Human Activity in Antarctica: Effects on Metallic Trace Elements (MTEs) in Plants and Soils

Colobanthus quitensis (Kunt) is one of the two vascular plant species present in Antarctica and develops under severe environmental conditions, being found in both pristine and human-threatened environments. We determined the Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn levels in C. quitensis roots, leaves, and soils of origin using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. In January 2017, we collected samples from four geographical zones on the longitudinal gradient along which C. quitensis is distributed, starting from Punta Arenas (PAR) at the extreme south of mainland Chile and moving southwards to the Antarctic territory from King George Island (KGI) to Hannah Point Peninsula (PHA) and finally Lagotellerie Island (LAT). We used certified reference material to validate the plant tissues and soil samples we collected. The highest concentrations of metals that we measured in the soils and in the C. quitensis roots and leaves were in samples we collected at the KGI station, the zone with the greatest human activity. The lowest concentrations we measured were at the LAT station, an island with little human intervention and scarce fauna. The mean concentrations of metals in the roots and leaves of C. quitensis followed a similar order at all sampling locations: Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cr > Cd. In contrast, in soil, they followed the following order: Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cd. The concentration levels obtained for the different metals in the soil and plants tissue samples in this region of Antarctica indicated that the area was non-polluted. However, the metallic trace element (MTE) concentrations may be at an early stage of contamination, as described in other areas of the Antarctic, being a new threat to this continent.

Copper Cathode Contamination by Nickel in Copper Electrorefining

Nickel behavior has a significant role in the electrorefining of copper, and although it has been extensively studied from the anode and electrolyte point of view over the past decades, studies on nickel contamination at the cathode are limited. In the current paper, three possible contamination mechanisms—particle entrapment, electrolyte inclusions and co-electrodeposition—were investigated. Copper electrorefining (Cu-ER) was conducted at the laboratory scale, and the cathodes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Particle entrapment was studied by adding NiO and Fe2O3 to the system to simulate nickel anode slime, and the experiments were replicated with industrial anode slime material. The possibility of electrolyte entrapment due to nodulation was explored through the addition of graphite to produce nodules on the cathode. Co-electrodeposition was analyzed by experiments that utilized a Hull cell. The results indicate that particle entrapment can occur at the cathode and is a major source of the nickel contamination in Cu-ER, whereas nickel compounds were not shown to promote nodulation. Inclusions of bulk electrolytes within the surface matrix were observed, proving that electrolyte entrapment is possible. As co-electrodeposition of Ni in Cu-ER is thermodynamically unlikely, these experimental results also verify that it does not occur to any significant extent.

Evaluation of lead and cadmium levels in lipsticks sold in Kathmandu, Nepal, and their potential health risk assessment

The study aimed to assess the levels of Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) in lipsticks and theirs associated health hazards to consumers. 13 lipsticks and 7 lipglosses were selected randomly from various shopping centers in Kathmandu, Nepal. The lipstick sample was chemically digested and analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). The concentration range of Pb and Cd in lipsticks was from 0.020.009 to 30.970.014 mg kg-1 and 0.010.014 to 0.920.009 mg kg-1 respectively. The hazard quotient for Pb was found greater than 1 in 15 samples showing detrimental carcinogenic health risk through lipstick consumption. So, these lipstick brands are prone to hamper human health. Accordingly, regular monitoring of the lipsticks before importing them is highly recommended. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 9(3): 213-219.

Stability Studies of Magnetite Nanoparticles in Environmental Solutions

In the presented paper, studies of magnetite nanoparticle stability in selected environmental solutions are reported. The durability tests were performed in four types of liquids: treated and untreated wastewater, river water, and commercial milk (0.5% fat). Nanoparticles before and after deposition in the testing conditions were measured by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The amount of Fe atoms transferred into the solutions was estimated on the basis of flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The analysis of the obtained results shows good stability of the tested nanoparticles in all water solutions. They do not change their structure or magnetic properties significantly, which makes them a good candidate to be used as, for example, detectors of specific compounds or heavy metals. On the other hand, studies show that particles are stable in environmental conditions for a long period of time in an unchanged form, which can cause their accumulation; therefore, they may be hazardous to living organisms.

Association of serum zinc and vitamin E levels with Acne vulgarisin Bangladeshi acne patients

The serum level of zinc and vitamin E were measured to understand the association of various nutrients on acne pathogenesis. Both zinc and vitamin E are antioxidants used as a supplement in acne treatment. However, their effect and status in acne patients are not fully understood. This study included 48 acne patients and 48 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. The zinc and vitamin E concentration was measured in the serum by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and HPLC methods. Compared to the healthy control, a significant deficiency of serum vitamin E level in acne patients (p<0.001) was found, although the patients were not deficient in serum zinc level (p=0.22). In addition, female acne patients had a slightly lower zinc level than male patients (p=0.06). The low serum vitamin E level suggests that supplementation of vitamin E might be helpful in acne treatment. However, further studies are required to understand the dose and mechanism of vitamin E supplements in acne treatment. J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 45(1); 49-58: June 2021

Investigating the mineral composition of proceessed cheese, soy and nunu milks consumed in Abuja and Keffi metropolises of Nigeria

Milk and its products are needed for proper body building. Processed cheese, nunu and soy milk consumed within Abuja and Keffi metropolises were analyzed for their mineral contents. X1, Y1, Z1 represents soy milk, nunu and cheese from Abuja metropolis while X2, Y2, Z2 represents sample from Keffi metropolis respectively. Calcium (265.53±0.25 mg/mL), iron (1.19±0.92 mg/mL), potassium (162.77±0.02 mg/mL) were found to be higher in cheese milk (Z1) from Abuja than that (225.82±0.13 mg/mL, 1.05±0.60mg/mL and 130.41±0.04 mg/mL) found in Keffi (Z2) examined respectively, though the amount of sodium present (151.0±0.08 mg/mL) in cheese (Z2) from Keffi is slightly higher than that (150.08±0.01 mg/mL) from Abuja (Z1). Also, Soya milk from Abuja (X1) had highest amount of zinc (0.76±0.00 mg/mL) while that of Keffi (X2) was 0.65±0.3 mg/mL, for magnesium and copper, higher values 18.40±010 mg/mL and 0.25±0.02 mg/mL were recorded for soy milk (X2) from Keffi while soy milk from Abuja (X1) had 17.97±0.20 mg/mL and 0.16±0.01 mg/mL respectively. Chromium was dictated in both cheese samples but not dictated in soya and nunu milks from both metropolises. It is seen from the investigation that cheese had more minerals followed by soya milk. Nunu milk sample had the least quantity of minerals; also all the samples analyzed have minerals present in them. Therefore, they are needed for the proper functioning of the body system Keywords: Analysis, Concentration, Milk, Mineral, Metropolis, Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Synthesis, Characterization and Photo Degradation Studies of New Mixed Ligand Transition Metal Complexes of Mefenamic Acid and Glutamine

Dentate ligands 2-[(2,3-dimethylphenyl)amino]benzoic acid (Mefenamic acid ) and 2,5-diamino-5-oxopentanoic acid(glutamine) were used as bidentate Lewis base to prepare solid complexes with Molybdenum (V), Tungsten (V)) and Lanthanum(III). The Photo degradation study was achieved for the complexes solutions in methanol. The prepared complexes were characterized by using spectroscopy methods like FTIR, UV-visible, Melting points and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy were calculated for all complexes. Furthermore the molar conductance of 0.001 M solutions in acetonitrile and magnetic susceptibility were performed to elucidate the proposed geometry and structures of prepared complexes. Magnetic susceptibility displayed that complexes had not diamagnetic properties. Photo kinetic study was done for La and Mo Complexes to study the photo sensitivity of prepared complexes. Half time of the complexes` photo reaction were achieved and order of reactions were calculated which appear that photo reaction of LaIII complex was from the first order and constant of reaction was calculated (1.62x10-2) min-1 and half time of reaction was (62.112) min. Also, order reaction of Mo (III) complex was from first order too, the value of constant of reaction was (1.88 min-1) and half time of reaction was (26.6) min. TGA analysis of MoIII was done.

Production of an Efficient Magnetic Adsorbent From Babassu Coconut Endocarp and Ni Particles for Easy Dye Removal From Mimetic Contaminated Effluents

Ni metal particles, with sizes ranging from 70 to 110 nm, dispersed in activated carbon produced from the babassu coconut endocarp (BAC) were successfully synthesized and evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, dispersive energy X-ray spectroscopy, flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. These hybrid BACNi-X materials (where X is the Ni / BAC ratio, equal to 10, 20 or 30) exhibit crystalline Ni particles with suitable magnetic properties, shown by increased saturation magnetization and a gradual reduction in coercive fields (varying 80 to 150 Oe) as the Ni content increases. Relatively large values ​​of pore volume (in the range of 0.28-0.37 cm3/g), specific surface area (560-740 m2/g) are achieved, favoring their applications for magnetic remediation of mimetic contaminated effluents. All hybrid samples were tested positively for the adsorption of methylene blue in contaminated synthetic effluents and the greatest removal was achieved by the hybrid sample BACNi-10, which has the largest specific area and reasonable magnetic properties that allowed the manipulation of the sample by an external field.

Design and optimization of Zn (Ii) adsorption conditions from aqueous solutions by Fe/Mn-Diatomite material

Environmental issues such as the wastewater have influenced each aspect of our lives. For human and environmental health protection, it is necessary to remove excess zinc in industrial wastewaters before discharging them to environment. Modified diatomite displayed larger surface area and pore volumes in comparison with untreated natural diatomite, which favored heavy metals sorption behavior. In this study, the removal of Zn(II) ions from aqueous solution was studied using Fe/Mn modified diatomite sample at different adsorption parameters such as contact initial metal ions concentration, dosage of Fe/Mn-Diatomite and ionic strength Na2CO3 on ionic Zn2+ adsorption capacity of diatomite modified. The residual zinc concentration in the solution was determined using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that: the gravitational increase increases with increasing time and then becomes almost stable, with 120 minutes timeliness; absorption increases when Fe/Mn-Ditomite is increased, absorption reaches 89.48% at a dose of 1.5 g/l; additional different concentrations Na2CO3 ranged from 0 ppm to 80 ppm the results showed that performance treatment Zn2+ of correspond 94,85%. This study could lay an essential foundation to develop modified diatomite for heavy metal removal from wastewater.