Journal of trace elements and minerals最新文献

This study explore the characteristics of heavy metal pollution, contamination levels, and potential ecological risks in riverine sediments found in both gold mining and pristine areas. Such investigations are vital for the ongoing monitoring and preservation of water bodies and overall ecosystem health. In total, 44 composite sediment samples were collected from seven pristine environments and four mining sites. These samples underwent preparation, digestion, and analysis for heavy metal content, utilizing the inductively coupled plasma emission mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Various tools and models, including the geo-accumulation index, enrichment factor, and degree of contamination, were employed to assess the impact of pollution on the environment. Modified ecological risk index were also used to evaluate potential ecological risks. The average concentrations of heavy metals in pristine sites spanned from 0.01±0.01 (Cd) to 73,753.64 ± 388.15 mgkg⁻¹ (Fe), while in mining sites, they ranged from 0.04±0.02 (Cd) to 56,394.25±400.66 mgkg⁻¹ (Fe). Comparing these concentrations against the USEPA Ecological Screening Values, Mean Shales levels, and the Canadian ISQG, it became evident that Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni, Co, and Mn concentrations generally remained below the recommended guideline values in both pristine and mining areas. However, concentrations of Cr, As, Cu, and Hg exceeded the prescribed threshold limits, particularly in the mining regions. Through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Geometrical Analysis for Interactive Aid (GAIA) modeling, two primary sources of heavy metals were identified: anthropogenic-related and geogenic-related. GAIA and PCA together explained 78.53 % and 79.40 % of the total variability in heavy metal concentrations, respectively. Overall, the pollution and ecological risk assessment indicated low to moderate contamination levels, with a notable exception of high arsenic contamination in the Nyam river. The findings of this study hold significance for assessing sediment conditions and river quality in mining communities within Ghana and globally. They also provide empirical data to recommend measures for mitigating water contamination in such communities.

Background

The cascade of events involved in metal-induced neurotoxicity is described as complex and are linked to the chemical properties of the metals involved. These events include alterations of membrane properties, impairment of neurotransmission, oxidative stress, inflammation, deregulation of cell signaling, and apoptosis. Yet the mechanisms of metal induced neurotoxicity is not clear. However, in recent times studies have shown that natural dietary and plant products may contain potent constituents that may be used to treat diverse neurological disorders.

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to summarize recent literature on mechanisms of selected PDFGS in attenuating metal-induced neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration.

Methodology

Literature search was carried out in scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Environmental Index, Toxline, and Toxnet. A modified variant of the CONSORT checklist was used to assess the quality of in vitro studies while the SYRCLE assessment tool was used for the assessment of the risk of bias for in vivo studies. A total of 20 studies were included in the systematic review (in vitro studies (6) and animal studies (14)).

Results

Evidence collated in this review highlighted mechanisms involved in the activities of PDFGS which include; attenuation of metal-induced alterations of neurotransmission impairment (curcumin, hesperidin, berberine), synaptic dysfunction (curcumin, hesperidin, berberine), mitochondrial dysfunction (curcumin, hyperforin), oxidative stress(curcumin, Mangiferin, tannic acid, hesperidin, genistein, gastrodin, quercetin, dihydromyricetin), neuroinflammation(mangiferin, fisetin, curcumin, hesperidin, gastrodin, quercetin), dysregulation of cell signaling(curcumin, hesperidin, berberine, and apoptosis(fisetin, mangiferin, curcumin, berberine, tannic acid, hesperidin, genistein, gastrodin, quercetin, dihydromyricetin).

Conclusion

In all, in-depth mechanistic insights of metal-induced neurotoxicity, as well as the knowledge of PDFGS neuroprotective mechanisms will make significant progress in the development of therapeutic interventions for the prevention and alleviation of metal-induced neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration.

Introduction

Pathogenic transmissions due to pest/insect interactions with host plants have become major threat to crop production and food security globally. Over the last decade, the quest to secure the quality and quantity of food for a growing population has prompted the need to maximize food productivity and crop protection.

Methods

Relevant literatures in this field were sought for, to document the progress and strategies put in place to curtail the spread of pest/insect vectors affecting food crops.

Results

Among these strategies, the application of chemical intervention (without which, physical damages to the food crops due to insect activities would be great, leading to yield losses) have led to the problems of resistance in target pest species, bioaccumulation in the food crops, adverse environmental conditions as well as health-related consequences in humans. However, the progress in nanotechnology and the encapsulation of trace metals onto biopolymers to form effective nanostructured biocides for crop protection is gaining significant scientific impetus. In this work, the nutritive and antinutritive composition of trace elements on food crops as well as the pathways and mechanism of action of zerovalent trace metal encapsulated biopolymers towards crop protection was reviewed in details.

Conclusion

Nanoparticles encapsulated biocide in this review have revealed potential application as alternative to chemical interventions. Therefore, industrial action for the production of nanobiocides in an expanded application is required.

Background

The Araguari River is one of the most important rivers from Amapá State and its waters are essential as source of drinking water and food, especially for the traditional Amazonian populations. These populations have fish as their main protein source; however, studies have shown the metals bioaccumulation in fish caught in the Araguari River and the risks to human health resulting from fish consumption. Our objective was to investigate the bioaccumulation of Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Hg in muscle tissue from the fish species Ageneiosus inermis and Hoplias aimara, and to evaluate the risks to human health resulting from their consumption.

Methods

Fish sampling was carried out between September and October 2018 at two sampling sites located in the Araguari River upper section. The metal concentrations quantification was performed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, except for Hg whose concentrations were determined using a hydride generator coupled to Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. For risk assessment of each metal individually we use the risk quotient (RQ) approach. To assess the risk of metal mixtures, present in fish muscle samples, we used the risk index (RI) approach. We also calculate the estimated daily intake (EDI).

Results

There was no statistical difference in the bioaccumulation of metals between both fish species. Only Cd and Pb presented average concentrations higher than the maximum limits established by Brazilian legislation aimed at protecting human health. The RI values obtained for both fish species were > 25, which indicates high risks to human health. The EDI values obtained for Hg in both fish species exceeded their reference dose (RfD). Taken together, our results show that these fish species are unfit for consumption.

Conclusions

Based on our results we recommend that the population does not consume the species A. inermis and H. aimara. When suspending consumption of both species is not possible, reducing their consumption is mandatory to reduce the exposure of human populations to toxic metals bioaccumulated in fish muscle tissue and thus reduce health risks.

Background

Cadmium, a hazardous element, is indeed naturally present in the environment and can pose serious health risks to people exposed to it through air, food, or water. Exposure to cadmium has been linked to a range of health issues, including kidney, liver, and lung failure.

Methods

Various samples from different sources are analyzed for their cobalt(II) content by extraction followed by UV–visible spectrophotometry and compared with atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Results

The reagent 2-chlorobenzaldehyde thiocarbohydrazone forms yellow 1:2 [Cd(II)-2CBTCH] complex in ethylene chloridewhich was extracted from an acetate buffer (pH 5.8) and observed maximum absorbance at 420 nm. The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity of the complex was reported to be 0.7868 × 10⁴ L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ and 0.01428 µg cm⁻². The method obeys Beer's law in the range of 3.5–9.5 µg mL⁻¹ of [Cd(II)-2CBTCH] complex, which indicates linearity between two variables. For five replicate determinations (n = 5), the standard deviation was 0.84 with the regression equations as y = 0.0661 x + 0.01 with R² = 0.999 as the correlation coefficient. The relative standard deviation (% R.S.D.) was found to be 0.84.

Conclusion

The method was effectively used in variety of foods and water samples and was evaluated its performance in terms of Student ‘t’ test and Variance ‘f’ test, which indicates the significance of the present method as an inter comparison of the experimental values using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Background

Keshan disease (KD) is a fatal dilated cardiomyopathy that is mainly endemic through northeast to southwest China's low-selenium belt. KD may result in adverse outcomes such as heart enlargement, heart failure, and cardiogenetic death.

Results

The nutritional biogeochemical etiology theory has been acknowledged as one of the primary etiology hypotheses for KD, primarily suggesting that selenium deficiency and coxsackie virus infection are the main causes of KD. The element selenium, which has antioxidant and immune-enhancing effects, is a component of selenoprotein. The prevention and treatment of KD are impacted by selenium supplementation. The pathogenesis of KD is associated with related genetic polymorphisms and gene mutations, such as SEPHS2, SCN5A, GPX-1, and ALAD.

Conclusion

The pathogenic mechanism has not yet been completely explored. ALAD gene may be a causative locus for KD, and selenium supplementation reversed the pathological process of KD.

Background

The Middle East, including Iraq, is undergoing significant climate change, which has accelerated desertification, drought, and dust storms. Rapid industrialization and urbanization, which frequently contaminate the atmosphere with hazardous metals, are to blame for these changes.

Methods

The human health risks of six common heavy metals, including lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni), were examined in dust particles that were collected from five major administrative districts in Iraq in order to understand the impact of particle size on heavy metals in a sandy dust storm. The hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (RI) were used to evaluate the health risk for both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic substances.

Results

smaller particles' Cu and Cd concentrations generally increased from 63 μm to 75 μm, and the maximum Cr content was discovered in the particles (75 μm). The HI values of heavy metals were less than 1 and suggested that these elements did not offer a non-cancer risk to either adults or children. TCR values for Ni were higher than 1 × 10⁻⁶ in particle size (63 μm, 75 μm, and 200 μm) for children. Moreover, TCR values for Cr were higher than 1 × 10⁻⁶ in particle size (63 μm and 200 μm) with the exception that Cr in all sites were higher than TCR 1 × 10⁻⁴ in particle size (75 μm) for children

Conclusion

The amounts of six metals varied according on the size of the dust storm's particles. Given their health hazard, these metals' health concerns, particularly those of chromium and nickel for children, should receive significant attention.

Background

Groundwater is a sustainable resource that provides potable water for millions of people. Contamination of groundwater by metals and metalloids (MMs) may, therefore, pose serious health threats to consumers.

Objective

This study aimed at assessing the health risk of MMs in groundwater resources around the vicinity of sanitation facilities at different markets in Abeokuta metropolis, southwestern Nigeria.

Methods

Fifty hand-dug wells around the waste sanitation facilities in ten markets from the Abeokuta metropolis were monitored. Groundwater samples were analysed for MMs using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Health risk assessment (non-carcinogenic hazard quotient [HQ], and cancer risk [CR]) were estimated in groundwater.

Results

Significantly higher (p<0.01) levels of MMs were observed in groundwater from the market areas than in the control site. The health risk assessment showed high HQs greater than the acceptable limit of 1.0 for Mn and Pb, establishing non-carcinogenic adverse health effects. Co also indicated carcinogenic effects in the groundwater from the market areas showing a CR value greater than the permissible limit of 1.0 × 10⁻⁴.

Conclusion

This study established the detrimental effects of market wastes on the surrounding groundwater quality.

Background

Mercury is one of the metals responsible for environmental contamination and the intoxication of human beings, mainly due to the increasing use of mercury in the formation of amalgam, a metallic alloy formed by the reaction between mercury and metallic gold, which is often drained into the aquatic environment.

Aim

Therefore, this study evaluated 20 species of fish and seafood, commercialized in the metropolitan region of Belém (Pará, Brazil).

Materials and methods

Mercury was quantified using DMA. The limits of detection and quantification obtained were 0.027 and 0.091 μg g^-1, respectively. The fresh fish muscle samples (n = 3) were weighed in a nickel boat and placed in the autosampler of the DMA for the quantification of total Hg (THg). Method accuracy was realized and confirmed using fish protein-certified reference material for trace metals (DORM-4).

Results

The mercury concentration (THg) of fish samples ranged from 0.003 to 0.209 μg g^-1, pratiqueira, and codfish, respectively. Assessment of health risks associated with the ingestion of mercury present in fish was carried out from the Estimated weekly intakes (EWI), Target hazard quotient (THQ), and Maximum Safe Consuming Quantity (MSCQ). Consumption of fish and seafood may pose a non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk.

Conclusion

The value of THg concentrations in all species was within the regulatory limits for fish, except Corvina fish sample that was below the limit of detection. The RiskHg was less than 1, showing a low risk of mercury exposure. The PTWI ranged from 0.005 to 0.323 for a consumption of 173 g of fish. The THQ values found were lower than 1, showing that the samples studied do not have a carcinogenic effect when consumed. The MSCQ values obtained were considered high, since the index is related to the mass of 25 g of fish consumed daily. This study showed the importance of monitoring and assessing the health risk of mercury in fish and seafood consumed by the population.