Mean Concentrations Of Elements Research Articles

Heavy Metal Determination and Pollution of the Soil and Plants of Southeast Tavşanlı (Kütahya, Turkey)

AbstractThe investigation area is located to the east of Kütahya–Tavşanlı and, covers an area about 150 km2. The units cropping out in the study area comprise of metamorphic, volcanic, and sedimentary rocks ranging from Upper Paleozoic to Quaternary. There are some polymetallic ore deposits represented by silver, zinc, lead, and antimony deposits and some enrichments related to them such as As, Cd, Tl, Cu, Mn, Ba, and Sr around the Aktepe at the southeast of the study area. In order to investigate the heavy metal contents and contamination in soil and plants, some leaves, branches, and fruits of trees (Salix, oak: Quercus sp., pine: Pinus sp., apple: Malus communis, walnut: Juglans regia, poplar: Populus sp., plane: Platanus orientalis, pear: Pyrus communis, oleaster: Elaeagnus angustifolia) and some herbaceous plants like prickle and meadow samples have been collected and subjected to geochemical analysis. Mean element concentrations of soil samples are 0.7 ppm Ag, 82.6 ppm Pb, 165.3 ppm Zn, and 8.5 ppm Sb. The concentration of As, Cd, Tl, Cu, Mn, Ba, and Sr are 203.3, 1.5, 1.7, 32.6, 1059.5, 718.4, and 289.6 ppm, respectively. With respect to plants the average heavy metal concentrations are 0.14 ppm Ag, 2.49 ppm Pb, 52.34 ppm Zn, and 1.05 ppm Sb and the average concentration of As, Cd, Tl, Cu, Mn, Ba, and Sr are 4.41, 0.64, 0.19, 6.54, 119.80, 39.46 versus 41.21 ppm, respectively. Element distributions of soil and plants depend on to the distance from the present Ag–Pb–Zn–Sb deposits. Element concentrations of plants differ depending on not only plant type like tree and herbaceous plants but also the types of samples such as leaves, branches, or fruits of trees. Especially leaves of trees and herbaceous plants have relatively higher element concentrations. Therefore, people who and animals which live in this area and benefit from these soil and plants have vital risks.

The pedo-geochemistry of Vertisols under tropical savanna climate

Abstract Fourteen representative Thai Vertisols on lowland and upland areas under a tropical savanna climate were investigated to ascertain parent material and pedogenic influences on their geochemistry. Physico-chemical, mineralogical and geochemical properties were determined for 98 soil samples. Multivariate analysis was used to interpret the dataset and identify affinity groups of samples and properties. Silicon, Al, Fe and Ca are the major constituents of the soils. Mean concentrations of elements are mostly within the range for worldwide normal soils. The variations in concentration of elements between soils reflect differences in the abundance of the major mineral constituents: beidellite, calcite, iron oxides and quartz. Factor analysis of geochemical data showed that most elements do not cluster into discrete affinity groups. The composition of soils is mostly quite uniform throughout the profiles with no evidence for depositional layers. Beidellite is the dominant clay mineral and acts as a reservoir of many major and trace elements in these soils. The accumulation of pedogenic calcium carbonate and Fe–Mn nodules in distinct horizons has resulted in systematic variations in composition within and between soil profiles for those elements that are associated with these neoformed materials (e.g. Fe, Mn, Co, V, Th, Ba and Ge).

Do metal concentrations in moss from the Zackenberg area, Northeast Greenland, provide a baseline for monitoring?

This study aims at evaluating (a) whether concentrations of a suite of elements in mosses sampled in the arctic region around Zackenberg reflect background concentrations useful for estimating pollution levels in industrialized parts of the northern hemisphere as is attempted, e.g. in the framework of the UNECE ICP Vegetation monitoring programme, and (b) whether there are any influences from Zackenberg research station detectable in these concentrations. Two moss species were sampled according to guidelines used in the UNECE ICP Vegetation programme. Samples were analysed for ¹⁹⁵Pt at low resolution, ²⁷Al, ⁵²Cr, ⁶⁵Cu, ⁶⁶Zn, ⁹⁵Mo, ¹¹¹Cd, ¹¹⁸Sn, ¹²¹Sb and ²⁰⁸Pb at medium resolution and ⁷⁵As at high resolution on an Element 2 inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometer. Except for Al, As and Cr, data from Zackenberg showed significantly lower mean element concentrations than those reported in comparable studies from all over the world including those from other Arctic environments. Minimum concentrations in Zackenberg mosses were consistently below all values reported so far for all elements analysed. The results of a PCA suggested only a slight impact from Zackenberg research station on concentrations of Cd, Mo and Zn in moss. We conclude that the sites in Zackenberg can be considered true background sites providing baseline concentrations of at least eight elements for comparable monitoring studies.

Distribution of lithogenic radionuclides in soils of the Belgrade region (Serbia)

Abstract An assessment of environmental radioactivity in the area of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, was performed using gamma-ray spectrometry. The concentration, distribution and mutual correlations of uranium, thorium and potassium in 135 soil samples from 45 locations were determined. The mean elemental concentrations of uranium, thorium and potassium were found to be 2.52 ± 0.73 mg kg − 1 , 9.40 ± 2.86 mg kg − 1 and 1.60 ± 0.40%, respectively. The results obtained were compared with equivalent values from other studies conducted worldwide.

Atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Northern Vietnam: Hanoi and Thainguyen case study using the moss biomonitoring technique, INAA and AAS

The moss technique is widely used to monitor atmospheric deposition of heavy metals in many countries in Europe, whereas this technique is scarcely used in Asia. To implement this international reliable and cheap methodology in the Asian countries, it is necessary to find proper moss types typical for the Asian environment and suitable for the biomonitoring purposes. Such a case study was undertaken in Vietnam for assessing the environmental situation in strongly contaminated areas using local species of moss Barbula indica. The study is focused on two areas characterized by different pollution sources: the Hanoi urban area and the Thainguyen metallurgical zone. Fifty-four moss samples were collected there according to standard sampling procedure adopted in Europe. Two complementary analytical techniques, atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), were used for determination of elemental concentrations in moss samples. To characterize the pollution sources, multivariate statistical analysis was applied. A total of 38 metal elements were determined in the moss by the two analytical techniques. The results of descriptive statistics of metal concentration in moss from the city center and periphery of Hanoi determined by AAS are presented. The similar results for moss from Thainguyen province determined by INAA and AAS are given also. A comparison of mean elemental concentrations in moss of this work with those in different environmental conditions of other authors provides reasonable information on heavy metal atmospheric deposition levels. Factor loadings and factor scores were used to identify and apportion contamination sources at the sampling sites. The values of percentage of total of factors show two highly different types of pollution in the two examined areas-the Hanoi pollution composition with high portion of urban-traffic activity and soil dust (62%), and the one of Thainguyen with factors related to industrial activities (75%). Besides, the scatter of factors in factor planes represents the greater diversity of activities in Hanoi than in Thainguyen. Good relationship between the result of factor analysis and the pollution sources evidences that the moss technique is a potential method to assess the air quality in Vietnam. Moss B. indica widely distributed in Vietnam and Indo-China is shown to be a reliable bryophyte for biomonitoring purposes in sub-tropic and tropic climate. However, the necessity of moss interspecies calibration is obvious for further studies in the area to provide results compatible with those for other Asian countries and Europe.

Comparison of humus and till as prospecting material in areas of thick overburden and multiple ice-flow events: An example from northeastern New Brunswick

Thirty-nine elements in humus and till matrix were compared at 109 sites overlying Ag–As–Cu–Mo–Pb–Zn mineralized occurrences in northeastern New Brunswick to assess humus for anomaly identification. Humus element concentrations were not consistently correlative with maximum or minimum concentrations found in the underlying till or bedrock. The humus demonstrated significantly higher mean elemental concentrations than the till for six specific elements: 9 times greater for Mn, 6 times greater for Cd, 5 times greater for Ag and Pb, 3 times greater for Hg, and double the concentration of Zn. Spatial dispersal patterns for these elements were much larger for humus content than that exhibited by the till matrix analysis, but did not delineate a point source. For elements in till, the highest concentrations were commonly found directly overlying the underlying mineralized bedrock source or within one km down-glacier of the source. The complexity of the humus geochemical patterns is attributed to the effects of post-glacial biogenic, down-slope hydrodynamic and solifluction modification of dispersed mineralization in the underlying till, and the greater capacity of humus to adsorb cations and form complexes with some elements, relative to the till matrix. Humus sampling in areas of glaciated terrain is considered to be mostly valuable for reconnaissance exploration as elements can be spatially dispersed over a much larger area than that found in the till or underlying bedrock.

Toxic Element Levels in the Phosphate Deposits of Central Jordan

The phosphate deposits are used mainly as raw materials in the fertilizer industry. However, toxic elements content in both phosphate ores and final mining products has received little attention. The present study used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine levels of toxic elements in phosphate deposits in Al-Hisa and Al-Abyad mines, Jordan. Concentrations of elements were converted into rock content based on the ICP-MS results and compared using an enrichment-factor (EF) method that normalized to the mean concentration of elements in crustal rock. The results showed that the U, V, and Hg were enriched in the Jordanian deposits compared to the average worldwide phosphate (AWP), whereas lower enrichments of Pb were found in the Jordanian deposits (JP). Other trace elements had similar levels in Jordanian deposits comparable to worldwide averages of phosphates. Concentrations of U, V, and Cd in Jordanian phosphate deposits were greater than the permissible limits for soils for growing crops established by the European Community (EC) and World Health Organization (WHO). Finally, Jordanian phosphate deposits show the highest enrichment of Hg and U, thus can be regarded as U-bearing.

Elemental and individual particle analysis of atmospheric aerosols from high Himalayas

Atmospheric aerosols were collected during the scientific expedition to Mt. Qomolangma (Everest) in May-June, 2005. The elemental concentrations of the aerosols were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. This yielded data for the concentration of 14 elements: Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb. The mean elemental concentrations were generally comparable with those from central Asia and the Arctic, while much higher than those from Antarctic. Size, morphology, and chemical composition of 900 individual aerosol particles were determined by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Based on morphology and elemental composition, the particles were clustered into eight groups: soot (8%), tar ball (3%), alumosilicates/silica (55%), calcium sulfate (16%), Ca/Mg carbonate (2%), Fe/Ti-rich particles (3%), Pb-rich particles (1%), and biological particles (12%). The sampling site, located at 6,520 m in the Himalayas, is particularly remote and located at high altitude. Nonetheless, high aerosol enrichment factors for copper, chromium, lead, nickel, vanadium, and zinc all suggest the influence of long-range transported pollution, while enrichment in calcium and the presence of alumino-silicates in individual particle analyses indicates a distinct mineral dust influence. The backward air mass trajectories showed that the northwestern part of India may contribute to the atmospheric aerosol in the central high Himalayas.

The elemental analysis of staple foods for children in Tanzania as a step to the improvement of their nutrition and health

The objective of this study was to evaluate the contents of essential elements in the two staple foods (rice and maize flour) consumed by children in Tanzania as a possible selection measure for high nutrient foods in order to combat malnutrition. Samples were analysed using proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) at the University of Surrey Ion Beam Centre. The mean concentrations of elements determined in the two staple foods are presented and compared with the mean concentrations published in the literature.

Trace element content of fish feed and bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) from aquaculture and wild source in Missouri

Trace element content of fish feed and bluegill sunfish muscles (Lepomis macrochirus) from aquaculture and natural pond in Missouri were determined using the inductively coupled-plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) and the direct mercury analyzer (DMA). Dietary intake rates of trace elements were estimated. Dogfish muscle (DORM-2) and lobster hepatopancreas (TORT-2) reference standards were used in trace element recovery and method validations. The average elemental concentrations (mg/kg diet, dry wt.) of fish feed were: As 1.81, Cd 2.37, Co 0.10, Cr 1.42, Cu 8.0, Fe 404, Mn 35.9, Ni 0.51, Pb 9.16, Se 1.71, Sn 20.7, V 0.09, Zn 118 and Hg 0.07. The mean elemental concentrations (μg/kg wet wt.) in bluegill muscles from both aquaculture and wild (in parenthesis) sources were: As 0.36 (0.06), Cd 0.28 (0.01), Co 0.0 (0.0), Cr 0.52 (0.05), Cu 0.38 (0.18), Fe 17.5 (2.43), Mn 0.18 (0.24), Ni 0.18 (0.04), Pb 1.03 (0.04), Se 0.34 (0.30), Sn 0.66 (0.42), V 0.02 (0.01), Zn 6.97 (9.13) and Hg 0.06 (0.24). Kruskal-Wallis chi square indicated significant differences in As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sn, V, Zn and Hg (P<0.001), Se (P<0.01) and Mn (P<0.05) across the sampling locations. Dietary intake rates, estimated from weekly consumption of 228g of aquaculture and wild bluegills, posed no health risks for approximately 85% of all samples.

Comparative performance of INAA and other spectroscopy techniques in the elemental analysis of stainless steel materials

Samples of high alloy Stainless Steel SS 1 were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) at 5 research institutes in 4 European countries within the frame of an Inter-Laboratory Comparison (ILC) exercise aiming at checking if the results were independent of the standardization methods, and if INAA was accurate enough to contribute to certification. The mean element concentration values yielded by INAA were also compared with mean values obtained by atomic emission spectroscopy techniques at other laboratories that took part in the International Proficiency Testing organized by KIMAB Institute of Sweden, producer of the SS 1. The performances of the nuclear and atomic techniques were compared in terms of the z-score values calculated for 11 element concentrations evaluated by the two analytical ways. Finally, consideration is given to the ways in which highest accuracy and precision can be ensured for certifying stainless steels as CRMs.

Baseline concentrations of trace elements in residential soils from Southeastern Missouri

Anthropogenic sources of pollution can significantly contribute to elevated concentrations of toxic elements in soils. A preliminary survey of trace elements content and their availability in residential soils from New Madrid County, Missouri was undertaken. Mean elemental concentrations (mg kg(-1), dry wt) of sixty two soil samples were: As 6.6, Be 0.8, Cd 1.6, Co 9.7, Cr 24.5, Cu 18.1, Fe 9951, Mn 298, Ni 15.6, Pb 48.8, V 42.1, Zn 95.5 and Hg 0.05. The US EPA preliminary remediation goals (PRGs) was only exceeded by As (7 % of samples) and V (8% of samples). The Missouri average background values were exceeded by Pb (69%), Zn (31%), Cu (27%), As (23%), Be (19%), Co (18%), Ni (16%), V (8%) and Mn (2%). Crustal enrichments (EFc) for As (97), Cr (6), Cu (10), Pb (121), V (7), and Hg (17) were highest for North Lilbourn soils. Fractionation experiment revealed that Fe (54-79%) was in the residual phase while Zn (70-90%), Mn (88-92%), As (59-81%) and Pb (63-79%) were potentially available in soils. Factor loadings of the element concentrations on principal components 1, 2 and 3 accounted for over 81% variance of the data set. The factor loadings suggested that apart from natural contributions of trace elements to the soils, human activities possibly accounted for other inputs in soils.

Characterization of a thermal power plant air heater washing waste: a case study from Iran

In Iran most of the electricity is generated by thermal power plants. As a result of fuel oil burning in winter time, the air heaters of the boilers have to be washed and cleaned frequently. The wastewater originating from air heater washing is then treated in an effluent treatment plant by chemical precipitation followed by dewatering of the sludge produced. The resulting waste is classified as specific industrial waste that should be characterized in detail under the Waste Management Act of Iran. The quantity of this waste produced in the studied power plant is about 20 tonnes year(-1). In the present investigation, the first to be carried out in Iran, seven composite samples of dewatered sludge from air heater washing wastewater treatment were subjected to investigation of the physical properties, chemical composition and leaching properties. The most likely pollutants that were of concern in this study were heavy and other hazardous metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and V). The results revealed that mean pH, wet and dry density and moisture content of the waste were 6.31, 1532 kg m(-30, 1879 kg m(-3) and 15.35%, respectively. Magnetite, SiO2, P2O5, CaO, Al2O3 and MgO were the main constituents of the waste with a weight percentage order of 68.88, 5.91, 3.39, 2.64, 2.59 and 1.76%, respectively. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure test results for some heavy and other hazardous metals showed that mean elemental concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in leachate were 0.06, 1.55, 5.49, 36.32, 209.10, 0.58, 314.06 and 24.84 mg L(-1), respectively. According to the Waste Management Act of Iran this waste should be classified as hazardous and should be disposed of in accordance with hazardous waste disposal regulations.

Elemental composition of aerosol in the Nam Co region, Tibetan Plateau, during summer monsoon season

In order to investigate the chemical characteristics of atmospheric aerosols in a remote region of the Tibetan Plateau, total suspended particles were collected continuously at the Nam Co Comprehensive Observation and Research Station from July to October 2005. The PIXE analytical results showed that Si, Ca, Fe, Al, K, and S were the major components of aerosols, ranging from 82 (K)–550 (Si) ng m−3. The mean elemental concentrations were comparable with those from other remote sites and significantly lower than those from megacities (e.g. Beijing). The very low presence of anthropogenic elements demonstrates that the Nam Co region is an ideal background site for atmospheric monitoring. Crustal enrichment factor (EF) calculation indicated that several anthropogenic heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As) are transported long distances atmospherically. The backward air mass trajectory analysis suggests that South Asia may be the source region of those pollutants.

A comparison of the geochemistry of aquatic sediments and the fine (&lt;63 μm) till fraction in Finland

A comparison is provided of the composition of aquatic sediments in Finland relative to that of the fine fraction (&lt;63 μm) in till. The study is based on till samples collected throughout the country and 158 sediment cores from 122 Finnish lakes. Element concentration data were obtained by aqua regia (till) and nitric acid (sediment) extraction. The material was divided stratigraphically into four classes: till, pre-isolation sediments, immediate post-isolation sediments, and the top of the sediment column. Mean element concentrations were usually lower in the till fines than in the sediments; only Cu, K, Mg and Ni in the top sediments from the lakes approach the mean concentrations in till. The mean P concentration in the pre-isolation sediments was lower than that in till. Spatial comparison showed the highest statistically significant Pearson and Spearman correlations between the till and lake sediment results to be for Al, Cr, Cu, K, Mg and Ni ( r = 0.34–0.64), although still higher coefficients were recorded for certain ratios between elements ( r = 0.73 for K/Cr). No statistically significant correlations within the till–sediment system were observed in the case of Mn, P and V concentrations, and correlation for Fe varied depending on the system. A better correlation between till and lake sediments was observed in supra-aquatic than in sub-aquatic areas. The results also indicate that the sediments of large lakes (&gt;10 km 2 ) resemble the mean composition of till better than do those of small lakes (&lt;10 km 2 ), and that a statistically significant relationship exists between the clay fraction (&lt;2 μm) in sediments and the K concentration in till.

Environmental contamination and bioaccessibility of arsenic and metals around the Dongjeong Au–Ag–Cu mine, Korea

The objectives of this study were to investigate the level of arsenic and metal contamination of soils, crop plants and waters around the Dongjeong Au–Ag–Cu mine, and to assess bioaccessibility of metals in soil and plant using the EHS (extraction of heavy metals in stomach and small intestine) test. The EHS test was used to simulate the conditions in the human stomach and small intestine. In tailings, the mean concentrations of elements from the mine area were As 4070 mg kg −1 , Cd 6 mg kg −1 , Cu 380 mg kg −1 , Mn 7760 mg kg −1 , Pb 19 150 mg kg −1 , Zn 2590 mg kg −1 and Hg 2.8 mg kg −1 . Mountain soils adjacent to the tailings and waste rock piles were significantly contaminated by these elements. Farmland soils contained higher concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn than soils at the control area, especially As and Pb which were over permissible levels. Metals were accumulated in crop plants grown on farmland soil near the mine area. The concentrations of metals were higher in leafy plants than in grain plants such as rice grain and red pepper. The concentrations of SO 4 2− , Mn and Zn were elevated in stream water and were influenced by effluents from the tailings and waste rock piles. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in groundwater were higher than the permissible levels for drinking water in Korea. The results of the EHS test showed c. 60% of Cd, 10% of As and 30–40% of Cu, Pb, Mn and Zn were present as a bioaccessible fraction in farmland soils. In crop plants, high percentages of total concentrations of metals except Pb were extracted as bioaccessible concentrations. Bioaccessible concentrations of metals may be valuable for providing the input data for risk assessment at sites subject to anthropogenic soil contamination.

Effect of smoking on vitamin A, vitamin E, and other trace elements in patients with cardiovascular disease in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundData regarding the impact of cigarette smoking on trace elements are scarce and inconsistent. In this study, we evaluated the effect of smoking on serum concentrations of trace elements among adult males with heart disease.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 100 adults hospitalized with heart disease in Bangladesh. The major variables of interest included mean serum concentrations of trace elements and proportion of subjects with bacterial growth on throat swab culture.ResultsSmokers had significantly lower serum concentrations of retinol, alpha-tocopherol, selenium, and zinc and increased concentrations of copper. Throat swab cultures were more often positive for Streptococcus β-hemolyticus in smokers than controls.ConclusionsSmoking decreases serum concentrations of trace elements. Smoking control programs are needed in Bangladesh to improve health and nutrition of the people who are already nutritionally deficient.

Aerosol composition and its sources at the King Sejong Station, Antarctic peninsula

The annual cycles of major metals and ions in suspended particulate matters (SPM) have been investigated at a costal site of the Antarctic Peninsula in order to elucidate temporal variations as well as major source processes responsible for their formation. The measurements had been performed from January 2000 to December 2001 at the Korean Antarctic research station, ‘King Sejong’ (62°13′ S, 58°47′ W). The observed time series of important aerosol components showed clear seasonal variation patterns, while the mean elemental concentrations (e.g., 1875 (Al), 10.3 (Ba), 0.3 (Bi), 1.3 (Cd), 1.7 pg m−3 (Co)) were generally compatible with those reported previously. The presence of high EF values with respect to both mean crustal and seawater composition (such as Bi, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, V, and Zn), however, suggests a possibly important role of anthropogenic processes in this remote site. In contrast, the concentrations of ionic species were not clearly distinguishable from those of other Antarctic sites; but the consideration of ionic mass balance between cations and anions pointed out the uniqueness of their source/sink processes in the study area. The major source processes of those aerosol components were also investigated using a series of statistical analyses. The overall results of our study indicated the dominance of several processes (or sources) such as sea-salt emission, secondary aerosol formation, and anthropogenic pollution from both local and distant sources.

HEAVY METALS AND TOXIC TRACE ELEMENTS CONTENTS IN SOILS OF SELECTED AREAS OF THE KAVALA PREFECTURE, NORTHERN GREECE

In the present study a total of sixteen samples (3 surrounding rocks and 13 uncultivated topsoils) from the industrial zone east of the city of Kavala, Northern Greece, was collected and analyzed for their content in 41 elements. The extraction of the elements was based on the digestion of 0.1 g of each sample with 2 ml HNO3 and the soil fraction used was the &lt; 20Όμιη. The analytical methods used were ICP-OES for the elements Ca, Mg, Κ, Β, Sr, Fe, Na, Si, S, Ρ, and ΑΙ and ICPMS for the elements Mn, Zn, Cu, Ti, V, Cr, Rb, Ba, Th, La, Ce, As, Sn, Co, Se, Y, Zr, Mo, Cd, Cs, W, Sb, Li, U, Ag, Ni, Hg, Ga, Ge and Pb. The mean element concentrations of the thirteen topsoil samples were compared with the mean values for soil types Fluvisols and Leptosols. The results showed that they are enriched for the elements Ag, As and Pb by 21, 15 and 3 times, respectively. Moreover, the topsoils were compared with the three surrounding rock samples. The results showed that the concentrations of Ca, Mg, Κ, Fe, Si, S, AI, Ρ Na, Β, Ce, Co, Cs, Ga, Ge, Hg, La, Li, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sn, Sr, Th, U and W in the topsoils are mainly influenced by their concentrations in the surrounding rocks. The elements Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Sb, Ti, Y, V, Zn, and Zr are enriched in the topsoils. The enrichment of Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Sb, and Zn is mainly due to the widespread presence of PBG sulphides, Mn, Cd, and As in the surrounding mineralizations. The enrichment took place, quite possibly, during the formation of Drama and Nestos basins, during Tertiary, and is possibly being continued until today. However, the human activities that take place in the area are also, at least partially, responsible for this enrichment.

Mercury content and its bioconcentration factors in wild mushrooms at Łukta and Morag, northeastern Poland.

Total concentrations of mercury were determined using cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS) in the fruiting bodies of 16 species of wild mushrooms and underlying soil (0-10 cm) substrates collected in the areas of the Communes of Morag and Łukta in the county of Ostróda in northeastern Poland in 1997-1998. A total of 174 composite samples of caps, 174 stalks, 80 whole fruiting bodies (collectively 1254 specimens), and 252 soils were examined. Among several species of mushrooms analyzed, the greatest concentrations were between 1300 and 71000 ng.g(-1) of dry matter. These levels were found in the caps of Sweating mushroom (Clitocybe rivulosa), King Bolete (Boletus edulis), and Common Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum) and also were characterized by the highest bioconcentration factors (BCF) for Hg, which ranged between 160 +/- 82 and 110 +/- 34. The cap to stalk quotient for mercury concentrations was approximately 2 for most of the species except Poison Pax (Paxilus involutus), which had a greater concentration in caps than in stalks and a quotient of 4.4 +/- 7.2. Hg concentrations in the underlying soil substrates (0-10 cm layer) ranged between 21 +/- 21 and 390 +/- 130 ng.g(-1) of dry matter. The results showed that the consumption of mushrooms, considered to be the sole dietary source of mercury at the highest or mean element concentrations found, is not hazardous at daily ingestion rates of less than 70 and 210 g of fresh product, which would result in a hazard index value of less than unity.