Biomonitoring Of Trace Elements Research Articles

Biomonitoring of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in pre-school children's blood in Podgorica

Introduction : Biomonitoring of trace elements in blood has become an important tool for assessing children's environmental health. Children as the most voulnerable group of population are sensitive to changes in the environment as well as the presence of various contaminants. Aim of the work : The aim of this study is to show Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn content in pre-school children's blood from several kindergarten in Podgorica using some of the modern technique such as ICP-OES and GFAAS. Material and methods : Sampling of 66 blood samples from healthy children was conducted in the period June-September 2013 year. Blood samples were prepared by microwave digestion, and concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn were determined using GFAAS and ICP-OES technique. Results: Results showed that the content of Pb and Cd in the tested blood samples was below the LOQ (limit of quantification), while the content of Cu and Zn were within the prescribed limits. There was no statistically significant correlation between the concentration of Zn and Cu in boy's blood, while girl's blood samples showed statistically significant high association between measured concentrations of Zn and Cu. Conclusion: There is no negative impact of the environment on children's health, although the respondents were from Podgorica, where

Biomonitoring of 20 trace elements in blood and urine of occupationally exposed workers by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method for the determination of Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Tl, U, V and Zn in whole blood and urine was designed. Microwave-assisted digestion with concentrated nitric acid was used for blood samples. Urine samples were analyzed after 1/50 (v/v) dilution with 5% (v/v) nitric acid. For beryllium the necessity of medium resolution mode (R=4000) was shown. Method validation was performed using blood and urine reference materials and by analyzing of spiked samples. For the designed method relative standard deviation (RSD) for the concentration range 0.01–1.0μg/L was 5–10%. RSD did not exceed 3% when trace elements concentrations were above 1.0μg/L. Method detection limits (3σ): Ag 0.7ng/L, Al 16ng/L, As 3.4ng/L, Ba 0.02ng/L, Be 1.5ng/L, Cd 7.7ng/L, Co 1.0ng/L, Cr 2.8ng/L, Cs 9.8ng/L, Cu 27ng/L, Fe 1.1ng/L, Mn 1.8ng/L, Ni 17ng/L, Pb 13ng/L, Se 0.07ng/L, Sr 5.7ng/L, Tl 0.2ng/L, U 0.1ng/L, V 0.7ng/L and Zn 1.2ng/L.A developed method was applied for trace element biomonitoring of occupationally exposed workers of a beryllium processing enterprise. For preliminary risk assessment technological surface dust had been analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Based upon results of 50 blood and 40 urine samples analyses occupational exposure evaluation was performed. Exposure risks were found not to exceed acceptable ranges. Possible health hazards were found for Be and also Al, Cr, Mn. Occupational health and safety recommendations for the biomonitored enterprise medical care unit were issued as a result of the current investigation.

Association of minor and trace elements with mineralogical constituents of urinary stones: A hard nut to crack in existing studies of urolithiasis

The role of metals in urinary stone formation has already been studied in several publications. Moreover, urinary calculi can also be used for assessing exposure of humans to minor and trace elements in addition to other biological matrices, for example, blood, urine, or hair. However, using urinary calculi for biomonitoring of trace elements is limited by the association of elements with certain types of minerals. In this work, 614 samples of urinary calculi were subjected to mineralogical and elemental analysis. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and thermo-oxidation cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry were used for the determination of major, minor, and trace elements. Infrared spectroscopy was used for mineralogical analysis, and additionally, it was also employed in the calculation of mineralogical composition, based on quantification of major elements and stoichiometry. Results demonstrate the applicability of such an approach in investigating associations of minor and trace elements with mineralogical constituents of stones, especially in low concentrations, where traditional methods of mineralogical analysis are not capable of quantifying mineral content reliably. The main result of this study is the confirmation of association of several elements with struvite (K, Rb) and with calcium phosphate minerals, here calculated as hydroxylapatite (Na, Zn, Sr, Ba, Pb). Phosphates were proved as the most important metal-bearing minerals in urinary calculi. Moreover, a significantly different content was also observed for Fe, Zr, Mo, Cu, Cd, Se, Sn, and Hg in investigated groups of minerals. Examination of such associations is essential, and critical analysis of mineral constituents should precede any comparison of element content among various groups of samples.

Changes in trace elements during lactation in a marine top predator, the grey seal

Lactation in pinnipeds represents the most significant cost to mothers during the reproductive cycle. Dynamics of trace elements and their mobilization associated with energy reserves during such an intense physiological process remains poorly understood in marine mammals. The changes in tissue concentrations of 11 elements (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, V, and Zn) were investigated in a longitudinal study during the lactation period and during the post-weaning fast period. Blood, milk, blubber, and hair samples were collected sequentially from 21 mother–pup pairs of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) from the Isle of May in Scotland. Maternal transfer through the milk was observed for all trace elements, except for Cd. As an indicator of the placental transfer, levels in pup lanugo (natal coat) revealed also the existence of maternal transfer and accumulation of all assayed trace elements during the foetal development. The placental and mammary barriers against non-essential metal transfer to offspring appear to be absent or weak in grey seals. Examining the contamination levels showed that this grey seal population seems more highly exposed to Pb than other phocid populations (2.2mg/kg dw of grey seal hair). In contrast, blood and hair levels reflected a lower Hg exposure in grey seals from the Isle of May than in harbour seals from the southeastern North Sea. This study also showed that trace element concentrations in blood and blubber could change rapidly over the lactation period. Such physiological processes must be considered carefully during biomonitoring of trace elements, and potential impacts that rapid fluctuations in concentrations can exert on seal health should be further investigated.

Measuring lichen specimen characteristics to reduce relative local uncertainties for trace element biomonitoring

Local variation (within sampling sites) affects lichen air pollution biomonitoring of trace element deposition patterns. When comparing between sampling sites, global variation must be greater than local variation, thus reducing local variation is important in biomonitoring studies. To reduce local variability, sampling protocols are introduced, primarily minimum sampling height and less often sampling aspect. This study, introduces further protocols, which can help to reduce within site variation. First, the research design removed spatial variation by sampling a single tree. One–thousand and thirty–seven individual specimens of Usnea subfloridana were collected and aggregated into 97 samples based on similar collection height, aspect and mass. Samples were tested by inductively coupled plasma – atomic emission spectroscopy for total recoverable Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn. Fifteen of the elements tested were above minimum detection limits and their variation in concentrations were able to be partially explained with linear modeling. When explaining variation in concentrations with linear modeling, aspect was statistically significant for all of the 15 elements, height was statistically significant for 12 elements, and specimen mass was significant for 6 elements. We demonstrate that individually assessing and minimizing specimen collection aspect, height and mass prior to aggregating specimens into samples can reduce local variation, which will improve between site comparisons.

Biomonitoring of trace element accumulation in plants growing at Murat Mountain

The purpose of this study is to determine the present levels of atmospheric trace element pollution in the Murat Mountain of Aegean Region in the western part of Turkey. Therefore, 29 different plants were selected as potential biomonitors of trace elements including nickel, zinc, iron, lead, cadmium and manganese (μg/g, dry weight). The samples were collected from two different heights of Murat Mountain. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine the concentrations of trace elements. The mean concentrations determined at 1,000 m altitude ranged from 0.139 to 4.518, 0.223 to 0.986, 0.359 to 6.930, 0.443 to 0.727 and 0.077 to 3.222 μg/g, dry weight, for nickel, zinc, iron, lead and manganese, respectively. At 1,600 m altitude, the values ranged from 0.191 to 6.248, 0.302 to 1.008, 2.387 to 8.896, 0.345 to 0.570 and 0.195 to 3.502 μg/g, dry weight, for nickel, zinc, iron, lead and manganese, respectively. No cadmium was found at both altitudes. For determination of existence of any differences between the averages of the herbaceous and woody plants, comparisons were made by the independent sample t test. In the statistical analysis, comparison of trace element pollution values of herbaceous and woody plants for nickel, lead and manganese was significant (P < 0.05), while it was not for iron and zinc.

Trace elements accumulation and temporal trends in leaves of urban deciduous trees (Aesculus hippocastanum and Tilia spp.)

Leaves of common deciduous trees: Aesculus hippocastanum and Tilia spp. from three parks within the urban area of Belgrade (Serbia) were studied as biomonitors of trace elements (Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) atmospheric pollution. The seasonal trace elements accumulation (September/May) in the leaves, and their temporal trends, were assayed in a multy-year period (2002–2006). Significant seasonal accumulation was evident in samples of A. hippocastanum for: Cr, Fe, Ni, Zn, and Pb, as well as in Tilia spp. leaves, except for Zn. For Cu, no regular seasonal accumulation was observed in leaves of the studied species. Decreasing temporal trend in leaf tissue concentrations were evident for Pb in A. hippocastanum (16.0μgg−1 in September of 2002 to 4.6μgg−1 in September of 2006) which is in accordance with the bulk atmospheric deposition measurements. The leaf Cu concentrations were the highest at one of the studied sites, also marked previously with extremely high atmospheric Cu loadings by some other monitoring (bulk deposition, particulate matter, moss) surveys. Decreasing Cu concentrations temporal trend at that site in the leaves of A. hippocastanum was evident through the studied years and also confirmed with the bulk deposition measurements. The Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zn leaf tissue concentrations remained at about the same level in the studied species throughout the experiment and no agreement was observed with the bulk deposition data. Comparing the studied biomonitors, the leaves of A. hippocastanum showed significantly higher elements accumulation and more consistency than Tilia spp., so it may be considered as more suitable species for assessment of Pb and Cu atmospheric pollution.

A Study of Trace Element Contents in Plants Growing at Honaz Dagi-Denizli, Turkey

Denizli is one of the rapidly developing states in the West Anatolian Region of Turkey. Keeping this in view, 30 different plants were selected to study their potential as biomonitors of trace elements like Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Fe and Mn (μg g-1, dry weight). The samples were collected from two different altitudes of Honaz Dagi, a mauntain overlooking at state of Denizli. The concentrations of trace elements were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The mean concentrations determined at 1000 m altitude ranged between 0.273 to 0.488, 0.099 to 0.488, 0.306 to 0.682, 1.017 to 3.744, and 0.148 to 0.674 (μg g-1, dry weight), of Pb, Ni, Zn, Fe and Mn, respectively. At 1600 m altitude, the values ranged between 0.225 to 0.534, 0.150 to 0.842, 0.234 to 0.905, 1.082 to 3.864 and 0.023 to 0.982 (μg g-1, dry weight) of Pb, Ni,

Reference concentrations for trace elements in urine for the Brazilian population based on q-ICP-MS with a simple dilute-and-shoot procedure

Biomonitoring of trace elements is of critical importance in human health assessment. However, trace element concentrations in biological fluids are affected by environmental and physiological parameters, and therefore considerable variations can occur between specific population subgroups. Brazil is a large country with large environmental diversity and with a limited knowledge of the reference values (baseline data) for trace elements in biological fluids. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) are still the dominant analytical techniques used for biomonitoring trace element analysis in clinical specimens. However, the use of ICP-MS is becoming more usual in clinical laboratory analysis. Then, we evaluated here a simple dilute-and-shoot method for sequential determination of Al, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Cs, Mn, Ni, Pb, Pt, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl and U in urine by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (q-ICP-MS). Urine samples (500 µL) were accurately pipetted into conical tubes (15 mL) and diluted to 10 mL with a solution containing 0.5 % (v/v) HNO3 + 0.005% (v/v) Triton X-100. Diluted urine samples also contain rhodium, iridium and yttrium added as internal standards. After that, samples were directly analyzed by ICP-MS against matrix-matching calibration. Method detection limit (3s, n = 20) were in the ng L-1 range for all analytes. The method was applied to the analysis of 412 ordinary urine samples from Brazilian healthy and non-exposed subjects to establish reference values. Data validation was provided by the analysis of the standard reference material (SRM) 2670a toxic elements in urine (freeze-dried) (high and low levels) from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and reference urine samples from the trace elements intercomparison program operated by the Institut National de Sante' Publique du Quebec, Canada.

Active moss biomonitoring of trace elements with Sphagnum girgensohnii moss bags in relation to atmospheric bulk deposition in Belgrade, Serbia

Active biomonitoring with wet and dry moss bags was used to examine trace element atmospheric deposition in the urban area of Belgrade. The element accumulation capability of Sphagnum girgensohnii Russow was tested in relation to atmospheric bulk deposition. Moss bags were mounted for five 3-month periods (July 2005–October 2006) at three representative urban sites. For the same period monthly bulk atmospheric deposition samples were collected. The concentrations of Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb were determined by instrumental neutron activation analyses and atomic absorption spectrometry. Significant accumulation of most elements occurred in the exposed moss bags compared with the initial moss content. High correlations between the elements in moss and bulk deposits were found for V, Cu, As, and Ni. The enrichment factors of the elements for both types of monitor followed the same pattern at the corresponding sites.

A Comparison Between Two Moss Species Used as Transplants for Airborne Trace Element Biomonitoring in NE Italy

Transplants of the mosses Hypnum cupressiforme and Pseudoscleropodium purum used as active biomonitors of airborne trace elements were compared in a survey carried out at Trieste (NE Italy). Twelve elements were considered: Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Ti, V, Zn. Water-washed materials of H. cupressiforme and P. purum, collected in a remote area to prepare transplants, showed comparable content of all elements, excluding Pb. Transplants of P. purum showed a significantly higher accumulation of Al, Fe, Pb and Ti; higher levels of Cu and V were accumulated in H. cupressiforme. Losses of some elements occurred in some samples of both species; the most consistent losses regarded Cr and Mn. Accumulation data of Al, As, Cd, Hg, Zn found in the two transplanted sets were not correlated. Differences in element uptake in the two mosses are likely to depend mainly on morphology, and probably on the different forms of emission and deposition types of the elements. The two mosses showed an overall accordance in discriminating sites highly and scarcely affected by trace element depositions, although they accumulated some elements, in particular Hg and Zn, in different ways. P. purum proved to be a better accumulator than H. cupressiforme, showing similar or higher accumulation and lower loss of almost all elements, especially those related to particulate, dry depositions; H. cupressiforme could be effective in detecting large-scale patterns, related to wet depositions. These results indicate that these mosses cannot be used interchangeably for monitoring particular elements, and are able to provide complementary information on different, local and long-range deposition patterns.

Biomonitoring of trace elements in the leaves and fruits of wild olive and holm oak trees

Biomonitoring of trace elements is essential to assess ecosystem health, in particular in landscapes influenced by human activity. The Guadiamar Valley (SW Spain) was polluted in 1998 by a spill from an open-pit pyrite mine affecting about 55 km 2. In this paper, we used two common species of tree, namely wild olive and holm oak, to biomonitor the concentration of nine trace elements–As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Tl and Zn–in this spill-affected area over the 3-year period 1999–2001. We analysed the leaves and fruits of trees growing in the spill-affected terraces, and compared them with adjacent trees in the non-affected upper terraces. The main trace elements polluting the soil were Zn, As, Pb and Cu. In general, the oak leaves were richer in trace elements than the olive leaves, reaching phytotoxic levels for As and Pb, while the olive fruits (pulp) were more polluted than the oak seeds (protected inside a hard pericarp), reaching toxic values for Cd and Pb. The concentration of trace elements in the leaves and fruits decreased with time and, in consequence, the toxicity risk to the food web diminished.

Lichens as bio-monitors of trace-elements in Central and Eastern France

Lichens (105 samples, mainly P. sulcata and X parietina) have been used to monitor As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in Burgundy and in the East of France. When the industrial environment seemed to justify it, other elements were also looked for, such as Ag, Sn and V. Research was carried out on areas with little or moderate pollution and supplemented by studies on three hot spots with health problems. Record and background concentrations in lichens are presented as well as the ratios between those values. In the case of lead, the concentrations in lichens are compared with the results in blood tests.

Determination of trace elements and evaluation of their enrichment factors in Himalayan lichens

Within the framework of the Ev-K2-CNR research program of the Italian National Research Council a specific task project has been initiated for the identification of trace elements in lichens in remote high altitude areas. This is to evaluate the possibility of using lichens as biomonitors of trace elements of atmospheric pollution. In this preliminary study, more than 20 elements have been determined in some species of lichens collected at different altitudes (from 1300 to 5000 m) in the region of the Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal). Samples of superficial soils were also collected and analyzed to calculate the trace element enrichment factors (EF) using scandium as a normalizing element. Most of the trace elements were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), while lead and cadmium measurements were carried out with electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy (ET-AAS). The EF values as well as the elemental concentrations are reported and discussed.

Lichens and mosses as biomonitors of trace elements in areas with thermal springs and fumarole activity (Mt. Amiata, central Italy)

The contribution of thermal springs and fumaroles to environmental levels of Al, As, B, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mo, Pb, S, Sb and Zn was evaluated by means of lichens ( Parmelia sulcata) and mosses ( Hypnum cupressiforme) used as bioaccumulators. Compared to the data reported for unpolluted areas, accumulation of Hg, S and Al was found, with values of Hg and S in the same range as in the vicinity of geothermal power plants. Furthermore, fumaroles turned out to be a significant source of atmospheric arsenic.

Lichens and mosses as biomonitors of trace elements in a geothermal area (Mt. Amiata, central Italy)

The effectiveness of epiphytic lichens (Parmelia sulcata) and epigeic mosses (Hypnum cupressiforme) as passive monitors of trace elements released by geothermal power plants was evaluated in the Mt. Amiata area (central Italy). The results showed that despite concentrations of most elements (Al, As, Fe, Hg, Pb, Sb, Zn) being higher in lichens than in mosses, both organisms can be used as effective biomonitors of elements of geothermal concern (As, Hg, Sb).

Epiphytic Lichens and Tree Leaves As Biomonitors of Trace Elements Released By Geothermal Power Plants

Leaves of the oak, Quercus cerris, and thalli of the epiphytic lichen, Parmelia caperata, from the Travale-Radicondoli geothermal area (central Italy) were analyzed for their trace elements (As, B, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Zn). the results showed that concentrations of arsenic and boron in leaf and lichen samples were higher than in remote areas. the mean concentrations of many trace elements were higher in lichens than in oak leaves, suggesting that these organisms can be used in similar biomonitoring studies. the levels of boron and manganese were higher in tree leaves, so that for these two elements, the higher plant foliage could constitute a better biomonitor than lichens. the correlations found between the concentrations of cadmium and manganese in leaves and lichens suggests foliar leaching and washing of the elements down the tree trunk, where lichens may intercept them.

Certified reference material of lichen (CRM 482) for the quality control of trace element biomonitoring

Lichens are currently used as bioindicators to monitor air pollution and to follow changes in pollution patterns. In order to perform reliable biomonitoring, these analyses should give accurate results, which implies that a good quality control system should be applied. One way to achieve accuracy is to use certified reference materials (CRMs). In order to produce a lichen CRM, the BCR-programme (now renamed Standards, Measurements and Testing programme) of the European Commission has conducted a certification campaign involving expert laboratories. A lichen material has been collected on pine trees, oven-dried, homogenised and bottled, and its homogeneity and long-term stability verified. The material (CRM 482) was analysed by a group of 11 selected laboratories using different analytical methods. This paper describes the certification work performed to certify the elements Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn. Indicative values are given for Ba, Br, Ca, Co, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, P, S, Sb, Se, Sn and V.

Lichen biomonitoring of trace elements in a geothermal area (central Italy)

The epiphytic lichen Parmelia caperata was used systematically to biomonitor trace elements in the Travale-Radicondoli geothermal field (central Italy). The results showed a very low occurrence of potentially toxic heavy metals such as Cd, Hg and Pb, and relatively high values for As, B, Mo and elements associated with soil dust (Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn and Ni). Boron was the principal element of geothermal origin. Arsenic seems to originate both from power plants and adjacent thermal springs. It is concluded that trace element pollution in the area is low.

Trace element reference values in tissues from inhabitants of the European Community. III. The control of preanalytical factors in the biomonitoring of trace elements in biological fluids

In the context of a programme concerning the determination of trace elements in body fluids and tissues to establish trace element reference values, research has been undertaken on the control of preanalytical factors in order to develop sufficiently accurate and precise guidelines to be applied in routine work by using techniques such as graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS). Aspects investigated are related to the risk of contamination during blood collection and the use of anticoagulants; the risk of losses during storage and freeze-drying as well as the possible risk of contamination arising from trace elements in airborne particulates of the laboratory environment. For the analysis of Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sb, W, V and Zn in blood, Teflon cannula is the method of choice. The anticoagulants do not introduce disturbing contaminations of Rb, Se, Zn, while contaminations were observed for Co, Cr, Mn. Radiotracers in ‘metabolized form’ (radiolabelled rat or rabbit tissues from animals administered with radioisotopes) show that samples stored for 1 month at −20°C have no significant trace metal losses. Strict ambient air quality standard has to be respected (continuous monitoring) due to the possibility of element contaminations inside the laboratory. The use of matrix modifiers could represent a toxicological risk to the operators. Critical factors should be considered (‘metal sheets’) for each element in each matrix. For instance 27 factors for Cr in serum have been suggested.