Heavy Metals in Tissues and Organs of the Narwhal (Monodon monoceros)

1983 ◽  
Vol 40 (S2) ◽  
pp. s206-s214 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Wagemann ◽  
N. B. Snow ◽  
A. Lutz ◽  
D. P. Scott

Sixty narwhals (Monodon monoceros) were sampled in the vicinity of Pond Inlet, N.W.T., during the summer of 1978 and 1979. Concentrations of Pb, Cu, Cd, Hg, Se, As, and Zn were measured in liver, kidney, muscle, and blubber. All elements except As were lowest in concentration in the blubber and highest in kidney and liver; Cd and Zn were generally higher in kidney than in liver, while the converse was true for Pb, Cu, and Hg. Cadmium levels in liver and kidney had high interanimal variability but were generally higher than would be expected based on existing marine mammal Cd content data. Certain metals were correlated with animal size and sex. Mercury in kidney, muscle, and blubber and Cd in muscle appear to accumulate during growth. A number of interelement associations with extremely high probabilities were found: among them, that between Hg and Se and Cd and Zn in liver and kidney tissues. The latter association is thought to be related to the presence of metallothionein. The data presented are discussed in terms of what little is known of the biology of the narwhal and represent a baseline for a resource organism which is harvested in an area already subject to mining activity, the level of which is due to increase in the future.

Author(s):  
Himalaya Bhardwaj ◽  
Chanchal Singh ◽  
Shashi Nayyar

Background: The present study was planned to assess the biochemical and micro-minerals profile in blood and other tissues of buffaloes environmentally exposed to heavy metals. Methods: Tissues (liver and kidney) and blood samples (n=50) were collected from local abattoir. Based on the level of heavy metals, animals were classified as exposed and control was found to have heavy metals in normal range. Blood and tissue sample from both groups were analyzed for micro-minerals, antioxidant status, metabolic profile and expression of metallothionein-2 (MT-2).Result: Exposed group was found to have significantly (p less than 0.05) higher level of arsenic and chromium as compared to the control group. Level of Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were observed to be significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in exposed animals as compared to control but their concentrations were below the permissible limit in both the groups. Cobalt (Co) and iron (Fe) level were normal in all tissues but Fe level was lower than permissible limit in blood. Malonldialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) was found to be significantly increased (p less than 0.05) in tissues and blood of exposed group. The exposed buffaloes were found to have significantly (p less than 0.05) increased glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea and creatinine level as compared to control group. Fold change expression of metallothionein (MT-2), had maximum in liver, followed by kidney and blood as compared to control group. The study concluded that heavy metals exposure and low concentration of micro-minerals in buffaloes could result in oxidative damage and alterations in the expression of metallothionein.


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 390-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
He-rong Gui ◽  
Man-li Lin ◽  
Wei-hua Peng

Six groundwater samples were collected from four aquifers in Renlou coal mine, northern Anhui Province, China, and concentration, temporal variation and speciation of five heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were analyzed. The results of physicochemical parameters and major ions showed that the selected groundwater were representative samples of Quaternary aquifer (QA), coal measure aquifer (CA), Taiyuan limestone aquifer (TA) and Ordovician limestone aquifer (OA). Cr, Ni and Zn increased in the four aquifers from 2002 to 2014, but Pb decreased from 2006 to 2014. Cu concentration increased in QA and TA, but decreased in CA and OA. Although all monitoring results met the standards recommended by WHO and GB5749-2006, Cr and Cu in some groundwater samples exceeded GB/T 14848-93, especially in CA. Soluble metallic hydroxides were the dominant species of heavy metals in QA, while free ions were the main species in TA and OA. Excepted Ni2+ and Zn2+, CuCO3(aq) and PbCO3(aq) were the dominant species of Cu and Pb in CA, respectively, indicating more CO2 had been flooded and dissolved in groundwater from ground atmospheric environment. The enhanced concentration and special dominant species of heavy metals revealed that the ‘closed’ characteristics of CA in Renlou coal mine might have been broken due to coal mining activity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (24) ◽  
pp. 3200-3215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Van Minh Dang ◽  
Stephen Joseph ◽  
Huu Tap Van ◽  
Thi Lan Anh Mai ◽  
Thi Minh Hoa Duong ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-263
Author(s):  
Luiz Alex Silva Saraiva

A partir do contexto de exploração mineral verificado em Minas Gerais, Brasil, o livro “Violações de direitos e danos ao projeto de vida no contexto da mineração” tem como objetivo discutir “os principais problemas gerados aos moradores da Cabeceira do turco decorrentes da instalação e operação do complexo minerário Minas-Rio na região”. Para isso apresenta os resultados de um dos mais bem-sucedidos programas de extensão da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, o Polos de Cidadania, em atuação desde 1995. A obra apresenta uma visão humanizada dos desdobramentos da atividade mineradora sobre as vidas das famílias acompanhadas, demonstrando que a extensão é um caminho potente para geração de conhecimento, em especial em um momento no qual se debate com mais atenção a imprescindibilidade de uma forma de economia baseada na destruição dos recursos do planeta. Por isso, ele pode ser considerado tanto como um alerta para o futuro, quanto para o vigor do conhecimento produzido na universidade. Abstract: Starting from the context of mineral exploration in Minas Gerais, Brazil, the book "Violations of rights and damages to the life project in the context of mining" aims to discuss “the main problems generated to the residents of “Cabeceira do turco” arising from the installation and operation of the Minas-Rio mining complex in the region”. To reach this, it presents the results of one of the most successful extension programs of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Polos de Cidadania, in operation since 1995. The book presents a humanized view of the mining activity consequences to the families lives, demonstrating that extension is a potent path for knowledge generation, especially when more attention is being drawn to the indispensability of a form of economy based on the destruction of the planet's resources. Therefore, it can be considered both as an alert for the future and for the strength of the knowledge produced in the university.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Dinh Binh Chu ◽  
Hung Tuan Duong ◽  
Minh Thi Nguyet Luu ◽  
Hong-An Vu-Thi ◽  
Bich-Thuy Ly ◽  
...  

In this work, twelve heavy metals and arsenic, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn, in a rice sample collected from some areas of Vietnam have been quantified and implemented by using multiple analytical platforms such as ICP-MS, AAS, and mercury analyser. Seventy rice samples collected from the Red River Delta and mining zone activity were analysed. Concentration of heavy metals and arsenic in rice was analysed after appropriated sample digestion using internal or external calibration curves. The mean concentration (mg kg−1 dried weight) of the analysed elements in rice samples decreased on the order of Mn (19.268) > Fe (13.624) > Zn (8.163) > Cu (3.138) > Ni (0.384) > Cr (0.296) > Co (0.279) > As (0.115) > Cd (0.111) > Pb (0.075) > Hg (0.007) > Se (<LOD). Mercury, a highly toxic element, has been only found in rice samples collected in the mining activity zone (frequency detection 14.5% of total samples). The experimental results indicated that the heavy metals and arsenic found in rice collected from mining activity zone were higher than those in rice harvested from normal cultivated areas like the Red River Delta. The heavy metals and arsenic content in Vietnamese rice samples were also compared with the concentration of heavy metals in other foreign rice samples in some recent publications. The estimated daily intake through rice consumption was calculated and compared with the level proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The results indicated that the provisional daily intake of Cd was higher than the level proposed by FAO, while the intake of other heavy metals was in an acceptable range of CODEX standard.


2022 ◽  
Vol 2022 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Mahdieh Raeeszadeh ◽  
Pouria Karimi ◽  
Nadia Khademi ◽  
Pejman Mortazavi

Heavy metals such as arsenic contribute to environmental pollution that can lead to systemic effects in various body organs. Some medicinal plants such as broccoli have been shown to reduce the harmful effects of these heavy metals. The main aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of broccoli extract on liver and kidney toxicity, considering hematological and biochemical changes. The experimental study was performed in 28 days on 32 male Wistar rats classified into four groups: the control group (C), a group receiving 5 mg/kg oral arsenic (AS), a group receiving 300 mg/kg broccoli (B), and a group receiving arsenic and broccoli combination (AS + B). Finally, blood samples were taken to evaluate the hematological and biochemical parameters of the liver and kidney, as well as serum proteins’ concentration. Liver and kidney tissue were fixed and stained by H&E and used for histopathological diagnosis. The results demonstrated a significant decrease in white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), and hemoglobin (Hb) in the AS group compared to other groups. However, in the B group, a significant increase in RBC and WBC was observed compared to the AS and C groups ( P  < 0.05). Moreover, RBC and WBC levels increased significantly in the AS + B group compared to the AS group ( P  = 0.046). However, in the AS group, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea, and creatinine levels increased, while total protein, albumin, and globulin decreased. This can be a result of liver and kidney damage, which was observed in the AS group. Furthermore, the increase in the concentration of albumin and globulin in the AS + B group was higher than that in the AS group. Infiltration of inflammatory cells and necrosis of the liver and kidney tissue in the pathological evaluation of the AS group were significantly higher than other groups. There was an increase in superoxide dismutases (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC); however, a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was seen in the AS + B group compared to the AS group. It seems that broccoli is highly effective at reducing liver and kidney damage and improving the hematological and biochemical factors in arsenic poisoning conditions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad - Nurcholis ◽  
Dwi Fitri Yudiantoro ◽  
Darban - Haryanto ◽  
Abdurrachman - Mirzam

Artisanal and small gold mining activity in Wonogiri Regency has long been done with problems on environmental quality. This study was aimed to analyze the levels and spatial distribution of heavy metals in the mining area. Survey of  mining and amalgamation sites, sampling the soil and tailings had been conducted. There were 66 samples of soil and tailing were collected, analysis of heavy Fe, Mn, Pb, Hg, As and Co, using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Normal distribution test of data was conducted using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro Wilk.  The spatial distribution of heavy metals was described using Krigging method. Contents of most heavy metals in the area studied were high, except for Co. According to the distribution pattern of heavy metals indicated that the contamination caused by the mining.


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