Metal Pollution In Environment Research Articles

Microbial remediation of heavy metal-polluted water

Heavy metal pollution in water has become a global environmental problem, threatening aquatic ecosystems and human health. Physical and chemical methods can effectively remove heavy metal pollutants, while their applications are limited due to the high costs, complex operation, and susceptibility to secondary pollution. Bioremediation is the most promising method for eliminating toxic pollutants. Microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and algae can convert toxic heavy metals into less toxic forms, which has become an effective and environmentally friendly solution for the remediation of heavy metal pollution in water environments. This paper expounds the toxicity and mechanism of heavy metal pollution, microbial remediation mechanisms, and primary microbial remediation strategies, providing a reference for the removal or reduction of metal pollutants in water environments as well as the development of related technologies.

Harnessing Moringa oleifera root powder (MORP) for the sustainable remediation of heavy metal contaminated water.

Heavy metal environmental pollution is rapidly increasing due to the increase in industrialization and urbanization. Industrial processes, such as paint production, mining, and raw materials producing industries release effluents rich in heavy metals, like Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, and Cr3+. These heavy metals are dangerous because they persist in nature, are non-biodegradable and they have high tendency to accumulate in the environment and in living organisms who are exposed to them. This work studied the removal of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cr, and Cd) from aqueous solution using Moringa oleifera root powder (MORP) as the adsorbent. The MORP was characterized by SEM, FTIR, BET, and XRD. Batch adsorption experiments carried out investigated the effects of adsorbate concentration, adsorbent dosage, agitation time, pH and temperature on adsorption. The optimum parameters are: contact time (90 min); pH (9); adsorbent dose (0.6); metal ion concentration (30 mg L-1) for Cr and 40 mg L-1 for the rest; and temperature (50 °C) for Cu and Pb, and 70 °C for Cr and Cd. These experimental data were analyzed with 5 isotherm models (Temkin, Flory-Huggins, Langmuir, D-R and Freundlich). The result obtained fitted best to Temkin isotherm in comparison to others. Kinetic studies revealed that the pseudo-second order kinetic model best described the adsorption (with high R2 values ranging from 0.9810-0.9976) compared to pseudo-first order and intra-particle diffusion kinetics model. Results of the thermodynamic study showed that the sorption process was endothermic for Cu and Pb, but exothermic for Cd and Cr. The adsorbent showed good adsorptive tendencies toward the ions studied, and could be applied on an industrial scale for the remediation of metal contaminated water.

Analysis and probabilistic health risk assessment of vertical heavy metal pollution in the water environment of reservoir in the west coast new area of Qingdao, China

The West Coast New Area is a typical city in China where water supply is predominantly sourced from reservoirs. Heavy metal pollution in these reservoirs directly impacts the safety of drinking water and human health. Therefore, this study comprehensively evaluated the status of heavy metal pollution in the water environment and sediment of the main water supply reservoir in the study area, revealing the interaction relationship and pollution sources, as well as assessing the probabilistic health risks to human beings. The results show that there are different degrees of pollution in the main water supply reservoirs in the study area, and the pollution increases with the increase of water depth. The heavy metal pollution index was up to 2681, indicating heavily pollution. The main polluting elements were Mn and Fe, and the maximum contents were 4.11 mg L−1 and 0.68 mg L−1, respectively, which far exceeded the Class III standard limit of drinking water in China. The main source of pollution is human activities, and Mn release from sediment aggravates deep water pollution. The non-carcinogenic risk index of heavy metals in the reservoir, ranging from 4% to 14%, is higher than 1, indicating a potential non-carcinogenic threat. Furthermore, heavy metals have a much greater impact on children compared to adults, among which Mn is the main contributor to human non-carcinogenic risk, contributing more than 60%. Therefore, controlling the content of Mn and Fe can effectively reduce the heavy metal pollution of reservoir and human health risk. The research results are of great significance for the utilization of reservoir water resources and the protection of the ecological environment in the study area.

Cadmium Associated Preeclampsia: A Systematic Literature Review of Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes.

Preeclampsia (PE), caused by multiple factors, is one of the most serious complications of pregnancy. Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal environmental pollutant, reproductive toxicant, and endocrine disruptor, which can increase the risk of PE. Cd toxicity due to occupational, diet, and environmental factors has worsened the risk. Studies showed elevated Cd concentration in maternal blood and placenta of PE women. However, the implicit association between Cd associated PE is still not highlighted. We systematically reviewed Cd-associated PE and its effect on pregnancy and birth outcomes. Based on "Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA)" guidelines, eighty-six studies were identified by PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), and Scopus databases. Publications were included until October 2023 and articles screened based on our inclusion criteria. Our study identified that the exposure of controlled and uncontrolled Cd induces PE, which negatively affects pregnancy and birth outcomes. Given the serious nature of this finding, Cd is a potential adverse agent that impacts pregnancy and future neonatal health. Further comprehensive studies covering the whole trimesters of pregnancy and neonatal developments are warranted. Data on the molecular mechanisms behind Cd-induced PE is also essential for potential preventive, diagnostic, or therapeutic targets.

Evaluation of lead exposure effects on tissue accumulation, behavior, morphological and hemato-biochemical changes in common carp, Cyprinus carpio

BackgroundHeavy metal pollution, particularly lead (Pb), poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and their inhabitants, threatening their delicate balance and long-term viability. This study highlights the urgent need to mitigate heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems. ObjectiveThis study investigates Pb(NO3)2 exposure effects on tissue accumulation, behavioral abnormalities, and hemato-biochemical parameters in common carp (Cyprinus carpio), a widely distributed freshwater fish species. MethodologyFish (115 ± 5.23 g) were exposed to various Pb(NO3)2 concentrations for 10 and 20 days, representing control (0 %), 25 %, 50 %, and 75 % of the LC50 equivalent to 19.33, 38.66, and 58.0 mg/l, respectively. The standard manual procedure was used for blood sampling. The lead concentration in fish tissue was determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. ResultsResults revealed that fish gills showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in Pb(NO3)2 after 10 days, further rising after 20 days. Liver concentrations also rose significantly (P < 0.05) with prolonged exposure and increasing Pb levels. Muscle had lower concentrations. Hematological parameters (RBC, WBC, HB, HCT) decreased with higher Pb(NO3)2 levels. Behavioral and morphological changes were significantly more pronounced in the exposure groups when compared to the control group. Hepatic enzyme activities (AST, ALT), glucose, and lipid levels increased, while total protein decreased. ConclusionsThe study highlights Pb(NO3)2 harmful effects on common carp, impacting tissue accumulation, hematological parameters, and biochemical disruptions. It emphasizes the need to monitor and mitigate heavy metal pollution in aquatic environments to safeguard freshwater organisms and ecosystems, and to further increase our understanding of Pb toxicity in freshwater ecosystems.

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Oysters from an Aquaculture Area in the Luoyangjiang River Estuary.

Oysters are a group of economically important bivalves in China, with estuaries serving as one of their primary cultivation areas. However, heavy metal pollution in these estuarine environments poses a potential threat to aquaculture by leading to the accumulation of heavy metals in farmed oysters, which could impact their safety and marketability. This study was conducted in the aquaculture area of the Luoyangjiang River estuary, where eight sampling sites were selected. Water, sediment, and oysters categorized by shell length were collected from each site. The concentrations of heavy metals (Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined in both the environmental samples and oyster tissues. Additionally, multiplex species-specific PCR was used to identify oyster species. The results showed significant variations in dissolved-phase and suspended particulate matter (SPM) metal concentrations across different sampling sites, while sediment metal concentrations were more consistent but similar to those in SPM. The large oysters were comprised of 50% Magallana angulata and 50% Magallana gigas, while small oysters were identified as Magallana sikamea. The Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn levels in both size groups of oysters exceeded data from previous studies, indicating contamination in the estuary. The observed differences in heavy metal concentrations between large and small oysters primarily reflect species-specific variability in metal accumulation, which may also be influenced by factors such as growth and exposure duration. Furthermore, the lack of significant correlation between metal concentrations in environmental media and oysters suggests that oysters may be exposed to multiple sources of metal contamination.

Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments and their impact on macrobenthos in Asan Bay, South Korea

Bay ecosystems with unique economic and ecological value are more vulnerable to heavy metal pollution than other marine ecosystems. In South Korea, rapid economic development has exacerbated heavy metal pollution in bay environments. This study analyzed concentrations of seven heavy metals and the structure of macrobenthic community in Asan Bay. Five heavy metal indices (PLI, Pn, RI, TRI, and MERMQ) were used to assess ecological risk. Additionally, spearman correlation, biota–environment matching (BIO-ENV), and redundancy analysis (RDA) were utilized to determine the influence of heavy metals on macrobenthic communities. Although average concentrations of seven heavy metals were below sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), the average concentration of Cd was close to the threshold effects level (TEL). The nemerow pollution index (Pn) and the potential ecological risk index (RI) indicated that Cd was the primary heavy metal contributing to ecological risk. Spearman correlation, BIO-ENV, and RDA indicated that heavy metals were the main environmental factors influencing macrobenthic communities in Asan Bay. However, five heavy metal indices (PLI, Pn, RI, TRI, and MERMQ) did not show a response to the macrobenthic communities. Overall, low concentrations of heavy metals have a certain negative impact on macrobenthic communities in Asan Bay. This study can serve as an important reference for marine environmental protection and policy-making in Asan Bay.

High-performance sulfur-rich COF/PTFE composite membrane for the efficient removal of Hg(II) from acidic wastewater

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as advanced materials for addressing heavy metal pollution in acidic environments. However, powdered COF adsorbents face challenges such as poor operability and a tendency to agglomerate, limiting their industrial wastewater treatment applications. In this study, we prepared a sulfur-rich COF-OSH/mPTFE composite membrane through in situ growth and subsequent modification of COFs on the surface of amino-functionalized PTFE porous membranes. The COF-OSH/mPTFE composite exhibits a remarkable adsorption capacity for mercuric cations (Hg2+), reaching 223.5 mg/g. Notably, even at pH 1, the adsorption capacity remains high at 68.9 mg/g. The adsorption process demonstrates excellent resistance to interference from Na+ and Ca2+ ions and shows good reusability. Furthermore, COF-OSH/mPTFE reduced the concentration of Hg2+ in a 100 mL solution (5 mg/L) by over 80 % within 13 min at pH 5, and by over 40 % at pH 2. Even after continuous treatment of 20 L of Hg2+ solution, a significant reduction in Hg2+ concentration in the filtrate was still observed. The COF-OSH/mPTFE composite membrane addresses the cleanliness and recovery issues associated with powdered adsorbents in adsorption environments. The simple, efficient, and low-energy filtration process endows COF-OSH/mPTFE with excellent capability for treating acidic wastewater containing Hg2+.

A probabilistic risk assessment of heavy metal in water and sediment: An industrially affected urban river in Bangladesh.

Human welfare and biodiversity are at risk due to the deterioration of water and sediment quality. Particularly, in last few decades, global water and sediment quality degraded due to the rapid industrialization and urbanization. This study aimed to determine the concentration of nine heavy metals and metalloid (Pb, Cr, Cd, Hg, As, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn) and assess the ecological risks using different pollution indices (e.g., heavy metal pollution index [HPI], Nemerow pollution index [NI], geo-accumulation index [Igeo], contamination factor [CF], degree of contamination [CD] and pollution load index [PLI], ecological risk index [ERI]) in water and sediment of the Shitalakshya River, an industrially affected urban river of Bangladesh. For the first time, 20 water and sediment samples were collected across a wider geographical area of the Shitalakshya River during both monsoon and dry seasons and analyzed using the atomic absorption spectrometer. Average concentrations of heavy metals and metalloid in water were within the Bangladesh standard except for Cr (51.69 ppb) and Mn (228.20 ppb) during monsoon season, portraying potential ecological and human health risks. Besides, average concentration of Mn (549.75 and 370.93 ppb), Ni (549.75 and 370.93 ppb), and Cu (45.34 and 36.09 ppb) in sediment during both seasons were above international standard, implying risk to aquatic sediment biota. The average HPI values indicated moderate to high contamination, whereas the NI values implied polluted water in monsoon season with severe pollution in port area of the river. Similarly, Igeo, CF, CD, and PLI elucidated different levels of contamination in the sediment, particularly during dry season. The ERI values also referred moderate ecological risk in the sediment during dry season. Overall, our findings highlight the alarming level of heavy metal pollution in the Shitalakshya River, necessitating immediate action to protect the aquatic environment, sediment biota, and human health. PRACTITIONER POINTS: This study determined the concentration of heavy metals and metalloid in water and sediment of the Shitalakshya River, Bangladesh. The study revealed that the average concentration of Cr and Mn in water exceeded national standard, whereas Mn, Ni, and Cu in sediment exceeded international limit. Potential ecological risk of heavy metals was also assessed using different pollution indices. Calculated pollution indices indicated different degree of pollution, implying critical ecological condition due to heavy metal pollution in aquatic environment and sediment biota.

Metal Levels in Striped Dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and Common Dolphins (Delphinus delphis) Stranded along the Sicilian Coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea.

Dolphins, top predators of the aquatic food chain, are used as sentinel species of marine pollution as they are sensitive to environmental changes and able to accumulate a large content of contaminants. Several EU directives promote study of marine mammalians as bio-indicators to evaluate the presence of contaminants in the aquatic environment, such as the Mediterranean Sea, which is rich in environmental pollutants due to its geographic and geo-morphological characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of toxic and essential metals and metalloids (Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Se and Zn), through ICP-MS analysis, in organs/tissues (liver, muscle, lung, kidney and skin) of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) stranded along the Sicilian coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea. The results confirm the exposure of dolphins to toxic metals and metalloids, with the highest Hg levels observed in skin and liver, although a low Metal Pollution Index (MPI) was found in all samples of both dolphin species. From a comparative analysis of trace metals and metalloids according to sex and state of development, the highest levels of Cd and As were found in females vs. males and adults vs. juveniles, except for Pb in both species, and significant differences were observed between the two species, size of specimens, and organs/tissues analyzed. The highest Hg levels were correlated to those of essential metals Se and Zn, expressed as molar ratios, to evaluate the potential synergic effect of these detoxifying elements against Hg toxicity. This study confirms the rule of Stenella coeruleoalba and Delphinus delphis as valid sentinel species of the Mediterranean Sea, to verify the trend of metals pollution in this aquatic environment and, consequently, the health of these marine species.

A porous thiosemicarbazide functionalized covalent organic framework served as sensitive fluorescent sensor for Hg2+

The detection of heavy metal pollution in food and environment is of great significance for environmental pollution control and human health. 1,3,5-Tris(p-formylphenyl)benzene (TFPB) and thiosemicarbazide (TS) were used as building blocks to construct a thiosemicarbazide functionalized covalent organic framework (COF) through Schiff base condensation reaction. Hg2+ ions can significantly enhance the fluorescence of the prepared COF-TFPB-TS, and thus COF-TFPB-TS can be utilized for highly selective and sensitive detection of Hg2+ ions. Moreover, COF-TFPB-TS showed high performance for detecting Hg2+ in fresh fruit juice, mineral water and tap water, which demonstrated its ability to be applied in real sample testing.

Antioxidative response of herbs of various species to heavy metal environmental pollution

Antioxidative response of herbs of various species to heavy metal environmental pollution

Bioaccumulation of trace metals in edible terrestrial snails, Theba pisana and Otala spp., in a dumpsite area in Morocco and assessment of human health risks for consumers.

This study assessed the bioaccumulation patterns of five trace metals (Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, and Zn) in two edible snail species, Theba pisana and Otala spp., collected from a dumpsite in Safi City, Morocco. The results indicated that bioaccumulation might be species-specific, as metal concentration profiles varied between the two snail species. Additionally, higher metal levels in the dumpsite snails confirmed their potential as bioindicators of trace metal pollution in terrestrial environments. However, the distribution of trace elements within the edible parts of the snails showed marked unevenness, with the viscera accumulating more metals than the foot. The study also evaluated the potential human health risks associated with consuming these snails. Trace metal levels in the edible parts exceeded most international safety thresholds. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of trace metals through snail consumption were below the provisional tolerable daily intakes (PTDIs) for both children and adults, suggesting that daily consumption is generally safe. Nonetheless, the hazard index (HI) indicated that children might face health risks from long-term consumption of contaminated snails (HI > 1), while adults are less likely to experience such complications (HI < 1). The total target carcinogenic risk (TTCR) was below 1E-04 for both children and adults, indicating negligible to acceptable carcinogenic risks for all consumer groups.

A hybrid fluorescent probe for the selective detection of divalent Hg2+ and trivalent Al3+ ions and their biological applications

Metals are extensively used for different applications in agriculture and industry. Accumulations of these metals in the environment lead to serious health concerns. Currently, fast and accurate detection of metal ions in the environment or biological system has become a critical issue. Hence, developing an appropriate tool for the detection of metals can help reduce environmental metal pollution and reduce health concerns. In the present study, a hybrid fluorescent probe or chemosensor for parallelly detecting two important metal ions (Mercury and Aluminium) has been designed and tested for its detection efficiency. The newly synthesized chemosensor 3′,6′-bis(ethylamino)-2′,7′-dimethyl-3H-spiro[isobenzofuran-1,9′-xanthen]-3-one (RS) was found to specifically detect Hg2+ and Al3+ ions with high sensitivity and selectivity. The chemical and physical properties of chemosensor RS were tested using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, UV and Fluorescence analysis. The quick response to Hg2+ and Al3+ is attributable to the creation of a coordinate bond present between the chemosensor RS and the metal ion. The selective sensing of chemosensor RS is due to the spirolactam ring opening followed by the development of proper coordinate geometry in the chemosensor. 1H NMR titration experiment and Job’s approach studies suggest a significant binding stoichiometry between the chemosensor RS and the metal ions at a 1:1 ratio. The limit of detection (LOD) of chemosensor RS was determined to be 1.88 µM for Al3+ and 1.75 µM for Hg2+ ions. The in vivo studies using two experimental animal models, Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) and Poecilia reticulate (guppy fish), clearly demonstrate its efficiency in detecting endogenously absorbed Hg2+ and Al3+. Thus, chemosensor RS can selectively and simultaneously detect Hg2+ and Al3+ in biological or environmental samples and can help us in monitoring metal leaching into the environment.

Deep lakes support higher zooplankton functional diversity than shallow lakes: A case study in lacustrine environments affected by mining tailings (lower Doce River basin, Brazil)

Abstract Tragic incidents involving mine tailings spills have impacted many aquatic ecosystems around the world. The massive mine tailings dam collapse of Fundão, which occurred in Brazil in 2015, affected several aquatic ecosystems, including shallow and deep lakes in the lower Doce River basin. Until now, the effects of mine tailings on the functional diversity of zooplankton remain poorly understood. We investigated the functional diversity of zooplankton (functional groups, functional richness [FRic] and functional evenness [FEve]) in shallow and deep lakes, exploring the influence of environmental variables and metals. In addition, trends in functional redundancy and functional vulnerability were also assessed to understand patterns of resilience in mining‐impacted ecosystems. Surveys were performed monthly on three deep and three shallow lakes affected by the dam failure, from October 2018 to September 2019. In the deep lakes, the zooplankton community was dominated by smaller filter‐feeders and omnivorous species, associated with cyanobacteria density and chlorophyll‐a. Medium‐sized filters were associated to iron, suspended particulate organic matter and total organic carbon in shallow lakes. The smaller filter‐feeders and omnivorous trophic groups had a higher contribution to increasing the functional diversity of zooplankton than medium‐sized filter‐feeders in both deep and shallow lakes. FRic and FEve were higher in deep lakes than in shallow lakes. Shallow lakes were highly vulnerable to species loss and functional diversity was modulated by environmental changes and metal pollution. Tropical shallow lakes impacted by mining tailings should receive particular attention in conservation plans, as a consequence of their high level of pollutant retention in comparison with deep lakes. In addition, we highlight the importance of using a functional approach to better understand the ecosystem changes resulting from the impacts of mine tailings on aquatic environments.

Heavy metals removal in a graphene engineered concrete-based filter column

In this study, crushed aggregate surfaces were coated with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) using a chitosan-derived solution and included in porous concrete-based filter column samples to improve heavy metal removal. The RGO coating strengthened the aggregate and cement interfaces, thus improving the compressive strength of these samples by up to 18 %. The removal of lead and copper in samples containing RGO coated aggregate (GCA) operated with a minimum hydraulic load was found to be 97 % and 92 %. Increasing the hydraulic load reduced this heavy metal removal, but the presence of GCA increased the active sites for heavy metal ions to immobilize, leading to improved copper removal under such operating conditions. Calcium ions from the cement hydrates were found to leach from the concrete matrices during such a wastewater passage. This leaching of calcium ions was determined to be relatively lesser in RGO decorated concrete samples, pointing out the positive effects of GCA on the resistance of the concrete matrices to aggressive chemicals. Clay particles containing highly turbid water were also passed through these concrete samples to examine the effects on the infiltration rate. Clay particles were found to clog pores, marginally reducing the infiltration rate. Concrete-based water filters are easy to operate and have low maintenance requirements, and industries responsible for heavy metal pollution in aquatic environments can widely adopt them instead of complex treatment methods.

Altered biotoxicity of cadmium to freshwater green algae by different concentrations of polystyrene

Microplastic pollution has become a global problem, threatening water bodies and aquatic organisms around the world. Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment is an environmental issue of long-term concern, and relatively few studies have been conducted on the compound toxic pollution of freshwater algae by microplastics and heavy metals. Therefore, in this study, Cd and polystyrene (PS) were selected as representative heavy metals and microplastics in the environment, and the toxic effects of the two pollutants on freshwater algae were investigated by determining the biomass of algal growth, chlorophyll a content, and the bioconcentration of heavy metals. It was found that the two pollutants alone could inhibit the growth and photosynthesis of the algae, and the toxicity increased with the increase of concentration. When the two pollutants were combined, the toxicity of Cd depended on the concentration of PS, and both low (1 mg/L) and high (100 mg/L) concentrations of PS increased the toxicity of Cd in a synergistic manner, whereas the medium concentration (10 mg/L) of PS showed an antagonistic effect, which was able to inhibit the toxicity of Cd.

Potential risk assessment and occurrence characteristic of heavy metals based on artificial neural network model along the Yangtze River Estuary, China.

Pollution from heavy metals in estuaries poses potential risks to the aquatic environment and public health. The complexity of the estuarine water environment limits the accurate understanding of its pollution prediction. Field observations were conducted at seven sampling sites along the Yangtze River Estuary (YRE) during summer, autumn, and winter 2021 to analyze the concentrations of seven heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn) in water and surface sediments. The order of heavy metal concentrations in water samples from highest to lowest was Zn > As > Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cd, while that in surface sediments samples was Zn > Cr > As > Ni > Pb > Cu > Cd. Human health risk assessment of the heavy metals in water samples indicated a chronic and carcinogenic risk associated with As. The risks of heavy metals in surface sediments were evaluated using the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and potential ecological risk index (RI). Among the seven heavy metals, As and Cd were highly polluted, with Cd being the main contributor to potential ecological risks. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to identify the sources of the different heavy metals, revealing that As originated primarily from anthropogenic emissions, while Cd was primarily from atmospheric deposition. To further analyze the influence of water quality indicators on heavy metal pollution, an artificial neural network (ANN) model was utilized. A modified model was proposed, incorporating biochemical parameters to predict the level of heavy metal pollution, achieving an accuracy of 95.1%. This accuracy was 22.5% higher than that of the traditional model and particularly effective in predicting the maximum 20% of values. Results in this paper highlight the pollution of As and Cd along the YRE, and the proposed model provides valuable information for estimating heavy metal pollution in estuarine water environments, facilitating pollution prevention efforts.

Physiological and biochemical responses in Mediterranean saltbush (Atriplex halimus L., Amaranthaceae Juss.) to heavy metal pollution in arid environment

Physiological and biochemical responses in Mediterranean saltbush (Atriplex halimus L., Amaranthaceae Juss.) to heavy metal pollution in arid environment

Analysis of two coastal pelagic fish species (Sardinella aurita and Scomber colias) for early detection of the impact of anthropogenic metals released into the marine environment

In this study, the concentrations of several metals (Al, Cd,Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) were analyzed in two species of fish (S. aurita and S. colias) in different years, including the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The highest values of metals such as Al were found in the years 2019 8.661±0.434 mg/kg in S. colias and 6.487±1.485 mg/kg in S. aurita, and the year with the lowest concentration was 2020; 7.5±0.146 mg/kg in S. colias and 4.405±0.823 mg/kg in S. aurita, this pattern of concentrations occurs similarly for the other metals studied. Significant differences were found in the concentrations of these metals in both types of fish over the years. In general, metal concentrations were higher in 2019 and lower in 2020, coinciding with the period of reduced human activity during the pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced human activity led to a decrease in metal pollution in the marine environment, which had a positive impact on fish. However, it was noted that these effects may be temporary and may reverse when normal economic activities resume. These two fish species are sensitive indicators of metal pollution in the marine environment and it is important to take measures to reduce the release of contaminating metals into the environment. The need to adopt sustainable tourism practices and stricter environmental regulations to protect marine ecosystems is also mentioned.