Manganese Content Research Articles

Heavy Metal Tolerance and Accumulation Potential of a Rare Coastal Species, Anthyllis vulneraria subsp. maritima

The aim of the present study was to explore heavy metal tolerance and accumulation potential in Anthyllis vulneraria subsp. maritima plants from coastal sand dunes in controlled conditions. Plants were established from seeds collected in coastal sand dunes and cultivated in substrates in greenhouse conditions. A gradual treatment with CdCl2, PbOAc, CuSO4, MnSO4, and ZnSO4 was performed until three final concentrations for each metal were reached. The number of leaves, their biomass, and biomass of roots were negatively affected by increasing concentrations of lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) in substrate, but no negative effect was evident for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). Visible effects of metal toxicity were evident for Pb-treated plants (appearance of thinner leaves, yellowing of older leaves), as well as for Mn-treated plants (reduced leaf size, curled leaves, red leaf venation). There was a significant decrease in water content in old leaves at high Pb and increasing Mn concentration, indicating accelerated leaf senescence. Increase in polyphenol oxidase activity in leaves was evident in all the plants treated with heavy metals. In contrast, an increase in peroxidase activity was evident only for plants treated with 50 and 100 mg L−1 Cd, 500 mg L−1 Pb, 200–1000 mg L−1 Mn, and 500 mg L−1 Zn. Metal accumulation potential for Cd and Cu was the highest in the roots, but for Pb, Mn, and Zn, more metal accumulated in old leaves. It can be concluded that A. vulneraria subsp. maritima plants are tolerant to high Cd, Cu, and Zn, but moderately susceptible to Pb and Mn. However, oxidative enzyme activity cannot be unequivocally used as a specific indicator of metal tolerance. In respect to phytoremediation potential, the plants have very good accumulation capacity for Pb, Mn, and Zn.

Оцінка токсичної дії ультрадисперсних частинок порошків феромарганцю і феросилікомарганцю на організм щурів

Introduction. Alloys of iron and manganese (ferroalloys) are traditionally used in metallurgy in the production of steel and various types of cast iron. One of the largest ferroalloy enterprises in Europe operates in Ukraine — the Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant, which produces more than 11% of the world volume of ferroalloys and employs more than 7,500 workers. Industrial production and use of ferroalloys contribute to the entry of their components into the production environment and affect the health of workers. It is known that asthenia, disorders of nervous system and cases of bronchial asthma were registered in workers engaged in ferromanganese melting. There are few data on the effect of ferrosilicomanganese on the human organism. Therefore, the study of the peculiarities of the toxic effect of ferroalloy powders — ferromanganese and ferrosilicomanganese on the organism is a relevant issue for occupational hygiene and industrial toxicology. Aim. Investigation of the peculiarities of the toxic effect of ferromanganese and ferrosilicomanganese powders on the body of rats after a single intratracheal administration during dynamic observation. Materials and Мethods. The experiment was performed on male Wistar rats with an initial body weight of 160–180 g. Suspensions of ferromanganese and ferrosilicomanganese powders in distilled water were administered once into the trachea of animals anesthetized with sodium thiopental at a dose of 50 mg of powder (1/100 LD50) per kg of rat body weight. Control rats were similarly administered 1 ml of distilled water. After administration (in one week, one month and three months), the content of iron, manganese and silicon in the blood of control and experimental rats was determined using the method of atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma with the Optima 2100 DV device. Biochemical parameters were determined in all groups of rats (activity of ALT, AST, ALP enzymes; glucose, uric acid, total cholesterol, triglycerides, iron content, serum total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and percentage of serum iron saturation (TfS), indicators of non-specific natural immunity (phagocytic and bactericidal activity of blood neutrophils, the level of circulating immune complexes (CICs)). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using Microsoft Excel 2007. Results. A single administration of a suspension of ferroalloy powders into the trachea of rats led to an increase in the content of Fe and Mn in the blood, in particular of the Fe content after the administration of ferromanganese and ferrosilicomanganese at all observation periods, while an increase in the level of Mn was detected after one month. The content of Si in the blood of rats of both experimental groups during the experiment was at the level of control values. It was established that an increase in the Fe content in the blood of experimental rats caused disruptions in its metabolism (a decrease in blood TIBC and an increase in the TfS percentage). 3 months after the administration of the powders, an increase in the activity of enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP) was determined in the blood serum of both experimental groups of rats, as well as an increase in the content of uric acid, which may indicate damage to liver cells and the development of the inflammatory process. With the administration of both ferroalloys, a decrease in the phagocytic function of blood neutrophils and an increase in the formation of reactive oxygen species, an increase in the levels of low- and high-molecular weight CICs in the blood serum, especially one month after the administration, were determined, which indicates the activation of the humoral link of non-specific natural immunity against the background of a violation of the phagocytosis process. Conclusion. The established changes in biochemical and immunological indicators testify to the existing toxic effect on the body of ferromanganese and ferrosilicomanganese powders after their single administration into the trachea, and are caused by an increase in the content of Fe and Mn in the blood of experimental rats. The most pronounced changes were detected one month after the administration of both powders. More adverse effects on the body of experimental rats were caused by ferromanganese powder, the particles of which were smaller. Keywords: ferromanganese, ferrosilicomanganese, ultra disperse particles, toxicity.

Associations of Essential and Non-Essential Trace Elements' Levels in the Blood, Serum, and Urine in Women with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is poorly understood, with causes identified in only 25% of cases. Emerging evidence suggests links between trace elements (TEs) and POI. This study is the first to compare concentrations of manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) across urine, serum, and whole blood in women with POI compared to healthy controls (HC), aiming to explore their distribution and potential associations with POI. This cross-sectional-case-control study enrolled 81 participants (40 POI patients and 41 healthy controls) at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia. Blood and urine samples were collected to quantify basic biochemical parameters using standard clinical chemistry methods and concentrations of Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Participants also completed questionnaires on socio-demographics, medical history, lifestyle, and nutrition. Data was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Student's t-tests, Fisher exact test, logistic regression models adjusted on body mass index (BMI), age, hematocrit, and Kendall's tau correlation. Women with POI had significantly higher BMI and red blood cell (RBC) indices, including hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red cell distribution width (RDW), compared to controls. A larger proportion of POI patients resided in rural agricultural areas. Liver and kidney function assessments showed no significant differences between the groups. Adjusted models revealed that POI patients had significantly lower urinary levels of Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, Cd, Hg, and Pb than controls, while whole blood Mn levels were higher. Serum Cu levels were significantly elevated in POI patients, whereas Pb, Cd, and Hg were lower. No significant differences were observed for As. Correlation analysis showed several strong to moderate associations among TEs across biofluids, but only weak correlations were found between TEs and demographic or biochemical factors. This study suggests potential associations between TEs and POI in women. Notably, most TEs (Zn, Se, Cu, Mo, Cd, Hg, Pb) were significantly lower in the urine of the POI group, while Cu, Cd, Hg, and Pb showed significant differences in both urine and serum.

Arsenic, manganese, and iron concentration in groundwater of northwestern part of Bangladesh using self-organizing maps: Implication for health risk assessment

Arsenic, manganese, and iron concentration in groundwater of northwestern part of Bangladesh using self-organizing maps: Implication for health risk assessment

Effects of pristine and photoaged tire wear particles and their leachable additives on key nitrogen removal processes and nitrous oxide accumulation in estuarine sediments.

Despite growing attention to the environmental pollution caused by tire wear particles (TWPs), the effects of pristine and photoaged TWPs (P-TWPs and A-TWPs) and their TWP leachates (TWPLs; P-TWPL and A-TWPL) on key nitrogen removal processes in estuarine sediments remain unclear. This study explores the responses of the denitrification rate, anammox rate, and nitrous oxide (N2O) accumulation to P-TWP, A-TWP, P-TWPL, and A-TWPL exposure in estuarine sediments, and assesses the potential biotoxic substances present in TWPLs. P-TWPs reduced the denitrification rate by 17.1 ± 10.0 % and increased N2O accumulation by 28.1 ± 18.7 %. The A-TWPs not only reduced the denitrification rate by 31.3 ± 8.3 % and increased N2O accumulation by 43.1 ± 22.0 %, but also decreased the anammox rate by 22.1 ± 13.3 %. A-TWPs further inhibited the denitrification rate by reducing nitrate reductase activity and the abundance of its gene (narG), while simultaneously decreasing hydrazine synthase activity and the abundance of its gene (hzo), thereby slowing the anammox rate. N2O accumulation after exposure to TWPs and TWPLs was positively correlated with the activity ratio of N2O-producing and N2O-consuming enzymes. Zinc (Zn) release in A-TWPL was 48.5 ± 6.9 % higher than that in P-TWPL, which is a crucial reason for the higher biotoxicity produced by A-TWPs. In addition, the abundance of denitrifying and anammox bacteria closely linked to the Zn, manganese, and arsenic concentrations in the TWPLs. This study provides insights into assessing the environmental risks posed by TWPs to estuarine ecosystems.

Examining the Impact of Microbial Compost from Anaerobic Digestion on Soil Fertility and Maize Crop Nutrient Uptake

This research study was to evaluate the effects of combining microbial compost and mineral fertilizer on soil properties, maize growth, and nutrient uptake. Therefore, after selecting normal soil, 10 kg of soil was placed in each pot. Nine treatments with three replications were applied by using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) for the study layout. The results revealed that the maximum plant height (101.73 cm), shoot fresh weight (69.36 g), shoot dry weight (128.6 g), root fresh weight (1.68 g), and root dry weight (0.89 g), as well as the highest content of nitrogen (1.66%), the highest phosphorus concentration (1.04%), and the maximum potassium concentration (2.13%) were noted in SF+MM + ½ NPK, while contents of iron (80.2 mg/kg), zinc (98.46 mg/kg), copper (78.66 mg/kg), and manganese (67.7 mg/kg) were also recorded in SF+MM + ½ NPK compared to other treatments. After harvesting maize crops, the lowest pH (7.27), highest EC (0.38 dS/M), and the highest contents of organic matter (1.03%) were recorded in SF+MM + ½ NPK. Maximum nitrogen content in soil (37 mg/kg), phosphorus content in soil (19.7 mg/kg), and potassium content in soil (105.8 mg/kg) were recorded in T8, while maximum contents of iron (4.88 mg/kg), zinc (1.80 mg/kg), copper (0.51 mg/kg), and manganese (1.95 mg/kg) were recorded in SF+MM + ½ NPK. The combination of SF+MM + ½ NPK showed to be the most effective treatment, whereas the usage of compost and chemical fertilizer alone remained the least effective.

The Origin of Synergetic Effect in Mixed Mn-Co Oxide with Spinel Structure for Catalytic Oxidation of CO

In this work, the origin of the synergetic effect in mixed MnxCo3-xO4 oxides with the spinel structure in the CO oxidation reaction was tested. A series of MnxCo3-x oxide catalysts were synthesized by the coprecipitation method with further calcination at 600 °C and varying manganese content from x = 0 to x = 3. The catalysts were characterized using XRD, TEM, N2 adsorption, TPR, EXAFS, and XPS. The catalytic activity of MnxCo3-x oxide catalysts was tested in CO oxidation reactions. The addition of manganese to cobalt oxide results in the formation of mixed Mn-Co oxides based on a cubic or tetragonal spinel structure, a change in microstructural properties, such as surface area and crystal size, as well as local distortions and a decrease in the surface concentration of Co ions and Co in the octahedral sites in spinel structure; it also decreases catalyst reducibility. For all catalysts, the activity of CO oxidation decreases as follows: Mn0.1Co2.9 > Co3O4~Mn0.3Co2.7 > Mn0.5Co2.5 > MnOx > Mn0.7Co2.3 > Mn0.9Co2.1~Mn1.1Co1.9~Mn2.5Co0.5 > Mn2.9Co0.1 > Mn1.7Co1.3 > Mn2.1Co0.9 > Mn1.3Co1.7~Mn1.5Co1.5~Mn2.3Co0.7. The Mn0.1Co2.9 catalyst displays the best catalytic activity, which is attributed to its small crystal size and the maximum surface ratio between Co3+ and Co2+. A further increase in the manganese content (x > 0.3) provokes drastic changes in the catalytic properties due to a decrease in the cobalt content on the surface and in the volume of mixed oxide, changes in the oxidation states of cations, and structure transformation.

Assessment of Micronutrient Deficiencies in Agricultural Soils of Hasanganj and Auras Blocks, Unnao District, Uttar Pradesh, India: Implications for Sustainable Farming

This study evaluated the status of essential micronutrients in the soils of Hasanganj and Auras blocks in Unnao district, Uttar Pradesh, India, during 2020–2021. A total of 200 surface soil samples from five villages in each block were analyzed for zinc, boron, copper, manganese, and iron content. The findings revealed significant deficiencies, particularly in zinc (39.5%) and boron (32.5%), with potential implications for crop productivity and soil health. The study emphasizes the urgent need for balanced nutrient management and soil-specific fertilizer recommendations to address these deficiencies and support sustainable agricultural practices. These results provide a valuable baseline for future research and policy interventions aimed at improving soil fertility and food security.

Clarias Gariepinus Parasites as Bioindicator For Assessing Water Quality in Omi Dam, Kogi State, Nigeria

Studies using host-parasite dynamics as bioindicator of effects and accumulators of heavy metals for assessing environmental quality are still scarce, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed at elucidating the possible use of parasites of fish in monitoring and assessing water quality. 102 samples of 18 species of parasites of Clarias gariepinus were analyzed for copper, lead, manganese, iron, zinc and cadmium concentrations. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Physico-chemical parameters were measured on sites using Hanna instrument. The nutrients and non-toxic constituents of water were also determined using methods by (American Public Health Association, 1999). The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance and significant differences accepted at p ≤ 0.05. Duncan Multiple range test was used to compare the heavy metal accumulation in the parasites and sample t- test was used to compare the values of physico-chemical parameters, nutrients and non-toxic constituents of the water. The heavy metal concentrations in parasites of C. gariepinus were in the order of Lead>Cadmium>Copper>Iron>Magnese>Zinc. Bioindicating capacity of parasites were in the order Nematodes>Cestodes>Protozoan>Trematodes. All physico-chemical parameters of the water (pH, temperature, salinity, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solid) except dissolved oxygen were within the permissible level of the WHO (2011) permissible limits. The water nutrients except fluoride were within the permissible limits of WHO (2011). The non-toxic constituents were within permissible limits except NH4+ in the control study sites and PO43- in both study sites that was not within permissible limits. This study revealed that parasites can be ideal indicators for both effects and accumulation of heavy metals in aquatic environments. Findings from this study demonstrate the need for an ecosystem friendly approach towards sustainable management of dams and rivers. This will curb aquatic pollution which can directly and indirectly affect the structure and composition of fish parasite communities and also lead to a health risk in people consuming aquatic resources contaminated with heavy metals.

Associations of Serum Manganese, Zinc, Copper, and Selenium Concentrations With Autism Spectrum Disorders in Chinese Children: A Case-Control Study.

Imbalances in several trace elements related to antioxidant function may lead to autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-related physiological dysfunction. Nonetheless, contradictory results have been found on the connection between these elements and ASD, and studies of their joint effects and interactions have been insufficient. We therefore designed a case-control study of 152 ASD children and 152 age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD) children to explore the individual and combined associations of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) with ASD. Compared with TD, ASD has lower Zn and Se levels and higher Cu levels. The restricted cubic spline model showed J-shaped non-linearity, L-shaped non-linearity, and positive linearity correlations between Mn, Zn, Cu, and ASD. Zn and Cu were negatively and positively correlated with ASD symptoms, respectively. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) mediated 50.53% and 39.07% of the association between Zn, Se, and ASD, respectively. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) confirmed a U-shaped correlation between the element mixtures and ASD. Interactions of Mn with the other three elements and Cu with Zn were also observed. Our results confirm that the independent and combined exposure to the four trace elements was associated with ASD, with oxidative stress being an important mechanism. Due to the potential interactions between the elements, further research is needed to explore their involvement in the pathogenesis and progression of ASD from a combined perspective, as well as the beneficial and harmful concentration ranges.

The influence of cultivation technology on the content of trace elements in pea plants

The purpose of the research is to assess the level of accumulation of copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt and iron by peas using various cultivation technologies. The work was carried out in 2020–2023 on chernozem typical of the Kursk region. Four agrotechnologies of pea cultivation were studied, based on various methods of basic tillage: traditional, differentiated, minimal, direct sowing. The copper content was highest in the roots with minimal technology (13.37 mg/kg), in straw and grain – with direct sowing (6.16 and 5.74 mg/kg). The maximum amount of zinc in the roots was provided by traditional technology and direct sowing (34.10 and 34.63 mg/kg), in straw – differentiated (13.35 mg/kg), in grain ‒ traditional and differentiated (28.06 and 28.86 mg/kg) technologies. The highest content of manganese in the roots was with differentiated technology (369.95 mg/kg), in straw and grain – with direct sowing (68.11 and 55.30 mg/kg). The maximum amount of cobalt in the roots was observed with direct sowing (7.05 mg/kg), in straw – with differentiated technology (4.44 mg/kg), in grain – with minimal technology and direct sowing (3.51 mg/kg). The iron content in the roots did not differ significantly with traditional, minimal technologies and direct sowing, and with differentiated, it decreased by 16.3…26.0 mg/kg. In pea straw, the lowest amount of iron was found with differentiated technology (270.27 mg/kg). During direct sowing, the highest concentration of iron in the grain was noted (135.7 mg /kg). The coefficient of biological accumulation of trace elements by grain was higher than by roots and straw. The highest values of this grain index for copper (24.33), manganese (27.68), cobalt (12.14) and iron (9.19) were noted with direct sowing, and for zinc – with differentiated (28.36) and minimal (28.31) technologies.

Production of active chlorine and sodium hypochlorite in a closed electrolyser

Today, in the conditions of warfare, there is constant local pollution of the environment due to the use of explosives, fires, spillage of fuel and lubricants, etc. Every day, the danger increases when the water drainage systems of various enterprises are damaged, such as mining enterprises, facilities of the energy, metallurgy, chemical, petrochemical industries, sludge storage facilities for highly toxic waste. Next to this, there is a growing problem of highly efficient purification of water, primarily drinking water. As a result of the destruction of the Kakhovsky reservoir in 2023, the problem of disposal of mine waters, which are characterized by a high level of mineralization, a significant content of iron, manganese and other toxicants, has sharply worsened. In this case, there are no water resources for diluting mine waters before their discharge. Despite a significant number of developments in the field of water quality control and water purification technologies, a number of problems in this direction remain unresolved. Existing technologies are ineffective when the levels of mineralization and water hardness are exceeded. We are talking about the southern regions of our country and Donbas. In Mykolaiv, after the aggressor reduced the water intake on the Dnieper, the centralized water supply system supplies brackish water from the estuary. It is known that concentrated salt solutions, which are formed and are still present next to the problems described above, are practically not processed. In most cases, they are dumped into the surface reservoirs of the surrounding natural environment, which significantly worsens the state of water ecosystems of Ukraine. The situation is worsened by the fact that a significant part of mine water suitable for use, due to the problem of disposal of concentrates, is not used, but is discharged into the environment after dilution, or even without dilution and purification, since there is simply no resource for dilution in today's realities. That is why, the problem of processing concentrates of baromembrane purification with obtaining secondary useful products was the aim of the research of this work.

Development and Performance Evaluation of an Instrumented Hybrid Onion Storage Facility

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the oldest bulb crops, known to mankind and consumed worldwide. It is valued for its distinct pungent flavour and is an essential ingredient for the cuisine of many regions. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the performance of a refrigerated onion storage facility. The designed facility was simple, efficient, and cost-effective, with a focus on user-friendly operation and packaging of onions in zippered bags. The experiment involved slicing and dicing onions of equal size, which were then placed in zip bags and monitored over a week. The mass of the samples was measured daily to observe the changes. Additionally, laboratory analysis was conducted to assess the proximate composition, phytochemical contents, and heavy metal concentration of the onions. The results showed that the storage facility maintained a cooling rate of 0oC and experienced fluctuations in temperature due to external weather conditions. The relative humidity ranged from 18% to 19%, indicating the coldness of the storage facility. The analysis of the onion samples revealed high moisture content, with values ranging from 80% to 90%. Other compositional parameters such as crude protein, CHO, crude fibre, fat content, and ash content were relatively low. In terms of phytochemical analysis, flavonoid content was found to be relatively high compared to saponin, alkaloid, and tannin contents. Flavonoid content was highest in the raw state of the onion. Heavy metal analysis showed significant differences in the concentrations of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), while copper (Cu) did not exhibit a significant effect. The developed refrigerated onion storage facility demonstrated promising performance. The proximate composition analysis indicated that before and after storage of the onions, the moisture content and nutrients of onions was maintained. The phytochemical analysis revealed a significant presence of flavonoids, while heavy metal analysis showed varying concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu.

Proximate and Mineral Composition Profiling in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculate L Walp.)

Micronutrients are most important growth promoting elements for crops as well as for humans. As per some reports (Gosh, et al., 2019) more than two billion of the global populations are malnourished. Micronutrient malnutrition among the people of every age is very common in developing countries like India. Cowpea one of the vital grain legumes in India is the cheapest sources of proteins, vitamins and micronutrients and can be supplied to the people through daily diet. In this regard profiling of the proximate composition and mineral contents in seeds of diverse cowpea genotypes was done at Seed Unit, UAS, Dharwad. The results revealed significant differences for different of proximate and mineral contents of cowpea varieties evaluated. Highest protein content of 21.12% and fibre content of 11.30 % was observed in samples of PL -2 and PL-5 respectively. Fe content in cowpea variety PL-2 was found to be the highest (99.1ppm) than the rest of minerals viz., Zinc (56.3 ppm) and manganese content (9.8 ppm) among the genotypes indicating that cowpea is good sources for these micronutrients viz., iron, zinc and manganese. Of all the minerals evaluated, concentration of iron (Fe) was found to be the highest in all the cowpea genotypes, thus indicating that the cowpea genotypes have ability to improve the haematology indicators of cowpea consumers. Thus, these cowpea genotypes serve as source of useful genetic resources for cultivar development for grain nutrients composition.

Innovative Gravity-Fed Filtration System to Improve Coastal Community Water Quality

Efforts to meet clean water needs, especially for drinking water, depend on the condition of groundwater that is healthy and sufficiently available. Filtration is the process of separating particles from a liquid by passing the liquid through a permeable material. This study examines the Gravity-Fed Filtering System with innovative Imhoff technology, combined with a Primary Treatment stage, to produce clearer and higher-quality water. The objective of this research is to assess the effectiveness of this system in reducing contamination levels in groundwater, including iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), total hardness (Ca and Mg), and organic compounds. The study employed an experimental method with a quantitative approach and used a One Group Pretest-Posttest design. The research was conducted in two locations: Barombong Village in Makassar and Pauwo Village in Gorontalo. Fifteen samples were randomly selected for analysis. The study began with preliminary observations and initial testing in March 2022, followed by the main research and prototype evaluation in 2023-2024. The results show that the system effectively reduced Fe, Mn, organic compounds, and total hardness levels. In Makassar, the highest reduction in Fe is 87.3% in sample 8, while in Gorontalo, the highest reduction is 93.3% in sample 8. The highest reduction in manganese (Mn) in Makassar is 63.3% in sample 1, and in Gorontalo, it is 62.1% in sample 1. The highest reduction in organic compounds in Makassar is 81.6% in sample 3, while the lowest reduction in total hardness in Makassar is 77.1% in samples 4, 5, 6, and 10. In Gorontalo, the highest reduction in total hardness is 90.3% in samples 1, 2, and 3. Recommendations for the community, The use of gravity-fed filtering system technology as one of the media used to reduce iron and manganese concentrations is considered quite good, but for similar research to be carried out, modifications should be made to the media specifically starting with the size, shape and other variables that support it so that it is more effective in reducing pollutant concentrations.

Exposure to Cadmium and Other Trace Elements Among Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

A limited number of studies have investigated the role of environmental chemicals in the etiology of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We performed a cross-sectional study of the association between exposure to selected trace elements and the biomarkers of cognitive decline. During 2019-2021, we recruited 128 newly diagnosed patients with MCI from two Neurology Clinics in Northern Italy, i.e., Modena and Reggio Emilia. At baseline, we measured serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of cadmium, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. With immuno-enzymatic assays, we estimated concentrations of β-amyloid 1-40, β-amyloid 1-42, Total Tau and phosphorylated Tau181 proteins, neurofilament light chain (NfL), and the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) to assess cognitive status. We used spline regression to explore the shape of the association between exposure and each endpoint, adjusted for age at diagnosis, educational attainment, MMSE, and sex. In analyses between the serum and CSF concentrations of trace metals, we found monotonic positive correlations between copper and zinc, while an inverse association was observed for cadmium. Serum cadmium concentrations were inversely associated with amyloid ratio and positively associated with Tau proteins. Serum iron concentrations showed the opposite trend, while copper, manganese, and zinc displayed heterogeneous non-linear associations with amyloid ratio and Tau biomarkers. Regarding CSF exposure biomarkers, only cadmium consistently showed an inverse association with amyloid ratio, while iron was positively associated with Tau. Cadmium concentrations in CSF were not appreciably associated with serum NfL levels, while we observed an inverted U-shaped association with CSF NfL, similar to that observed for copper. In CSF, zinc was the only trace element positively associated with NfL at high concentrations. In this cross-sectional study, high serum cadmium concentrations were associated with selected biomarkers of cognitive impairment. Findings for the other trace elements were difficult to interpret, showing complex and inconsistent associations with the neurodegenerative endpoints examined.

Cytotoxicity and Antimicrobial Efficacy of Fe-, Co-, and Mn-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are one of the most widely used nanoparticulate materials due to their antimicrobial properties. However, the current use of ZnO NPs is hindered by their potential cytotoxicity concerns, which are likely attributed to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the dissolution of particles to ionic zinc. To reduce the cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs, transitional metals are introduced into ZnO lattices to modulate the ROS production and NP dissolution. However, the influence of the doping element, doping concentration, and particle size on the cytotoxicity and antimicrobial properties remains unexplored. This study presents a comprehensive investigation of a library of doped ZnO NPs to elucidate the relationship between their physicochemical properties, antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli), and cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. The library comprises 30 variants, incorporating three different dopant metals-iron, manganese, and cobalt-at concentrations of 0.25%, 1%, and 2%, and calcined at three temperatures (350 °C, 500 °C, and 600 °C), resulting in varied particle sizes. These ZnO NPs were prepared by low temperature co-precipitation followed by high-temperature calcination. Our results reveal that the choice of dopant elements significantly influences both antimicrobial efficacy and cytotoxicity, while dopant concentration and particle size have comparatively minor effects. High-throughput UV-visible spectroscopic analysis identified Mn- and Co-doped ZnO NPs as highly effective against E. coli under standard conditions. Compared with undoped ZnO particles, Mn- and Co-doping significantly increased the oxidative stress, and the Zn ion release from NPs was increased by Mn doping and reduced by Fe doping. The combined effects of these factors increased the cytotoxicity of Mn-doped ZnO particles. As a result, Co-doped ZnO particles, especially those with 2 wt.% doping, exhibited the most favourable balance between enhanced antibacterial activity and minimized cytotoxicity, making them promising candidates for antimicrobial applications.

Why are some invasive plant species so successful in nutrient‐impoverished habitats in south‐western Australia: A perspective based on their phosphorus‐acquisition strategies

Abstract Invasive plants are a major cause of the global biodiversity crisis; it is therefore crucial to understand mechanisms that contribute to their success. South‐western Australia is a global biodiversity hotspot with extremely low soil phosphorus (P) concentrations. In this region, a large proportion of native plant species release carboxylates that mobilise soil P. Many widespread invasive plant species in south‐western Australia are arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM). We hypothesised that some of these invasive AM plant species exhibit similar P‐acquisition strategies as native carboxylate‐releasing P‐mobilising species which allows them to thrive in P‐impoverished soils. To test this hypothesis, we collected 23 common invasive species in the field and assessed their leaf manganese concentration [Mn], relative to that of native reference species at different locations, as a proxy for carboxylate release. In addition, we cultivated seven of the invasive species in hydroponics at different P supply to measure their root carboxylate exudation. Furthermore, we measured leaf P concentration and photosynthetic P‐use efficiency (PPUE) of five invasive species in the glasshouse. In the field investigation, almost all invasive species exhibited significantly higher leaf [Mn] than the negative references, which do not release carboxylates, indicating carboxylate release of the invasive plants. Leaf [Mn] of a few invasives even exceeded that of positive references, which exhibit significant carboxylate release, indicating substantial carboxylate release of these invasives. All glasshouse‐grown invasive species with high field leaf [Mn] released root carboxylates under low P supply. Most of the tested invasive plant species also exhibited greater PPUE than native plants under low P supply. Invasive AM plant species exhibited root exudation of carboxylates as a P‐acquisition strategy, which very likely allows their successful invasion of severely P‐impoverished habitats. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

The Effect of Grape Variety on the Micro- and Macroelement Composition of Grape Seeds

This study aimed to examine the differences between the micro- and macro-element content of the seed of eight different grape varieties, namely ‘Italian Riesling’, ‘Cabernet Franc’, ‘Pinot Noir’, ‘Sauvignon Blanc’, ‘Királyleányka’, ‘Rhine Riesling’, ‘Merlot’, ‘Kékfrankos’. On the basis of the results, there were significant differences between the calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and boron (B) content of grape seed varieties. In the case of macroelements, the largest amount of K (Italian Riesling 4239 mg/kg to Cabernet Franc 8646 mg/kg), followed by Ca (Pinot Noir 5435 mg/kg to Királyleányka 7369 mg/kg), P (Sauvignon Blanc 2566 mg/kg to Királyleányka 3470 mg/kg) and finally Mg (Cabernet Franc 1097 mg/kg to Királyleányka 1466 mg/kg) was contained in the seeds of the cultivars studied. Of the microelements, Fe was present in the largest amount (Sauvignon Blanc 23.7 mg/kg to Merlot 59.5 mg/kg) considering the grape varieties. The amounts of the other microelements tested were as follows: Mn from 13.1 mg/kg (Pinot Noir) to 31.3 mg/kg (Királyleányka), Cu from 9.38 mg/kg (Italian Riesling) to 19.1 mg/kg (Cabernet Franc), Zn from 10.9 mg/kg (Kékfrankos) to 16.2 mg/kg (Királyleányka) and B from 9.46 mg/kg (Italian Riesling) to 9.46 mg/kg (Rhine Riesling). Based on the results, the type of grape affects the micro- and macro-elements content of the seed, and the daily consumption of 100g of grape seed meal can significantly contribute to the daily intake of trace elements.

Effect of Mn doping on microstructure and photocatalytic properties of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized via a hydrothermal method

Abstract Manganese-doped zinc oxide (Zn/Mn) nanostructures were synthesized via the hydrothermal method, varying the manganese content. The synthesized Zn/Mn nanostructures exhibit a hexagonal wurtzite structure with an average crystallite size ranging from 19 to 33 nm, as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Increasing Mn concentration induces a blue shift in the energy bandgap (Eg) of the Zn/Mn nanostructures, decreasing it from 3.26 to 3.15 eV. The photocatalytic performance of these nanostructures was evaluated by studying the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under ultraviolet light irradiation. The incorporation of Mn content systematically enhanced the photocatalytic activity of ZnO, with the highest (73%) was observed in Zn/Mn_4 nanostructures. Additionally, the degradation mechanism has been addressed.