Levels Of Heavy Metals Research Articles

Contamination risk by heavy metals and enzymatic stoichiometry in agricultural soils under intense use of pesticides.

Soil contamination by heavy metals (HM) from pesticides poses a serious environmental threat, affecting sustainability and agricultural productivity. Soil enzymes are essential for biochemical reactions such as organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling and are vital for maintaining soil health. However, the effects of HM on soil enzyme activity are not yet well understood. This study examined the impact of HM contamination on enzymatic stoichiometry in regions with intensive pesticide use. We selected flower cultivation areas with 5years (CA1) and 10years (CA2) of pesticide exposure and a native forest area (NFA) as a reference during the dry and rainy seasons. We measured Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn levels and employed ecological risk indices to assess contamination levels. We also analyzed enzyme activities (arylsulfatase, β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase, urease) and enzymatic stoichiometry. CA2 exhibited the highest concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Mn in both periods, while Zn was highest in both CA1 and CA2. CA2 had higher values for all indices, indicating significant contamination. Compared with NFA, arylsulfatase activity was lower in cultivated areas during both periods, suggesting decreased soil quality. We found negative correlations between Cu, Mn, Zn, and arylsulfatase, as well as a reduction in urease with Cd; these elements also increased microbial C limitation. Our findings show that continuous pesticide input increases HM levels and that enzyme activity and stoichiometry are effective bioindicator of soil contamination. This study underscores the urgent need for guidelines to protect soils from prolonged HM buildup.

Impact of agricultural inputs on the abundance of heavy metals (Cu, Zn) in soil, water, and plants in the south of Algeria

he aim of our study is to assess the impact of agricultural inputs on the levels of heavy metals, specifically copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in soil, water, and plants in the oasis of El Ghrous, Branis, and Sidi Okba in Algeria. The existence of perilous substances in the surroundings is a significant ecological issue, endangering both human well-being and agricultural output. The overuse of fertilizers and pesticides may be causing heavy metals build-up. The aim will be to highlight a better understanding of the concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), considering as detrimental contaminants, after extensive utilization of agricultural inputs. In order to examine the levels of trace metals (TMs), we performed additional tests by comparing field samples using metal analysis techniques that involved ammonium acetate and EDTA, and detection by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Our findings suggest that in soils affected by fertilizers and phytosanitary agents, the concentrations of Cu++ and Zn++ are below levels that would cause toxicity. Indeed, the levels of Cu++ are measured at 6.14 µg/g and the levels of Zn++ are measured at 4.97 µg/g. Nevertheless, the copper contents in irrigation waters from sites 01 and 02 beyond the levels that are considered dangerous. Similarly, copper levels in plants are categorized as hazardous. The findings emphasize the significance of implementing integrated pest management strategies in order to reduce the negative consequences of excessive use of agricultural inputs. Additionally, our study imposes the need to closely monitoring agricultural practices in order to mitigate environmental and public health hazards. Implementing sustainable farming practices and employing effective resource management strategies is crucial for safeguarding agricultural ecosystems and guaranteeing sustainable food production in the long run. Adopting an all-encompassing strategy is crucial for preserving the well-being of both the ecosystem and the populace.

Characterization of Heavy Metal and Physico-chemical Profiling of Sewage Water Soil in Jaipur District, Rajasthan, India

Jaipur is the capital state of Rajasthan. During the year 2021, District Jaipur of 3 blocks (Chomu, Sanganer, and Shahpura) in 9 villages [Keshav Nagar (V1), Morija (V2), Nindola (V3), Goner (V4), Shrikishanpura (V5), Durgapura (V6), Shivpuri (V7), Manoharpur (V8), Nwalpura (V9)] were selected for estimation of physico-chemical properties and Heavy metal contamination in severage channels. A total of 9 samples were collected from 9 villages sewerage channels. This study aimed to analyze the physico-chemical properties of agricultural soil and irrigation water in three blocks of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The findings revealed significant variations in the physico-chemical properties of the agricultural soil and water in Chomu, Sanganer, and Shahpura. Standard methods were employed to assess the physico-chemical characteristics of soil samples contaminated with sewerage effluents in these regions, which exhibited considerable diversity. The pH levels of the soil samples were predominantly slightly acidic and alkaline ranging from 6.22 to 7.31. Electrical conductivity values varied between 0.41 to 0.62 mmhos/cm. The percentages of organic matter and organic carbon in the soil samples ranged from 0.17% to 0.25% and 0.29% to 0.43%, respectively. Additionally, the analysis included heavy metals such as zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu). The soil samples were found to contain elevated levels of heavy metals, surpassing the permissible limits. The discharge of sewerage effluent into the environment, primarily originating from the textile industry, house, etc. constitutes are major source of pollution that can adversely impact the local flora and fauna. Therefore, it is imperative to implement effluent treatment measures before their release into the environment.

Distribution of Heavy Metals in the Surrounding Mining Region of Kizhnica in Kosovo

This study investigated the distribution of heavy metals in agricultural soils in the vicinity of three large mining landfills of the Kizhnica mine in the Republic of Kosovo. The mining sector is one of the most important sectors of Kosovo’s economic development, and the Kizhnica mine is one of the most important ore producers in Kosovo. Besides the positive aspects, the development of production also has some negative side effects, such as the generation of industrial waste and the possible contamination of surrounding areas, including agricultural land. Therefore, ten sampling sites were selected in the vicinity of the Kizhnica mine. These sites were characterized and assessed as the most important due to the anthropogenic impact of mineral processing and open-tailing waste deposits in Kizhnica. The concentration of Pb, Zn, Cu, As, Cd, Ni, Mn and Sb in the selected samples was determined using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. The data obtained were used to create geochemical maps and calculate the contamination factor, pollution load index and geoaccumulation index. Cluster analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient and air spatial distribution patterns using the air dispersion model were used to evaluate within the area. The results showed that heavy metal levels are influenced by the anthropogenic nature of pollution, confirming a current ecological threat from mining activities in the region. In order to improve waste management, reduce the hazardous impacts of mining and contribute to the sustainable development of the region, the potential reuse of the deposited waste material in the construction industry is proposed.

Fungal community determines soil multifunctionality during vegetation restoration in metallic tailing reservoir

Microorganisms are pivotal in sustaining soil functions, yet the specific contributions of bacterial and fungal succession on the functions during vegetation restoration in metallic tailing reservoirs remains elusive. Here, we explored bacterial and fungal succession and their impacts on soil multifunctionality along a ∼50-year vegetation restoration chronosequence in China’s largest vanadium titano-magnetite tailing reservoir. We found a significant increase in soil multifunctionality, an index comprising factors pertinent to soil fertility and microbially mediated nutrient cycling, along the chronosequence. Despite increasing heavy metal levels, both bacterial and fungal communities exhibited significant increase in richness and network complexity over time. However, fungi demonstrated a slower succession rate and more consistent composition than bacteria, indicating their relatively higher resilience to environmental changes. Soil multifunctionality was intimately linked to bacterial and fungal richness or complexity. Nevertheless, when scrutinizing both richness and complexity concurrently, the correlations disappeared for bacteria but remained robust for fungi. This persistence reveals the critical role of the fungal community resilience in sustaining soil multifunctionality, particularly through their stable interactions with powerful core taxa. Our findings highlight the importance of fungal succession in enhancing soil multifunctionality during vegetation restoration in metallic tailing reservoirs, and manipulating fungal community may expedite ecological recovery of areas polluted with heavy metals.

Soil quality and heavy metal contamination in an open dumpsite in Navrongo, Ghana.

The increasing proximity of the Dudumbia dumpsite, an open dumpsite in Navrongo, Ghana, to human settlements necessitates an investigation of the soil quality to safeguard the environment from heavy metal toxicity. This study examined the impact of waste dumping activities on the physicochemical properties of the soil, as well as the level of heavy metal (Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, As, Hg, Cu, Mn, and Zn) contamination and associated risks. Various contamination and risk assessment tools were used, including the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk (Er), and potential ecological risk index (PERI). The study found significant improvements in notable soil attributes such as phosphorus (P), organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na), and effective cation exchange capacity, with percentage increases ranging from 50.8 to 2078.3%. Igeo values ranged from 2.07 to 6.20, indicating contamination levels from moderate to extreme. The PLI and PERI values were 16.241 and 1810, respectively. The Er values for the heavy metals ranged from 36 to 607, indicating ecological risk levels from low to very high, with Cd and Hg posing very high risks. These results suggest that while the dumpsite soil shows improvements in some characteristics favourable for plant cultivation, waste dumping significantly contributes to heavy metal contamination. The soil at the dumpsite is deteriorated and poses significant health risks, particularly due to Cd and Hg. Therefore, remediation efforts should prioritise mitigating the risks posed by Cd and Hg.

Improved mapping of heavy metals in agricultural soils using machine learning augmented with spatial regionalization indices

The accurate spatial mapping of heavy metal levels in agricultural soils is crucial for environmental management and food security. However, the inherent limitations of traditional interpolation methods and emerging machine-learning techniques restrict their spatial prediction accuracy. This study aimed to refine the spatial prediction of heavy metal distributions in Guangxi, China, by integrating machine learning models and spatial regionalization indices (SRIs). The results demonstrated that random forest (RF) models incorporating SRIs outperformed artificial neural network and support vector regression models, achieving R2 values exceeding 0.96 for eight heavy metals on the test data. Hierarchical clustering for feature selection further improved the model performance. The optimized RF models accurately predicted the heavy metal distributions in agricultural soils across the province, revealing higher levels in the central-western regions and lower levels in the north and south. Notably, the models identified that 25.78 % of agricultural soils constitute hotspots with multiple co-occurring heavy metals, and over 6.41 million people are exposed to excessive soil heavy metal levels. Our findings provide valuable insights for the development of targeted strategies for soil pollution control and agricultural soil management to safeguard food security and public health.

Current state, sources, and potential risk of heavy metals in sediments of typical inner lakes in the Dongting Lake Area

The region has been increasingly experiencing environmental issues related to heavy metals (HMs) due to human activities. However, the contamination levels of HMs (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in various inner lakes in the Dongting Lake area remain unclear. In this study, surface sediment samples from 9 inner lakes and sediment core samples from 3 typical inner lakes were collected to evaluate the spatial distribution, contamination status, environmental and ecological risks, and possible sources of these HMs. The results showed that all HMs, except Zn, exceeded background values, with particularly high levels observed in aquaculture lakes compared to other lakes. Vertical profiles of HMs from 3 lakes show that the various types of lakes in the study area have different pollution histories. Additionally, results from Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), Contamination factor (CF), Geo-accumulation index method (Igeo), and Hakanson potential ecological risk index (PERI) indicated that As, Cd, and Pb are the primary pollutants. The multivariate analysis concluded that Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb had anthropogenic sources, primarily from agricultural, fisheries, industrial, and transportation activities, while Cr was influenced by natural factors. The results of this study enhance our understanding of sedimentary metal content in inner lakes and emphasize the importance of controlling HMs content in these lakes. This information is crucial for developing effective lake management and pollution control strategies.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Heavy Metals (Cadmium, Arsenic, and Lead) and Metallothionein in Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological disorders. Metals are important for the maintenance and preservation of homeostasis and dysregulated metal homeostasis has an impact on neurodegeneration. Environmental factors are considered to contribute to MS risk and progression. Heavy metals such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) are widely found in the environment and because of their toxic nature, they pose a great danger to human health. Metallothioneins (MTs) play important roles in metal homeostasis and detoxification of heavy metals. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between levels of heavy metals (As, Cd, and Pb) andMT levels in MS patients and also to assess the oxidative stress status of patients. Fifty subjects (20 healthy subjects and 30 MS patients) were included. Demographic characteristics of the patients, plasma MT levels, blood Cd, As, and Pb levels, as well as iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) levels, were determined. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were investigated as a marker of oxidative stress. MT levels were slightly higher in the MS group (p > 0.05). As Cd and Pb levels were significantly higher in the control subjects. MDA levels were significantly higher in MS patients. Our results support the relevance of MT and MDA levels in MS. Further clinical studies with larger cohorts will provide more insights into these factors.

Investigating heavy metal concentrations in sea snakes (Elapidae: Hydrophiinae) as an outcome of oil spill exposure

This study reports the concentration of heavy metals in the tissues of stranded sea snakes that died as a result of exposure to an oil spill on the eastern coast of Sharjah, UAE. Given the limited occurrence of stranded sea snakes observed along Sharjah's eastern coast outside this spill incident, we are using strandings collected from the nearby Arabian Gulf coast of Sharjah to compare the levels of heavy metals in sea snakes affected by the oil spill against their non-oiled counterparts. The sample comprised 14 Arabian Gulf Coral Reef Sea Snakes (Hydrophis lapemoides), 6 Yellow-bellied Sea Snakes (Hydrophis platurus), and 4 Yellow Sea Snakes (Hydrophis spiralis). Overall, our results show significantly higher concentrations of Al, Cd, Pb, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn in sea snakes that were mired in oil.

Examining temporal trends in heavy metal levels to analyze sediment pollution dynamics in the Saida urban watershed (N-W Algeria).

The study focuses on current pollution in the Saïda basin, a semi-arid region in north-western Algeria. By analyzing sediments, the study provides interesting results on urban pollution and its environmental impact. The research consists of two main phases, each addressing different aspects of pollution. In the first phase, different pollution indicators are used to analyze heavy metals and organic pollutants in urban drainage sediments. The results are compared with sediment quality guidelines, regulatory thresholds, and local and international references. Most of the metallic contaminants exceed the toxicity levels established by the continental crust and sediment quality guidelines, suggesting an anthropogenic origin. In addition, contamination indices show significant accumulation. In this context, the results highlight the importance of accumulation and transport processes in urban sediments. Hydrological parameters significantly influence heavy metal distribution mechanisms. Remarkable variations between copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) suggest a combined or singular source during transport. Conversely, chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and iron (Fe) are mainly derived from natural lithological sources. Cadmium (Cd) is associated with anthropogenic sources related to the agricultural use of phosphate fertilizers, whereas zinc (Zn) is mainly derived from physical corrosion processes. In the second phase, a combined descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis examines the mobility and distribution of heavy metals and their relationships with organic matter (OM) over time. Pronounced temporal variations in Cd, Zn, and Cu concentrations are attributed to human activities. Strong correlations exist between OM and cobalt (Co), Cu and Pb, confirming the ability of OM to adsorb these metals under specific geochemical conditions associated with waste disposal. Conversely, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Ni show weak or negative correlations with OM, suggesting diverse sources, including potential agricultural, industrial, and natural origins. The dendrogram confirms the existence of previously identified contaminant groups, suggesting common sources and potential co-occurrence patterns. This analysis highlights the role of the drainage network as a physico-chemical reactor in the mobilization of contaminants. It underlines the importance of sediment interactions in urban pollution processes. Finally, recommendations are proposed to ensure effective pollution control and remediation. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Useful information on pollution and its environmental impact is provided by the analysis of sediments in the urban basin of Saida (NW-Algeria). The results of this study indicate high levels of heavy metals in the sediments, in excess of toxicity limits, and evidence of anthropogenic sources. Temporal variations in metal concentrations indicate the influence of human activities. The study has made it possible to identify the sources, to understand the mobility and distribution, and to control the contamination by heavy metals in the urban sediments. Drainage system serves as a pathway for dispersing contaminants.

WITHDRAWN: Elemental content and safety evaluation of wild-harvested Australian abalone (Haliotis spp.) viscera: addressing safety concerns in food waste upcycling.

Abalone viscera has shown to be a valuable human nutraceutical, yet the food safety considerations of consuming whole abalone viscera have been largely overlooked. Hence, this research was conducted to investigate and evaluate elemental compositions and safety of it. The elemental data was compared to international food safety regulations and evaluated using the USEPA hazard index (HI) equation and HI-derived estimated upper limit (EDUL) equation, which EDUL allows comparison of novel foods with a large variety of similar existing products. To further demonstrate that food safety of upcycled food could be improved with simple processing, a risk mitigation trial was conducted. The results indicated that whilst heavy metal levels (mg/kg) and HI were shown to reach unsatisfactory food safety levels, this exceedance was likely caused by overestimation in daily consumption. The EDUL results supported this explanation and demonstrated that abalone viscera posed no safety concern even when eaten in quantities similar to common shellfish. The risk mitigation trial was as well successful, demonstrating up to 32 % reduction in HI. The findings identified options to evaluate and improve safety of novel food and can be a case study to evaluate, understand and overcome food safety challenges in other upcycled food.

Assessment and characterization of solid and hazardous waste from inorganic chemical industry: Potential for energy recovery and environmental sustainability

Rapid global urbanization and economic growth have significantly increased solid waste volumes, with hazardous waste posing substantial health and environmental risks. Co-processing strategies for industrial solid and hazardous waste as alternative fuels highlight the importance of integrated waste management for energy and material recovery. This study identifies and characterizes solid and hazardous industrial wastes with high calorific values from various industrial processes at Nirma Industries Limited. Nine types of combustible industrial wastes were analyzed: discarded containers (W1), plastic waste (W2), spent ion exchange resins from RO plants (W3), sludge from effluent treatment in soap plants (W4), glycerine foot from soap plants (W5), rock wool puff material (W6), fiber-reinforced plastic waste (W7), spent activated carbon (W8), and spent cartridges from reverse osmosis plants (W9). Physical characterization, proximate and ultimate analysis, heavy metal concentration evaluation, and thermogravimetric analysis were conducted to assess their properties, revealing high calorific values exceeding 2500 kcal/kg. Notably, W1 and W2 exhibited the highest calorific values (∼10,870 kcal/kg), followed by W6 and W8 (∼6000 kcal/kg) and W9 (∼8727 kcal/kg). Safe heavy metal levels are safe, and high calorific values support the prospects of energy recovery and economic and environmental benefits, reducing landfill reliance and enhancing sustainable waste management.

Health Risk Assessment of Exposure to Heavy Metals in Wheat Flour from Iran Markets: Application of Monte Carlo Simulation Approach.

The significance of flour in the Iranian diet underscores the need to ensure its safety from chemical pollutants. This study aimed to evaluate the potential health risks posed by certain heavy metals, such as Fe, Zn, Cu, Al, Co, Hg, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd, in wheat flour available in the Iranian market. A total of 248 flour samples were collected from 11 provinces in Iran during the winter of 2021. The health risks associated with heavy metals in children and adults were evaluated using USEPA health risk assessment guidance for superfund part A and Monte Carlo Simulation. The average concentration of Fe, Zn, Cu, Al, Co, Hg, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd, was equal to 30.62 ± 59.24, 4.94 ± 13.64, 1.24 ± 3.08, 2.85 ± 4.98, 0.03 ± 0.01, 0.12 ± 0.03, 1.42 ± 1, 0.23 ± 0.05, 1.71 ± 0.65, and 0.02 ± 0.004mg/kg dry weight, respectively. Analysis of Fe, Cr, Al, Hg and Cr in all flour samples showed that the average concentration of these metals were greater than the standards levels set by the WHO/FAO. The results of the non-carcinogenic risks (HI) showed that the hazard index values (children: 0.969 ± 1.04, adult: 0.837 ± 0.905) of heavy metals through the consumption of flour to both study population were acceptable. The results of the carcinogenic risks (CR) based on Cd, and Pb concentration showed that the CR values from ingestion of flour to the children and adults population were 1.45 × 10-5 ± 5.08 × 10-5 and 1.26 × 10-5 ± 4.40 × 10-5, respectively. The results of Monte Carlo simulation showed that conventional deterministic health risk evaluation could overestimate risk outcomes. Likewise, Cr has 68.8% and 69.1% probability of non-carcinogenic risk to children and adult, respectively, and 80% and 79.8% probability of CR for adults and children respectively for Pb, suggesting that Cr and Pb is a priority control heavy metals. Therefore, it is recommended to continuously monitor the levels of heavy metals in wheat and its derived food products to ensure food safety.

Unveiling Heavy Metal Pollution in Soils and Rice Crops (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivation

The landscape changes through the increasing built-up areas (settlements and industrial) have a potential impact on reducing the quality of agricultural land. Waste from anthropogenic activities (industrial and domestic) is the main source of heavy metals that can affect rice production in the fields. This study examines the quality changes of paddy fields (Oryza sativa L.) polluted by wastewater in Muara Bakti Village, Bekasi Regency. Wastewater's impact on paddy fields is known through heavy metal contamination analysis in soil and rice plants. Chemical analysis of soil, water and plants was completed by the Balai Penelitian Tanaman Sayuran (Balitsa) Laboratory, West Bandung. The results showed that heavy metal levels such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in the paddy soil samples were above the threshold in soil, respectively more than 25 mg/l and 0.01 mg/l. In contrast, the rice plant samples, it was identified as containing heavy metals such as Cd and chromium (Cr). Pb content was not detected in the rice plants. Soil in Muara Bakti Village contained optimal nutrients that are still suitable for agriculture. However, heavy metal content detected in soil samples and rice plants requires special handling to prevent endangering the agroecosystem and human health. Keywords: Agroecosystem, Heavy metals, Paddy fields, Soil pollution, Waste

Development of a multiple-biomarker approach using the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis for marine pollution monitoring: a case study in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

Pollutants often exist as mixtures in environmental settings, creating a challenge in selecting the most effective combination of biomarkers for routine monitoring. This study was conducted seasonally in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, to compare the responses of nine biomarkers in the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis with respect to its tissue levels of persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals. Multivariate statistical techniques were utilised to determine the single best predictor and optimal subset of biomarkers in P. viridis for each of the four scenarios: representing overall biomarker responses in the dry season, and wet season, as well as correlating tissue levels of mixed pollutants in the dry season, and wet season. Our findings recommend lysosomal destabilisation, and the nucleic acid ratio of RNA to DNA, as the core biomarkers in P. viridis for marine pollution monitoring. The non-specificity of these biomarkers allows effective identification of pollution hotspots and guides further detailed assessment.

Evaluation of heavy metal contamination in selected rivers of Kakheti

Water pollution is a significant ecotoxicological problem for the environment. Various toxic compounds discharged into water bodies disrupt the ecosystem's balance, reduce or completely destroy the self-cleaning ability of rivers, and decrease biodiversity. Priority pollutants include heavy metals, whose increased presence in the environment is particularly dangerous to human health. The paper presents the ecochemical condition of two rivers in Georgia: the Turdo River and the Didkhevi River. Water analyses were performed using modern methods and equipment that meet European standards. Based on the results of hydrochemical analyses, it was concluded that the levels of heavy metals—specifically cadmium and copper—have increased to their maximum permissible concentrations in these natural waters. The Didkhevi River was found to be more polluted, with recorded cadmium levels at 0.005 mg/l and copper levels at 4.01 mg/l. In comparison, the Turdo River had slightly lower levels of these pollutants, with cadmium content observed at 0.0023 mg/l and copper at 2.15 mg/l.

Chemical fractionation of heavy metals and zinc isotope source identification in sediments of the Huangpu River, Shanghai, China

BackgroundThe Huangpu River serves as a vital water source for around 24 million individuals residing in the metropolitan area of Shanghai. Despite this, elevated levels of heavy metals persist in the sediments of the river, with their chemical fractionation and sources remaining inadequately understood.ResultsTo improve the management of heavy metal contamination, sequential extractions and zinc (Zn) isotopic compositions were utilized to evaluate pollution levels in the Huangpu River. The findings reveal that the majority of heavy metals in the river sediments are present in residual fractions, constituting an average of 67.5% for Cd, 57.6% for Cu, 60.6% for Ni, 56.2% for Pb, and 74.4% for Cr, with the exception of Zn (33.8%). Furthermore, a substantial portion of Zn, exceeding 66%, was found in acid-exchangeable, reducible, and oxidizable fractions, indicating a high potential for Zn release into aquatic ecosystems.ConclusionFurther analysis of Zn isotopes pinpointed traffic emissions, including exhaust fumes and tire wear particles (account for ~ 34.0%), along with anthropogenic emissions and fertilizer (~ 31.7%), as the major culprits behind this contamination. These findings highlight the critical need for stricter regulations to control heavy metal contamination from traffic and domestic sources within the Huangpu River basin.

Assessment of the Impact of Heavy Metals on Clarias gariepinus Burchell and Heterobranchus longifilis Fish Species of Omambala River Basin of Anambra State Nigeria

Heavy metals are natural occurring minerals that are found in nature, as deposits in pure and mostly ore form. They are referred to as transition metals due their variable oxidation state, which as a result have made them to develop special properties among other elements in the periodic table. This study aimed to assess the levels of heavy metals (Lead, Chromium, Mercury, Cadmium, Iron, Zinc, Copper and Magnesium) in Clarias gariepinus and Hetrobrancus longifilis collected from the Omambala River. The fish samples were collected by fishermen at the fish landing site. The heavy metal analysis in the two fish species was studied using Atomic Absorbtion Spectrophotometer (AAS) and the instrument was calibrated with standard solutions. The result of this work showed that the highest compositions of heavy metals were: lead (Pb) content in C. gariepinus was 2.69±1.417 mg/l while in H. longifilis was 3.14±1.395 mg/l. However, Chromium content in C. gariepinus was 3.11±0.826 mg/l and in H. longifilis was 4.04±1.073 mg/l. Mercury in C. gariepinus was 3.98±1.903 mg/l and H. longifilis was 4.77±2.283 mg/l. Cadmium in C. gariepinus was 4.90±2.100 mg/l while H. longifilis was 4.83±2.019 mg/l. Moreover, Iron in C. gariepinus was 3.94±1.414 mg/l and H. longifilis was 4.31±2.077 mg/l. Zinc in C. gariepinus was 4.02±1.917 mg/l and H. longifilis was 5.47±2.607 mg/l. Copper in C. gariepinus was 2.62±0.720 mg/l while in H. longifilis was 3.01±0.828 mg/l. Magnesium in C. gariepinus shows 4.66±2.774 mg/l and H.longifilis shows 3.72±1.466 mg/l. The most prevalent heavy metals from the study were Zn, Cd, Hg, Mg, Fe, Cr, Pb, and Cu. It is therefore recommended that further research be made, and awareness created on the high health risk associated with frequent ingestion of these harmful mineral elements found in trace deposits in the Omambala River by the appropriate authority to ascertain their concentrations.

CBD oil by-product (Hemp flakes): Evaluation for nutritional composition, heavy metals and functionality as a food ingredient

BackgroundThe recent interest among consumers in industrial hemp due to health and wellness benefits has led to several products from industrial hemp, including cannabidiol (CBD) oil. CBD oil extraction from hemp buds and flowers generates by-product biomass (hemp flakes), often posing disposal challenges and with little or no applications. We hypothesized that hemp flakes possess residual compounds with nutritional and health value that could be used to improve utilization. MethodsLocally sourced hemp flakes were compared to three commercial hemp protein products. The nutritional composition (proximate analysis), heavy metals (Al, Cu, As, Pb, Co, Cd), and functional composition (phenolic and antioxidant properties–total phenolic compounds (TPC), total flavonoid compounds (TFC), ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), 1,1–diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)), (CBD, cannabiodiolic acid–CBDA, cannabichromene–CBC, cannabigerol–CBG, and cannabinol–CBN) contents were determined and compared. FindingsHemp flakes had a similar nutritional composition to commercial hemp protein products, with heavy metal levels within FDA allowed limits. The by-product had significantly higher CBDA levels than commercial products. Overall, hemp flakes had comparable nutrient composition and antioxidant capabilities. Based on the protein composition of hemp flakes (31.62 %) versus the highest commercial product (43 %), hemp flakes are an acceptable functional food ingredient.