High Levels Of Aluminum Research Articles

Aluminium in human brain tissue from donors without neurodegenerative disease: A comparison with Alzheimer\u2019s disease, multiple sclerosis and autism

A burgeoning number of studies are demonstrating aluminium in human brain tissue. While research has both quantified and imaged aluminium in human brain tissue in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disease there are few similar data for brain tissue from non-neurologically impaired donors. We have used microwave assisted acid digestion and transversely heated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry to measure aluminium in twenty brains from donors without recognisable neurodegenerative disease. The aluminium content of 191 tissue samples was invariably low with over 80% of tissues having an aluminium content below 1.0 μg/g dry weight of tissue. The data for these control tissues were compared with data (measured using identical procedures) for sporadic Alzheimer’s disease, familial Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorder and multiple sclerosis. Detailed statistical analyses showed that aluminium was significantly increased in each of these disease groups compared to control tissues. We have confirmed previous conclusions that the aluminium content of brain tissue in Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorder and multiple sclerosis is significantly elevated. Further research is required to understand the role played by high levels of aluminium in the aetiology of human neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disease.

Nepheline crystallization and the residual glass composition: Understanding waste glass durability

AbstractThe vast majority of High‐Level Waste (HLW) originating from defense nuclear programs is sequestered and immobilized in borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass is universally accepted for immobilizing HLW, but its efficiency has limitations based on the compositional makeup of the waste stream. The chemical durability of the glass is the most important factor in determining the longevity and usefulness of the final glass waste form. The primary detriment to this durability in glasses containing high levels of aluminum is nepheline (NaAlSiO4) crystallization, as it is generally accompanied by a measurable decrease in the glass's chemical durability. This work seeks to understand nepheline crystallization, within the context of thermal history, and to elucidate the influence of compositional shifts in the residual glass (after crystallization) on the measured durability. The results presented within show a distinct deviation in leaching behavior as a function of structural makeup (calculated Q units). This understanding will provide practical information required for broadening glass compositional regions needed to more efficiently vitrify HLW.

Synergistic impacts of co‐occurring invasive grasses cause persistent effects in the soil‐plant system after selective removal

AbstractHuman influence on the environment is so extensive that virtually all ecosystems on the planet are now affected by biological invasions. And, often, ecosystems are invaded by multiple co‐occurring non‐native species. Hence, it is important to understand the impacts these invasions are producing on biodiversity and ecosystem processes.Here, we present results of a 2‐year long field experiment where we tested the effects of co‐occurring invasive C4African grasses in a Cerrado area in central Brazil. We compared plant and arthropod communities, plant biomass, and soil nitrogen dynamics and soil chemical characteristics across five experimental treatments:Urochloa decumbensremoval;Melinis minutifloraremoval; bothU.decumbensandM.minutifloraremoval;U.decumbensandM.minutiflorainvaded plots; and uninvaded Cerrado. We hypothesized that selective removal of invasive grasses would have distinct effects on the native ecosystem structure and functioning. We expected that each invasive grass would produce a different type of impact on the native ecosystem and that their impacts would be synergistic when co‐occurring.Removal ofM.minutifloradoubled native plant diversity and biomass when compared to invaded plots, whereas removal ofU.decumbensdid not alter these parameters. Cerrado plots had four times more plant species than plots cleared of invasives. Removal of invasive grasses did not affect the species richness or community composition of soil epigeal fauna. Cerrado soils had lower fertility, organic matter content and pH than invaded soils. The effects were generally higher when both invasive grasses were removed, suggesting impacts were synergistic, butM.minutiflorahad greater effects on plants and soils thanU.decumbens. Both invasive species produced negative impacts, but a single species was the main driver. We also detected persistent effects of the invasive grass species on the ecosystem after 2 years of removal.We conclude that invasive species of the same functional group have similar types of effects in native ecosystems, but the magnitude of impact was largely dependent on invasive species biomass and cover. Where multiple invasive species are present, research and management of invaded ecosystems should tackle the interacting effects of co‐occurring invaders.

Effect of K2O/Na2O on fusion behavior of coal ash with high silicon and aluminum level

Ash fusion temperatures (AFTs) are widely used for evaluation of fusibility of coal ash for combustion and gasification. K2O and Na2O is regarded as the effective component to enhance the ash fusibility for slag tapping. The combination of K2O and Na2O may enhance the flux efficiency. In this work, the effect of K2O/Na2O mass ratio on fusion behavior of coal ash with high silicon and alumina level was evaluated by the height variation of ash cone during heating. The results showed that AFTs and theoretical fusion range (Tliq-Tini) decreased quickly and then increased slowly as the K2O/Na2O mass ratio in the coal ash was reduced. The sub-liquidus phase changed from mullite into feldspar, which was responsible for change of AFTs. Meanwhile, most of K element occurred in leucite (KAlSi2O6) and the rest existed in nepheline (KAlSiO4), but Na almost existed in nepheline (NaAlSiO4). The competition effect between K2O and Na2O on AFTs was reflected by KAlSiO4/NaAlSiO4 in nepheline, so the SiO2-KAlSi2O6-NaAlSi2O6 ternary phase diagram was constructed, which well explained the variation of AFTs caused by K2O/Na2O mass ratio. Meanwhile, the fusion process was divided into two stages based on variation rate of ash cone height. At first stage, the amount of liquidus phase is limited and the viscosity is high, so only a low shrinkage rate of ash cone exhibits. However, at the second stage, high shrinking rate is caused by not only the rapid increase of slag content but also the sharp decrease of viscosity besides, the addition of K2O/Na2O change ash fusion process from “melting-dissolving” into “softening-melting”.

The Protective effect of Pomegranate and Red Beetroot Juices against Aluminum Toxicity in Brains of Male Rats

The purpose of this work is to investigate the protective effect of pomegranate, red beetroot juices or their mixture on the brain toxicity induced by AlCl3 in rats. Five groups (7 rats each) were used in the experiment; one of them continued feeding on basal diet only during the period of experiment (normal control). Another group was injected daily by AlCl3 beginning from the 14th day and served as positive control while the remaining three groups were treated by pomegranate, red beetroot and their mixture juices from the first day till the end of the experiment and from the 14th day, they were injected by AlCl3 until the end of the experiment. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids, vitamin C and DPPH scavenging activity of pomegranate and red beetroot juices were estimated. The results revealed that the positive group exhibited low levels of growth parameters, hemoglobin, iron and high level of aluminum as compared to normal control, while the treated groups revealed significant improvements in these parameters. Concerning antioxidant parameters, the three treated groups showed significant increases in superoxide dismutase, glutathione and total protein and significant decreases in malondialdehyde and acetylcholine esterase in their serum and brains as compared to positive control. However, the β-amyloid level decreased while RNA and DNA contents increased significantly in brains of the treated rats in comparing with the positive control. The mixture juice exhibited the best protective effect among the three juices against aluminum toxicity, so it is important for those who suffering from aluminum toxicity.

Heavy metals, parasitologic and oxidative stress biomarker investigations in Heterotis niloticus from Lekki Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria

Heavy metal toxicity in aquatic life as a result of human activities poses a grave health threat to water quality, aquatic and human life. Parasites may serve as indicators of heavy metal pollution. This research investigated the health status of the fish Heterotis niloticus viz-a-viz quality of the water and sediments in Lekki lagoon, parasitic infection, presence of heavy metals and oxidative stress response in the liver and intestine of the fish. Parasites recovered were also analyzed for the extent of bioaccumulation of heavy metals. The metals in water, sediments, parasites, and fish were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Heavy metal concentrations in the surface water were generally below regulatory limits of World Health Organization. Sediment had high levels of aluminium (124.78 mg/kg) and iron (327.41 mg/kg); other heavy metals were below regulatory limits. Tenuisentis niloticus, an acanthocephalan, was the only parasite recovered. Seventy (70) out of 100 fish sampled were infected with the parasite. T. niloticus bioaccumulated Cd, Ni, and Pb between 65 to 100 times more than the liver and 12 to 200 times more than the intestine. Other metals bioaccumulated from the host tissues by the parasite had the magnitude between 1 to 12 times as the liver and 1 to 30 times as the intestine. There were significant differences in the activities of antioxidant enzymes between the parasitized and non-parasitized fishes. Fish tissues also showed histological alterations, ranging from mild infiltration of inflammatory cells to moderate inflammation and haemorrhagic lesions. Human activities that introduce stressors into the lagoon should be controlled.

Nutritional Efficiency and Nutrient Acumulation of Maize Cultivated in Soils With High Al-KCl Content

Most Brazilian soils are weathered and acidic, generally with exchangeable aluminum levels toxic to plants. Aluminum content can exceed 10 cmolc kg-1 in certain soils, but does not interfere in plant nutrient absorption, transport and accumulation. This study aimed to assess whether the high aluminum levels extracted with 1 mol L-1 KCl solution affect the nutritional efficiency of maize plants grown in acidic soils in areas of Brazilian states (AC: profile 9, PE, SC and RS) never before cultivated. To that end, two greenhouse experiments were performed (soybean: 45 days and maize: 60 days) with increasing levels of lime (0; 25; 50 and 100% H+Al content). After the experiments and collection, chemical analyses were conducted to characterize the soils and determine the chemical composition of the maize plants. The Al levels did not interfere in maize plants, nutrient absorption, transport, use or accumulation in AC9 and Rosario do Sul (RS) soils, but did affect those cultivated in PE, BR and CB soils in treatments without lime. The absence of Al toxicity is related to the increased concentration and activity of basic cations and P in the soil solution.

Egg White Hydrolysate: A new putative agent to prevent vascular dysfunction in rats following long-term exposure to aluminum

Aluminum (Al) is toxic for humans and animals. Here, we have tested the potential for Egg White Hydrolysate (EWH) to protect against cardiovascular changes in rats exposed to both high and low dietary levels of Al. Indeed, EWH has been previously shown to improve cardio metabolic dysfunctions induced by chronic exposure to heavy metals. Male Wistar rats received orally: Group 1) Low aluminum level (AlCl3 at a dose of 8.3 mg/kg b.w. during 60 days) with or without EWH treatment (1 g/kg/day); Group 2) High aluminum level (AlCl3 at a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w. during 42 days) with or without EWH treatment. After Al treatment, rats co-treated with EWH did not show vascular dysfunction or increased blood pressure as was observed in non EWH-cotreated animals. Indeed, co-treatment with EWH prevented the following effects observed in both aorta and mesenteric arteries: the increased vascular responses to phenylephrine (Phe), the decreased ACh-induced relaxation, the reduction on endothelial modulation of vasoconstrictor responses and the nitric oxide bioavailability, as well as the increased reactive oxygen species production from NAD(P)H oxidase. Altogether, our results suggest that EWH could be used as a protective agent against the harmful vascular effects after long term exposure to Al.

Assessment of Minerals in Phoenix Dactylifera L. as Determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry using ANOVA and PCA

Dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of mankind’s oldest cultivated plants. It is known to be the most important fruit tree particularly in the Middle Eastern and Asian countries due to its natural sources of nutrition. The element composition of 10 commercially available dates and its pit samples purchased from local market were determined and evaluated using multivariate analysis technique. Samples were digested using nitric acid and hydrochloric acid and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium were found to be the major elements in both flesh and pit samples. Comparison between minor elements in both samples showed that the flesh samples contained higher levels of aluminium, barium and selenium while other minor elements were higher in the pit samples. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were performed on multivariate dataset of the flesh and the pit samples separately to observe the relationship between samples

SELEKSI KETAHANAN BEBERAPA KULTIVAR PADI (Oryza sativa L.) LOKAL ASAL KALIMANTAN TIMUR TERHADAP CEKAMAN ALUMINIUM PADA FASE PERKECAMBAHAN

Food security and sovereignty can be realized through the expansion of agricultural land to the marginal lands. One type of marginal land is acidie soils with high levels of aluminum (Al) toxicity. An efficient and environmentally friendly approach to utilizeng acidie soils as agricultural land is by using rice varieties which have a high tolerance to aluminum stress on acidie soils. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aluminum stress on the growth of the local rice from East Kalimantan and to select the tolerant cultivars against aluminum stress at the germination stage. The study was conducted for three months (May-July 2018), at Laboratory of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mulawarman, Samarinda. This study used a Split Plot Design with three replications. As the main plot was Aluminum stress concentration (A) consisting of 3 levels, namely 0, 250 and 500 ppm of AlCl3 and as subplots were 25 rice genotypes, consisting of 23 local rice cultivars from East Kalimantan (V) and two genotypes as tolerant (Mekongga) and sensitive (IR64) controls. Assessment of aluminum tolerance level was carried out by calculating plant sensitivity index values against aluminum stress based on the Relative Root Growth (RRG) and Relative Shoot Growth (SRG) parameters. Other plant growth parameter data, root and shoot fresh and dry weight, were analyzed using analysis of variance at the test level α = 0.05, and the post-hoch test using Honestly Significant Difference test (HSD). Aluminum stress caused disruption of the East Kalimantan local rice cultivars growth, especially root growth. Aluminum concentration at either 250 ppm or 500 ppm reduced relative root growth and further damage the root system of the rice plants causing roots stunted and thickened. Likewise with shoot growth parameter, there was a relative shoot growth decline due to the aluminum stress on the plants. Two local rice cultivars of East Kalimantan, Pulut Mayang and Pulut Linjuang, were consistently tolerant to aluminum stress either in 250 ppm or 500 ppm of AlCl3; while Kawit, Bentian, Mayas Putih and Ketan putih cultivars were only classified as tolerant at a concentration of 250 ppm aluminum. On the other hand, a control sensitive variety IR64 showed the susceptibility to 250 and 500 ppm aluminum stress.

Characterisation of aluminium release by the enFlow® fluid-warming system in crystalloids and blood products.

The use of uncoated aluminium-heated plates in an intravenous fluid-warming system has been shown to produce high levels of aluminium in Sterofundin 1/1E, a balanced crystalloid solution. However, the effect of this fluid-warming device on other balanced crystalloid solutions and blood products has not been studied. Using mass spectrometry we measured aluminium levels in Plasma-Lyte 148, compound sodium lactate solution, 4% human albumin solution, expired resuspended packed red cells and fresh frozen plasma that were pumped through an enFlow® fluid-warming system at 2ml.min-1 . Samples were taken at baseline before heating and then at 10-min intervals up to 60min with the system set to warm the fluids to 40°C. High concentrations of aluminium were found for Plasma-Lyte 148 and compound sodium lactate solutions (mean (SD) 223 (0.6) μmol.l-1 and 163 (0.2) μmol.l-1 at 60min, respectively); both concentrations were significantly greater than the United States Food and Drug Administration recommended maximum limit for aluminium in intravenous nutrition of 25μg.l-1 (0.9 μmol.l-1 ). Lower aluminium levels were found in 4% human albumin solutions, expired resuspended red cells and fresh frozen plasma at 60min (mean (SD) 5.7 (0.1) μmol.l-1 , 2.7 (0.0) μmol.l-1 and 2.3 (0.4) μmol.l-1 , respectively). The process allowing addition of aluminium to be added to Sterofundin 1/1E by the enFlow fluid warmer also occurs in Plasma-Lyte 148 and compound sodium lactate solutions and to a lesser degree in blood products. The exact mechanism facilitating this process and its clinical significance remain unclear.

MODELING OF COMBINED EFFECTS OF THE EXPOSURE TO CHEMICALS (ALUMINUM) AND REGULATORY IMMUNE AND ENDOCRINE FACTORS IN RESEARCH ON CYTOKINES PRODUCTION IN EXPERIMENTS IN VITRO

Introduction. Analysis of individual components of the network of regulatory neuroendocrine and immune interactions, as well as their possible combination with the use of mathematical modeling technology, makes it possible to identify the likely consequences of the negative impact of man-made environmental factors on public health and to determine optimal strategies for reducing morbidity. The aim of the work is to simulate cytokines production in vitro under the combined effect of chemical factors (aluminium) and regulatory immune and endocrine mediators. Material and methods. The experiment was performed on peripheral blood samples of healthy donors (n=68). An immune cell suspension was used, isolated by centrifugation in a ficoll-verografin density gradient. Viral load modeling was performed with a complex mitogen. The following factors were used: IL-1 β, cortisol, aluminum. The concentration of cytokines IL-8, IL-10, IL-17 was determined by enzyme immunoassay. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 6.0. Results. A significant change in the production of IL-8 and IL-10 was found in groups with different levels of experimental IL-1 exposure. The combined effect of IL-1 and high levels of cortisol and aluminum increased the levels of IL-8 and IL-10. In the study of the production of IL-17 inhibitory effects with increasing concentrations of IL-1 were revealed. The nonlinear equations of the concentrations dependences of the studied cytokines on the content of IL-1, cortisol and aluminum were determined with checking the models adequacy to the experimental data by the method of dispersion analysis. Discussion. The study of characteristics of the changes in immune cytokine mediators under the influence of physiological and chemical factors has revealed the interaction mechanism of a specific chemical environment and immune-endocrine regulation system components during the course of immunological processes in the body. Conclusion. The results of the study showed interrelations in the system of cytokine immune mediators associated with the increased production of IL-8 and IL-10 and a decrease in IL-17 under conditions of increasing concentrations of IL-1, as well as with the combined effect of cortisol and aluminum. Mathematical modeling has determined the nonlinear nature of the identified patterns.

Evaluation of the raw water quality: physicochemical and toxicological approaches.

Environmental degradation has increased, mainly as a result of anthropogenic effects arising from population, industrial and agricultural growth. Water pollution is a problem that affects health, safety and welfare of the whole biota which shares the same environment. In Goiânia and metropolitan region, the main water body is the Meia Ponte River that is used for the abstraction of water, disposal of treated wastewater and effluents. In addition, this river receives wastewater from urban and rural areas. The aim in this present study was to evaluate the quality of raw water by some physical, chemical and toxicological tests. The physicochemical results found high levels of turbidity, conductivity, aluminum, phosphorus and metal iron, manganese, copper and lithium when compared to the standards of the Brazilian legislation. The values found of toxicity demonstrated a high degree of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Therefore, it was concluded that the Meia Ponte River has been undergoing constant environmental degradation, causing the poor quality of its waters. Thus, measures for the prevention and recovery should be adopted for the maintenance of the Meia Ponte River.

Hydrochemical characterization of groundwater in the Nekor basin located in the North-East of the Rif of Morocco

In order to evaluate the physicochemical quality of the groundwater of the Nekor watershed (central Rif area in Morocco) and to explain the origin of the mineralization of these waters, we have analyzed the major elements and traces in water samples taken from 17 wells distributed along the basin. This study showed that the samples of water are very charged with a very important mineralization (≥ 1500 mg / l). The Piper diagram allowed us to define dominant Ca-SO4 or Mg-SO4 hydrochemical facies in upstream of the basin. In downstream of the basin Na-SO4 or Na-Cl is the dominant facies. The analyzes of the trace elements show very high levels of manganese, aluminum and iron with contents exceeding those set by the WHO recommendations.The geochemical study shows that the water-rock interaction is predominant in the aquifer. The water saturation indices indicate that these waters are supersaturated in carbonate minerals.The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the analysis of the reports of the major elements allowed us the classification of the waters and the determination of the correlation between the various parameters. Two major phenomena in the acquisition of mineralization of water have been put in evidence. The main phenomenon is the dissolution of the rock by the contact water rock due to the important residence time in the aquifer. The second phenomenon is associated to the supply of nutrients and therefore with the exchange and recharge of the aquifer. The use of hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) technique revealed three homogeneous groups.

Aluminium and fluoride in drinking water in relation to later dementia risk.

Environmental risk factors for dementia are poorly understood. Aluminium and fluorine in drinking water have been linked with dementia but uncertainties remain about this relationship. In the largest longitudinal study in this context, we set out to explore the individual effect of aluminium and fluoride in drinking water on dementia risk and, as fluorine can increase absorption of aluminium, we also examine any synergistic influence on dementia. We used Cox models to investigate the association between mean aluminium and fluoride levels in drinking water at their residential location (collected 2005-2012 by the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland) with dementia in members of the Scottish Mental Survey 1932 cohort who were alive in 2005. A total of 1972 out of 6990 individuals developed dementia by the linkage date in 2012. Dementia risk was raised with increasing mean aluminium levels in women (hazard ratio per s.d. increase 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.15, P < 0.001) and men (1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.21, P = 0.004). A dose-response pattern of association was observed between mean fluoride levels and dementia in women (1.34, 95% CI 1.28-1.41, P < 0.001) and men (1.30, 95% CI 1.22-1.39, P < 0.001), with dementia risk more than doubled in the highest quartile compared with the lowest. There was no statistical interaction between aluminium and fluoride levels in relation with dementia. Higher levels of aluminium and fluoride were related to dementia risk in a population of men and women who consumed relatively low drinking-water levels of both.

Aluminium release by coated and uncoated fluid-warming devices.

The use of fluid-warming systems is recommended for infusion rates >500ml.h-1 to avoid peri-operative hypothermia. Some fluid-warming devices use disposable aluminium-heated plates for heat transfer, but there is no protective coating to separate the fluid from the heated aluminium surface. It is unknown if this could promote release of aluminium into infusion fluids. We investigated a coated (Fluido compact) and an uncoated (enFlow) fluid-warming device using normal saline or balanced electrolyte solution as infusion fluids, pumped through the heated disposables at flow rates of 2, 4 and 8ml.min-1 for 60min each. Aluminium concentrations in the fluid samples were analysed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. With saline the coated and uncoated devices yielded aluminium concentrations below the level of quantification (<128μg.l-1 ). Similarly, balanced electrolyte solution in the coated device yielded aluminium concentrations <128μg.l-1 . However, balanced electrolyte solution in the uncoated device yielded aluminium concentrations of up to 6794 (3465-8002 [1868-7421]) μg.l-1 . Repeating this last study at a flow rate of 2ml.min-1 resulted in quite high aluminium concentrations when the uncoated device was not heated (~1000μg.l-1 ) and higher concentrations after the device was heated. We conclude that using uncoated aluminium plates in fluid-warming systems can lead to a risk of administering potentially harmful concentrations of aluminium when balanced crystalloid solutions are used. The mechanism is unclear, but heat is in part involved. Coating for aluminium within medical devices in direct contact with infusion fluids should be recommended.

Egg White Hydrolysate as a functional food ingredient to prevent cognitive dysfunction in rats following long-term exposure to aluminum

Aluminum (Al), which is omnipresent in human life, is a potent neurotoxin. Here, we have tested the potential for Egg White Hydrolysate (EWH) to protect against changes in cognitive function in rats exposed to both high and low levels of Al. Indeed, EWH has been previously shown to improve the negative effects induced by chronic exposure to heavy metals. Male Wistar rats received orally: Group 1) Low aluminum level (AlCl3 at a dose of 8.3 mg/kg b.w. during 60 days) with or without EWH treatment (1 g/kg/day); Group 2) High aluminum level (AlCl3 at a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w. during 42 days) with or without EWH treatment (1 g/kg/day). After 60 or 42 days of exposure, rats exposed to Al and EWH did not show memory or cognitive dysfunction as was observed in Al-treated animals. Indeed, co-treatment with EWH prevented catalepsy, hippocampal oxidative stress, cholinergic dysfunction and increased number of activated microglia and COX-2-positive cells induced by Al exposure. Altogether, since hippocampal inflammation and oxidative damage were partially prevented by EWH, our results suggest that it could be used as a protective agent against the detrimental effects of long term exposure to Al.

Concentrations of Thirteen Trace Metals in Scales of Three Nototheniid Fishes from Antarctica (James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula).

In this study, we assessed concentrations of 13 trace metals in the scales of Notothenia coriiceps, Trematomus bernacchii and Gobionotothen gibberifrons caught off the coast of James Ross Island (Antarctic Peninsula). Overall, our results for scales broadly match those of previous studies using different fish and different organs, with most metals found at trace levels and manganese, aluminium, iron and zinc occurring at high levels in all species. This suggests that scales can serve as a useful, non-invasive bioindicator of long-term contamination in Antarctic fishes. High accumulation of manganese, aluminium, iron and zinc is largely due to high levels in sediments associated with nearby active volcanic sites. Manganese, vanadium and aluminium showed significant positive bioaccumulation in T. bernacchii (along with non-significant positive accumulation of iron, zinc, cobalt and chromium), most likely due to greater dietary specialisation on sediment feeding benthic prey and higher trophic species. Levels of significance in bioaccumulation regressions were strongly affected by large-scale variation in the data, driven largely by individual differences in diet and/or changes in habitat use and sex differences associated with life stage and reproductive status. Increased levels of both airborne deposition and precipitation and meltwater runoff associated with climate change may be further adding to the already high levels of manganese, aluminium, iron and zinc in Antarctic Peninsula sediments. Further long-term studies are encouraged to elucidate mechanisms of uptake (especially for aluminium and iron) and possible intra- and interspecific impacts of climate change on the delicate Antarctic food web.

Genesis and Classification of Nitisols from Volcano-Sedimentary Lithology in Northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT On the southern coast of Pernambuco State (PE), Brazil, lithotypes of the Cabo Basin (volcanic and sedimentary rocks), in association with the relief, allow the determination of the dynamics of the formation of Nitossolos Haplicos (Nitisols), including those with high levels of exchangeable aluminum. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of lithological diversity (basalt and sedimentary siliciclastic rocks) on the morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of Nitossolos Haplicos along a slope (P1-summit, P2-backslope, P3-footslope) [...]

Analytical Groundwater Contamination by Heavy Metals

Heavy metals contamination Sources are released into the environment by both natural and anthropogenic sources, industrial activities, especially mining and automobile exhausts (for lead), where are washed away by run-off into surface waters, thereby resulting in soil pollution and subsequently groundwater pollution. The main aim of this paper is to determine the levels/concentration of some heavy metals such as (Copper(Cu 2+ ), Cadmium(Cd2+), Selenium(Se 4+ ), Mercury(Hg 2+ ), Arsenic(Ar 2+ ), Lead(Pb 2+ ), Zinc(Zn 2+ ), Cyanide(CN - ), Aluminum(Al 3+) and Boron(B 3+ )) in groundwater of Dhamar basin and to compare the result obtained with (WHO) standards. The obtained result of more samples showed that ((Copper(Cu 2+ ), Cadmium(Cd2+), Selenium(Se 4+ ), Mercury(Hg 2+ ), Arsenic(Ar 2+ ), Lead(Pb 2+ ), Zinc(Zn 2+ ), Cyanide(CN - )) were within the permissible limit except one water sample (Well 4). the contamination of the last one is due to the effluent of Dhamar WWTP. On the other hand, a high concentration level of Aluminum(Al3+) and Boron(B3+) is found in all samples were higher than the permissible limit set by WHO. The obtained results show that all water samples are potable and can be safely used for both drinking except one water sample (Well 4(.