Journal of trace elements and minerals最新文献

Introduction

The concentrations and risks of metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, Co, Mn, Zn and Fe) in organs of sheep from Southern Nigeria were investigated in this study.

Methodology

A total of 105 sheep organs (kidney, liver and muscles) were collected from abattoirs in five widely distributed areas (Asaba, Benin, Onitsha, Sapele and Warri) in southern Nigeria. The organs were digested using a mixture of nitric and perchloric acids and thereafter the metal concentrations in the digested sample solutions were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Results

The mean concentrations of metals (mg kg⁻¹) were as follows: Cd: 0.05–0.37, Pb 0.86 to 1.99, Cr: 2.20–3.03, Ni: 1.87–3.54, Cu: 17.4–24.3, Co: 1.45–4.30, Mn 192–410, Zn: 41.8–117 and Fe: 423–1068. The concentrations of the metals in the organs were in the order of Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > Co > Pb > Cd while the ability of the sheep organs to accumulate the studied metals followed the order of liver > kidney > muscles. The estimated daily intake values suggested that except for Mn, the intake of metals from the ingestion of these sheep organs was below their respective PTDI. The hazard index and total cancer risk values show that there are no possible risks of non-cancer and cancer risks associated with the consumption of the sheep's organs.

Conclusion

Although there are no health risks associated with the metals in the sheep organs from southern Nigeria, there is, however, a need for continuous monitoring of contaminants in sheep and other animal organs.

Background

Food crop consumption is one of the primary routes through which the environment is polluted with radionuclides, metals, and metalloids. In recent years, the negative impacts of metals, metalloids, and radionuclides on crop quality via the food-human system have jeopardized both human health and food security. Because some metals, metalloids, and radionuclides are persistent and non-biodegradable, they build up in the human body's essential organs, causing a variety of serious health issues, including cancer. It is therefore absolutely essential to evaluate the potential cancer risks of radionuclides as well as metals and metalloids in the food crops consumed in the study area to avoid negative health consequences.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the potential cancer risks of metals and metalloids (As, Cd, Cr, and Pb) and Radionuclides (U-238, Th-232, and K-40) via consumption of food crops cultivated around the Riruwai mining area, northeastern Nigeria.

Methodology

Thirty-three (33) food crops (15 vegetables and 18 cereal crops) were collected directly from the farmlands in the study area. The concentrations of radionuclides, metals, and metalloid in each food crop were assessed using a microwave-plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES) and a high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometer, respectively. The measured concentrations of radionuclides, metals, and metalloid were used to calculate their lifetime cancer risks (LTCRs).

Results

The findings of the study revealed that the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, and Pb in all the investigated food crops were above the threshold limits, while lower activity concentrations in all the investigated food crops below the world average standard were observed in U-238, Th-232, and K-40. LTCRs of all the individual metal and metalloid as well as radionuclide in each food crop were determined to be below the global threshold limits, indicating no likelihood of cancer risk from consuming the food crops. However, it was discovered that the total cumulative LTCRs of all the metals and metalloid in all food crops combined were 2.51E-04, which was over twofold the acceptable limit of 1.00E-04

Conclusion

The individual metal, metalloid, and radionuclide LTCRs in each food crop were found to be below global threshold limits, indicating no cancer risk from consumption. However, the cumulative LTCRs of all the metals and metalloid in all food crops were found to exceed the acceptable level, which requires proper monitoring and government intervention. Cancer risk is influenced by factors beyond food consumption, such as alcohol consumption, heredity, and air pollution, so multidimensional studies are needed before making a final decision on cancer risks in the study area.

Heavy metal (HM) pollution in agricultural soils represents a hidden danger to food security worldwide. In this paper, the spatio-temporal trends of heavy metals from eight countries and 50 soil samples from agricultural farmland were evaluated through a combination of field surveys and meta-analysis to provide a comprehensive report on heavy metal pollution. The soil samples were analysed using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (Perkin Elmer Nixon 300Q). The contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI), and diagnostic tests on the extracted data were calculated. The results of the CF in the soils indicate extreme contamination for Cr, suggesting ecotoxicological effects, while the PLI values range from baseline to moderate pollution for Cd, Hg, Cu, Zn, and Ni, except for Cr, which shows very high pollution, suggesting that the soils have undergone some form of deterioration. The meta-analysis results of the 50 reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2023 showed increasing trends for all the HMs. The weighted mean values of Cd, Cr, Hg, Cu, Zn, As, and Ni were in the range of 0.0-222.7, 0.08-289.2, 0.03-193, 2.94-198.1, 0.0-771.1, 0.0-231, and 1.71-99.75.6 mg/kg, respectively. The mean values of Cd, Hg, Zn and As exceeded two to three times the values of China National Environmental Monitoring Centre (CNEMC) European Union's most cited guideline (MEF), and the rock crust guideline. The results of the correlation matrix heatmap revealed a highly positive correlation between Cr and Ni (R² = 0.66), suggesting that these elements have the same source and are likely prevalent in agricultural soils. The spatial origin of the publications reveals that 82% of the studies were from China followed by South Africa and Italy accounting for 4% respectively while Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Iran, and Turkey account for 2% each. The findings of this study have important implications for environmental regulation on agricultural food protection from heavy metal pollution. Unlike previous meta-analysis studies which often adopt a “silos” method, this study highlights a nexus approach that integrates both meta-analysis and experimental studies which could establish a more comprehensive understanding of heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils.

Objective

The present study aimed at investigating the probable health risk associated with potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in irrigable wetland soils from Ogun and Lagos states, Southwestern Nigeria.

Methodology

A total of 36 composite soil samples were collected from twelve monitoring sites and analyzed for potentially toxic metals [cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)] using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. PTM data underwent inferential and descriptive statistical analysis using IBM SPSS. Health risk indices were assessed for hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR) using the standard method. Ecological and pollution risks were also assessed.

Results

Fe (1465±977 to 47,785±12,049  mg kg⁻¹) was the most abundant metal observed in irrigable wetland soils. The distribution pattern of PTMs in irrigable wetland soils followed the decreasing order of Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Ni > Co > Cd. The pollution index risk indicated values greater than 1.0 for Cd (2.43–133), Zn (1.60–6.32), Cu (1.49–5.89), and Pb (1.15–2.94). Cadmium indicated a considerable ecological risk index (4002), a moderate-to-high pollution level according to the Nemerov integrated pollution index (12.33), and a very high enrichment factor (14.1–227). The HQs of PTMs were generally less than 1.0 for adults, while a HI greater than 1.0 was observed for children. The CRs exceeding the threshold limit of 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ were observed for Co, Cd, Cr, and Ni [at one or more sampling sites] in the wetland soils exposed to by adults and children.

Conclusion

In this study, the irrigated wetland soils showed high ecological, pollution, and carcinogenic risks of Cd, particularly at the Odo Aro monitoring site. The findings from the study could offer a theoretical basis and data support for pollution monitoring, assessment, and control in the study area.

Introduction

Environmental pollution caused by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from anthropogenic sources has become a global concern due to its deleterious effect on humans and ecosystem health. Therefore, this study evaluated the concentrations of PTEs, pollution level and human health risk in topsoil from ten (10) steel fabrication workshops in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Materials and methods

Ten (10) composite soil samples were collected in November 2023, from 10 different steel fabrication workshops in proximity to residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. One (1) gram of processed sample was digested using aqua regia and PTE concentration estimated using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Pollution index assessment was determined using enrichment factor (EF) and geo-accumulation index (I-geo) while descriptive statistics and correlation were subjected to statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).

Results

The result showed that Iron (Fe) (11,500 – 42,100 mg kg⁻¹), Lead (Pb) (10.7 – 583 mg kg⁻¹), Chromium (Cr) (16.3 - 49.7 mg kg⁻¹), Zinc (Zn) (34.6 – 343 mg kg⁻¹), Manganese (Mn) (109 – 840 mg kg⁻¹), Nickel (Ni) (2.23 - 25.3 mg kg⁻¹), Copper (Cu) (16.6 -107 mg kg⁻¹) and Cadmium (Cd) (2.23 - 25.3 mg kg⁻¹) were present. Mean concentration for Pb (179±202 mg kg⁻¹) is higher than the Canada soil guideline value (CSGV) (140 mg kg⁻¹) while other PTEs are within the recommended limit. Pollution indices revealed EF (Cd and Pb) and I-geo (Cd) as the primary pollutants in the soil while the strong significant correlation between Cr, Cu and Mn p < 0.05. Cr, Ni, Pb and that of Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn p < 0.01 suggest an emanation from both geogenic and anthropogenic sources. Human health risk assessment revealed Fe as the most dosed PTE and ingestion as the major pathways of exposure especially to children being the most susceptible. Hazard index (HI) and total cancer risk (TCR) values for PTEs were <1 and within the acceptable threshold (1 × 10⁻⁶ – 1 × 10⁻⁴) except for Pb (3.93E+01; 1.16E-03) in adults respectively.

Conclusion

The study showed that the topsoil from the steel fabrication workshop is polluted with Pb and Cu toxicity and the adult (residents and workers) population exposed to the soil is potentially at a non-cancer and cancer risk.

Background/objectives

Inflammation and oxidative stress play a significant role in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI). This study aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of pretreatment with sodium selenite on RIRI, emphasizing anti-inflammatory effects.

Method

A total of 24 male Wistar rats (200±20 g) were divided into four groups (six per each): 1- Sham (surgery without renal pedicle clamping), 2- Sham-Se (0.5 mg/kg sodium selenite for 7 consecutive days, ip), 3- RIRI (ischemia was induced by clamping the renal pedicle for 45 min), and 4- IRIR-Se (0.5 mg/kg sodium selenite for 7 consecutive days before I/R induction). All animals were sacrificed under anesthesia 24 h after I/R induction. Blood and tissue sample were collected for biochemical and histological analyses.

Results

The results showed that sodium selenite pretreatment significantly reduced the changes induced by the ischemia-reperfusion injury, including the reduction of serum Cr and BUN, decreased the renal tissue content of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, and miR-494, and increased IL-10 and GPx content of kidney (P< 0.05). Also, sodium selenite pretreatment significantly reduced renal ischemia-reperfusion-induced histopathological changes.

Conclusion

Pretreatment with sodium selenite significantly improved ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal dysfunction and mitigated RIRI, probably regarding its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Background

Metal pollution is a problem in many parts of the world. These metals can be harmful when they exceed the recommended limits. This study aimed to assess the levels of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) in the tissues of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) within a protected area in southeastern Mexico. Additionally, the study aimed to conduct a risk analysis for human health associated with these metals. It is anticipated that the observed metal levels will be lower compared to prior studies, thereby not posing a significant risk to the local population.

Methods

The tissue of oyster samples was treated under the techniques of the Official Mexican Standards and analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The metal concentrations were used to calculate the estimated daily intakes (EDI), target hazard quotients (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risks (TR), for children and adults.

Results

Maximum values of Cd (1.99 μg g⁻¹), exceeded the permissible limits of the Official Mexican Standards. Pb (0.99 μg g⁻¹) and Hg (0.64 μg g⁻¹) are within the recommended limits. The THQ and HI for Cd, Pb, and Hg were lower than the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) criteria.

Conclusions

Based on our results, whether oyster (Crassostrea virginica) consumption is recommended in adults and reducing consumption in children; to diminish the risk of exposure to Cd, Pb, and Hg.