Development and Validation of an ICP-MS Method and Its Application to Determine Multiple Trace Elements in Small Volumes of Whole Blood and Plasma

Author(s):  
E M Tanvir ◽  
Karen M Whitfield ◽  
Jack C Ng ◽  
P Nicholas Shaw

Abstract Essential and nonessential element concentrations in human blood provide important information on the nutritional status of individuals and can assist in the screening or diagnosis of certain disorders and their association with other causative factors. A simple and sensitive method, suitable for use with small sample volumes, for quantification of multiple trace element concentrations in whole blood and plasma has been developed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Method validation was performed using standard reference materials of whole blood and serum using varying sample treatments with nitric acid, water and hydrogen peroxide. The method was applied to quantify the trace element concentrations in whole blood and plasma samples (0.1 mL) from 50 adult blood donors in Queensland. The whole blood sample (5 mL) was collected in Vacutainer tubes with K2EDTA as anticoagulant. The developed method was able to quantify, in blood and plasma samples over a wide range of concentrations, several essential elements: cobalt, copper, zinc, iron, manganese and selenium; the nutritionally probably essential elements vanadium and strontium; and nonessential elements including lead, cadmium, arsenic, caesium, barium, thallium and uranium. Significant differences (P < 0.0001) were observed between whole blood and plasma concentrations for 13 elements; 5 of the measured elements, cobalt (0.49 vs. 0.36 μg/L), copper (1.0 vs. 0.75 mg/L), strontium (28 vs. 16 μg/L), barium (1.5 vs. 0.64 μg/L) and thallium (0.06 vs. 0.03 μg/L), had higher mean concentrations in plasma than in blood. Whole blood concentrations of nine trace elements were significantly correlated (P < 0.0001) with plasma concentrations. The distribution of the trace elements between human blood and plasma varied considerably for the different elements. These results indicate that, using a small sample volume, this assay is suitable for the evaluation of nutritional status as well as in monitoring human toxic elemental exposures.

Author(s):  
Tatiana Komarova ◽  
Daniel McKeating ◽  
Anthony V. Perkins ◽  
Ujang Tinggi

The levels of trace elements in whole blood and plasma have been widely used for assessing nutritional status and monitoring exposure and can vary widely in populations from different geographical regions. In this study, whole blood samples (n = 120) and plasma samples (n = 120) were obtained from healthy donors attending the Red Cross Blood Bank (Queensland Red Cross Blood Service), which provided information for age and sex. There were 71 males (age range: 19–73 years) and 49 females (age range: 18–72 years) for whole blood samples, and 59 males (age range: 19–81 years) and 61 females (age range: 19–73 years) for plasma samples. The main aim of the study was to provide information on blood reference levels of 21 trace elements (Ag, Al, As, Bi, Br, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, I, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, U, V, Zn) in Queensland. The study also aimed to assess differences in trace element blood levels between males and females and the effect of age. The trace element levels in blood samples were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the standard reference materials of Seronorm (Trace Elements Whole Blood) and UTAK (Trace Elements Serum) were used for quality control and assurance. The study found wide variations of trace element levels in whole blood and plasma, and generally the levels were comparable to other countries. No detectable levels were found for Bi, Cr, U and V in whole blood, but V levels were found in plasma samples. There were significant differences between males and females for whole blood Cu (p < 0.001), I (p = 0.009), Tl (p = 0.016) and Zn (p = 0.016). Significant differences were also found for plasma Cu (p < 0.001) and Se (p = 0.003) between males and females. There were trends of increased levels of blood Pb, Se and Zn with age. The study has provided further information on a wide range of trace elements in blood as reference levels for Queensland and Australia which are currently lacking.


OENO One ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-40
Author(s):  
Robin Cellier ◽  
Sylvain Berail ◽  
Ekaterina Epova ◽  
Julien Barre ◽  
Fanny Claverie ◽  
...  

Thirty-nine Champagnes from six different brands originating from the AOC Champagne area were analyzed for major and trace element concentrations in the context of their production processes and in relation to their geographical origins. Inorganic analyses were performed on the must (i.e., grape juice) originating from different AOC areas and the final Champagne. The observed elemental concentrations displayed a very narrow range of variability. Typical concentrations observed in Champagne are expressed in mg/L for elements such as K, Ca, Mg, Na, B, Fe, A, and Mn. They are expressed in µg/L for trace elements such as Sr, Rb, Ba, Cu, Ni, Pb Cr and Li in decreasing order of concentrations. This overall homogeneity was observed for Sr and Rb in particular, which showed a very narrow range of concentrations (150 < Rb < 300 µg/L and 150 < Sr < 350 µg/L) in Champagne. The musts contained similar levels of concentration but showed slightly higher variability since they are directly influenced by the bedrock, which is quite homogenous in the AOC area being studied. Besides the homogeneity of the bedrock, the overall stability of the concentrations recorded in the samples can also be directly linked to the successive blending steps, both at the must level and prior to the final bottling. A detailed analysis of the main additives, sugar, yeast and bentonite, during the Champagne production process, did not show a major impact on the elemental signature of Champagne.


Author(s):  
Diana Flood

Migratory fish-eating birds occupy the highest trophic positions of aquatic ecosystems and as such serve as invaluable end-point indicators of the presence and bioaccumulation of anthropogenic contaminants. The birds’ main route of contaminant exposure is through food consumption. Migration can complicate this pathway by introducing numerous feeding habitats and thus, potential sources of contamination. Birds possess a number of depuration mechanisms that permit them to reduce their contaminant burden, namely the elimination of metals and mercury (Hg) through their feathers, feces and eggs. Trace element concentrations found in the feathers reflect the contaminants circulating in the body at the time of feather growth, representing local exposure and potential mobilization from internal tissues. Molt schedules and patterns are important considerations when selecting feathers to link feeding ecology with contaminants, as migratory birds’ feathers grow on and represent different sites. Stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) and hydrogen isotopes (δD) can reveal feeding ecology and habitat use during their annual cycle. Consequently, anthropogenic and natural sources of metal accumulation can be linked to those ecological variables. This study will examine the assimilation of trace element in male Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) and Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) breast feathers grown on wintering sites and stable isotope signatures will be used to determine origin of contaminants. The aims for this study are to determine (i) whether isotopic signatures of feathers grown on wintering sites can explain variations in feather trace element concentrations, (ii) whether isotopes can determine the source of contamination, and (iii) whether differences in trace elements between individuals are determined by location of wintering ground or species.


1976 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard P. Hoffmann ◽  
Daniel M. Ashby

The use of trace-elements in intravenous hyperalimentation solutions has been recommended for long-term therapy. Very little information is available concerning the presence of these nutrients as contaminants in commercially available solutions. In view of this, the concentrations of copper and zinc were measured in twenty solutions by atomic absorption. The results indicate that the amounts present may be significant in certain solutions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 738-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo G. M. A. Martins ◽  
Philipe Moriel ◽  
John D. Arthington

We evaluated the effects of storage temperature (−20 or −80°C) and handling procedure on plasma concentrations of bovine haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin. Within each temperature, whole blood samples were: centrifuged within 2 h of collection and plasma kept frozen until analysis (control); refrigerated at 4°C for 24 h before plasma harvest and freezing (24H); or plasma harvested and frozen within 2 h after collection, but then plasma samples were thawed and refrozen 1 wk (1X), 1 and 2 wk (2X), or 1, 2 and 3 wk (3X) before analyses. Haptoglobin concentrations were greatest at 24H, but similar among remaining treatments. Ceruloplasmin concentrations were not affected by the handling procedures. Storage temperature did not affect haptoglobin concentrations, but ceruloplasmin concentrations decreased when stored at −20 versus −80°C. Except for greater concentrations after 24 h storage at 4°C, haptoglobin concentrations remained stable at either freezing temperature and through freeze–thaw cycles. Ceruloplasmin concentrations decreased after 3 freeze–thaw cycles and required lower freezing temperatures to remain stable.


1996 ◽  
Vol 06 (03n04) ◽  
pp. 517-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
YOSHINORI KOSHIKAWA ◽  
NOBUAKI ARAI ◽  
WATARU SAKAMOTO ◽  
KOJI YOSHIDA

Trace element concentrations in short necked clam Ruditapes philippinarum marked shells with iron rusting were determined by particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method. Element such as Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn, Sr, and Br were detected in the shells. The Fe/Ca X-ray intensity ratio decreased exponentially on the day after marking. It was concluded that the higher Fe concentration on marked clams was caused by attached iron rusting. The concentrations of Fe, Br, and Sr differed among the 3 stations (Kamaya, Shigaki, and Iwatani), suggesting that elemental concentrations may be related to the growth of clams.


2019 ◽  
Vol 486 (5) ◽  
pp. 613-619
Author(s):  
M. Yu. Semenov ◽  
V. A. Snytko ◽  
Yu. M. Semenov ◽  
A. V. Silaev ◽  
L. N. Semenova

The metal composition of water and bottom sediments of southern Lake Baikal tributaries was studied and the water migration coefficients for micro- and trace elements were calculated. The map showing the study area divided into zones according to their ability to provide the certain water quality was drawn. The significant differences in mineralization, macro- and trace element composition between Lake Baikal water and tributary waters were found out. It was shown that values of water migration coefficients calculated for macro elements are similar in southern and main tributaries whereas coefficient values calculated for trace elements are quite different. This is due to dissolved matter sources such as rocks and deep ground waters which chemical composition is not typical for landscapes of Lake Baikal basin. The contribution of southern tributaries to macro element composition of lake water is between 7 and 15%, whereas tributaries contribution to trace element composition can hardly be evaluated because of higher element concentrations in riverine waters. The lower trace element concentrations in lake water with respect to riverine one is due to trace element migration in the form of complex organic compounds: long water residence time in lake favors to organic compounds decay by means of microbial- and photo-degradation followed by metal precipitation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Monique Francis Holmes

<p>Heavy metals in the marine environment are a worldwide issue due to their toxicity, non-biodegradability and their ability to accumulate and magnify in organisms. Increased human activity has caused higher inputs of heavy metals, resulting in escalated pressures on delicate coastal ecosystems. A means of assessing the natural environment and how it is changing in response to pollution and other environmental degradation is through the use of biological indicator or biomonitor species. These organisms provide information on the bioavailability of metals present in the environment. In recent years amphipods, a diverse order of small crustaceans, have been increasingly used as bioindicators of disturbed aquatic communities. They are widespread and important components of many food webs, and likely to be frequently exposed to metal contamination through both sediment and seawater. The aim of this research was two-fold: 1) to use amphipods to examine variation across sites and species in concentration of 20+ trace elements and 2) to examine whether the uptake of two metals, copper (Cu) and neodymium (Nd), is mediated by the presence of the other metal or an elevated seawater temperature.  To investigate variation of trace element concentrations across sites, the amphipod Eusiroides monoculoides was collected from three sites in the Wellington region, approximately 5 km apart: Oriental Bay, Evans Bay and Point Halswell. To investigate differences amongst species comparisons were made between Eusiroides monoculoides, Apohyale papanuiensis and Sunamphitoe mixtura when they occurred at the same site. Analysing the trace element concentrations of 36 metals was done using an Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS). Overall, although these sites were not greatly distant from each other, there were differences among sites. Evans Bay in general had the highest concentration of trace elements. Further, there were also species-specific differences and S. mixtura was the species with the highest concentration of trace elements. There was also a size effect, where the average dry weight of S. mixtura was negatively related to the concentration of trace elements in the body.  To assess the effects of heavy metals Cu and Nd in both an ambient (14 °C) and elevated (20 °C) temperature, an experiment was run at Victoria University’s Coastal Ecology Lab (VUCEL). Sand hoppers, Bellorchestia quoyana, were collected from a single site in Wellington (Scorching Bay) and assigned to eight treatments: ambient and warm controls in raw seawater and ambient and warm seawater doped with Cu, Nd and Cu and Nd together. Amphipods from treatments with Cu and Nd added had significantly higher concentrations of these metals from the controls, however temperature had no effect, and neither was there an interaction between the metals. Similar to S. mixtura from the field study, dry weight of B. quoyana was negatively related to the concentration of trace elements in the body.  Results from this work demonstrate that when using amphipods as bioindicator species it is important to consider species and size specific effects. This thesis also provides baseline data for 20+ elements from three Wellington sites and demonstrates that there can be unexpected variation across relatively small spatial scales. The laboratory experiment did not yield results that coincided with the consensus of the literature. The experiment showed that at least in this case, temperature did not mediate the uptake of metals and there was a negative relationship between size and metal uptake.</p>


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1052
Author(s):  
Yolanda Cedeño ◽  
Marta Miranda ◽  
Inmaculada Orjales ◽  
Carlos Herrero-Latorre ◽  
Maruska Suárez ◽  
...  

This study was designed (i) to establish reference ranges for the essential trace element and background levels of toxic element exposure in the healthy/normal dog population, and (ii) to evaluate whether trace element concentrations vary in dogs suffering from different pathologies. Blood serum samples were collected from 187 healthy and diseased dogs at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela (northwest Spain). The samples were acid digested, and the concentrations of trace elements (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se and Zn) and toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg and Pb) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This enabled us to establish reference ranges for the essential trace elements and the level of toxic element exposure in dogs, and to identify several clinical situations associated with variations in trace elements in serum. Relative to concentrations in healthy control dogs, statistically significant differences were observed in the concentrations of Cu (significantly higher in hepatic, inflammatory/infectious and oncological categories), Mo (significantly higher in renal category), Se (significantly lower in gastrointestinal category) and Zn (significantly lower in gastrointestinal, inflammatory/infectious and renal categories). Trace element concentrations can be a cause or consequence of disease, and the study findings indicate that trace element determination in serum provides useful information on the pathogenesis of certain diseases. Further research on the serum concentrations of trace elements, particularly in relation to other biochemical parameters and diagnostic tools, may provide valuable information for the diagnosis of diseases in dogs and the disease prognosis.


Author(s):  
Robert E. White

Most plants need 16 elements to grow normally and reproduce. Some of these el­ements are required in relatively large concentrations, ideally >1,000 mg/kg (0.1%) in the dry matter (DM); these are called macronutrients. The others, called micronutrients, generally are required in concentrations <100 mg/kg DM (0.01%). Of the essential elements, C and O are supplied as CO2 from the atmosphere, whereas H and O are supplied in H2O from the atmosphere and water sources. Chlorine is also abundant in the air and oceans as the Cl_ ion. Winds whip sea spray containing Cl, Na, Mg, Ca, and S into aerosols to be deposited by rain on the land or as “dry deposition” on vegetation. Nitrogen as N2 gas in the atmo­sphere enters soil–plant systems primarily by “biological fixation” (section 4.2.2.1), although small amounts are also deposited as NH4+ and NO3­_ ions from the air. Cobalt (Co) is essential for biological N2 fixation in legumes and blue-green al­gae. For the remaining essential elements, the major source is minerals that weather in the soil and parent material. Another term frequently used is trace element, which can include both essen­tial and nonessential elements. A trace element normally occurs at a concentra­tion <1,000 mg/kg in the soil. There are three categories of trace elements: 1. The essential micronutrients Cu, Zn, Mn, B, and Mo, which are beneficial at normal concentrations in the plant (ranging from 0.1 mg/kg for Mo to 100 mg/kg for Mn) but which become toxic at higher concentrations. Iron is the only micronutrient that is not strictly a trace element. 2. Elements such as chromium (Cr), selenium (Se), iodine (I), and Co that are not essential for plants, but are essential for animals. 3. Elements such as arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadium (Cd), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni), which are not required by plants or animals and are toxic to either group at concentrations in the organism greater than a few mg/kg. Trace elements in the soil are normally derived from the parent material. Ex­amples of concentrations of trace elements in soils derived from different parent materials are given in table 4.2.


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