scholarly journals Analysis of metal accumulation and Phytochelatin Synthase (PCS) gene expression in Saccharum spontaneum L. as regards its function for remediation of lead (Pb) contamination

2021 ◽  
Vol 905 (1) ◽  
pp. 012117
Author(s):  
D S Rini ◽  
N Hidayati

Abstract Pollution caused by heavy metals, has become a serious problem. Adverse effects arising from the increased use of heavy metals in a variety of human activities lead to any environmental degradation. Lead (Pb) is one of most common contaminants in the environment and highly toxic. Pb is less mobile, so its compound tends to accumulate in soil and sediments. Definitely, efforts are needed to remove this contaminant in the environment. Saccharum spontaneum L. is a perennial grass which has potential to be used as an accumulator plant to clean up pollutants. The ability of this plant as metal accumulator was tested in this study. S.pontaneum plants were treated using Pb in the concentrations of 0 ppm (control), 100 ppm, 200 ppm, and 300 ppm for 8 weeks. The results showed that there was an increase in the percentage of relative accumulation of Pb in the treated plants. This also indicated that plant roots accumulated more Pb than shoots. Meanwhile, expression of Phytochelatin synthase (PCS) gene increased 1.3-to-3.5-fold inductions in roots by increasing concentration of Pb treatments for 24 h. PCS gene expression showed the higher induction in the roots than in the shoots of S.spontaneum plant under Pb treatments.

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elijah Abakpa Adegbe ◽  
Oluwaseyi Oluwabukola Babajide ◽  
Lois Riyo Maina ◽  
Shola Elijah Adeniji

Abstract Background Heavy metal accumulation in the ecosystem constitutes a potential toxic effect which is hazardous to human health. Increasing environmental pollution has necessitated the use of cattle egrets to evaluate the levels of heavy metal contamination, to establish their use in biomonitoring of heavy metals and to provide data for monitoring pollution in the environment. Results The present study assessed the utilization of Bubulcus ibis in monitoring pollution in five abattoirs, namely Agege, Bariga, Kara, Itire and Idi-Araba, all situated in Lagos State. The concentration of five (5) heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) was determined in the liver, muscle and feather of Bubulcus ibis using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The trend of metal accumulation was in the order: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd > Ni for all the sampled tissues. The mean tissue concentrations of the metals were significantly different (p < 0.05) among the sites. The highest levels of metal concentration were reported in the liver in all the locations. Mean concentration of Cd in Kara (0.003 ± 0.00058) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those found at Agege (0.0013 ± 0.00058) and Idi-Araba (0.001 ± 0.001). A significant difference (p < 0.05) was also observed between the mean concentrations of Cu in Bariga (0.01 ± 0.001) and Idi-Araba (0.003 ± 0.001). Conclusion All the studied heavy metals were present in the liver, muscle and feathers of the cattle egrets. The contamination levels were ascertained from the study which indicated that cattle egrets are useful in biomonitoring studies and the generated data will serve as baseline data which could be compared with data from other locations for monitoring heavy metal pollution.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ufere N. Uka ◽  
Ebenezer J. D. Belford ◽  
Florence A. Elebe

AbstractThis study was undertaken to examine changes in the content of pigments and accumulation of metals from vehicular pollution in selected species of roadside trees under vehicular pollution. A major arterial road with heavy vehicle emissions in the Kumasi Metropolis was designated as the polluted site, while Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Campus was designated as the control site. Four tree species (Terminalia catappa, Mangifera indica, Ficus platyphylla and Polyalthia longifolia) selected for the study were well distributed and abundant in the polluted and control sites. Photosynthetic pigments and levels of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cd and zinc) were assessed in their leaves. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were determined by absorption spectrometry, while the metal accumulation index (MAI) was used to determine the total metal accumulation capacity of the tree species. We observed a reduction in photosynthetic pigments in the leaf samples from the polluted site. Ficus platyphylla had the maximum reduction in total chlorophyll (49.34%), whereas Terminalia catappa recorded the lowest reduction (33.88%). Similarly, the largest decrease (31.58%) of carotenoid content was found in Terminalia catappa trees and the lowest in Polyalthia longifolia (16.67%). The Polyalthia longifolia, Ficus platyphylla and Terminalia catappa leaf samples collected at the polluted site recorded a higher ratio of chlorophyll a/b. Heavy metal (Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd) accumulation in leaf samples was higher in the polluted site than in the control, as expected. The highest metal MAI value was recorded in Mangifera indica (5.35) followed by Polyalthia longifolia with 4.30. The findings from this study specifically demonstrate that air contamination induced by vehicles decreases the level of photosynthetic pigments in trees subjected to roadside emissions. It is clear that both chlorophyll a/b and chlorophyll/carotenoid ratios will act as very useful stress-level markers. Elevated heavy metal levels in the tree species along arterial roadsides indicate that they serve as heavy metals sink. The change in MAI resulting from different pollution burden is an indication that the removal capabilities of the tree species differ from each other. We therefore suggest M. indica and P. longifolia as potential species to be used in air pollution reduction plans in the city.


2011 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1040-1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. R. Zaripova ◽  
V. P. Kholodova ◽  
Ya. O. Zubo ◽  
V. V. Kusnetsov ◽  
Vl. V. Kuznetsov

Cosmetics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Claire Tubia ◽  
Alfonso Fernández-Botello ◽  
Jan Dupont ◽  
Eni Gómez ◽  
Jérôme Desroches ◽  
...  

As an external appendage, hair is exposed to multiple stresses of different origins such as particles and gases in air, or heavy metals and chemicals in water. So far, little research has addressed the impact of water pollution on hair. The present study describes a new ex vivo model that allowed us to document the adverse effects of water pollutants on the structure of hair proteins, as well as the protective potential of active cosmetic ingredients derived from a biomimetic exopolysaccharide (EPS). The impact of water pollution was evaluated on hair from a Caucasian donor repeatedly immersed in heavy metal-containing water. Heavy metal retention in and on hair was then quantified using Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry (ICP/MS). The adverse effects of heavy metals on the internal structure of hair and its prevention by the EPS were assessed through measurement of keratin birefringence. Notably, the method allows the monitoring of the organization of keratin fibers and therefore the initial change on it in order to modulate the global damage in the hair. Results revealed an increasing amount of lead, cadmium and copper, following multiple exposures to polluted water. In parallel, the structure of keratin was also altered with exposures. However, heavy metal-induced keratin fiber damage could be prevented in the presence of the tested EPS, avoiding more drastic hair problems, such as lack of shine, or decrease in strength, due to damage accumulation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 2947-2956
Author(s):  
Nazym Kozhanova ◽  
Nurzhan Sarsembayeva ◽  
Bozena Lozowicka ◽  
Zhassulan Kozhanov

Background and Aim: The quality of food, especially animal-based food, is crucial for human health. However, the quality of milk and other animal products has become an acute cause for concern in Kazakhstan . Technogenic dispersion of heavy metals (HMs) causes adverse effects on living organisms and creates unfavorable conditions for the existence of humans, animals, and plants. The purpose of this study was to analyze the content of several HMs in samples of soil, horse feed (hay, mixed feed, and bran), mare's milk, and manure to assess bioaccumulation and possible adverse effects on the bodies of horses. An additional purpose was to identify areas with acceptable conditions for obtaining environmentally safe horse breeding products in the agricultural zones of the Almaty region, Kazakhstan. Materials and Methods: Samples were obtained from two farms in the Almaty region in 2020 (spring, summer, and autumn). In total, 72 soil samples were analyzed, which were taken from the upper humus horizon to the depth of the arable layer. Eighty-six samples were taken from the feed of horses. Green feed was represented by perennial and annual grasses (alsike clover, Medicago sativa, sweet yellow clover, as well as pea and oat mix). Barley and wheat bran stored in the warehouses of the farm were sampled for the research as feed supplements. The mixed feed comprised components such as maize and sunflower. In addition, 46 samples of mare's milk and 28 samples of horse manure were collected. The HM analysis was performed in the laboratory of the Kazakh-Japanese Innovation Center. The residual amounts of HMs were determined using an absorption spectrometer with a voltammetric analyzer. The content of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) in all the studied samples of soil, feed, mare's milk, and manure did not exceed the threshold limit values (TLVs), suggesting that the intake of these toxic elements into the human body with food was low. Results: The average Cd concentration was in the range of 0.29-0.31 mg/kg in soil samples and in the range of 0.20-0.27 mg/kg in feed samples. In milk, the Cd concentration varied from 0.01 to 0.02 mg/L and was lower in summer and higher in fall. The total average Cd content in horse manure was 0.1844 mg/kg. The concentration of Pb in soil samples ranged from 1.09 to 1.30 mg/kg with the lowest value in spring and the highest in fall. In the feed, the concentration of Pb varied from 0.14 to 0.76 mg/kg and in milk from 0.03 to 0.15 mg/L. The average concentrations of Hg and As in soil samples averaged 0.022 and 0.019 mg/kg, respectively, and were within the TLVs. Conclusion: In the study areas, the calculated transition rates in the soil–feed–milk–manure system revealed that the greatest transition of HMs was observed for Pb and Cd, and a smaller migration was observed for Hg and As. The tendency of accumulation of trace elements continued in the feed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 912 (1) ◽  
pp. 012044
Author(s):  
Wahyudi ◽  
T A Barus ◽  
S Ilyas

Abstract Lake Lau Kawar is one of the exposed areas in North Sumatra by the volcanic ash originating from Mount Sinabung eruption. The lake has been utilized as a tourism site and fish resources for consumption by the local community. Keperas (Cyclocheilichthys apogon Val. 1842) is one of the native fish commonly caught by the community. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of selected heavy metals such as copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) accumulated by C. apogon and the ones present in the lake water. The results showed that Zn present in the highest concentration followed by Cu and Pb as similar to the results from bioconcentration factor (BCF). All heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn) exhibited their highest concentrations in the gills, while the muscles possessed the lowest concentrations of all metals. Risk assessment based on the national and internasional standard revealed that the concentration of these metals was relatively low and safe for consumption.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-90
Author(s):  
Samar Mortazavi ◽  
◽  
Masoud Hatamimanesh ◽  
Farzad Veysanlou ◽  
◽  
...  

Background: The present study investigated the concentrations of lead, nickel, copper, zinc, their toxicity potential, and their ecological hazard in surface soils of Hamedan City, Iran. Also, using the Bio-concentration Factor (BCF), concentration Comprehensive Bio-concentration Index (CBCI), and Metal Accumulation Index (MAI), was evaluated the ability of some tree and shrub species to absorb heavy metals in soil and air. Methods: Sampling of leaves of nine tree species and shrubs (plane, acacia, elm, willow, mulberry, ash, redbud, pine, and cypress) was performed in six stations. After preparation and acid digestion of the samples, the concentrations of heavy metals were determined using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Results: The trend of changes in soil heavy Mean±SD metal concentrations was in the order of nickel> zinc> copper> lead in the amounts of 61.41±11.34˃ 43.04±14.4˃ 42.87±8.36˃ 18.77±6.51 mg/kg. Evaluation of acute toxicity potential indicators and ecological risk of heavy metals indicated low soil pollution status. Findings of BCF, CBCI, and MAI ndices in the leaves of the species showed that the highest levels of BCF of heavy metals, i.e., zinc, copper, lead, and nickel, were in willow, elm, cypress, and pine species, respectively. Results show that heavy metal accumulation in different species. Conclusion: Depends on soil type, tree species, climatic conditions, type of pollutant source, species age, and other factors. In this study, elm and acacia have the highest ability to absorb heavy metals from soil and air.


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