Accumulation of potentially toxic elements in the body tissues of sheep grazed on grassland given repeated applications of sewage sludge

2001 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. Wilkinson ◽  
J. Hill ◽  
C.T. Livesey
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
The Body ◽  
Permanent Pasture ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Body Tissues ◽  
Repeated Applications ◽  
Treated Site

AbstractIngestion of sewage sludge with soil, together with herbage containing elevated concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) might pose a risk to the human food chain through the accumulation of PTEs in edible tissues of livestock grazed on pastures which have received repeated doses of sludge. The accumulation of PTEs in tissues of animals grazed on a permanent pasture which had received repeated applications of sewage sludge between 1981 and 1994 was studied over two consecutive grazing seasons by monthly serial slaughter. Blocks of six weaned lambs were allocated at random at the start of the grazing seasons to slaughter date. Blocks of lambs were also allocated at random to an adjacent untreated pasture and to initial slaughter groups. Animals grazed continuously for two periods of 181 days and 152 days in 1994 (experiment 1) and 1995 (experiment 2), respectively. An application of sewage sludge was made to the treated site between the two experiments. The concentration of cadmium (Cd) in soil samples taken to 25 cm depth from the treated site was close to the United Kingdom statutory limit of 3 mg Cd per kg dry matter (DM) and 1·67 times the limit at the soil surface. Concentrations of other PTEs in soil were below statutory limis. The concentrations of PTEs in herbage at the treated site increased as each grazing period advanced (P < 0·05). Mean concentrations of Cd, lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were higher (P < 0·05) in both experiments for herbage at the treated site than at the untreated site. No differences were observed in the concentrations of PTEs in muscle tissue between lambs grazed on treated or untreated pastures. The concentration of Cd in kidneys of lambs grazed on the treated pasture increased as the grazing seasons progressed from 0·19 to 0·36 mg/kg DM (P < 0·01) in experiment 1 and from 0·03 to 2·57 mg/kg DM in experiment 2 (P < 0·001). There was no measurable accumulation of Pb into kidney in either experiment. Concentrations of Cu in kidney remained similar during experiment 1 but increased during experiment 2 in lambs grazed on the treated pasture only (P < 0·05). Similar trends to those for kidney were observed for Cd in liver in both experiments. The concentrations of Pb increased in liver for lambs grazed on the treated site in experiment 1 (P < 0·01) but not in experiment 2. The concentrations of Cu in lambs grazed on the treated pasture in liver decreased (P < 0·01) in experiment 1 from 139 to 28 mg Cu per kg DM. Liver concentrations of Cu in experiment 2 increased (P < 0·01) from 63·5 to 197 mg Cu per kg DM, possibly reflecting the application of sludge to the experimental site between the two experiments. The results indicated that soil and herbage concentrations of PTEs were elevated following repeated applications of sewage sludge to grassland. The accumulation of PTEs in edible body tissues was generally low, with the greatest being of Cd and Cu in the second experiment, possibly reflecting recent application of sludge.

Effect of season and method of application of sewage sludge to grassland on the voluntary intake, digestibility of herbage and growth of weaned lambs

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 ◽  
pp. 151-151
Author(s):  
J. Hill ◽  
J.M. Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Voluntary Feed Intake ◽  
Body Tissues ◽  
Voluntary Intake

Disposal of sewage sludge to grassland is likely to increase in future years as a result of legislation to control disposal to the sea (CEC, 1991) and increased production (DoE, 1993). Recent research has investigated the possible accumulation of potentially toxic elements in body tissues of lambs given diets containing known amounts of sludge (Wilkinson et al, 1996). The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of season and method of application of sludge to grassland on voluntary feed intake, digestibility and growth of lambs.

Accumulation of potentially toxic elements by sheep given diets containing soil and sewage sludge. 2. Effect of the ingestion of soils treated historically with sewage sludge

1998 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hill ◽  
B. A. Stark ◽  
J. M. Wilkinson ◽  
M. K. Curran ◽  
I. J. Lean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Body Tissues ◽  
Total Diet ◽  
Liver And Kidney ◽  
Rate Of Accumulation

AbstractCurrent European Union legislation will increase the level of disposal of sewage sludge to agricultural land in the next 10 years. This increase may lead to an increase in ingestion, by grazing animals, of herbage with elevated levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) derived from sludge adhered to the herbage or sewage sludge-amended soil resulting in the accumulation of PTEs in body tissues, especially the liver and kidney. To assess the possible accumulation of PTEs from soils treated historically with sewage sludge, eight groups of housed weaned lambs were given either dried grass as a sole food (grass control), or diets comprising dried grass (0·9 of total diet dry matter (DM)) and soil (0·1 of total diet DM) from two experimental sites, plots within which had been treated 14 years previously with different quantities of sewage sludge. Soils from the two sites (Cassington and Royston) had contrasting physical characteristics, pH and contents of calcium. The soil from the site at Cassington was slightly acidic (pH 6·0) and had a concentration of calcium of 7·92 g/kg DM whereas the soil from the site at Royston was alkaline (pH 8·0) and had a high concentration of calcium (23·5 g/kg DM). Plots at each site had a range of concentrations of cadmium (Cd) in the soil up to three times the United Kingdom (UK) statutory limit of 3 mg Cd per kg DM. The soils from these two sites were designated control — no amendment with sewage sludge (0·69 mg Cd per kg DM), low (3·55 mg Cd per kg DM), medium (6·63 mg Cd per kg DM) and high (8·82 mg Cd per kg DM; Cassington soil only). Voluntary DM intake of diets by weaned lambs (mean 1436 glday) was not affected significantly by any dietary treatment. The concentrations of Cd in liver increased (P < 0·001) from 0·061 and 0·072 mg/kg DM (Royston and Cassington control, respectively) to 0·218 and 0·403 mg/kg DM (Royston and Cassington medium, respectively) and 0·500 mg/kg DM (Cassington high). The concentrations of Pb in liver increased (P < 0·001) from 0·733 and 0·627 mg/kg DM (Royston and Cassington control, respectively) to 118 and 1·25 mg/kg DM (Royston and Cassington medium, respectively) and 1·18 mg/kg DM (Cassington high). Similar changes were observed for concentrations of Cd and Pb in kidney. A depletion of the concentration of Cu in the liver was observed in all treatments containing soil in the diet. The rate of accumulation of Cd in the liver ranged from 0 to 0·35 μg/g daily tissue DM growth and in the kidney ranged from 0 to 0·44 μg/g daily tissue DM growth. The rate of accumulation of Pb in the liver ranged from 0 to 6·01 μg/g daily tissue DM growth and in the kidney ranged from 0 to 0·63 μg/g daily tissue DM growth. No significant accumulation of PTEs was observed in muscle tissue. It is concluded that the current UK statutory limits for the concentrations ofCd and Pb in soils treated with sewage sludge should be reviewed in the light of these results, though they require confirmation in the grazing situation.

Accumulation of potentially toxic elements by sheep given diets containing soil and sewage sludge. 1. Effect of type of soil and level of sewage sludge in the diet

1998 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hill ◽  
B. A. Stark ◽  
J. M. Wilkinson ◽  
M. K. Curran ◽  
I. J. Lean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Body Tissues ◽  
Daily Rate ◽  
Total Diet ◽  
Liver And Kidney ◽  
Level 3

AbstractIncreasing amounts of sewage sludge will be applied to agricultural land over the next 10 years as a result of the prohibition of its disposal to the sea. The addition of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) to the soil via sewage sludge is controlled by European legislation designed to limit the accumulation of PTEs in soil which could give rise to toxicity to plants or livestock. However the possibility exists that direct ingestion of sewage sludge and soil together with grazed herbage may result in accumulation of PTEs in body tissues. To assess the extent of accumulation of PTEs by direct ingestion of soil and sewage sludge 12 groups of housed weaned lambs were given diets ad libitum comprising dried grass (900 g/kg total diet dry matter (DM)) and three different soils (100 glkg total diet DM). Soil was replaced by dried digested sewage sludge at levels ofO (level 0), 75 (level 1), 150 (level 2) and 300 g/kg soil DM (level 3). Voluntary intake of DM was markedly depressed by the inclusion of sewage sludge in the diet (on average by 24 g DM per g sewage sludge DM addition). There was no effect of sewage sludge on diet apparent digestibility. Live-weight gain was depressed (P < 0·001) by the addition of sewage sludge to the diet from 236 glday (level 0) to 141 glday (level 3). Liver and kidney weights were also reduced (P < 0·01). The apparent availability coefficients for Cd, Pb and Cu increased with increasing level of sewage sludge in the diet fP < 0·05), as did their concentrations in the liver and kidney (P < 0·01). Concentrations of Cd and Pb in liver increased from <0·07 mg/kg DM and <0·40 mg/kg DM (level 0) respectively to 0·61 mg/kg DM and 4·60 mg/kg DM (level 3) respectively at the end of the trial. Similarly the concentrations of Cd and Pb in kidneys increased from 0·19 mg/kg DM and <0·56 mg/kg DM (level 0) respectively to 0·80 mg/kg DM and 7·10 mg/kg DM (level 3) respectively by the end of the trial. No increases were observed in concentrations of Cd or Pb in muscle tissue. The main effect of type of soil on concentrations of PTEs in body tissues was not significant The daily rate of accumulation ofPb in kidney ranged from 1·1 to 51·5 uglg daily tissue DM growth during the first 57 days of the experiment and from 0·33 to 6·78 /xg/g daily tissue DM growth between day 57 and day 112. A decrease in the second period was also observed for Cd, with accumulation in kidney ranging from 0·31 to 4·44 fig/g daily tissue DM growth during the first 57 days and from 0·21 to 1·44 /jg/g daily tissue DM growth between day 57 and 112. Concentrations of Pb in liver of lambs given the highest level of sludge approached the statutory limit set for human food. The results indicate that in relation to accumulation of PTEs in liver and kidney there would appear to be little margin of safety with respect to the current United Kingdom statutory limits for the concentrations of Cd and Pb in sludge-amended soils. Confirmation of these results is required in the grazing situation.

Sewage sludge as a potential source of lead in liver, kidney and muscle tissues of growing lambs

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 165-165
Author(s):  
J.M. Wilkinson ◽  
J. Hill ◽  
C.T. Livesey ◽  
B.A. Stark ◽  
M.K. Curran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Food Chain ◽  
The Body ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Body Tissues ◽  
Muscle Tissues ◽  
Human Food Chain ◽  
Copper Zinc ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Ad Libitum

Addition of sewage sludge to grassland may be reflected in ingestion of lead by animals with implications for the human food chain. The research reported here was part of a series of experiments conducted to investigate the possible risk to the health of livestock and humans associated with the use of sewage sludge in agriculture. The transfer of several elements to the body tissues of lambs was examined, including that of cadmium, copper, zinc and lead. The results for lead are reported in this paper.Weaned Kent lambs (6/treatment, 20 to 45 kg liveweight) were given dried grass ad libitum (Trial 1, indoor feeding) either as the sole feed (C) or with 100 g/kg DM of one of two soils (CM, sandy -pH 6.18; or RM, a calcareous loam - pH 7.55) which had been amended historically with sewage sludge and which contained 102 (CM) and 130 (RM) mg Pb/kg DM.

scholarly journals Selected Essential and Toxic Chemical Elements in Hypothyroidism—A Literature Review (2001–2021)

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (18) ◽  
pp. 10147
Author(s):  
Anna Błażewicz ◽  
Patrycja Wiśniewska ◽  
Katarzyna Skórzyńska-Dziduszko
Keyword(s):  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
The Body ◽  
Toxic Chemical ◽  
Thyroid Status ◽  
Hormone Synthesis ◽  
Essential Chemical

Thyroid hormones are known for controlling metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and electrolytes and for regulating body temperature. Normal thyroid status depends on the chemical/elemental composition of body fluids and tissues, which changes depending on physiological state, lifestyle and environment. A deficiency or excess of certain essential chemical elements (selenium, zinc, copper, iron or fluorine) or exposure to toxic (cadmium or lead) or potentially toxic elements (manganese or chromium) interacts with thyroid hormone synthesis and may disturb thyroid homeostasis. In our review, accessible databases (Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science) were searched for articles from 2001–2021 on the influence of selected chemical elements on the development of hypothyroidism. Our review adopted some of the strengths of a systematic review. After non-eligible reports were rejected, 29 remaining articles were reviewed. The review found that disruption of the physiological levels of elements in the body adversely affects the functioning of cells and tissues, which can lead to the development of disease.

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