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.     

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.     

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.     

Fingernails as biological indices of metal exposure

Metal determination in human tissues is the most common application of biological monitoring for screening, diagnosis and assessment of metal exposures and their risks. Various biopsy-materials may be used. This paper deals with the quantitative determination of Cd, Pb, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn concentrations in nails of male subjects exposed to these metals alongwith their respective controls, while working in locomotive, carriage and roadways workshops, and lead battery factories. The levels of Cd, Pb, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn in fingernails, assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, were compared with their respective controls by student ‘t’ test. All the obtained values were correlated to the personal and medical history of the subjects under study. Significantly high levels of Cd, Pb, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn were present in smokers, compared to nonsmokers. The concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cr, Mn and Fe were not significantly high in vegetarian subjects. It was also observed that there is no contribution of liquor towards nail-metal concentration. Significant correlations were observed between skin disease and Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu; hypertension and Cd, Mn, Cu; mental stress and Cd, Pb, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn; diabetes and Cr, Mn, Ni; chest pain and Pb; respiratory trouble and Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn; tuberculosis and Zn; acidity and Cd; and ophthalmic problems and Mn, Fe, Ni, and Zn     

浙江油茶产地土壤和果实金属元素含量特征

为探讨油茶(Camellia oleifera)产地土壤和油茶果实中金属元素分布和富集特征,在油茶果实成熟期,对浙江5个油茶产地土壤及油茶果实中金属元素进行污染分析和富集能力评价.结果表明,浙江油茶产地土壤中Pb、Cr、Cd、As、Hg、Ni、Cu和Zn含量低于农用地土壤污染风险筛选值,综合污染等级为安全.个别产区常山...     

Heavy metal contamination in vegetables grown around peri-urban and urban-industrial clusters in Ghaziabad,India

Heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils resulting from rapid industrialization and urbanization is of great concern because of potential health risk due to dietary intake of contaminated vegetables. The present study aims to evaluate the status of heavy metals contamination of agricultural soils and food crops around an urban-industrial region in India. Transfer factor values of Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Ni from soil to vegetable was estimated. The mean heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg) in agricultural soils (Cu: 17.8, Cr: 27.3, Pb: 29.8, Cd: 0.43, Zn: 87, Mn: 306.6, Fe: 16984, and Ni: 53.8) were within allowable concentrations for Indian agricultural soil. The concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, and Ni in crops/vegetables exceeded the World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization safe limits. Relative orders of transfer of metals from soil to edible parts of the crops/vegetables were Cd > Pb > Ni > Zn > Cu > Cr. The enrichment factors of heavy metals in soil indicated minor to moderately severe enrichment for Pb, Cd, and Ni; minor to moderate enrichment for Zn; no enrichment to minor enrichment for Mn; and no enrichment to moderate enrichment for Cu at different sites. Ecological risk index of soil showed considerable contamination in one of the wastewater irrigated sites.     

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.     

Screening of Trace Metals in the Plasma of Breast Cancer Patients in Comparison with a Healthy Population

The plasmas of breast cancer patients and healthy donors were analyzed for selected trace metals by a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In the plasma of breast cancer patients, mean concentrations of macronutrients/essential metals, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn were 3584, 197.0, 30.80, 6.740, 5.266, and 6.170 ppm, respectively, while the mean metal levels in the plasma of healthy donors were 3908, 151.0, 72.40, 17.70, 6.613, and 2.461 ppm, respectively. Average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, and Zn were noted to be significantly higher in the plasma of breast cancer patients compared with healthy donors. Very strong mutual correlations (r > 0.70) in the plasma of breast cancer patients were observed between Cd–Pb, Cr–Li, Li–K, Li–Cd, K–Cr, Li–Pb, Cr–Co, Cu–Ni, Co–K, Cd–K, and K–Pb, whereas, Al–Cr, Ca–Zn, Cd–Sb, Cd–Zn, Ca–Mg, Fe–Zn, and Na–Mn exhibited strong relationships (r > 0.60) in the plasma of healthy donors. The cluster analysis revealed considerably different apportionment of trace metals in the two groups of donors. The average metal concentrations of different age groups of the two donor categories were also evaluated, which showed the build-up of Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Li, Pb, Sb, and Zn in the plasma of breast cancer patients. The role of some trace metals in carcinogenesis is also discussed. The study indicated appreciably different patterns of metal distribution and correlation in the plasma of breast cancer patients in comparison with the healthy population.     

Effects of Municipal Sewage Sludge Doses on the Chlorophyll Contents and Heavy Metal Concentration of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris var. saccharifera)

The present study was conducted to assess the suitability of sewage sludge amendment (SSA) in soil for Beta vulgaris var. saccharifera (sugar beet) by evaluating the heavy metal accumulation and physiological responses of plants grown at a 10%, 25%, and 50% sewage sludge amendment rate. The sewage sludge amendment was modified by the physicochemical properties of soil, thus increasing the availability of heavy metals in the soil and consequently increasing accumulation in plant parts. Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cu concentrations in roots were significantly higher in plants grown at 25% as compared to 50% SSA; however, Cr and Zn concentration was higher at 50% than 25% SSA. The concentrations of heavy metal showed a trend of Zn > Ni > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd in roots and Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cd in leaves. The only instance in which the chlorophyll content did not increase after the sewage sludge treatments was 50%. There were approximately 1.12-fold differences between the control and 50% sewage sludge application for chlorophyll content. The sewage sludge amendment led to a significant increase in Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni concentrations of the soil. The heavy metal accumulation in the soil after the treatments did not exceed the limits for the land application of sewage sludge recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The increased concentration of heavy metals in the soil due to the sewage sludge amendment led to increases in heavy metal uptake and the leaf and root concentrations of Ni, Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Zn in plants as compared to those grown on unamended soil. More accumulation occurred in roots and leaves than in shoots for most of the heavy metals. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Pb were more than the permissible limits of national standards in the edible portion of sugar beet grown on different sewage sludge amendment ratios. The study concludes that the sewage sludge amendment in the soil for growing sugar beet may not be a good option due to risk of contamination of Cr, Pb, and Cd.     

Phytoextraction capacity of the Chenopodium album L. grown on soil amended with tannery sludge

The metal accumulation potential of Chenopodium album L. grown on various amendments of tannery sludge (TS) was studied after 60 days of sapling planted. The analysis of the results showed that the levels of pH, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, organic matter and DTPA extractable metals (except Mn) of amendments increased by the addition of tannery sludge ratio. Shoot length of the plant increased by the addition of sludge, whereas, no marked change was observed in root length, fresh and dry weight of the plant. Accumulation of the metals in the plants was found in the order; Fe > Mn > Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cd. Translocation of toxic metals (Cr, Pb, Cd) in different parts of the tested plant was found in the order; leaves > stems > roots. An increase in the photosynthetic pigments, carotenoid and leaf protein contents of the plants were found to increase with increase in sludge amendments. Correlation analysis between metal accumulation in the plants with DTPA extractable metals emphasized that Mn, Ni, Cr, Pb and Cd showed positive correlation (p < 0.05), whereas, Fe, Zn and Cu showed negative correlation. Transfer factor analysis emphasized that 10% TS amendments were suitable for phytoextraction of Cr. Overall analysis of the data exhibited that the plants may be used for phytoextraction of Cr from tannery waste contaminated soil as most of the metal was accumulated in harvestable part which is a matter of serious concern, whenever used for edible purposes.     

Total and speciation analyses of heavy metals in the sand fraction of Nigerian oil sands for human and ecological risk assessment

Total metal analysis and metal speciation of sand fraction of Nigerian oil sands were done to extract and partition heavy metals into six operationally defined fractions in order to assess environmental and health implications of the oil sand development. Soxhlet extraction of bitumen from the oil sand was done using toluene. Traces of water and extracting solvent were removed at 70°C from the sand fraction using oven. Elemental analysis was performed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The heavy metals except Cu have low Pollution index values. Negative geo-accumulation index was obtained for the metals except Cu, indicating that the oil sands were uncontaminated with the metals. Strong and significant positive correlations existed between Fe/Pb, Zn/Cu, Cd/Pb, Ni/Cd, Ni/Pb, Cd/Fe, Ni/Fe and Cr/Zn, while strong and significant negative correlations existed between Mn/Pb and As/Mn, indicating common sources or chemical similarities and vice versa. T-test results indicated significant differences between the concentrations of the metals. Cross-plot analysis showed strong positive correlation between the sand fraction and Nigerian bitumen. Speciation analysis indicated highest and lowest indices of metal mobility for Zn and Pb, respectively. This study concluded that the sand fraction may not pose any environmental risks from elemental point of view.     

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.     

Geochemical cycling of heavy metals in a marine coastal area: benthic flux determination from pore water profiles and in situ measurements using benthic chambers

Concentrations of the heavy metals Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were measured in sea water, suspended matter, sediments and pore water samples collected in a coastal area of the middle Tyrrhenian Sea. Concentration factors between pore water (extracted from the first centimeter of the sediments) and the overlying sea water (taken 30 cm above the sea bed) were less than 1 for Cr, Cu and Pb, 1–10 for Cd and Ni, 10–100 for Fe and Co, 100–1000 for Mn, and 1–100 for Zn.The benthic fluxes of heavy metals at the sediment-water interface were measured directly using in situ benthic chambers and calculated using Fick's first law during two experimental periods, one in 1986 and the other in 1988. The fluxes of Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn varied significantly over time; this appeared to be related to their relatively low ( 10) concentration factors. From the benthic chamber experiments, metals with positive fluxes were in the order: Mn > Fe > Co > Cd, while those with negative fluxes were: Zn > Pb > Ni Cu. Fluxes calculated using Fick's Law were: positive – Mn > Fe > Zn (or Zn > Fe) > Ni > Co > Cd, negative fluxes Pb > Cu > Cr.Measured (benthic chamber) and calculated (Fick's first law) fluxes for Co, Cd, Mn, Pb and Fe were comparable within an order of magnitude, although less agreement was found for Cu, Ni and Zn. Removal of Ni and Zn at the sediment-water interface has been proposed to explain the fact that the measured and calculated fluxes have opposite directions for these metals.     

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.     

Phytoremediation of the toxic effluent generated during recovery of precious metals from polymetallic sea nodules

Recovery of metals from the polymetallic sea nodules at the pilot plant at National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, India has generated a highly toxic effluent. This effluent contains several metals like Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb, Cr, and Cd that pollute the neighboring water bodies when discharged. Hence detoxification of this effluent was practiced using two plants: Lemna minor and Azolla pinnata for 7 days. During investigation A. pinnata removed 96% of Mn, 97% of Cu, 98% of Zn, 70% of Fe, 96% of Pb, 93% of Cr, 78% of Cd, and was comparatively more effective than L. minor which removed 94% of Mn, 86% of Cu, 62% of Zn, 74% of Fe, 84% of Pb, 63% of Cr, 78% of Cd. During the 7 days of experiment chlorophyll content decreased by 51% and 59% in A. pinnata and L. minor respectively. Based on our findings we can suggest that these two plants have wide range of metal retention potentialities hence can be of routine use for purification of toxic effluents.     

Simultaneous production of pullulan and biosorption of metals by Aureobasidium pullulans strain CH-1 on peat hydrolysate

It was demonstrated that during the growth of Aureobasidium pullulans strain CH-1 on the acid hydrolysate of peat from the Vlasina Lake, the content of metals (Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr) decreased due to biosorption. The reduction in the metal content was found to be in the range (%): 38.2-62.2, 67.7-97.3, 0.02-62.05, 0.05-23.97, 0.16-4.24, 3.45-51.72, 1.18-35.82, 0.86-44.44, for Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr, respectively. During this process, the metals were accumulated in the biomass, while pullulan, an extracellular polysaccharide produced by Aureobasidium pullulans strain CH-1, was found not to bind the above-mentioned metals.     

包头南海子湿地三种鹭鸟羽毛与环境中重金属含量的关系

于2016年7至10月采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法(ICP-OES),测定了内蒙古包头南海子湿地繁殖期过后的白琵鹭(Platalea leucorodia)、苍鹭(Ardea cinerea)和夜鹭(Nycticorax nycticorax)3种鹭鸟初级飞羽及环境因子(水、土壤、食物)中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb、Zn、Fe、Mn、Hg 10种重金属的含量,采用单因素方差分析方法比较了不同鹭鸟种类羽毛重金属含量差异,并通过生物富集系数及Pearson相关性检验分析了羽毛与环境因子间重金属含量之间的关系,以揭示包头南海子湿地环境中重金属污染现状及生物富集特征。结果表明:(1)被检测的10种重金属中,As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn、Hg 7种元素在湿地环境中均已超标,尤其土壤中Fe、Zn、Cu已达到重度污染的程度。(2)不同重金属元素在鹭鸟羽毛中的含量存在差异,其中Fe元素在白琵鹭羽毛中的含量水平最高(388.77 mg/kg),Cd元素在夜鹭羽毛中的含量最低(0.12 mg/kg)。在鹭鸟羽毛中重金属含量由高至低的顺序分别为,白琵鹭Fe、Zn、Mn、Cu、Hg、Cr、Ni、Pb、As、Cd,苍鹭Zn、Fe、Cu、Cr、Ni、As、Mn、Hg、Pb、Cd,夜鹭Zn、Fe、Mn、Cu、Ni、Pb、Hg、Cr、As、Cd。除Pb和Cd元素外,其他8种元素含量在3种鹭鸟羽毛中的含量种间差异显著。(3)相关分析表明,鹭鸟羽毛中的重金属含量与环境因子中的重金属含量显著相关且呈现富集特征,为此可作为监测当地环境污染的指示性材料。     

刺楸年轮中重金属含量动态变化及富集特性

为探索刺楸对受污染土壤重金属的富集和修复效应, 以南京栖霞山的乡土树种刺楸及其根际周边土壤为研究对象, 截取其根基部年轮盘及根际土壤样本, 采用ICP-AES法测定年轮及土壤样本中重金属(Cu、Cd、Cr、Mn、Ni、Pb、Zn)元素含量。结果表明: 栖霞山样地中的土壤受Mn、Pb和Zn污染最为严重, 存在Cu、Cd、Mn、Pb、Zn元素的高度复合污染, Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Zn在土壤和年轮中存在相关性, Mn和Pb则没有表现出明显的相关性; 刺楸修复受Cd、Mn、Pb、Zn污染的土壤效果并不显著, 更适用于Cr、Cu、Ni污染的土壤修复; 鉴于Cu元素含量变化特征, 刺楸也可以作为反映当地污染历史的记录载体; 刺楸年轮中的重金属元素之间存在交互作用, 其中Cd与Zn元素含量高度相关(r=0.984, p<0.01), 在刺楸年轮吸收重金属元素的过程中, Cu与Cd、Cr、Mn、Zn元素具有协同作用, Mn元素对其他元素有一定的拮抗作用。     

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).     

Metal Speciation and Contamination in Dredged Harbor Sediments from Kaohsiung Harbor,Taiwan

The status of metal speciation and contamination of sediments in Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan, was evaluated by a five-step sequential extraction procedure (exchangeable, carbonate, Fe–Mn oxides, organic matter, and residual). Eleven dredged sediment samples from various locations in the harbor were characterized in terms of heavy metals, grain size, and total organic carbons. Results showed that Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Mn had different species composition patterns. The degree of sediment contamination was determined for an individual contamination factor (ICF) and a global contamination factor (GCF); results showed that Kaohsiung Harbor had a high potential risk for Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu. Based on GCF values, the results showed that those stations, located in the vicinity of the river mouth, fish port, and industrial sites, contributed high potential risk to Kaohsiung Harbor. The potential risk of heavy metals to the environment was assessed for risk using the risk assessment code (RAC) and results showed that Pb, Cd, Zn, and Mn generally created a medium to high risk, and Hg, Cr, Cu, and Ni generally created a low to medium risk.