scholarly journals The Land Snail, Eobania vermiculata, as a Bioindicator of the Heavy Metal Pollution in the Urban Areas of Sulaimani, Iraq

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 13719
Author(s):  
Aso H. Saeed H. Salih ◽  
Abdullah A. Hama ◽  
Karzan A. M. Hawrami ◽  
Allah Ditta
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Soil ◽  
Land Snail ◽  
Land Snails ◽  
Contaminated Site ◽  
Emission Spectrometry ◽  
Permissible Limits ◽  
Eobania Vermiculata

Land snails are crucial consumers in the terrestrial environment and beneficial significant bioindicators to evaluate the chemical impact in the ecosystem, especially on urban lands. The present study aimed to investigate the concentration of heavy metals such as As, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn in urban soil and study whether Eobania vermiculata acts as a bioindicator for heavy metal contamination in an urban area. Thirty soil and snail samples in triplicate from each sampling site were taken from the urban areas of Suliamani. After a microwave-assisted digestion procedure, every sample was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Results showed that the concentration of chromium (Cr) in each snail sample was significantly high. The maximum Cr concentration (15.87 mg kg−1) was recorded in the snail sample collected from Ali Kamal Park, which was adjacent to a very crowded traffic road. The As concentration in snail samples ranged from 0.08 to 1.004 mg kg−1, and it was below the permissible limits. However, the concentrations of heavy metals in urban soil locations were below their background measurements, except for nickel (Ni) which was above the permissible limits. The safest site in the study area was Chaviland 1, while the most contaminated site was the Ha-wary Shar Park. The snails bioaccumulated metals in their tissues in the following order, Cr > Zn > Ni, and this bioaccumulation occurred more on the main road locations, which represented potentially contaminated places due to anthropogenic activities. Moreover, there was no correlation among the heavy metals within the soil samples when compared to the similar metals in the snail samples, due to the low concentration of heavy metals in soil, excluding Ni, from where the snail samples were collected. Consequently, the land snail, E. vermiculata, is an appropriate sentinel organism for some metals, mainly for Cr, and the bioindicator monitoring with this snail should be extended to mixtures of heavy metals, since such relationships frequently occur in soil.

Lightweight aggregates to reduce heavy metal pollution in green infrastructure for urban stormwater management

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Concepcion Pla ◽  
Javier Valdes-Abellan ◽  
Miguel Angel Pardo ◽  
Maria Jose Moya-Llamas ◽  
David Benavente
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Metal Pollution ◽  
Heavy Metal Pollution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Stormwater Management ◽  
Lightweight Aggregates ◽  
Urban Stormwater ◽  
Runoff Water

<p>The impervious nature of urban areas is mostly responsible for urban flooding, runoff water pollution and the interception of groundwater recharge. Green infrastructure and sustainable urban drainage systems combine natural and artificial measures to mitigate the abovementioned problems, improving stormwater management and simultaneously increasing the environmental values of urban areas. The actual rate of urban growth in many urban areas requires the enhancement and optimization of stormwater management infrastructures to integrate the territorial development with the natural processes. Regarding the quality of runoff stormwater, heavy metals are critical for their impact on human health and ecological systems, even more if we consider the cumulative effect that they produce on biota. Thus, innovative stormwater management approaches must consider new solutions to deal with heavy metal pollution problems caused by runoff. In this study, we propose the employment of Arlita<sup>®</sup> and Filtralite<sup>®</sup>, two kind of lightweight aggregates obtained from expanded clays, to remove heavy metal concentration from runoff stormwater. Laboratory experiments were developed to evaluate the removal rate of different heavy metals existent in runoff stormwater. The lightweight aggregates acted as filter materials in column experiments to quantify their removal capacity. In addition, batch tests were also developed to evaluate the exhaustive capacity of the materials. Results from the study confirmed the efficiency of the selected lightweight aggregates to reduce the heavy metals concentration by up to 90% in urban stormwater runoff.</p>

scholarly journals Determination of heavy metals and selenium content in chicken liver at Erbil city, Iraq

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoshyar Saadi Ali ◽  
Dhary Alewy Almashhadany ◽  
Hawraz Sami Khalid
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Optical Emission ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Chicken Liver ◽  
Poultry Meat ◽  
Emission Spectrometry ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metals

Heavy metal contamination of poultry meat is a critical issue for human health due to associated risks of cytotoxicity and systemic pathologies after ingestion of such metals. A total of twenty chicken liver samples were collected from markets of Erbil city and analyzed for ten heavy metals contents by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. The targeted metals were cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se). The average concentrations (mg/kg) of targeted trace elements were 0.06±0.027, 0.06±0.05, 2.05±0.34, 1.85±0.47, 0.15±0.17, and 33.53±5.24 for Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn respectively. Copper (Cu) levels significantly exceeded the maximum permissible limit of WHO. Moreover, the average concentrations of toxic heavy metals and selenium were 0.07±0.037, 0.278±0.10, 0.11±0.083, and 2.01±0.454 mg/kg for Cd, Pb, Hg, and Se respectively. Hg and Pb levels exceeded the permissible limits of WHO. Higher levels of Cu and Hg in poultry may pose a serious threat to consumers which demand countermeasures and precautions to be taken. Iraqi Standards Authority and relevant official institutions are strongly recommended to regulate safe disposal of heavy metal waste in the environment to reduce animal exposure to such metals.

scholarly journals Comparison of heavy metal accumulation capacity of some indigenous mosses in Southwest China cities: a case study in Chengdu city

2010 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 60-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.E. Chen ◽  
S. Yuan ◽  
Y.Q. Su ◽  
L. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Atomic Emission ◽  
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry ◽  
Heavy Metal Accumulation ◽  
Emission Spectrometry ◽  
Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry ◽  
Accumulation Capacity ◽  
The Difference

In order to evaluate the accumulation capacity of heavy metals in mosses, the total contents of eight elements (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr) determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) methods were compared in four types of indigenous mosses (<i>Brachythecium plumosum, Eurhynchium laxirete, Taxiphyllum taxirameum, Haplocladium strictulum</i>), which were collected from different sampling sites in the Chengdu city, China. The study found that heavy metal concentrations showed significant differences in interspecies and intraspecies comparison, while the accumulation capacity of <i>T. taxirameum</i> was higher than others. ANOVA analysis indicated that the atmospheric pollution of heavy metals in Wangjiang Park was relatively more serious than that of Ta Zishan Park and Cultural Park. The data also showed that the concentrations of heavy metals in the Chengdu city were higher compared to some foreign cities. The results are coincident with the previous conclusions that the difference of heavy metal depositions in mosses was not only related to environment, but also to their biological features.

scholarly journals The Fabrication of Calcium Alginate Beads as a Green Sorbent for Selective Recovery of Cu(Ⅱ) from Metal Mixtures

Crystals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niannian Yang ◽  
Runkai Wang ◽  
Pinhua Rao ◽  
Lili Yan ◽  
Wenqi Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Calcium Alginate ◽  
Selective Adsorption ◽  
Optical Emission ◽  
Alginate Beads ◽  
Emission Spectrometry ◽  
Sorption Behavior

Calcium alginate (CA) beads as a green sorbent were easily fabricated in this study using sodium alginate crosslinking with CaCl2, and the crosslinking pathway was the exchange between the sodium ion of α-L-guluronic acid and Ca(II). The experimental study was conducted on Cu(II), Cd(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) as the model heavy metals and the concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The characterization and sorption behavior of the CA beads were analyzed in detail via using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The adsorption experiments demonstrated that the CA beads exhibited a high removal efficiency for the selective adsorption of Cu(II) from the tetra metallic mixture solution and an excellent adsorption capacity of the heavy metals separately. According to the isotherm studies, the maximum uptake of Cu(II) could reach 107.53 mg/g, which was significantly higher than the other three heavy metal ions in the tetra metallic mixture solution. Additionally, after five cycles of adsorption and desorption, the uptake rate of Cu(II) on CA beads was maintained at 92%. According to the properties mentioned above, this material was assumed to be applied to reduce heavy metal pollution or recover valuable metals from waste water.

scholarly journals Comparative Study of Heavy Metals in Breast Milk of Breast Feeding Mothers in Urban and Sub-Urban Subjects in Rivers State

2021 ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
Diorgu Faith ◽  
Kalaotaji Glory Biambo ◽  
Jonathan Nyebuchi ◽  
Chikadibia Fyneface Amadi ◽  
Felix Eedee Konne
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Breast Milk ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Human Breast Milk ◽  
Metal Composition ◽  
Urban Settlements ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Rivers State

Breast milk is one fluid that could contain heavy metals and this can be dangerous to the health of breastfeeding baby. The increase in urbanization and industrialization often comes with the increased level of heavy metals in the environment especially in developing countries where environmental protection is poorly managed. The study aimed to compare the heavy metal composition in breast milk in postpartum women in urban and sub-urban areas in Rivers State. The study was conducted among 59 postpartum subjects between 0 and 10days of child delivery in each group. Sampling was done through a simple randomized system. Human breast milk was collected using a manual breast pump. Heavy metals; Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg) and Mercury (Hg) were assayed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer with their corresponding cathode lambs. Results revealed that the mean differences of the heavy metals assayed between both groups were not significant (p>0.05). This work has shown that heavy metal composition in the breast milk of postpartum women may not vary based on urban and sub-urban settlements.

scholarly journals Determination of heavy metals and pesticide residues level in selected sundried and smoked vegetables from Aizawl market

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-203
Author(s):  
C. Malsawmtluangi ◽  
B. Lalzamliana ◽  
Klaudi K. Vaiphei
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Gas Chromatography ◽  
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Pesticide Residues ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Vegetable Samples ◽  
Permissible Limits

Sundried and smoked vegetables constitute major parts of the Mizo cuisine. Heavy metals and pesticides can be present in vegetables and cause many diseases including cancer. The objective of this study is to determine the concentration of heavy metal and pesticide residues in commonly consumed sundried and smoked vegetables from Aizawl market. Since cancer is prevailing at a high rate in Mizoram, it also aims to study whether there is any link between cancer and these vegetables. The concentrations of heavy metals were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy and pesticide residues levels were analyzed using gas chromatography. This study reveals that the levels of heavy metals tested were within the permissible limits in all the vegetable samples, except for cadmium. Since cadmium exceeds the permissible limit, it can pose health risk for the consumers. The pesticide residues found in the tested samples were all within permissible limits. However, the amount and duration of consumption need to be considered as this can be a predisposing factor for cancer and other diseases.

scholarly journals Spatial variability in heavy metal concentration in urban pavement joints – a case study

SOIL ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-31
Author(s):  
Collin J. Weber ◽  
Alexander Santowski ◽  
Peter Chifflard
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Spearman Correlation ◽  
Alkaline Ph ◽  
Run Off

Abstract. Heavy metals are known to be among one of the major environmental pollutants, especially in urban areas, and, as generally known, can pose environmental risks and direct risks to humans. This study deals with the spatial distribution of heavy metals in different pavement joints in the inner city area of Marburg (Hesse, Germany). Pavement joints, defined as the joint between paving stones and filled with different materials, have so far hardly been considered as anthropogenic materials and potential pollution sources in urban areas. Nevertheless, they have an important role as possible sites of infiltration for surface run-off accumulation areas and are therefore a key feature of urban water regimes. In order to investigate the spatial variability in heavy metals in pavement joints, a geospatial sampling approach was carried out on six inner city sampling sites, followed by heavy metal analyses via inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) and additional pH and organic matter analyses. A first risk assessment of heavy metal pollution from pavement joints was performed. Pavement joints examined consist mainly of basaltic gravel, sands, organic material and anthropogenic artefacts (e.g. glass and plastics), with an average joint size of 0.89 cm and a vertical depth of 2–10 cm. In general, the pavement joint material shows high organic matter loads (average 11.0 % by mass) and neutral to alkaline pH values. Besides high Al and Fe content, the heavy metals Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb are mainly responsible for the contamination of pavement joints. The identified spatial pattern of maximum heavy metal loads in pavement joints could not be attributed solely to traffic emissions, as commonly reported for urban areas. Higher concentrations were detected at run-off accumulation areas (e.g. drainage gutters) and at the lowest sampling points with high drainage accumulation tendencies. Additional Spearman correlation analyses show a clear positive correlation between the run-off accumulation value and calculated exposure factor (ExF; Spearman correlation coefficients (rSP) – 0.80; p<0.00). Further correlation analyses revealed different accumulation and mobility tendencies of heavy metals in pavement joints. Based on sorption processes with humic substances and an overall alkaline pH milieu, especially Cu, Cd and Pb showed a low potential mobility and strong adsorption tendency, which could lead to an accumulation and fixation of heavy metals in pavement joints. The presence of heavy metals in pavement joints poses a direct risk for urban environments and may also affect environments out of urban areas if drainage transports accumulated heavy metals. Finally, we encourage further research to give more attention to this special field of urban anthropogenic materials and potential risks for urban environments. Overall urban geochemical background values, and the consideration of run-off-related transport processes on pavements, are needed to develop effective management strategies of urban pavement soil pollution.

scholarly journals Fungal Community Diversity of a Heavy Metal Contaminated Soils Revealed by Metagenomics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Rodrigo Zambrano Passarini ◽  
Júlia Ronzella Ottoni ◽  
Paulo Emílio Santos Costa ◽  
Denise Cavalvante Hissa ◽  
Raul Maia Falcão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Fungal Communities ◽  
Contaminated Sites ◽  
Contaminated Site ◽  
Toxic Compounds ◽  
Metagenomic Approach

Abstract The inappropriate disposal of toxic compounds generated by industrial activity has been impacting to the environment considerably. Microbial communities inhabiting contaminated sites may represent interesting ecological alternatives for the decontamination of environments. The present work aimed to investigate the fungal diversity inhabiting sediments from industrial waste containing heavy metals by using metagenomic approach. A total of twelve fungal orders were retrieved from datasets and, at phylum level, Ascomycota was the most abundant, followed by Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota and Blastocladiomycota. Higher abundance of sequences was encountered within the less contaminated site, while the lower abundance was found in the sample with the higher contamination with lead. Gene sequences related to DNA repair and heavy metals biosorption processes were found in the four samples analyzed. The genera Aspergillus and Chaetomium, and Saccharomycetales order were highly present within all samples, showing their potential to be used for bioremediation studies. The present work demonstrated the importance of using the metagenomic approach to understand the dynamics of fungal communities and their behavior under heavy metal contamination, aiming the use in bioremediation processes of environments contaminated with heavy metals.

scholarly journals Heavy Metals and Safety of Fresh Fruits in Bangalore City, India - A Case Study

1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Esmael Mahdavian ◽  
RK Somashekar
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Metal Contamination ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Food Adulteration ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
Sanitary Conditions ◽  
Food Safety Standards

Urban food security in India is a matter of growing concern. It is estimated that by 2005, 60% of India's population will be living in urban areas. The presence of heavy metals in human body always draws scientific concern as these are considered responsible for affecting health, especially in these days where the release of toxic wastes in the environment has been increased. The increasing trends in food contamination in urban areas are largely attributed to the polluted environment in urban agriculture, contaminated food transport and supply chains; poor market sanitary conditions, and the use of contaminated or waste water for irrigation purposes. The objectives of this paper to measure the levels of heavy metal contamination of fruits in Bangalore markets and assess how the heavy metal contamination might have impacted food safety standards vis a vis heavy metals on urban consumers. The results show that urban consumers are at greater risk of purchasing fresh fruits with high levels of heavy metals beyond the legally permissible limits as defined by the Indian Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. It must be noted here that these norms are less strict than international food safety norms like Codex Alimentarius or European Union standards. It is therefore suggested here that care should be taken in the following: reduce pollution at water source points; improve post harvest handling; enhance better coordination in fresh crops trading system to improve food safety standards; improve sanitary conditions for the city food markets; and increase awareness in consumers and policy makers on the dangers of heavy metal contamination in the food intake. Keywords: Heavy metals; Prevention of Food Adulteration Act; Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) DOI: 10.3126/kuset.v4i1.2880 Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol.4, No.1, September 2008, pp 17-27

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