Preliminary Study to Investigate the Distribution and Effects of Certain Metals After Inhalation of Welding Fumes in Mice

The most important welding processes used are the Gas Metal Arc (GMA) welding, the Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding, and the Manual Metal Arc (MMA) welding processes. The goal of our investigation was to monitor the distribution of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in the lung, spleen, liver, and kidney of mice after inhalation exposure of different welding methods using different steel base materials. The treatment groups were the following: MMA-mild steel, MMA-molybdenum-manganese (MoMn) alloy, TIG-mild steel, and TIG-stainless steel. The samples were taken 24- and 96 hours after the treatments.Most importantly, it was found that the Mn concentration in the lung’ samples of the MMA-mild steel and the MMA-MoMn groups was increased extremely at both sampling times and in the spleen’ samples also. In the TIG groups, the rise of the Mn concentration was only considerable in the lungs and spleens at 24h, and emerged concentration was found in the liver in 96h samples. Histopathology demonstrated emerged siderin content in the spleens of the treated animals and in siderin filled macrophages in the lungs mostly in all treated groups. Traces of high-level glycogen retention was found in the MMA groups at both sampling times. Similar glycogen retention in TIG-Ms and TIG stainless group’s liver samples and emerged number of vacuoles, especially in the hepatocytes of the TIG-stainless steel 96h group were also found.The mentioned results raise the consequence that there is a considerable difference in the kinetics of the Mn distribution between the MMA- and the TIG-fume treated groups. Hence, the result suggests that manganese has a particle-size dependent toxico-kinetics property. The anomaly of the glycogen metabolism indicates the systemic effect of the welding fumes. Also, the numerous vacuoles mentioned above show a possible liver-specific adverse effect of some components of the TIG-stainless steel welding fumes.

Effects of manganese toxicity on the growth of soybean (Glycine max L.) at the seedling stage

Effects of manganese (Mn) toxicity stress on the growth of soybean, the number of Mn spots on leaves and the absorption of iron and magnesium were studied by nutrient solution hydroponics. The results showed that the presence of Mn spots on leaves was the main symptom of Mn toxicity in soybean. When the concentration of exogenous Mn was 25 μmol/l, the leaf generated obvious Mn oxidation spots; when the concentration of exogenous Mn exceeded 50 μmol/l, the growth of soybean was inhibited, and the number of Mn spots increased significantly. With the increase in exogenous Mn concentration, the Mn concentration in the roots, young leaves and old leaves of soybean increased significantly. When the concentration of exogenous Mn reached 200 μmol/l, the number of Mn spots on primary leaves, old leaves and young leaves increased significantly. Although the iron concentration in the roots remained the same, the iron content in the old and young leaves decreased significantly. On the other hand, although Mn toxicity significantly reduced the concentration of magnesium in soybean roots, it increased the concentration of magnesium in old and young leaves. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(3): 803-811, 2021 (September) Special

Structural, Magnetic, and Optical Properties of Mn2+ Doping in ZnO Thin Films

MnxZn1−xO thin films (x = 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%) were grown on corning glass substrates using sol–gel technique. Single-phase hexagonal wurtzite structure was confirmed using X-ray diffraction. Raman analysis revealed the presence of Mn content with an additional vibrational mode at 570 cm−1. The surface morphology of the samples was observed by scanning electron microscopy which suggested that the grain size increases with an increase in Mn concentration. The optical bandgap increases with increasing Mn concentration due to a significant blueshift in UV–visible absorption spectra. The alteration of the bandgap was verified by the I–V measurements on ZnO and Mn-ZnO films. The various functional groups in the thin films were recorded using FTIR analysis. Magnetic measurements showed that MnxZn1−xO films are ferromagnetic, as Mn induces a fully polarised state. The effect of Mn2+ ions doping on MnxZn1−xO thin films was investigated by extracting various parameters such as lattice parameters, energy bandgap, resistivity, and magnetisation. The observed coercivity is about one-fifth of the earlier published work data which indicates the structure is soft in nature, having less dielectric/magnetic loss, and hence can be used as ultra-fast switching in spintronic devices.

Management of Iron and Manganese Toxicities of Lentil Crops Grown in Central Chile

Iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) toxicity is a widespread problem in lentil production in the coastal dryland of Chile. Increasing the soil pH by liming with CaCO3 or incrementing grain yields through nitrogen fertilization can help the plants to reduce metal concentration. Thus, the main objective of this work was to evaluate two different fertilization strategies (lime (CaCO3) and nitrogen (N) additions) to reduce Fe and Mn toxicities in lentils. Lentils grown under field conditions with the highest Fe and Mn concentrations showed toxicity symptoms, but without grain yield reductions. In a pot experiment using the same soil as in the field with toxicity symptoms, the dry matter (DM) produced at the end of the trial was higher in the plants that received N while the lowest DM production was recorded in those plants treated with lime. In particular, higher root DM sustained the growth of the N-fertilized shoots, which also positively affected the grain yields being 33% higher than the control treatment (no fertilization addition). In the plants fertilized with N, the Fe and Mn levels in the shoots were lower than the control plants and those grown in soils treated with lime, but showed higher concentrations of Fe and Mn in roots. In parallel, roots exhibited high concentrations of Fe and Mn that were 13- and 9-fold higher than in the shoots. Additionally, a significant decrease of 29% in Mn concentration in the grains of plants treated with N was reported. Overall, our results suggest that an increase in DM of lentils by the addition of N can reduce the Mn concentration on leaves to a level that is likely under the threshold that causes toxicity in plant tissues. Finally, we conclude that the increase of Fe and Mn in the roots may be connected to the reduction of these metals on leaves.

Unconventional critical behaviour in weak ferromagnets Fe2-xMnxCrAl (0 ≤ x < 1)

Recent investigation on weak ferromagnets Fe2-xMnxCrAl (0 ≤ x < 1) reveal the existence of a cluster glass phase (CGP) and a Griffiths-like phase (GP) below and above the ferromagnetic transition temperature (TC), respectively [(2019) Sci. Rep.9 15888]. In this work, the influence of these inhomogeneous phases on the critical behaviour (around TC) of the above-mentioned series of alloys has been investigated in detail. For the parent alloy Fe2CrAl, the critical exponent γ is estimated as ~ 1.34, which lies near to the ordered 3D Heisenberg class, whereas the obtained value of the critical exponent β ~ 0.273 does not belong to any universality class. With increment in Mn concentration, both exponents γ and β increase, where γ and β approach the disordered and ordered 3D Heisenberg class, respectively. The observed deviation of γ and unconventional value of δ can be ascribed to the increment of GP with Mn-concentration. The trend noted for β can be attributed to the increment in CGP regime with an increase in Mn-content. The estimated critical exponents are consistent and reliable as corroborated using the scaling law and equations of state. Our studies indicate that the critical phenomenon of Fe2-xMnxCrAl (0 ≤ x < 1) alloys possibly belong to a separate class, which is not described within the framework of any existing universal model.

Aluminium, Iron and Silicon Subcellular Redistribution in Wheat Induced by Manganese Toxicity

Acidic soils can promote the bioavailability of Al, Mn, and Fe to toxic levels, reducing crop growth and productivity. Symptoms of metal excess/deficit are dependent on the chemical composition of the soil solution and of plant tissues. In the present study, the concentration and subcellular distribution of Al, Mn, Fe, and Si (known to alleviate metal stress) were quantified through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in roots and shoots of wheat grown in acidic soils with rising levels of Mn. In control acidic soil, wheat showed high concentrations of Al, Mn, and Fe. After Mn supplementation, bioavailable Al, Fe, and Si levels increased in the soil solution, but plant uptake ratio decreased. Root Mn levels increased, while those of Al, Fe, and Si decreased. Although elements were increasingly translocated to the shoot, root Al and Fe concentrations were 10-fold higher than those in the shoot. At the highest Mn concentration supplied, Al, Fe, and Si proportions increased in the organelles, while Mn proportion increased in the vacuole. High bioavailable Mn levels disrupt metal homeostasis in wheat grown in acidic soils, influencing element subcellular distribution. Symptoms of metal toxicity result from interactions between several elements, and therefore a comprehensive chemical analysis of soil solution and plant tissues contributes to a more accurate understanding of their uptake dynamics and their agronomic implications.

Synthesis and Characterization of Nano Fe and Mn (hydr)oxides to Be Used as Natural Sorbents and Micronutrient Fertilizers

Fe and Mn (hydr)oxides are widely used as contaminant sorbents in water/wastewater systems but their potential use as micronutrient fertilizers is still poorly known. In this research, four nano-metal (hydr)oxides (amorphous Mn oxide (AMO), Fe-Mn binary oxide (FMBO), two-line ferrihydrite (2L-Fh) and goethite) were successfully synthesized and completely characterized (infrared and Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction particle size, specific surface area, point of zero charge). AMO, FMBO and 2L-Fh were introduced to interact with AgNO3 (20.0 µM) and TlNO3 (100.0 µM) diluted solutions for three days to check their potential capability as potential Ag+ and Tl+ adsorbents. AMO and FMBO (4% w/w) were tested as nanofertilizers by arranging a hydroponic bioassay for 35 days on white lupin culture as a Mn-hyperaccumulator plant model. AMO structure was identified as an amorphous mixture of Mn oxides while FMBO was an Fe dopped birnessite. Both materials were efficient in extracting Ag+ and Tl+ although large Mn concentration was released from FMBO to the solutions. AMO and FMBO promoted Fe and Mn nutrition in plants. Synthetic iron chelate (Fe-EDDHA), present in the nutrient dissolution, could be adsorbed onto AMO surface by producing Fe and Mn accumulation in roots and increasing Mn uptake rate without toxicity symptoms. Therefore, AMO and FMBO not only demonstrated their efficiency as adsorbents, but also displayed they would be promising nanomaterials as micronutrient fertilizers.

Biophenolic Profile Modulations in Olive Tissues as Affected by Manganese Nutrition

Manganese (Mn) is an essential element that intervenes in several plant metabolic processes. The olive tree, and its fruits and leaves, are known as a source of nutraceuticals since they are rich in biophenols. However, there is still a serious lack of data about biophenolic distribution in olive stems and roots under Mn fertilisation. In this context, our study aimed to examine the effects of Mn fertilisation on the biophenolic profile in the leaves, stems, and roots of the ‘Istarska bjelica’ olive cultivar. The experiment was set up in a greenhouse, during a period of five months, as a random block design consisting of three treatments with varying Mn concentrations in full-strength Hoagland’s nutrient solution (0.2 µM Mn, 12 µM Mn, and 24 µM Mn). The obtained results indicate that the amount of Mn in the examined olive plant tissues was significantly higher under 12 µM Mn and 24 µM Mn treatments compared to that of the 0.2 µM Mn treatment. While the concentration of biophenols varied in roots depending on the compound in question, a strong positive impact of the increased Mn concentration in nutrient solution (12 µM Mn and 24 µM Mn) on the concentrations of the main biophenolic compounds was observed in stems. The concentration of oleuropein in leaves almost doubled at 24 µM Mn, with the highest Mn concentration, as compared to the 0.2 µM Mn treatment. The obtained results led to the conclusion that the supply of Mn could enhance the concentration of some biologically active compounds in olives grown hydroponically, implying a critical need for further investigation of Mn fertilisation practices in the conventional olive farming system.

Influence of C14 Alkane Stress on Antioxidant Defense Capacity, Mineral Nutrient Elements Accumulation and Cadmium Uptake of Ryegrass

In order to explore the influence of C14 alkane on physiological stress responses, mineral nutrient elements uptake, cadmium (Cd) transfer and uptake characteristics of Lolium perenne L. (ryegrass), a series of pot trials were conducted which included a moderate level of Cd (2.182 mg·kg− 1) without (control) and with five levels of C14 alkane (V/m, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%). Biomass and Cd content in the root and shoot, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzymes activity, mineral nutrient elements in the shoot of ryegrass were determined at the end of the experiment. The results indicated that Cd uptake significantly elevated at 0.1% C14 alkane treatment, then gradually decreased with the increase of C14 alkane concentration. Compared with the control, chlorophyll content was significantly suppressed and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration obviously increased. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and catalase (CAT) activity significantly increased to prevent the C14 alkane stress. With the increased of C14 alkane, the Mn concentration gradually increased, Mg and Fe significantly decreased. Correlation analysis showed that Mn was positively correlated with SOD (with the exception of 2% treatment) and CAT (p < 0.01), and negatively correlated with Cd uptake (p < 0.01). It implied that the increase of Mn induced by C14 alkane stress was an important reason for the decrease of Cd uptake.

The Effects of Iron-Bearing Intermetallics on the Fitness-for-Service Performance of a Rare-Earth-Modified A356 Alloy for Next Generation Automotive Powertrains

Aimed at improving the tensile strength and creep resistance of a rare earth-modified A356 alloy, this study adjusted the Mg and Mn concentration in the alloy, specifically aiming to transform the harmful Al5FeSi and Al9FeSi3Mg5 phase into Al15(Fe,Mn)3Si2. It was found that lowering the Mg concentration from 0.49 to 0.25 wt.% and raising the Mn concentration from 0.10 to 0.41 wt.% resulted in a near complete transformation of the Fe-bearing phases. This transformation led to a greater total volume fraction of Fe-intermetallics (2.9 to 4.1%), without affecting the volume fraction of the desirable, temperature-resistant, AlSiRE phase. Moreover, the chemistry modification led to a shift in the morphology of the AlSiRE phase while reducing its size. Combined with the decreased volume fraction of the harmful Fe precipitates, the chemistry modification improved the yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and modulus of elasticity by ~14%, 9%, and 10%, respectively. In addition, the steady-state creep rates of the high Mn alloy were lower at all stresses as compared to the low Mn alloy and the fracture stress was ~15 MPa higher, reaching 100% of the alloy’s original 250 °C YS.