Detection Of Heavy Metals Research Articles

METAIS PESADOS E SEUS EFEITOS NA SAÚDE HUMANA: REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

Heavy metals are elements found in the environment by both natural processes and human activities, some are essential for the body such as iron, copper and zinc, while others, such as mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic, are toxic and can cause serious damage to health, even at low concentrations or in prolonged exhibitions. Exposure to these metals occurs by ingestion, inhalation or contact, leading to accumulation in organs such as liver, kidneys and brain, with varied toxic effects according to metal and exposure. As for heavy metal detection techniques, AAS is an effective analytical technique for the detection of metals at moderate concentrations, with versions that vary in sensitivity and cost, such as flame and graphite oven AAS. ICP-MS offers high sensitivity and multielement capacity, ideal for detailed analyses in various samples. ICP-OES is robust and allows simultaneous analysis of multiple elements, being useful in environmental monitoring and quality control. Portable sensors, in turn, represent an advance in the monitoring of heavy metals, enabling rapid and accurate analysis in the place of collection. As for exposure biomarkers, that is, the biological parameters that indicate the presence and level of these metals in the body, as well as the chemical form of metal, are obtained through samples such as blood, urine, hair and nails. Thus, growing environmental contamination requires monitoring, decontamination and public policies to reduce exposure. Therefore, this review aims to examine the toxicity and methods of detection of major heavy metals.

Tripartite Detection and Sensing of Toxic Heavy Metals Using a Copper-Based Porphyrin Metal-Organic Framework.

The detection of heavy metals in water sources is a critical concern for environmental preservation and public health. However, current electrochemical heavy metal sensors suffer from high sensing limits, cross-sensitivity, and poor selectivity. In this work, we present the possibility of an electrochemical sensor based on a copper (Cu) metal-organic framework for the detection of lead, cadmium, and mercury by replacing Cu metal nodes. The working electrode consists of a ∼5 μm thin layer of copper- tetracarboxyphenylporphyrin (Cu-TCPP) sheets that are adsorbed on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Upon interaction with Pb2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+, these ions are adsorbed on and incorporated into the metal nodes of the MOF. The adsorbed metallic species can be oxidized to the ionic form (Pb → Pb2+) electrochemically, which results in an oxidation response and enables the quantitative detection of these metals. The oxidation peak currents follow a (mostly) bimodal linear regression with a sensing range of up to 30 μM dependent on the deposition time and an ultralow limit of detection (LoD) of up to 5 nM. The system displays robust and selective sensing in saturated solutions of counterions and interfering metal ions (low error margins of <10%). This work represents the first report of a Cu-TCPP-modified GCE anode as an effective electrode for the sensitive detection of multiple heavy metals and an in-depth study into the Cu replacement kinetics of the Cu-MOF.

Plasma Tailoring of NH2-MIL-53 with Enhanced Fluorescence Emission for Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Heavy Metals in Water.

Indium, copper, and mercury are important raw materials in the electronics industry and often coexist in factory wastewater. Therefore, the development of a highly sensitive and selective method for the simultaneous detection of these heavy metal ions is of great significance for water quality monitoring and environmental protection. Herein, we report a NH2-MIL-53 fluorescent probe for the simultaneous detection of trace In3+, Cu2+, and Hg2+ in water. After a low-temperature NH3 plasma tailoring treatment for grafting electron-donor amine groups, the obtained NH2-MIL-53-M exhibited enhanced fluorescence emission intensity (∼6 times) coupled with selective adsorption of In3+, Cu2+, and Hg2+. This quenched the NH2-MIL-53-M fluorescence and allowed to significantly increase the selectivity and sensitivity for detection of In3+, Cu2+, and Hg2+. The fluorescence quenching constant (Ksv) values were 2.23 × 105, 1.00 × 105, and 2.74 × 104 M-1, while the limit of detection (LODs) values were 0.06, 0.14, and 0.53 μM, for In3+, Cu2+, and Hg2+, respectively. The concentrations of In3+, Cu2+, and Hg2+ in real environmental samples could be determined by addition of appropriate masking agents, and the recoveries were within the range of 94-110%. This study not only supplied a strategy for constructing a highly sensitive and selective fluorescent probe but also established a platform for simultaneous detection of multiple heavy metal ions in water.

Nanoarchitectonics with cetrimonium bromide on metal nanoparticles for linker-free detection of toxic metal ions and catalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol.

Heavy metal ions and organic pollutants, such as 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), pose significant environmental and human health threats. Addressing these challenges necessitates using advanced nanoparticle-based systems capable of efficient detection and degradation. However, conventional approaches utilizing strong capping agents like cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) on nanoparticles lead to limitations due to the rigid nature of CTAB. This restricts its utility in heavy metal detection and 4-NP degradation, requiring additional surface modifications using linker molecules, thereby increasing process complexity and cost. To overcome these limitations, there is a critical need for the development of an easy-to-use, dual-functional, linker-free nanosystem capable of simultaneous detection of heavy metals and efficient degradation of 4-NP. For enabling linker-free/ligand-free detection of heavy metal ions and catalytic degradation of 4-NP, CTAB was engineered as a versatile capping agent on gold and silver nanoparticles. Various factors, including nanoparticle characteristics such as shape, size, metal composition, centrifugation, and NaOH amount, were investigated for their impact on the performance of CTAB-capped nanoparticles in heavy metal detection and 4-NP degradation. CTAB-Au nanospheres demonstrated limited heavy metal ion detection capability but exhibited remarkable efficiency in degrading 94.37% of 4-NP within 1 min. In contrast, silver nanospheres effectively detected Hg2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+ at concentrations as low as 1 ppm and degraded 90.78% of 4-NP within 30 min. Moreover, anisotropic gold nanorods (CTAB-AuNR1 and CTAB-AuNR2) showed promising sensing capabilities towards Cu2+, Cr3+, and Hg2+ at 0.5 OD, while efficiently degrading 4-NP within 5 min at 1 OD. This study emphasizes the importance of tailoring parameters of CTAB-capped nanoparticles for specific sensing and catalytic applications, offering potential solutions for environmental remediation and human health protection.

Engineering a Graphene Quantum Dot‐Enhanced Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor for Ultra‐Sensitive Detection of Hg2⁺ Ions

AbstractThe contamination of soil and water by heavy metals poses a significant environmental and public health concern worldwide. To address this issue, a novel graphene quantum dot (GQD)‐based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is developed for the detection of mercury ions (Hg2+), a notorious heavy metal pollutant. The thiol and amine‐functionalized GQDs (S,N‐GQDs), synthesized via pyrolysis of citric acid and L‐cysteine, are directly immobilized onto the SPR chip surface without prior pretreatment, demonstrating their potential as efficient sensing materials. The SPR sensor exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity toward Hg2+ ions, as confirmed by kinetic binding analysis and isotherm modeling. The Langmuir isotherm model, which accurately describes the interactions between Hg2+ and S,N‐GQDs, provides insights into the sensor's mechanism of action. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrates robustness and reusability, with recoveries ranging from 98% to 104% over multiple cycles of analysis. Given the presence of contaminants in tap water, the developed sensor system holds significant importance for environmental monitoring and public health protection, offering a rapid, accurate, and cost‐effective solution for detecting Hg2+ ions in such samples. Overall, this study represents a significant advancement in the field of heavy metal detection, with potential implications for addressing environmental pollution and ensuring water quality.

Synergistic effect of Cu doped ZnO nanoparticles for Enhanced Sensor and Photocatalytic activity

As the population increases, water scarcity has become a major concern. Therefore, the removal and detection of heavy metals and dyes are essential in modern society. This investigation aimed to authenticate the augmented photocatalytic and sensing capabilities of synthesized ZnO and Cu-doped ZnO (Cu-ZnO) nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple precipitation technique. The structural and morphological charecteristics of ZnO and Cu-ZnO nanoparticles were assessed through a comprehensive characterization techniques (XRD, XPS, HRTEM). According to the characterization findings, the average crystallite size was determined to be 10 nm for ZnO and 12.8 nm for Cu-ZnO, exhibiting a well-defined crystalline structure. The investigation of photocatalytic activity conducted by varying concentrations of synthesized nanomaterials, demonstrates an improved decomposition of Amaranth dye 93.32%, attributed to the presence of Cu as a dopant. The effectiveness of the synthesized nanomaterials in detecting lead has been demonstrated through multiple electrochemical studies by utilizing a three-electrode system. The electrochemical investigations revealed that the incorporation of Cu into ZnO nanoparticles effectively enhanced the sensing capacity for detecting lead when compared to the sensing capacity of ZnO nanoparticles.

Nafion/graphite-bismuth nanoplate with a vibration unit for portable heavy metal ion detection

Contamination of natural resources, particularly water sources, by heavy metal ions, even at low concentrations, poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health, underscoring the importance of developing sensors with point-of-use (POU) applications. To that end, a vibration-unit-equipped portable electrochemical system (vPES) capable of extremely sensitive detection of Pb2+ and Cd2+ in water is reported herein. The vibration unit enhances sensitivity by facilitating sample diffusion, and its compactness makes it suitable for point-of-use applications through mobile phone connectivity. The system also integrates Nafion and a graphite/bismuth-nanoplate-functionalized screen-printed carbon electrode to detect heavy metals efficiently. The approach implemented in this study and validated through experiments and simulations suggests that vibration-based mixing leads to 540 % and 511 % higher Pb2+ and Cd2+ detection efficiencies, respectively, than those in the absence of vibration. Additionally, the sensor exhibits the limits of detection of 0.98 and 1.65 nM for Pb2+ and Cd2+, respectively, in laboratory environments. Samples collected from the Nakdong River in Korea and real environmental specimens—freshwater, soil, and serum—validate the detection performance. Overall, this study highlights the potential of vPES as a rapid, sensitive POU sensor for heavy metal detection, thereby bolstering environmental and public health monitoring efforts.

Novel nanoliter spray enhanced microwave plasma ionization mass spectrometry for the simultaneous detection of heavy metals and organic plasticizers in soil: A case study in a lead-acid battery industrial park

Soil pollution is predominantly attributed to the presence of heavy metal elements and organic compounds; However, current detection methodologies are restricted to the identification of only one of these two sources at a time. A novel analytical approach, known as nanoliter spray enhanced microwave plasma ionization mass spectrometry (Nano-Spray-EMPI-MS), has been developed to facilitate the simultaneous detection of both heavy metals and organic pollutants in soil samples. This technique is characterized by its requirement for minimal sample volumes, thereby allowing for efficient and rapid analysis. The research concentrated on the simultaneous analysis of five heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Ni) and three major phthalates (PAEs), specifically DEHP, DBP, and DMP. The detection and quantification limits for the heavy metals were established to be between 0.16-0.57 and 0.53–1.88 μg L−1, respectively, while the limits for the PAEs ranged from 0.02 to 0.05 and 0.07–0.16 μg L−1. Validation of the method's efficacy in soil detection demonstrated recovery rates of 90.9 %–105.7 % for heavy metals and 89.4 %–97.2 % for PAEs. The application of this method analyzing soil samples collected from an area adjacent to a lead-acid battery industrial park in China revealed varying levels of contamination by both heavy metals and PAEs. Notably, Lead contamination was found to be the most pronounced, with a peak concentration of 862.5 mg kg−1 and a correspondingly high pollution index. These findings are significant for evaluating local ecological risks, pinpointing sources of pollution, and formulating effective pollution management strategies in the region.

Progress in Remote Sensing of Heavy Metals in Water

This review article details the advancements in detecting heavy metals in aquatic environments using remote sensing methodologies. Heavy metals are significant pollutants in aquatic environment, and their detection and monitoring are crucial for predicting water quality. Traditional in situ water sampling methods are time-consuming and costly, highlighting the advantages of remote sensing techniques. Analysis of the reflectance and absorption characteristics of heavy metals has identified the red and near-infrared bands as the sensitive wavelengths for heavy metal detection in aquatic environments. Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between total suspended matter and heavy metals, which forms the basis for retrieving heavy metal content from TSM data. Recent developments in hyperspectral remote sensing and machine (deep) learning technologies may pave the way for developing more effective heavy metal detection algorithms.

Rapid and highly sensitive detection of trace chromium and copper in tea infusion using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy combined with electrospinning technology

Tea infusion, as one of the most popular beverages, is favored by people around the world. However, tea plants accumulate heavy metals from the soil during growth, which are gradually transferred to the leaves and subsequently decomposed into the tea infusion after soaking in hot water. Long-term consumption of tea infusion containing heavy metals may lead to severe health issues, such as liver dysfunction and cancer. Therefore, rapid, precise, and highly sensitive detection of heavy metals in tea infusion becomes crucial for human health. Traditional methods, such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), suffer from long detection cycles, high costs, and the risk of secondary pollution from chemical extraction reagents. Thus, this paper presents a method, using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy combined with electrospinning technology (LIBS-ES), to detect trace amounts of Cr and Cu in tea infusion. The electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENM) were modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), achieving ultra-sensitive detection of Cr and Cu. The experiment results show that the limits of detection for Cr and Cu are 5 μg/L and 10 μg/L, respectively. Moreover, this method was successfully applied to the detection of Cr and Cu in seven different types of tea infusion, achieving recovery rates of 99 %-106 % and 99 %-108 %, respectively. The method demonstrated good performance even under the interference of other ions at various concentrations, providing a reference for the rapid and highly sensitive detection of heavy metals in tea infusion.

Functionalization of Ti3C2 MXene with Diethylenetriamine for a Column-Based Solid-Phase Extraction of Heavy Metals.

Transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, known as MXenes, are attracting attention for their potential application in trace detection of heavy metals. This study presents diethylenetriamine-functionalized Ti3C2 MXene for trace detection of cadmium and lead ions. Functionalization of Ti3C2 significantly improves the adsorption properties of MXenes by replacing native functional groups with silane moieties that contain three amine groups, offering higher affinity for heavy metals. We demonstrate the efficacy of this material as a solid-phase extractor in column-based solid-phase extraction for heavy metal analysis in various food samples. Diethylenetriamine-functionalized Ti3C2 coupled with the flame atomic absorption spectrometer exhibits exceptional analytical performance. While maintaining a robust stability for 15 adsorption-desorption cycles, the proposed method shows detection limits of 0.09 ng mL-1 for cadmium and 1.7 ng mL-1 for lead, with a linear dynamic range of 0.3-50 ng mL-1 for cadmium and 5-90 ng mL-1 for lead, and relative recoveries of 97.50-101.05 and 98.65-100.80% for cadmium and lead ions, respectively. Additionally, relative standard deviations and enrichment factors were calculated as 0.60-4.70% and 42.3 for cadmium ions and 0.65-1.24% and 44.2 for lead ions.

EDTA-Assisted MPT-MS for Trace Analysis of Heavy Metals in Fireworks.

A novel method was developed for the rapid detection of heavy metals in firework solutions with high sensitivity and minimal pretreatment by enriching them with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) reagent and analyzing them using microwave plasma torch mass spectrometry (MPT-MS). Quantitative results showed that the limits of detection and quantification for heavy metals (Pb, Ba, Sr, and Ag) ranged from 0.05 to 0.25 and 0.38 to 0.71 μg·L-1, respectively. The linear dynamic ranges covered at least two orders of magnitude, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.99. Fireworks from five regions in China were also analyzed quantitatively, detecting heavy metals including Pb, Ba, Sr, and Ag, with recovery rates ranging from 87.9% to 107.5%. Good separation between the firework samples from different regions was achieved by using element ratios and principal component analysis (PCA). These results from the preliminary study showed that the EDTA-assisted MPT-MS combined with PCA is a powerful tool for characterizing firework samples and tracing them back to their sources, which is valuable to effectively regulate and manage banned fireworks.

Fill, Fold, Photo: Preconcentration and Multiplex Detection of Trace Level Heavy Metals in Water.

Heavy metal contamination is an increasing global threat to human and environmental health, particularly in resource-limited areas. Traditional platforms for heavy metal detection are labor intensive and expensive and require lab facilities. While paper-based colorimetric sensors offer a simpler approach, their sensitivity limitations prevent them from meeting legislative requirements for many metals. Existing preconcentration systems, on the other hand, can achieve lower detection limits but typically focus on analyzing only one metal, making comprehensive monitoring difficult. We address these limitations by introducing a low-cost preconcentration system coupled with colorimetric analysis for the simultaneous detection of seven metal ions at low ppb levels without the need for external equipment outside a smartphone. The system achieved detection limits of 15 ppb (Ni(II)), 7 ppb (Cu(II)), 2 ppb (Fe(III)), 20 ppb (Cr(VI)), 13 ppb (Pb(II)), 26 ppb (Hg(II)), and 15 ppb (Mn(II)) with six out of seven limits of detection values falling well below EPA regulatory guidelines for drinking water. The user-friendly Fill, Fold, Photo approach eliminates complex pretreatment steps. Smartphone-based detection offers portable quantification within seconds. Employing masking strategies ensured higher selectivity for each assay on the card, while our packaging protocols enable system stability for over 4 weeks of study, facilitating mass production and deployment within a realistic time frame. To validate the sensor's performance in real-world scenarios, the sensor was tested with environmental water samples. The sensor demonstrated good recovery, ranging from 77% to 94% compared to the standard ICP-MS method. Furthermore, spike recovery analysis confirmed the sensor's accuracy, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 15%. This technology holds significant promise for future development as a convenient, portable solution for field-based monitoring of a broad spectrum of water contaminants, including pesticides, PFAS, fertilizers, and beyond.

Impacts of illegal mining activities on water quality for irrigation and implications for public health: A case study of the Oda River in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the biological and physicochemical parameters of the Oda River, including the detection of heavy metals. To achieve this purpose, a quantitative experimental research design was employed. Twenty-four water samples were taken along the Oda River from Obeng ne Obeng, Abuakwaa, and Odaso communities. The samples were analysed in a laboratory, and the results were compared to the irrigation water quality standards from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). The study found that the concentration of turbidity and total suspended solids exceeded the recommended standards of FAO, while the river's pH, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids concentrations were within permissible boundaries. Lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and fluoride were present at concentrations lower than the recommended guidelines, whereas copper and cyanide were not discovered. However, iron concentrations exceeded the FAO guidelines. Escherichia coli concentrations in the Obeng ne Obeng were lower than the FAO irrigation standards but were higher in the Abuakwaa and Odaso. The Pearson correlation coefficient highlighted significant correlations between the physicochemical parameters. This paper concludes that unregulated mining activities may endanger vital water resources for irrigation, public health, food safety, ecosystems, and livelihoods.

Metabolic engineering-enabled dual-color biosensor for discriminative and sensitive detection of toxic lead and mercury in environmental waters

The ubiquity of toxic heavy metals, particularly lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg), in environmental waters severely threatens ecosystems and human health. We developed a metabolic engineering-based dual-color bacterial biosensor for the sensitive and discriminative detection of Pb(II) and Hg(II) at nanomolar levels. The biosensor leverages the synthetic biology approach to integrate two pigments, prodeoxyviolacein (PDV) and deoxyviolacein (DV), into a single construct that responds distinctly to Pb(II) and Hg(II), respectively. The engineered E. coli biosensor exhibits a detection range of 0.732–3000 nM for Pb(II) and 0.183–750 nM for Hg(II), with low detection limits of 0.732 nM for Pb(II) and 0.183 nM for Hg(II). The biosensor demonstrated high sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy with a recovery rate close to 1 in freshwater and seawater matrices. Notably, the biosensor's visual readout allows for rapid, equipment-free assessment. It is a practical tool for real-world monitoring of heavy metal pollution, especially in remote or resource-limited settings. This study underscores the potential of whole-cell biosensors as a sustainable and effective alternative to traditional heavy metal detection methods.

Advancements in on-site heavy metal detection: Characterizing and sensitive Hg2+ sensing of silver spheroid nanoparticles obtained by laser ablation synthesis in solution

Heavy metal detection in water bodies is crucial to prevent potential harm to the environment, animals and humans. While powerful techniques such as atomic absorption spectrometry exist, they often require extensive sample preparation and are typically confined to laboratory settings. As a result, alternative detection methods such as optical sensors, are under development to provide a simpler, faster, and on-site detection solution. In the present work spheroidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with a mean size of 14.7 ± 0.6 nm were synthesized by laser ablation in a sodium citrate solution. These nanoparticles exhibit a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), which is profoundly dependent on the size, morphology and composition of the nanoparticles and the refractive index of the surrounding media. The detection capabilities of these nanoparticles were assessed by exposing them to various metal ions, revealing a distinctive sensitivity to Hg2+ ions. Notably, this particular ion had a significant impact on the extinction curve of the AgNPs. The impact of synthesis parameters, including sodium citrate and NaCl concentration, as well as pH, on the efficacy of Hg2+ detection was systematically studied. Characterization techniques such as Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), High-Resolution TEM (HRTEM), and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) were employed to determine the size, morphology, distribution, crystalline structure, and elemental composition of the AgNPs. The results indicated that AgNPs synthesized through laser ablation in a sodium citrate solution exhibited sensitive detection capabilities for Hg2+ ions, reaching an LOD and LOQ of 0.9355 μM and 2.8350 μM respectively.

Modern methods for determining heavy metals in soil

This article discusses the problem of heavy metal detection in soil and its impact on vegetation. Based on the experience of foreign and domestic research, this article discusses global fundamental problems and challenges, modern methods of heavy metal detection, as well as prospects for further research and new challenges facing the scientific community. The aim of the study is to identify modern and established methods for the detection of heavy metals in soil, such as spectral analysis methods and reflectance spectra of plant parts. The review summarizes the results of experimental studies confirming the effectiveness of the combined sampling and spectrometry method for estimating the concentration of heavy metals in soil, as well as the feasibility of using plant reflectance spectra to measure pollution. World experience confirms the expediency of using spectral approaches to determine heavy metals in soil and analyze their impact on vegetation. The results of the research have practical application in the field of ecology, agriculture and nature protection, allow effectively controlling the level of heavy metal pollution and taking measures for its elimination.

Molecular Docking Study Of Protein-Functionalized Carbon Nanomaterials For Heavy Metal Detection And Removal

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) have emerged as highly effective agents for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated water and environments, owing to their unique structural and chemical properties. However, the hydrophobic nature of CNMs and their tendency to aggregate in most solvents present significant challenges to their practical application. Functionalizing carbon-based nanomaterials with proteins offers a promising solution to these issues, potentially leading to systems with unprecedented performance. Before fabricating protein-CNM systems for heavy metal detection and removal, it is crucial to evaluate the metal-binding affinity and potential interaction modes using computational approaches. In this study, a molecular docking technique was employed to investigate the interactions among heavy metal salts (AsO₄, Cd(NO₃)₂, Fe(NO₃)₃, NiSO₄, PbSO₄, PtCl₄), carbon-based nanomaterials (fullerenes C₂₄ and C₆₀, and single-walled carbon nanotubes), and β-lactoglobulin. The docking results revealed that: 1) the size, shape, and surface properties of carbon-based materials significantly influence the ability of β-lactoglobulin-CNM complexes to interact with different heavy metals; 2) different heavy metal salts exhibit distinct preferences for the various nanosystems; 3) hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions play a significant role in the complexation of heavy metal salts with β-lactoglobulin-carbon-based materials.

Present Status Of Trace Elements And Heavy Metals In AyurvedicMedicines

The therapeutic benefits of Ayurvedic medicines are historically well known. Sometimes the concentration of trace and heavy metals can vary depending on their geographical sources, whichcan cause extremely harmful effects. Thus, one of the most important topics nowadays is the assessment of toxicity and safety of these Ayurvedic medicines. The presence of these constituents in the soil of the study area can be linked to the formation of toxicants of these harmful elements. They should be used with caution in the field as their uncontrolled ingestion can have harmful dangerous consequences on their consumers. Analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry allowedthe detection of trace and heavy metals. This paper discusses the current status of trace elements and heavy metals in Ayurvedic medicine. Along with this, the effects of trace elements and heavymetals on human health have also been explained. This research paper also contains about in whatway to determination of Trace element and heavy metal from ayurvedic medicines specially “Ras

Investigation of Lead, Cadmium, and Nickel in Water Samples from Al-Muthanna Governorate, Iraq, and Evaluation of The Pollution Indicators

Background: The Iraqi environment, especially in the southern region, has been contaminated as a result of human activities. The detection of heavy metals in water samples is the preferred method for monitoring the toxic levels, which are very important for environmental protection and human health. Methods: Heavy metal concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) were investigated in water samples from Al-Muthanna governorate, southern Iraq. The selected water samples were taken from different sources of tap water and river samples from the Euphrates and collected from various locations: residential, agricultural, and industrial. Results: The mean values of Pb, Cd, and Ni in tap water samples are 3.76, 2.62, and 84.88 μg/L, respectively, while the corresponding element levels in river water are 11.21, 7.58, and 104.31 μg/L, respectively. Rivers water samples recorded higher levels of toxic metals than tap water samples. Concentrations of toxic elements in water samples from industrial locations of Al-Muthanna governorate are higher than in the agricultural and residential places. Toxic metals in water samples can be arranged in the following sequence: Ni &gt; Pb &gt; Cd. Conclusion: The levels of heavy metals in most water samples were above the permissible levels according to USEPA; therefore, it is recommended that the water samples should be regularly monitored for heavy metals to prevent the effect of heavy metals contamination in the human food chain.