Metals Pb Research Articles

Arsenic and metal levels in snake tissues from Lagoa Santa Karst, Brazil.

Concentrations of one metalloid (As) and eight metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined in tissues (muscle, liver, and kidney) of eight snake species (Bothrops neuwiedi, Crotalus durissus, Dipsas mikanii, Epicrates crassus, Helicops modestus, Micrurus carvalhoi, Oxyrhopus guibei, and Oxyrhopus trigeminus) from Lagoa Santa Karst. Except for Cu and Zn, all other analyzed elements were detected in concentrations within the ranges previously reported for snakes inhabiting polluted areas, emphasizing Hg (specific Hg mean concentrations varied from 0.87 to 9.76μgg-1 d.w). The highest mean concentrations of all elements except Zn were found in muscle samples of the false corals O. guibei (means ranged from 2.01 [Pb] to 9.76 [Hg]). The highest Zn mean concentration (13.77μgg-1 d.w) was detected in the kidney of the water snake H. modestus. No significant correlation was found between element concentrations and body size for all species. Significant interorgan differences were observed for As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the three tissues in H. modestus. Significant interspecific differences were found in at least one organ for all elements. Significant pairwise differences were found between diet specialist species and between these species and broader diet species, while no significant difference was found between the broader diet species. The bioaccumulation of As and metals in snakes from Lagoa Santa Karst could be associated with natural rock dissolution and erosion processes but also with the wide-scale mining in the region and the increased agriculture and urbanization.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in the dust street of Mehran city, as a busy city in religious times, Iran.

The concentration of various potentially toxic metals (Pb, Cd, As, Ni, Zn, and Cr) in street dust samples collected from Mehran city, Iran, was analyzed. The samples were obtained during normal traffic conditions, NTT, prior to the Arbaeen ceremony, as well as after the pilgrims' return, which corresponds to high traffic time, HTT. Street dust samples were analyzed for HM content using ICP-OES, following acid digestion. The subsequent evaluation of the data involved the application of the geo-accumulation index, enrichment factor, and potential ecological risk index (PER) and health risk assessment. The findings demonstrate a notable increase in the levels of HMs during HTT compared to the NTT. The highest enrichment values for Pb and Cd were observed in Mehran Street dust during the HTT. The mean of PER for all sampling points increased to 138.24, indicating a moderate-potential ecological risk at this time. Based on the health risk assessment, it was found that the hazard index for all samples was below one. The incremental lifetime cancer risk was below 10-6. This indicates that the exposed population is not exposed to substantial health risks. Despite the heavy traffic caused by the Arbaeen ceremony in this area and the high enrichment of HMs, along with potential ecological risks, no significant health risks were observed for individuals exposed to street dust. However, it is important to note that the continuation of this trend, in the absence of proper traffic management, could lead to significant environmental and health problems in the future.

Comparison and mechanism analysis of MgO, CaO, and Portland cement for immobilization of heavy metals in MSWI fly ash

The significant production of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI FA) underscores the importance of developing efficient solidification materials. This study employed MgO and CaO for immobilizing MSWI FA (with a 70% fly ash incorporation), and the immobilization effect was compared with that of Portland cement (PC). Experimental findings revealed that MgO exhibited the most effective stabilization for heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) compared to CaO and PC. XRD, FTIR, TG, and SEM analysis indicated that the principal hydration products in MSWI FA binders solidified with MgO, CaO, and PC were Mg(OH)2, CaCO3, and C-S-H gel, respectively. Mg(OH)2 efficiently immobilized heavy metals through chemical complexation and surface adsorption mechanisms. The MgO-treated MSWI FA demonstrated the highest residual fractions and the lowest easily leachable fractions. Moreover, the leaching characteristics of heavy metals were significantly influenced by the pH level, so MgO-treated MSWI FA with a leachate pH of 9.18 achieved the precipitation and stabilization of most heavy metals. In summary, this study provided an effective material selection for MSWI FA immobilization and presented a novel strategy for MSWI FA management.

Glacier mice as a temporary sink for fallout radionuclides and heavy metals on the Norwegian glacier Austerdalsbreen

Glacier mice are peculiar rolling or stationary moss balls found on the surface of some glaciers. They may harbour an ecological habitat for cold-adapted invertebrates and microorganisms, but little is known about their potential to accumulate and disseminate harmful elements and substances. In this study, we investigate the presence of fallout radionuclides (137Cs, 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, 210Pb) and heavy metals (Pb, As, Hg, Cd) in glacier mice and compare the results to bryophytes from adjacent glacier ecosystems. Samples were collected at Austerdalsbreen, a Norwegian outlet glacier from Jostedalsbreen ice cap.Maximum activity concentrations for bryophytes are 552 ± 12 Bq kg−1 for 137Cs, 3485 ± 138 Bq kg−1 for 210Pb, 0.0223 ± 0.065 Bq kg−1 for 238Pu and 4.34 ± 0.43 Bq kg−1 for 239+240Pu while maximum heavy metals concentrations are 70.5 mg kg−1 for Pb, 1.0 mg kg−1 for As, 1.6 mg kg−1 for Hg and 0.13 mg kg−1 for Cd. Maximum activity concentrations in cryconite are 1973.4 ± 5.0 Bq kg−1 for 137Cs, 3632 ± 593 Bq kg−1 for 210Pb, 0.51 ± 0.11 Bq kg−1 for 238Pu and 13.1 ± 1.4 Bq kg−1 for 239+240Pu and maximum heavy metal concentrations are 50.4 mg kg−1 for Pb, 3.4 mg kg−1 for As, 1.5 mg kg−1 for Hg and 0.082 mg kg−1 for Cd. We find that glacier mice show lower activity concentrations of radionuclides compared to cryoconite. The major source of plutonium isotopes is related to global fallout, whereas detected radio-cesium may be additionally affected by post-Chernobyl fallout to an unknown extent. Comparison between glacier surface and adjacent glacial habitats shows higher concentrations of heavy metals in glacier mice on the glacier ice surface and medial moraines compared to bryophytes in the glacier forefield. Glacier mice exported from a receding glacier may affect the cycling of radioactive and metal pollutants in developing proglacial ecosystems.

Association between Maternal Metal Exposure during Early Pregnancy and Intelligence in Children Aged 3 to 6 years: Results from a Chinese Birth Cohort

ObjectiveMaternal environmental metal exposure is common, but long-term prospective epidemiological evidence of its impact on children's intellectual development is still insufficient. MethodsData on maternal plasma metal levels and child intelligence were obtained for 211 3–6-year-old children from Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort. ICP-MS was employed to detect 17 metals, including 7 essential metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo) and 10 non-essential metals (As, Rb, Sr, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, W, Pb, U), in maternal plasma samples obtained before 13 weeks of gestation during the initial maternity checkup. Child intelligence was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition. The GLM, RCS and mixture models were used to assess the associations of maternal plasma metal levels with child intelligence quotient (IQ) scores. ResultsThe GLM analysis revealed that U had a significant adverse effect on child IQ scores in high-dose exposure groups (-9.236 [-18.644, -4.936], p = 0.006) after adjusting for covariates, while Sb showed a linear adverse effect on children's intelligence in the adjusted model (-4.028 [-7.432, -0.626], p = 0.021). BKMR modeling indicated that overall IQ scores decreased as concentrations of non-essential metals mixtures increased after adjusting for essential metal mixtures, consistent with findings from the WQS (β [95% CI], -8.463 [-14.449, -2.476], p = 0.007) and Qgcomp models (-7.003 [-12.928, -1.078], p = 0.022). Among the non-essential metals, U had the highest negative weight at 37.96%, followed by Pb (23.35%) and Sb (16.91%). Furthermore, potential interactions were observed between metals (Pb and U) and Sb in the study findings. ConclusionReducing exposure to non-essential metal mixtures, especially U, Sb and Pb, during early pregnancy and ensuring adequate intake of specific essential metal elements could be a critical intervention in addressing childhood intellectual impairment.

Evaluation of Water Quality Indexes and Heavy Metal Pollution Indexes of Different Industrial Effluents and Karnaphuli River Water in Chattogram, Bangladesh

ABSTRACTThe study evaluated the water quality index (WQI) and heavy metal pollution index (HPI) of different industrial effluent and surface water from various sites of the Karnaphuli River, based on the weighted arithmetic index method. The samples were collected from 20 different industries, including textile dyeing, textile washing, oil processing, chemicals, and tannery, and 17 stations of the Karnaphuli River, from the Kalurghat Bridge to the estuary where the river meets with the Bay of Bengal. This study was carried out in the dry season of the 2021–2022 fiscal year. Six physicochemical parameters, namely pH, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, and hardness, were taken for the determination of the WQI, and concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Fe, Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, and Ni) were considered for the calculation of the HPI. Both indexes were calculated against the Bangladesh Standard (denoted by subscript a) and WHO standards (denoted by subscript b). The water quality indexes WQIa and WQIb for industrial effluent ranged from 11.66 to 176.77 and 44.45 to 9703.99, respectively. Samples namely TD‐5, TD‐7, TD‐8, TD‐9, TD‐10, OS‐1, and C‐1 showed excessively high WQI value. On the other hand, the HPIa and HPIb of industrial effluent varied from 43.6 to 167,785.3 and 0.34 to 18,412.3, respectively. Furthermore, oil processing and chemical effluents showed noticeably higher HPI values than other industrial samples. Both WQI and HPI values indicated a serious pollution load in most experimental samples. No river water sample showed a WQI value below 100, denoting it was unfit for consumption. The water quality indexes WQIa and WQIb for river water samples ranged from 1275.40 to 29,405.77 and 131.20 to 5860.99, respectively. According to the Bangladesh Standard, the river water samples were moderately to highly polluted by metal. The highest HPI value for the river water sample was 7965, denoting extreme metal pollution. The investigation revealed that most industrial effluents and Karnaphuli River water samples contained significant pollution load. Therefore, effective measures must be adopted immediately for future sustainability to cope with this contamination. The results emphasize the immediate requirement for strict regulations and advanced water treatment technologies to reduce contamination risks in the Karnaphuli River. Prompt action by authorities is essential to safeguard the river, prevent ongoing ecological damage, and address metal accumulation in fish affecting the food chain. Public awareness and legislative measures are vital for ecosystem preservation.

Metal content, bioaccumulation, translocation, and health risk assessment of root vegetables grown in KwaZulu-Natal small-scale farms of South Africa.

Metal uptake by vegetables is becoming a threat to the life of consumers. Therefore, continuous monitoring of metals in vegetables and soils is becoming a necessity. In this study, the occurrence of 18 metals in amadumbe (Colocasia esculenta L.), sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L.), potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), and carrots (Daucus carrota L.) grown in small-scale South African agricultural farms was monitored using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. All the 18 investigated elements were detected in soils and different vegetative plants parts. Bioaccumulation factors indicated the transfer of selected metals from soils into the plant roots. Toxic metals Cd, Cr, and Pb had their concentrations exceeding the maximum permissible levels set by the World Health Organization in the edible parts of all root vegetables. Cd and Pb varied between 18.89 and 19.19mgkg-1 and 10.46 and 11.46mgkg-1, respectively, while Cr remained constant at 16.78mgkg-1. The exact metals together with As and Ni had their total hazard quotients exceeding the threshold value of 1, which indicated that the daily consumption of the investigated root vegetables is likely to pose health risks to both adults and children. Therefore, this study points out to a possibility of toxic health effects that could arise when these vegetables are consumed daily.

Contamination Characteristics and Source Apportionment of Heavy Metal in the Topsoil of a Small Watershed in South Taihang

With the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization, the issue of soil environmental pollution is becoming more and more prominent, especially concerning heavy metal contamination, which has garnered significant scholarly attention. The surface watershed formed by waterline is influenced by various factors such as topography, industrial emissions, and agricultural runoff, resulting in a complex process of migration and accumulation of heavy metal elements from multiple sources. In this study, the pollution characteristics and sources of heavy metal elements Hg, As, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn in 165 surface soil samples from the Manghe River watershed in Jiyuan City were comprehensively analyzed using a variety of methods, including statistics, geostatistics, enriched factor analysis and the Positive Matrix Factorization Model (PMF). The results showed that the concentrations of Hg, Cd, As, Cu, Pb and Zn exceeded their corresponding background values with varying degrees of enrichment. Notably, the average contents of Cd, Hg and Pb were 26.70 times, 3.69 times and 4.49 times higher than those in Chinese soils on average, respectively, showing obvious enrichment characteristics. Moreover, there were distinct spatial distribution patterns for each heavy metal element; Ni and Cr exhibited similar trends mainly controlled by the parent material, while human activities significantly affect the other six elements forming high-value areas around mining and related industries. It is noteworthy that Cu, Hg and Zn were influenced by dominant wind direction in autumn and winter, forming sub-high-value zones in southern forested areas; meanwhile, Cu and Zn were also influenced by agricultural fertilizer application as well as surface runoff, leading to secondary high-value areas in the dryland areas. Further analysis revealed a significant positive correlation among these heavy metal elements, suggesting that they may share common sources. Through the PMF Model, four main factors were identified, with factor 2 (36.25%), factor 1 (23.00%), factor 3 (21.20%) and factor 4 (19.55%) ranked in descending order of contribution rate. The heavy metal pollution in the study area was attributed to anthropogenic activities and natural factors, accounting for 63.75% and 36.25%, respectively. Coal mining, chemical industry smelting, vehicle emissions and excessive use of agrochemicals were identified as the main sources of heavy metal pollution. These pollutants entered the soil through direct emissions, atmospheric deposition, transportation and agricultural activities, exerting a significant impact on the soil environment. Therefore, delving into the spatial distribution pattern of soil heavy metal pollution and precise analysis of its sources are of great importance for effective treatment and remediation of soil heavy metal pollution in small watersheds, maintaining healthy soil ecology and safeguarding human health.

Mineral and Organic Materials as Factors Reducing the Effect of Petrol on Heavy Metal Content in Soil.

As industrial production increases worldwide, so does the demand for fuels. The transport of fuels from the point of production to the end user poses a risk of environmental pollution, both during transport and during combustion in internal combustion engines. The soil is a part of the environment which is particularly sensitive to contamination by petroleum substances. For this reason, research has been carried out into the possibility of reducing the impact of petrol on the content of heavy metals in the soil using various materials, both mineral (bentonite, calcium oxide) and organic (compost). These played an important role in the in situ remediation of contaminated soils. Petrol contamination increased the content of some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, or Ni), while it decreased the content of other metals (Cr, Zn, Co, and Cu) in the soil. The materials used in this study significantly altered the levels of heavy metals in the soil. The strength of the effect varied and the direction of the effect depended on the element. Bentonite was the most effective, while calcium oxide and especially compost were less effective. The most beneficial (limiting) effect of calcium oxide was shown on the soil content of cadmium, cobalt, and chromium, while the bentonite effects were on the content of chromium. The application of the abovementioned materials seems to be effective in reducing low level soil contamination by petrol.

The analysis of potentially toxic heavy metal contamination in the Lake Bogoria geothermal springs

Lake Bogoria geothermal system is a natural geological site in Kenya that boasts a habitat for Flamingos which attract tourists, and its water find applications in agriculture and recreation. Accordingly, its geological processes, closed water systems and anthropogenic activities may lead to accumulation of potential toxic metal contamination. The present study focused on the analysis of potentially toxic metals — manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) in geothermal spring water samples after acid digestion method, and evaluated their health risks through dermal and ingestion exposures. Principal component analysis (PCA), enrichment factors (EF) and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) were performed to determine the sources and correlation between the metals investigated. Manganese, Cu and Ni recorded mean concentrations (ppm) of 0.19 ± 0.08, 0.02 ± 0.02 and 0.03 ± 0.02, respectively, which were below the permissible World Health Organisation (WHO) limits, whereas Pb (0.06 ± 0.04) and Cd (0.05 ± 0.02) levels were above the threshold standards. PCA revealed that these metals may have originated from geological regimes and surface run-offs. Copper and Cd metals were highly enriched indicating an anthropogenic origin. The Hazard quotients (HQ) of Pb and Cd were >1,\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$>1,$$\\end{document} hence they are potential precursors for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks in both children and adults. The findings of this study showed possible Pb and Cd metal contamination from geothermal waters. Therefore, there is need for remediation, continuous monitoring and assessment of geothermal waters before utilization for recreation, crop production and geothermal energy exploitation to ensure environmental conservation and human safety.

Digestate from an Agricultural Biogas Plant as a Factor Shaping Soil Properties

In the context of a circular economy, special attention should be paid to the rational management of biodegradable waste. Currently, a potentially valuable waste material, rich in ingredients available to plants, is digestate, obtained as a by-product in agricultural biogas plants. The presented study aimed to determine the impact of digestate (DIG) from an agricultural biogas plant on soil reaction (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), sorption properties (SBC, HAC, CEC, BS), and chemical composition of soil. The research was based on a pot experiment in which increasing doses of liquid (LD) and solid (SD) forms of DIG were used in corn cultivation, balanced in terms of the amount of N introduced into the soil. The composition of DIG varied and depended on the LD or SD form. The LD was characterized by a lower pH value and higher EC compared to the SD form. The LD contained much less TC, fewer macroelements, and fewer trace elements. The application of LD significantly increased in the soil the content of TC, Ntot, available K, P, Fe, and Mn, and exchangeable cations K+. The SD significantly increased the content of available P, Mg, and Mn and exchangeable cations Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the soil. Both forms of digestate increased the total content of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, and Ni) in the soil. However, they did not pose a threat to the environment concerning their legally permissible levels.

SEM-EDS-based rapid measurement and size-fractionated speciation of airborne particulate matter and associated metals utilizing plant leaves.

This study was conducted to assess particulate matter pollution and the accumulation of airborne toxic metals by studying the foliar deposition pattern in an urban environment. To this end, two commonly growing plants (Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby and Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br.) from the busiest traffic squares of the city (Nehru Chowk) in Bilaspur, India, were selected for detailed study. For this purpose, plant leaf samples of both plant species were collected from pollution-affected areas and a reference site (unpolluted) in the city and examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to estimate the accumulation of PM-bound toxic metals at the leaf surfaces. The results of this study showed that the leaves of both plants accumulate PM in different size ranges. Although both plant leaves showed accumulation of PM from respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) to ultra-fine particles (UFPs: < 0.1: less than 100nm) range along with toxic metals, S. siamea retained a higher level of PM than A. scholaris due to better micro-morphological properties on both leaf surfaces. The size of some PM was found to be smaller than the stoma openings. The EDS study proved the presence of harmful airborne toxic metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zr, Al, Co, etc.) in these PMs of ambient air. This indicates that toxic metals can enter the leaves through stomatal openings. The results of this study recommended that both plants can be used as a tool to minimise PM pollution.

Baseline study of biomarkers of exposure to metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in wild Mugil cephalus from the coastal waters of Fiji

The indirect exposure and effects of marine pollutants such as metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, present significant health concerns for human coastal communities that rely on fish consumption as a regular nutritional source. This study verified Mugil cephalus (“mullet”) as an adequate sentinel species for biomonitoring environmental health and conducting risk assessments using biomarkers in Fiji. A non-parametric Kruskall Wallis Test was employed at a 5 % significant difference level to test sample group differences. Sampling was performed over five months in two Fijian study areas, i.e., Laucala Bay and the Ba River Delta by local fishers based on Fiji’s wet season (Nov-Mar). The K factor and hepatosomatic index (HSI) were relatively lower in mullet from Laucala Bay compared to the Ba River Delta, with HSI having a significant difference (χ2= 3.64, d.f. = 1, p-value = 0.057). No significant differences were observed for metals (Pb and Cr) at an instrumental limit of detection of 0.05 mg kg−1, but an important finding was that the levels of Cr in edible tissues of mullet from both study sites exceeded the permissible limits for human consumption set by the World Health Organisation (0.05–0.15 mg kg−1) by approximately 2-fold in Laucala Bay and 3-fold in Ba River Delta. The levels of Hg and Cd in the two sample groups were determined to be below the instrumental limit of detection of 0.1 mg kg−1. Total biliary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were significantly higher in mullet from the Ba River Delta (χ2 = 21.14, d.f. = 1, p-value < 0.001), particularly for phenanthrene (χ2 = 24.678, d.f. = 1, p-value < 0.001). No statistical variations were observed in phase I biotransformation (ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase); however, phase II biotransformation activity (glutathione S-transferase) was found to be significantly higher in mullet from the Ba River Delta compared to Laucala Ba (χ2 = 35.85, d.f. = 1, p-value < 0.001). Similarly, no remarkable variations were observed in glutathione peroxidase activity, but glutathione reductase activity was significantly higher in mullet (χ2 = 5.05, d.f. = 1, p-value = 0.025) from Laucala Bay compared to Ba River Delta. Considering biological damages from oxidative stress, levels of lipid peroxidation were significantly higher (χ2= 4.10, d.f. = 1, p-value = 0.043) in mullet from Ba River Delta, including higher occurrences of micronuclei (χ2= 12.66, d.f. = 1, p-value = <0.001) and other abnormal erythrocyte nuclei (χ2= 26.67, d.f. = 2, p-value < 0.001), suggesting genotoxic damage. These findings 1) support the use of mullet as a suitable reference species for future ecotoxicology studies in Fiji, 2) are essential to take informed health and safety considerations regarding mullet consumption, 3) provide a baseline to compare future monitoring results and, 4) underscore the importance of incorporating biomonitoring practices in future environmental risk assessments.

Comparative assessment of the effect of storage vessels, thatched roof and industrial activity on harvested rainwater quality in south eastern, Nigeria using water quality index

Rainwater is usually harvested through catchment systems such as roofs or directly from the sky for storage in different vessels for eventual use due to water scarcity which is as a result of increased in water demand, rapid industrialization, increasing pollution, global warming and climate change. This study was carried out to assess the effects of galvanized iron and PVC tanks, thatched roof and industrial activity on harvested rainwater quality by investigating physico-chemical properties, heavy metals, coliform level and metal composition of the storage vessels. Seven-two harvested rainwater samples were collected from four locations in the urban and rural areas of Delta and Enugu States, Nigeria between the months of April-July, 2018. Rainwater samples stored for 1 month to a year in storage vessels were considered. The results were compared with water quality standards (USEPA, WHO, NAFDAC and NSDWQ) and Water Quality Index ratings. Heavy metals (Pb, Fe, Cr, Zn and Al) were analyzed using Flame-AAS; other parameters were determined using standard methods. The WQI ratings were calculated using the weighted arithmetic method. The results were analysed using descriptive and two-way ANOVA statistical analysis. Results obtained in both areas of the States showed mean values ranging from 5.60 ± 0.28 to 7.60 ± 0.20 for pH, E.coli (0.00 ± 0.00–1.00 ± 0.00 cfu/mL), EC (7.00 ± 1.41–108.70 ± 8.62 µs/cm), colour (0.44 ± 0.01–12.86 ± 0.17 TCU) and heavy metals (mg/L) gave 0.00 ± 0.00–1.52 ± 0.13 for Fe, Pb (0.00 ± 0.00–0.29 ± 0.02), Cr (0.00 ± 0.00–0.30 ± 0.05), Zn (0.00 ± 0.00–0.05 ± 0.02) and Al (0.00 ± 0.00–4.65 ± 2.24). The results of the harvested rainwater samples analyzed showed that, the mean values of all the parameters analyzed were below and within the water quality set standard with the exception of a few in both areas in each of the States and were significantly different at (p < 0.05). The results of WQI ratings showed that, harvested rainwater qualities in both States were rated from excellent to unfit for drinking water quality. Generally, harvested rainwater stored in PVC tanks rated better than rainwater stored in galvanized iron tanks though not free of contamination. The storage duration for harvested rainwater is very important for its water quality, hence, harvested rainwater whether it is stored or not should be subjected to treatment before being use for potable usages.

Distribution characteristics, risk assessment, and source analysis of heavy metals in typical lake sediments in Inner Mongolia, China

As an important indicator of water pollution, heavy metals in lake sediments can reflect the severity of pollution in the entire study area. Although the risk assessment of heavy metals in sediment from various lakes has been widely studied, there is a lack of understanding on the overall pollution risk assessment of heavy metals in sediment from Inner Mongolia lakes located in cold and arid regions. This study based on data from 2019 to 2023 on heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, and Cd) in typical lake sediments in Inner Mongolia, combining toxicity, ground accumulation index, and potential ecological risks with Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate lakes. Furthermore, the origins of heavy metals in lake sediments were quantitatively analyzed using a qualitative analysis and an absolute principal component core–multiple linear regression model. This study presented the following results. Firstly, according to the toxicity index, ground accumulation index, and potential ecological risk coefficient, Cd and Cr were identified as the most hazardous and toxic elements in typical lake sediments in Inner Mongolia. Secondly, the degree of lake pollution in Inner Mongolia followed a heavy to light gradient, with central > eastern > western. The pollution in western lakes primarily originated from natural factors, whereas central lakes were mainly affected by pollutants from industry, agriculture, and human activities. Eastern lakes experienced pollution primarily from animal husbandry activities and natural factors. The comprehensive analysis presented in this study can serve as a valuable reference for the restoration of polluted lakes.

Polyvinyl Alcohol‐Conjugated L‐Cysteine: A Novel Metal Pincer for Efficient Heavy Metal Ions Removal from Wastewater

AbstractA facilely prepared composite based on Polyvinyl alcohol anchored‐ L‐cysteine (PVA‐L‐CYS) demonstrated efficient functionality in the elimination of heavy metals (Hg, Cr, Pb, and Cd) from working wastewater. The synthesis of the composite was validated through a comprehensive characterization utilizing various analytical techniques to ensure the composite‘s structural, chemical, and physical properties. At ambient temperature, pH of 4–5.5, interaction time of 15–20 minutes, and concentration of 200 mg/L metal ions, the composite exhibited a maximum retention capacity of 48.5, 25, 45.25, and 44.25 mg/g for Hg, Cr, Pb, and Cd, respectively. Langmuir modeling was establish to be more fitting to the practical results than Freundlich, providing theoretical values of 49.02, 25.97, 46.08, and 44.84 mg/g for Hg, Cr, Pb, and Cd, respectively. The kinetics of PVA‐L‐CYS composite was accurately predicted by model of the pseudo‐first‐order kinetic. Thermodynamic prospects indicated a spontaneous, exothermic, and favorable uptake process at low temperatures. Efficient elution of the heavy metal ions from the overloaded composite was performed using 1 M HNO3. In accordance with WHO and FAO guidelines, the successful elimination of working metal ions from wastewater utilizing the PVA‐L‐CYS composite was demonstrated in a single cycle before discharge into the marine environment.

Rubus plicatus Weihe &amp;amp; Nees: resilience to pollution caused by stone quarries

This study aimed to analyze the effect of pollution caused by stone quarries on the morpho-anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology of a medicinal wild bramble Rubus plicatus Weihe &amp; Nees. Samples were collected from two natural protected areas: Iron Gates Natural Park and Jiu Gorge National Park, both located in the southwestern part of Romania, and two unpolluted areas from these parks as background sites. We carried out the following analyses on the collected leaves of this taxon: morphology, micromorphology, anatomy, assimilating pigments, heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cr, Fe), dry mass, bioactive compounds (total phenols and flavonoids), and antioxidant capacity. The results showed more stomata, higher amounts of assimilating pigments, higher amounts of heavy metals (especially lead), less dry mass, less phenols, and more flavonoids in Rubus plicatus leaves from polluted areas compared to areas without sources of pollution. The increased number of stomata and the amounts of assimilator pigments revealed the mechanisms developed by this species in order to survive in polluted conditions.

Unveiling the earthworm-associated preferential remediation of emerging organic pollutants and heavy metals in MSW-based vermicomposting systems: Insights through the lens of multivariate techniques and novel empirical models

Studies on the efficacies of vermicomposting and composting in countering the toxic impacts of pollutant cocktails in municipal solid waste (MSW) are scarce. Moreover, further research is needed to explore earthworms' remediation preferences for various pollutants in heterogeneous vermicomposting feedstocks, such as MSW. Therefore, removal dynamics of pesticides (chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, and carbofuran), pharmaceuticals (diclofenac and carbamazepine), and heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, and Mn) in MSW-based vermicomposting (Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae) and composting systems were evaluated through multivariate analytical techniques (principal component (PCA) and multi-factor (MFA)) on the R-platform. Both earthworms satisfactorily increased their population and augmented NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) availability, cation exchange, microbial biomass C&N, and their metabolic activity 2–3 folds more than composting, accompanied by a 3–4 folds reduction of organic C, pH, and bulk density. Correspondingly, heavy metals, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals decreased by 8-10-folds via earthworm's significant pollutant removal efficiencies that subsided MSW-driven ecological risks by 60–90%. PCA and MFA revealed that N, P, and K-availability, organic C, and microbial activity were the indicative attributes for heavy metal and emerging organic micropollutant (EOMP)-removal during biocomposting; however, earthworms remove pesticides faster than pharmaceuticals and heavy metals. PCA-based novel empirical models demonstrated that in MSW-only feedstock, earthworm-mediated pollutant detoxification followed the order of pesticides > pharmaceuticals > heavy metals. However, in MSW combined with cow dung (1:1 ratio) feedstock, the detoxification order shifted to pharmaceuticals > heavy metals > pesticides. Therefore, this study provides fresh insights into pollutant-focused feedstock optimization for vermicomposting through model-based approaches, advancing the eco-friendly valorization of toxic MSW.

Ecological and health risk assessment of heavy metals in interior dust from college campus.

Contamination of college campus dust with heavy metals and the calculation of their ecological and health risks to the students and staff did not receive much attention except in recent years. This study aims to assess the ecological and human health risks of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in interior dust of College of Science/University campus. An atomic absorption spectrophotometer was utilized to estimate the samples that were collected from 46 locations of the college campus including: classrooms, offices, and laboratories. The Pb, Cu, Cr and Zn metals in the interior dust of the College of Science pose low potential ecological risk, whereas Cd generates medium potential ecological risk. The gained results showed that the student and staff of the College are exposed to low non-cancerous health risks (HI < 1) caused by Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in interior dust. The total lifetime carcinogenic risks (TLCR) of Cd, Cr, and Pb are within the acceptable safe limit (10-6-10-4). The low non-carcinogenic health risks of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn and that the carcinogenic health risks of Cd, Cr and Pb fall within acceptable safe limits, measured in the interior dust of the campus of the College of Science, does not mean neglecting the continuous assessment of those risks.

Sulfonate-bridged semi-biopolyamide for Pb(II) electrochemical probing and dye adsorption

With the continuous development of modern industry, environmental problems accompanied by heavy metal Pb(II) and organic dyes become increasingly apparent, and the development of associated detection/removal materials has important practical significance thus. In this work, a novel biomass (diphenolic acid and furfurylamine)-based, polyamide-sulfonate cross-linked polymer (PA-df-OBSC) was successfully constructed. Further characterization of PA-df-OBSC indicated that the chemical structure of PA-df-OBSC consists of multiple N/O/S-containing molecular fragments as amide, tertiary amine, carboxylic acid, sulfonate ester and sulfonate acid. Such structural characteristic endows PA-df-OBSC dual functional application prospect. PA-df-OBSC can be applied as an enrichment-type Pb(II) electrochemical probe due to its specific complexation for Pb(II). The modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with PA-df-OBSC as active modifier presented a wide detection range (0.1–30 μmol/L) and low detection limit (1.31 × 10−8 M) for Pb(II). Besides, PA-df-OBSC also showed selective adsorption for cationic dye methylene blue (MB), with the maximum adsorption capacity up to 521.72 mg/g.