Life in extreme habitats: the number of prepupae per nest of the crabronid wasp Pemphredon fabricii is constant even under pressure from high concentrations of toxic elements

The aim of this study was to provide, for the first time, data on the concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soils and bulbs of elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.) cultivated in Valdichiana, a traditional agricultural area of Tuscany, Italy. Bulbs of elephant garlic and soil samples were collected in four cultivation fields and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb, Tl, U, V, Zn. The concentrations of these PTEs in bulbs and cultivation soils were used to calculate geochemical, ecological and health risk indices. The results of this study suggest that, although bulbs of elephant garlic from the Valdichiana area may present slightly high concentrations of Cd, Ni and Pb, the associated health risk based on the daily intake is absolutely negligible. Cultivation soils had somewhat high Cu concentrations probably due to the diffuse use of Cu-based products in agriculture, but showed overall a very low ecological risk.

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Environmental Threats of Ancient Pb Mining and Metallurgical Activities in the Linares Mining District (Southern Spain)

Proceedings ◽

10.3390/proceedings2231459 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (23) ◽

pp. 1459

Author(s):

Carlos Boente ◽

Carlos Sierra ◽

Julián Martínez ◽

Eduardo Rodríguez-Valdés ◽

Elías Afif ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Toxic Elements ◽

Potentially Toxic Elements ◽

Mining District ◽

Land Uses ◽

Environmental Threats ◽

Industrial Sites ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Insight Into ◽

Metallurgical Activities

Former industrial sites are now dedicated to other land uses in the Linares mining district. Here we selected five residential/farming areas (squares of 1 km2 each) and sought to evaluate the levels of contamination by Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) of the soils, and also to offer an insight into the threat these pollutants may pose to human health or the environment by means of risk assessment. High concentrations especially of Pb, and also of As, Cd, Cu and Zn were found in quantities that are considerably bioavailable. Moreover, risk assessment revealed unacceptable concentrations for Pb and As in all the areas as well as for Cd and Cu in some squares.

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Determination of Essential and Toxic Elements in Cattle Blood: Serum vs Plasma

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9070465 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 465 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Diego Luna ◽

Marta López-Alonso ◽

Yolanda Cedeño ◽

Lucas Rigueira ◽

Víctor Pereira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Toxic Elements ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Element Analysis ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Icp Ms ◽

Plasma Mass Spectrometry ◽

Essential And Toxic Elements ◽

High Concentrations

This study was designed to evaluate the influence of type of blood sample (serum or plasma) on essential and toxic element analysis in cattle. Paired plasma and serum samples (n = 20) were acid digested, and the concentrations of As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mg, Mn. Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The study findings indicate that plasma and serum samples appear suitable and interchangeable for the determination of most of the essential and toxic elements in blood in cattle. The only exceptions are Cu and Se, the concentrations of which were significantly lower (40.9 and 29.9% respectively) in serum than in plasma. Some of the Cu in blood samples from bovine ruminants is known to be sequestered during clotting. However, further research on Se in ruminants and other animal species is warranted. Finally, the significantly higher Mn (9.9%) concentrations in serum than in plasma may have been caused by haemolysis of some samples. Special attention should be paid to preventing haemolysis of samples during collection and processing, in order to prevent overestimation of elements present at high concentrations inside erythrocytes (i.e., Fe, Mn and Zn).

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High concentrations of essential and toxic elements in infant formula and infant foods – A matter of concern

Food Chemistry ◽

10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.01.062 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 127 (3) ◽

pp. 943-951 ◽

Cited By ~ 91

Author(s):

Karin Ljung ◽

Brita Palm ◽

Margaretha Grandér ◽

Marie Vahter

Keyword(s):

Infant Formula ◽

Toxic Elements ◽

Infant Foods ◽

Essential And Toxic Elements ◽

High Concentrations

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Spatial Mobility of U and Th in a U-enriched Area (Central Portugal)

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10217866 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (21) ◽

pp. 7866

Author(s):

Margarida Antunes ◽

António Santos ◽

Teresa Valente ◽

Teresa Albuquerque

Keyword(s):

Toxic Elements ◽

Mine Drainage ◽

Stream Sediments ◽

Potentially Toxic Elements ◽

Uranium Mine ◽

Spatial Mobility ◽

Contamination Index ◽

Mine Dumps ◽

Central Portugal ◽

High Concentrations

Uranium and thorium are toxic in different environments. The exploitation of uranium mines and associated mine drainage leaching towards streams, sediments, and soils cause relevant pollution. The U-mine areas present high concentrations of potentially toxic elements with several consequences to ecosystems and human health. Physicochemical and potentially toxic elements of mine dumps, stream sediments, and soils from the Canto Lagar uranium mine area (Central Portugal) were analyzed. Stream sediments, soils, and mine dumps show a large range in the concentration values of Fe, U, As, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Th, suggesting geological and mine contributions. Most of the selected potential toxic elements from sediments present a low to moderate contamination degree, except for As, W, and U, which vary between high and very high contamination index. The soils must not be used in agricultural or residential activities due to contamination in As and U. This abandoned mine represents an environmental risk due to the spatial mobility and dispersion of potentially toxic elements from the dumps to the sediments and soils, as well as by surface runoff and wind.

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BioSigma Bioleaching Seeds (BBS): A New Technology for Managing Bioleaching Microorganisms

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.825.305 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 825 ◽

pp. 305-308

Author(s):

Patricio Martínez ◽

Pilar Parada

Keyword(s):

Toxic Elements ◽

New Technology ◽

Industrial Scale ◽

Attractive Alternative ◽

High Concentration ◽

Major Task ◽

On Demand ◽

Long Period ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Inoculum Storage

In Bioleaching, although it is already prove that chalcopyrite can be dissolved by microorganisms, a major task is to do it efficiently in economical terms at industrial scale. BioSigma Bioleaching Seeds (BBS) represents a biotechnological breakthrough for the production of bioleaching solutions on demand with high concentrations of biomining microorganisms. This innovation is mainly a product based on the encapsulation of BioSigma bioleaching microorganisms in a natural matrix of alginate. This technology gives the following operational advantages: 1. High concentration of inoculum. 2. Long period of inoculum storage (more than 1 year). 3. Reduction of volume and costs of transport of bioleaching solutions. 4. Homogeneous mineral inoculation; uniform inoculation of the ore using solid capsules. 5. Protection against toxic elements to retain the viability and activity of the bioleaching solutions. 6. Addition of additives for incorporation of nutrients or other molecules that enhance the activity. 7. Encapsulation of different bioleaching microorganisms producing specific "bioleaching seeds" for each biohydrometallurgical process. All the above advantages make this new technology a very attractive alternative to enhance bioleaching processes at on site operations and overcome stressful conditions for biomining microorganisms.

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11. What’s in a Loaf? A Bio-accessibility Study of Toxic Elements in Gluten-free and Rye Breads and the Effect of Toasting Bread on the Bio-accessibility of those Elements Using ICP-MS

Inquiry@Queen's Undergraduate Research Conference Proceedings ◽

10.24908/iqurcp.10656 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Alastair Kierulf

Keyword(s):

North American ◽

Toxic Elements ◽

Toxic Element ◽

Gluten Free ◽

Rye Bread ◽

The North ◽

Icp Ms ◽

The Us ◽

High Concentrations

Bread is a staple in the North American diet with over 4 million tonnes consumed in the US annually. The popularity of breads made from alternative grains (such as rye, quinoa, and pumpernickel) and the increase in gluten free (GF) alternatives (made from a mixture of rice and other alternative grains) has significantly contributed to this growth[1] While the hunger for alternative breads is increasing, there is little research into the risks associated with consuming breads made from alternative grains. Studies[2] have shown that many grains can contain high levels of toxic elements, especially if they are grown in soils with high levels of these elements. A previous study [3] investigated the risk associated with toxic elements in rice, and concluded that these elements are highly bio-accessible when the rice is not washed before processing. It is therefore extremely important to investigate the risk and bio-accessibility of toxic elements in these popular alternative breads. Two different alternative breads were analyzed for their toxic element compositions, and the bio-accessibility of these elements was investigated. Results showed that the gluten free breads contained high concentrations of arsenic and selenium, and little to no levels of cadmium or lead. Rye bread, in comparison, contained little arsenic, cadmium, or selenium which was consistent with previous studies. Further work will investigate the effect of toasting and will also utilize an innovative online leaching method that significantly improves bio-accessibility results [3,4].

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Transfer of heavy metals to plants in technosols remediated with calcareous residues.

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-6154 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Carmen Pérez-Sirvent ◽

Maria Jose Martinez-Sanchez ◽

Salvadora Martinez-Lopez ◽

Ines Agudo ◽

Jaime Bech

Keyword(s):

Contaminated Soil ◽

Toxic Elements ◽

Low Cost ◽

Potentially Toxic Elements ◽

Mining Operations ◽

Limestone Filler ◽

Transfer Factors ◽

Reference Soil ◽

Vegetable Soil ◽

High Concentrations

When dealing with restoration and remediation projects of zones contaminated by waste and activities derived from mining operations, all the aspects that affect the neighbouring areas dedicated to the cultivation of vegetables are especially relevant, and should be carefully considered. According to previous studies carried out, the areas of mining influence affect to a very different extent the bordering areas depending not only of the characteristics of the soil but also of the type of mining activity that was developed, and so of the primary mineralogy involved, and even of the particular type of vegetable that is being cultivated. The diversity and complexity of these factors suggest the convenient of studying the process by clarifying the mechanisms of transfer of potentially toxic elements from the soil to the biotic environment, with the soil-plant-biotic chain sequence.In this work an experimental study was carried out with this purpose making use of experiments carried out at the greenhouse scale in order to find a model that could clarify the processes that could take place in restored soils.&#160;Construction and demolition residues (CDRs) as well as other residues containing high concentrations in limestone filler were used to prepare technosols, and the transfer factors (TF) and bioconcentration factors (BCF) of potentially toxic elements were measured for the selected plant species (chard and broccoli). In this way, in addition to the soil remediation, benefit can be obtained of the re-valorization of such type of &#160;easily available, low cost residues. For the realization of the tests in the greenhouse, four technosols were prepared and experiments were planned in duplicate, which constituted eight experimental units, each one containing 21 large pots disposed in such a way that leachates were poured in the same storing tank. &#160;The technosols were prepared as follows:<ul><li>Vegetable soil or reference soil. (T1)</li> <li>Contaminated soil: 50% reference soil + 50% mine residue (T2).</li> <li>Amended Land 1: 75% contaminated soil + 25% CDR (T3).</li> <li>Amended soil 2: 75% contaminated soil + 25% Limestone filler (T4).</li> </ul>&#160;A statistical study was carried out to evaluate the relationships between the levels of potentially toxic elements (Pb and Cd) found in rhizospheres and root contents and the levels present in the technosols prepared. Conclusions could be obtained as regards &#160;the mobility of &#160;these elements, the characteristics of the technosols and the type of cultivation. The data allows a model to be outlined that could be translated at a higher scale for an effective remediation of large zones.&#160;&#160;

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Use of Poisoned Land/Inland Seas for Low Level Radioactive Waste Disposal

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-15-581 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Douglas G. Brookins ◽

Herbert A. Vogler ◽

J. J. Cohen

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Radioactive Waste ◽

Waste Disposal ◽

Toxic Elements ◽

Radioactive Waste Disposal ◽

Basin And Range Province ◽

The Earth ◽

Toxic Materials ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Low Level Radioactive Waste

It is widely known that certain areas of the earth are characterized by such high concentrations of toxic elements that their use by plants or animals is precluded. A water hole whose water contains potentially toxic quantities of As is a common example of such a naturally poisoned area. The dry salt basins of the Basin and Range Province in Nevada and western Utah are largely relict inland salt seas and, because many of the salt basins have total interior drainage of both surface and ground water, these basins represent unique geochemical environments for the entrapment and concentration of mobile elements. Through leaching, transport, and ultimate deposition from throughout the water shed, the closed salt basins are hydrologic sinks in which toxic materials such as As, Sb, Hg, and other heavy metals become concentrated in a relatively confined area.

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Natural Background Levels of Potentially Toxic Elements in Groundwater from a Former Asbestos Mine in Serpentinite (Balangero, North Italy)

Water ◽

10.3390/w13050735 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 735

Author(s):

Elisa Sacchi ◽

Massimo Bergamini ◽

Elisa Lazzari ◽

Arianna Musacchio ◽

Jordi-René Mor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxic Elements ◽

Statistical Evaluation ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Potentially Toxic Elements ◽

Contaminated Site ◽

Natural Background ◽

Background Levels ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Definition Of ◽

Real Challenge

The definition of natural background levels (NBLs) for potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in groundwater from mining environments is a real challenge, as anthropogenic activities boost water–rock interactions, further increasing the naturally high concentrations. This study illustrates the procedure followed to derive PTE concentration values that can be adopted as NBLs for the former Balangero asbestos mine, a “Contaminated Site of National Interest”. A full hydrogeochemical characterisation allowed for defining the dominant Mg-HCO3 facies, tending towards the Mg-SO4 facies with increasing mineralisation. PTE concentrations are high, and often exceed the groundwater quality thresholds for Cr VI, Ni, Mn and Fe (5, 20, 50 and 200 µg/L, respectively). The Italian guidelines for NBL assessment recommend using the median as a representative concentration for each monitoring station. However, this involves discarding half of the measurements and in particular the higher concentrations, thus resulting in too conservative estimates. Using instead all the available measurements and the recommended statistical evaluation, the derived NBLs were: Cr = 39.3, Cr VI = 38.1, Ni = 84, Mn = 71.36, Fe = 58.4, Zn = 232.2 µg/L. These values are compared to literature data from similar hydrogeochemical settings, to support the conclusion on their natural origin. Results highlight the need for a partial rethink of the guidelines for the assessment of NBLs in naturally enriched environmental settings.

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