risk elements
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Author(s):  
Habib Ali Mirdda ◽  
Masood Ahsan Siddiqui ◽  
Somnath Bera ◽  
Bhoop Singh

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela Jungová ◽  
Vladimíra Jurasová Müllerová ◽  
Michal Hejcman ◽  
Michael Asare Opare

Abstract Background and aimsRumex alpinus is a native plant in the mountains of Europe whose distribution has partly been affected by its utilization as a vegetable and medicinal herb. The distribution of micro and risk elements in its organs is not well-known. The study examined the safety of consuming Rumex alpinus from the Krkonoše Mountains, Czech Republic, and the Alps (Austria and Italy).MethodsWe determined the total and plant-available content of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Al, As, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd in the soil and total content in organs of Rumex alpinus.ResultsThe uptake and distribution of elements by plants were characterized by bioaccumulation (BF) and translocation (TF) factors. The intensity of elements accumulation by Rumex alpinus is considerably different, depending on locality. Rumex alpinus has considerable tolerance to Zn, Cu, As, Cr, Ni, with an easy accumulation strategy. High Al and Cd content in belowground biomass (rhizome) indicate a defensive mechanism for them. Although the aboveground biomass (emerging, senescent, mature leaves, petiole) has some degree of accumulation of risk elements, the results showed that Rumex alpinus is an excluder.ConclusionRumex alpinus does not accumulate risk elements in organs that are consumed based on the World Health Organization (2001) and can therefore be consumed without concern.


Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1248
Author(s):  
Danica Fazekašová ◽  
František Petrovič ◽  
Juraj Fazekaš ◽  
Lenka Štofejová ◽  
Ivan Baláž ◽  
...  

Landfills, old and abandoned mines, industrial sites, heaps, sludge ponds and other sources of pollution represent environmental threats and are characterized as chemical time bombs. This work is focused on the evaluation of soil contamination by risk elements using various indices (geoaccumulation index—Igeo, enrichment factor—EF, contamination factor—Cif and degree of contamination—Cd). These selected agrarian problem areas are located in Slovakia, especially in the air pollution field of landfills consisting of power plant fly ash, tannery and footwear wastes, leachate (lúženec), iron ore slag, waste from metallurgy and sludge ponds in which coal sludge waste is deposited and waste from ore treatment. Nine research sites in the agrarian region of Slovak Republic were monitored. Ten risk elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd and Hg) and pH/H2O were included in this study and were determined in surface soils (of 0.05 m to 0.15 m) using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Our study showed the highest exceedance of the limit values of risk elements in the order Ni (51.85 times) > Co (25.47 times) > Cd (13.70 times) > Cu (12.78 times) > Cr (8.37 times) > Fe (8.26 times) > Hg (7.94 times) > Zn (5.71 times) > Pb (4.63 times). The content of risk elements increased based on the average values of Igeo in the order of Cr < Hg < Zn < Pb < Ni < Cu < Cd. Igeo values for cadmium indicated mild-to-extreme contamination at all sites. We found the most significant enrichment in the order of Cd > Cu > Pb > Ni > Zn > Hg > Cr. EF values for cadmium indicated extremely high enrichment; the Cif and Cd values indicated a very high degree of soil contamination near the nickel smelter landfill, an industrial metallurgical plant and old but active mines. The studied areas pose a serious danger not only to the soil but also to groundwater and biota due to the prevailing low soil reaction, which increases the mobility of toxic elements. The study provides important results for the development of effective strategies for the control and remediation of endangered areas.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 3143
Author(s):  
Danica Fazekašová ◽  
Juraj Fazekaš ◽  
Lenka Štofejová

The focus of this work is on the evaluation of selected water quality indicators as per the applicable regulations, taking into account European and national legislation and the evaluation of the risk of contamination of surface waters with toxic elements using the contamination factor (Cfi) and the degree of pollution (Cd). The studied area of Slovinky is an important ore region, with rich deposits of copper and silver ores that have been mined for centuries. One of the most important remnants of mining activities in this area is the Slovinky tailing impoundment. The sludge pond area has an area of 15 ha, and the height of the dam is 113 metres above sea level, which makes the sludge pond one of the tallest water structures in Slovakia. The Slovinský creek was monitored in the years 2010, 2011, and 2019 at five sampling points, which were selected to map the entire length of the water flow from the source to the estuary to the river Hornád. Risk elements (As, Cu, Cd, and Fe) and physicochemical parameters (such as temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, conductivity, resistivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, NaCl, redox potential, and pH) were included in this study and evaluated according to applicable regulations, taking into account European legislation (Act No. 269/2010 Coll., guideline value WHO 2011). The results of the experimental studies showed that the highest values of As and Cu were measured at the site where drainage waters from the Slovinky tailing impoundment and mining water of the Alžbeta shaft flow into the creek. The concentration of As exceeded the limit value by up to 31 times and the concentration of Cu 16.8–134.5 times. At the same time, the highest values of conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, and NaCl were found, and there was no acidification of water at the site that had the highest pollution. Water contamination was assessed based on Cfi and Cd; our findings showed that the surface water from the site of contamination, along the entire length of the stream, was very highly contaminated with risk elements in the order of As > Fe > Cu, and the level of contamination decreased with distance from the site of contamination. Our research shows that seepage of toxic substances from sludge ponds and abandoned mines has caused the requirements for the quality of surface water of the Slovinský creek not to be met. In connection with mining activities, surface streams act as a transport medium through which other components of the environment can be polluted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 900 (1) ◽  
pp. 012043
Author(s):  
L Stofejova ◽  
D Fazekasova ◽  
J Fazekas

Abstract Contamination of soil with potential risk elements is one of the most pressing environmental problems in the world and causes serious environmental damage, but also threatens human health. This paper presents the results of research that was focused on analyzing soil contamination in the field of magnesite mining in urban and agrarian land nearby the former factory in Košice (Slovakia). Field and laboratory research were performed. Soil sampling was performed in 10 localities of the studied area. The content of risk elements (Cd, Hg, Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, As, Ni, Mn, Mg) in soils was analyzed under laboratory conditions. The obtained data expressed as average concentrations of metals in sampled soils, as well as background values of the contents of monitored elements for the soils of the Slovak Republic, were used to assess soil pollution and identify the environmental risk. The acquired knowledge about the contamination of the soil with risk elements in the area around the former magnesite factory in Košice could help in the planning of remediation measures and improve the state of the environment in the studied area.


Author(s):  
Stanislav Malý ◽  
Jiří Zbíral ◽  
Eva Čižmárová

Legislation limits for risk elements (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Zn) in agricultural soil in the Czech Republic are given for the content of elements extracted by aqua regia. This extraction is time consuming and environmentally unfriendly. The regular soil survey is based on Mehlich 3 universal soil extractant and covers the simultaneous determination of macronutrients, sulphur, and micronutrients by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Our study focused on the possibility to use Mehlich 3 extractant also for preliminary screening for the determination of the risk elements simultaneously with the other elements by the ICP-OES method. Mehlich 3 was confirmed as a reliable screening method for Cd regarding sensitivity, specificity and precision (&gt; 0.8) when the cut-off value of 0.27 mg/kg in Mehlich 3 extracts was used for the prediction of soils to be above or below the legislation limit, which in turn is based on aqua regia extraction. Very good results were obtained for Be and promising results were received for As, Cu and V. But the available data were not sufficient for the determination of reliable cut-off values for Co, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janette Musilová ◽  
Ľuboš Harangozo ◽  
Hana Franková ◽  
Judita Lidiková ◽  
Alena Vollmannová ◽  
...  

AbstractThe Gemer region (Slovakia) belongs to areas with a high concentration of risk elements. The contents of Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Hg and Mn were determined in soils and cultivated agricultural production from lands in three cadastres of the Gemer region (Henckovce (48.713845, 20.426189) and Nižná Slaná (48.717373, 20.4208423), cultivated crop—spring triticale; Gemerská Poloma (48.704523, 20.487645), cultivated crop—maize). Bioavailable forms of Pb (0.306–0.532 mg/kg) and Cd (0.104–0.154 mg/kg), pseudototal forms of Cd (3.07–3.98 mg/kg) and Hg (0.484–2.18 mg/kg) represented the highest risk in soils. The highest contents of Pb (Cd, Hg) were in maize from Gemerská Poloma: 0.898 (0.081, 0.399) mg/kg DM. Soils were classified based on several indicators of soil contamination. The highest values of indicators are: Contamination factor (Cf 29.1—Hg), Degree of contamination (Cdeg 51.5), Potential ecological risk factor (Er 1163—Hg), Potential ecological risk index (RI 1,520), Pollution load index (PLI 4.76), Geo-accumulation index (Igeo 5.60—Hg). All indicators concerned the lands of Henckovce and Gemerská Poloma, RI also concerned the land of Nižná Slaná. Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was calculated to assess the plant's ability to absorb the risk element. For both crops and all risk elements, BAF values were < 1. Obtained results indicate heavy metal contamination of soils, therefore monitoring of soils in investigated area is necessary.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnan Sarwar ◽  
Aqsa Zafar ◽  
Alia Qadir

AbstractIn the competitive globalized market, risk management is an important aspect of the supply chain, but it becomes crucial to the management of a faith-based supply chain. The halal supply chain is an emerging research era at an early stage. To retain the halalness from procurement to end customer, this research was aimed to identify and prioritize the important risk elements for managing the HSC. For this purpose, a literature review was studied, 42 risk factors, classified into seven dimensions, were categorized with the expert’s opinion. A fuzzy best–worst method was proposed to analyze and prioritize the risk elements. The results indicated production-related risks are highly significant and sustainability-related risks are the least important among risk elements in the Halal supply chain. This research makes a major contribution by compiling a detailed list of risks associated with Halal supply chain management. It may also assist the manager in mitigations of risks for the Halal supply chain on a priority basis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-34
Author(s):  
Brenda Boros ◽  
Zoltán Pókász ◽  
Ákos Süle ◽  
Dorottya Szabó

A kutatás célja az, hogy a Magyar Nemzeti Bank 2020. novemberi termelékenységi jelentésére és az “Év Felelős Foglalkoztatója” kiadványra alapozva megvizsgálja négy kérdésből álló kérdőíves módszerrel, hogy a vállalatok hogyan tudtak és tudnak alkalmazkodni a közelmúltban történt változásokhoz a humánerőforrás szemszögéből. Ezekből a változásokból kiemelendő a digitalizáció és az innováció növekvő térnyerése, a koronavírus-járvány és az azzal együtt járó kevesebb személyes kontaktus. Emellett a HR-részlegek potenciális kockázati tényezői is a kutatás tárgyát képezik. Először a Magyar Nemzeti Bank jelentésének releváns részei kerülnek összefoglalásra, ezt az “Év Felelős Foglalkoztatója” kiadvány összefoglalója követi, végül a kérdőív és az arra adott huszonegy válasz bemutatása következik. Az eredményekből látható, hogy a szolgáltatási szektorban és az iparban tevékenykedő vállalatok attitűdje szignifikánsan eltér. Az azonban általánosan kijelenthető, hogy a munkáltatók kifejezetten nagy figyelmet fordítanak a munkavállalók jóllétére, és igyekeznek a pandémia alatt is megőrizni őket. Egy pozitív tendencia látható tehát, melyet azonban szélesebb, az országot érintő makrofolyamatok sokszor hátráltatnak. = The aim of this research is to examine - with a survey of four questions - how corporations could and can adapt to the recent changes from a human resources point of view based on the Hungarian Central Bank’s productivity report of November 2020 and the publication called “Év Felelős Foglalkoztatója'' (Responsible Employer of The Year). The incremental expansion of digitalization and innovation, the coronavirus pandemic as well as the less in-person contact that is inherent with it have to be highlighted out of these changes. Additionally, the potential risk elements of HR departments are also subjects of this research. First, the relevant parts of the Nemzeti Bank’s report are summarized which is followed by the summary of the “Év Felelős Foglalkoztatója” publication, and finally the questionnaire as well as its twenty-one responses are presented. According to the results the attitudes of the corporations operating in the service sector and in the industry significantly differ from each other. Nevertheless, what can be generally determined is that these employers pay special attention to their employees’ well-being and they intend to preserve their employees during the pandemic. Subsequently, a positive tendency can be seen, which is often set back by the wider macro processes of the country.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela Jungová ◽  
Michael O. Asare ◽  
Vladimíra Jurasová ◽  
Michal Hejcman

Abstract Background and aimsRumex alpinus is a native plant in the mountains of Europe, whose distribution is affected by its utilization as a vegetable and medicinal herb. The distribution of micro and risk elements in its organs and the possibility for phytoremediation are not well-known. We aimed to examine the safety of consuming R. alpinus from the Krkonoše Mountains, Czech Republic, and Alps (Austria and Italy).MethodsWe determined the total and plant-available concentration of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Al, As, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd in the soil and total concentration in the organs of R. alpinus using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry.ResultsThe uptake and distribution of elements by plants were characterized by bioaccumulation and translocation (TF) factors. The intensity of elements accumulation by R. alpinus is considerably different, depending on locality. R. alpinus has considerable tolerance to Zn, Cu, As, Cr, Ni, with easy accumulation strategy. High Al and Cd concentration in belowground biomass (rhizome) indicates a defensive mechanism for them. Although the aboveground biomass (emerging, senescent, mature leaves, petiole) has some degree of accumulation of risk elements, R. alpinus is potentially suitable for phytoremediation of moderately contaminated soils. The results revealed that R. alpinus excludes Al, with high TF for Mn, Zn, Cu, As, Ni, and Pb. Given the accumulation of As and Cr, we recommend caution in its usage.ConclusionDetailed elemental analysis of R. alpinus organs is recommended before its application as medicinal herb or food, especially in contaminated soils.


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