广西大岩洞洞穴动物体与环境中重金属含量关系

2007年7月,通过对广西大岩洞洞内软体动物、节肢动物和脊索动物的调查,共获标本3324号,隶属26科30属50种。其中,斑灶马、螺类、蜘蛛、两栖类4类动物类群3052号,隶属42种;同时测定了所采集的水样、土样及4类受测动物体内重金属Fe、Mn、Cu、Cd、Pb、Hg、As的含量,计算了水、土样中重金属在动物体内的富集系数。结果表明:水、土壤中Mn含量最高,水样6.75mg·L-1,土样2112mg·kg-1,4个类群中斑灶马、螺类与两栖类Mn含量最高,分别为45.3、858和254mg·kg-1,蜘蛛体内Cu含量最高达79mg·kg-1;几种受试动物(或类群)除斑灶马对水中Fe含量富集系数1000外,其余均对水中所测重金属富集系数1000;几种受试动物(或类群)都对土壤中Pb、Cd、Hg有富集作用,富集系数1;同种动物类群对不同重金属的富集系数不同,不同类群动物对同一重金属的富集也有差异。相关性分析表明,动物体内重金属的积累量与环境中重金属的含量呈正相关,洞穴动物对重金属的残留与富集,除了元素之间产生的协同、拮抗等复杂作用对重金属的影响外,还与洞穴土壤和洞穴水中重金属的含量密切相关。     

贵州屯上洞洞穴动物对5种重金属富集的研究

2009年7月对贵州施秉县屯上洞洞穴动物进行了调查.共获动物标本454号,隶属3门9纲16目19科20种.对7个动物类群(鲤鱼、泥鳅、红点齿蟾、小戴溪蟹、盲蛛、常雕囊马陆和斑灶马)、洞穴土壤和洞穴水的重金属含量进行了测定,对各动物类群重金属富集系数和洞穴土壤的污染指数进行了评价.结果显示动物体内对重金属镉(Cd)和铜(Cu)有明显的富集.各元素在3个光带(有光带、弱光带和无光带)土壤中的平均值含量中镉(Cd)和汞(Hg)超过了我国的土壤背景值,按顺序排列为:Cu>Pb>As>Hg>Cd;水体中为:As>Cu>Pb>Hg>Cd.单项污染指数显示Cd为轻污染(1.4);Hg为中污染(2.93).综合污染指数显示3个光带的污染系数平均值为1.22,属于轻污染,说明该洞虽有重金属污染但并不严重.     

四种重金属胁迫下朝天委陵菜的生长特性及富集能力

通过砂基培养,研究了朝天委陵菜(Potentilla supina)在不同浓度Cd2 、Cu2 、Pb2 、Zn2 胁迫下的生长特性及富集能力.结果表明,朝天委陵菜对Cu2 、Zn2 、Pb2 、Cd2 的耐受性较强,在≤130 mg/L的胁迫下未出现死亡,仅随浓度增大而植株生长减慢;Cu2 的富集量及富集系数为50 mg/L组最大,分别达1 422.91 mg/kg和28.46;Pb2 的富集量及富集系数为70 mg/L组最大,分别达1 148.92 mg/kg和16.41;Zn2 的富集能力较弱,富集系数在1.48～6.33之间;Cd2 的富集量最少,各浓度组富集系数均小于0.1.在砂培条件下,朝天委陵菜对四种重金属的富集能力,各浓度组均为Cu2 ＞Pb2 ＞Zn2 ＞Cd2 ;当Cu2 、Pb2 污染物浓度≤90 mg/L时,朝天委陵菜对Pb2 和Cu2 的富集达到超富集植物的富集水平,可选作Cu2 、Pb2 污染土壤的修复植物;Cu2 、Pb2 污染土壤上生长的朝天委陵菜,因Cu2 、Pb2 含量超标不宜采食或药用.     

广东大中型水库底泥重金属含量特征及潜在生态风险评价

广东省45宗大中型水库底泥重金属含量分析评价结果表明:除Cr外,广东省大中型水库底泥中Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd含量均高于广东省土壤重金属含量背景值.广东省四大地理区域中,粤北地区大中型水库底泥Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd平均含量均为最高,分别为89.71、321.21、154.95mg/kg和1.46mg/kg;其次是粤东和粤中地区;粤西大中型水库底泥Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd平均含量均为最低,但Cr平均含量居四大区域之首,为130.81mg/kg.粤东和粤北大中型水库底泥重金属富集系数以Cd最高;粤中和粤西大中型水库底泥重金属富集系数则以Cu最大.总体而言,粤北大中型水库底泥重金属具有很强的潜在生态风险,粤东和粤中大中型水库底泥重金属潜在生态风险程度为中等;粤西大中型水库底泥重金属属于轻微生态风险程度.结果说明,广东省大部分地区大中型水库底泥的重金属潜在生态风险主要是由于底泥中Cd的潜在生态风险系数过高所造成.人为生产活动,特别是矿产开采造成的污染是广东省大中型水库底泥重金属潜在生态风险等级提高的主要原因.     

重金属在土壤生态系统中的富集及毒性效应

对清水塘重金属污染区土壤生态系统重金属的富集及毒性效应的研究结果表明,土壤中 主要富集的重金属元素为生物毒性较强的Cd、Hg、As以及具有一定毒性的Zn、Pb、Cu,平均综 合污染指数为640.大型土壤动物重金属含量的分析结果表明,重金属富集量随污染程度的 增加而增加,尤其某些巨蚓科种类对Cd表现高富集,富集系数为1196.通过染毒试验进一 步证明,土壤动物种类和数量随Cd浓度的增加而减少.同工酶分析表明,Cd对蚯蚓同工酶活性 有明显的毒性效应.污染区主要种植蔬菜作物,而重金属在蔬菜体内的富集量也随污染 程度的增加而增加,其中蔬菜对Cd的富集有明显的品种间差异.     

不同土壤生境下斑茅对重金属的富集特征

为了筛选Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd多重金属离子的富集植物,对不同土壤生境(铜铁矿、钨矿、铅锌矿和无矿场污染)的优势种斑茅(Saccharum arundinaceum(Retz.)Jeswiet)对Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd离子富集情况进行了调查。结果表明,斑茅对Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd离子有富集优势并以Cu富集显著,斑茅根系土壤与斑茅地上部Cu含量存在相关性(P<0.05),斑茅对Pb和Cd的富集与转运存在极显相关性(P<0.01);在强酸、多金属污染弃耕农田土壤中,斑茅不仅符合Cu超富集植物的特征,而且其对Zn、Pb和Cd3种重金属的富集系数和转运系数均>1。在Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn均低于国家土壤环境质量二级标准(GB15618-1995)的弃耕农田中,斑茅对Cu、Zn和Cd的富集系数均>1。研究表明,斑茅可以作为Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd多金属污染土壤的富集植物进行人工修复。     

应用稳定同位素研究广西东方洞食物网结构和营养级关系

稳定性同位素技术已经成为研究生态系统食物网结构和营养级关系及其动态变化的重要手段。应用稳定同位素技术(δ13C和δ15N)研究了东风洞的食物网结构和营养级关系。研究结果表明,东风洞主要为腐食食物链,由于在洞穴内黑暗带中无光照也无植物生长,所以碳源主要为东风洞中的土壤有机质,作为第一营养级;主要摄食关系为马陆与土壤有机物质,螺类与土壤有机物质等;在该洞生态系统中,将3种马陆直接作为初级消费者,以隅蛛和其它马陆平均值之间的差值(2.04‰)作为东风洞食物网稳定氮同位素的富集因子。根据营养级模型可知,马陆类群、细长钻螺等土壤动物,裸灶螽和涂闪夜蛾形成第二营养级,即初级消费者;第三营养级包括蜘蛛类、盲蛛、地蜈蚣以及黑眶蟾蜍,为次级消费者。     

珠海夹洲岛无瓣海桑与秋茄群落对重金属吸附能力的比较研究

为了解外来红树植物无瓣海桑对重金属的吸附能力, 以期为其科学引种和合理规划滩涂红树林造林提供科学依据, 选取珠海夹洲岛两片恢复背景和林龄相同的无瓣海桑(Sonneratia apetala)和秋茄(Kandelia candel)人工林, 比较研究裸滩和两种人工林土壤、两种红树植物体和林区内3 种不同生活型底栖动物体内Cd、Pb、Cr、Cu、Zn 的含量。结果发现: (1)无瓣海桑人工林土壤中仅Cr 含量略低于秋茄人工林, 其余4 种重金属含量均高于秋茄人工林。(2)5 种重金属在无瓣海桑体内含量的加权平均值大小排列为: Zn > Pb > Cu > Cr > Cd, 而秋茄为: Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd。(3)无瓣海桑对Pb、Cu 和Zn 的累积量高于秋茄, 而对Cd 和Cr 的累积量低于秋茄。(４)无瓣海桑对5 种重金属的富集系数大小排序为: Pb > Cd > Cu > Zn > Cr, 而秋茄为: Cd > Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb。无瓣海桑对Pb 的富集能力最强, 对Cr 的富 集能力最弱; 而秋茄对Cd 的富集能力较强, 对Pb 的富集能力最弱。(5)植食性褶痕相手蟹(Sesarma plicata)重金属的含量与红树植物叶子同一元素含量呈显著正相关(p<0.01), 而底表类中国耳螺(Ellobium chinense) 和底栖类褐蚶(Didimarca tenebricum)体内重金属的含量与林区土壤重金属的含量呈显著正相关(p < 0.01)。这些表明了外来红树植物无瓣海桑对重金属的吸附能力明显不同于乡土红树植物秋茄, 人工林区底栖动物体内重金属含量不仅与沉积环境中重金属含量有关, 而且还与底栖动物自身的生活型和食性密切相关。     

粤东铅锌尾矿三种优势植物对重金属的吸收和富集特性研究

为探讨铅锌矿废弃地优势植物在重金属污染土壤植物修复中的应用潜力,利用野外采样分析法,从粤东梅县丙村铅锌尾矿区采集其三种优势植物类芦、黄荆、盐肤木的根、茎、叶和土壤样品,测定和分析Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd四种重金属含量.结果表明:该矿区土壤污染严重,Pb、Zn、Cd含量远超土壤环境质量的三级标准,Cu超出二级标准;根际土壤和非根际土壤重金属含量均为Pb＞Zn＞Cu＞Cd,但根际土壤的重金属含量显著低于非根际土壤;这三种植物对Pb、Zn、Cu的转移系数大于1.0,对Cu的富集系数最高,Pb最小,但对四种重金属的富集系数均小于1.0,均未达到超富集植物临界含量标准.三种植物为该矿区的优势植物,说明它们对土壤的重金属污染有很强的耐性,虽然并非典型的超富集植物,但对污染土壤仍有较好的修复效果.     

铜尾矿区土壤与凤丹植株重金属富集研究

对安徽铜陵铜尾矿区凤丹种植地的土壤和凤丹中重金属污染状况进行了研究.结果表明,尾矿库区种植地极端贫瘠,有机质含量仅1.1～3.4g·kg^-1,而土壤Cu、Cd、Pb、Zn含量皆高于对照土壤,其中Cu含量达587.43～1176.44mg·kg^-1,Cd含量达3.08～5.16mg·kg^-1,约达国家土壤二级标准的10倍.凤丹各部位的Cu、Cd和Pb含量均超过了药用植物的限量标准,尤其是根皮部位Cu含量达31.50～64.00mg·kg^-1,Cd含量达0.98～1.45mg·kg^-1,超出标准1.6～3.6倍,表明种植地和凤丹都受到严重污染.凤丹不同部位中的Zn、Cd、Pb和Cu分别以茎、叶、叶和根皮中的含量最高.凤丹对Cd、Zn的富集比Cu和Pb高,但在根皮中的富集系数均较小.     

洞穴环境因子对动物群落结构的影响——以贵州松桃神女洞为例

神女洞是位于贵州松桃县的一个典型喀斯特洞穴,由于洞口已有一部分被旅游开发,为了能较详细地记录该洞穴的动物资源状况,了解洞穴环境条件与洞内动物群落结构之间的关系,及部分环境因子对洞穴动物空间分布的影响,2016年7月,在贵州松桃神女洞进行了较为深入的调查,共采获动物标本645号,土壤样本9份（250 g/份）,并对空气温湿度及CO、CO2、O2、H2S 4种气体的含量进行现场测定。动物标本经鉴定,隶属3门8纲13目24科37种。斑灶马（Diestrammena marmorata）为优势种,占整个类群的67.60%。用原子吸收法测定了洞穴土壤中重金属Pb、Cd的含量,原子荧光法测定Hg、As的含量,并对这4种重金属进行污染评估,结果显示,Hg污染严重,含量超出中国土壤背景值,综合污染指数远远超过重度污染等级线。结合多样性指数运用相关性分析方法分析该洞穴动物群落的结构特征,结果表明,该洞穴动物群落的均匀度指数J''和优势度指数C与空气中H2S含量呈现显著相关关系;最大多样性H''max与温度呈极显著负相关。用典型相关分析方法分析洞穴动物的空间分布状况与环境因子相关性。唇足纲（Chilopoda）、两栖纲（Amphibia）和哺乳纲（Mammalia）的动物在空间分布上差异较小,且与空气中CO2和土壤中铅的含量成正相关;蛛形纲（Arachnoidea）的分布与O2含量呈正相关;倍足纲（Diplopoda）喜生活在较潮湿的地方;腹足纲（Gastropoda）的分布与空气中H2S的量正相关。     

贵州董背洞和水江洞内动物群落结构与部分环境因子的相关性

在2002—2005年的2月和7月共5次赴荔波董背洞和水江洞对肉眼能见到的软体动物、节肢动物和脊索动物进行了观察和采集,在董背洞共获标本440号,隶属3门5纲10目20科39种或类群;在水江洞共获标本498号,隶属3门6纲11目20科25种或类群。根据上述两洞内各光带中动物种类和数量组成不同,将其划分为6个动物群落,经群落多样性分析,物种丰富度、群落多样性、最大多样性、均匀度、优势度和相似性指数最高的分别是群落B(4·1059)、H(2·4716)、B(3·3322)、E(0·9042)、C(0·3442)和A—C(0·5251)。此外还研究了群落多样性与部分环境因子的相关性,如温度、湿度、空气中CO2和N2含量、土壤有机质和部分无机盐含量等。用Pearson相关系数进行分析,结果显示土壤中有机质的含量与物种数、物种丰富度和群落最大多样性指数都呈极显著正相关,相关系数分别为0·885、0·909和0·868(双尾显著性检验均P≤0·05),与群落多样性指数呈显著正相关,相关系数为0·611(双尾显著性检验,P≥0·1),由此证明土壤有机质的含量是影响洞穴动物群落变化的重要因子之一;在地表,温、湿度是影响动物群落多样性变化的重要因子,但在特殊的溶洞内由于洞尾段的温度四季较稳定和整个洞穴内的湿度均较高,故与群落多样性的相关性不显著。     

贵州波多洞和甲良洞内部分环境因子与动物群落结构的相关性

在2002-2005年的2月和7月多次赴荔波波多洞和甲良洞对肉眼能见到的软体动物、节肢动物和脊索动物进行了观察和采集。在波多洞共获标本1045号,隶属3门6纲13目27科45种或类群,在甲良洞共获标本469号,隶属3门6纲9目24科52种或类群。根据上述两洞内各光带中动物种类和数量组成,可划分为6个动物群落。经群落多样性分析,物种丰富度、群落多样性、最大多样性、均匀度、优势度和相似性指数最高的分别是群落D（8.3223）、D（3.4677）、D（3.8286）、D（0.9057）、C（0.0404）和D-E（0.6611）。环境因子与群落多样性的相关分析结果显示：土壤中有机质的含量与物种数、物种丰富度、群落多样性和群落最大多样性指数都呈极显著正相关（相关系数分别为0.908、0.913、0.826和0.818）,与群落均匀度指数呈显著正相关（相关系数为0.674）;空气中CO2的含量与物种数、物种丰富度、群落多样性、群落最大多样性和均匀度指数都呈负相关（相关系数分别为-0.324、-0.552、-0.573、-0.345和-0.742）。这些结果暗示土壤有机质的含量和空气中CO2的含量是影响洞穴动物群落变化的重要因子。     

Health risk assessment by toxic metals in little egrets (Egretta garzetta) and food chain contaminations

This study analysed heavy metals from little egret (Egretta garzetta). Egret’s Eggs, egg shells, food (fish and insects), blood, meat samples (thigh, liver, and chest), water, soil and sediments samples were collected from the two selected sites of the study area. Samples were analysed on flame atomic absorption spectrometer after acid digestion. Detected metals were found almost inline of concentrations when compared with the both sites. Among detected metals Mn was found higher in concentration (µg/g) i.e. 18.509 followed by Zn i.e. 9.383, Ni, Cu, Pb and Cd. Sediment exhibited higher levels (µg/g) of metals (25.061) followed by the meat (19.044) egrets food (18.825), excreta (16.26), blood serums (4.577), eggs (3.626) and water samples (2.432).The level of metals in sediments of the study are showed environmental concerns. Health risks were also investigated that were compared to guidelines of WHO and FAO threshold limits. It was found a marginal health risk to life through detected metals. This study revealed that little egret are good bio-indicator for the screening and investigation of contaminates presence in the environment.     

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Pharmacological Important Medicinal Plants Consumed in the Bannu District,Pakistan

This study assesses the contents of heavy metals in the four most commonly used indigenous medicinal plants in the Bannu District, Pakistan. The rapid appraisal approach was used along with semi-structured interviews with elderly people and herbalists for selection of indigenous plants. Heavy metals were determined via flame atomic absorption spectrometer by acid digestion of samples. Four medicinal plants were selected after interviews of 53 local residents and herbalists. Plant and soil samples were obtained for evaluations from a wastewater zone (WWZ) and a clean water zone (CWZ). Indigenous plants from the WWZ showed considerably higher metal contents compared to the CWZ. The trend of metals for indigenous medicinal plants grown in clean water was Mn > K > Na > Zn > Co > Fe > Cu while for wastewater the trend appeared as Co > K > Na > Zn > Fe > Mn > Cu. An alternative significant extent of research is needed to qualify the assessment of the human health insinuations of consumption of indigenous remedies. The heavy metal content of administering herbal medicine should be screened, as formulation and processing of medicine may affect heavy metal contents of the remedies.     

A Study on actinobacterial diversity of Hampoeil cave and screening of their biological activities

Caves are oligotrophic, dark and less-explored environments and are considered as sources of promising microbial strains in biotechnology. Hampoeil Cave is located in massive dolomite with thin bedded limestone in northwestern of Iran. In an isolation and screening program, various samples from soil, water, floor, wall and ceiling of Hampoeil cave and its invertebrates were collected. Four various treatments and 10 different isolation media were used for the isolation of the actinobacteria. Screening of the isolates for antimicrobial activity against 10 bacteria and fungi, 5 hydrolytic enzymes production and resistance to 5 heavy metals have been performed. Among 33 various samples, 76 actinobacteria from various genera, including Streptomyces, Micromonospora, Micrococcus, Kocuria and Corynebacterium were isolated. Eighty percent of the strains had one of the studied hydrolytic enzyme activity. At least one type of antimicrobial activity was seen in 25.3% of the isolates. Resistance to one metal or more was seen in 26.32% of the isolates. The ratio of rare-actinobacteria in the oligotrophic samples to enriched samples is 20% more than Streptomyces. Percentage of strains with the highest activity in esterase, amylase, DNase, protease or lipase activity that were isolated from organic-rich environmental samples were 100, 100, 100, 82 and 82%, respectively. Also, 26.32% of the actinobacterial isolates resisted to heavy metals. It was concluded that Hampoeil cave is a good source in finding cave-living actinobacteria potent in producing hydrolytic enzymes and bioremediation.     

Impact of microgravity on radiobiological processes and efficiency of DNA repair

Three major plant bioassays, i.e., the Allium root anaphase aberration (Allium-AA), the Tradescantia-micronucleus (Trad-MCN) and the Tradescantia stamen hair mutation (Trad-SHM) tests, were utilized in soil solutions or shallow well water samples to determine the degree of their genotoxicity. Shallow well water samples were collected from five different farms, and soil solutions were extracted with distilled water or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) from pesticide-contaminated (metolachlor, atrazine, extrazine, and 2, 4-D) and pesticide-free soil samples. Genotoxicity was expressed in terms of anaphase aberration (AA) frequencies in the Allium-AA test, in terms of micronuclei frequencies in the Trad-MCN test, and in terms of pink mutation events in the Trad-SHM test. On average, results of Allium-AA tests showed a 2.78-3.01 fold increase in anaphase aberration frequencies in contaminated soil solution samples and well water samples as compared with the negative control. Results of Trad-MCN tests showed a 1.66-4.75 fold increase of MCN frequencies in contaminated soil solution samples and shallow well water samples as compared with the frequencies of the controls. Results of Trad-SHM tests showed a 2.7-2.86 fold increase of pink mutation events in the contaminated soil solution samples over that of the controls. Control groups of the Allium-AA tests had an average of 0.75/1000 anaphase figures, and control groups of the Trad-MCN tests had an average of 3.2 MCN/100 tetrads, while control groups of the Trad-SHM tests had an average of 1.4 mutation events/1000 hairs. In general, soil solutions of DMSO extracts showed higher genotoxicity than that of distilled water extracts. Among these three plant bioassays, the Trad-MCN test has the highest efficiency. The highest toxicity, based upon the Trad-MCN test results, was found in the pesticide contaminated soil samples from Monroe's farm. Water samples from the Fountain Green/Bushnell area ranked second in genotoxicity.     

The packing density in proteins: standard radii and volumes.

The sizes of atomic groups are a fundamental aspect of protein structure. They are usually expressed in terms of standard sets of radii for atomic groups and of volumes for both these groups and whole residues. Atomic groups, which subsume a heavy-atom and its covalently attached hydrogen atoms into one moiety, are used because the positions of hydrogen atoms in protein structures are generally not known. We have calculated new values for the radii of atomic groups and for the volumes of atomic groups. These values should prove useful in the analysis of protein packing, protein recognition and ligand design. Our radii for atomic groups were derived from intermolecular distance calculations on a large number (approximately 30,000) of crystal structures of small organic compounds that contain the same atomic groups to those found in proteins. Our radii show significant differences to previously reported values. We also use this new radii set to determine the packing efficiency in different regions of the protein interior. This analysis shows that, if the surface water molecules are included in the calculations, the overall packing efficiency throughout the protein interior is high and fairly uniform. However, if the water structure is removed, the packing efficiency in peripheral regions of the protein interior is underestimated, by approximately 3.5 %.     

Arsenic and heavy metals health risk assessment through drinking water consumption in the Peshawar District,Pakistan

This study aimed to assess the drinking water quality and human potential health risk in Peshawar, which is the most populous district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. Water was randomly collected throughout Peshawar District (urban = 45 samples and rural = 29 samples). These samples were analyzed for heavy metal (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) concentrations using the atomic absorption spectrometer (Perkin Elmer, AAS-PEA-700). Heavy metal concentrations in drinking water revealed the highest pollution index (PI) values—17.80, 11.92, 7.50, and 5.70 for the Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni, respectively. The contaminations of Cd and Pb were significantly higher (p < .05) than their maximum allowable limits set by the World Health Organization. Heavy metal contaminations in drinking water were evaluated for health risk assessment: the chronic risk or hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk. Results revealed that HQ values were >1 for the Cd and Pb, suggesting that the exposed human beings could be at chronic risk. Therefore, serious measures such as drinking water treatments and contamination controlling policies are needed to avoid the hazardous effects of toxic heavy metals.     

Heavy metal contamination in water,soil, and milk of the industrial area adjacent to Swan River,Islamabad, Pakistan

Trace heavy metals such as Cr(III), Ni(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), and Cu(II) are hazardous pollutants and are rich in areas with high anthropogenic activities. Their concentrations were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy, and it was found that their concentrations were several fold higher in downstream Swan River water samples of the Kahuta Industrial Triangle as compared to upstream. Heavy metal soil concentrations taken from the downstream site were 149% for Cr, 131% for Ni, 176% for Cd, 139% for Zn, 224% for Pb, and 182% for Cu when compared to samples from the upstream site. Quantitative analysis concluded that these metals were higher in milk samples collected from downstream as compared to the samples from upstream water-irrigated sites. The order of metal in milk was as Zn > Cr > Cu > Cd > Pb = Ni. Heavy metal contaminations may affect the drinking water quality, food chain, and ecological environment. It was also suggested that the toxicity due to such polluted water, soil, and milk are seriously dangerous to human health in future.