The EPS presented an interesting affinity for Pb in comparison with the other five metals. Lead biosorption (303.03 mg g⁻¹) was tenfold higher (in terms of mg of metal adsorbed per gram of EPS) than the biosorption of the rest of metals. Biosorption kinetics, the effect of pH and the effect of competitive biosorption were determined. Finally, we found that the EPS was able to precipitate Fe(III), but the EPS-metal precipitate did not form with Fe(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II).     

Interaction of metal ions with humic-like models. Part VII. Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid

Complexes of formula M(2,5-DHB)₂4H₂O (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu and Cd; 2,5-DHB = 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate) were prepared and characterized by means of infrared and electronic spectroscopy, and by electron spin resonance. For the Zn complex the crystal and molecular structure was also determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal is orthorhombic, space group Pbca (No. 61), with a = 18.503(4), b = 13.536(3), c = 6.900(2) Å, and Z = 4. The final refinement used 877 reflections and gave a residual R value of 0.041. The complex has slightly compressed octahedral coordination, with the zinc atom bound to two monodentate carboxylate groups lying in trans positions and four water molecules. X-ray data and infrared spectra show the Mn, Co, Ni, Zn and Cd complexes to be isostructural with the Zn compound. The electronic, infrared and ESR spectra of the copper(II) complex are consistent with a CuO_4? based chromophore involving two water molecules and two monodentate carboxylate groups in the metal plane, and long axial contacts.     

Copper flotation waste from KGHM as potential sorbent for heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions

Sorption affinity of copper flotation waste from KGHM toward Cd(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), and Pb(II) ions was investigated in this work. Batch sorption studies, using single-element synthetic aqueous solutions at various pH (2–12), contact time (10–300 min), initial concentration (100–5000 mg dm^?3; 1–100 mg dm^?3 for Cd(II)) and adsorbent dose (25–200 g dm^?3), were performed. Bonding strength of adsorbed metals was tested from the degree of desorption. The maximum metal removal was observed at pH 5–8, ≥120 min reaction time, and 25 g dm^?3 adsorbent dose. Maximum sorption capacities of studied material were 41.6, 58.8, and 83.8 mg g^?1 for Cr(III), Cu(II), and Pb(II), respectively, for 5000 mg dm^?3 initial concentration, and 0.86 mg g^?1 for Cd(II) for initial concentration of 50 mg dm^?3. Sorption isotherms were very well fitted to Langmuir (Cd, Cr, Pb) and Freundlich (Cu) models. Sorption kinetics was nearly ideally fitted to pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Desorption studies showed that most of Cr(III) (98.5%) and Pb(II) (67.3%) ions remained bound to the surface, indicating that the chemisorption dominated as a controlling process. On the other hand, mostly desorbed were Cd(II) (98.5%) and Cu(II) (90.3%) ions, which indicated that processes like physisorption or precipitation were prevailing.     

The effect of histidine on the structure and antitumor activity of metal-5-halouracil complexes

The ternary complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) ions with 5-halouracils, viz., 5-fluorouracil (5FU), 5-chlorouracil (5ClU), and 5-bromouracil (5BrU), and the biologically important ligand L-histidine (HISD) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductance measurements, infrared spectra, electronic spectra, and magnetic moment (room temperature) measurements. On the basis of these studies, the structures of the complexes have been proposed. All these ternary complexes were screened for their antitumor activity against Dalton's lymphoma in C3H/He mice. It was found that only Mn(II)-5BrU-HISD, Co(II)-5BrU-HISD, Cu(II)-5ClU-HISD, Cu(II)-5BrU-HISD, Zn(II)-5FU-HISD, and Zn(II)-5BrU-HISD complexes have significant antitumor activity with T/C greater than 125% (where T and C represent mean lifespan of treated mice and control mice respectively). The Mn(II)-5FU-HISD, Co(II)-5FU-HISD, Co(II)-5ClU-HISD, Ni(II)-5ClU-HISD, Ni(II)-5BrU-HISD, and Zn(II)-5ClU-HISD complexes are also effective antitumor agents, with T/C greater than 115%. The complexes that showed effective antitumor action in vivo were also found to inhibit 3H-thymidine incorporation (DNA replication) in Dalton's lymphoma cells in vitro.