Mean Concentrations Of Pb Research Articles

Bioaccumulation of Cu and Pb in freshwater fish samples from Sungai Kelantan

This study determine the level of copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) in the meat and gills of freshwater fish from 3 different locations along Sungai Kelantan. Sampling was carried out in wet and season and the fish were caught using gill nets. The bioconcentration of heavy metals were determined using Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Highest mean concentrations of Pb in meat of fish during the wet and dry seasons are 0.027±0.036 mg/kg (S3) and 0.064±0.020 (S1), while for Cu are 0.028±0.028 mg/kg (S3) and 0.038±0.009 (S1). Highest mean concentrations of Pb in gills during the wet and dry seasons are 0.031±0.006 mg/kg (S3) and 0.064±0.020 (S1), while for Cu are 0.03±0.005 mg/kg (S3) and 0.038±0.009 (S1). The level of Pb and Cu showed significant different (p < 0.05) in gills of fish during monsoon seasons, which not exceed the permissible limit of heavy metals according to MFA and FAO.

ANALYTICAL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY ON THE POLLUTION EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS IN SOME TYPES OF THE FISH IN YEMEN

Objectives: The fish samples were collected from the three different cities of Yemeni coasts. Aden, Al-Hodeidah and AL-Mukalla were chosen for the sample collection. Lethrinusmahsena, Thunnustonggol, Sphyraenajello and Epinephelusareolatus fish samples were considered for the study as they are more common eatable fish among the population. Methods: The study was carried out in the all three seasons of winter 2011, summer 2012 and winter 2013 in order to check seasonal variation of heavy metal pollution.Total Fish (108 samples of each muscles, liver and gills) were analyzed. The four heavy metals lead, Cadmium, Mercury and arsenic which are considered highly toxic were detected in the samples in the year 2010, 2012 and 2013. Results: The mean concentration of Pb, Cd, Hg and as in muscle was 0.101±0.012, 0.046±0.010, 0.058±0.002 and 0.089±0.002µg.g-1 dry wt. respectively; whereas in liver was 0.196±0.033, 0.132±0.020, 0.102±0.007 and 0.115±0.0005µg.g-1 dry wt. respectively; whereas in gill was 0.294±0.042, 0.196±0.063, 0.016±0.0006 and 0.034±0.0005µg.g-1 dry wt. respectively. The results showed that, the heavy metals concentrations were high in stations AL-Hudaydah and AL-Mukalla and low in station of Aden. Also the heavy metals concentrations were high in Seasons summer and low in Seasons winter. Conclusion: From the heavy metal concentrations mentioned above we can see that somewhere the concentration is crossing the limits as permissible by the World Health Organization. It suggests a high risk to the health of human being on the consumption of contaminated fish. Therefore it is recommended that the practice of trace element detection should be continued in order to update whether the heavy metal concentration is above or below the permissible limits and if it is above the limit then precautions must be taken to avoid possible consumption of contaminated eatables. Peer Review History: Received 22 November 2017; Revised 7 January; Accepted 10 January, Available online 15 January 2018 UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file: Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Islamudin Ahmad, Mulawarman University, Samarinda, Indonesia, islamudinahmad@yahoo.com Dr. Kingsley C Anukam, University of Benin, Nigeria, kanukam@gmail.com Similar Articles: TRACE METALS IN SURFACE SEAWATERS IN THE RED SEA AND GULF OF ADEN-YEMEN

Toxic heavy metal contamination assessment and speciation in sugarcane soil

The increasing heavy metal pollution in the sugarcane soils along the Great Huanjiang River was caused by leakage and spills of Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) tailing dams during a flood event. Copper (Cu), Zn, Pb, Cadmium (Cd), and Arsenic (As) concentrations of soil samples collected from 16 different sites along the Great Huanjiang River coast typical pollution area were analyzed by Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, and As in the sugarcane soils were 151.57 mg/kg, 0.33 mg/kg, 155.52 mg/kg, 14.19 mg/kg, and 18.74 mg/kg, respectively. Results from the analysis of heavy metal speciation distribution showed that Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd existed in weak acid, reducible, and oxidizable fractions, and the sum of these fractions accounted for significant proportions in sugarcane soils. However, the residual fraction of As with high proportion of reducible fraction indicated that this trace element still poses some environmental risk in the sugarcane soils because of its high content. Assessments of pollution levels revealed that the highest environmental risk was arouse by Pb. In addition, moderate to strong Cd and Zn pollution were found, while As has zero to medium level of pollution and Cu has zero level.

Levels of Metals in Soils of Ait Ammar Iron Mine, Morocco: Human Health Risks

AbstractThe concentrations of metals were determined in soil samples collected in Ait Ammar (Oued Zem, Morocco). The mean Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn contents in the mining topsoil samples were: 2.12, 135, 34.9, 214, 9.13 and 90.8 mg kg−1, respectively. Human health risks developed from metal ingestion, dermal absorption and inhalation of soils were also evaluated. For non-carcinogenic risks, united hazard index (HI) values for children surpassed the safe level (HI=1) for Cr (13.1). Values for HI in adults (1.74) also surpassed the safe level for Cr. The HI values for Pb and Cd for children were 0.69 and 0.68, respectively. Cancer risk due to Cr surpassed the tolerable range (1E-06 to1E-04) for children (1.05E-03) and for adults (1.42E-04). Cancer risks due to Pb and Cd were within acceptable ranges for both children and adults. Furthermore, oral ingestion of soil particles contributed more highly to both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk from Cr than either dermal absorption or inhalation in both children and adults.

English

Heavy metals are of public health concern worldwide due to their damaging effects on human and animal health, the environment and life in general. This study assessed concentration levels of some toxic heavy metals: Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and magnesium (Mg) in blood samples of ten (10) cattle slaughtered in two areas (Jos North and South) of Plateau State, Northern Nigeria. The results were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) standard for heavy metals allowable content in food. The samples were analyzed for Cd, Pb, Cu and Mg in triplicates by Shimadzu Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AA 6800) after wet digestion. The results of the analysis indicated that the levels in parts per million (ppm) range from 0.4169 to 3.0302 for Pb; 0.0067 to 0.0204 for Cd; 0.1112 to 0.9845 for Mg and 0.0027 to 0.0326 for Cu. The mean concentration of Pb was found to be higher than the WHO acceptable limit, while Cd, Cu and Mg were within the WHO acceptable limit. The high value of Pb might be attributed to impact of environmental pollution from diverse mineral resource base of Jos metropolitan city and this has health implication on consumers. Key words: Toxicological status, health implication, heavy metals, blood, abattoir.

English

Boreholes and hand dug wells from Bantaji and Rafin-Kada settlements of Wukari L.G.A. were analyzed for fourteen physicochemical parameters and seven heavy metals collected within July, 2015 to March, 2016 using standard methods. The mean difference in concentration of dissolved oxygen between the wet and dry seasons in the Bantaji boreholes was statistically significant at p&lt;0.05. In addition, the electrical conductivity, nitrate nitrogen, phosphate and dissolved oxygen concentration were also statistically significant in the Rafin-Kada Boreholes. For the well water samples, total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrate nitrogen and chlorides were also statistically significant between the wet and dry seasons of the Bantaji wells while in the Rafin-Kada wells, with only dissolved oxygen having mean concentration that was statistically significant at p&lt;0.05. All the physicochemical parameters in the boreholes and hand dug wells fall within the Nigerian Standards for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) acceptable limits. The heavy metals, Pb and Mn had mean concentrations in the wet and dry seasons that were statistically significant in the Bantaji borehole, Bantaji well and Rafin-Kada borehole while Rafin-Kada borehole had statistically significant mean concentrations of Cd, As and Mn at p&lt;0.05. All the heavy metals analyzed fall within the NSDWQ acceptable limits except Pb which had higher mean concentrations in the wet and dry seasons than the acceptable limits from Rafin-Kada wells (0.0190 and 0.0203 mg/L), Bantaji boreholes (0.1487 and 0.1086 mg/L) and Bantaji wells (0.0145 and 0.0154 mg/L). The mean concentrations of Pb reported may indicate presence of lead containing materials around the water sources. Frequent monitoring of these water sources is recommended over time. &nbsp; Key words: Boreholes, wells, Bantaji, Rafin-Kada, physic-chemical parameters, heavy metals, groundwater.

Health risk assessment of heavy metal intake due to fish consumption in the Sistan region, Iran.

The heavy metal (Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni) content of a fish species consumed by the Sistan population and its associated health risk factors were investigated. The mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Cr were slightly higher than the standard levels. The Ni content of fish was below the maximum guideline proposed by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). The average estimated weekly intake was significantly below the provisional tolerable intake based on the FAO and WHO standards for all studied metals. The target hazard quotients (THQ) of all metals were below 1, showing an absence of health hazard for the population of Sistan. The combined target hazard quotient for the considered metals was 26.94×10-3. The cancer risk factor for Pb (1.57×10-7) was below the acceptable lifetime carcinogenic risk (10-5). The results of this study reveal an almost safe level of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni contents in the fish consumed by the Sistan population. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Lead in roadway dusts from different functional areas in a typical valley city, NW China: contamination and exposure risk.

Lead contamination and exposure risk assessment in roadway dusts from four different functional areas in a typical valley city in northwest China (Xi'an) were conducted in this study. A total of 130 roadway dust samples from park area (PA), traffic area (TA), educational area (EA), and residential area (RA) were collected and Pb concentrations in the samples were determined by using XRF (X-ray fluorescence). Geo-accumulation index (I geo) and enrichment factor (EF) were applied to assess Pb contamination level and the hazard indexes (HI) of Pb were calculated to evaluate the exposure risks to children and adults. The results showed that roadway dusts from all four functional areas had elevated Pb concentrations and pollution characteristics of Pb were discrepant in different functional areas. The mean concentration of Pb in roadway dusts from PA, TA, EA, and RA was 147.4, 74.8, 119.6, and 161.0mgkg-1, respectively. The I geo and EF of Pb were mostly 1-3 and 2-20, which indicated moderate to high Pb contamination in roadway dusts. High contamination level of Pb in RA and EA should receive priority for prevention and control. Exposure risk assessment of Pb from roadway dusts was mainly in the acceptable range, but the potential risk of Pb exposure to children should be continuously concerned.

Trace metals level in sediments and bivalve Trachycardium lacunosum shell in the Persian Gulf

The current investigation has monitored the concentration of Cd and Pb in bivalve Trachycardium lacunosum shells and the sediment samples in Asaluyeh Bay (north of the Persian Gulf). The samples were taken from 40 stations located in two sites in Asaluyeh region, Nayband Bay as a “contaminated” site and Lavar-e Saheli as a “control” site. The results showed that the mean concentration of Pb and Cd in the sediments were 3.56–5.25 and 1.16–1.44 μg/gdrw, respectively, and in the shell ranged from 11.30 to 13.71 and 2.38 to 2.75 μg/gdrw, respectively. Data indicated that contaminated site contained significantly higher concentration compared with the control site. There were significant positive correlations between the level of Pb and Cd in the shell as well as sediment samples. A biota-sediment accumulation factor of more than one indicated the occurrence of biomagnification of the studied metals in Nayband Bay. Therefore, the elevated amount of the sediments trace metals has led to bioaccumulation in the bivalve shell.

Elemental and radiological characterization of commercial Cetraria islandica (L.) Acharius pharmaceutical and food supplementation products

An elemental and radiological characterization was performed on Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. pharmaceutical and food supplementation products purchased in local specialty shops in Italy. Essential elements (K, Ca, P, S, Cl, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Br, I) and nonessential or toxic elements (Al, Ti, Si, Rb, Sr, As, Cd, Sn, and Pb) were determined by Energy Dispersive Polarized X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry; natural radionuclides (238U, 234U, 230Th, 210Po, 232Th, and 228Th) were determined by alpha spectrometry. The results show that C. islandica, whose nutritional value was assessed referring to recommended nutrient intakes, could serve as an important source of essential elements. Moreover, as expected, lichens concentrate airborne 210Po, whose activity ranged from 132 to 489Bqkg−1dw. This value was much higher than those reported by UNSCEAR for leafy vegetables in the world. In addition, total As and Cd were <1mgkg−1dw and Pb mean concentration was 9.25mgkg−1dw. Health risks associated with the toxic elements contained in C. islandica (L.) products were calculated using risk estimators. Their contribution to total elemental intake does not appear to pose a threat, but the concentrations of these elements should be continuously monitored to protect consumers against potential adverse health effects.

Lead accumulation in oyster shells, a potential tool for environmental monitoring

Pb/Ca profiles were measured on ten live collected Ostrea edulis from three sites characterized by different levels of lead content. Intra-shell and inter-shell reproducibility were tested comparing several Pb/Ca profiles measured by LA-ICP-MS within a specimen, and within specimens from the same site. Results indicate that signals recorded are reproducible and mean shell Pb/Ca values are site-dependent. Second order variability is explained either by smoothing effects, biological effects or micro-environmental heterogeneities in lead distribution. Mean Pb contents measured in marine bivalve shells are reviewed here. Ranging from 0 to 50ppm, they show a strong relationship with the environmental level of local lead contamination, and do not appear species-dependent. Our measurements show a linear relationship between mean shell Pb/Ca and surface sediment Pb concentrations, making marine bivalves and particularly O. edulis a potential accurate bio-monitoring tool able to monitor bioavailable lead along European coasts since Mesolithic, with an annual resolution.

Lead isotopic ratios in source apportionment of heavy metals in the street dust of Kolkata, India

Street dust from 29 locations, in some of the busiest parts of north and south Kolkata, was analysed for heavy metal composition. The decreasing order of average metal concentrations (mg kg−1) found was Mn (390) > Pb (380) > Zn (300) > As (96) > Cu (61) > Cr (40) > Co (13) > Ag (2.1). The heavy metal composition of the Kolkata dust was compared with reported data for other cities. Enrichment factors of Pb and As were high. Multivariate statistical analysis of the heavy metals and analysis of lead isotopic ratios of the dust revealed a predominant anthropogenic influence in the contamination. The range of lead isotopic ratios found in the dust was between 0.8789 and 0.8998 with a mean Pb concentration of 383 mg kg−1. The three Pb isotope plots of street dust, diesel and rainwater clustered linearly, while coal did not fit into this trend. The highest 207/206 lead isotopic ratio obtained was from diesel with a mean value of 0.9015, followed by the rainwater sample. The application of the binary mixing model showed that about 66.86% of lead contamination in the street dust was sourced from the atmosphere. The two components extracted by the principal component analysis explained 64.34% of the total variance. Vehicular and industrial emissions appeared to be an important contributor to the accumulation of heavy metals in the dust. The health risk assessment study of the dust indicated carcinogenic risk associated with As and Cr.

Health risk assessment of Chinese consumers to lead via diet

ABSTRACTThis paper investigated the concentrations of Pb in foods and the potential health risk from Pb exposure via surveys and a literature review. It was shown that the mean Pb concentration in different food groups was in the following decreasing order: marine products > meat > egg > vegetable > cereal > bean> dairy > fruit. More precisely, on average the weekly Pb intake (mg kg−1 bw week−1) for men, women, 2–3-year-old children, and 4–17-year-old children was 0.0055, 0.0059, 0.0145, and 0.0091, respectively. We used both deterministic and probabilistic methods to estimate the target hazard quotients (THQs) by comparing the dietary Pb intake estimation with respect to the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The result showed that THQ values were lower than 1 in most cases, except the 97.5th percentile THQ values for 2–3-year-old children, and the probability of greater dietary Pb exposure than the tolerant weekly intake (THQ > 1) were 0.2%, 0.6%, 3.7%, and 1.2% for adult men, women, 2–3-year-old children, and 4–17-year-old children, respectively, indicating a low health risk for Chinese consumers. Among all groups, children, especially 2–3-year-old children were the most sensitive sub-population with regard to Pb exposure. Finally, it still appeared necessary to continue undertaking efforts to reduce exposure to Pb.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Pawpaw (Carica papaya Linn.) around Automobile Workshops in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Background.Consumption of plants such as Carica papaya grown around automobile workshops is common in big cities in Nigeria. However, little is known about the heavy metals contamination of these consumables due to the influence of automobile emissions during maintenance activities.Objectives.This study aimed to assess heavy metal concentrations in C. papaya and supporting soils around automobile workshops in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria.Methods.Seven automobile workshops were used for the present study. First, 20 m × 20 m quadrats were laid out for soil and C. papaya tissue sampling. One composite soil sample was collected from the topsoil (0–15 cm depth) around each of the automobile workshops. Three C. papaya stands at least 30 cm apart around each workshop were used for the study and from these stands, tissues (root, stem, leaf, fruit) of C. papaya were collected. Standard laboratory techniques were used to determine the pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and heavy metals (lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn)) in the soil samples and C. papaya tissues. Pairwise t-test was used to determine significant differences (p<0.05) in the heavy metal concentrations in soil and C. papaya tissues between the sample and control sites, while correlation statistics were used to determine the relationship of heavy metal concentrations between soil and C. papaya tissues.Results.C. papaya tissues and supporting soil had significantly higher levels of pH, EC and heavy metals in the sampled plots than the control plot. The heavy metal concentrations in C. papaya and soil occurred in the decreasing order of Pb>Cu>Hg>Zn>Cd. The fruit of C. papaya had the highest mean concentrations of Pb (51.4±14.1 mg/kg) and Zn (26.4±1.9 mg/kg), while the leaf had the highest mean concentration of Hg (32.0±2.3 mg/kg). The pH, Cu and Zn in the supporting soil were significantly correlated with the levels in the C. papaya tissues.Conclusion.Bio-accumulation of heavy metals by C. papaya is evident around automobile workshops, and Pb, Hg, Cd concentrations were found to be above the permissible limits for human consumption according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Consumption of food materials grown around automobile workshops could pose health risks.

Levels of Metals Pb, Mn, Fe in the Period 2006–2007 in the Surface Water and Groundwater of Alfeios Catchment, Greece

The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the concentration of heavy metals (lead, manganese and iron) in surface water and groundwater in Alfeios River Basin in the period 2006–2007. Four seasonal sampling campaigns were conducted in 2006 and three campaigns in 2007. At least eleven sampling sites were selected across the main river and its major tributaries, Enipeus, Kladheos, Selinous, Erymanthos, Ladhon and Lousios. At each station, in situ measurements were performed and samples of water were taken for laboratory analysis. Furthermore, in situ measurements were conducted and samples of water were collected from wells and boreholes (drills) in the area near the river to assess the interaction between surface water and groundwater. The mean Pb concentrations in surface waters were found lower than the limit value of 7.2 μg/L in inland waters. The origin of the selected heavy metals is rather natural in the Alfeios River basin, with the exception of the anthropogenic contributions of Pb from the Lousios River catchment and of Fe from the Megalopolis’ mine. These data could be useful for the evaluation of the water quality, which is required by the implementation of the Alfeios River Basin Management Plan.

Heavy metals in suburban gardens and the implications of land-use change following a major earthquake

Numerous studies have shown that urban soils can contain elevated concentrations of heavy metals (HMs). Christchurch, New Zealand, is a relatively young city (150 years old) with a population of 390,000. Most soils in Christchurch are sub-urban, with food production in residential gardens a popular activity. Earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 have resulted in the re-zoning of 630 ha of Christchurch, with suggestions that some of this land could be used for community gardens. We aimed to determine the HM concentrations in a selection of suburban gardens in Christchurch as well as in soils identified as being at risk of HM contamination due to hazardous former land uses or nearby activities. Heavy metal concentrations in suburban Christchurch garden soils were higher than normal background soil concentrations. Some 46% of the urban garden samples had Pb concentrations higher than the residential land use national standard of 210 mg kg−1, with the most contaminated soil containing 2615 mg kg−1 Pb. Concentrations of As and Zn exceeded the residential land use national standards (20 mg kg−1 As and 400 mg kg−1 Zn) in 20% of the soils. Older neighbourhoods had significantly higher soil HM concentrations than younger neighbourhoods. Neighbourhoods developed pre-1950s had a mean Pb concentration of 282 mg kg−1 in their garden soils. Soil HM concentrations should be key criteria when determining the future land use of former residential areas that have been demolished because of the earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Redeveloping these areas as parklands or forests would result in less human HM exposure than agriculture or community gardens where food is produced and bare soil is exposed.

Effects of Industrial Wastewater on the Yield and Trace Element Contents of Red amaranth

Assessment the effect of industrial wastewater on the yield and trace element contents of red amaranth was carried out by this study. Thirty wastewater samples were collected from five major environment-polluting industries namely pharmaceuticals, dyeing, leather, food, and plastic industries at three different locations. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used for analyzing the trace elements in the wastewater-irrigated samples of red amaranth. Higher mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, As, Zn, and Cu in red amaranth were 0.97, 0.20, 1.23, 52.72, 0.52, 0.85, and 2.62 ?g g-1. The percentage of yield reduction in red amaranth were 11.06, 12.73, 14.07, 3.46, 7.82 % for T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 respectively compared to distilled water control (T1). The results concludes that the wastewater samples of pharmaceuticals, dyeing, leather and plastic industries were more polluted than the wastewater of food industries. Vegetables grown in industrial areas contain trace elements viz. Cr, Ni and Cu which would be health hazardous for consumer.J. Environ. Sci. &amp; Natural Resources, 9(2): 27-30 2016

Distribution and mobility of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and antimony (Sb) from ammunition residues on shooting ranges for small arms located on mires.

An environmental survey was performed on shooting ranges for small arms located on minerotrophic mires. The highest mean concentrations of Pb (13g/kg), Cu (5.2g/kg), Zn (1.1g/kg), and Sb (0.83g/kg) in the top soil were from a range located on a poor minerotrophic and acidic mire. This range had also the highest concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn, and Sb in discharge water (0.18mg/L Pb, 0.42mg/L Cu, 0.63mg/L Zn, and 65μg/L Sb) and subsurface soil water (2.5mg/L Pb, 0.9mg/L Cu, 1.6mg/L Zn, and 0.15mg/L Sb). No clear differences in the discharge of ammunition residues between the mires were observed based on the characteristics of the mires. In surface water with high pH (pH ~7), there was a trend with high concentrations of Sb and lower relative concentrations of Cu and Pb. The relatively low concentrations of ammunition residues both in the soil and soil water, 20cm below the top soil, indicates limited vertical migration in the soil. Channels in the mires, made by plant roots or soil layer of less decomposed materials, may increase the rate of transport of contaminated surface water into deeper soil layers and ground water. A large portion of both Cu and Sb were associated to the oxidizable components in the peat, which may imply that these elements form inner-sphere complexes with organic matter. The largest portion of Pb and Zn were associated with the exchangeable and pH-sensitive components in the peat, which may imply that these elements form outer-sphere complexes with the peat.

Accumulation of Lead, Cadmium and Iron in Topsoil of Ori-Ile Battery Waste Dumpsite and Surrounding Gradient Point Areas at Olodo, Ibadan, Nigeria

The disposal of waste is proving to be a major public health issue and a vital factor affecting the quality of the environment especially in the developing countries. Battery waste consists of toxic heavy metals and its incongruous disposal on the Ori-Ile battery waste dumpsite at Olodo, Ibadan has elicited public health concerns. This study was designed to determine the concentration of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and iron (Fe) within the topsoil of Ori-Ile battery waste dumpsite and surrounding gradient point areas at Olodo, Ibadan, Nigeria. An auto-battery Waste Dumpsite (WD), Ori-Ile, Olodo was purposively selected for the study. One hundred and thirty six (136) soil samples were collected every two months (March 2008 to July 2009) from the waste dumpsite and along the along North, South, East and West (N, S, E, W) directions at 5 m intervals from the edge of the wastedump site. Control soil samples were collected from Moor Plantation (MP), Ibadan. All soil samples collected were analyzed for Pb, Cd, and Fe. Mean concentrations of Pb, Cd and Fe concentration (mg/kg) in topsoil from the waste dumpsite was Pb: 4273.8±1436.7, Cd: 258.4±123.1, Fe: 7910.0±791.5 while that from North was Pb: 4693.8±1107.9, Cd: 274.3±94.8, Fe: 8346.7±740.0; South was Pb: 4353.3±867.0, Cd: 255.2±71.4, Fe: 8189.6± 603.5; East was Pb: 4351.3±832.9, Cd: 248.2±65.6, Fe: 8130.0±639.5; West was Pb: 4698.3±1020.8, Cd: 278.4±86.9, Fe: 7851.3±676.8 respectively. These were significantly higher than values obtained from the reference soil (157.0±39.8, 2.2±1.2, 976.3±353.9 mg/kg respectively) and National Environmental Standard Regulation Agency (NESREA) limits (164mgPb/kg and 50mgCd/kg). Also, soil contamination factor values obtained were greater than 6 and this indicated severe contamination. Overall, these results have shown that the levels of Pb, Cd and Fe in all sampled topsoil were several folds above the limits set by NESREA. High accumulation of heavy metals was found in the topsoil of Ori-Ile battery waste dumpsite, Olodo, Ibadan and its surroundings and this could lead to further contamination of surface water, ground water and living organisms within this polluted sites. The health of all living biota within the area could also be negatively impacted.

Monitoring Lead (Pb) Pollution and Identifying Pb Pollution Sources in Japan Using Stable Pb Isotope Analysis with Kidneys of Wild Rats.

Although Japan has been considered to have little lead (Pb) pollution in modern times, the actual pollution situation is unclear. The present study aims to investigate the extent of Pb pollution and to identify the pollution sources in Japan using stable Pb isotope analysis with kidneys of wild rats. Wild brown (Rattus norvegicus, n = 43) and black (R. rattus, n = 98) rats were trapped from various sites in Japan. Mean Pb concentrations in the kidneys of rats from Okinawa (15.58 mg/kg, dry weight), Aichi (10.83), Niigata (10.62), Fukuoka (8.09), Ibaraki (5.06), Kyoto (4.58), Osaka (4.57), Kanagawa (3.42), and Tokyo (3.40) were above the threshold (2.50) for histological kidney changes. Similarly, compared with the previous report, it was regarded that even structural and functional kidney damage as well as neurotoxicity have spread among rats in Japan. Additionally, the possibility of human exposure to a high level of Pb was assumed. In regard to stable Pb isotope analysis, distinctive values of stable Pb isotope ratios (Pb-IRs) were detected in some kidney samples with Pb levels above 5.0 mg/kg. This result indicated that composite factors are involved in Pb pollution. However, the identification of a concrete pollution source has not been accomplished due to limited differences among previously reported values of Pb isotope composition in circulating Pb products. Namely, the current study established the limit of Pb isotope analysis for source identification. Further detailed research about monitoring Pb pollution in Japan and the demonstration of a novel method to identify Pb sources are needed.