scholarly journals It’s Time to Replace the Term “Heavy Metals” with “Potentially Toxic Elements” When Reporting Environmental Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (22) ◽  
pp. 4446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Pourret ◽  
Andrew Hursthouse
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Natural Sciences ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Toxic Element ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
Environmental Sciences ◽  
Common Term ◽  
Pollution Impacts

Even if the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements is relatively well defined, some controversial terms are still in use. Indeed, the term “heavy metal” is a common term used for decades in the natural sciences, and even more in environmental sciences, particularly in studies of pollution impacts. As the use of the term appears to have increased, we highlight the relevance of the use of the term “Potentially Toxic Element(s)”, which needs more explicit endorsement, and we illustrate the chemical elements that need to be considered.

scholarly journals Mecanismos de tolerancia a elementos potencialmente tóxicos en plantas

2017 ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel González-Mendoza ◽  
Omar Zapata-Pérez
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Free Proline ◽  
Potentially Toxic Metals ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Mycorrhizal Associations ◽  
Broad Overview

Plants possess a wide array of potential cellular mechanisms that may be involved in the tolerance to potentially toxic elements. These mechanisms include mycorrhizal associations, heavy metals binding to cell wall, precipitation by extracellular exudates; reduction in uptake or efflux pumping of metals at the plasma membrane, chelation of metals in the cytosol by peptides such as phytochelatins, metallothionein, histidina free, proline free , and the compartmentation of metals in the vacuole by tono-plast- located transporters. This review provides a broad overview of the evidence of the involvement of each mechanism in plants' tolerance to potentially toxic metals.

scholarly journals Utilization of Rats Purun (Eleochalists of Dulcis) and Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) to Reduce Mercury Level (Hg) With Phytoremediation Method

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Sileni Putri ◽  
Nasoetion Nasoetion ◽  
Muhtadi Muhtadi
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Water Hyacinth ◽  
Eichhornia Crassipes ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Mercury Level ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Sample Analysis ◽  
Tidal Swamp

Metal mercury (Hg), has the chemical name hydragyrum which means liquid. Mercury metal is represented by Hg. In the periodic chemical elements Hg rank (NA) 80 and have atomic weights (BA 200,59). Rat Purun (Eleocharis dulcis) and water hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes) are plants that are widely found in tidal swamp land. Both plants can be used as organic fertilizer, biofilter, and absorb toxic elements such as heavy metals Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe), Mercury (Hg), Sulphate (SO4). This study aims to determine the ability of rat purun plants (Eleochalisdulcis) and water hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes) in reducing mercury (Hg) levels in water and to determine the effectiveness of rat purun plants (Eleochalisdulcis) and water hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes) in absorbing mercury Hg. Sample analysis was carried out at the Bandar Lampung Standardization Research Center.The results obtained by rat purun plants (Eleochalisdulcis) can reduce mercury levels (Hg). The effectiveness of reducing heavy metal mercury (Hg) is 97.88%. Water hyacinth plants (Eichhorniacrassipes) have effectiveness in reducing heavy metals mercury (Hg) which is equal to 96.66%.

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.

scholarly journals Significant Correlations Dependence of High-Risk Chemical Elements in the Environment

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-34
Author(s):  
Jana Urminská
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Total Concentration ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Absorption Spectrometry ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Natural Sources ◽  
Risk Element

Abstract With the development of industry, agriculture, exploitation of natural sources and with boom of settlement density, the environment is being affected by potentially toxic elements; the phenomenon is consequently reflected on human health. Cadmium is a high risk element for the whole environment. The aim of this research was to analyse and evaluate sediments of selected water reservoirs during the ten-year period in order to determine the concentrations of selected, potentially toxic elements. For statistical processing, the correlation coefficient by the Spearman method and the analysis of the index were used. Sediments are reliable indicators of environmental pollution. The analyses of the sediment samples were carried out by the flow electrochemistry and the atomic absorption spectrometry methods. The total concentration of Cd in sediments was up to 22.60 mg kg−1 of dry matter. pH/KCl was marked in the range from 5.6 to 7.2. From statistical processing of sediments data by Spearman, we determined the dependencies between Cd and the following elements: As, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn. The relations between Cd and the following elements: Pb, As and Cu were very highly positive.

scholarly journals Earthworms accelerate the biogeochemical cycling of potentially toxic elements: Results of a meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Sizmur ◽  
Justin Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Toxic Element ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Earthworm Casts ◽  
Potentially Toxic Element ◽  
The Impact

<p>Earthworms are ecosystem engineers, capable of modifying the soil environment they inhabit. Recent evidence indicates that they increase the mobility and availability of potentially toxic elements in soils, but the systematic synthesis of the evidence required to understand mechanisms and identify soils most susceptible to earthworm-induced potentially toxic element mobilisation is lacking. We undertook a meta-analysis of 43 peer reviewed journal articles, comprising 1185 pairwise comparisons to quantify the impact of earthworms on potentially toxic element mobility in bulk earthworm-inhabited soil and earthworm casts and on plant uptake and concentration. We find that earthworms mobilise potentially toxic elements primarily due to the passage of soil through the earthworm gut and that this results in an increase in the concentration and uptake by plants. Earthworms mobilise potentially toxic elements in uncontaminated soils to a greater extent than contaminated soils. Soils with either very low (<2%) or very high (>10%) soil organic matter content are most susceptible to earthworm-induced potentially toxic element mobilisation. These findings have important implications for exotic earthworms burdening plants with toxic metals, but also offer a promising phenomenon that, if harnessed, may help to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies in degraded soils.</p>

scholarly journals Potentially Toxic Element Pollution Levels and Risk Assessment of Soils and Sediments in the Upstream River, Miyun Reservoir, China

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Libo Pan ◽  
Guangling Fang ◽  
Yue Wang ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Benying Su ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Toxic Element ◽  
Miyun Reservoir ◽  
Sediment Samples ◽  
Potentially Toxic Element ◽  
Soils And Sediments ◽  
Soil And Sediment

This study focused on the Chao River and Baimaguan River located upstream of the Miyun Reservoir in Miyun District (Beijing, China). Soil and sediment samples were collected from the river and drainage basin. Total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and six potentially toxic elements including cadmium, zinc, lead, chromium, arsenic, and copper, were analyzed in terms of concentration, potential ecological risk, and human health risk. The average concentrations of the six potentially toxic elements were all below the soil environmental quality standards for China. Cadmium was the most serious pollutant in both soils and sediments, at 2.58 and 3.40 times its background values. The contents of Cd and Pb were very closely related (p < 0.01) to total nitrogen concentrations in both soil and sediment samples. The potential ecological risks posed by Cd in the Chao and Baimaguan River soils were considerable and moderate, respectively. The historical iron ore mining and agricultural activity were identified as the primary sources of potentially toxic element pollution of soil and sediment in the Chao-Bai River in Miyun District. Human health risk assessment indicated that non-carcinogenic risks all fell below threshold values. The total carcinogenic risks due to Cr and As were within the acceptable range for both adults and children. This conclusion provides a scientific basis for the control of potentially toxic element pollution and environmental protection of the Miyun Reservoir in Beijing.

scholarly journals Concentration of Potentially Toxic Elements in Various Berries Grown in Allotment Gardens of Rīga City, Latvia

2017 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 496-501
Author(s):  
Zane Vincēviča-Gaile ◽  
Dāvis Varakājs
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Element Concentration ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Major Elements ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Allotment Gardens ◽  
Trace And Major Elements

AbstractConcentration of trace and major elements is an important indicator of nutritional value of food, also regarding cultivated food crops like fruits, berries, and vegetables. Concentration of elements differs regionally and is influenced by various factors. Nevertheless, some chemical elements (As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn, etc.) are known as environmental pollutants and may affect the quality and safety of crops and food products. The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of potentially toxic elements like Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn in samples of berries grown in allotment gardens of Rīga city. Dried and homogenised samples of raspberries, strawberries, red currants, black currants, gooseberries, and cherries were mineralised in a solution of concentrated HNO3/H2O2by heating on a thermoblock. Quantitative analysis of sample solutions was performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Potentially toxic elements were in concentrations as follows: Fe > Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cr > Cd. Mean concentrations of the elements of the major concern were: Ni 0.54 mg/kg, Pb 0.20 mg/kg, Cr 0.10 mg/kg, and Cd 0.03 mg/kg. Results indicated significant variability of element concentration among the species.

scholarly journals Objective Assessment of an Ionic Footbath (IonCleanse): Testing Its Ability to Remove Potentially Toxic Elements from the Body

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah A. Kennedy ◽  
Kieran Cooley ◽  
Thomas R. Einarson ◽  
Dugald Seely
Keyword(s):  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Holistic Health ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Toxic Element ◽  
The Body ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Specific Induction ◽  
Healthy Participants

Ionic footbaths are often used in holistic health centres and spas to aid in detoxification; however, claims that these machines eliminate toxins from the body have not been rigorously evaluated. In this proof-of-principle study, we sought to measure the release of potentially toxic elements from ionic footbaths into distilled and tap water with and without feet. Water samples were collected and analyzed following 30-minute ionic footbath sessions without feet using both distilled (n=1) and tap water (n=6) and following four ionic footbaths using tap water (once/week for 4 weeks) in six healthy participants. Urine collection samples were analyzed at four points during the study. Hair samples were analyzed for element concentrations at baseline and study conclusion. Contrary to claims made for the machine, there does not appear to be any specific induction of toxic element release through the feet when running the machine according to specifications.

scholarly journals Evaluation Of Exchange Reaction In Soil In Sediments Of A Region Affected By Anthropogenic Activity In Relation To The Time And To The Selected Potentially Toxic Elements

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Urminská ◽  
Boris Václav ◽  
Peter Ondrišík
Keyword(s):  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Anthropogenic Activity ◽  
Spectrometric Method ◽  
Exchange Reactions ◽  
Atomic Absorption Spectrometric ◽  
Spearman’S Correlation

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyse sediments of the selected water reservoirs of Piargs group. Secondly, our purpose was to determine values of exchange reactions in soil of these sediments during the period from 2001 to 2010 and to evaluate environmental hazards caused by the selected potentially toxic elements affected by pH. Based on the results gained by analysis we aim to determine the correlation and statistical significance of dependencies of the analysed environmental parameters. Two different methods, the flow electrochemical method and the atomic absorption spectrometric method have been used to analyse the content of potentially toxic chemical elements in leachate. The analysis of leachate samples, in order to find out the values of exchange reactions in soil, was carried out by potentiometry. Ascertained values of exchange reactions in soil ranged from 5.6 to 7.2. According to the calculated indices of dependencies, the development of pH/KCl values can be evaluated as moderately dynamic. The calculated indices of the Spearman‘s correlation coefficient for exchange reactions in soil demonstrate statistically significant dependence, especially for zinc and cadmium.

scholarly journals Carcinogenic and Non-carcinogenic Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Njaba River, Imo State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Eze ◽  
Chidiebere Ndife ◽  
Miracle Muogbo
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Health Risk Assessment ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Risk Estimation ◽  
Hazard Index ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Tolerable Risk ◽  
Sample Points

Daily exposure to potentially toxic elements (heavy metals) through the oral ingestion of water has been a major concern to human health due to its detrimental effects. Studies focusing on health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in surface and ground waters have been conducted, but none has been reported in Njaba River. Few studies conducted have focused only on the assessment of its water quality. Therefore, this study assessed the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects of the potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in Njaba River. Overall, a total of 135 water samples was collected for this study and were analyzed using Agilent FS240AA AAS. The potentially toxic elements concentrations were: As (0.015±0.001 to 0.021±0.001 mg L-1), Cd (0.006±0.002 to 0.018±0.002 mg L-1), Cr (0.027±0.001 to 0.074±0.001 mg L-1), Cu (0.016±0.002 to 0.033±0.001 mg L-1), Ni (0.031±0.001 to 0.053±0.002 mg L-1), Pb (0.050±0.002 to 0.092±0.001 mg L-1), and Zn (0.061±0.002 to 0.097±0.002 mg L-1). As, Ni and Pb recorded concentrations above their respective maximum permissible limits. Physicochemical parameters were appraised using the American Public Health Association standard method (APHA). The evaluation of the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of the analyzed elements was carried out based on the guidelines of the USEPA. The hazard index values for children via upstream, midstream and downstream sample points were 0.0000128, 0.00000895 and 0.0513 respectively, while the hazard index values for adults via upstream, midstream and downstream sample points were 0.00000551, 0.00000395 and 0.00000581 respectively. The health risk estimation showed that the hazard quotients were within acceptable limits. The total cancer risks of potentially toxic elements were generally within the range of tolerable risk for adults and above the range of tolerable risk for children.

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