Nutritional and Other Trace Elements and Their Associations in Raw King Bolete Mushrooms, Boletus edulis

The occurrence and associations of Ag, As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Cs, Hg, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sr, Tl, U, V, W, and Zn, including data that have not been previously reported on Be, Hf, In, Li, Mo, Nb, Sn, Ta, Th, Ti and Zr, and the sum of (14) rare earth elements (ƩREE), were studied in a spatially diverse collection of the B. edulis caps, stipes, and whole fruiting bodies using a validated procedure with measurement by quadrupole ICP-MS. Toxic Cd and Pb were in B. edulis at concentrations below limits set by the European Union in regulations for raw cultivated mushrooms, while Ag, As, Hg, Sb, Tl, and U, which are not regulated, were at relatively low or typical levels as is usually found in mushrooms from an unpolluted area. The elements Be, Bi, Ga, Ge, Hf, In, Nb, Ta, Th, and W, and also ƩREEs, were found at relatively low concentrations in B. edulis, i.e., with levels from below 0.1 to below 0.01 mg kg−1 dw, and for Ʃ14 REEs, the median was 0.31 mg kg−1 dw. The composite samples of caps showed Ag, Cd, Cu, Cs, Ga, Ge, Hg, Mo, Ni, Rb, Sb, Ti, and Zn at higher concentrations than stipes, while Ba, Co, Hf, Sr, Tl, and Zr were found at higher concentrations in stipes than caps (p < 0.05). Mushrooms were characterized by a low coefficient of variation (CV) of below 20%, between sites for concentrations of As, Cu, Ge, Hg, Ni, V, and Zn, while substantial differences (CV > 100%) were found for Ba, Bi, Co, Hf, Zr, and ƩREEs, and an intermediate variation was found for Sr, W, and U. Principal component analysis performed on mushrooms allowed differentiation with respect to 13 collection sites and separation of a consignment that was specifically contaminated, possibly due to a legacy pollution, with significantly higher levels of Ba, Co, Ga, Li, Nb, Ni, Sr, Th, Ti, Y, Zr, and ƩREEs, and another due to possible recent pollution (Pb-gasoline and also Ni); two due to geological contamination because of the Bi, In, Sc, Sb, Sn, Ta, V and W; and one more, the Sudety Mts. site, which was considered as “geogenic/anthropogenic” due to Ag, As, Be, Cd, Cs, Ni, Pb, Rb, Tl, and U.

The influence of environmental condition on the creation of organic compounds in Pinus sylvestris L. rhizosphere, roots and needles

Key message Studied organic molecules in Pinus sylvestris L. seem to have acted as a safety net for metal transport, chelation and sequestration, allowing adaptation and growth under highly polluted conditions. Abstract Pinus sylvestris L. is known for its ability to survive in areas of highly elevated metal pollution, such as flotation tailings. The aim of the study was to estimate the content of selected organic molecules (including aliphatic low molecular weight organic acids (ALMWOAs), phenolic compounds and terpenes) and the physiological mechanisms underlying differences in metal/metalloid tolerance of P. sylvestris growing in unpolluted (soil) and polluted (flotation tailings) areas. The dominant ALMWOAs in rhizosphere soil extracts were citric acid followed by malic and oxalic acids, whereas in flotation tailings malic and oxalic acids. In roots and needles, the content of ALMOWAs was significantly higher in P. sylvestris L. tissue from flotation tailings in comparison to soil. Phenolic compounds were detected only in roots and needles, with a generally higher content of nearly all detected compounds from flotation tailings. The composition of roots did not contain all the compounds detected in needles. The profile of needles additionally contained four hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic and salicylic acids. In pine needles, 24 volatile terpenes were identified in total. The content of these compounds in pine needles from the polluted area was markedly different from the unpolluted area. The dominant volatile monoterpenes in P. sylvestris L. needles from the unpolluted area was three carene, while in pine needles from the polluted area monoterpenes α-pinene was dominant.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Corn Grains

Contamination of crop plants with organic pollutants raises a growing interest in recent years; among the investigated pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of special concern because some of them are toxic and carcinogenic. In this context, the main purpose of this research was to establish the degree of contamination of corn grains with the 16 priority PAHs under three experimental cultures’ conditions: one with historical pollution, another located in an urban environment and a third reference one, located in an unpolluted area. Analytical determinations were performed by high performance liquid chromatography, highlighting the higher content of low molecular weight PAHs, mainly naphthalene, fluorene and acenaphthene; the high molecular weight PAH’ contamination is mainly due to indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene.

A Study on Endemic Fluorosis in Domestic Ruminants

An epidemiological study was conducted to assess the toxic effect of fluoride in domestic ruminants in the fluoride polluted localities of Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh, India. Sixty animals (20 buffaloes, 20 cattle, and 20 goats) were included in the study in the areas having about 5.0-6.2 ppm fluoride level in drinking water. Dental lesions (clinical score 0 to 5) were the most common clinical signs, followed by bony exostosis and lameness in affected animals. The other signs like emaciation, hoof deformity, hypogalactia, anestrous and repeat breeding were reported by farmers in the animals of fluoride polluted area. High fluoride concentrations were observed in serum samples of buffalo, cattle and goats (0.380±0.022, 0.233±0.022 and 0.181± 0.011 μg/ml) as compared to their respective controls. Haematological parameters in naturally fluoride toxicated animals revealed significant reduction in haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count and leukocyte count indicative of anemia due to fluoride stress. The differential leukocyte count revealed significantly higher lymphocytes per cent and lower neutrophils per cent in animals of fluoride polluted area as compared to unpolluted area.

Assessment of Landfill-emitted Gaseous Pollutants and Particulate Matters in Alimosho Local Government of Lagos state, Nigeria

Information on landfill-emitted pollutants in Nigeria cities has consequently become a priority. This study was designed to assess the air quality of landfill sites and the nearby communities in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos state, Nigeria. Five public landfills in use since about thirty years ago were chosen for this study. A lightly populated area, free from other sources of air pollution served as control. Target points for the study were the centre of landfill (CLF), 50M from CLF, 100M from CLF, and a radius of 100M away from landfill. Levels of selected gaseous pollutants (NO2, O3, H2S and CO) and particulate matters (PM2.5 and PM10) were determined in the landfill environments and control (unpolluted area), using Aeroqual Series 500 with sensors for NO2, O3, H2S, CO, PM2.5 and PM10. The result showed that levels of H2S were significantly (p<0.001) higher at the CLF, 50M from CLF and 100M from CLF compared with unpolluted area. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference when the level of H2S in 100M radius was compared with the unpolluted area. Levels of CO were significantly (p<0.001) higher at the CLF, 50M from CLF, 100M from CLF and 100M radius compared with unpolluted area. The levels of O3 were significantly (p<0.001) higher at the CLF, 50M from CLF, 100M from CLF and 100M radius compared with unpolluted area. Levels of VOC were significantly (p<0.001) higher at the CLF, 50M from CLF, 100M from CLF and 100M radius compared with unpolluted area. The levels of NO2 were significantly (p<0.001) higher at the CLF, 50M from CLF, 100M from CLF and 100M radius compared with the unpolluted area. The levels of PM2.5 increased significantly (p<0.001) at the CLF, 50M from CLF, 100M from CLF and 100M radius compared with the unpolluted area. The levels of PM10 were also significantly (p< 0.001) higher at the CLF, 50M from CLF, 100M from CLF and 100M radius compared with the unpolluted area. In conclusion, communities close to landfills may be polluted with toxic gases and particulate matters. Further investigation is needed to validate the safe distance of residential areas from landfills to avert the risks of toxicity associated with gaseous pollutants.

Effect of particulates generated from asphalt production on the morphological and leaf epidermal traits of some common plants

A comparative study was carried out to ascertain the effects of particulate matter on the gross morphological and leaf epidermal features of some tropical plants. Two populations of Xanthosoma mafaffa Schott, Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson, and Ageratum conyzoides (L.) were collected; one from an unpolluted area and the other from a polluted environment (generated from an asphalt production industry). Plants from the polluted area show marked reduction in leaf size and area, and reduced chlorophyll content in leaves. There were chlorotic and necrotic leaf spots on the species from polluted area and an average leaf area of 94.81 cm2, 15.81 cm2, and 17.29 cm2 for X. mafaffa, C. odorata and A. conyzoides respectively while the non-polluted species had no leaf spots and an average leaf area of 181.95cm2, 36.75 cm2, and 32.11cm2 for X. mafaffa, C. odorata and A. conyzoides respectively. Length and width of stomatal pore of leaves from polluted area had increased number of stomata, but the length and width of stomata were reduced by -12.89% and -08.42%, -19.54% and -28.60% and -27.50% and -37.86% in the length and width of X. mafaffa, C. odorata and A. conyzoides respectively, as compared to the leaf samples from unpolluted area. Also, epidermal cells decreased compared to the leaves from unpolluted area, while the density of epidermal cells per unit area increased. These suggest that these plants are under air pollution stress and the results are adaptive and compensated mechanism to the adverse effects of the particulate matter.

Atmospheric pollution in Kosovo is associated with increased DNA damage in the human population

In order to assess DNA damage associated with exposure to environmental pollution in two polluted sites and one control site in Kosovo, whole blood samples were collected from volunteers in two polluted areas (Kastriot/ Obiliq - lignite-based power plants and lignite mines - and Drenas/Gllogovc - Ferronikeli smelting plant) as well as from Peja, representing an unpolluted area. White blood cells were isolated, and DNA damage was analyzed by the alkaline comet assay. Significantly higher levels of DNA damage (strand breaks) were found in white blood cells from subjects living in the polluted areas compared with residents of the unpolluted city, indicating a potential threat to human health.

The correlation of metal content in medicinal plants and their water extracts

The quality of some medicinal plants and their water extracts from South East Serbia is determined on the basis of metal content using atomic absorption spectrometry. The two methods were used for the preparation of water extracts, to examine the impact of the preparation on the content of metals in them. Content of investigated metals in both water extracts is markedly lower then in medicinal plants, but were higher in water extract prepared by method (I), with exception of lead content. The coefficients of extraction for the observed metal can be represented in the following order: Zn > Mn > Pb > Cu > Fe. Correlation coefficients between the metal concentration in the extract and total metal content in plant material vary in the range from 0.6369 to 0.9956. This indicates need the plants to be collected and grown in the unpolluted area and to examine the metal content. The content of heavy metals in the investigated medicinal plants and their water extracts is below the maximum allowable values, so they are safe to use.