scholarly journals Heavy Metal Assessment in Feathers of Eurasian Magpies (Pica pica): A Possible Strategy for Monitoring Environmental Contamination?

Author(s):  
Tiziano Iemmi ◽  
Alessandro Menozzi ◽  
Marcos Pérez-López ◽  
Giuseppina Basini ◽  
Francesca Grasselli ◽  
...  

In the present study, the Eurasian magpie (Pica pica), was evaluated as a possible bioindicator of environmental pollution by heavy metals (HMs). Levels of Ni, Pb, Cd, and Hg in feathers of 64 magpies (31 males and 33 females) were measured by ICP-MS technique. Plasmatic biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS) were also assessed. The birds were captured in the province of Parma (Italy), in different capture sites within 1 km from urban area (UZ), and farther than 5 km from urban area (RZ). Median HM levels were 0.68 mg/kg (0.18–2.27), 2.80 mg/kg (0.41–17.7), <limit of detection (LOD) mg/kg (<LOD–0.25), 3.90 mg/kg (1.35–85.9) for Ni, Pb, Cd and Hg, respectively. No significant differences in HM levels were found according to sex, while Ni and Pb were significantly higher in adult compared to young birds (p = 0.047, p = 0.004). Conversely, Cd and Hg levels in young magpies resulted higher than those of adults (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004). No correlation was found between OS biomarkers and HM levels. No differences were found in HM levels according to capture area, except for Hg level, which resulted higher in magpies of RZ (4.05 mg/kg (1.35–12.7)) compared to UZ (2.99 mg/kg (1.54–85.9)). Further experiments are needed to establish whether magpie feathers could represent a suitable non-invasive tool for biomonitoring HMs in the environment.

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 595
Author(s):  
Collin J. Weber ◽  
Jens Hahn ◽  
Christian Opp

Soils contain an increasing number of different pollutants, which are often released into the environment by human activity. Among the “new” potential pollutants are plastics and microplastics. “Recognized” pollutants such as heavy metals, of geogenic and anthropogenic origin, now meet purely anthropogenic contaminants such as plastic particles. Those can meet especially in floodplain landscapes and floodplain soils, because of their function as a temporary sink for sediments, nutrients, and pollutants. Based on a geospatial sampling approach, we analyzed the soil properties and heavy metal contents (ICP-MS) in soil material and macroplastic particles, and calculated total plastic concentrations (Ptot) from preliminary studies. Those data were used to investigate spatial connections between both groups of pollutants. Our results from the example of the Lahn river catchment show a low-to-moderate contamination of the floodplain soils with heavy metals and a wide distribution of plastic contents up to a depth of two meters. Furthermore, we were able to document heavy metal contents in macroplastic particles. Spatial and statistical correlations between both pollutants were found. Those correlations are mainly expressed by a comparable variability in concentrations across the catchment and in a common accumulation in topsoil and upper soil or sediment layers (0–50 cm). The results indicate comparable deposition conditions of both pollutants in the floodplain system.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunpeng Lin ◽  
Yunhai Li ◽  
Binxin Zheng ◽  
Xijie Yin ◽  
Liang Wang ◽  
...  

The typhoon process has a significant influence on the distribution of heavy metals in sediments. Based on the heavy metal (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Mn) contents in surface sediments collected under normal conditions and post-typhoon Matmo in Quanzhou Bay in 2014, the distributions, sources, and impacts of typhoon processes on heavy metals and pollution conditions were studied and discussed. The results showed that the heavy metals can be divided into two categories: Class I metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Mn) were mainly distributed in the estuary and significantly increased after the typhoon, and Class II metals (V, Cr, Co, and Ni) were distributed in the coastal intertidal zone and estuary and remained unchanged or decreased after the typhoon. The heavy metal assessment showed that heavy metal pollution in Quanzhou Bay was serious and tended to increase after the typhoon. The increased metal supply and enhanced riverine and tidal hydrodynamics after the typhoon may be the main factors influencing the variations in heavy metal content and distribution. This study provided a basis for the accurate evaluation and scientific management of heavy metal pollution caused by typhoon processes in Quanzhou Bay.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 32-34
Author(s):  
Siddhartha Shakya ◽  
Prekshya Gurung ◽  
Anjal Bohaju ◽  
Dipson Ojha ◽  
Bhim Prasad Kafle

Recent population growth, industrialization and unplanned urbanization have led to an increase in untreated waste disposal directly to the river system, including heavy metals. The present investigation was conducted for assessment of heavy metals in the Kavre valley river basin system. Through this basin, two major rivers Punyamata and Roshi along with their tributaries, flow passing through cities (Banepa, Shree Khandapur and Panauti) and the heavy metals selected were Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn) and Cadmium (Cd). Seven sites were selected on the basis of city size and meeting point of tributaries. Fe, Cr and Mn were examined using UV-spectrophotometry whereas Pb, Zn and Cd were determined using AAS. The highest concentration of Cr, Mn, Fe, Cd, Zn, Pb were determined to be 1.9 μg/L, 22.6 μg/L, 514 μg/L, 340 μg/L, 20 μg/L, 80 μg/L, respectively, with Fe, Cd and Pb exceeding the WHO limits.


2022 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Priyanka Bist ◽  
◽  
Sangeeta Choudhary ◽  

Background: Heavy metal containing wastes reaches to the food chain either directly or indirectly. These ingested toxic elements manifest direct impact on the gut ecosystem and its overall functioning. The present study explores the alteration in mice gut bacteria on exposure to mixture of toxic heavy metals through drinking water. Methods: Twelve experimental groups of Swiss albino male and female mice were exposed to the metal mixture of varying concentrations. Profiling of gut bacterial flora was done by periodical collection of fecal samples via culture-based technique. Redox status of all experimental animals was analyzed in blood samples collected on the day 30. Results: In comparison to the controls, nearly a 10-fold decline in colony forming units/ml was observed at higher modal concentrations (50× & 100×) at the end of 15 days, but 100-fold reduced bacterial count was recorded following 30 days of dosing. Sex specific significant alteration in the bacteria count and diversity was also observed. Overall experimental results showed a heavy metal dose-dependent decline in bacterial count and loss in diversity. Disturbance in the oxidative stress markers was recorded in response to high dose of metal mixture. In group receiving 100× dose, malondialdehyde levels were increased in the erythrocytes (P<0.05), and all of the other antioxidant parameters were decreased (P<0.05), except for reduced glutathione in both male and female mice. Conclusion: The present work is the first report on the multiple heavy metals induced gut microbiota alterations and its correlation to oxidative stress.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 1286-1296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Mwihaki Nyika ◽  
Ednah Kwamboka Onyari ◽  
Megersa Olumana Dinka ◽  
Shivani Bhardwaj Mishra

Heavy metal contamination in soils results from anthropogenic and lithologic factors and is a potential hazard to land and water resources. Sources of such pollution include landfills, domestic sewage, agricultural fertilisers and industries. In this work, soils from Roundhill landfill vicinity in South Africa were sampled and analyzed to determine the concentrations of particular heavy metals, namely As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn. The main objectives of this work were to: quantify the concentration levels of heavy metals in the soil; determine the mobility of the heavy metals in the soil; and establish their origins and interrelationships. The soils were collected at various distances and depths from the landfill facility. The concentrations of heavy metals in the soil samples were analysed by ICP-MS and statistical analysis was carried out to establish their relationships and sources. From the analysis, some elements including Cr, Mn, Cu and Ni had measured concentrations beyond the threshold limits in most sampling sites irrespective of their distance and depth from the landfill vicinity. Conversely, some elements were observed to be immobile and had higher concentrations on the top soils closer to the landfill, such as As, Pb, Zn, Co and V. Iron (Fe) had high concentrations in all the sampling sites due to its natural occurrence in the parent rocks. In conclusion, the potential of soil quality deterioration due to heavy metal pollution in a landfill vicinity was observed. Furthermore, all heavy metals observed showed positive correlation to each other except for As and Co, indicating same origin.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 549 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Islam ◽  
S. Bang ◽  
Kyoung-Woong Kim ◽  
M. K. Ahmed ◽  
M. Jannat

Heavy metal contaminants in fish are of particular interest because of the potential risk to humans who consume them. The edible muscles of eight different species of fishes were analyzed by ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy) for heavy metals, collected from Market in Gwangju, Korea during April-May in 2008. The concentrations of Hg, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn varied between 0.24±0.007 - 0.01±0.001, 44.54±5.69 - 1.23±0.20, 0.13±0.05 – ND (not detected), 1.32±0.47 - 0.09± 0.02, 3.13±2.53 - 0.63±0.06, 107.17±28.02 - 11.27±1.56, 12.38±1.23 - 0.25±0.02, 1.025±1.41 - 0.12±0.09, 0.74±0.28 - 0.05±0.03 and 80.30±17.09 - 22.35±6.89 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of arsenic and nickel exceeded the maximum allowable intake level. Keywords: Heavy metals; Marine fish; Korea. © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v2i3.4667              J. Sci. Res. 2 (3), 551-557 (2010)


Author(s):  
Wan-ce Shao ◽  
Yang-yang Zang ◽  
Hai-yao Ma ◽  
Ye Ling ◽  
Zhen-peng Kai

In the present study, a risk assessment of pesticides, phthalates and heavy metals in strawberries (n = 335) in recent years was conducted by determining the out estimate dietary intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) . 128 Pesticides, 18 phthalates and 3 heavy metals were determined in this determination. 51 pesticide residues were detected in the strawberry samples, and 97.91% samples had levels of at least one of the 51 pesticides above the LOD (limit of detection). 2.39% of samples had pesticides higher than the Chinese MRL. Multiple pesticides residues were detected in most samples. Bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) were detected in the strawberry samples with high frequency of detection. Their detectable rates were 100, 100 and 89.9%, respectively. Most of the samples were detected lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) with the detectable rates 75.76, 92.93 and 92.93%, respectively. Estimated daily intake of analyzed pesticide, phthalate and heavy metal residues appear to be relatively low compared to the ADI. The average THQs and HI were less than one. That means the customers who are exposed to the average contaminants levels may not pose significant health risk. Our results show that the strawberries may be polluted by many kinds of contaminants. Therefore, monitoring of pesticides, phthalates and heavy metal residues in strawberries should be increasingly developed in order to fully protect the health of the consumer.


2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Mendes ◽  
Catarina Eira ◽  
José Vingada ◽  
Jordi Miquel ◽  
Jordi Torres

AbstractHelminths are known to accumulate higher amounts of certain elements than their hosts. The present study assesses the accumulation of heavy metals in Tetrabothrius bassani and in its host, the Atlantic gannet (Morus bassanus) found dead due to bycatch along the seashore in the centre of Portugal. Samples of kidney, liver and pectoral muscle of 23 infected gannets, as well as specimens of T. bassani were analysed for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, Se and Zn by ICP-MS. The evidenced lower concentrations of Cr and Pb in tissues of gannets in comparison to an earlier study performed in the same area may reveal a change in the diet of M. bassanus between both study periods. The highest bioaccumulation factor was obtained for Cd with a 12.7-times higher concentration in the cestode than in gannet muscle. Lead concentration in T. bassani was 6.9-times higher than in kidney tissue, 8.5-times higher than in muscle and 9.5-times higher than in liver of M. bassanus. The cestode/seabird system T. bassani/M. bassanus can be considered a promising bioindicator system to monitor environmental Cd and Pb pollution in marine ecosystems.


2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (17) ◽  
pp. 13453-13463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Utkarsh A. Reddy ◽  
P. V. Prabhakar ◽  
G. Sankara Rao ◽  
Pasham Rajasekhar Rao ◽  
K. Sandeep ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document