H-vector Research Articles

Effect of open wedge tibial high osteotomy on patella position and joint function

To investigate the effect of open wedge tibial high osteotomy on patella position, anterior knee pain and joint function. From June 2016 to June 2021, 109 patients (111 knees) with medial knee osteoarthropathy treated by open wedge tibial high osteotomy were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, including 41 males and 68 females;the age ranged from 38 to 78 years old with an average of(57.98±7.07) years;the course of disease ranged from 1 to 36 months with an average of (8.58±6.91) months. The femoral tibial angle(FTA), medial proximal tibial angle(MPTA), weight bearing line(WBL) percentage, Caton Deschamps index (CD index), lateral patella tilt angle (LPTA) and lateral patella shift (LPS) were observed and compared before and after operation. Lysholm score was used to evaluate the knee function, visual analogue scale(VAS) was used to evaluate the degree of anterior knee pain, and Kellgren Lawrence(K-L) grading system was used to evaluate the progress of patellofemoral osteoarthritis. All patients were followed up for 6 to 38 months with an average of (12.41±2.40) months. The preoperative FTA, MPTA, WBL percentage, CD index, and LPTA were significantly different from those at the last follow-up(P<0.05). There was no significant difference between before and after LPS operation(P=0.78). Lysholm score increased from (58.79±7.90) scores to (76.05±7.36) scores (P<0.05). The VAS of anterior knee pain decreased from (3.28±1.95) scores to(1.07±1.75) scores(P<0.05). Knee patellofemoral osteoarthritis showed progressive changes, but there was no significant difference in K-L grading before and after operation (P>0.05). After open wedge tibial high osteotomy, the position of patella is lowered and the patella is tilted outward, but the knee function and anterior knee pain are significantly improved. Adverse changes in patella position caused by open wedge tibial high osteotomy may not affect clinical outcomes.

Different feedstocks of biochar affected the bioavailability and uptake of heavy metals by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants grown in metal contaminated soil

Heavy metals (HMs) contamination of agricultural soils is an emerging food safety challenge at world level. Therefore, as a possible treatment for the remediation of a HMs contaminated soil (sewage water irrigation for 20-years), the impact of biochar (BC) was investigated on the uptake of HMs by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants. The BC was produced from seven different feedstocks (cotton stalks (CSBC), rice straw (RSBC), poultry manure (PMBC), lawn grass (LGBC), vegetable peels (VPBC), maize straw (MSBC), and rice husks (RHBC)). Each BC was applied at 1.25% (dry weight basis, w/w) in contaminated soil and a control was maintained without BC addition and wheat was grown in potted soil and harvested at maturity. Results revealed that the properties of different biochars regulated their effects on soil nutrient and HMs mobility and uptake by plants. The maximum plant phosphorous and potassium uptake and translocation to grain (173.4% and 341%, respectively) was found in RSBC treatment over control. The RHBC, PMBC, and MSBC treatments showed a maximum decrease in grain Cd concentration (32.9%, 33.8%, and 34.1%, respectively) compared to the control. The grain Pb (−41% to −51%, with no significant differences among different treatments) and Ni (−63%) concentrations were also reduced significantly following BC treatments compared to control. The daily intake and health risk index of Cd were significantly decreased due to PMBC (−28.1% and −33.8%, respectively), and MSBC (−28.3% and −34.1%, respectively) treatment over control. The BC treatments significantly increased the translocation factor of Cd in the order of VPBC (52.1%) > LGBC (25.4%) > CSBC (13.6%) > RSBC (12.1%) compared to control. The study demonstrated that the effects of BC on metal uptake in plants varied with feedstocks and suitable BC can be further exploited for the rehabilitation of contaminated soils and thereby ensuring food safety.

The Evaluation and Key-Factor Identification of the Influence of Tourism on the Soil of Mount Tai

Tourism has been proven to disturb the soil environments and stimulate heavy metal accumulation in scenic areas. Currently, research on the driving mechanisms of the impact of tourism on soil quality degradation is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to introduce a complex network method to comprehensively depict the impact of tourism on soil quality. To explore the key influencing factors, we collected 10 topsoil samples and 10 corresponding control samples from representative scenic areas in Mount Tai. Soil physicochemical properties (organic matter (OM), alkali dispelled nitrogen (AN), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), electrical conductivity (EC)), heavy metal (Cr, Cd, Pb, Hg, As, Cu) content, and microbial community diversity (by Eco-plate method) were analyzed. Additionally, complex networks of soil quality variables were established based on Pearson correlation coefficients. The results show that the OM, AN, and AP contents of scenic areas are 1.2, 1.03 and 1.18 times higher, while the AK content is 0.97 times lower, than those of the control sites, respectively (mean values of samples from scenic area vs. contorl sites). The single factor index of Hg, As, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Cr are increased from 3.65, 0.53, 0.85, 1.25, 0.78 and 0.58 to 3.69, 0.57, 1.24, 1.75, 0.97, 0.63 and 3.19, respectively, which means that tourism significantly exacerbates soil heavy metal accumulation. Additionally, the soil microbial activity and diversity are slightly reduced due to tourism. In general, the difference in the mean value of each soil quality variable between the scenic spot and the control site is not significant. However, tourism significantly reduced the connectivity and integrity of soil quality variables, which ultimately destabilized the soil, inferred from the comparison of the network’s topological parameters. Therefore, raising the content of soil OM and AN and controlling Cd pollution should be given more priority in soil ecosystem protection to counteract the negative impact of tourism on Mount Tai. It was the major limitation of the study that few typical scenic spots were selected as sampling points on Mount Tai. However, this study is sufficient to show that the complex network approach can be extended to other similar studies of soil quality degradation driving mechanisms.

Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Metals and Metalloids in Soil, Water and Plant Continuum of Fragrant Rice

Globally, the demand for food is increasing day by day due to the rapid increase in the human population. Elevated levels of metals and metalloids in soils are biomagnified over time in crops cultivated in metal-contaminated soils, hence posing a risk of food chain contamination. The present investigation aimed to assess metal and metalloid concentrations in soil, water, and rice kernels which are widely cultivated in four districts of Punjab, Pakistan, and to determine the risk to human health. The results revealed that, of five rice varieties, super basmati was the most preferred by farmers due to its yield potential and consumer acceptance due to its taste and to its long kernel. A detailed analysis of metal and metalloid accumulation revealed that their mean concentration fluctuated in the soil, water, and rice samples in the study area. The decreasing trends of heavy metals and metalloids were observed to be Pb &gt; Cu &gt; As &gt; Cr &gt; Cd &gt; Hg &gt; Al in soil samples, Pb &gt; Cr &gt; Cu &gt; Al &gt; As &gt; Hg &gt; Cd in water samples, and Cu &gt; Cr = Pb &gt; Cd = Al &gt; Hg &gt; As in rice kernels. The bioconcentration factor for Cr was the highest in the Faisalabad area among all sampled sites. The pollution load index of As, Cd, and Hg registered the highest values, that were above the recommended safety threshold levels described by World Health Organization. The human health risk index was determined to be low at all sites except for As and Hg. These results point to potential health risks caused by the consumption of fragrant rice by humans. Regular monitoring is recommended to manage and control elevated concentrations and related health hazards as a result of the use of rice contaminated by the accumulation of metals and metalloids.

Impacts of Rice-Rape Rotation on Major Soil Quality Indicators of Soil in the Karst Region.

Arable land resources in karst regions are relatively scarce. The original crop rotation pattern can no longer meet the requirements of productivity development, while different crop rotation patterns have different impacts on the physicochemical properties of the soil. Through field experiments and laboratory analysis, the physicochemical properties and pollution characteristics of the soil during different crop growing stages in rice–rape rotation were investigated systematically. The main results are as follows. During the rice–rape rotation, fine sand in the topsoil experienced the greatest variation. During the rotation, pH variation in the subsoil was greater than that in the topsoil. The soil in paddy fields was poorly ventilated, and the rotation could reduce the redox potential of the soil. In the rotation process, the soil organic matter in the topsoil was higher than that in the subsoil, but the variation of soil organic matter in the topsoil was lower than that in the subsoil. The worst Cd pollution of the topsoil occurred in the seedling stage of rice, while that of the subsoil occurred in the flowering stage of rape; the comprehensive pollution index of Cr and Cd in the subsoil was higher than that in the topsoil. It is of great significance to investigate efficient crop rotation patterns under the conditions of the current productivity for promoting sustainable increases of rape and rice yield, maintaining soil fertility, and improving the soil.

Evaluation of grinding surface roughness based on gradient similarity and color similarity

Existing machine vision detection methods for surface roughness based on design indices are mainly divided into two categories: grayscale information-based and color information-based. The former loses a large amount of image information when converting the image’s three-dimensional color space to one-dimensional grayscale space. The latter does not fully consider the color information and structural detail changes in images of different rough surfaces. To address the above problems, a visual measurement method of grinding surface roughness based on gradient similarity and color similarity is proposed in this study. This method purposefully uses gradient similarity and color similarity to evaluate the structural differences and color differences between different roughness images, respectively. The comparison experiments with CD, F2, and F5 indices show that the GC index we proposed has a strong correlation with the grinding surface roughness, and its regression fitting prediction model has a high prediction accuracy. In addition, we have discussed the effect of light intensity on the GC index. The experimental result indicates that the correlation between the GC index and roughness is relatively stable under different light intensities.

Evaluation of potential toxic heavy metal contamination in soil, fly ash, vegetables and grain crops along with associated ecological and health risk assessment of nearby inhabitants of a thermal power station in Jharkhand (India).

The present study aimed to evaluate the potential toxic heavy metal (PTHM) concentrations and associated ecological and health risk of nearby inhabitants (child and adult populations) of the Bokaro thermal power station (BTPS), Jharkhand, India. The fly ash containing PTHMs is released from the thermal power plant and contaminates the soil of the nearby agricultural area, roadside area and residential area. Furthermore, PTHMs cause ecological risk as well as carcinogenic health effects in adults. Inhabitants are exposed to PTHMs through exposure pathways (for instance, direct ingestion, dermal contact and air inhalation), and PTHMs were examined in this study by calculating the estimated daily intake (EDI). The contamination factor (Cf) of Cd exceeded the threshold value throughout the study area, whereas the Cf of Hg was observed higher only in roadside soil (RSS). The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) of Cd was higher in the top soil of agricultural soil (AS) (7.39) and RSS (9.38). The level of PTHMs was monitored slightly higher in the topsoil of RSS. The ecological risk index (Eri) was detected to be the highest in RSS (1628.9). The permissible limit of Cd (0.05mgkg-1) and Pb (0.1mgkg-1) for all sampled vegetables and grain crops was surpassed. The transfer factor (TF) of the studied vegetables and grain crops was in the order of Cd > Cr > Pb > Hg > As. The results of the present study concluded that the hazard quotient (HQ) values for all PTHMs analysed in soil throughout the study area were < 1, which indicates that the child population was within the safe limit. However, the adult population was at a high risk of non-carcinogenic health effects due to increased permissible limits of Cd, Pb and Cr in vegetables and grain crops whereas the target carcinogenic risk (TCR) of Pb and Cr was higher and indicated that there may be a health risk of cancer in adults.

Heavy metals compositions in springs and streams from Shaqlawa district, Erbil Province, Kurdistan region of Iraq.

This study was conducted to determine some heavy metals concentration (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Cd, Al, Zn, Cu and Pb) in 18 springs and streams from Shaqlawa district, Erbil governorate from September-2019 till August-2020. The results indicated that higher value of Fe was 660.0 µg/L and 450.0 µg/L recorded in October-2019 in site 17 (Azarian spring) and site 8 (along stream). Mn concentration value varied between 1.0-39.0 µg/L in some springs and streams sites. While, Ni and Cr values was ranged between 7.0--47.0 µg/L and 1.8-24.3 µg/L respectively. The Cd, Al and Zn concentrations were ranged between 2.0-6.50 µg/L, 1070-3380 µg/L and 10-320 µg/L respectively. Finally, Cu and Pb concentration was never exceeded 67.8 µg/L and 50.0 µg/L in site 2 (Piawan spring) and site 16 (Benwan spring) during July-2020 respectively. According to world Health Organization (WHO) all heavy metals in studied sites were within allowable level. Except concentrations of Al in all sites, Ni in many sites and Fe only in site 17(Azarian spring) was above the permissible level for drinking purposes. Relying on the heavy metal pollution index (HPI) the results was varied between 65.66 to 87.75 which mean that all the studied sites lower than 100 which considered as critical number for drinking water purposes. This means all springs and streams sites in this investigation were not polluted by the heavy metals. But according to single factor pollution index of Fe,Mn, Cr, Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb was less &lt;1 means uncontaminated while, pollution index for Al was &gt; 3 and Ni more than one in most sites which polluted.

Assessing the ecological and health implications of soil heavy metals in vegetable irrigated with wastewater in calcareous environments

The introduction of heavy metals from wastewater irrigation to the soil-crop-human biological domain has become a vital environmental and human health challenge. We evaluated the impact of wastewater irrigation (WW) on the severity of heavy metal pollution and health risk potential in different vegetables under WW versus fresh water (FW) irrigation. A multifaceted assessment was conducted using the pollution index (PI), ecological risk (ER), bio-concentration factor (BCF), hazard quotient (HQ), overall hazard index (HI), carcinogenic risk (CR), the bio-concentration factor (BCF), and total carcinogenic risk (TCR). The findings revealed that WW irrigation increased metal concentrations across all soil samples and vegetables in the order of Cd > Zn > Pb > Cu and Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd, respectively., The PI and ER indices indicated a significant increase of 27–330% and 260–310%, respectively in the WW-irrigated soils compared to the FW-irrigated soils. The heavy metals concentrations in the edible tissues of vegetables and their associated BCF values under WW irrigation exhibited the orders, Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd and Zn > Cu > Cd > Pb >, respectively Cabbage had the greatest potential to take up heavy metals compared with other crops. The mean HQ and HI were in the low risk category (0.1 ≤ HQ and HI < 1). Likewise, CR and TCR values were within acceptable limits (1.00E-06–1.00E-04) by consuming veggies produced with WW to children and adults, implying that there are no significant health risks to local inhabitants. However, the levels of HQ, HI, CR, and TCR were significantly higher in vegetables grown with WW than in those irrigated with FW, suggesting that wastewater irrigation may have a detrimental impact on human health.

Cadmium Distribution, Availability, and Translocation in Soil-Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) System and Its Risk Assessment

Proper utilization of lightly contaminated farmlands is popular for developing countries such as China where there are high demands for food production to meet the needs of high population in the limited available arable lands. Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is an important oil crop as well as a potential candidate for soil Cd remediation. Dietary oil ingestion is the main route of human exposure to cadmium (Cd). Therefore, understanding the characteristics of Cd transfer in the soil-oilseed rape system and its human health risk assessment are crucial for health risk alleviation and pollution control. A field experiment was conducted with 25 oilseed rape cultivars grown in a Cd (1.59 mg kg–1)-contaminated farmland where Cd was mainly from former mining activities in nearby mountains. Results showed that Cd concentrations in oilseed rape were in the order of shoots > roots > pods > seeds. The mean values of both transfer factors and bioaccumulation factors were higher than 1. Residual Cd fraction accounted for the largest proportion of the four solid components (fractions) of Cd. Cd concentration in oil ranged from 0.004 to 0.06 mg kg–1. In vitro digestion study showed that the bioaccessibility of Cd in rapeseed oil ranged from 2.48 to 30.6%. The target hazard quotients of Cd and hazard index via oil intake were below 1, and the incremental lifetime cancer risks of Cd were within the required values of 1 × 10–6–1 × 10–4. This study suggests the safety limit of Cd in rapeseed oil as 0.18 mg kg–1 based on the comparison of the carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks. Conclusively, oilseed rape has a good Cd accumulation capability, but the most grain Cd in plants grown in the lightly Cd-polluted soil remained non-bioaccessible with a negligible noncarcinogenic risk and an acceptable level of carcinogenic risk to human health.

Identification of heavy metal pollutants and their sources in farmland: an integrated approach of risk assessment and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Investigation and assessment of farmland pollution require an efficient method to identify heavy metal (HM) pollutants and their sources. In this study, heavy metals (HMs) in farmland were determined efficiently using high-precision X-ray fluorescence (HDXRF) spectrometer. The potential ecological risk and health risk of HMs in farmland near eight villages of Wushan County in China were quantified using an integrated method of concentration-oriented risk assessment (CORA) and source-oriented risk assessment (SORA). The CORA results showed that Cd in farmland near the villages of Liuping (LP) and Jianping (JP) posed a “very high” potential ecological risk, which is mainly ascribed to soil Cd (single potential ecological risk index ({E}_{r}^{i}) of Cd in villages LP and JP, {E}_{r}^{i} = 2307 and 568 > 320). A “moderate” potential ecological risk was present in other six villages. The overall non-carcinogenic risk (hazard index (HI) = 1.2 > 1) of HMs for children in village LP was unacceptable. The contributions of HMs decrease in the order of Cr > As > Cd > Pb > Ni > Cu > Zn. The total carcinogenic risk (TCR = 2.1 × 10–4 > 1.0 × 10–4) of HMs in village LP was unacceptable, with HMs contributions decreasing in the order of Cr > Ni > Cd > As > Pb. Furthermore, three source profiles were assigned by the positive matrix factorization: F1: agricultural activity; F2: geological anomaly originating from HMs-rich rocks; F3: the natural geological background. According to the results of SORA, F2 was the highest contributor to PER in village LP, up to 64.4%. Meanwhile, the contributions of three factors to HI in village LP were 19.0% (F1), 53.6% (F2), and 27.4% (F3), respectively. It is worth noting that TCR (1.2 × 10–4) from F2 surpassed the threshold of 1.0 × 10–4, with an unacceptable carcinogenic risk level. As mentioned above, the HM pollutants (i.e., Cd and Cr) and their main sources (i.e., F2) in this area should be considered. These results show that an integrated approach combining risk assessments with the determination of HM concentration and identification of HM source is effective in identifying HM pollutants and sources and provides a good methodological reference for effective prevention and control of HM pollution in farmland.

Faecal Myeloperoxidase as a Biomarker of Endoscopic Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], consisting of Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC], is a relapsing-remitting illness. Treat-to-target IBD management strategies require monitoring of gastrointestinal inflammation. This study aimed to investigate faecal myeloperoxidase [fMPO], a neutrophil granule enzyme, as a biomarker of IBD activity. Prospectively recruited participants with IBD, undergoing ileocolonoscopy for disease assessment, provided biological samples and completed symptom questionnaires prior to endoscopy. fMPO, C-reactive protein [CRP], and faecal calprotectin [fCal] were compared with validated endoscopic indices [simple endoscopic score for CD and UC endoscopic index of severity]. Receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curves assessed the performance of fMPO, CRP, and fCal in predicting endoscopic disease activity. Baseline biomarkers were used to predict a composite endpoint of complicated disease at 12 months [need for escalation of biologic/immunomodulator due to relapse, steroid use, IBD-related hospitalisation, and surgery]. A total of 172 participants were recruited [91 female, 100 with CD]. fMPO was significantly correlated with endoscopic activity in both CD [r = 0.53, p < 0.01] and UC [r = 0.63, p < 0.01], and with fCal in all patients with IBD [r = 0.82, p < 0.01]. fMPO was effective in predicting moderate-to-severely active CD [AUROC 0.86, p < 0.01] and UC [AUROC 0.92, p < 0.01]. Individuals with a baseline fMPO > 26 µg/g were significantly more likely to reach the composite outcome at 12 months (hazard ratio [HR] 3.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.07-6.64, p < 0.01). Faecal myeloperoxidase is an accurate biomarker of endoscopic activity in IBD and predicted a more complicated IBD course during follow-up.

Source analysis and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in farmland soils around heavy metal industry in Anxin County

Studying the pollution status, spatial distribution characteristics, and sources of heavy metals in farmland soil in Anxin County will provide a method basis for the next step of soil remediation. This study investigates the contents of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Ni in wheat grains and soil samples. Moreover, different methods are used to evaluate soil heavy metal pollution. The results show that the soil in the study area is weakly alkaline. Cu, Zn, and Ni contents in the ground are lower than the risk screening values for soil contamination of agricultural land. In comparison, Cd and Pb contents are higher than the screening value of soil pollution risk of agricultural land, and the proportion of points lower than the control value of soil pollution risk of agricultural land are 64.58% and 16.67%, respectively. The farmland with high Cd and Pb content is mainly distributed near roads and factories and concentrated primarily on 0-20 cm topsoil. The Cd content in wheat grains meets the standard, but 4.17% of the samples are close to 0.1 mg kg−1 (more than 0.09 mg kg−1). The Pb content of 50% of the wheat grain samples exceeds the lead limit in the standard. The evaluation results of the single factor pollution index and geoaccumulation index show that the pollution degree of heavy metals in the soil is Cd > Pb > Cu > Zn > Ni. The potential ecological risk index in the study area is 288.83, and the soil heavy metal pollution is at a moderate-considerable ecological risk level. The average value of Cd's single-factor environmental risk index is 233.51, which belongs to the high environmental risk and is the main influencing factor. Cd and Pb in soil are significantly disturbed by the production activities of heavy metal processing enterprises around the farmland. It is speculated that there are two primary sources of soil heavy metal pollution in the study area. Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu are mainly industrial and mobile sources, and Ni is primarily agricultural and natural sources.

Assessment of Sources and Pollution Level of Airborne Toxic Metals through Foliar Dust in an Urban Roadside Environment

Concentrations of 19 elements (Al, Fe, Ca, K, Mg, Na, S, Ti, Ba, Sr, Zn, V, Cu, Mn, Cr, Pb, Ni, Co, and Cd) in foliar dust samples were determined from 6 different roadside locations of Bilaspur city (Chhattisgarh), India. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated the significance of vehicular activities followed by sources such as firework events and other industrial/regional/transboundary sources in foliar dust in the area of study. Risk assessment of metal levels in foliar dust was performed using several indices based on the data collected from different sites. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) analysis indicated foliar dust was moderately and extremely polluted with S and Cd, respectively, while practically unpolluted with most other elements (Al, Fe, Ca, K, Mg, Na, Ti, Ba, Sr, Zn, V, Cu, Mn, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Co). The values of pollution (IPOLL) index and contamination factor (CF) of Cd indicated a high pollution level. Comparable results were found for the ecological risk (Eri) of Cd (above 320) with a very high Eri at all sites. In addition, the overall Eri index (RI) of foliar dust at all sites was very high due to a greater Cd contribution.

Responses of platelet CD markers and indices to resistance exercise with and without blood flow restriction in patients with type 2 diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a common disorder with the risk of vascular injury. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of low-intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction versus high-intensity resistance exercise on platelet CD markers and indices in patients with type 2 diabetes. Fifteen female patients with type 2 diabetes (Mean±SD; age, 47.6±7.2 yrs) randomly completed two resistance exercise at an intensity corresponding to 20% and 80% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM), with and without blood flow restriction (REBFR and RE), respectively. We measured markers of platelet activation (P-selectin, GpIIb/IIIa, and CD42) and platelet indices before and immediately after exercise, and after 30 min recovery. Platelet count (PLT) and plateletcrit (PCT) increased in response to REBFR more than the RE (p < 0.05), though, no significant differences in PDW and MPV were observed (p < 0.05). Although P-selectin (CD62P), CD61, CD41, and CD42 were reduced following resistance exercise in both trials, these reductions were non-significant (p < 0.05). Besides, no significant between-group differences were found for platelet CD markers (p < 0.05). It is concluded that REBFR induces thrombocytosis, but responses of platelet CD markers in patients with type 2 diabetes are similar following low-intensity REBFR and high-intensity RE.

Study on the risk of soil heavy metal pollution in typical developed cities in eastern China

Enrichment of heavy metals in urban soils has become a major regional environmental risk. At present, research on the soil heavy metals in cities lacks risk spatial correlation analyses between different heavy metals, and there is a relative lack of assessments of the ecological and health risks. We selected Wuxi, a typical developed city of eastern China, collected and tested the contents of heavy metals in the urban soils of Wuxi in May 2020. Combined with Pb isotope analysis, ecological and health risk assessment, we found that the high heavy metal concentrations in Wuxi are mainly located in the central and western regions, and that the changes in spatial fluctuation are relatively small. The Pb isotopes in the urban soils of Wuxi are distributed in areas, such as those are related to coal combustion, automobile exhaust and urban garbage, indicating that the heavy metals in the urban soils of Wuxi are affected by human activities such as coal combustion and automobile exhaust. The average value of the potential ecological risk index of soil heavy metal Cd is 80.3 (the threshold: 40), which represents a high-risk state. Whether adults or children, the risk of soil heavy metals via ingestion is much higher than that through skin exposure. High health risk values are present in the central area of Wuxi and decrease in a ring-shaped pattern, which is similar to the population distribution of Wuxi and greatly increases the potential risk from soil heavy metals, which should be given close attention. We should develop and use clean energy to replace petroleum fossil fuels, especially in densely populated areas. This study provides technical support for the prevention and control of urban heavy metal pollution.

Study of water and sediment surface quality on defilement of heavy metals Pb &amp; Cd at a downstream section of Musi River, South Sumatera, Indonesia

This research (1) analyzed the content of Pb and Cd in water and sediment; (2) analyzed physical and chemical parameters in water; (3) determined the enrichment factor and accumulation index of Pb and Cd in sediments; and (4) to identified water quality based on the Pollution Index (IP) and STORET. The analysis was carried out using PCA (Principal Component Analysis) and Pearson's correlation, and was conducted in the downstream section of the Musi River, Palembang, using a random sampling technique. Based on the analysis, it was found that the content of Pb and Cd in the waters had surpassed the quality standard whereas the contents of both heavy metals found in the sediment still met the quality standard. It was also found that several variables of the physical and chemical parameters did not meet the criteria. Based on the Enrichment Factor (EF) and the Accumulation Index (Igeo) of Pb and Cd, the river had not been defiled. The pollution index values of both IP and STORET indicated that the water had been heavily polluted. Based on the PCA, three factors which affected the quality of the river water were found.&#x0D; Keywords: abiotic, defilement, evaluation, index, mud, quality.

Effects of lead and cadmium co-exposure on liver function in residents near a mining and smelting area in northwestern China.

Chronic exposure to environmental cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) may have adverse effects on the human health. In this study, we aimed to determine the primary and interactive effects of Cd and Pb exposure on liver function in residents near a mining and smelting area in northwestern China. A total of 451 subjects were recruited, from which blood samples were collected to determine the levels of Cd, Pb, and liver function indices. Additionally, the association between the levels of exposure markers and liver function indices was analysed. Cd and Pb levels were significantly higher in subjects living in the polluted area than in those living in the non-polluted reference area. The liver function levels of subjects in the polluted area were poor compared with those in the reference area. In addition, Cd and Pb levels in the blood were positively associated with gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels and negatively associated with direct bilirubin (DBil) levels. Cd and Pb may be risk factors for abnormal liver function. The risk of abnormal liver function was higher in subjects with moderate Cd and Pb levels, high Cd levels, high Pb levels, and high Cd and Pb levels than in those with low Cd and Pb levels. Our data show that exposure to Cd and/or Pb can cause abnormal liver function. Cd and Pb may have an antagonistic effect on liver function, and high Cd exposure alone has a more profound effect on abnormal liver function compared with co-exposure to Pb and Cd.

Cadmium isotope systematics for source apportionment in an urban–rural region

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly carcinogenic metal that can cause toxic reactions, even at low concentrations. In the urban–rural region of Chengdu (China), the Cd concentration of soil ranged from 0.02 mg kg−1 to 5.03 mg kg−1. To decipher Cd source apportionment, samples were collected from topsoil, weathered material, and bedrocks (profiles reaching 200 m in depth) and from local anthropogenic endmembers (pigment, fertilizer, and urban dust). Geogenic Cd weathering processes were determined using the alteration index and exchangeable fraction of Cd in soil. Simultaneously, the Cd isotope composition was measured to determine the geogenic isotopic trend of Cd during weathering and the impacts of anthropogenic inputs on the soil surface. Overall, we observed a high variability in the mass transfer of Cd, indicating the presence of multiple Cd sources. Chemical weathering led to the preferential depletion of heavy Cd isotopes through mineral dissolution and the preferential enrichment of light Cd isotopes during Cd sorption onto newly formed soil phases (−0.35‰ < Δ114/110Cdsoil-bedrock < 0.01‰). Anthropogenic inputs were associated with a wide range of δ114/110Cd values (−0.50 ± 0.02‰ to 0.08 ± 0.02‰). It can be inferred that anthropogenic inputs alter the typical Rayleigh fractionation observed during chemical weathering and modify the Cd isotopic trend in the soil surface of urban–agricultural areas.

Heavy Metal Characteristics and Comprehensive Quality Index Evaluation of Soil-Crop System in 11 Cities of Yunnan Province, China

Yunnan province in China is a high background area of soil heavy metals, and agricultural planting and industrial and mining activities are relatively frequent, which aggravate soil heavy metal pollution. However, at present, there are few reports on the overall or large-scale soil-crop pollution and risk assessment of heavy metals in Yunnan Province. This study through 11 cities in Yunnan province of China farmland soil-crop systems of heavy metal lead, cadmium content, enrichment coefficient is analyzed, and using the method of potential ecological harm index, index of compressive quality to evaluate heavy metal pollution soil-crop system risk. Results showed that the average content of soil heavy metal Cd and Pb were 1.31 mg/kg, 64.17 mg/kg, which are higher than the background value of Yunnan province. The average contents of Pb and Cd in the edible parts of crops were 0.20 mg/kg, 0.08 mg/kg. The average content of heavy metals in crops in Diqing (Pb) and Nujiang (Cd) was 0.72 mg/kg and 0.148 mg/kg. The enrichment coefficients of heavy metals in edible parts of crops were the largest in Diqing (Pb) and Zhaotong (Cd). The average value of ecological risk index of Pb element in soil is 2.79, which indicates that the study area is in a slight ecological hazard, the average value of the ecological risk index of Cd in soil is 126.43. The average value of the comprehensive quality impact index (IICQ) is 4.27, which indicates that the study area is moderately polluted. In this study, the contents of heavy metals Cd and Pb in soils and crops in different administrative regions were determined, and the heavy metals Pb and Cd in soil-crop system of Yunnan province, China were evaluated, it is expected to have important scientific and theoretical significance for the safe use of cultivated land to export safe agricultural products and promote the sustainable development of agriculture in Yunnan Plateau.