Heavy Metals In Tissues Research Articles

CHEMICAL EVALUATION OF SOME FRESH AND FROZEN FISH

The aim of this study was to know the chemical effect of the freezing process on the quality of fish and to know the water pollution by some heavy metals and the reflection of this pollution on fish. A total of 50 random samples fresh and frozen fish were collected from Manzala lake in Dakahlia Governorate (25fresh fish). Also, from the different markets in Mansoura (25 frozen fish) and 25 samples of water were collected randomly from Manzala Lake in Dakahlia Governorate. All samples were examined chemically. The results showed an increase in Cadmium in tissues of fresh and frozen fish and increase in copper in tissues of frozen fish. Meanwhile the water samples showed increase in lead, cadmium and copper. Concerning total basic nitrogen, thiobarbituric acid and histamine levels they were above the permissible limits in frozen fish, while in fresh fish were within permissible limits. From the above we can conclude that the exposure of fish in water to some heavy metals lead to perception of these heavy metals in tissues of fish as well as freezing of fish lead to negative chemical changes, represented by increase of total volatile basic nitrogen, thiobarbituric acid and histamine,therefore fresh fish should be consumed as soon as possible and surely within 3 days from purchased because of longer storage may result in rapid rise in total volatile basic nitrogen, thiobarbituric acid and histamine, that causes a potential threat to consumers health.

Violets of the section Melanium, their colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and their occurrence on heavy metal heaps

Violets of the sections Melanium were examined for their colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Heartsease ( Viola tricolor) from several heavy metal soils was AMF-positive at many sites but not at extreme biomes. The zinc violets Viola lutea ssp. westfalica (blue zinc violet) and ssp. calaminaria (yellow zinc violet) were always AMF-positive on heavy metal soils as their natural habitats. As shown for the blue form, zinc violets germinate independently of AMF and can be grown in non-polluted garden soils. Thus the zinc violets are obligatorily neither mycotrophs nor metalophytes. The alpine V. lutea, likely ancestor of the zinc violets, was at best poorly colonized by AMF. As determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, the contents of Zn and Pb were lower in AMF colonized plants than in the heavy metal soils from where the samples had been taken. AMF might prevent the uptake of toxic levels of heavy metals into the plant organs. Dithizone staining indicated a differential deposition of heavy metals in tissues of heartsease. Leaf hairs were particularly rich in heavy metals, indicating that part of the excess of heavy metals is sequestered into these cells.

Comparative study of the accumulation and detoxification of Cu (essential metal) and Hg (nonessential metal) in the digestive gland and gills of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis, using analytical and histochemical techniques

The aim of the present study is the comparative examination of accumulation and detoxification of Cu and Hg in digestive gland and gills of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and autometallography. Mussels were exposed to 0.08 mg L −1 Cu, 0.08 mg L −1 Hg, as well as to a mixture of 0.08 mg L −1 Hg and 0.08 mg L −1 Cu for 11 d. After the experimental exposure, animals were kept under laboratory conditions for a detoxification period of 7 d. An antagonistic effect of Cu against to Hg accumulation was noted in the digestive gland of mussels after the experimental exposure, as well as after the detoxification period, supporting the protective role of Cu against to Hg toxicity in this tissue. Digestive gland was suggested as a main organ for Hg accumulation and gills as a target position for Cu accumulation. Additionally, lower time was evaluated for Hg detoxification in the digestive gland and gills of mussels, in relation to those addressed for Cu detoxification in the same tissues. The evaluation of black silver deposits (BSD) extent performed in digestive gland and gills was suggested as a less sensitive approach, in relation to atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), to indentify the concentration of heavy metals in tissues of mussels. The toxic effects of Hg, Cu and a mixture of them on lysosomal system of the digestive cells are also discussed.

Histopathological and biochemical alterations of the earthworm ( Lumbricus Terrestris) as biomarker of soil pollution along Porsuk River Basin (Turkey)

This study investigated biomarker responses of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris in order to evaluate the soil pollution along Porsuk River Basin. Samples consisted of animals from six sites that are agricultural regions and a forested control. Histopathological and biochemical alterations were examined. Significant histopathological alterations were observed in animals from three of the sampling sites. There was an enlargement of epithelial cell lining, mucus cell hyperplasia and increase in mucus secretion. Circular and longitudinal muscles lost their structural integrity. Chloragogenous tissue was dilated and vocuolized. Necrosis was observed in the cells and tissues of some affected worms. A load of heavy metals in tissues of animals was determined. Heavy metals were found to be accumulated particularly in longitudinal muscles of animals. CAT activity was found to be increased in animals from three of the experimental sites. GST activity was also increased in five sites while it was stable in one site. The results have shown that animals from locations particularly that are close to urbanized and industrialized regions were seriously affected from the soil pollution around the basin. These results are reflecting the biological effects of soil pollution around Porsuk River Basin on the indicator organism L. terrestris and constitute an early warning of ecological change in relation to human health.

The effects of heavy metals exposure on reproductive systems of cyprinid fish from Kor River

The Kor River (Fars province) was divided into three parts and water and fish specimens were collected monthly and the concentrations of four heavy metals were determined using the Induction Coupled Plasma Method. As middle sampling zone was the main entrance and discharges of industries into the River, the concentrations of heavy metals in tissue of fish from this zone were significantly higher (p 0.05) were detected between the two sexes and species. Maximum concentrations of lead, mercury and cadmium in fish tissues were higher than the permissible levels for human consumption. Significant changes in the concentrations of steroid hormones were also noticed between the middle and two other sampling zones. Also in middle sampling zone, pathological changes in blood cells, liver, and kidneys of fishes were significantly higher. So heavy metals exposure can effectively decrease estrogenic and androgenic secretion in fish. The results confirmed exposure of fishes to heavy metals not only disrupts reproductive hormones’ secretion, but also induces some pathological changes.

Pathological and Hormonal Changes in Freshwater Fishes Due to Exposure to Heavy Metals Pollutants

The concentrations of major heavy metals in organs of two cyprinid fish and in water collected from three sections of the Kor River, Iran, were determined using the induction coupled plasma method. The concentrations of heavy metals in tissue of fish from the middle sampling zone were significantly higher (p 0.05) were detected between the two sexes and species. Estradiol in females and progesterone and testosterone in males from the middle study site were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than values from the other two sites. Pathological changes in blood cells, liver, and kidneys of fishes were significantly higher in highly polluted areas (middle sampling zone). So heavy metals exposure can effectively decreases estrogenic and androgenic secretion in fish. These results show that industrial activities have polluted the river and that heavy metals exposure can induce pathological changes in fish organs.

ChemInform Abstract: Studies of Metals and Metallothionein in Tissue

This paper is a review of three topics related to bio-trace metals. First, the transfer of metals into tissues of patients with chronic diseases treated with hemodialysis is examined. Such diseases include chronic hepatitis, diabetes, and chronic renal failure. In these diseases, metal contents from fingernails were flexible but non-specific. Toxicity may appear as the amount of heavy metals in tissues of patients with chronic renal failure treated with hemodialysis. For example, cadmium and lead were not excreted from the blood of patients during the hemodialysis treatment, and, therefore, their amounts gradually increased in the blood of patients. The level of zinc increased and was excreted in the urine of diabetic patients and experimental animals. Calcium accumulated in the kidney of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats that were fed low zinc diets; and, as a result, severe renal failure occurred. From these results, complication syndromes of either metal deficiency or excesses may occur in tissues of patients with chronic diseases. Second, the role of metallothionein (MT), an inducible protein, and the properties of MT isoforms have been studied on experimental animals. In the exocrine cells of the pancreas, MT was induced by various stresses such as zinc, STZ, alloxan and 4-aminopyrazolo-(3,4-d) pyrimidine, but the effects of those stresses were not clear in the endocrine cells. Therefore, MT may have a role in the exocrine cells of the pancreas. In addition, we were able to separate completely MT-1 and MT-2 isoforms in cytosol fractions of tissues using a capillary zone electrophoresis system at neutral pH without any detergents. Each role of the MT isoforms in the tissues soon started to become clear. Third, cisplatin, a platinum-containing anti-tumor drug, did not penetrate into the brain tissue under physiological conditions, as there is a blood-brain barrier to cerebral tissues; however, it did penetrate with either short-term hypoxia or in the case of lipopolysaccharide-treated experimental animals. Nitric oxide, prostaglandin, and free radicals are related to the penetration. Older rats had a higher sensitivity to cisplatin than younger rats.

Effects of age on heavy metal concentrations of black-crowned night herons Nycticorax nycticorax from korea

This study presents concentrations of heavy metals in tissues of Black-crowned night herons (Nycticorax nycticorax), age-related variations related to the growth stage from chicks to adults, and comparison of concentrations between chicks and adults. Heavy metal differences by growth stage from chicks to adults were observed for iron concentrations in the muscle; manganese concentrations in the kidney; zinc and copper concentrations in the muscle; lead concentrations in the liver, kidney, and bone; and cadmium concentrations in the kidney. Comparing chicks with adults, iron concentrations in the kidney and bone of adults were higher than those of chicks. Copper concentrations in the muscle of adults were higher than those of chicks. Lead concentrations in the liver and bone were lower in adults than in chicks. Manganese, zinc and cadmium concentration of each tissue did not significantly differ between adults and chicks. We suggest that concentrations of iron, manganese, zinc and copper varied with the metabolic turnover for growth of chicks. In this study, lead concentrations of adults and cadmium concentrations of chicks and adults were within the range of background levels for wild birds, only lead concentrations of chicks were within the range of a level consistent with elevated lead exposure.

Persistent organochlorine pollutants and heavy metals in tissues of common bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus) from the Levantine Basin of the Eastern Mediterranean

DDT’s, PCBs and heavy metals (HM) were measured in tissues of common bottlenose dolphins, collected along the Israeli Mediterranean coast during 2004–2006. ΣDDT and PCBs concentrations were highest in the blubber, with a wide concentration range of 0.92–142 and 0.05–7.9 mg kg −1 wet weight, respectively. Blubber PCBs values were an order of magnitude lower than in tissues of this and other delphinid species in the Western Mediterranea. We found relatively high DDE/ΣDDT percentage (85–96%); a common indicator of DDT degradation, which fitted the general trend of increase in the last 20 years in the Mediterranean Sea, indicating the progressive degradation of the remnant DDT and the absence of new inputs. Concentrations of HM ranged as follows: 0.01–123 mg kg −1 wet weight for Hg, <0.04–1.3 for Cd, 1–30 for Cu, 0.3–4 for Mn, 19–517 for Fe, 4.3–68 for Zn and 2.4–48 for Ni. These concentrations were similar to those found in specimens collected during previous years in the region, suggesting stability over time in the HM levels of the basin’s food-web.

Concentration of heavy metals in tissues of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) sampled in the Cananéia estuary, Brazil

Thirty specimens (15 adults and 15 juveniles) of Chelonia mydas found in the Cananéia estuary in the state of São Paulo on the southeastern Brazilian coast between January 2005 and September 2006, were analyzed The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn and Ni in liver and kidney samples of adult and juvenile green turtles were determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry.The average Cd concentration found in adult livers (0.57µg.g-1) was significantly higher than that in juveniles (0.279µg.g-1). Cu concentrations were significantly higher in the liver than in the kidney, and significantly higher in adults (39.9µg.g-1) than in juveniles (20.7µg.g-1) Average Mn concentrations in liver and kidney did not differ between adults (4.32 and 4.17µg.g-1) and juveniles (4.81 and 3.82µg.g-1), whereas Ni concentrations in adults (0.28 and 0.19µg.g-1, respectively) were significantly higher than in juveniles (0.13 and 0.089µg.g-1, respectively). Pb concentrations in liver were significantly higher in adults (0.37µg.g-1) than in juveniles (0.06µg.g-1). The concentrations of essential trace elements in Chelonia mydas were generally comparable to values reported in other, similar studies. With respect to non-essential metals (Cd, Pb and Ni), Chelonia mydas presented lower values than those reported for their northern Atlantic counterparts.

Concentration of four heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic) in organs of two cyprinid fish (Cyprinus carpio and Capoeta sp.) from the Kor River (Iran)

Concentration of heavy metals in aquatic animals mainly occurs due to industrial contamination. In this study, the concentrations of four heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic) in organs of two cyprinid fish and in water collected from three sections of the Kor River, Iran were determined using the inductively coupled plasma method. Pathological and hormonal changes due to metal contamination were also measured. The concentrations of heavy metals in tissue of fish from the middle sampling zone were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those from the other two sampling zones, whereas no significant differences (p > 0.05) were detected between the two sexes and species. High levels of metals were found in the ovaries and testes; estradiol in females and progesterone and testosterone in males from the middle study site were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than values from the other two sites. Pathological changes in blood cells, liver, and kidneys of fishes were significantly higher in highly polluted areas (middle sampling zone). These results show that industrial activities have polluted the river and that the maximum concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Hg were higher than the permissible levels for human consumption.

Occurrence of ochratoxin A and heavy metals in tissues associated with porcine nephropathy in Serbia

In order to find information on the occurrence of mycotoxic porcine nephropathy in Serbia, during a six month period (2006/2007) samples of blood, kidney and liver from individual animals were collected from healthy slaughtered pigs (n=90) and analysed by HPLC for ochratoxin A (OTA). In addition, the presence of nephrotoxic heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic were measured and the kidneys pathohistologically examined. Of the 90 liver samples, 26.6% contained OTA in the range of 0.22-14.5 ng/g. The incidence of OTA in serum and kidney were very similar (30 and 31.1%), but varied between 0.24-220.8 ng/ml and 0.17-52.5 ng/g, respectively. The presence of mercury was confirmed in 33.3% of kidney samples and concentrations ranged between 0.005-0.055 mg/kg, while cadmium was found less frequently (27.7% positive samples) but at higher levels (0.05-1.23 mg/kg). The presence of arsenic was found in only one sample, while lead was not detected in any sample. Histopathological examination of kidneys confirmed tubulopathies with oedema and cell vacuolisation. In addition, haemorrhages and necrosis of proximal kidney tubules' cells were found. These findings indicate that it is likely that most of the kidney injury is related to OTA and other nephrotoxic compounds which enhance the toxicity of OTA.

The analysis of correlations between the age and the level of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in tissues and the chemical composition of sheep meat from the region in SE Poland

The aim of the research was to determine the level of accumulation of selected heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As) in meat and liver of sheep. The animals were divided into adequate age groups which allowed the analysis of statistical-mathematical correlations between the age of the animals and contamination of meat. Moreover there was determined the chemical composition of meat of animals of particular age groups. The research material for determining the content of heavy metals was taken from the longissimus muscle of back (m. longissimus dorsi), and samples of liver from the tail lobe. The analysis carried out results allows stating that together with age of sheep there decreases the content of water in meat and the content of protein, fat and ash increases. The contamination of meat and liver of sheep by Cd and Pb apparently depends on age of these animals. But there was a several times difference between the youngest and the oldest animals in the level of contamination of these tissues was. In muscles and in the liver of tested animals there was not stated the presence of arsenic over 0.001mg/kg.

Heavy metal in tissues of Tor grypus from Atatürk Dam Lake, Euphrates River-Turkey

Ataturk Dam Lake is an important ecosystem located in south-eastern Anatolia in Turkey. In this study, concentration of Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in kidney, liver, gill and muscle of Tor grypus which has great economic value in Ataturk Dam Lake. Heavy metal levels in fish samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP). The metal accumulation in the liver, kidney and gill of Tor grypus was found to be quite high in comparison to the muscle. All metal levels detected in tissues were the limits for fish proposed by FAO/ WHO, EU and Turkish Food Codes and safe within the limits for human consumption in the edible parts of fish species in the region.

Imaging of uranium on rat brain sections using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: a new tool for the study of critical substructures affined to heavy metals in tissues

The specific toxicity of trace metals and compounds largely depends on their bioavailability in different organs or compartments of the organism considered. Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) with a spatial resolution in the 100 microm range was developed and employed to study heavy metal distribution in brain tissues for toxicological screening. Rat brain post-mortem tissues were stained in an aqueous solution of either uranium or neodymium (metal concentration 100 microg g(-1)) for 3 h. The incubation of heavy metal in thin slices of brain tissue is followed by an imaging mass spectrometric LA-ICP-MS technique. Stained rat brain tissue (thickness 30 microm) were scanned with a focused laser beam (wavelength 266 nm, diameter of laser crater 100 microm and laser power density 3 x 10(9) W cm(-2)). The ion intensities of (235)U(+), (238)U(+), (145)Nd(+) and (146)Nd(+) were measured by LA-ICP-MS within the ablated area. For quantification purposes, matrix-matched laboratory standards were prepared by dosing each analyte to the pieces of homogenized brain tissue. Imaging LA-ICP-MS allows structures of interest to be identified and the relevant dose range to be estimated.

Heavy metals in tissues from loggerhead turtles ( Caretta caretta) from the southwestern Mediterranean (Spain)

Cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc were measured in tissues of 21 loggerhead turtles ( Caretta caretta) from the southwestern Mediterranean coastline. Mean concentrations (dry weight) of essential elements (Zn and Cu) were 107 and 21.6 μg/g in liver, 27.9 and 3.8 μg/g in kidney, 65.4 and 5.0 μg/g in pectoral muscle, 11.1 and 3.45 μg/g in brain, and finally 19.2 μg/g and undetected in bone, respectively. Mean concentrations of heavy metals (Cd and Pb) were 23.4 and 2.8 μg/g in liver, 31.5 and 0.5 μg/g in kidney, 0.2 and 0.3 μg/g in pectoral muscle, 0.2 and 0.7 μg/g in brain, and undetected and 1.2 μg/g in bone, respectively. Metal concentrations were similar to other studies conducted on Mediterranean turtles. However, cadmium concentrations varied widely among individuals, which has been associated with potential sources of cadmium in Mediterranean Sea. This is the first study into metal accumulation in tissues of loggerhead turtle from Spanish Mediterranean coastline.

Chemical compositions of aquatic macrophytes from the Danube River and their role in biomonitoring and bioremediation

The aim of this investigation was to provide the data on the status of ecological conditions referring to a possible chemical contamination of water and littoral by analysing the content of nutrients and heavy metals in tissue of dominant aquatic macrophytes (mostly Potamogeton species) of nine littoral sites of the Serbian part of the Danube River. Also, our aim was to define the role of the macrophytic vegetation in remediation of pollutants, nutrients and heavy metals, in particular, from water and sediments. Sampling sites were selected to assess the effect of anthropogenic activities upon the quality of the Danube water and therefore upon plant world. An elevation of the Danube organic load was confirmed by nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) content in plant tissue. In general, P concentrations were rather low, amounting mainly to about 0.25 %. Purification efficacy and the degree of uptake and accumulation of studied heavy metals relied upon the investigated species and sampling site. Fe accumulation in all the studied species was extremely high (about 2 % in Potamogeton species). The linear regression points to an increase in Mn concentrations at downstream sites (approaching the hydroelectric power station). The distribution of plant tissue Pb and Cd pointed to an elevation of water and littoral pollution at downstream sites. A significantly elevated contamination with heavy metals, of downstream sites, is due to the metallurgical complex-steelworks, wastewaters from power station, municipal and rural localities along the Danube River in Serbia.

Heavy Metal in Tissues of Three Fish Species from Different Trophic Levels in a Tropical Brazilian River

The Paraiba do Sul river is located in one of the most developed part of Brazil and receives many organic and industrial effluents directly affecting the ichthyofauna. Concentration of four heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Zn and Pb) were determined in two tissues (muscle and gonads) of three abundant fish species from different trophic levels (Oligosarcus hepsetus—carnivore, Geophagus brasiliensis—omnivore and Hypostomus luetkeni—detritivore) between November 2002 and April 2003. The aim was to test the hypothesis that the trophic level and the proximity from impacted areas influence levels of contamination and to assess if these species are indicators of large-scale habitat quality. Levels of heavy metals were detected by Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence with Synchrotron Radiation (SR-TXRF) at the Brazilian National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (LNLS). Generally, gonads showed higher metal concentration than muscles, except for Cr. All examined metals, but Cu, exceeded the maximum permitted concentration (mpc) by the Brazilian legislation for human consumption in at least one tissue. O. hepsetus (carnivore) showed the highest contamination levels, followed by G. brasiliensis (omnivore) and H. luetkeni (detritivore). The middle-upper segment, which encompasses large urban areas, showed the highest levels of metal contamination in most cases. O. hepsetus showed the highest levels of contamination in muscles for Pb in the middle-upper river segment (7.98 ± 3.73; mpc = 2.0 μg g−1) and for Cr in the upper (5.53 ± 0.05; mpc = 0.10 μg g−1) and middle-upper (4.20 ± 0.85; mpc = 0.10 μg g−1) segments, which indicates that human population should avoid to consume these fishes species from these segments of the Paraiba do Sul river.

Influences of sex and seasons on levels of heavy metals in tissues of green tiger shrimp ( Penaeus semisulcatus de Hann, 1844)

Seasonal changes in heavy metal (Ag, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Fe, Zn) concentrations in muscle, gill, hepatopancreas and gonad tissues of both male and female green tiger shrimp ( Penaeus semisulcatus) from Iskenderun Bay (Northern East Mediterranean Sea, Turkey) were measured for a year period by using ICP-AES. The relationships in various heavy metal concentrations in organs were compared according to sex and seasons. Heavy metal content varied with type of metals, seasons and sex. Accumulations also differed significantly in certain organs. Metal concentrations (as μg g −1 w.w.) were highest in male gonads whereas lowest in the muscle of all shrimp species. From the human consumption point of view, heavy metal concentrations except for copper in male and female green tiger shrimp’s muscle were below the admissible limits. Thus, precautions should be taken on account of higher content of heavy metals as well as in other organs that could be affected by industrial pollution.

Heavy metal levels in two fish species Leuciscus cephalus and Lepomis gibbosus

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) were measured in muscle, gill and liver of two fish species ( Leuciscus cephalus and Lepomis gibbosus) caught from Saricay, South-West Anatolia. Levels of metals varied depending on different tissues in species. The mean concentrations (μg g −1 wet weight) of heavy metals in tissues of Leucis cephalus were as follows: Cd: 0.010–0.084, Co: nd–0.131, Cu: 0.193–2.611, Fe: 4.240–172.000, Mn: 0.112–24.230, Pb: 0.068–0.874, Zn: 6.350–28.550, and in tissues of Lepomis gibbosus were as follows; Cd: 0.008–0.082, Co: nd–0.233, Cu: 0.065–4.360, Fe: 11.200–125.000, Mn: nd–12.434, Pb: 0.070–0.920, Zn: 6.540–16.064. Ni was not determined in all organs studied. The results show that the metal accumulation in tissues of the both Leuciscus cephalus and Lepomis gibbosus indicates a similar variation between two stations, one of which is located (Saricay-II) after waste water discharging point and the other one (Saricay-I) before. Therefore, we conclude that there is no heavy metal adding source in Saricay-II. In general, the differences between the mean metal concentrations of tissues of two fish species were statistically significant ( p ⩽ 0.05) for most of the measured metals. The concentrations are below the limits for fish proposed by FAO/WHO, EU and Turkish Food Codes and safe within the limits for human consumption in the edible parts of fish species in the region. The results obtained in this study were compared with those reported in earlier studies.