Heavy metal concentrations in the freshwater snail Biomphalaria alexandrina uninfected or infected with cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni and/or Echinostoma liei in Egypt: the potential use of this snail as a bioindicator of pollution

2013 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.M.S. Mostafa ◽  
A.-T.H. Mossa ◽  
H.M.A. El Einin

AbstractIn spite of using aquatic snails as bioindicators for water pollution, little attention has been paid to the effect of parasitism upon the concentration of heavy metals (Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn) in these organisms. The present study therefore aimed to compare the concentrations of heavy metals in trematode-infected Biomphalaria alexandrina collected from Kafer Alsheikh and Menofia provinces, Egypt, with uninfected snails from the same sites, in order to assess the effect of parasitism on the use of these snails as bioindicators. The concentrations of heavy metals in the soft parts and shells of snails were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that the heavy metal profile in snails infected with Echinostoma liei was very different from that in snails infected with Schistosoma mansoni. The total concentration of heavy metals in E. liei-infected snails collected from Kafer Alsheikh or Menofia province was greater than in uninfected snails. In contrast, the total concentration of heavy metals in S. mansoni-infected snails was reduced compared with uninfected snails. In conclusion, the status of snails with respect to parasitic infection must be taken into consideration when these snails are used as bioindicators.

Author(s):  
Pedro Alexandre Sodrzeieski ◽  
Leonardo Capeleto de Andrade ◽  
Tales Tiecher ◽  
Flávio Anastácio de Oliveira Camargo

Dilúvio Stream flows through an area with a great population density in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. The anthropogenic influence in the surroundings impacted negatively the quality of the sediments of Dilúvio Stream and Lake Guaíba. This study evaluated the physico-chemical variability of surface sediments in a non-channeled section of Dilúvio Stream. Additionally, we compared the concentration of several heavy metals in this section with data from previous studies in the margins of Lake Guaíba near the outflow of Dilúvio Stream in order to evaluate the impact of urbanization on sediment pollution. The pH, bulk density, particle-size distribution, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, assimilable phosphorus, total nitrogen, mineralogical composition (X-ray diffractogram) and pseudo total concentration of several metals (Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Mn, Ba, Zn, V, As, Pb, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Cd, Mo, and Se) were evaluated. The results showed that the sediments in the non-channeled section of Dilúvio Stream are predominantly sandy, with heavy metal contents below the quality reference values. Quartz and feldspar predominated in all sites. The concentration of Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, and Ni were lower than that observed in the margins of Lake Guaíba near the outflow of Dilúvio Stream, possibly due to pollution input throughout the channeled section. The Dilúvio Stream shows indications of an anthropogenic influence in the heavy metals concentration through the channeled area.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gideon Ramtahal ◽  
Ivan Chang Yen ◽  
Isaac Bekele ◽  
Frances Bekele ◽  
Lawrence Wilson ◽  
...  

<p>The determination of heavy metals in cocoa beans and chocolates is of great importance, due to increasingly stringent regulations being implemented by international legislative bodies and chocolate manufacturers, to protect the health of their consumers. While various techniques exist for heavy metal analyses in cocoa, this study developed a cost-effective, accurate and precise method capable of processing up to 120 samples per batch for the determination of cadmium, copper, nickel and zinc. For sample extractions, a normal laboratory hot plate and locally fabricated high-capacity digestion blocks were used, instead of dedicated block digestion or microwave digestion systems. In addition, only concentrated nitric acid was used, instead of mixed reagents used in standardized methods, for metal extractions from samples, with a sample: extractant ratio of 0.5 g : 10 mL, digestion at 130 ºC, followed by filtration and analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The method was validated with Certified Reference Materials, with heavy metal recoveries generally &gt;95%. Additionally, an in-house quality control sample of ground cocoa nib analyzed together with the Certified Reference Materials was used to monitor the consistency of analyses of heavy metals in cocoa bean samples.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-210
Author(s):  
Paweł Świsłowski ◽  
Jan Kříž ◽  
Małgorzata Rajfur

AbstractIn the year 2016, passive biomonitoring studies were conducted in the forest areas of southern and north-eastern Poland: the Karkonosze Mountains (Kark), the Beskidy Mountains (Beskid), Borecka Forest (P. Bor), Knyszynska Forest (P. Kny), and Białowieza Forest (P. Bia). This study used bark from the tree, Betula pendula Roth. Samples were collected in spring (Sp), summer (Su), and autumn (Au). Concentrations of Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were determined for the samples using the atomic absorption spectrometry method with flame excitation (F-AAS). Based on the obtained results, the studied areas were ranked according to level of heavy-metal deposition: forests of southern Poland > forests of north-eastern Poland. Some seasonal changes in the concentrations of metals accumulated in bark were also indicated, which is directly related to their changing concentrations in the air during the calendar year, for instance, the winter heating season produces higher concentrations of heavy metals in the bark samples taken in spring. When deciding to do biomonitoring studies using bark, but also other biological materials, it is necessary to take into account the period in which the conducted research is done and the time when the samples are taken for analysis, because this will have a significant impact on the obtained results.


2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 762-766
Author(s):  
CAN TAO ◽  
XIAOTIAN WEI ◽  
BEIYU ZHANG ◽  
MAN ZHAO ◽  
SHUAI WANG ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Heavy metal pollution threatens the health and life of animals and humans through the food chain. This study was performed to survey the heavy metal contamination in feedstuffs and feeds in Hubei Province, People's Republic of China, from 2012 to 2016. Samples were analyzed for cadmium (306 samples), mercury (117 samples), chromium (149 samples), and arsenic (4,358 samples) using atomic absorption spectrometry or atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The incidence rates of cadmium, mercury, chromium, and arsenic contamination of feedstuffs and feeds were high, and feeds were most often contaminated with chromium, followed by arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. The concentrations of heavy metals in samples positive for cadmium, mercury, chromium, and arsenic ranged from 0.001 to 1.200, 0.002 to 6.540, 0.060 to 8737.000, and 0.070 to 33.000 mg/kg, respectively. The mineral and additive samples had higher concentrations of heavy metals. The present study findings highlight the importance of monitoring heavy metals in feedstuffs and feeds and implementing feed management and bioremediation strategies to reduce heavy metal exposure. HIGHLIGHTS


2013 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 933-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjana Bonic ◽  
Vele Tesevic ◽  
Ninoslav Nikicevic ◽  
Jelena Cvejic ◽  
Slobodan Milosavljevic ◽  
...  

Seven elements, namely, arsenic, lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, iron and manganese were determined in 31 samples of Serbian plum brandies by applying atomic spectrometry techniques. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used for quantification of copper, iron, zinc, manganese, lead and cadmium; and hydride generation atomic spectrometry absorption for arsenic quantification. Measured concentrations of heavy metals and arsenic was assessed according to the Serbian regulations, official regulations of some other countries and in respect of microelements content in other similar distilled alcoholic beverages. Amounts of microelements in maximal recommended daily and weekly intake of plum brandy were determined. The influence of production (home made and industrial), type of wooden barrel (oak and mulberry), and duration of ageing process on the content of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn in plum brandies, as well as coefficient of correlation between Cu content and pH value were also studied.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-128
Author(s):  
Sadhana Pradhanang Kayastha

The aim of this work was speciation of heavy metals on the level of the geochemical background; in bottom sediments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu valley. The distribution and accumulation of heavy metals in the sediments of the Bagmati River were investigated. Sediment samples from six locations were collected and characterized for metals content (cadmium, lead, copper and zinc). The determination of extractable heavy metals such as, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn, in the sediment samples was carried out by atomic absorption spectrometry. The study has been conducted using five steps sequential extraction procedure described by tessier. Apart from total concentration, the distribution of the above metals into five fractions: exchangeable, bound to carbonates, bound to Fe-Mn oxides, bound to organic matter, and residual, was studied by means of an analytical procedure involving sequential chemical extraction. The result obtained showed total metal concentration to be in the range of Cd 0.89-2.29 mg/kg; Pb 57.58-221mg/kg; Cu 52.2 -198.17 mg/kg and 78.23-362.90 mg/kg in all the areas studied. The fractionated toxic metals like Cd, and Pb were observed to be in the range of 15-36%, and 11- 29%, respectively, in mobile or bio-available fractions of sediments. This potentially mobile fraction could pose a serious threat, with respect to contamination of waterways and aquatic environment.Journal of Hydrology and Meteorology, Vol. 9(1) 2015, p.119-128


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