Biomonitoring Of Heavy Metals Research Articles

Environmental Biomonitoring of Heavy and Toxic Metals Using Honeybees and Their Products—An Overview of Previous Research

Humans and bees share millennia of history that have resulted in ever-increasing connection and interdependence. Thus, today, it is impossible to ignore the influence of humans on bees, particularly regarding the decrease in their numbers due to environmental contamination. Although they do not cause immediate mortality, heavy and toxic metals, along with dangers such as bee diseases, pesticides, habitat destruction, and climate change, threaten the number of bees and should not be ignored. Honeybees, their colonies, and their products are recognized as accumulators of metals and biological indicators of the presence of these metals in all environmental components. This study is an overview of prominent research from the past three decades on heavy and toxic metal levels in honeybees (Apis mellifera L.), honey, wax, and pollen. This research compares metals such as Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn in natural environments and in an environment where anthropogenic pressure manifests. The presented studies represent a range of research using analytical methods to determine the presence of heavy and toxic metals in different segments of bees and their products, linking these findings with the state of the environment. It has been repeatedly established that if heavy and toxic metals are present in higher concentrations in components of the environment that are under anthropogenic pressure, then their concentrations in bees, honey, and wax will also be higher. By summarizing this research in one place, this study can provide guidelines for future scientific work on this subject, promoting sustainable development through safe beekeeping and healthy bees.

Heavy Metal Biomonitoring in Cultured Rainbow Trout of the Black Sea and Risk Estimations on Its Consumption.

In recent years, the growing importance of fish species obtained through aquaculture, coupled with a decline in wild-caught fish, has raised concerns about the potential accumulation of pollutants in these fish. This work aimed to analyze the amounts of elements in trout cultured mainly between Sinop and Samsun shores at the south of the Black Sea and marketed in Sinop fish markets. The comparison of these values with national and internationally accepted regulations was conducted, and evaluation of health risks for consumers was performed. Oncorhynchus mykiss samples were bought in April, May, and June of 2022 and 2023. The heavy metal concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Fish tissues were wet digested in Teflon vessels. The outcomes were contrasted with established regulatory limits for heavy metals in fish. Fortunately, the metal concentrations detected in the fillets were found to be below the permissible levels set by regulations, indicating that the fish were not significantly contaminated. Furthermore, the estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) values, which are utilized to evaluate the possible health risks connected with heavy metal exposure, were calculated. It was reassuring to find that both EDI and THQ values were below the acceptable thresholds, suggesting that the consumption of O. mykiss is not likely to pose a threat to human health. To preserve seafood safety and safeguard public health, however, constant monitoring of fish metal levels is necessary.

Bioconcentration capacity of moss Leskea angustata Tayl., for heavy metals and its application in the atmospheric biomonitoring of a metropolitan area

In this work, the bioconcentration capacity of heavy metals Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the moss Leskea angustata Tayl., exposed under laboratory conditions was evaluated, and subsequently the usefulness of moss for the heavy metals' biomonitoring associated with suspended particulate matter in air of the Toluca Valley Metropolitan Area was determined by means of the moss bag technique. To achieve the aims, bioassays were carried out in the laboratory with the moss, the exposure for a period of 6 months of the moss bags in the sites of the Automatic Atmospheric Monitoring Network of the Government of the State of Mexico and their subsequent analysis through of elemental and structural characterization techniques. The results of the bioassays on the moss L. angustata, demonstrate that this moss has adequate bioconcentration capabilities to be used as a biomonitor of heavy metals in polluted areas. The structural characterization of the moss L. angustata, shows that this moss has good adsorption characteristics (presence of functional groups, surface area of 19.87 m2 g−1, average pore diameter equal to 2.86 nm and a total pore volume of 0.014218 cm3 g−1). The significant correlations between Cd–Zn–Pb and between Pb and Zn with PM2.5, as well as a strong correlation between Pb and Zn with PM10, allow us to establish that these three metals have their main origin in the domestic combustion of wood and liquid petroleum gas (LP gas), as well as emissions from agricultural burning in the study area. Cu has a different origin than other metals and PM10 and PM2.5. The findings demonstrate a strong association between anthropogenic activities - such as domestic wood and LP gas combustion, agricultural burning emissions, vehicular emissions, tire wear, and industrial activities - and the detection, entrapment, and accumulation of several heavy metals by L. angustata moss.

Evaluation of succulent plants Echeveria elegans as a biomonitor of heavy metals and radionuclides

This work evaluates the use of Echeveria elegans as a biomonitor of metals and radionuclides, using semi-urban soils as a study area. The study area is exposed to various trace elements of concern for various social groups in nearby localities. The quantification of metals and radionuclides was performed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and gamma spectrometry, respectively. Cumulative frequency distribution curves, descriptive statistics, and multivariate analysis were used to estimate the local geochemical baseline and identify geochemical and anthropogenic patterns of metals and radionuclides from topsoil and E. elegans. The evaluation of contaminants and the contribution of possible exposure routes (topsoil and atmospheric deposition) was performed with the enrichment factor (EF) and the relative concentration factor (CFR). The results suggest that the plant does not present significant physical stress due to the environmental conditions to which it was exposed. Likewise, it can bioaccumulate heavy metals from natural and anthropogenic sources. The quantification of radionuclides in the plant is below the detection limits, indicating a low bioavailability and transfer factor. The CFR and EF results showed that the plant accumulates metals from the topsoil and atmospheric deposition. The bioaccumulation mechanism would be related to the functioning of Crassulaceae Acid Metabolism (CAM). In topsoil, the organic acids of the plant would modify the solubility of the metals present in an insoluble form in the soil, acting as ligands and, subsequently, following the transport route of these metabolites. In atmospheric deposition, the metals deposited in the leaves would be incorporated into the plant through the opening of the stomata because of the capture of CO2 (at night, day, or during environmental stress) by the CAM. Overall, the evidence showed that the succulent can be used as a biomonitor of heavy metals. However, additional studies are required to determine its usefulness as a radionuclide biomonitor.

Phytostabilization Potential of Salix alba as Biomonitors of Heavy Metals in Soil Pollution near the Erzeni Riverbank

The great sources of water pollution in Albania in the last decade are urban discharges which indicate in other sistems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of heavy metals in the soil and plant of Salix alba. Samples was collected from the Erzen riverbed. The objectives are based on assessment of the concentrations of physico-chemical characteristics heavy metals obtained from the sediment and willow (Salix alba) in Erzeni river. The presence of organic matter in soil - the willow plant - was also analyzed. The use of plants in the recuperation of contaminated soil is low cost, sustainable, and environmentally sound. Heavy metals concentration in soil range as follows: Ni (42.2–98.4 mg/kg); Cr (18.9- 34.5 mg/kg), and Pb (53.2-98.4 mg/kg). Some statistically significant differences were observed in the data on the amounts of metals accumulated in the soil, significantly more than in the data on the metal concentrations achieved in the tissues of the Salix alba plant. Heavy metal concentration in plants reach values Ni (0.9–3.54 mg/kg); Cr (0.57 - 0.89 mg/kg), and Pb (0.06 -0.19 mg/kg). Average concentrations in heavy metal plant samples were listed in the order Ni> Cr> Pb. The results of nickel, chromium, and lead clearly show higher concentrations in samples 0-25 cm across the range of extractors. The use of diversified plant materials is essential and optimal for the phytoremediation process. These species offer different opportunities through their metallic tolerance and accumulation of underground biomass metals for the permanent removal of these metals from the terrestrial substrate.

Comparative Toxicity of Heavy Metals Cd, Zn, and Pb to Three Acrocarpous Moss Species using Chlorophyll Contents

Mosses have often been used for biomonitoring because of their diversity of habitats, structural simplicity, and rapid multiplication rate. This research aimed to study the tolerance of heavy metal in 3 species of terricolous mosses i.e., Barbula consanguinea, Hyophila apiculata, and H. involuta. The gametophores of mosses were immersed at 4 concentrations of each of the heavy metals Cd, Pb, and Zn as well as in controls with no heavy metal. After 10, 20, and 30 days of exposure, mosses were extracted for chlorophyll-a in ethanol. The extracted chlorophyll-a was analyzed by spectrophotometer at 664 nm. The results revealed that the amount of chlorophyll-a in all species decreased with increasing concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn. The degree of metal toxicity for all species was Cd > Pb > Zn. By comparing the ratio of extracted chlorophyll-a in heavy metal-treated mosses to chlorophyll-a extracted in control mosses, the tolerance against 3 heavy metals in 3 mosses was H. involuta ≥ H. apiculata > B. consanguinea. Possibly, H. involuta can be used for biomonitoring of heavy metals in contaminated environments in the future. HIGHLIGHTS Mosses are often used for biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution because of their habitat diversity, structural simplicity, and rapid growth Three Thai mosses treated with Cd, Pb, and Zn showed a trend of a decrease in chlorophyll-a content with increasing concentrations of the metals The degree of metal toxicity for the mosses was Cd > Pb > Zn Among the three moss species, Hyophila involuta may be used for biomonitoring of heavy metals in contaminated environments in the future GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

A Look into the Problem of Preferential Sampling through the Lens of Survey Statistics

An evolving problem in the field of spatial and ecological statistics is that of preferential sampling, where biases may be present due to a relationship between sample data locations and a response of interest. This field of research bears a striking resemblance to the longstanding problem of informative sampling within survey methodology, although with some important distinctions. With the goal of promoting collaborative effort within and between these two problem domains, we make comparisons and contrasts between the two problem statements. Specifically, we review many of the solutions available to address each of these problems, noting the important differences in modeling techniques. Additionally, we construct a series of simulation studies to examine some of the methods available for preferential sampling, as well as a comparison analyzing heavy metal biomonitoring data.

Health Risk Assessment of Hazardous Heavy Metals in Two Varieties of Mango Fruit (Mangifera indica L. var. Dasheri and Langra)

The spatial assessment of four heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, and As) in two mango fruit (Mangifera indica L.) varieties (Dasheri and Langra) collected from the Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India, was investigated in this study. The samples of ripe mango fruits were collected from the orchards of 12 major towns in the Saharanpur district from May to June 2022. Heavy metal analysis using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) showed the presence of all selected heavy metals. Specifically, the concentration (mg/kg dry weight basis) range of Cd (0.01–0.08), Cr (0.11–0.82), Pb (0.02–0.15), and As (0.01–0.14) did not exceed the safe limits. The geospatial variation in the heavy metal concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) different as indicated by the inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation and analysis of variance (ANOVA) results. The multivariate statistical analysis using principal component (PC) and agglomerative hierarchical cluster (AHC) analyses revealed that the Saharanpur city location had the highest levels of selected heavy metals out of the 12 sampling locations. In this, the Dasheri variety was identified to have higher heavy metal concentrations in comparison to the Langra variety. Moreover, the health risk study using the target hazard quotient (THQ) confirmed that the levels did not exceed the safe health risk index (HRI) limit of 1. However, the health risk assessment for the child group showed relatively high HRI values (<0.35) compared to those of the adult group (<0.09). Therefore, considering the importance of the Saharanpur district in massive mango fruit production, this study provides vital information regarding the biomonitoring of heavy metals in the two most consumed varieties.

Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation and Histopathological Studies of Fish Tissues from Ose River, Ondo State, Nigeria

The exposure of the aquatic ecosystem to heavy metal from both natural and anthropogenic activities are on the rise and have harmful health effects on all aquatic organisms and human. This study assessed the concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Cd, Cr, As and Zn) in surface water, sediments and fish tissues of Ose River and examined the histopathological changes of the tissues of two fish species (Mormyrus rume and Clarias garienpinus). Surface water, sediments and fish samples were collected and procured from Ose River in Ondo State, Nigeria from February to April 2021. Heavy metal digestions were done in the laboratory using HNO3/HCl while the concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Histopathological alterations in the fish tissues were also assessed. Bioaccumulation factor (BAF), ecological risk index and potential ecological risk level were used to assess the investigated metal concentrations. In the surface water, the concentration of Cd (0.010–0.030 mg/l) and As (0.010–0.05 mg/l) exceeded the WHO limits of 0.01mg/l respectively while Fe, Pb, Cr and Zn were within the limits. In the sediments, all metals exceeded the limits except Pb and As. The concentrations of Pb (0.30±0.000–4.12±0.030 mg/l), Zn (9.970±0.010–30.77±0.023 mg/l), Cd (0.026±0.002–0.331±0.004 mg/l) and Cr (ND-0.331±0.004 mg/l) in the fish tissues were seen to be higher than the permissible limits of 0.5 mg/l, 5 mg/l, 0.005 mgl and 0.05-0.15 mg/l respectively. The BAF showed no probability. The alterations observed in the kidneys of the fish were cholestasis, necrosis, loss of glomeruli structure and tubular necrosis. While the gills showed congestion of the central veins and interlamellae hyperplasia caused by the presence of a monogenean parasite. The livers however revealed loss of hepatocytes nuclei, necrosis in hepatocytes and lymphocytic infiltrate. The study showed that the study site was polluted with heavy metals and may pose serious health issues to fishers, those using the water and people feeding on fish from the river. This study therefore suggests good indicators for bio-monitoring of heavy metals in Ose River. Seeing that the site was polluted with heavy metals hence, a more comprehensive assessment of the river is recommended.

Temporal phytoremediation potential for heavy metals and bacterial abundance in drainage water

Drainage water in developing countries has a high abundance of pathogenic bacteria and high levels of toxic and mutagenic pollutants. Remediation of drainage water is important in water-poor counties, especially with the growing need to secure sustainability of safe water resources to fulfill increasing demands for agriculture. Here, we assess the efficiency of macrophyte Pistiastratiotes to remediate a polluted drain in Egypt, rich in macronutrients, heavy metals, and different types of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria. Drainage water was sampled monthly, for a year, to assess seasonal changes in bacterial abundance, water physicochemical properties (transparency, temperature, dissolved oxygen, EC, pH, N, P, and K), and heavy metals contents (Pb, Zn, and Co) in a polluted drain dominated with P.stratiotes. The ability of P.stratiotes to rhizofiltrate the three heavy metals was calculated. The results showed seasonal variations in the plant rhizofiltration potential of Co and Salmonella abundance. The highest values of dissolved oxygen (12.36 mg/L) and macronutrient elements (N and P) were attained in the winter. The counts of total coliform, fecal coliform, fecal streptococci, and in Salmonella spp. were the highest in the summer. P.stratiotes accumulated Pb more than Zn and Co. The highest levels of rhizofiltration were in summer for Pb and Co and in the autumn for Zn. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that the variation in the bacterial abundance and plant rhizofiltration potential was strongly and significantly affected by water-dissolved oxygen. Moreover, the rhizofiltration potential of Pb and Co showed a positive correlation with water N. Overall, P.stratiotes could be proposed as a potential biomonitor for heavy metals in polluted water.

Assessment of burden of disease induced by exposure to heavy metals through drinking water at national and subnational levels in Iran, 2019.

The burden of disease attributable to exposure to heavy metals via drinking water in Iran (2019) was assessed at the national and regional levels. The non-carcinogenic risk, carcinogenic risk, and attributable burden of disease of heavy metals in drinking water were estimated in terms of hazard quotient (HQ), incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), and disability-adjusted life year (DALY), respectively. The average drinking water concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni) in Iran were determined to be 2.3, 0.4, 12.1, 2.5, 0.7, and 19.7μg/L, respectively, which were much lower than the standard values. The total average HQs of heavy metals in drinking water in the entire country, rural, and urban communities were 0.48, 0.65 and 0.45, respectively. At the national level, the average ILCRs of heavy metal in the entire country were in the following order: 1.06×10-4 for As, 5.89×10-5 for Cd, 2.05×10-5 for Cr, and 3.76×10-7 for Pb. The cancer cases, deaths, death rate (per 100,000 people), DALYs, and DALY rate (per 100,000 people) attributed to exposure to heavy metals in drinking water at the national level were estimated to be 213 (95% uncertainty interval: 180 to 254), 87 (73-104), 0.11 (0.09-0.13), 4642 (3793-5489), and 5.81 (4.75-6.87), respectively. The contributions of exposure to As, Cd, Cr, and Pb in the attributable burden of disease were 14.7%, 65.7%, 19.3%, and 0.2%, respectively. The regional distribution of the total attributable DALY rate for all heavy metals was as follows: Region 5> Region 4> Region 1> Region 3> Region 2. The investigation and improvement of relatively high exceedance of As levels in drinking water from the standard value, especially in Regions 5 and 3 as well as biomonitoring of heavy metals throughout the country were recommended.

Human Health Risk Assessment of Some Selected Heavy Metals in <em>Brassica rapa</em> var. <em>parachinensis</em> in Peninsular Malaysia

Biomonitoring of heavy metals is an important part of the ecotoxicological study. However, without the application of the metal data to reflect human wellbeing, it is considered the low impact on the society. In this study, the heavy metals in green mustard Brassica rapa var. parachinensis were collected from Sikamat (Negeri Sembilan in 2013), Kg. Sitiawan (Perak in 2016), and Ara Kuda (Penang in 2016) of Peninsular Malaysia, were determined. The samples are analyzed for the concentrations of Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn by using the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. For the leafy edible part, the metal concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) ranged from 16.1-18.5 for Cu, 145-207 for Fe, 1.02-1.64 for Ni, 0.90-2.73 for Pb, and 74.0-203 for Zn. These metal data were assessed for human health risks. It was found that all the values of target hazard quotients for Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn in both adults and children were less than 1.00. This exhibited there were no non-carcinogenic risks of the five metals through the intake of the Brassica from the present study. This could indicate that the accumulation of metals and pollution threshold is below the limit of causing hazardous effects to consumers. Nonetheless, regular assessment of health risks of heavy metals in this vegetable needs to be conducted from time to time these vegetables are prone to continuous heavy metal contamination.

Analysis of deposition of heavy metal dust on the leaves of few selected tree species in Kanchipuram town, Tamil Nadu, India

Biomonitoring of heavy metals is one of the economic methods to identify and improve the quality of air. The aim of this work was to identify the concentration of nine heavy metals viz. Fe, Pb, Cu, Zn, Al, Cd, As, Cr and Mn in the ambient air deposited on the leaves of five tree species such as Saraca asoca, Terminalia catappa, Syzygium cumini, Ficus religiosa and Pongamia glabra collected from six sites such as Pallavarmedu (Site I), CSI hospital (Site II), Moongilmandapam (Site III), Collectrate (Site IV), Near Cancer Institute (Site V) and VellaGate (Site VI) of the Kanchipuram town of TamilNadu State, in the months of February - March 2019. Even with some differences in the concentration of nine heavy metals on the species, few were identified with significant correlation, suggesting that these pollutants were emitted from similar sources. The deposition of iron (235.53mg/kg) and aluminium (157.91mg/kg) were higher on the leaves of S.asoca compared with other species. The metals such as Cu, Cd, As, Pb and Cr were nil and not detected on the leaves, but Pb concentration was high (185.79 mg/kg) only on P. glabra at Site 2 and Cr (2.37 mg/kg) was found on the leaves of S. asoca at Site 1. The heavy metal dust deposited on the leaf surface was probably due to vehicular emission and other anthropogenic activities. The analysis showed that all the selected tree species acted as a biomonitor and should be grown that may help to improve the air quality of the area.

Heavy metal levels in cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) foraging in some abattoirs in Lagos State metropolis

BackgroundHeavy metal accumulation in the ecosystem constitutes a potential toxic effect which is hazardous to human health. Increasing environmental pollution has necessitated the use of cattle egrets to evaluate the levels of heavy metal contamination, to establish their use in biomonitoring of heavy metals and to provide data for monitoring pollution in the environment.ResultsThe present study assessed the utilization of Bubulcus ibis in monitoring pollution in five abattoirs, namely Agege, Bariga, Kara, Itire and Idi-Araba, all situated in Lagos State. The concentration of five (5) heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) was determined in the liver, muscle and feather of Bubulcus ibis using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The trend of metal accumulation was in the order: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd > Ni for all the sampled tissues. The mean tissue concentrations of the metals were significantly different (p < 0.05) among the sites. The highest levels of metal concentration were reported in the liver in all the locations. Mean concentration of Cd in Kara (0.003 ± 0.00058) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those found at Agege (0.0013 ± 0.00058) and Idi-Araba (0.001 ± 0.001). A significant difference (p < 0.05) was also observed between the mean concentrations of Cu in Bariga (0.01 ± 0.001) and Idi-Araba (0.003 ± 0.001).ConclusionAll the studied heavy metals were present in the liver, muscle and feathers of the cattle egrets. The contamination levels were ascertained from the study which indicated that cattle egrets are useful in biomonitoring studies and the generated data will serve as baseline data which could be compared with data from other locations for monitoring heavy metal pollution.

МОХОПОДІБНІ (BRYOBIONTA) ЯК ТЕСТ-ОБ’ЄКТИ БРІОГЕОХІМІЧНОЇ ІНДИ-КАЦІЇ АТМОСФЕРНИХ ВИПАДАНЬ ВАЖКИХ МЕТАЛІВ ТА РАДІОНУКЛІДІВ У НАВКОЛИШНЬОМУ СЕРЕДОВИЩІ ЄВРОПИ. АНАЛІТИЧНИЙ ОГЛЯД

The review presents the analysis of publications dedicated to problems of using of Bryobionta representatives for bryogeochemical indication and biomonitoring of heavy metals and radionuclides in the environment. Taxonomic structure of Bryobionta is briefly observed, three divisions of Bryobionta are elucidated – Anthocerotophyta, Marchantiophyta and Bryophyta. It is concluded that the most suitable moss species for biomonitoring of heavy metals and radionuclides are representatives from division Bryophyta, such as Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum cupressiforme, Scleropodium purum. The mosses have been successfully used in biomonitoring of atmospheric fallout of heavy metals in the environment in Europe for 25 years. A special system of monitoring on their basis is applied in 28 countries of the continent. For the most important moss species used as test-objects of biomonitoring, significant width of their geographic distribution is shown as well as distribution on different substrates of growth (epigeious, epiphytic, epilytic). The main biological peculiarities of mosses which allow to use them for purposes of biomonitoring of heavy metals and radionuclides have been analyzed, i.e. absence of roots, that permits them to derive the main part of nutrients (and pollutants) directly from aerial fallouts – dry (dust) and wet (rain, snow), and high cation exchange capacity of their cell membranes. The most important anatomical and morphological features of three moss groups (endohydritic, ectohydritic, mixohydritic) are briefly reported, and a conclusion about the best suitability of ectohydritic moss species for bryogeochemical indication and biomonitoring of pollutants is made. Results of numerous biomonitoring studies conducted with using of widely distributed moss species in Europe in nature and anthropogenic biogeocenoses are demonstrated. Criteria to mosses as test-objects of bryogeochemical indication and biomonitoring are briefly reported. Physiological adaptations of mosses to stress emerging due to intake of significant concentrations of heavy metals to their phytomass are generalized. Requirements to sampling of moss cover for purposes of bryogeochemical indication and biomonitoring of pollutants are reported. Perspective moss species as test-objects of environmental pollution by heavy metals and radionuclides are proposed for different natural zones of Ukraine: for Polissya zone – Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi, for Forest-Steppe zone – Hypnum cupressiforme, for Steppe zone – Tortula muralis and Bryum argenteum.

Biomonitoring study of trace metals (Al, As, Li) in mussels from Al Hoceima coastline of Moroccan Mediterranean Sea

Mytilus galloprovincialis are commonly used as heavy metal biomonitors across the world. In the present work, the contents of three elements (Al, As, Li) were analyzed in Mytilus galloprovincialis using Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES 720-ES). Samples of soft tissues are collected monthly in 2020, from three sites of the mussel farming facilities installed in the Al Hoceima Sea. The decreasing order of the mean element contents in mussel tissues was Al &gt; As &gt; Li. The lowest values of metallic elements were found in summer and the highest contents were indicated in winter. Positive correlations were indicated between these elements and chlorophyll a indicating the importance of diet for the bioaccumulation of metals in mussels. In addition, our results show that the temperature and the salinity increase with the decreasing of metals bioavailability suggesting the influence of chemical properties and physical kinetics changes in the solution. On the other hand, the strong correlations observed for metal contents in mussel tissues can be elucidated by their common sources. The results of this study may be useful in the use of M. galloprovincialis, in the environmental biomonitoring studies.

Bio-monitoring of Atmospheric Heavy Metals Deposited on Selected Tree Leaves in Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu

Bio-monitoring of Atmospheric Heavy Metals Deposited on Selected Tree Leaves in Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu

Spatial biomonitoring of airborne heavy metals emitted from a steel recycling plant

PurposeThe study investigated the heavy metal flux around the vicinity of a steel recycling factory using passive biomonitoring technique with several pollution indices to assess the quality of the ambient environment.Design/methodology/approachThe vegetation around the facility was identified, and the most abundant species were selected for analysis. The collected samples were dried, milled, sieved and analyzed for elemental composition using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF). Pollution indices were used to quantitatively assess the data.FindingsResults show that maximum contamination occurs at the vicinity of factory. Generally, the deterioration of the ambient air around the vicinity of the steel recycling plant decreases with increasing distance from the steel recycling plant. However, for the radius considered in this study – 1 km, the ambient air at 1 km of the steel recycling facility is quickly deteriorating, and there is an urgent need for measures to mitigate the air quality impact of the steel recycling facility.Originality/valueThe study shows that the metal recycling process emits high levels of heavy metals to the environment, and there is an urgent need for personal protective equipment for the human population working in and around the close proximity of the recycling plant.

Effect of trichome structure of Tillandsia usneoides on deposition of particulate matter under flow conditions

The removal of particulate matters (PM) has emerged as one of the most significant issues in public health and environment worldwide. Environmentalists have proposed the use of indoor air-purifying plants as an eco-friendly strategy to resolve PM-related problems and effectively remove fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Among air-purifying plants, Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L. (T. usneoides) has been used as a biomonitor for heavy metals and air pollutants. However, the PM removal effect of T. usneoides and its primary mechanism remain unclear. Here, we investigated the PM removal performance of T. usneoides in a closed chamber under flow conditions, the effects of trichomes, and the array density according to the different types of PM. The chamber with bulk T. usneoides under flow conditions exhibited 16.5 % and 9.2 % higher removal efficiency in PM2.5T. usneoides for incense and A1 rigid PM, respectively, than that without T. usneoides. T. usneoides with trichome structure exhibited larger removal efficiencies of 7% and 2% in PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, than without trichome for incense particles. In addition, the increase in total effective surface was effective for the deposition of both PM types. The increase in effective surface area by trichome structure and array density of T. usneoides is a crucial factor for the deposition of PM.

Phytoremediation of heavy metals by four aquatic macrophytes and their potential use as contamination indicators: a comparative assessment

The present study estimated the ability of four aquatic macrophytes (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, Ludwigia stolonifera (Guill. & Perr.) P.H. Raven, Echinochloa stagnina (Retz.) P. Beauv. and Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.) to accumulate Cd, Ni and Pb and their use for indicating and phytoremediating these metals in contaminated wetlands. Three sites at five locations in the Kitchener Drain in Gharbia and Kafr El-Sheikh Governorates (Egypt) were selected for plant, water and sediment sampling. The water in the Kitchener Drain was polluted with Cd, while Pb and Ni were far below the maximum level of Pb and Ni in the irrigation water. In comparison to the other species, P. australis accumulated the highest concentrations of Cd and Ni, while E. crassipes accumulated the highest concentration of Pb in its tissues. The four species had bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) greater than one, while their translocation factors (TFs) were less than 1 for most heavy metals, except Cd in the leaf and stem of E. stagnina and L. stolonifera, respectively, and Ni in the stem and leaf of E. stagnina. The BAF and TF results indicated that the studied species are suitable for phytostabilizing the studied heavy metals, except Ni in E. stagnina and Cd in L. stolonifera, which are suitable for phytoextracting these metals. Significant positive correlations were found between the investigated heavy metals in the water or sediment and the plant tissues. Their high BAFs, with significant proportional correlations, supported the potential of these species to serve as bioindicators and biomonitors of heavy metals in general and in the investigated metals specifically.