Heavy metal pollution in soil and plants at bone char site

This study determined the heavy metal concentration in soil and plants at a bone char site in Umuahia, Nigeria. Soil and plant samples collected in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) were analyzed for zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and arsenic (As). The concentration of metals in soil and plants in the vicinity of the bone char site are as follows: Zn (172?mg?kg^?1) and Ni (0.62?mg?kg^?1) in soil were highest at site P₃, Pb (2.37?mg?kg^?1) and As (0.08?mg?kg^?1) at site P₁, and Cd (18.30?mg?kg^?1) at site P₂. In plants, the concentrations of Zn (41.17?mg?kg^?1) and Cd (3?mg?kg^?1) were highest in Albizia ferruginea, Ni in Dialium guineense (0.09?mg?kg^?1), while Pb was in D. guineense (0.08?mg?kg^?1) and Spathodea companulata (0.06?mg?kg^?1). The levels of Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, and As in soil ranged from 11.2 to 172, 2.68 to 18.2, 0.026 to 2.37, 0.33 to 0.62, and 0.02 to 0.08?mg?kg^?1, respectively. In plants, the concentration of Zn, Cd, Pb, and Ni ranged from 2.01 to 41.17, 0.12 to 3, 0.02 to 0.08, and 0.03 to 0.09?mg?kg^?1, respectively. There were significant correlations between Zn and Cd, and Pb and As in soil. The high concentration of Cd in soil might affect soil productivity.     

Abstracts to forthcoming papers

Food is the major source of metal exposure for the nonsmoking general population. Food samples of plant and animal origin from Ismailia, Egypt, were analyzed for the content of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) using AAS. The Cr, Zn, and Cu concentrations were in the range of 1.7–249?µg?kg^?1 wet weight (ww), 2–66?mg?kg^?1?ww, and 0.5–3.46?mg?kg^?1?ww, respectively. The mean daily intake of Cr, Zn, and Cu was 28.9?µg day^?1, 8.55?mg day^?1, and 1.7?mg day^?1, respectively. The intake estimates are within the range of the recommended intake established internationally. Concentrations of Cd and Pb were in the range of 10–321?µg?kg^?1?ww and 31–1200?µg?kg^?1?ww, respectively. The weekly dietary intake for Cd and Pb (4.02 and 20.4?µg?kg^?1 b.w, respectively) is lower than the FAO/WHO PTWI. Bread is the foodstuff that provided the highest rate of Pb and Cd (62 and 46% of the daily intake) to adults in Ismailia city.     

Biosolids application affects the competitive sorption and lability of cadmium,copper, nickel,lead, and zinc in fluvial and calcareous soils

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of biosolids on the competitive sorption and lability of the sorbed Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in fluvial and calcareous soils. Competitive sorption isotherms were developed, and the lability of these metals was estimated by DTPA extraction following their sorption. Sorption of all metals was higher in the fluvial than in the calcareous soil. Sorption of Cu and Pb was stronger than that of Cd, Ni, and Zn in all soils. Biosolids application (2.5%) reduced the sorption of all metals especially Cu and Pb (28–43%) in both soils (especially the calcareous soil) at the lower added metal concentrations (50 and 100 mg L^?1). However, it increased the sorption of all metals especially Pb and Cu in both soils (especially the calcareous soil; 15.5-fold for Cu) at the higher added concentrations (250 and 300 mg L^?1). Nickel showed the highest lability followed by Cd, Zn, and Pb in both soils. Biosolids increased the lability of the sorbed Ni in the fluvial soils at all added concentrations and the lability of Cd, Pb, and Zn at 50 mg L^?1, but decreased the lability of Cd, Pb, and Zn at 250 and 300 mg L^?1 in both soils. We conclude that at low loading rate (e.g., 50 mg L^?1) biosolids treatment might increase the lability and environmental risk of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. However, at high loading rate (e.g., 300 mg L^?1) biosolids may be used as an immobilizing agent for Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and mobilizing agent for Ni.     

Assessment of metals in soil extracts and their uptake and movement within Tamarix nilotica at Lake Nasser banks,Egypt

This study aims to determine heavy-metal levels in soil from the banks of Lake Nasser, the ability of Tamarix nilotica to accumulate such metals from soil and hence its potential for phytoextraction. Soil and Tamarix samples were collected from the banks of four bights around Lake Nasser and analysed for Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb by atomic absorption spectrometry, whereas Na and K were measured by atomic emission spectrophotometry. Three different methods of extraction were used for the soil samples. Lead, copper and zinc were equally distributed between the exchangeable phase and Fe/Mn oxide-bound form, while other measured metals were mainly present in the Fe/Mn oxide fraction. With the exception of iron, all metals studied showed total concentrations within the geochemical background values. T. nilotica exhibited elevated concentrations of Na (36.2–48.5?mg?g^?1) and K (2.74–4.33?mg?g^?1) in stems, and relatively high concentrations of Pb, Cd and Co (0.39–1.03?µg?g^?1, 0.24–1.3?µg?g^?1 and 1.94–5.3?µg?g^?1, respectively) are found in plant leaves. Bioaccumulation factors of Na and K (9.3 and 12.63, respectively) were high in T. nilotica stems. While the bioaccumulation of Pb, Cd, Co and Ni (2870.1, 2035.4, 10.5 and 5313.2, respectively) was high in plant leaves, Fe, Mn, Ca and Mg were accumulated relatively equally in plant stems and leaves. T. nilotica was found to secrete high amounts of Na, Ca and K, in addition to small amounts of all accumulated metals except Cd and Cu. These secreted metals appeared as salt crystals (67.5% Na; 25.8% Ca; 5% Mg; 1.5% K and 0.16% trace and minor elements) on the plant surface. The concentrations of all the metals studied in T. nilotica were higher than in the salt crystals. Statistical analysis of the database suggests bioaccumulation of these metals from soil to T. nilotica. This reflects the importance of using T. nilotica as a model in the phytoremediation process as an established environmental clean-up technology.     

Determination of the levels of selected metals in seeds,flowers and fruits of medicinal plants used for tapeworm treatment in Ethiopia

The level of accumulation of selected essential and non-essential metals, namely; Ca, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cd, Pb, and Cr have been investigated in the seeds, fruits, and flowers of some medicinal plants utilized for tapeworm treatment in Ethiopia and their respective soil samples. These include seed of Cucurbita maxima (Duba), fruit of Embelia abyssinica (Ankoko), flowers of Hagenia abyssinica (Kosso), and fruits of Rosa abyssinica (Kega) and their respective soil samples. A wet digestion procedure with a mixture of conc. HNO₃ and HClO₄ for the plant samples and a mixture of conc. HNO₃, HCl, and H₂O₂ for soil samples were used to solubilize the metals. Ca (1280–12,670?mg?kg^?1) was the predominant metal followed by Fe (104–420?mg?kg^?1), and Zn (18–185?mg?kg^?1) in all the plant materials except for Hagenia abyssinica flower from Hirna in which Mn (16–42?mg?kg^?1) followed by Fe. Among the non-essential toxic metals, Pb was not detected in Cucurbita maxima of Boji, Gedo and Hirna origins and in Rosa abyssinica of Hirna site. Similarly, Cr was not detected in Rosa abyssinica fruits of Boji and Gedo sites. The sampled soils were found to be between strongly acidic to weakly basic (pH: 4.7–7.1). In the soil samples, Ca (8528–18,900?mg?kg^?1) was the most abundant metal followed by Fe (417–912?mg?kg^?1), Zn (155–588?mg?kg^?1), Mn (54–220?mg?kg^?1), Cr (21–105. mg?kg^?1), Cu (11–58?mg?kg^?1), Pb (13–32?mg?kg^?1) and Cd (2.8–4.8?mg?kg^?1). The levels of most of the metals determined in the medicinal plants and the respective soil samples are in good agreement with those reported in the literature and the standards set for the soil by various legislative authorities.     

Toxicity of metals to tadpoles of the common Sunda toad,Duttaphrynus melanostictus

Tadpoles of the common freshwater Sunda toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Amphibia, Bufonidae), were exposed for a 4-day period under laboratory conditions to copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), and manganese (Mn) at various concentrations. Mortality was assessed and median times of death (LT₅₀) and lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) were calculated. LT₅₀ and LC₅₀ increased with the decrease in mean exposure times and concentrations for all metals. LC₅₀ (96?h) for Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Ni, Fe, Al, and Mn were 0.03, 0.3, 4.2, 1.5, 8.8, 0.4, 1.9, and 39?mg?L^?1, respectively. Cu was the most toxic to D. melanostictus, followed by Cd, Fe, Al, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Mn (Cu?>?Cd?>?Fe?>?Al?>?Pb?>?Zn?>?Ni?>?Mn). Duttaphrynus melanostictus is similarly sensitive to these metals as other amphibian tadpoles.     

Levels of heavy metals in blue whiting caught from the eastern Black Sea area of Turkey

This paper presents data on the concentrations of 5 metals, copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) in Blue Whiting sampled from the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey. The highest metal concentrations of Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn and Pb were recorded in Blue Whiting with the values of 2.71, 0.601, 14.137, 15.322 and 1.078 μg g^‐1 dry weight, respectively. On average the metal concentrations in Blue Whiting followed the order of Zn > Fe > Cu > Pb > Cd. Temporal differences of concentrations of these metals were significant (p < 0.05). Spatial fluctuations of Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn and Pb concentrations in Blue Whiting were also significant (p < 0.01). It was found that the concentrations of Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn and Pb in the muscle in Blue Whiting were below the limit of Public Health Regulation in Turkey.     

Distribution of heavy metals in soil and accumulation in plants at an agricultural area of Umudike,Nigeria

This study assessed the distribution of heavy metals in soil and their subsequent accumulation in plants at a site at Umudike, Nigeria, that had been contaminated by agrochemicals. Soil and plant samples were analysed for zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd). The highest concentrations of Zn (251.50 mg/kg) and Cd (61.33 mg/kg) were obtained at a soil depth of 0–10 cm. The highest concentrations of Zn (16.52 mg/kg), Cd (27.12 mg/kg) and Cr (164.07 mg/kg) were accumulated by Baphia nitida. The levels of Cd, Cr and Zn in soil were 27.97–61.33, 24.97–45.43 and 148.57–251.50 mg/kg, and their concentrations in B. nitida were 16.18–27.13, 97.99–164.07 and 0.10–16.52 mg/kg, respectively. There were significant correlations between Cd and Cr and Cd and Zn in soil, as well as between Cd and Cr in plants. The concentration of Cd in soil reflected a state of pollution relative to Dutch criteria for soil and the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission.     

Biomagnification of trace elements in a benthic food web: the case study of Deer Island (Northern Yellow Sea)

In this study, we investigated the concentrations of ten trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, and As) and their trophodynamics in a benthic food chain of Deer Island, Northern Yellow Sea. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, and As in the food chain ranged from 3.2 to 23.2, from 71 to 227, from 7.4 to 45.6, from 0.44 to 5.80, from 0.73 to 7.60, from 0.14 to 1.65, from 0.68 to 6.70, from 0.08 to 1.86, from 0.08 to 1.18, and from 0.24 to 3.92 mg kg^?1 dry weight, respectively. Among these trace elements, the linear regression between the log-transformed concentrations of Hg and Cd and δ¹⁵N values showed statistically significant increase (p<0.05) with the slopes of 0.134 and 0.144, indicating biomagnification of Hg and Cd occurred in the benthic food chain of Deer Island. While the linear regression for other eight trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Ni, Cr, Pb and As) were characterised by extensive scatter with non-significant correlation coefficients (R ²=0.002–0.235) and slopes (p=0.079–0.875), indicating there were not biomagnified or biodiluted of these trace elements.     

Measurement of metal bioaccessibility in vegetables to improve human exposure assessments: field study of soil–plant–atmosphere transfers in urban areas,South China

The quality of cultivated consumed vegetables in relation to environmental pollution is a crucial issue for urban and peri-urban areas, which host the majority of people at the global scale. In order to evaluate the fate of metals in urban soil–plant–atmosphere systems and their consequences on human exposure, a field study was conducted at two different sites near a waste incinerator (site A) and a highway (site B). Metal concentrations were measured in the soil, settled atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and vegetables. A risk assessment was performed using both total and bioaccessible metal concentrations in vegetables. Total metal concentrations in PM were (mg kg^?1): (site A) 417 Cr, 354 Cu, 931 Zn, 6.3 Cd and 168 Pb; (site B) 145 Cr, 444 Cu, 3289 Zn, 2.9 Cd and 396 Pb. Several total soil Cd and Pb concentrations exceeded China’s Environmental Quality Standards. At both sites, there was significant metal enrichment from the atmosphere to the leafy vegetables (correlation between Pb concentrations in PM and leaves: r = 0.52, p < 0.05) which depended on the plant species. Total Cr, Cd and Pb concentrations in vegetables were therefore above or just under the maximum limit levels for foodstuffs according to Chinese and European Commission regulations. High metal bioaccessibility in the vegetables (60–79 %, with maximum value for Cd) was also observed. The bioaccessible hazard index was only above 1 for site B, due to moderate Pb and Cd pollution from the highway. In contrast, site A was considered as relatively safe for urban agriculture.     

Influence of fertilizer and sewage sludge compost on yield and heavy metal accumulation by lettuce grown in urban soils

Previous research has demonstrated that many urban soils are enriched in Pb, Cd and Zn. Culture of vegetable crops in these soils could allow transfer of potentially toxic metals to foods. Tanya lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was grown in pots of five urban garden soils and one control agricultural soil to assess the effect of urban-soil metal enrichment, and the effect of soil amendments, on heavy metal uptake by garden vegetables. The amendments included NPK fertilizer, limestone, Ca(H₂PO₄)₂, and two rates of limed sewage sludge compost. Soil Cd ranged from 0.08 to 9.6 mg kg^–1; soil Zn from 38 to 3490 mg kg^–1; and soil Pb from 12 to 5210 mg kg^–1. Lettuce yield on the urban garden soils was as great as or greater than that on the control soil. Lettuce Cd, Zn and Pb concentrations increased from 0.65, 23, and 2.2 mg kg^–1 dry matter in the control soil to as high as 3.53, 422 and 37.0 mg kg^–1 on the metal-rich urban garden soils. Adding limestone or limed sewage sludge compost raised soil pH and significantly reduced lettuce Cd and Zn, while phosphate fertilizer lowered soil pH and had little effect on Zn but increased Cd concentration in lettuce. Urban garden soils caused a significant increase in lettuce leaf Pb concentration, especially on the highest Pb soil. Adding NPK fertilizer, phosphate, or sludge compost to two high Pb soils lowered lettuce Pb concentration, but adding limestone generally did not. On normally fertilized soils, Pb uptake by lettuce was not exceptionally high until soil Pb substantially exceeded 500 mg kg^–1. Comparing garden vegetables and soil as potential sources of Pb risk to children, it is clear that the risk is greater through ingestion of soil or dust than through ingestion of garden vegetables grown on the soil. Urban dwellers should obtain soil metal analyses before selecting garden locations to reduce Pb risk to their children.     

Interactions between metals accumulated in the narrow-clawed crayfish Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) in Dikilitaş Lake,Turkey

The accumulations of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn in the exoskeleton, gills, hepatopancreas and abdominal muscles of crayfish Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) were determined. The strongest correlation observed was between Cr and Ni in the gills (r?=?0.904); moderate to strong correlations between Al, Cr, Fe, Ni and Cu were also observed in gill tissue. Disregarding the gills, the strongest correlation was found between Cu and Zn in the hepatopancreas (r?=?0.808); the correlation between these two metals might have been a result of metallothionein activity. The accumulation of Pb was found to correlate with that of Cd in the exoskeleton, Cd and Zn in the gills, Zn and Cu in the hepatopancreas and Cu in the abdominal muscle. None of these correlations were present in lakewater and sediment samples, suggesting that the crayfish metabolism may be responsible for the co-accumulation of metal–metal pairs. As all correlations in non-gill tissues are observed between divalent metals, a shared transporter such as divalent metal transporter 1 might be involved in the accumulation of these metals.     

重金属积累对土壤酶活性的影响

研究了华北平原某铅冶炼厂附近农田33个土壤样品中重金属积累对土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明,样品中Pb和Cd全量的平均值分别为144和5.59mg·kg-1,DTPA态Pb和Cd含量平均值分别为54.1和0.964mg·kg-1,均超过了未污染农田潮土的正常范围,而Cu、Ni和Zn的有效性和全量与未污染土壤接近;土壤过氧化氢酶活性与DTPA态Pb和Cd含量、全Pb含量均呈显著的负线性关系(P<0.01);与磷酸酶和脲酶相比,土壤脱氢酶活性更易受到土壤中Pb和Cd积累的影响;随DTPA-Ni含量增加,土壤蛋白酶和碱性磷酸酶活性增加(P<0.1);土壤脲酶活性与重金属全量或有效态重金属含量无显著相关性(P>0.1)。以上结果说明,利用土壤过氧化氢酶和脱氢酶活性能够表征基本性质较为一致的土壤中重金属污染程度;与重金属全量相比,有效态重金属对土壤酶活性影响更大。     

Phenolic compounds in leaves of Salix species and hybrids growing under different soil conditions

The leaves of eight Salix species/hybrids were collected from two sites with different soil conditions including metal concentrations to investigate the concentration of Cu, Zn and Pb, phenolic profile and antioxidant scavenging activity. Cu, Zn and Pb, phenolic content and scavenging activity in leaves from the control area (lower concentration of metals in soil) (site C) were lower than in plants cultivated in site G (higher concentration of metals in soil). The content of Cu, Pb and Zn in leaves was in the range 9.21 (site G)–52.36 (site G), 0.41 (site C)?12.03 (site C) and 27.23 (site C)–214.44 (site G) mg?kg^?1, respectively. Total phenolic content ranged between 18.19 (site C) and 84.71 (site G) mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry matter. Total flavonoid content was between 7.98 (site C) and 54.48 (site G) mg catechin g^?1?d.m. The scavenging effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl˙ ranged between 33.6% (site C) and 56.3% (site G). Phenolic acids, myricetin and quercetin were quantified in leaves. The results show that phenolics are involved during adaptive mechanisms under elevated content of Cu, Pb and Zn in soil. Changes in the phenolic composition in leaves can be suggested as indicators of metal stress in Salix plants.     

Lethal critical body residues as measures of Cd,Pb, and Zn bioavailability and toxicity in the earthworm<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eisenia fetida</Emphasis>

Background

Earthworm heavy metal concentrations (critical body residues, CBRs) may be the most relevant measures of heavy metal bioavailability in soils and may be linkable to toxic effects in order to better assess soil ecotoxicity. However, as earthworms possess physiological mechanisms to secrete and/or sequester absorbed metals as toxicologically inactive forms, total earthworm metal concentrations may not relate well with toxicity.

Objective

The objectives of this research were to: i) develop LD₅₀s (total earthworm metal concentration associated with 50% mortality) for Cd, Pb, and Zn; ii) evaluate the LD₅₀ for Zn in a lethal Zn-smelter soil; iii) evaluate the lethal mixture toxicity of Cd, Pb, and Zn using earthworm metal concentrations and the toxic unit (TU) approach; and iv) evaluate total and fractionated earthworm concentrations as indicators of sublethal exposure.

Methods

Earthworms (Eisenia fetida (Savigny)) were exposed to artificial soils spiked with Cd, Pb, Zn, and a Cd?Pb?Zn equitoxic mixture to estimate lethal CBRs and mixture toxicity. To evaluate the CBR developed for Zn, earthworms were also exposed to Zn-contaminated field soils receiving three different remediation treatments. Earthworm metal concentrations were measured using a procedure devised to isolate toxicologically active metal burdens via separation into cytosolic and pellet fractions.

Results and Discussion

Lethal CBRs inducing 50% mortality (LD₅₀, 95% CI) were calculated to be 5.72 (3.54–7.91), 3.33 (2.97–3.69), and 8.19 (4.78–11.6) mmol/kg for Cd, Pb, and Zn, respectively. Zn concentrations of dead earthworms exposed to a lethal remediated Zn-smelter soil were 3-fold above the LD₅₀ for Zn and comparable to earthworm concentrations in lethal Zn-spiked artificial soils, despite a 14-fold difference in total soil Zn concentration between lethal field and artificial soils. An evaluation of the acute mixture toxicity of Cd, Pb, and Zn in artificial soils using the Toxic Unit (TU) approach revealed an LD₅₀ (95% CI) of 0.99 (0.57–1.41) TU, indicating additive toxicity.

Conclusions

Total Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations in earthworms were good indicators of lethal metal exposure, and enabled the calculation of LD₅₀s for lethality. The Zn-LD₅₀ developed in artificial soil was applicable to earthworms exposed to remediated Zn-smelter soil, despite a 14-fold difference in total soil Zn concentrations. Mixture toxicity evaluated using LD₅₀s from each single metal test indicated additive mixture toxicity among Cd, Pb, and Zn. Fractionation of earthworm tissues into cytosolic and pellet digesis yielded mixed results for detecting differences in exposure at the sublethal level.

Recommendation and Outlook

CBRs are useful in describing acute Cd, Pb, and Zn toxicity in earthworms, but linking sublethal exposure to total and/or fractionated residues may be more difficult. More research on detoxification, regulation, and tissue and subcellular partitioning of heavy metals in earthworms and other invertebrates is needed to establish the link between body residue and sublethal exposure and toxicity.

     

The status of heavy metal levels in a Ramsar site,Kuala Gula bird sanctuary: the impact of the anthropogenic inputs

Distributions of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the surface sediments from two sites of the Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, Malaysia were monitored for a period of 6 months from October 2006 to March 2007. In December 2006, the concentration of Zn in one location was significantly (p??1) than the other metals at both sites, but in the oxidizable organic fraction it was highest at both sites during October; with mean concentrations of 18?mg?kg^?1 at both locations. In the acid-reducible fraction, high concentrations of Pb (2.3?mg?kg^?1) were detected at station 2 in February 2007, being highest among all four metals at both stations. The acid-reducible fraction found in Pb ranged from 0.10% to 3.1% in both stations. Percentages ranging from 51% to 96% were observed for all four metals in the resistant fraction throughout the sampling period. These results indicate low contributions from anthropogenic sources. The findings constitute a baseline data archive for future reference.     

Heavy metal contamination of soil,and bioaccumulation in vegetables irrigated with treated waste water in the tropical city of Varanasi,India

The present study was conducted to determine the heavy metal contamination in soil with accumulation in plants in waste water irrigated areas. Results revealed that waste water contained lower concentrations of Cr, Zn, Cu, and Pb except Cd (0.03) than the permissible limits prescribed by the World Health Organization. The maximum metal concentrations occurred in Brassica oleracea (Zn 63.80, Cu 12.25, Cr 10.65, Pb 3.63, and Cd 0.56 mg Kg^?1).The metal enrichment (EF of Cd 1.9, Cr2.9, Zn 4.8, Cu 6.5, and Pb 15.5) and degree of contamination (CF of Cd 2.9, Cr 2.0, Zn 2.3, Cu 2.7, and Pb 2.2) showed that accumulation of the five toxic metals increased during sewage irrigation as compared with the reference values, other Indian regions and globally. However, based on WHO standards for heavy metal contamination of soil and irrigation water, our data does not ensure safe levels for food.     

Essential and nonessential elements in the red-crowned crane Grus japonensis of Zhalong Wetland,northeastern China

The concentrations of four essential (Ca, Mg, Zn, and Cu) and two nonessential elements (Pb and Cd) in feathers and kidneys, livers, gut walls, and muscles of eight carcasses of migratory red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) from Zhalong Wetland, northeastern China, were examined. The concentrations of Cd in the feathers were between 0.4 mg kg^?1 dry weight (dw) and 3.1 mg kg^?1 dw, in the livers between 0.4 and 4.4 mg kg^?1 dw, the maximum of which exceeded a level considered to be environmental exposure risk (i.e., 3 mg kg^?1 dw in the liver or kidney). High Pb levels (0.4–3.2 mg kg^?1 dw, with an average of 1.8 mg kg^?1) were also detected in livers, which exceeded a level considered toxicosis in birds (1.7 mg kg^?1 dw). Pb and Cd had the highest scores in principal component analysis. Relatively high Pb and Cd concentrations in the migratory cranes were thought to be associated with their habitat and prey.     

Phytoextraction of lead and its relationship with histidine in six plant species using ICP-MS and HPLC-MS

High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) methods were used for determination of histidine and lead in leaves of six plant species taken from industrial areas, including Gaziantep and Bursa cities, Turkey. For extraction of histidine from plant samples, ultrapure water was used at 90°C for 30?min. Using optimum conditions of 0.2?mL?min^?1, 70?V, 15?µL and 20°C, concentrations of histidine (in mg?kg^?1) were found to be between 2 and 9 for Morus L., 6 and 13 for Robinia pseudoacacio L., 2 and 10 for Populous nigra L., 3 and 10 for Thuja, 1 and 11 for Cupressus arizonica and 4 for Cedrus libani. Concentrations of lead were in the ranges of 4–378?mg?kg^?1 for Morus L., 1–122?mg?kg^?1 for R. pseudoacacio L., 1–14?mg?kg^?1 for P. nigra L., 1.6–224?mg?kg^?1 for Thuja (Cupressaceae), 1.5–57?mg?kg^?1 for C. arizonica and 1.8?mg?kg^?1 for C. libani. Related with correlation coefficient, significant linear correlation for Thuja (Cupressaceae) (r?=?0.81) and insignificant linear correlation for P. nigra L. (r?=?0.50) were seen. Further, the leaves of Morus L., Thuja and R. pseudoacacio L. have a potential as biomonitor and/or hyperaccumulator for Pb because the rates of their maximum/minimum concentrations were found higher than 90.     

Heavy metals in soils and crops in Southeast Asia

In a reconnaissance soil geochemical and plant survey undertaken to study the heavy metal uptake by major food crops in Malaysia, 241 soils were analysed for cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic carbon (C), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and available phosphorus (P) using appropriate procedures. These soils were also analysed for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) using aqua regia digestion, together with 180 plant samples using nitric acid digestion. Regression analysis between the edible plant part and aqua regia soluble soil As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations sampled throughout Peninsular Malaysia, indicated a positive relationship for Pb in all the plants sampled in the survey (R ² = 0.195, p < 0.001), for Ni in corn (R ² = 0.649, p < 0.005), for Cu in chilli (R ² = 0.344, p < 0.010) and for Zn in chilli (R ² = 0.501, p < 0.001). Principal component analysis of the soil data suggested that concentrations of Co, Ni, Pb and Zn were strongly correlated with concentrations of Al and Fe, which is suggestive of evidence of background variations due to changes in soil mineralogy. Thus the evidence for widespread contamination of soils by these elements through agricultural activities is not strong. Chromium was correlated with soil pH and EC, Na, S, and Ca while Hg was not correlated with any of these components, suggesting diffuse pollution by aerial deposition. However As, Cd, Cu were strongly associated with organic matter and available and aqua regia soluble soil P, which we attribute to inputs in agricultural fertilisers and soil organic amendments (e.g. manures, composts).