Heavy metal accumulation in frogs surrounding an e-waste dump site and human health risk assessment

Abstract

This study was performed heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, and Pb) in water, soil and frogs around an electronic-waste dump site. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of heavy metals in three frog species and potential human health risks were assessed. Heavy metals were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The Cd and Pb concentrations in water samples and As and Pb concentrations in soil samples from within the e-waste dump site exceeded the standards. The heavy metal concentrations in the muscles of three frog species were as follows: Cr?>?Pb?>?As?>?Cd, and there were no significant differences among frog species except in the case of Pb (p?<?0.05). Only the Cr concentrations exceeded the food quality standards. The relative order of the BAFs for heavy metals in frogs as a result of uptake from the water and soil was Cr?>?As?>?Pb?>?Cd and Cr?>?As?>?Cd?>?Pb, respectively, which indicated that the uptake from water was greater than that from the soil. The assessment of the health risk index and carcinogenic risk (CR) indicated potential human health effects from As, Cr, and Pb via the consumption of frogs.     

Assessment of potential health risk of heavy metals in soils from a rapidly developing region of China

Soil heavy metal contamination is a major environmental concern, and health risk associated with heavy metals is not fully explored. A combination of spatial analysis and Monte Carlo simulation was successfully used to identify the possible sources and health risk of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu) in soils collected from a rapidly developing region of China. It was found that mean concentrations of Cd (0.17 mg/kg ), As (8.74 mg/kg ), Hg (0.15 mg/kg ), Pb (27.28 mg/kg ), and Cu (33.32 mg/kg ) were greater than the soil background values. Accumulation and spatial variability of heavy metals were significantly affected by anthropogenic activities and soil properties. The risk assessment indicated that non-carcinogenic risk was not significant. However, 95% of the total cumulative carcinogenic risk of children was greater than 1E-05, implying high potential carcinogenic risk with As and Pb representing the major contributors. Ingestion of heavy metals in the soils was the main exposure pathway compared with the inhalation and the dermal exposure. Concentration of heavy metals in the soils, particulate emission factor, and dermal exposure ratio were the major parameters affecting health risk. This study highlights the importance of assessment of soil direct exposure health risk in studying heavy metal exposures.     

新疆焉耆盆地辣椒地土壤重金属污染及生态风险预警

从新疆加工辣椒主产地(焉耆盆地)采集105个辣椒地典型土壤样品,测定其中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb和Zn等8种重金属元素的含量。采用污染负荷指数(Pollution load index,PLI)、潜在生态风险指数(Potential ecological risk index,RI)和生态风险预警指数(Ecological risk warning index,I_(ER))对辣椒地土壤重金属污染及生态风险进行评价。结果表明:(1)焉耆盆地辣椒地土壤Cd、Cr、Ni、Pb和Zn含量的平均值分别超出新疆灌耕土背景值的1.65、1.40、1.32、3.21、6.42倍。辣椒地土壤Pb和Zn呈现重度污染,Cd、Cr和Ni轻度污染,As、Mn和Cu无污染。(2)土壤PLI平均值为1.40,呈现轻度污染。各重金属元素单项生态风险指数从大到小依次为:Cd、Ni、As、Cu、Pb、Cr、Zn。土壤RI平均值为18.40,属于轻微生态风险态势,IER平均值为-4.78,属于无警态势;博湖县辣椒地污染水平、潜在生态风险程度与生态风险预警等级最高,焉耆县污染水平、潜在生态风险程度与生态风险预警等级最低。(3)辣椒地土壤As、Cd、Pb与Zn主要受到人类活动的影响,Cr、Cu、Mn和Ni主要受到土壤地球化学作用的控制。Cd是焉耆盆地辣椒地生态风险等级最高的重金属元素,研究区农业生产过程中要防范Cd的污染风险。     

Evaluation of bioconcentration factors of metals and non-metals in crops and soil from abandoned mines in Korea

Hazard evaluation of different heavy metal exposure on the crops cultivated around two abandoned metal mine sites was conducted. Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) of nine heavy metals including Cu, Cd, Hg, As, Cr, Zn, Pb, Mn, and Al in the samples of brown rice cultivated at exposed soil were measured. Soil-plant BCF was measured and compared with Korean and US EPA standards. BCF values of analyzed heavy metals except Hg and As were below the limits. BCF of Hg was over 5 times higher than the standard limit. Excess cancer risk (ECR) and hazard quotient (HQ) values of As was higher than the limit and suggested to have carcinogenic as well as non-carcinogenic threat to the public exposed to the sites. The data presented could be utilized in prioritizing abandoned metal mine sites for health effect survey.     

Assessment of heavy metal pollution and human health risk in urban soils of a coal mining city in East China

The aims of this study were to determine the concentrations, distribution, potential ecological risk (PER), and human health risk (Risk) of heavy metals in urban soils from a coal mining city in China. A total of 36 topsoil samples from Huainan city, Anhui, East China, were collected and analyzed for As, Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu. The PER was calculated to assess the pollution level. The hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk were used to assess the human health risk of heavy metals in the study area. The average concentration of As, Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu were 12.54, 0.21, 24.21, 0.19, 49.39, and 21.74 mg kg^?1, respectively. The correlations between heavy metals indicated that Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb mainly originated from automobile exhaust emissions, coal gangue, fly ash, and industrial wastewater, and that As and Hg mainly came from coal combustion exhaust. The PER index values of heavy metals decreased in the following order: Hg > Cd > As> Cu > Pb > Cr. The HI and Risk values indicated that the noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of selected metals in the urban soil were both below the threshold values.     

芫菁体内斑蝥素的含量及存在形式

【目的】测定芫菁体内斑蝥素的含量及其存在形式。【方法】利用气相色谱法测定了8种芫菁和作为对照的黑翅红蝉体内总斑蝥素和游离斑蝥素的含量,总斑蝥素含量是通过酸水解法测得的,游离斑蝥素含量是通过直接浸提法测得的,以总斑蝥素与游离斑蝥素含量之差作为结合斑蝥素含量; 并比较了结合斑蝥素与钙、镁含量之间的相关性。【结果】芫菁体内总斑蝥素的含量为游离斑蝥素含量的1～9倍,总斑蝥素的含量一般多于虫体干重的2.0%,而游离斑蝥素的含量均低于虫体干重的1.7%。黑翅红蝉体内不含任何形式的斑蝥素。斑芫菁属和豆芫菁属昆虫中的结合斑蝥素含量与钙元素呈正相关,斑芫菁属中结合斑蝥素含量与镁元素呈正相关,而豆芫菁属中结合斑蝥素含量与镁元素呈负相关。斑芫菁属昆虫体内钙元素的摩尔量要低于结合斑蝥素的摩尔量。【结论】芫菁体内总斑蝥素含量远高于游离斑蝥素的含量;结合斑蝥素可能是以斑蝥素酸钙和斑蝥素酸镁形式存在。     

不同炮制方法对斑蝥体内有效物质的影响

在采用不同炮制方法处理3种斑蝥后,测定它们体内的游离斑蝥素和结合斑蝥素的损失率.结果显示:在浅程度炮制方法的处理下,3种斑蝥体内的游离斑蝥素损失率均小于60%,而结合斑蝥素损失率均大于60%;深程度炮制方法的处理下,3种斑蝥体内的游离斑蝥素损失率均小于80%,而结合斑蝥素损失率均大于80%.结合斑蝥素的损失率及损失的量...     

湖南省主要水系底泥重金属污染特征及其生态风险评价

为全面了解湖南省主要水系底泥中重金属含量及其潜在生态风险,在湖南省内的湘、资、沅、澧以及洞庭湖5个主要水系共采集了75个位点的底泥样品,分析了重金属元素含量和来源分布特征,并采用地累积指数法、内梅罗指数法和潜在生态风险指数法对其污染程度和潜在生态风险进行评价。结果表明,As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Pb和Zn的平均含量分别为32.87、7.59、78.09、70.69、1182.60、85.64 mg/kg和482.44 mg/kg。湘江和洞庭湖的污染相对严重,底泥中重金属含量明显高于资江、沅江和澧水;相关性分析表明多种重金属具有相同污染来源;地累积指数评价结果显示,湖南省主要水系底泥中Cd为重污染水平,Zn为中度污染,Cu、Mn和Pb均为轻度污染,而As和Cr污染程度为清洁;内梅罗指数法评价结果表明,除Cr为轻度污染外,湖南省主要水系底泥中其他6种重金属污染均为重污染级别;潜在生态风险评价结果显示,湖南省总体潜在生态风险属于中等级别,各水系潜在生态风险大小顺序为洞庭湖>资江>湘江>澧水>沅江,重金属Cd的潜在生态风险级别为很强,其他重金属元素都属于轻微级别。     

A human health risk assessment of heavy metals in agricultural soils of Yanqi Basin,Silk Road Economic Belt,China

A total of 195 farmland soil samples were collected in Yanqi Basin, Xinjiang, northwest China, and the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were analyzed for their concentrations and pollution levels using the Nemerow comprehensive index. The health risk assessment model introduced by USEPA was utilized to evaluate the human health risks of heavy metals. Results indicated that the average concentrations of these seven metals were lower than the allowed soil environmental quality standards of China, while the average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn exceeded the background values of irrigation soils in Xinjiang. The average contamination factor (CF) for Pb indicated the heavy pollution, whereas the CF for Cd, Zn, Ni, Cu and Cr indicated the moderate pollution. The average PLI of heavy metals indicated the low pollution. The non-carcinogenic hazard index were below the threshold values, and the total carcinogenic risks due to As and Cr were within the acceptable range for both children and adults. As and Pb were the main non-carcinogenic factors, while As was the main carcinogenic factor in the study area. Special attentions should be paid to these priority control metals in order to target the lowest threats to human health.     

深圳市不同功能区土壤表层重金属污染及其综合生态风险评价

在综合考虑深圳市城市功能区分异特征的基础上,进行全市表层土壤系统采样,全面监测土壤表层8种重金属元素污染状况,分析不同重金属元素含量的统计学特征,探讨不同城市功能区对土壤表层重金属污染的影响,采用内梅罗指数和潜在生态危害指数评估不同重金属元素和不同城市功能区的生态风险水平,分别进行基于两种方法的全市重金属污染生态风险分区。结果表明: 1)深圳市土壤表层的Mn、Ni、Cr和Pb 4种元素受人为活动的影响程度较低,Cd、Zn、Cu和As 4类元素受人为活动影响较大。地表环境约束因素背景下的高强度城市化和工业化过程,是各种重金属污染区域分异和功能区分异的决定性因素。2)深圳市土壤重金属污染风险较高的重金属元素为Cd、Zn、Cu和Pb,特别是Pb污染问题尤为突出,必须加强管控工作。深圳市总体土壤表层重金属污染风险水平高于国内相关城市,需要引起足够重视。3)内梅罗指数法和潜在生态危害指数法的侧重点不同,在单一重金属元素风险判断、不同城市功能区生态风险的总体评价,以及市域土壤重金属污染生态风险分级评价方面结果差异较大,组合使用效果更好。     

Performance of rose scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) in heavy metal polluted soil vis-à-vis phytoaccumulation of metals

An investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of heavy metal toxicity on growth, herb, oil yield and quality and metal accumulation in rose scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) grown in heavy metal enriched soils. Four heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Cr, and Pb) each at two levels (10 and 20 mg kg–1 soil) were tested on geranium. Results indicated that Cr concentration in soil at 20 mg kg–1 reduced leaves, stem and root yield by 70, 83, and 45%, respectively, over control. Root growth was significantly affected in Cr stressed soil. Nickel, Cr, and Cd concentration and accumulation in plant increased with higher application of these metals. Chromium, nickel and cadmium uptake was observed to be higher in leaves than in stem and roots. Essential oil constituents were generally not significantly affected by heavy metals except Pb at 10 and 20 ppm, which significantly increased the content of citronellol and Ni at 20 ppm increased the content of geraniol. Looking in to the higher accumulation of toxic metals by geranium and the minimal impact of heavy metals on quality of essential oil, geranium can be commercially cultivated in heavy metal polluted soil for production of high value essential oil.     

Health Risk Assessments Based on Existing Data of Arsenic,Chromium, Lead,and Zinc in China's Air

Health risk assessments of As, Cr, Pb, and Zn in air in China were carried out from a national perspective. Concentrations of the four metals in air were gathered from published literature. Health risk assessment models recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) were applied to quantitatively characterize risk values of the metals by considering different age groups. Results showed that the atmospheric metal concentrations in most regions of China were lower than their inhalation reference concentrations provided by the USEPA, or limited values provided by China. Non-carcinogenic hazard values of the four metals in different regions of China were all lower than 1, indicating no or low non-carcinogenic hazard. However, the probabilities of carcinogenic risk values for As and Cr exceeding the acceptable value (1.0E-05) were 9% and 10% on a national scale, respectively. Some regions, such as Shanxi, Chongqing, Liaoning, and Shanghai, should be studied in more detail. Despite uncertainties, the results of this study provide information on the health risk of As, Cr, Pb, and Zn in air in China.     

Heavy Metal Contamination in Urban Surface Soil of Klang District (Malaysia)

This study aimed to determine bioavailability of heavy metal concentrations (Al, Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Cd, Pb and Cr) in 76 urban surface soil samples of Klang district (Malaysia). This study also aimed to determine health risks posed by bioavailability of heavy metals in urban soil on adults and children. For bioavailability of heavy metal concentrations, a physiologically bioavailability extraction test in vitro digestion model was used. Mean values of bioavailability heavy metal concentrations for this study were found to be the highest in Al (25.44 mg/kg) and lowest in Cr (0.10 mg/kg). Results of Spearman correlation coefficient (r) values showed significant correlations were observed for Al-Fe (r = 0.681), Cd-Co (r = 0.495), Cu-Zn (r = 0.232), Fe-Pb (r = 0.260), Fe-Zn (r = 0.239). For cluster analysis, output showed that these heavy metals could be classified into four clusters: Cluster 1 consisted of Cd, Cr, Co, and Pb; Cluster 2 consisted of Zn and Cu; Cluster 3 consisted of Fe; and Cluster 4 consisted of Al. For Clusters 1 and 2, anthropogenic sources were believed to be the sources, while for Clusters 3 and 4 the heavy metals originated from natural sources. Health risks were determined in adults and children through health risk assessment. For adults, Hazard Quotient (HQ) value was <1, indicating no non-carcinogenic risk, while for children, the HQ value was >1, indicating a non-carcinogenic risk. Meanwhile, for carcinogenic risk, heavy metal contamination in the Klang district might not pose a carcinogenic risk to adults while it may pose a carcinogenic risk to children because TR values in this study were >1.0E-04 for children. Output has identified the general health risk in the Klang district. Moreover, this study's findings will contribute to fill in the gap of knowledge on heavy metals' impacts on human health and urban development in the Klang District.     

龙胜县丘陵山区土壤与罗汉果重金属含量及潜在生态危害评价——以宝赠村为例

桂林市龙胜县作为罗汉果的三大主产区之一,种植区土壤重金属含量及罗汉果质量影响到该区罗汉果产业的健康发展.为探索龙胜县丘陵山区典型贫困村罗汉果园的安全性,该文研究了宝赠村典型罗汉果园土壤及罗汉果果实中砷、铜、锌、铅、镉、铬、汞7种重金属含量,并采用Hankanson指数法分析了其潜在生态风险.结果表明:(1)龙胜丘陵山区...     

Source identification and risk assessment of heavy metals in road dust of steel industrial city (Anshan), Liaoning,Northeast China

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to acquire the source and evaluate the risk posed by heavy metals in road dust of steel industrial city (Anshan), Liaoning, Northeast China. Potential ecological risk index (RI), pollution index (PI) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) were applied to evaluate the heavy metal pollution level, and the carcinogenic risk (RI) and hazard index (HI) were calculated to estimate the human health risk. The geographic information system maps clearly reveal the hot spots of heavy metal spatial distribution. Principle component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) classified heavy metals into three groups. The metal Zn and Pb originate from the traffic emission, while Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni and Sb primarily come from industrial activities. These two pathways were the major source of heavy metals pollution by positive matrix factorization (PMF). The Igeo and PI values of heavy metals were decreased in the following order: Cd?>?Sb?>?Zn?>?Fe?>?Pb?>?Cu?>?Cr?>?Sn?>?Mn?>?Ni. The RI index showed the heavy metals were moderate to very high potential ecological risk. The HI values for children and adults presented a decreasing order of Cr?>?Pb?>?Ni?>?Cu?>?Cd?>?Zn. The HI also predicted a possibility of non-carcinogenic risk for children living in urban areas in comparison with adults.     

Source apportionment and health risk assessment of heavy metals in agricultural soils in Xinglonggang,Northeastern China

Heavy metals in soil can affect human health through the exposure pathways of oral ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation. In this study, to assess the health risk of heavy metals in the agricultural area of Xinglonggang, 52 soil samples were collected and tested to obtain the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn in the soil. The enrichment factor indicated that the heavy metals of the agricultural soils were enriched, but the degree of enrichment was mild for all of the heavy metals. Coefficient analysis and principal component analysis indicated that V, Cr, Ni, and Pb were mainly from natural sources, As was from irrigation, Cu and Cd tended to be from chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and Zn was from mixed sources including irrigation, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. A human-health risk assessment indicated that the residents in the study area face high risk from carcinogens and low risk from noncarcinogens; As and Cr are the major heavy metals affecting human health. This study provides a reference and a basis for formulating effective measures to prevent and control heavy metal enrichment in agricultural soils.     

Heavy metal contamination and health risks of indoor dust around Xinqiao Mining Area,Tongling, China

Abstract

In this study, the concentrations and health risks of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Cd, and Cr) in indoor dust are investigated in the vicinity of the Xinqiao mining area, Tongling, China. Results indicate that heavy metals except Co were clearly enriched in indoor dust. Especially Cd was extremely enriched, followed by Zn, Cu, and Pb. However, no significant regional differences (p?>?0.05) were found in other elemental contents aside from Cu. Statistical analysis revealed that metal elements except Co were presumed to originate primarily from mining activities. Health risk assessment indicated that the hazard quotients and hazard indices of all studied metal elements were less than 1 and thus posed no potential noncancer health risks to adults and children. Moreover, the cancer risks of Ni, Cr, Cd, and Co were within acceptable ranges, implying no cancer risk to local residents; however, the noncarcinogenic risk of Pb and the carcinogenic risk of Cr and Cd warrant close attention.     

Total nitrogen and pH-controlled chemical speciation,bioavailability and ecological risk from Cd,Cr, Cu,Pb and Zn in the water level-fluctuating zone sediments of the Three Gorges Reservoir

We investigated the distribution and chemical speciation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in the water level-fluctuating (WLF) zone of the main stream (MS) and tributaries (ZX and MX) of the Three Gorges Reservoir. We evaluated the ecological risk and pollution level from heavy metals based on the Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), Risk Assessment Code (RAC), and Ratio of Secondary Phase and Primary Phase (RSP). Our results indicated that the total and bio-available heavy metal contents were higher in the tributaries than in the MS. Moderate pollution from Cd and light pollution from Pb were observed both at the MS and ZX sites, whereas the MX site exhibited a pattern of heavy Cd pollution and light Cr and Pb pollution. In our study area, the results indicated that Cd exhibited a higher ecological risk than did the other heavy metals. Finally, the pH and nitrogen content of sediments may play a key role in controlling the amount of heavy metal bioavailability, further inducing a higher potential ecological risk.     

芫菁科昆虫体内斑蝥素的气相色谱法测定

分别采用酸水解法和直接浸提法处理不同种芫菁样品、短翅豆芫菁Epicauta aptera Kaszab的卵和大斑芫菁Mylabris phalerata Pallas的不同虫体部位,后用气相色谱仪测定斑蝥素含量。结果表明:用酸水解法处理后的芫菁体内斑蝥素含量较之用直接浸提法处理后有显著提高,增高幅度在1~9倍之间,其中以豆芫菁属Epicauta昆虫的增高幅度最大,一般在7倍以上,而斑芫菁属Mylabris的斑蝥素含量增幅不高,芫菁卵中斑蝥素含量变化不显著;斑蝥素主要富集于大斑芫菁的腹部。     

Comprehensive comparison of probabilistic health risks of soil heavy metals in China’s mining areas

Abstract

To assess the health risks caused by soil heavy metal in China’s mining areas, concentration data for eight heavy metals in 77 mines were collected from previous literature. Monte Carlo simulation was used to analyze the corresponding carcinogenic risks and noncarcinogenic risks, and sensitivity analysis was carried out for each parameter. The results showed that among the different types of mining areas, multi-metal mines have the highest risk of carcinogenesis, followed by tungsten and antimony mines. Their carcinogenic risk values are all greater than 10^?4, which is unacceptable. Pb is a heavy metal with highest noncarcinogenic risk. The log-transformed value is 3.2, which is much larger than the threshold of 0; Pb is followed by As and Hg. Therefore, Pb, As, and Hg are the heavy metals that should be controlled preferentially in polluted mining areas. Sensitivity analysis showed that the soil ingestion rate, exposure frequency, and pollutant concentration level are the factors that have the greatest impacts on health risks. More attention should be paid to these factors when addressing heavy metal pollution in mining areas. In addition, for the surveyed mines, children had a greater health risk than adults, so children should be given extra attention.