Element concentrations in the boreal forest moss Hylocomium splendens: variation related to gradients in vegetation and local environmental factors

This study aims at assessing the suitability of Hylocomium splendens as a biomonitor for heavy metal deposition and contributing to the understanding of mineral nutrient uptake mechanisms in forest floor bryophytes. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Cd, Cu and Pb were determined in Hylocomium splendens segment samples collected at 196 permanent vegetation plots from eleven monitoring areas, where the vegetation-environment relationships had previously been thoroughly studied. Element concentrations in Hylocomium splendens were related to environmentally interpreted vegetational gradients, cover of understorey vascular plants, and local environmental conditions, including element concentrations in humus, soil moisture and tree impact, by means of correlation analyses performed separately for each area. A combined test was performed for each Hylocomium splendens variable over all eleven areas, showing that concentrations of Ca, Cd and Mg in Hylocomium splendens were strongly correlated with the main vegetational gradient and with pH and concentrations of Ca and total N in humus, indicating considerable uptake of nutrients by Hylocomium splendens from water that has been in contact with humus. These relationships were less strong in the climatically most humid areas. Concentrations of all elements were more or less strongly correlated with one or more variables reflecting tree influence (tree density as measured by basal area and two crown influence indices) reflecting that throughfall precipitation, modified by leaching from the canopy, partly accounts for input of elements, especially for K, Cd and Mg. Only concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cu were significantly correlated, negatively, with vascular plant cover, indicating that supply of elements by leaching from understorey vascular plant foliage is negligible. The concentration of Cu in Hylocomium splendens was only weakly correlated, and the concentration of Pb unrelated to vegetational gradients and most environmental conditions. The results indicate that atmospheric deposition accounts for most of the input of Pb, confirming the suitability of Hylocomium splendens as a biomonitor for this element. For elements such as Cd local environmental conditions should be carefully considered, even when data from regional moss surveys are to be interpreted. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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.     

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.     

Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) loeske as bioindicator of metal pollution in polar regions

The length of gametophytes in the moss Sanionia uncinata and concentrations of the elements Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in this moss and in the parent rock material were measured in West Spitsbergen (Svalbard). Samples were collected at different distances from the seashore from pure colonies in a wet moss tundra, a moderately wet moss and herb tundra, and a dry rock and terrestrial tundra. Not any statistical relation (PCCA) between concentration of elements in mosses and type of tundra habitat could be found. The principal component and classification analysis (PCCA) ordination revealed that S. uncinata from sites the most close, the most remote and on an intermediary distance from the seashore differentiated by the value of factor 1, which relates negatively to concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and V. S. uncinata from sites situated the most close to and the most distant from the seashore was differentiated by the value of factor 2, which was negatively related to concentrations of Na, Ni and Mn in this moss. The established model points that Na, Mn, Cu, Ni and Zn were accumulated by S. uncinata mostly from sea spray.     

Minor and trace elements in human milk from Guatemala,Hungary, Nigeria,Philippines, Sweden,and Zaire

Concentrations of As, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, V, and Zn were determined in human whole milk samples from Guatemala, Hungary, Nigeria, Philippines, Sweden, and Zaire; in most of these countries, three groups of subjects representing different socioeconomic conditions were studied. Analytical quality control was a primary consideration throughout. The analytical techniques used were atomic absorption spectrophotometry, atomic emission spectrometry with an inductively coupled plasma, colorimetry, electrochemistry, using an ion-selective electrode and neutron activation analysis. The differences between median concentrations of Ca, Cl, Mg, K, Na, and P (minor elements) were lower than 20% among the six countries. Among trace elements, concentrations observed in Filipino milk for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, and V were higher than for milk samples from other countries. The remaining five countries showed a mixed picture of high and low values. In the case of at least some elements, such as, F, I, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Se, the environment appears to play a major role in determining their concentrations in human milk. The nutritional status of the mother, as reflected by her socioeconomic status, does not appear to influence significantly the breast milk concentrations of minor and trace elements. Significant differences exist between the actual daily intakes observed in this study and current dietary recommendations made by, for example, WHO and the US National Academy of Sciences. These differences are particularly large (an order of magnitude or more!) for Cr, F, Fe, Mn, and Mo; for other elements, such as, Ca, Cu, Mg, P, and Zn, they amount to at least a factor 2. In the opinion of the present authors, these findings point to the need for a possible reassessment of the dietary requirements of young infants with respect to minor and trace elements, particularly for the elements Ca, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, P, and Zn.     

Current and historical patterns of heavy metals pollution in Estonia as reflected in natural media of different ages: ICP Vegetation,ICP Forests and ICP Integrated Monitoring data

In order to characterise current and historical pattern of heavy metal (HM) pollution in Estonia, this article will compare the concentrations and stocks of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn represented in current deposition (data from 18 local precipitation stations) with natural media of three different ages: 1–3-year-old moss carpet (ICP Vegetation moss survey data from 99 open area plots), 3–5-year-old litter layer, and several-decades-old organic layer (mor humus) of coniferous forest, in mostly podzolic soils (ICP Forest soil survey data, 75 stands).Objectives of this study are (1) to assess differences in HM retention and accumulation in various aged media of coniferous stands (2) to estimate territorial differences in current HM distribution and previously accumulated concentrations and stores of HM (3) to compare territorial distribution of HM concentration in Estonia between five different regions: N-W; N-E; S-W; S-E and Western insular region, whereas the local oil shale industry in N-E part of Estonia has been the main source of HM pollution over a long period of time and therefore may have an effect on HM regional distribution.Comparing the studied media, three types of HM retention patterns were detected: (1) for Cu, Ni, Cr (2) for Cd, Pb, (3) for Zn. The mean current level of HM deposition in Estonia is low comparison to previous decades, especially the 1980s. The effect of the previously significantly higher exposure of HM emissions and deposition is preserved in older part of soil organics (OF), where the highest stocks and concentrations of HMs (with the exception of Zn) are currently found. The HM proportions in fly ash of oil shale and in OF layer of soil were very similar with regards to Ni and Cr—indicating their origin from the oil shale industry in the N-E region. According to spatial distribution analysis, the greatest accumulated storages of Ni and Cr in OF layer of coniferous forest soils are characteristic to S-W Estonia.     

Accumulation of heavy metals by aquatic mosses. 2: Rhynchostegium riparioides

A study was made of general ecology and metal accumulation in the widespread aquatic moss Rhynchostegium riparioides, (Hedw.) C. Jens. with a view to developing the use of this species as a monitor of heavy metal pollution. In order to establish a data bank for statistical analysis, samples of water and moss were taken within a 6-week period from 105 sites (10-m reaches) in Northern England from streams and rivers of diverse physical and chemical types. Analyses were made of 14 metals (Na, Mg, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ba, Pb) in both 2-cm tips and whole plants. The same 14 metals were also measured in both total and filtrable water, together with 12 other variables. Samples of tips were easier to prepare for analysis, but had significantly (p < 0.001) lower concentrations of all metals except Na and K. Significant correlations (p < 0.001) between metal in moss and aqueous metal were found for ten metals (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ba, Pb). Correlations between metals in moss and in water were in general similar for tips and whole plants, but much higher for tips with Na, Zn and Cd; the relationship was quite similar whether total or filtrable water was considered, with the exception of Ba where the correlation was much higher with the latter. A multiple regression was used to suggest which variables in water and/ or moss may influence accumulation of Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ba and Pb in the moss. For instance, the variables which had a very highly significant effect on Pb in tips were Pb, filtrable reactive phosphate and Zn in the water. A discussion is included of how the data may be used for monitoring purposes.     

珍稀濒危植物矮牡丹体内矿质元素的研究

采用原子吸收分光光度法测定了矮牡丹体内的10种矿质元素,即K、Mg、Mn、Fe、Ni、Zn、Cu、Cd、Cr、Pb。分析了矿质元素在矮牡丹体内的分布规律及矮牡丹对各种元素的富集能力。结果表明:在不同器官中的矿质元素含量有显著差异, K、Mg、Mn、Ni、Cd、Cr、Pb以叶中为高, Fe、Zn、Cu分别以根、茎、叶柄中含量最高;大多数元素在叶柄中含量最低。矮牡丹对K、Mg、Mn、Fe、Zn有较强的吸收富集能力,一般叶的富集系数较其它器官为高。元素间相关分析表明:Zn、Cd、Cr、Pb、Mn、Fe、Ni、Cu之间有显著的相关性, K、Mg之间的相关性显著。此外,土壤与植物体内元素含量表现出显著的相关性。     

Trace and mineral elements in royal jelly and homeostatic effects

Royal jelly from Apis mellifera is a highly active natural biological substance and is probably one of the most interesting raw substances in natural product chemistry. Trace elements play a key role in the biomedical activities associated with royal jelly, as these elements have a multitude of known and unknown biological functions. For this reason concentrations of 28 trace (Al, Ba, Sr, Bi, Cd, Hg, Pb, Sn, Te, Tl, W, Sb, Cr, Ni, Ti, V, Co, Mo) and mineral (P, S, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn) elements were systematically investigated in botanically and geologically defined royal jelly samples. In addition, concentrations of 14 trace elements were measured in the associated honey samples--honey being the precursor of royal jelly. Concentrations of K, Na, Mg, Ca, P, S, Cu, Fe, Zn, Al, Ba and Sr in royal jelly were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), while concentrations of Bi, Cd, Hg, Pb, Sn, Te, Tl, W, Sb, Cr, Mn, Ni, Ti, V, Co and Mo in royal jelly were determined by double focusing magnetic sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS). In the honey samples, trace and mineral element concentrations strongly depended on botanical and geological origin, and substantial variation was found. In contrast, the concentrations of trace and mineral elements were highly constant in the associated royal jelly samples. The most important results were the homeostatic adjustments of trace and mineral element concentrations in royal jelly. This effect was evidently produced in the endocrine glands of nurse bees, which are adapted for needs of bee larvae. In conclusion, this research yielded a surprising and completely new finding--that royal jelly, as a form of lactation on the insect level, shows the same homeostatic adjustment as mammalian and human breast milk.     

Metals in Tortula muralis from sandstone buildings in an urban agglomeration

Acrocarpous mosses present on stonewalls in urban areas may be used for monitoring purposes. Therefore for this investigation we selected Tortula muralis expecting that this species with an ability to colonise buildings in polluted agglomerations where other species have vanished may provide important information to monitor environmental quality. Concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in T. muralis, in dust deposited on sandstone surfaces, and in the sandstones on which the moss grew were measured. T. muralis appeared to be a good bioindicator of airborne pollution which accumulated especially extremely high Cu, Fe and Zn concentrations reaching values much higher than harmful for plants. There was no relation between metal concentrations in underlying sandstones and T. ruralis. There was a relation between metal concentrations in dust and T. muralis. Cd, Co, Cr, Mn and V concentrations in T. muralis were higher than in dust. The Self-Organizing Feature Map identifying groups of sampling sites with similar concentrations of metals in mosses was able to classify the pollution level by distinguishing groups of highly, medium and less polluted sites. Once trained, SOFM can be applied in ecological investigations and could form a future basis for recognizing e.g. the type of pollution in urban environments by analysing the concentrations of elements in T. muralis.     

Heavy Metal Contamination in Roadside Soil and Their Mobility in Relations to pH and Organic Carbon

Concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cu, Cr, and Mn were determined to assess the impact of automobiles on heavy metal contamination of roadside soil. Soil samples at four polluted sites and a control site were collected at a depth of 0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30?cm. A comparison of elemental levels between polluted and control sites exhibited exceptionally higher concentrations at the former sites. The Pb levels in polluted sites varied from 70 to 280.5?µgg^?1and it rapidly decreased with depth. Similarly, mean concentrations of Zn, Cd, Ni, Cu, Cr, and Mn were significantly higher at polluted sites and followed a decreasing trend with the increase in depth. Correlation coefficients between heavy metals and traffic density were positively significant except for nickel. Profile samples showed that Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Mn were largely concentrated in the top 5?cm confirming airborne contamination. The vertical movement and partitioning of metals, except Ni and Cr, exhibited predominant association with soil pH and organic carbon. The results have been presented using Heavy Metal Index.     

Human health risk assessment of trace elements in shallow groundwater of the Linhuan coal-mining district,Northern Anhui Province,China

Enrichment of trace elements in groundwater poses considerable risks to human health. The concentrations of seven trace elements (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in 34 samples of shallow groundwater from the study area were estimated. We assessed the concentrations of the trace elements and health risks with statistical analysis and the US Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) model. The results showed that the mean concentrations of trace elements decreased as follows: Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Cd > Pb. Apart from Mn at one sampling point, the concentrations of all trace elements were below the guideline values of the World Health Organization for drinking water. Correlation and cluster analysis indicated that the trace elements fell into groups, with Ni and Cu in one group, and Mn, Zn, and Cd in another, which suggested that the trace elements grouped together had similar sources. The total non-carcinogenic risk values ranged from 8.52 × 10^?4 to 1.27 × 10^?1. The total carcinogenic risk caused by Cr and Cd averaged 1.62 × 10^?6, which exceeded the acceptable level of 1 × 10^?6 recommended by the USEPA. The carcinogenic risk of Cr accounted for 75.93% of R_total.     

Element concentrations in mosses and surface waters of western Canadian mires relative to precipitation chemistry and hydrology

Concentrations of N, P, S, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Al, and AIA (acid insoluble ash) m mosses (three Sphagnum species and Tomenthypnum nitens, all hummock species) from a variety of mires, both ombrotrophic and minerotrophic, in the coastal western and central parts of Canada are considered in relation to surface water pH and concentrations of Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl⁻, and SO₄^2- Distinct west-east concentration gradients were present for most elements in both mosses and water, but there were correlations between surface water and moss concentrations only for Ca and Mg
On ombrotrophic sites and sites characterized by poor fen vegetation, wet deposition is the main source of elements in the surface water On rich fen sites, additional Ca and Mg from surrounding soils change the elemental proportions We conclude that hydrochemically the limit between poor and rich fen sites is more decisive than between bog and fen The increase in Ca may give brown mosses a competitive advantage over Sphagnum
Moss concentrations of Na and Mg are the only ones decreasing inland The constancy or inland increase of moss elemental concentrations may depend on either an increasing atmospheric supply (e g Pb), differences in moss growth rates (especially N, P, and K) or site conditions related to the water regime (e g Fe and Al)     

Comparison of Trace Elements in the Scalp Hair of Malignant and Benign Breast Lesions Versus Healthy Women

Trace elements including Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, and Zn were analyzed in the scalp hair samples of women with malignant breast lesions, women with benign breast lesions, and healthy donors using atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In the scalp hair of malignant-tumor patients, the highest average concentration was shown by Ca (1,187 μg/g), followed by Na (655 μg/g), Mg (478 μg/g), Zn (391 μg/g), Sr (152 μg/g), Fe (114 μg/g), and K (89.8), while in the case of benign-tumor patients, the average estimated element levels were 1,522, 1,093, 572, 457, 217, 80.4, and 74.7 μg/g, respectively. Most of the elements exhibited non-normal distribution evidenced by large spread, standard error, and skewness values. Mean concentrations of Ca (634 μg/g), Zn (206 μg/g), Mg (162 μg/g), Fe (129 μg/g), and Na (82.1 μg/g) were noteworthy in the scalp hair of healthy women. Average levels of Na, Sr, K, Cd, Co, Pb, Mg, Ca, Zn, Ni, Sb, and Mn were revealed to be significantly higher in the hair of malignant and benign patients compared to the healthy women; however, Fe, Cu, Al, and Cr were not significantly different in the scalp hair of the three groups. The quartile distributions of Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Sr revealed maximum spread in the scalp hair of malignant and benign groups; nevertheless, Al, Cu, Fe, and Zn exhibited almost comparable quartile levels in the three groups. Strong correlation coefficients were found between Fe and Cd, Al and Na, Mn and Sr, Co and Cr, Cd and Cr, Pb and K, Pb and Mn, Cu and Na, and Al and Fe in the scalp hair of malignant-tumor patients, while Fe and K, Cd and Co, Na and Co, and Cr and Pb showed strong correlations in the scalp hair of benign-tumor patients, both of which were significantly different compared with the healthy subjects. Multivariate cluster analysis also revealed divergent clustering of the elements in the scalp hair of malignant and benign patients in comparison with the healthy women.     

Spatial distribution,contamination levels,sources, and potential health risk assessment of trace elements in street dusts of Urumqi city,NW China

Abstract

A total of 83 dust samples were collected from the streets of Urumqi city in NW China and analyzed for the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn elements. The spatial distribution, contamination levels, main sources, and potential health risks of these trace elements were determined based on geostatistical analysis, geo-accumulation index, multivariate analysis, and the health risk assessment model introduced by the USEPA, respectively. The obtained results indicate that the average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn exceed the corresponding background values determined in Xinjiang soils by factors of 2.0, 1.35, 1.38, 8.24, 1.28, 2.09, and 3.26, respectively. The spatial distribution patterns of the nine trace elements in street dust were found to be substantially heterogeneous, and the contamination level decreased in the following order: Hg?>?Zn?>?Pb?>?Cd?>?Cr?>?Cu?>?As?>?Ni?>?Mn. Based on the identified concentrations, the collected dust samples were found to be moderately polluted by Hg, and not polluted by As, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Ni. The remaining elements, Cd, Pb, and Zn lie on the borderline between non-pollution and moderate pollution levels. Furthermore, it was shown that Mn and Zn in street dusts originate from both, natural and anthropogenic sources, while As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Pb are mainly produced by anthropogenic sources. Overall, the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of the analyzed elements, instigated primarily by oral ingestion of street dusts, were found to be within the acceptable range for both, children and adults. As and Cr are the main non-carcinogenic elements, whereas Cr is the major carcinogenic element among the investigated dust-bound metals in the study area.     

Toxic and Essential Mineral Elements Content of Black Tea Leaves and Their Tea Infusions Consumed in Iran

The metal contents of eleven black tea samples, four cultivated in Iran and seven imported, and their tea infusions were determined. Twelve elements consisting toxic metals (Al, As, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni) and essential mineral elements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ca, and Mg) were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Al, Ca, Mg, and Mn ranged in black tea leaves at mg g⁻¹ levels, while Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn were at μg g⁻¹ levels. Analysis of variance showed no statistically significant differences among most elements determined in cultivated and imported black teas in Iran except for Ni and Cu. The extraction efficiency of each element into tea infusions was evaluated. The solubility of measured metals in infusion extracts varied widely and ranged from 0 to 59.3%. Among the studied elements, Cr, Pb, and Cd showed the lowest rates of solubility and Ni had the highest rates of solubility. The amount of toxic metals and essential mineral elements that one may take up through consumption of black tea infusion was estimated. The amount of realizing each element into tea infusions and acceptable daily intake, for safety consumption of black tea, was compared.     

The Rengen Grassland Experiment: relationship between soil and biomass chemical properties, amount of elements applied, and their uptake

The Rengen Grassland Experiment (RGE) was established in the Eifel Mountains (Germany) on a low productive Nardetum in 1941. Since then, the following fertilizer treatments have been applied with a late two-cut system: unfertilized control, Ca, CaN, CaNP, CaNPKCl and CaNPK₂SO₄. We aimed to understand how concentrations of macro (N, P, K, Ca and Mg), micro (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) and trace (As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb) elements in the plant biomass were affected by long-term fertilizer application, soil chemical properties and biomass production. In 2008, biomass samples from the first cut (early July) and the second cut (mid-October) were collected and analyzed. The simultaneous application of N, P and K decreased nitrogen concentration in the aboveground biomass, but substantially increased biomass production. Late cutting management decreased forage quality in highly productive more than in low productive plant communities. The concentrations of P and K in the plant biomass were positively related to P and K application and, therefore, to plant available P and K concentrations in the soil. The concentrations of some micro (Fe, Mn and Zn) and trace (As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb) elements in the plant biomass were negatively correlated with the amount of elements supplied by fertilizers and biomass production, probably because of the dilution effect. Long-term fertilizer application resulted in the accumulation of macro (P, Ca and Mg), micro (Fe and Mn) and trace (As and Cr) elements in the soil, but in many cases this accumulation was not connected with an increase in the concentrations of these elements in the plant biomass. Nutritional status, as indicated by the biomass N:P ratio, was consistent with N or P limitation as indicated by the nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition indices. Furthermore, additional K (co-)limitation was indicated by the N:K and K:P ratios in the biomass from the NP treatment. The results from the RGE indicate that there is no simple positive relationship between the applied elements and their concentrations in the plant biomass.     

Use of the green alga Ulva rigida C. Agardh as an indicator species to reassess metal pollution in the Thermaikos Gulf, Greece, after 13 years

The concentrations of metals (Mn, Pb, Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd,Co, Ni, Cr, Na, K, Ca, Mg) were determined in thegreen alga Ulva rigida, in the sediment andseawater of Thermaikos Gulf (Greece) during monthlysamplings in 1994–1995. This Gulf is the recipientof domestic and industrial effluents. Pb, Fe, Cu, Coand Cr concentrations in U. rigida at the studyarea were higher than those 13 years earlier andapparently came from different sources than those forZn, Cd and Ni. The relative abundance of metals inthe alga decreased in the order: Mg > Na > K >Ca > Pb > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cr, Cu > Ni >Co > Cd. Only Cu concentrations in the alga fromKalochori and Cd ones from Viamyl showed significantseasonal changes. Cu and Cd concentrations ingeneral followed the same pattern of variation, withminimum values in winter-spring. This pattern isdiscussed in relation to growth dynamics and tissueage. Only Pb concentrations in the alga showed asignificant positive correlation with concentrationsin the seawater. There were both positive andnegative correlations among some metals in the alga. It is concluded that U. rigida can be used as anindicator species, especially for Pb.     

Analysis of trace metals in the Antarctic host-parasite system Notothenia coriiceps and Aspersentis megarhynchus (Acanthocephala) caught at King George Island,South Shetland Islands

Concentrations of the elements Al, Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Sr were analysed by high-performance quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-MS) in the acanthocephalan Aspersentis megarhynchus and in different tissues of its final host, Notothenia coriiceps. Infected fish were sampled at King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Most of the elements were found at significantly higher concentrations in the acanthocephalan than in muscle, liver and intestine of its host. Only Fe was concentrated in fish liver to a significantly higher level than in the parasite. Compared with the host tissues, the highest accumulation rates in A. megarhynchus were found for Pb, Cd, Ag, Ni and Cu. The acanthocephalans showed very high Ag and Pb levels, whereas the concentrations in the fish tissues were close to the detection limit. This study is the first proof that the enormous heavy-metal accumulation capacity reported for acanthocephalans from freshwater fish also occurs in acanthocephalans parasitizing marine fish. Consequently, acanthocephalans can be used to assess the occurrence and availability of even the lowest metal concentrations in all kinds of aquatic habitats, including remote areas such as the Antarctic.     

Fas- and Mitochondria-Mediated Signaling Pathway Involved in Osteoblast Apoptosis Induced by AlCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The concentrations of 13 elements (Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined in several samples of native (wild) naturally growing and cultivated blueberry fruits. The total metal contents after mineralization were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Reliability of the procedure was checked by the analysis of the certified reference materials Mixed Polish Herbs (INGT-MPH-2) and Leaves of Poplar (NCS DC 73350). In the fruits collected in the forest (wild blueberries), higher contents of Ca, Na, and Mg as well as Mn and Zn were observed. Similar levels of Cu, Cr, Fe, and Ni were detected in both wild-growing and cultivated plants. The significantly higher content of Fe and Cd in cultivated blueberries was connected with the content of these metals in soil samples collected from the same places. The metal extraction efficiency by hot water varied widely for the different blueberries (wild or cultivated) as well as their form (fresh or dried).