Concentrations Of Most Elements Research Articles

Evaluation of Risk Factors Associated with Selected Elements in Veterinary Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Using ICP-MS.

One of the major concerns for animal health is the pollution of food and medicines given to animals by non-essential and toxic elements, which also poses a risk to human health via the food chain. The essential (Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni) and non-essential elements (Li, Ti, V, Ga, Ag, Cd, In, Ba, Bi, Th, and U) were monitored using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in veterinary active pharmaceutical ingredients (V APIs). Samples were divided into four groups including antibiotic (14 samples), anthelmintic (7 samples), anticoccidial (5 samples), and externally used (5 samples). The results of the antibiotic group had the highest concentrations of most elements. The concentrations of the targeted elements were below the permissible limits as recommended by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). The target hazard quotient (THQ) and the total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) were applied to evaluate the animal health risk associated with the exposure of the target elements in V API samples; the results showed that elements do not pose any risk to animals in all samples as indicated by THQ values less than 1. Validation parameters performed in this study showed good accuracy and validity of the ICP-MS analysis method, with good linearity (R2 ˃ 0.990), and the relative standard deviations (%RSD) were < 4% for all target elements. Analysis of variance (ANOVA-one way) was used to compare the means of veterinary drug groups for all targeted elements. The results showed that all elements have p-values < 0.05 except 52Cr and 54Fe.

Integrated above and below-ground responses of the gypsum specialist Helianthemum squamatum (L.). to drought

Gypsum endemics (i.e. gypsophiles) have adapted to live in gypsum-rich soils where nutrient unbalance and drought can be extreme. Despite their relevance as plants adapted to extreme conditions, a complete analysis of the physiological responses of gypsophiles to drought is still lacking. Helianthemum squamatum (L.) Dum. Cours. is a conspicuous Iberian gypsophile that has been reported to use gypsum crystallization water during the driest period, but the mechanisms behind this process are unknown. To characterize gypsophile responses to drought and unravel the mechanisms underlying gypsum crystalline water use, H. squamatum plants were grown in pots with natural gypsum soil and gypsum soil with deuterium-labelled crystalline water. After three years, a drought experiment was carried out and whole-plant responses were investigated. Unexpectedly, the labelling treatment affected soil physicochemical characteristics and reduced microbial biomass and organic matter content, decreasing plant aerial biomass. H. squamatum plants did not use gypsum crystallization water during simulated drought neither in the labelled soil, nor in the natural one. Drought reduced plant transpiration, stomatal conductance, water use, photosynthetic rate and the foliar concentration of most elements except P and N, which were higher in the drought stressed plants. We detected increased root exudation of choline, an osmoprotector, by drought stressed plants. The drought treatment also affected the structure of microbial communities but did not reduce the relative abundance of functional microbial groups, highly adapted to the natural drought pulses. Our results highlight an integrated water-saving strategy of H. squamatum plants in the short-term, where responses at the leaf level are combined with belowground processes, like altered root exudation. Our findings also underline the remarkable resistance to drought of microbial communities present in gypsum soils.

Long-term deployment of commonly used DGT devices for trace element measurement across laboratory and field settings

Diffusive Gradients in Thin-films (DGT) technique is a promising passive sampling technique, which was used for the determination of lots of inorganic and organic pollutants. Although many DGT devices have not been extensively tested and verified in field, DGT device such as LSNP-NP, LSNT-NP, LSNZ-NP, and LSNM-NP DGT were widely employed for the assessment of various trace elements. However, the deployment time of these DGTs were much shorter than the theoretical time in the preexisting literature. Therefore, the performance of DGT for long-term application in different water bodies is not known. This investigation utilized the four DGTs for the assessment of various trace elements across extended periods both in controlled laboratory settings and natural field environments. Synthetic soft, hard, and seawater compositions served as media for laboratory deployments. Most elements can be measured accurately in 4–7 days in soft and hard water. Deployment durations in seawater exhibited a notable reduction compared to those in freshwater matrices. LSNZ-NP DGT excelling in oxyanion determination, while LSNT-NP DGT showcased superior efficacy in phosphorus quantification. Field deployments in rivers and sea affirmed the robustness of LSNZ-NP DGT, evidencing prolonged deployment capabilities for various elements, such as Mo, Se, As, Sb, and P, spanning 7–28 days. Assessment of pollution levels across four sampling sites revealed heightened concentrations of most elements in marine waters relative to riverine environments, except for phosphorus. Notably, all assessed elements, except for phosphorus, conformed to Class I water quality standards. This study demonstrated the difference between the theoretical application time and actual application time for the first time. It raises new questions for the application of DGT in nature water bodies. The mechanization of the difference between the theoretical and actual application time should be studied in the future research. The measures to extend the application time should be studied too.

Element composition of several marine macrophytes (Crimea, Black Sea) and correlations with the element abundances in sediments and seawater

The study of the element accumulation in marine plants against the backdrop of permanently increasing environmental pollution is of particular importance due to the participation of these plants in biogeochemical cycles. The element abundances are highly variable and depend on both the macrophyte species and environment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the elemental composition of widespread marine plants of different taxonomic affiliations collected in the same area of the Black Sea coast. The contents of 74 elements in three species of lower (red, brown, green algae) and one species of higher plants (seagrass) were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. High contents of most elements were found in the red alga Ceramium ciliatum and in rhizomes of the seagrass Zostera noltei. In C. ciliatum, high metal bioaccumulation factors were found, which are dependent also on their concentration in the environment. Compared to the higher plant, all the macroalgae accumulated increased amounts of As and I. The seagrass proved to be a good concentrator of Mo and Sb, and relatively high contents of Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd and Ir were registered in its leaves. High contents of Mg, S, Ge, Se and Ta were found in the green alga Ulva rigida, and elevated levels of Al, As, Sr, Zr, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ba and Re were noted in the brown alga Gongolaria barbata. The enrichment factors for most elements in the sediments were well above 1 with respect to both the local Late Pleistocene sediments and the upper continental crust. The strength of correlations between the element contents in the plants and sediments was found to decrease with the specific surface area growth and appeared to have a lower asymptotic limit of the sediments–seawater correlation strength.

Mineral Composition of Blackcurrant (Ribes Nigrum L.) Fruits and Leaves

Background Plants as living systems are characterized by the appropriate degree of accumulation of macro- and microelements, which, acting as factors of the external environment, are basic modulators for synthesizing biologically active substances. Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L., Grossulariaceae) is widespread worldwide. Berries, leaves, and buds are medicinal raw materials in folk medicine. The regularity of inorganic elements accumulation in this plant and their impact on the quality of raw materials are topical and need to be studied. Aims This work aimed to study the mineral composition of R. nigrum raw materials collected in Western Ukraine (Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil regions) and find the regularity of their accumulation in the plant parts and from the soils. Methods The elemental compositions of R. nigrum fruits and leaves, as well as the soils of the growth places, were studied using the method of atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma iCAP 7000 Duo. Results The content of 19 inorganic elements in R. nigrum raw materials was established. Their quantities don’t differ significantly depending on the growth places. All the fruits had high K, Na, Mg, P, and Ca contents, which were slightly lower in leaves. Thus, the fruits contain 590-675 mg/kg of Mg, while in leaves, there are just 98-106 mg/kg. Most of Fe was accumulated in the fruits (73-85 mg/kg). The content of Mn was observed in the leaves (57-64 mg/kg), slightly higher than in the fruits (47-51 mg/kg). The content of heavy metals in the objects was within the permitted limits of European Pharmacopeia. The results testify to the inverse relationship between the content of most elements in the soils and the coefficient of their accumulation in the plant. Conclusion The content of macro- and microelements in R. nigrum fruits and leaves had similar profiles but differed in their quantitates. The regularity of element accumulation in R. nigrum raw materials corresponds to the following profile in accordance with their quantitative content in the raw materials: K&gt; Na&gt; P&gt; Mg&gt; Ca&gt; Si&gt; Fe&gt; Mn&gt; Al&gt; Se&gt; Zn&gt; Cu&gt; Co&gt; I&gt; Pb&gt; Ni&gt; Mo&gt; Sr&gt; Cd. The regularity of their accumulation in the plant parts from the soils was established.

Toxic element characterization against a typical high geology background: Pollution enrichment, source tracking, spatial distribution, and ecological risk assessment

The geological environment determines the initial content of various elements in soil, while the late input of toxic elements produced through weathering and leaching is a persistent threat to food security and human health. In this study, we selected the Lou Shao Basin, a black rock system background, and combined geostatistical analysis and multivariate statistics to quantify the specific contribution of weathering of the black rock system, and to analyze the source traces, spatial distributions, and ecological risks of the soil toxicity of elements. The results show that the soils in the study area are acidic, which is related to the weathering of sulfides in the black rock system. The concentrations of most elements in the soil were determined to exceed the soil background values, and the Cd, Se and N contents, exceeded more than five times, especially Se, Mo nearly as high as 13 times. Strong positive correlation between Se, Cu, V and P, low correlation between N and Se, Cu, V, P, Ni and Cd.72.52%, 43%, 77.79%, 82%, 77%, and 44.1% of Cd, Se, Ni, Cu, B, and Mo came from the black rock system, respectively, which were greatly affected by geogenic weathering; V, Zn, Pb, and As are mainly from biomass burning sources; N and P are mainly from agricultural surface sources. Comparison found that the Cd and Se elements in the rocks in the study area were 16.78 times and 1.36 times higher than the world shale average, respectively, and need to pay attention to the weathering process of the two, and the spatial distribution of the 12 elements in soils showed a striped and centralized block distribution pattern, specifically around the distribution of carbonate and metamorphic rocks and other high-geology blocks. The ecological risk results showed that Cd was the main element causing high ecological risk, followed by Se and N, which were at moderate to high ecological risk levels, and Se and N showed similar ecological risk patterns, which may be related to the fact that selenium can promote the uptake and transformation of nitrogen. The present results add to the endogenous sources of toxic elements, quantify the source contributions of toxic elements in soils with high geologic backgrounds, fill this knowledge gap, and provide new insights for pollution control and ecological protection in areas with high geochemical backgrounds.

Sex-specific element accumulation in honey bees (Apis mellifera).

Honey bees are social insects that show division of labor and sexual dimorphism. Female honey bees differentiate in two different castes, queens or worker bees, while males are called drones. Worker bees have different tasks in the hive including collection of food, its processing, caring for brood, protecting the hive, or producing wax. The drones' only role is to mate with a virgin queen. Many studies have dealt with differences in physiology, behavior, and morphology of workers and drones. This is the first study that demonstrates differences in element accumulation and composition between workers and drones honey bees. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, we found that worker honey bees have higher concentrations of most elements analyzed. Drones had higher concentrations of elements essential to bees, Na, P, S, Zn, Cu, and especially Se (2.2 × higher), which is known to be important for sperm quality and fertility in many animals. Until now higher Se content was not observed in male insects. These differences can be attributed to different environmental exposure, reproductive role of drones, but mostly to the food workers and drones consume. Worker bees feed on bee bread, which is rich in minerals. Drones are fed food pre-processed by worker bees.

Trace elements and heavy metals in black vultures (Coragyps atratus) and turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) in the southeastern United States.

Many vulture species worldwide are declining at alarming rates due to a variety of anthropogenic causes, including exposure to pollutants and pharmaceuticals through consumption of contaminated carrion. However, little is known about the extent to which vultures are exposed to various contaminants as well as toxicity thresholds for trace elements and heavy metals. Our objective was to quantify levels of trace elements and heavy metals within black vulture (Coragyps atratus) and turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) tissues to determine the extent to which populations in the Southeastern United States are exposed to carrion that contains high levels of contaminants. We collected 34 black vulture liver samples and examined differences in trace element and heavy metal concentrations between sexes and age classes (adult and juvenile). Further, we collected 81 blood and 42 feather samples from additional black and turkey vultures and compared differences between species and age classes. We found similar element concentrations between juvenile and adult black vultures with the exception of Cu, where levels were higher in juveniles compared to adults. However, we did observe substantial differences in element concentrations between species for both blood and feather samples, with black vultures generally having higher concentrations of most elements. Our data revealed higher element levels in both species compared to toxicity thresholds found in other bird of prey species, such as blood and liver toxicity threshold suggestions for Pb poisoning in Falconiformes. Further, while average contaminant levels were generally low, extreme outliers were observed for some elements, including Pb, suggesting some individuals were exposed to high levels of potentially toxic elements. More research is needed to better understand contaminant exposure in black and turkey vultures across a broader geographic region, as well as elucidate toxicity thresholds and non-lethal impacts of contaminant exposure in these species.

Release Characteristics of Harmful Trace Elements during Dynamic Leaching and Static Immersion of Coal Gangue in Xinjiang.

Coal gangue has dual attributes of waste residue and resources. Clarifying the release characteristics of harmful trace elements from the coal gangue can provide a theoretical basis for environmental impact and resource utilization. In this study, the characteristics of harmful trace elements released from coal gangue in Xinjiang during dynamic leaching and static immersion experiments were determined using proximate analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results show that (1) the higher the content of harmful trace elements in coal gangue and the greater the concentration coefficient (CC), the greater the release of elements in dynamic leaching and static immersion experiments. The mode of occurrence of trace elements in the coal gangue determines their transport and release. Elements are associated not only with moisture but also with minerals, such as clays, sulfides, and carbonates, which are readily soluble in water. (2) The release of harmful trace elements was inversely proportional to time in the dynamic leaching experiments, and the main reason for the reduction in element release during the late leaching period was the adsorption effect of clay minerals. In the dynamic leaching experiment, harmful trace elements in the surrounding environment continued to accumulate, and static immersion experiments in water showed that harmful trace elements gradually reached dynamic equilibrium. The concentration of most elements in the late stage of the static immersion experiment was lower than that in the early stage, indicating that the environmental hazards of dynamic leaching were greater than those of the static immersion of coal gangue in Xinjiang.

Analysis of Atmospheric Air Pollutants using Lichens as a Bio-monitor by Calibration Free-Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Technique

Biomonitoring provides information on the quality of the environment or its modification and has been used as an alternative to monitoring chemical pollutants. The lichen bio-monitoring technique and calibration Free-Laser induced Breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) were used to study trace element atmospheric deposition in five areas of Addis Ababa city. The emission of air pollutants, mainly from anthropogenic sources, has led to the degradation of air quality. The element contents of the transplanted Epiphytic lichen were determined in the vicinity of different heavy traffic and small industry places. We identified twenty-one elements (Fe, Ti, U, V, Ni, Eu, Zr, Sr, Ba, Hf, Na, K, Sc, Si, Al, Mg, Ca, C, N, O, and H). Calibration Free-Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and semi-quantitative methods were used to calculate the concentration of pollutants to point out the most polluted areas for the chemical analysis. Dried samples of the lichen containing heavy pollutants elements like Fe, Ti, Sr, Sc, Ba, Ni, Eu, and Zn are found, and their concentration is determined. Comparison of the elemental concentration in lichen samples transplanted in 4-kilo and science faculty compound with those the Bola airport, central bus station, and Laghar train station reveals that the science faculty compound and 4-kilo areas show a considerably higher concentration of most elements in the lichen than observed in the other areas of the city where lichen samples have been transplanted. Advanced MATLAB algorithm have been used for data analysis.

Composition and physico-chemical properties of aqueous extracts of lydites of the North Onega synclinorium in Karelia

Relevance. The need to obtain reliable information on chemical composition of aqueous extracts of lydites. There is lack of such information, but it is so important both for understanding dispersion of elements and their impact on natural waters of a region. It is necessary to study the composition of aqueous extracts as a result of water–rock interaction to determine possible sources of water pollution with toxic elements. Mineral composition of lydites of the North Onega synclinorium contains organic carbon and mist pyrite, which may contain increased concentrations of trace elements "harmful" for drinking water. To determine the ability of such elements to pass into a dissolved state, it is necessary to study aqueous extracts of lydites. Aim. To determine trace element composition and physico-chemical properties of aqueous extracts of lydites selected from two districts of the North Onega synclinorium to assess their environmental hazard. Objects. Geological section of the shungite-lidite-dolomite complex of the Zaonezhskaya formation of the Paleoproterozoic age of the North Onega synclinorium. Samples of lidites were taken at the Tetyugino (LT) and Shunga (LSh) sites of the Medvezhyegorsk district of the Republic of Karelia. Methods. Field studies, including investigation of stratigraphic position of lydites in geological sections of the Tetyugino and Shunga sites and sampling, laboratory experiment, aqueous extraction, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence analysis, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results. Mineralogical composition of the lydites of both sites is similar. Taking into account high content of SiO2 and negligible content of other petrogenic oxides in chemical composition of lydites, it is possible to consider them as a source for obtaining pure quartz raw materials. The structure of lydites is clot-cryptocrystalline and clot-globular. Lydite extracts environment acidity depends on the totality of the minerals extracted from it, either basic (dolomite) or acidic (pyrite oxidation products). This factor is decisive in formation of chemical composition of lydite extracts, regardless of the location of the samples within a given geological object. Many elements extracted by water from the lydite samples of two regions under consideration are characterized by varying degrees of their extraction from the massive and veined parts of the sample. The cure coefficients of chemical elements in the form of the ratio of element average concentrations in the extract and lydite solid phase show the predominant intake of Cd, Mn, Mo, Sr, Rb, Li, Ni, Co, Li from Tetyugino lydites into water. Mo, Sb and W are predominantly extracted into the solution from the Shunga lydites. Average concentrations of most elements of the extracts of the Shunga samples satisfy the requirements for drinking water and, unlike shungite, they are not sources of harmful components in water. Therefore, it is advisable to carry out work on the possibility of their use for water purification for drinking purposes.

Impacts of anthropogenic activities and glacial processes on the distribution of chemical elements in Billefjord, Svalbard, Arctic

The Arctic region is undergoing rapid and extensive transformations due to global climate change. This study investigated the spatial distribution of 31 chemical elements in eight locations in Billefjord, Svalbard, Arctic, with varying degrees of anthropogenic and glacial influences. The west coast of Billefjord has experienced a greater historical anthropogenic impact, while the east coast has larger glaciers and shows less visible evidence of direct human impact. Over 450 topsoil samples collected in the west (abandoned mining town Pyramiden, and glacial valleys of Elsa, Ferdinand, Sven) and east coast of the fjord (glacial valleys of Ebba, Pollock, Ragnar and nearby the Nordenskiöld glacier). These samples were extracted and analyzed by ICP-OES. The results revealed complex distributions of elements among the locations. Nordenskiöld glacier area, along with other locations in the eastern part of the Billefjord, had significantly higher levels of most elements (20 out of 31; As, B, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, K, Li, Mg, Mo, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, U, V, Zr). In contrast, Ferdinand Valley and other locations on the western side of the fjord had the lowest mean concentrations of most elements (18 out of 31; B, Ca, Cu, Cd, K, Li, P, Mg, Mo, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, U, V, Zr). These findings highlight the significant influence of glacial processes on the elemental composition of soils within the region. The meltwater flow originating from glaciers in the sampled valleys contributes to the local element load, while the loss of glacier mass is associated with decreased element concentrations within these valleys. These results underscore the complexity of element distribution in the study area and emphasize the necessity for continuous monitoring efforts in this unique and environmentally sensitive region.

Size-dependent distribution of metal(loid)s in recent marine sediments of the Adriatic sea

This paper investigates occurrence of metal(loid)s, and size-dependent changes in their concentration in recent marine sediments from coastal and open-sea environments in the eastern Adriatic. Size fractionation of sediments was performed after removal of organic matter (OM), and the individual fractions, comprising particles below 8 μm, 4 μm, 2 μm, 1 μm and 0.45 μm, were analysed using HR ICP-MS. The concentrations of most elements increased with decreasing particle size, as a result of accumulation of clay minerals and Fe and Mn (oxyhydr)oxides. A decrease in concentrations was observed for Ba, Sr, Ti and U, due to lowering of the carbonate content and presence in the coarse-grained and heavy mineral fraction. The highest element concentrations were determined in the fraction comprising particles below 1 μm. Occasionally, depending on the sedimentological environment and/or the element in question, the peak concentrations occurred in the <2 μm or <0.45 μm fraction. The lowest size-dependent enrichment was observed for elements associated with aluminosilicates (Al, Be, Cs, Co, Fe, K, Li, Rb). A different size-dependent behaviour of the elements was observed between deep-sea areas and shallow environments under greater coastal influence, mainly due to differences in sediment sorting, and between the northern and central vs. southern Adriatic due to the different catchment geologies. The Fe and Mn (oxyhydr)oxides, abundant in the deep-sea sediments, played an important role in the geochemical cycle of As, Cd, Co, Mo, Sb and V.

The vertical distribution of 27 elements in bottom sediments reflects the modern history of the hypersaline lagoon

Knowledge of the distribution of various elements in the bottom vertical cores helps to assess current levels and to reconstruct the history of a water body. There is little to no bioturbation of bottom sediments in hypersaline lagoons/lakes, and vertical distribution of elements in the sediments is not distorted. The vertical distribution of 27 elements was studied in one of the Crimean hypersaline marine lakes. Their determination was carried out in layers one centimeter thick, which were taken from a depth of 1 cm to 28 cm. Using the technogenic radionuclide 90Sr, the time intervals when various layers of bottom sediments were formed had been previously determined. The concentrations of most elements, as well as their ratio, changed quasi-cyclically. For most of the elements for which such changes were noted, the maximum peak values were in the layers that formed in 1976 and 2006. The authors concluded from this that there appears to be a natural rhythm with a period of about 30 years. Not only a concentration of technogenic radionuclide 90Sr but also Mo, Ba, Tl, Sb, Se, and Ag reacted strongly to the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 due to atmospheric fallout and transportation of elements via the Dnieper river waters through the North Crimean Canal.

Accumulation and within-mushroom distribution of elements in red cracking bolete (Xerocomellus chrysenteron) collected over the extended period from compositionally contrasting substrates

We conducted a study of elemental compositions of Xerocomellus chrysenteron samples accompanied by samples of related substrate soils. All samples were collected during the harvesting seasons 2021 and 2022 from three forested sites almost unpolluted by recent human activities and underlain by contrasting bedrock (granite, amphibolite, and serpentinite). Elements such as Ag, Cd, K, P, Rb, S, Se, and Zn were the main elements enriched in the mushroom’s fruiting bodies relative to the substrate. Concentrations of most elements in mushrooms were not site-dependent, with only Ag, As, Rb, and Se concentrations significantly depending on the bedrock composition. Some elements analyzed in mushrooms displayed temporal features, but such features were not systematic and varied for each element. Most analyzed elements were distributed unevenly within the mushroom’s fruiting bodies, with apical parts generally enriched in mobile elements. Mushrooms influenced concentrations of Ag, Cd, K, and Rb and a few other elements in the substrate via uptake, but such influence was very limited and can be responsible for only 2.5–11.5% of total depletion of the affected substrate in the named elements.

Elemental composition of raw and torrefied pellets made from pine and pine-eucalyptus blends

Debarked Pinus radiata wood was blended with debarked Eucalyptus nitens wood in three different proportions: 100% pine (100P), 90% pine-10% eucalyptus (90P/10E) and 60% pine-40% eucalyptus (60P/40E). The pellets were torrefied in dry and non-oxidative conditions at different temperatures (210, 240, 270 and 300 °C) and residence times (40 and 60 min) to enhance the energy properties and determine the elemental composition (18 elements). For raw pellets, the concentrations of Na, K, Zn, B and Cl increased significantly with the proportion of eucalyptus wood, with Cl levels being 60% higher in the 60P/40E than in the 100P pellets. The concentrations of most elements (C, Mg, Al, P, Ca, Fe, Cu) tended to increase (+35% for C, +200–250% for the others) with torrefaction severity, independently of the mixture. Decreases in H and O concentrations were also independent of the mixture. Torrefaction decreased the Cl content by 63–77%, which compensated for the high levels in mixtures with eucalyptus. Increases in the high heating value (by as much as 37%) with torrefaction occurred in parallel with an increase in carbon content and a decrease in the atomic H:C and O:C ratios, particularly in the 260 to 300 °C transition. Torrefaction compensated for the negative effect of the inclusion of eucalyptus, with the alkali index remaining at a relatively safe maximum value of 0.10 kg GJ−1.

Особенности накопления тяжелых металлов в некоторых представителях родов Iris L., Narcissus L., Paeonia L.

Abstract. In modern conditions, heavy metals (HM) are considered as the main soil pollutants. On the one hand, they are necessary for the normal course of physiological processes, and on the other hand, at elevated HM concentrations, they are toxic. In this regard, it is important to study the content of heavy metals in plant objects. The aim of our research was to study the accumulation and distribution of elements (As, Cd, Pb, Ni, Mn, Cu, Fe, Cr) in the aboveground and underground parts of ornamental herbaceous perennials of the genus Iris L., Paeonia L., Narcissus L. The objects of research were aboveground and underground organs of four species of the genus Iris L., eight varieties of the genus Narcissus, and seven taxa of the genus Paeonia. Methods. The study of the elemental composition of the aboveground and underground parts was carried out according to the method No. M-02-1009-05 of atomic spectroscopy. Mathematical data processing was carried out using the generally accepted methods of variation statistics using the AgCStat software package as an Excel add-in. Scientific novelty. For the first time, representatives of three different generic complexes were taken for the study. Results. Studies have shown that in the aerial part of most of the taxa studied, As accumulates in concentrations exceeding the maximum allowable concentrations. An excessive amount of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb was noted in the aboveground part of some representatives of irises and peonies. The content of Cd, Fe, and Mn in all studied taxa is within acceptable limits. It was revealed that the indicators of the content of most elements are characterized by great variability, which is confirmed by the results of other researchers. It was noted that in irises in larger quantities than in other taxa, As, Cr, Mn, Ni accumulate in the aboveground part, and Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni in the underground part, therefore, they can be recommended for use in landscaping urban areas.

Reference intervals for trace mineral and heavy metal concentrations in horse livers in the Netherlands.

We determined reference intervals (RIs) for concentrations of trace minerals and toxic elements based on liver samples from 122 apparently healthy horses at 2 slaughter facilities in the Netherlands. Samples were collected during the spring and fall of 2021, and the sex and age of the horses were registered upon sampling. Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, vanadium, and zinc were measured in liver samples using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after nitric acid digestion. RIs were calculated using Reference Value Advisor software. The concentrations of most elements were not significantly different between sexes or in different seasons. Cadmium concentrations were higher than the European maximum residue limit of 2 mg/kg DW in 89% of livers. Positive significant correlations were observed between some elements (iron, molybdenum, lead, vanadium), and significant negative correlations between others (manganese, iron).

Ecological and Geochemical State of Soil Cover in Gusinoozersk in the Zone of Influence of Coal Thermal Power Plant

The pollution of the topsoils of the city of Gusinoozersk (Republic of Buryatia) under the influence of emissions from State District Power Plant (SDPP) which used the Okino-Klyuchevskiy brown coal as fuel was studied. The content of 14 elements (Sr, As, Co, Mo, Sb, V, Cu, Ni, Cr, W, Zn, Bi, Cd, Pb) in bulk samples, as well as in the fraction of physical clay (particles with a diameter 10 µm, PM10) and in samples of brown coal and ash from the SDPP. Strontium, As, Co, Mo, Sb, V are the priority pollutants in the soils of Gusinoozersk with higher concentrations of most elements in the PM10 fraction. Soils and the PM10 fraction in the industrial operating subzone are the most polluted with Sr, As, Co, V, Cu, Mo, Ni, Cr, which are contained in the fly ash of the Gusinoozerskaya SDPP. Most of the territory (57% for soils in general and 47% for the PM10 fraction) is characterized by a low level of pollution (Zc = 8–16). Arsenic poses the greatest environmental hazard; in the PM10 fraction, its concentrations exceeded the MPC in 90% of the studied samples. In soils and their PM10 fraction, the leading factors for the accumulation of elements are the content of Fe2O3, organic matter, soil texture, alkaline-acid conditions, and belonging to a functional zone, which determine the formation of various classes of geochemical barriers. The polluting effect of brown coals depends on the content of heavy metals and metalloids in them. Comparison of the chemical composition of the Okino-Klyuchevskii brown coal and ash from the Gusinoozerskaya SDPP and the Kansk-Achinskii coal and ash from the Central Thermal Power Plant of Severobaikalsk showed that the brown coal and ash from Severobaikalsk were slightly enriched in metals and metalloids, which significantly reduced their accumulation in soils.

Bioaccumulation of chemical elements at post-industrial freshwater sites varies predictably between habitats, elements and taxa: A power law approach

Elevated environmental levels of elements originating from anthropogenic activities threaten natural communities and public health, as these elements can persist and bioaccumulate in the environment. However, their environmental risks and bioaccumulation patterns are often habitat-, species- and element-specific. We studied the bioaccumulation patterns of 11 elements in seven freshwater taxa in post-mining habitats in the Czech Republic, ranging from less polluted mining ponds to highly polluted fly ash lagoons. We found nonlinear, power-law relationships between the environmental and tissue concentrations of the elements, which may explain differences in bioaccumulation factors (BAF) reported in the literature. Tissue concentrations were driven by the environmental concentrations in non-essential elements (Al, As, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb and V), but this dependence was limited in essential elements (Cu, Mn, Se and Zn). Tissue concentrations of most elements were also more closely related to substrate than to water concentrations. Bioaccumulation was habitat specific in eight elements: stronger in mining ponds for Al and Pb, and stronger in fly ash lagoons for As, Cu, Mn, Pb, Se, V and Zn, although the differences were often minor. Bioaccumulation of some elements further increased in mineral-rich localities. Proximity to substrate, rather than trophic level, drove increased bioaccumulation levels across taxa. This highlights the importance of substrate as a pollutant reservoir in standing freshwaters and suggests that benthic taxa, such as molluscs (e.g., Physella) and other macroinvertebrates (e.g., Nepa), constitute good bioindicators. Despite the higher environmental risks in fly ash lagoons than in mining ponds, the observed ability of freshwater biota to sustain pollution supports the conservation potential of post-industrial sites. The power law approach used here to quantify and disentangle the effects of various bioaccumulation drivers may be helpful in additional contexts, increasing our ability to predict the effects of other contaminants and environmental hazards on biota.