Metal Profiles Research Articles

Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle for the Adsorptive Remediation of Petrochemical Effluents

The zinc oxide nanoparticle was synthesized via precipitation method. It was characterized using SEM-EDX, FTIR and TEM for morphology, elemental, functional groups and internal structure respectively. The physicochemical behaviour of a refinery effluent was assessed. The untreated raw refinery effluent from the point of discharge contained very high concentrations of pollutants for all the parameters, ranging between, pH (6.52-6.82), Turbidity (10-12 NTU), conductivity (266-289μs/cm), COD (116-138 mg/l), BOD (14-18.5 mg/l), DO (7.5-15.6 mg/l), TDS (436-486 mg/l), TSS (127-133 mg/l), Oil and grease (14.8-16.3 mg/l), sulphate (113-125 mg/l) and chloride (240-280 mg/l). The effluent was treated with ZnO nanoparticle and reduced the pollutants to the normal permissible limit set by WHO, FEPA and NESREA standard for portable water. The treated effluent sample showed values ranging between, pH (6.55-6.6), Turbidity (4.2-4.5 NTU), conductivity (245-246 μs/cm), COD (39-40 mg/l), BOD (10 mg/l), DO (5.6-10.4 mg/l), TDS (151-183 mg/l), TSS (24-28 mg/l), Oil and grease (7.3-9.5 mg/l), sulphate (100 mg/l) and chloride (200 mg/l). The heavy metals profile that was investigated are Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr of which were found above the WHO and FEPA permissible limit, however, on the contact with the adsorbent therefore reduced the metals to the permissible limit. It can be ascertain that ZnO nanoparticle can be used as an effective adsorbent for the treatment of petrochemical effluent.

Production Method and Wine Style Influence Metal Profiles in Sparkling Wines

The elemental composition of wine provides important information about origin, authenticity, and sensory considerations. Although various wine regions and varieties of still wines have been extensively studied, limited research has evaluated the metal profiles of sparkling wines, which can be produced via the bottle-fermented traditional method (TM) or the tank-fermented Charmat method (CM) in both rosé and non-rosé styles. In this study, 73 commercial sparkling wines from Canada’s Niagara Peninsula were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry to quantify 28 metal ions (silver [Ag], aluminum [Al], arsenic [As], boron [B], barium [Ba], beryllium [Be], calcium [Ca], cadmium [Cd], cobalt [Co], chromium [Cr], copper [Cu], iron [Fe], potassium [K], magnesium [Mg], manganese [Mn], molybdenum [Mo], sodium [Na], nickel [Ni], lead [Pb], antimony [Sb], selenium [Se], tin [Sn], strontium [Sr], titanium [Ti], thallium [Tl], uranium [U], vanadium [V], zinc [Zn]). All metal levels were below internationally regulated maximum limits. Higher mean levels of Cr, Ni, and Sr (0.021 ± 0.008 mg/L, 0.018 ± 0.004 mg/L, and 0.32 ± 0.07 mg/L, respectively) and lower mean levels of B (3.0 ± 0.6 mg/L) were identified in CM compared with TM wines. Cr and Ni are of particular interest because of their association with stainless steel contact during CM production. In addition, the results identified higher mean levels of K (613 ± 153 mg/L) and lower mean levels of Cu (0.034 ± 0.036 mg/L) in rosé wines compared with non-rosé style wines. These results represent the first investigation of metal content in Canadian sparkling wines and identify important elemental differences related to production technique that can inform future authenticity assessments.

Nutritional composition and heavy metal profiling of Australian kelps cultured in proximity to salmon and mussel farms

Global demand for seaweed is increasing alongside the interest for sustainable aquaculture, stimulating industry investment in the production of seaweeds, particularly through integrated multitrophic aquaculture systems. We report the first results of the nutritional value (proximate composition, fatty acids, and dietary minerals) and heavy metal profiling of two Australian kelps, Macrocystis pyrifera and Lessonia corrugata, cultivated in proximity to Atlantic salmon and blue mussels in south-eastern Australia, and compare the effects of freeze- and air-drying on biochemical composition. There were no consistent effects of drying method on the nutritional composition and concentration of contaminants amongst sites and species. Overall, significant variation in protein content was reported amongst sites, lipids were generally low (<2%), while ash and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) were high. Contaminants were low in concentration in all samples, with mercury (Hg) below the detection limit. Results reported here suggest that M. pyrifera and L. corrugata have an overall nutritional composition conducive to human and animal consumption, except for the iodine content which was above the maximum tolerable level in dried seaweed established by Food Standards Australia New Zealand, and support species selection and sites for the development of seaweed aquaculture systems in south-eastern Australia. However, we found that the more expensive freeze-drying of samples did not consistently yield higher nutritional quality than air-dried samples. These findings will inform commercial applications of seaweeds in multiple sectors (e.g. food, feed/agriculture, and nutraceutical) for the development of the Australian seaweed industry, projected to reach a value of $1.5 billion by 2040.

Mapping Metal Rich Roman Cyprus: The Case for Object-Centred Approaches

This paper makes the case for developing ongoing research on Roman Cyprus’s metal profile by integrating object-centred approaches. It does so by focusing on the British Museum’s Cypriot collection as it contains a significant number of metal artefacts. The paper opens with a brief overview of key ancient evidence and the impact of recent, multidisciplinary approaches before introducing the collection and the data assembled for this case study. Assessment of this body of evidence highlights the benefits of undertaking systematic study of metalware related to Cyprus. A museological approach that focuses on the materiality of objects will also demonstrate how lines of enquiry can be developed to enhance current investigations of mining, metallurgy, and metal consumption across the island as well as shed further light on the role and cultural value of metals. This has huge implications for the study of Roman Cyprus and the wider Roman Mediterranean.

Alterations in Antioxidant Defence Systems and Metal Profiles in Liver of Rats with Metabolic Syndrome Induced with High-Sucrose Diet

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of several different metabolic disorders and considered one of the major public health problems worldwide. The underlying causes of MetS include being overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, and genetic factors. We aimed to examine the alterations in the levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress, activities of antioxidant defense enzymes, and metal contents of the liver in rats with MetS. Rats in control and MetS groups were fed with standard rat chow-drinking water and standard rat chow - 32% sucrose solution (instead of drinking water) ad libitum for 16 weeks, respectively. Following the confirmation of MetS, antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), phospho-Akt (pSer473) levels were measured in the homogenates of the liver. Distributions of elements in the liver were also analyzed. The stained hepatic tissue slides were examined by light microscopy. The activities of catalase and glutathione-S-transferase were significantly decreased in MetS-group (about 15% and 29%, respectively) compared to the control group, while the glutathione reductase activity and MDA and 3-NT levels were significantly increased (as the levels of 78%, 26%, and 67%, respectively) (p&amp;lt;0.05). The hepatocytes in the MetS group showed mild diffuse microvesicular steatosis. Furthermore, Cu, Fe, and Mn levels were significantly high in MetS-group while Zn level was significantly low compared to the control group. Our results showed increased oxidative stress, impaired antioxidant defense enzyme activities, and altered metals’ metabolisms which may have an important role in the pathogenesis of MetS.

Nutritional value of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae processed by different methods.

Nutritional value of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) processed by three different methods of treatment was compared. The resulting products were the spray-dried BSFL (SPR), oven-dried BSFL 1 (OVN1) and oven-dried BSFL 2 (OVN2). Proximate chemical composition, and profiles of amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, heavy metals, vitamins and nucleotides were analysed and compared. The tested BSFL meals were considered to have a good profile of essential amino acids (EAAs), with leucine, lysine, valine, and histidine being the dominant EAAs. Their content of saturated fatty acids exceeded that of the unsaturated fatty acids. Vitamins B1, B2, and C were also present in the samples. Minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese and copper were found to be in adequate amounts in almost all the samples. Heavy metals in the BSFL meals were mostly below 1g kg-1. Nucleotides such as inosine monophosphate and uridine monophosphate occurred in all the BSFL meals. Other nucleotides, including guanosine monophosphate, adenosine monophosphate, xanthosine monophosphate, and cytidine monophosphate were detected in either or both of SPR and OVN2. In general, the nutritional value of the BSFL meals tested in the present study was influenced by the method of processing.

Turning Waste into A Resource: Isolation and Characterization of High-Quality Collagen and Oils from Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Discards

At the behest of the Green Deal, circular economy concepts are currently being widely promoted, not least within the aquaculture sector. The current study aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility of extracting collagen and fish oils from waste Atlantic bluefin tuna biomass originating from the Maltese aquaculture industry. For collagen, a three-stage methodology, consisting of pre-treatment, extraction, and retrieval, was applied to biomass originating from bone, skin, muscle, and internal organs (offal) in order to extract both acid-soluble collagen (ASC) and pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC). The chemical identity of the extracted collagen was confirmed through the conduction of hydroxyproline and SDS-PAGE tests as well as through FTIR, whilst the extracted collagen was also tested for its microbiological and heavy metal profiles. The collagen yield was found to be highest for skin tissue and for PSC-based protocols and is comparable to the yield cited in the literature for other tuna species. Oils were extracted through low temperature, high temperature, and enzymatic means. The fatty acid profile of the extracted oils was assessed using GC-FID; this indicated high proportions of EPA and DHA. Yield indicated that the enzymatic extraction of oil is most effective. High heat and the presence of iron-containing muscle starting material promote oxidation and rancidity. Further effort into the optimization of both collagen and lipid extraction protocols must be invested, with a special focus on the production of high-value fractions that are much closer to the quality required for human use/consumption.

Heavy metal pollution in selected upland tributaries of Sri Lanka: comprehension towards the localization of sources of pollution.

This study aimed to assess the heavy metal (HM) profile of the main upland tributaries of three major rivers, the Mahaweli, the Deduru and the Gin Rivers, which are commonly used for urban water supply in Sri Lanka. The HM profiles of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) were investigated by ICP-MS. Land-use classification was performed to locate the main sources of pollution. Mean pH, TDS and conductivity showed significant inter-site mean differences (p < 0.001). The mean contents of the HMs, considering all rivers, were observed in the order [Hg] > [As] > [Pb] > [Cd] at the sources and [As] > [Hg] > [Pb] > [Cd] at the river mouths. Particularly, in the Mahaweli River, the mean As content was 0.08 ± 0.05 μg·L-1 and showed an increasing trend from the source to the river mouth. In the Deduru River, the mean Hg content was 0.14 ± 0.15 μg·L-1, and of all rivers studied, the highest content of 0.50 ± 0.17 μg·L-1 was recorded. The Gin River showed significant inter-site mean differences (p < 0.05) in [Pb], [As] and [Hg]. In all rivers studied, [As] was significantly higher in water samples collected near agricultural lands and urban areas as compared with the other land-use/cover types, which was further proved by a significant positive correlation (coefficient = 0.479, p = 0.0325). We, therefore, emphasized that HM pollution is more likely due to anthropogenic activities in the upper catchment with less lithogenic contamination. However, national water quality management should be further strengthened and new policy enforcement is emphasized.

Design and validation of a sheet metal clamping system for additive manufacturing and post-processing

Automated clamping for post-processing of mass-customized parts is a challenging step in the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process chain. In this study, a novel modular sheet metal clamping system was developed that uses disposable sheet metal profiles as a universal interface for the LPBF, robotic handling, and milling processes. Based on a fundamental investigation of hybrid additive manufacturing, the sheet metal clamping system was designed to use the same interface for the LPBF and milling processes. Subsequent an end-to-end validation was performed for the entire process chain. The concept of the sheet metal clamping system gives milling tools access to a part on five to six sides. Further, the part can be accessed from the top and bottom sides, and simplifying the removal of LPBF supports. No clamping forces are induced in the LPBF part, which is especially important for filigree structures. The sheet metal clamping system’s underlying concept could be adapted to automating the LPBF process chain for applications such as prosthetic dentistry.

Evaluation of toxicological metal profiling in different varieties of candies from the local market of Lucknow City, India

Virtually almost everyone enjoys chocolates and candies every now and then. Usually, chocolate and candies are the most craved food among children and pregnant women. This craving kicks high during the phase of stress, anxiousness, hormonal changes or mood swings. As children and pregnant women are the most sensitive groups of human population, the presence of any kind of toxicants in their food products can raise serious health concerns. In view of this, an approach has been made to estimate the quantity of nine metals in three different variety of commonly available candies (67 samples) i.e., cocoa-chocolate based, milk based, and fruit flavored candies. Few metals were found at relatively high level in cocoa-chocolate based candies followed by milk based and fruit flavored candies. The findings of this study enlightens the international food safety and public health protection authorities to implement strict permissible limits for the presence of metals in candies. The statistical approach of m­­­ultiple discriminant analysis was also performed in this study to reverse identify the candy groups based on their inter-comparative profiling of multi-elemental contamination among similar type of candy samples which points towards stipulating stringent quality policies and establishing strict standards for manufacturing, processing, storage and transportation of candies and their raw materials.

Investigating the origin of observed central dips in radial metallicity profiles

ABSTRACT Radial metallicity trends provide a key indicator of physical processes such as star formation and radial gas migration within a galaxy. Large integral field unit surveys allow for detailed studies of these radial variations, with recent observations detecting central dips in the metallicity, which may trace the impact of various evolutionary processes. However, the origin of these dips has not been conclusively determined, with suggestions that they may be diagnostic dependent. In this paper, we use the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory survey to investigate whether the observed dips represent genuine decreases in the central metallicity, or whether they could be an artefact of the diagnostic used. Using a sub-sample of 758 local star-forming galaxies at low inclinations, we investigate in detail the impact of using different strong line diagnostics on the shapes of the returned profiles, and the prevalence of dips. We find no clear evidence of the dips being caused by changing values of the ionization parameter within galaxies. To investigate physical causes, we explore both global and spatially resolved parameters, finding that galaxies exhibiting central dips in the O3N2 metallicity profile have on average lower H α equivalent width values out to $R/R_{\rm {e}} \sim 1.5$, and higher values of DN(4000) in the central regions. We additionally find a higher prevalence of dips in galaxies with high stellar mass, and lower values of global specific star formation rate, suggesting a possible link to central quenching. Nevertheless, these results are dependent on the diagnostic used, suggesting caution should be taken when interpreting observed features in galaxy metallicity gradients.

An Update to Toxicological Profiles of Heavy Metals, Especially Lead as Hazardous Environmental Pollutant: A Review

An Update to Toxicological Profiles of Heavy Metals, Especially Lead as Hazardous Environmental Pollutant: A Review

3D-swivel-bending (SB³)

The trends in the evolution of the production structure of the automotive industry and the development of alternative drive concepts are accompanied by the fact that comparatively smaller batch sizes are produced for a large variety of models. These trends require production techniques to meet the demand of flexibility. The requirements for manufacturing processes, especially for forming processes, are low-tool production, fast set-up, and quick product changes. 3D-swivel-bending is a developed manufacturing technique to produce cross-section and load-adapted sheet metal parts and profile components. Such components are used in lightweight structures, often found in developments in automotive and aerospace industries.

Soft modelling of the shaping of metal profiles in rapid tube hydroforming technology

Soft modelling of the shaping of metal profiles in rapid tube hydroforming technology

Soft modelling of the shaping of metal profiles in rapid tube hydroforming technology

Soft modelling of the shaping of metal profiles in rapid tube hydroforming technology

Coated profiles in line: pultrusion process optimization (COALINE project)

Composite profiles processed by pultrusion are replacing metallic profiles in sectors like building or automotive, due to two interested properties: lightweight (the gas consumtion of the vehicle will be reduced) and corrosion resistance. However, if the profile needs to be covered in order to achieve aesthetic properties or new functionalities, several drawbacks arise (high labour content and VOCs and small particles emissions), limitating its competitivness versus profile metals. In this work the results of COALINE project are described; pultrusion process has been enhanced achieving a coated profile inside the mould (with a gelcoat or a primer) thanks to the development and integration of a sensor system (needed to adjust the curing degree of the resin in each stage of the process), a MW technology curing (to faster the curing time of the resin and shorten the lenght mould) and a modular advanced die design. Two moulds have been manufactured and a covered profiled obained in-line has been achieved for the building sector. For the automotive sector a case study cargo bed has been manufactured using profiles covered with the primer and joined with an adhesive with debonding capability to provide a simple repair or recycling at the end life-cycle.

Changes in &lt;i&gt;Pleurotus ostreatus&lt;/i&gt; nutritional value and heavy metal profile as a result of supplementation with nano-additive

The present study evaluated the effect of Lithovit-Amino25 on the nutrient profile and heavy metal composition of <italic>Pleurotus ostreatus</italic>. The product was tested in two doses applied at three different timings: T2: 3 g kg⁻¹/spawning, T3: 3 g kg⁻¹/after first harvest, T4: 3 g kg⁻¹/spawning and after first harvest, T5: 5 g kg⁻¹/spawning, T6: 5 g kg⁻¹/after first harvest, and T7: 5 g kg⁻¹/spawning and after first harvest. Compared to control (T1: non-treated substrate), mushrooms’ fibers and carbohydrates increased in all treatments, recording the highest values in T4 (4.16%) and T3 (18.42%), respectively. Protein content was higher in mushrooms of substrates treated at spawning, with a 0.33% improvement in T5. Fat content decreased in T3, T4, T6, and T5. Total sugars decreased in mushrooms of treated substrates, and glucose was the dominant sugar in mushrooms. Fructose increased in mushrooms of T3 and T4. Calcium, iron, and potassium decreased in mushrooms of treated substrates. Sodium decreased in T3, T5, and T7, magnesium increased in T2, and phosphorus increased only in T2 and T7. Copper content of all treated mushrooms was in the standard safe limit (&lt; 40 ppm), and it decreased in T2, T4, and T5 by around 2.5, 6.6, and 5.1 ppm, compared to control. However, zinc content increased in mushrooms of all treated substrates, and nickel and lead, increased by respective ranges of 2.8−11.88 ppm and 9.1−21 ppm, higher than the safe limits. The product presented a risk of heavy metal bioaccumulation even with a low dose.

Anadromous fish as biomarkers for the combined impact of marine and freshwater heavy metal pollution

Rivers along the eastern seaboard of the United States and Canada are becoming increasingly contaminated with heavy metals. This includes the Tusket River (Nova Scotia, Canada) which empties into the Gulf of Maine, near the Bay of Fundy. Whether anadromous fish such as alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), exposed both to marine and freshwater contaminants, are accumulating these heavy metals and experiencing any changes in their morphology was explored in this study. Adult (4–6 years of age) Tusket River alewife (n = 38) were harvested and had external examinations including morphometrics (fork length, weight). Biopsies were taken and structural abnormalities noted. Morphometric data was compared to historical alewife reference data from 1985. Biopsies of muscle, liver and kidney had heavy metal profiles assessed. Major findings of this study include detectable levels (µg/g wet weight) of a number of heavy metals and concerning maximum concentrations achieved of arsenic (liver: 14 µg/g), cadmium (kidney: 2.6 µg/g), mercury (liver: 0.26 µg/g), magnesium (muscle: 460 µg/g), selenium (kidney: 4.0 µg/g) and zinc (liver: 38.0 µg/g). As well, reduced body weight for length and in 87% of fish, presence of spine curvatures (3–24°) not visible externally were noted. This study is the first detailed report in alewife of key tissue heavy metals, some at levels of concern, reductions in weight for length and spine abnormalities. These findings validate concerns regarding potential impacts of deteriorating conditions of rivers and their surrounding waters such as the Gulf of Maine on anadromous fish species.

Multivariate analysis of otolith microchemistry can discriminate the source of oil contamination in exposed fish

The uptake of metals into the aragonite lattice of the fish otolith (ear-bone) has been used for decades as a historical record of exposure to metals in polluted environments. The relative abundance of two metals in particular, Ni and V, are used in forensic chemical analysis of crude oils to assist in confirming its origin. In this study we investigate the potential for metal accumulation in otoliths to act as a biomarker of exposure to crude oil.Using a 33-day static-renewal laboratory trial design, 56 juvenile Lates calcarifer (commonly known as Asian seabass or barramundi) were fed diets enriched with V (20 mg/kg), Ni (500 mg/kg), Fe (500 mg/kg), and two crude oils with distinctly different metals profiles: a heavy fuel oil (1% w/w) and a typical Australian medium crude (1% w/w).Fish exposed to crude oils showed Ba and Al retained in otoliths in a dose-dependent manner, but fish fed V-, Ni- and Fe-enriched diets showed no metal increase in otoliths, indicating that V, Ni and Fe are not incorporated into the otolith of L. calcarifer via dietary exposure. For crude oils, incorporation into otolith for many metals is likely limited due to porphyrin casing reducing their bioavailability. Principal components analysis (PCA) and subsequent linear discriminatory analysis (LDA) of selected otolith metals demonstrated that, even despite large variability in the metal abundances detected in otolith between individuals within the test groups (cv = 1.00), it is possible to discriminate between fish exposed to different crude oils using multivariate analysis of their otolith microchemistry.

Dynamic bearing capacity of point fixed corrugated metal profile sheets subjected to blast loading

Blast loading scenarios and the corresponding hazards have to be evaluated for infrastructure elements and buildings especially at industrial sites for safety and security issues. Point fixed corrugated metal sheets are often applied as façade elements and can become a hazard for humans if they are pulled off. This paper investigates the dynamic bearing capacity of such structural members in terms of their general bending behavior in the middle of the span and pull-out behaviors at the fixing points. The elements are fixed at two sides and the load transfer is uniaxial. An experimental series with static and dynamic tests forms the basis to identify the predominant failure modes and to quantify the maximum stress values that can be absorbed until the investigated structural members fail. The experimental findings are applied to create and to optimize an engineering model for the fast and effective assessment of the structural response. The aim is the derivation of a validated model which is capable to predict the blast loading behavior of metal sheets including arbitrary dimensions, material properties, and screw connections. Results of this study can be integrated into a systematic risk and resilience management process to assess expected damage effects and the evaluation of robustness.