scholarly journals The influence of heavy metals on the shape and asymmetry of wings of female Polistes nimpha (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) living on contaminated sites

Ecotoxicology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Mielczarek ◽  
Łukasz Mielczarek ◽  
Elżbieta Wojciechowicz-Żytko

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to determine the fluctuating asymmetry of the first pair of wings in females Polistes nimpha (Christ, 1791) living in an environment contaminated with heavy metals. The average concentration of Zn, Cd and Pb in the bodies of the insects varied depending on the distance from the source of contamination, reaching the highest values on the site closest to the source of contamination and the lowest at the most distant site. As a result of the morphometric analyses, significant differences were found in the asymmetry values of the first pair of wings depending on the level of Zn, Cd, Pb accumulated by the wasps. In the case of shape asymmetry, differences were found for all the effects studied (year of capture and site). Significant differences were also found in the size of wings between individuals captured on Sites 1 and 2 and those caught on Site 3. Specimens caught on site characterized by the lowest concentration of heavy metals in the topsoil, proved to be significantly larger than the insects collected on the other sites. There were no differences in the size of individuals between the different years of capture. Based on the results obtained by us, it can be assumed that the wings of P. nimpha females may become a useful object in studying the impact of environmental stress of Zn, Cd and Pb pollution on the symmetry of their wings.

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 63-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Pavlata ◽  
M. Chomat ◽  
A. Pechova ◽  
L. Misurova ◽  
R. Dvorak

This paper evaluates the impact of long-term supplementation of different forms of zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) on the content of these substances in the blood and hair of goats. Two analogous supplementation experiments were performed. 37 goats divided into four groups were used in the first trial with the Zn supplementation. Group A (n = 10) was a control group (with no Zn administered). A further three groups (B, C, D) were supplemented with Zn in various forms. Group B (n = 9) with zinc oxide, Group C (n = 9) with zinc lactate and Group D (n = 9) with zinc chelate. The second trial with Se supplementation was carried out on 20 goats divided into four groups. Group E (n = 5) was a control group. The other three groups were administered Se. Group F (n = 5) was supplied with a selenium lactate-protein complex, Group G (n = 5) with sodium selenite and Group H (n = 5) with selenium yeast. Three months later blood and hair samples were taken from all animals and Zn and Se concentrations were determined in whole blood, plasma, and hair. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was determined in the Se supplementation trial group. At the end of the trial the Zn concentrations in plasma and whole blood were without major differences between the groups. The plasma concentration of Zn did not increase from the initial value at the start of the trial. In hair the average concentration of Zn was 95.2&ndash;100.0 mg/kg<br />in all groups. No conclusive relation was confirmed between the values of Zn in hair and its concentration in blood. The Se concentration in whole blood (&micro;g/l) at the end of trial in supplemented groups (F &ndash; 188.8 &plusmn; 24.6; G &ndash; 197.2 &plusmn; 10.9; H &ndash; 190.1 &plusmn; 26.3) was significantly higher (P &lt; 0.01) than in the control group (E &ndash; 103.1 &plusmn; 23.5). Similarly, the activity of GSH-Px (&micro;kat/l) was significantly higher in all supplemented groups (F &ndash; 872.3 &plusmn; 94.8; G &ndash; 659.5 &plusmn; 176.4; H &ndash; 839.8 &plusmn; 150.8) than in the control group (E &ndash; 379.1 &plusmn; 63.5). Se content in hair (&micro;g/kg) was higher also in all trial groups (F &ndash; 242.3 &plusmn; 41.5; G &ndash; 200.5 &plusmn; 46.9; H &ndash; 270.0 &plusmn; 106.8) than in the control group (E &ndash; 174.7 &plusmn; 38.0). However, it was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher only in Group F. A conclusive correlation was identified between the Se concentration in whole blood and its content in hair (r = 0.54; P &lt; 0.05; n = 20). Based on the results it can be concluded that none of the supplemented forms of Zn increased its concentration in blood, plasma and hair. On the other hand, the administration of Se led to an increase in the Se concentration in blood, increased the activity of GSH-Px in whole blood and the Se content in hair. Based on the proven correlation and regression relation between the Se concentration in blood and its content in hair, hair can be considered as a suitable material for the diagnosis of long-term Se status in goats. Goats with sufficient Se status are those that have more than 160 &micro;g/kg of Se in hair dry weight.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zofia Nizioł-Łukaszewska ◽  
Maria Gawęda

Abstract Beetroot is a vegetable that accumulate heavy metals. This is largely dependent on the cultivar, methods and growing conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the composition of elements in the roots of 15 cultivars of red beet. The analysis assessed the content of macroelements (Na, P) and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Mn, Zn). Most soils of the Lesser Poland region are exposed to the impact of industrial and transportation pollution. The soils of this region are characterized by strong acidification as well as natural or increased heavy metal content. The experiment was set up at the experimental field of the Department of Vegetable and Medicinal Plants of the University of Agriculture in Krakow, in 2009-2010. On the basis of the performed analysis, ‘Opolski’ was chosen as the cultivar that was characterized by a high content of macroelements and lower ability to accumulate heavy metals than the other tested cultivars. The lowest ability to accumulate heavy metals (Cd and Cr) was found in the cases of cultivars with cylindrical root shapes, such as Rywal or Opolski. One can indicate such cultivars as Astar F1 or Nabab F1 as cultivars recommended for cultivation in ecologically threatened areas.


2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Kuczajowska-Zadrożna ◽  
Urszula Filipkowska ◽  
Tomasz Jóźwiak

Abstract This study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of biosurfactants - saponin, tannin and rhamnolipids JBR 515 and 425, for the removal of cadmium, zinc and copper from activated sludge immobilized in 1.5% sodium alginate with 0.5% polyvinyl alcohol. We also established the impact of pH value on biosorbent regeneration with the analyzed biosurfactants and determined the critical micelle concentration (CMC) in solutions containing the biosorbent and biosurfactant and in exact samples with heavy metals. Saponin exhibited the highest effectiveness of metals leaching at pH 1-5, and rhamnosides at pH 5-6. In addition, the study demonstrated a significant effect of the ratio of biosorbent mass to washing agent volume (m/V) on the effectiveness of metals leaching. Of the biosurfactants analyzed, saponin was ca. 100% effective in leaching zinc and copper. The effectiveness of the other biosurfactants was lower and depended on the metal being leached


2021 ◽  
pp. e309
Author(s):  
Joseph Enuenwemba ◽  
Nduka Uraih ◽  
William Tanimowo ◽  
Hilda Emmanuel-Akerele

This study was carried out to determine the impact of gas flaring on microbial and physicochemical characteristics of soil around Ebedei and Kwale Flow Stations in Delta State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected around Ebedei, in Ukwuani local government area, and Kwale, in Ndokwe West local government area both in Delta State, as well as in their environs. While the soil samples were collected for the analysis of physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. The highest concentration of the heavy metals was obtained at 10m away from the flaring sites (P < 0.05). In both Ebedei and Kwale, the Fe concentration is significantly higher (1080.33 and 1080.68 mg/kg, respectively) that the other two heavy metals. However, there was a significant difference in the concentration of Zn between Ebedei and Kwale (P < 0.05). In both Ebedei and Kwale, the ECEC concentration is significantly higher (8.16 and 6.57 meq/100g, respectively) that the other chemical parameters. The physicochemical properties were similar at the different distances away from gas flaring sites (P> 0.05). EC decreased from 119.12µs/cm (at 10m) to 50.4 (at 100m) and then to 44.37 (at 200m). pH value remained acidic ranging from 4.97 (at 10m) to 5.9 (at 200m); moisture content ranged from 3.25% (at 10m) to 5.89% (at 200m); organic matter ranged from 1.07% (at 10m) to 1.61 % (at 200m); NO3 reduced sharply from 10.35 mg/kg (at 10m) to 3.92mg/kg (at 100m) and then to 2.4mg/kg (at 200m); phosphate dropped from 0.91mg/kg at (at 10m) to 0.95mg/kg (at 100m) to 0.42mg/kg (at 200m). There was a significant difference in the amount of some physicochemical properties in the soil samples collected from the gas flaring areas in Ebedei and Kwale (P<0.05). Ebedei, Kwale and environs constitute part of the most vegetative and productive areas of the Niger Delta region, these areas are also rich in several pharmacological properties and water resources. The Government should ensure the enforcement of laws aimed at minimizing the amount of gas flared into the atmosphere. Urgent efforts should be geared at cushioning the effect of gas flaring on the communities affected, probably by compensating them or, by relocating them to a more environmental friendly settlement with compensations.


Author(s):  
Elena Ivanovna Popova

To determine the degree of anthropogenic impact, five sites with different intensity of anthropogenic load were selected. The analysis of the chemical composition of lichens Lecanora albescens (Hoffm.) Branthet Rostr., Physcia adscendens (Fr.) H. Olivier, Physcia aipolia (Ehrh. ex Humb.) Fürnr. on background and man-made sites. In the thalli of the lichens studied there have been identified the following heavy metals: Cr, Zn, Ni, and Cd. Lichens growing on trunks Populus tremula L were fixed on the studied sites. In the thalloms Lecanora albescens (Hoffm.) Branthet Rostr. in the impact area the amount of heavy metals has increased in1.8-2.3 (Cr), 2.5-4.9 (Zn), 9.7-35.3 (Ni), 2.3-4.5 (Cd) times, compared with background values. In lichens Physcia adscendens (Fr.) H. Olivier heavy metal content increased in 1.8-2.6 (Cr), 1.2-2.1 (Zn), 6.7-16.5 (Ni), 1.2-1.7 (Cd) times. Concentrations of heavy metals in contaminated sites Physcia aipolia (Ehrh. ex Humb.) Fürnr. exceeded the control site in 1.4-2.2 (Cr), 3.3-6.0 (Zn), 3.9-9.9 (Ni), 1.1-1.8 (Cd) times. Species differences of lichens are manifested mainly by the difference in the intensity of accumulation of heavy metals, while the ratio between the elements varies little depending on the species. Analysis of the results allowed to conditionally divide lichens, according to their ability to accumulate heavy metals. Lichens-accumulators are: ( Lecanora albescens (Hoffm.) Branthet Rostr.), lichens-excluders are: ( Physcia adscendens (Fr.) H. Olivier, Physcia aipolia (Ehrh. ex Humb.) Fürnr.). As for accumulating heavy metals by lichens, the most important factors are: 1) the selection point relative to the source of pollution, 2) species differences.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Bat ◽  
F. Üstün ◽  
H. C. Öztekin

Estimation of level contamination of marine ecosystems with heavy metals is important task in the field of MSFD. Total zooplankton samples were collected using a standard zooplankton net (mesh size = 112 µm, mouth diameter = 50 cm) from Sinop coast of the Black Sea, Turkey in 2011 and 2012. Concentrations of Al, As, Cu, Zn, Hg, Fe, Cd and Pb were determined in the total zooplankton samples. The average concentration of heavy metals followed order: Fe > Al > Zn > Pb > Cu > As > Cd > Hg. Of all the heavy metals estimated Hg was below the detection limit in all the samples. Fe was the most common heavy metal in total zooplankton samples present in all, Al was the other heavy metal commonly present in the samples. Pb showed high value (210 mg·kg-1) in total zooplankton. Similar to Pb, a high average concentration of As (40 mg·kg-1) was observed in total zooplankton. Cd was 1.1 mg·kg-1.


2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-47
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Squires

Modernism is usually defined historically as the composite movement at the beginning of the twentieth century which led to a radical break with what had gone before in literature and the other arts. Given the problems of the continuing use of the concept to cover subsequent writing, this essay proposes an alternative, philosophical perspective which explores the impact of rationalism (what we bring to the world) on the prevailing empiricism (what we take from the world) of modern poetry, which leads to a concern with consciousness rather than experience. This in turn involves a re-conceptualisation of the lyric or narrative I, of language itself as a phenomenon, and of other poetic themes such as nature, culture, history, and art. Against the background of the dominant empiricism of modern Irish poetry as presented in Crotty's anthology, the essay explores these ideas in terms of a small number of poets who may be considered modernist in various ways. This does not rule out modernist elements in some other poets and the initial distinction between a poetics of experience and one of consciousness is better seen as a multi-dimensional spectrum that requires further, more detailed analysis than is possible here.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1183-1189
Author(s):  
Dr. Tridibesh Tripathy ◽  
Dr. Umakant Prusty ◽  
Dr. Chintamani Nayak ◽  
Dr. Rakesh Dwivedi ◽  
Dr. Mohini Gautam

The current article of Uttar Pradesh (UP) is about the ASHAs who are the daughters-in-law of a family that resides in the same community that they serve as the grassroots health worker since 2005 when the NRHM was introduced in the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states. UP is one such Empowered Action Group (EAG) state. The current study explores the actual responses of Recently Delivered Women (RDW) on their visits during the first month of their recent delivery. From the catchment area of each of the 250 ASHAs, two RDWs were selected who had a child in the age group of 3 to 6 months during the survey. The response profiles of the RDWs on the post- delivery first month visits are dwelled upon to evolve a picture representing the entire state of UP. The relevance of the study assumes significance as detailed data on the modalities of postnatal visits are available but not exclusively for the first month period of their recent delivery. The details of the post-delivery first month period related visits are not available even in large scale surveys like National Family Health Survey 4 done in 2015-16. The current study gives an insight in to these visits with a five-point approach i.e. type of personnel doing the visit, frequency of the visits, visits done in a particular week from among those four weeks separately for the three visits separately. The current study is basically regarding the summary of this Penta approach for the post- delivery one-month period.     The first month period after each delivery deals with 70% of the time of the postnatal period & the entire neonatal period. Therefore, it does impact the Maternal Mortality Rate & Ratio (MMR) & the Neonatal Mortality Rates (NMR) in India and especially in UP through the unsafe Maternal & Neonatal practices in the first month period after delivery. The current MM Rate of UP is 20.1 & MM Ratio is 216 whereas the MM ratio is 122 in India (SRS, 2019). The Sample Registration System (SRS) report also mentions that the Life Time Risk (LTR) of a woman in pregnancy is 0.7% which is the highest in the nation (SRS, 2019). This means it is very risky to give birth in UP in comparison to other regions in the country (SRS, 2019). This risk is at the peak in the first month period after each delivery. Similarly, the current NMR in India is 23 per 1000 livebirths (UNIGME,2018). As NMR data is not available separately for states, the national level data also hold good for the states and that’s how for the state of UP as well. These mortalities are the impact indicators and such indicators can be reduced through long drawn processes that includes effective and timely visits to RDWs especially in the first month period after delivery. This would help in making their post-natal & neonatal stage safe. This is the area of post-delivery first month visit profile detailing that the current article helps in popping out in relation to the recent delivery of the respondents.   A total of four districts of Uttar Pradesh were selected purposively for the study and the data collection was conducted in the villages of the respective districts with the help of a pre-tested structured interview schedule with both close-ended and open-ended questions.  The current article deals with five close ended questions with options, two for the type of personnel & frequency while the other three are for each of the three visits in the first month after the recent delivery of respondents. In addition, in-depth interviews were also conducted amongst the RDWs and a total 500 respondents had participated in the study.   Among the districts related to this article, the results showed that ASHA was the type of personnel who did the majority of visits in all the four districts. On the other hand, 25-40% of RDWs in all the 4 districts replied that they did not receive any visit within the first month of their recent delivery. Regarding frequency, most of the RDWs in all the 4 districts received 1-2 times visits by ASHAs.   Regarding the first visit, it was found that the ASHAs of Barabanki and Gonda visited less percentage of RDWs in the first week after delivery. Similarly, the second visit revealed that about 1.2% RDWs in Banda district could not recall about the visit. Further on the second visit, the RDWs responded that most of them in 3 districts except Gonda district did receive the second postnatal visit in 7-15 days after their recent delivery. Less than half of RDWs in Barabanki district & just more than half of RDWs in Gonda district received the third visit in 15-21 days period after delivery. For the same period, the majority of RDWs in the rest two districts responded that they had been entertained through a home visit.


Metahumaniora ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 411
Author(s):  
Abu Bakar Ramadhan Muhamad

AbstrakHegemoni kolonialisme dalam budaya poskolonial merupakan alasan penelitian inikemudian mengkaji wacana kolonial dalam novel Max Havellar (MH) khususnya dampakditimbulkannya. Dampak dimaksud adalah posisi keberpihakan pemikiran tersirat darikarya tersebut. Hasil pembahasan menunjukkan, secara temporal maupun permanen MHmenyuarakan ketidakadilan dalam kondisi-kondisi kolonial menyangkut penindasan sangpenjajah terhadap terjajah. Hanya saja, upaya mengatasnamakan atau mewakili suarakaum terjajah terbukti mengimplikasikan ciri ideologis statis kerangka kolonialisme(orientalisme); yakni cara pandang Eropasentris, di mana “Barat” sebagai self adalah superior,dan “Timur” sebagai other adalah inferior. Dalam konteks poskolonialisme, MH dengan sifatkritisnya yang berupaya “menyuarakan” nasib pribumi terjajah, justru menampilkan stigmapenguatan kolonialitas itu sendiri secara hegemonik. Artinya, “menyuarakan” nasib pribumidimaknai sebagai keberpihankan kolonial yang kontradiktif, di mana stigma penguatankolonialitas justru lebih terasa, ujung-ujungnya melanggengkan hegemoni kolonial. Tidakmembela yang terjajah, tetapi memperhalus cara kerja mesin kolonial.AbstractThe hegemony of colonialism in the culture of postcolonial society is the reason this studythen examines the colonial discourse in the novel Max Havellar (MH) in particular the impactit brings. The impact in question is the implied position of thought in the work. The resultsof the discussion show that, temporarily or permanently, MH voiced injustice in the colonialconditions regarding the oppression of the colonist against the colonized. However, the effort toname or represent the voice of the colonized has proven to imply a static ideological characterin the framework of colonialism (orientalism); ie Eropacentric point of view, in which “West” asself is superior, and “East” as the other is the inferior. In the context of postcolonialism, MH withits critical nature that seeks to “voice” the fate of the colonized natives, actually presents thestigma of strengthening coloniality itself hegemonicly. That is, “voicing” the fate of the pribumiis interpreted as a contradictory colonial flare, where the stigma of strengthening colonialityis more pronounced, which ultimately perpetuates the hegemony of colonialism. No longerdefending the colonized, but refining the workings of the colonial machinery.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 264
Author(s):  
Md Didarul Islam ◽  
Ashiqur Rahaman ◽  
Fahmida Jannat

This study was based on to determine the concentration of macro and micro nutrients as well as toxic and nontoxic heavy metals present in the chicken feed available in Dhaka city of Bangladesh. All macro nutrients, if present in the feed at high concentration have some adverse effect, at the same time if this nutrient present in the feed at low concentration this have some adverse effect too. So that this nutrient level should be maintained at a marginal level. On the other side toxic heavy metals if present in the feed at very low concentration those can contaminate the total environment of the ecosystem. In this study six brand samples (starter, grower, finisher and layer) which was collected from different renowned chicken feed formulation industry in Bangladesh. Those samples were prepared for analysis by wet ashing and then metals were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. It was found that 27.7 to 68.4, 57.3 to 121.9, 0.21 to 4.1, 0.32 to 2.1, 0.11 to 1.58, 0.28 to 2.11 and 0.28 to 1.78 for zinc, iron, copper, mercury, cadmium, nickel and cobalt respectively. It was found that essential macro and micro nutrients were present in the feed in low concentration on the other side mercury was present in high concentration in the feed samples.


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