Zn Source Research Articles

Ultrasensitive flexible ultraviolet detectors based on electrochemically deposited ZnO microspheres synthesized by the assembly of nanoplatelets

Zinc oxide microspheres synthesized by the assembly of nanoplatelets have been deposited on seeded polycarbonate substrates using the electrochemical deposition technique with the assistance of glycerol. An electrochemical cell with platinum mesh as anode and the seeded substrates as cathode was employed to deposit ZnO microspheres. A computer-controlled potentiostat was used to supply sufficient current for the growth of ZnO nanoplatelets. Zinc chloride was used as a Zn source, and glycerol was applied to assist in the formation of microspheres. The average diameter of formed microspheres was 4 µ m, and the average size of nanoplatelets that formed the microspheres was a few nanometers. The morphology of the nanostructures indicated the formation of ZnO nanoplatelets with various orientations, which can significantly increase the entrapment of incident photons. X-ray diffraction analysis showed a dominant peak related to (002) as a reflection corresponding to the hexagonal ZnO structure. The enhanced photoluminescence (PL) intensity revealed improvement in the light-capturing ability due to the multiple scattering of light in the nanostructures. The quantum confinement phenomenon in the ZnO crystallites was evident from the blue shift of the PL peak position. A flexible photodetector was fabricated using the metallization of ZnO nanostructures to investigate the capability of ZnO microspheres in light sensing. The optoelectrical properties of fabricated devices were tested under ultraviolet radiation. The devices based on ZnO microspheres exhibited high sensitivity to the incident photons and showed stable photoelectric behavior under various bending conditions. • Zinc oxide microspheres were synthesized by the assembly of nanoplatelets • The role of glycerol in the aggregation of ZnO nanoplatelets was investigated • The improved PL properties of microspheres revealed enhanced light-capturing ability • Flexible photodetectors were fabricated based on ZnO microspheres and nanoplatelets • The ZnO spheres showed stable photoelectric behavior under various bending conditions

Response of Contrasting Rice Genotypes to Zinc Sources under Saline Conditions

Abiotic stresses are among the major limiting factors for plant growth and crop productivity. Among these, salinity is one of the major risk factors for plant growth and development in arid to semi-arid regions. Cultivation of salt tolerant crop genotypes is one of the imperative approaches to meet the food demand for increasing population. The current experiment was carried out to access the performance of different rice genotypes under salinity stress and Zinc (Zn) sources. Four rice genotypes were grown in a pot experiment and were exposed to salinity stress (7 dS m−1), and Zn (15 mg kg−1 soil) was applied from two sources, ZnSO4 and Zn-EDTA. A control of both salinity and Zn was kept for comparison. Results showed that based on the biomass accumulation and K+/Na+ ratio, KSK-133 and BAS-198 emerged as salt tolerant and salt sensitive, respectively. Similarly, based on the Zn concentration, BAS-2000 was reported as Zn-in-efficient while IR-6 was a Zn-efficient genotype. Our results also revealed that plant growth, relative water content (RWC), physiological attributes including chlorophyll contents, ionic concentrations in straw and grains of all rice genotypes were decreased under salinity stress. However, salt tolerant and Zn-in-efficient rice genotypes showed significantly higher shoot K+ and Zn concentrations under saline conditions. Zinc application significantly alleviates the harmful effects of salinity by improving morpho-physiological attributes and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, and the uptake of K and Zn. The beneficial effect of Zn was more pronounced in salt-tolerant and Zn in-efficient rice genotypes as compared with salt-sensitive and Zn-efficient genotypes. In sum, our results confirmed that Zn application increased overall plant’s performance under saline conditions, particularly in Zn in-efficient and tolerant genotypes as compared with salt-sensitive and Zn efficient rice genotypes.

Dual Zn source strategy for synthesizing ZIFs: zero discharge, less raw material, high output, and better adsorptive performance

In this study, dual Zn source (DZS) strategy, using Zn(NO3)2 and Zn(OH)2, is used to prepare ZIF-8 with high quality and high output.

Impact of Maternal and Offspring Dietary Zn Supplementation on Growth Performance and Antioxidant and Immune Function of Offspring Broilers.

The current study investigated the effects of the maternal Zn source in conjunction with their offspring's dietary Zn supplementation on the growth performance, antioxidant status, Zn concentration, and immune function of the offspring. It also explored whether there is an interaction between maternal Zn and their offspring's dietary Zn. One-day-old Lingnan Yellow-feathered broilers (n = 800) were completely randomized (n = 4) between two maternal dietary supplemental Zn sources [maternal Zn-Gly (oZn) vs. maternal ZnSO4 (iZn)] × two offspring dietary supplemental Zn doses [Zn-unsupplemented control diet (CON), the control diet + 80 mg of Zn/kg of diet as ZnSO4]. oZn increased progeny ADG and decreased offspring mortality across all periods, especially during the late periods (p < 0.05). The offspring diet supplemented with Zn significantly improved ADG and decreased offspring mortality over the whole period compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). There were significant interactions between the maternal Zn source and offspring dietary Zn with regards to progeny mortality during the late phase and across all phases as a whole (p < 0.05). Compared with the iZn group, the oZn treatment significantly increased progeny liver and serum Zn concentrations; antioxidant capacity in the liver, muscle, and serum; and the IgM concentration in serum; while also decreasing progeny serum IL-1 and TNF-α cytokine secretions (p < 0.05). Similar results were observed when the offspring diet was supplemented with Zn compared with the CON group; moreover, adding Zn to the offspring diet alleviated progeny stress by decreasing corticosterone levels in the serum when compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, maternal Zn-Gly supplementation increased progeny performance and decreased progeny mortality and stress by increasing progeny Zn concentration, antioxidant capacity, and immune function compared with the same Zn levels from ZnSO4. Simultaneously, Zn supplementation in the progeny's diet is necessary for the growth of broilers.

A lean‐zinc anode battery based on metal–organic framework‐derived carbon

AbstractImproving zinc metal (Zn0) reversibility and minimizing the N/P ratio are critical to boosting the energy density of Zn0 batteries. However, in reality, an excess Zn source is usually adopted to offset the irreversible zinc loss and guarantee sufficient zinc cycling, which sacrifices the energy density and leads to poor practicability of Zn0 batteries. To address the above conundrum, here, we report a lean‐Zn and hierarchical anode based on metal–organic framework (MOF)‐derived carbon, where trace Zn0 is pre‐reserved within the anode structure to make up for any irreversible zinc source loss. This allows us to construct low N/P ratio Zn0 full cells when coupling the lean‐Zn anode with Zn‐containing cathodes. Impressively, high Zn0 reversibility (average Coulombic efficiency of 99.4% for 3000 cycles) and long full‐cell lifetime (92% capacity retention after 900 cycles) were realized even under the harsh lean‐Zn condition (N/P ratio: 1.34). The excellent Zn reversibility is attributed to the hierarchy structure that homogenizes zinc ion flux and electric field distribution, as confirmed by theoretical simulations, which therefore stabilizes Zn0 evolution. The lean‐Zn anode design strategy will provide new insights into construction of high‐energy Zn0 batteries for practical applications.

Effects of nZnS vs. nZnO and ZnCl2 on mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] plant and Bradyrhizobium symbiosis: A life cycle study

Scarce of knowledge of using Zinc (Zn) nanoparticles (NPs) to augment plant growth, Zn availability to plants and its potential toxicity warrants more NPs–plant life cycle studies. The main objectives of this study were to compare nano zinc sulphide (nZnS) with nano zinc oxide (nZnO) and ionic Zn i.e., ZnCl2, as a source of Zn, as well as to establish physiological impact of NPs on growth, yield and symbiosis of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] plants at different concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg kg−1 of soil). In this study, mungbean plants were grown for 60 days (life cycle study) in natural soil infested with Bradyrhizobium. Effects of Zn compounds (nZnS, nZnO and ZnCl2) on plant height, dry biomass, number of nodules per plant, yield and fruit agronomical parameters along with micronutrient assessment were determined. Impact of Zn compounds on Bradyrhizobium–mungbean symbiosis was also unravelled. Results showed that both the NPs, (nZnS and nZnO) were more effective than ZnCl2 in promoting growth and yield up to a critical concentration and above which phytotoxic effects were observed. Both the NPs were more effective than ZnCl2 at increasing fruit Zn content also. Whereas, nZnS treatment was found to be better than nZnO in improving overall plant growth. Bradyrhizobium–mungbean symbiosis was not affected at lower NPs concentrations, while higher concentration revealed toxicity by damaging bacterial morphology and nodule formation. There was no nano specific toxicity found while, ZnCl2 showed relatively more toxicity than both the NPs. The present investigation demonstrated the concept of nano-micronutrient as well as NPs phytotoxicity by understanding NPs–plant interactions in the soil environment.

Evaluation of an Innovative Zn Source on Feed Efficiency, Growth Performance, Skin and Bone Quality of Broilers Suffering Heat Stress.

One thousand two hundred male broilers were used to evaluate the effect of different dosages of HiZox® on feed efficiency, growth performance and bone quality of broilers suffering from heat stress. A completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and ten replicates. Basal corn−soybean meal diets supplemented with 75, 100 and 125 mg/kg zinc from HiZox and 100 mg/kg zinc from regular ZnO were used to make four treatments. Heat stress was induced after the third week by keeping house temperature between 28−34 °C, from 1 pm until 5 pm. The body weights of the birds that received the diet supplemented with HiZox or ZnO showed no significant difference at 7 and 14 days. Body weight of heat stressed birds fed diets containing different levels of HiZox or ZnO were not different at 28 and 42 days of age. In comparison to the Ross 308 management guide, induced heat stress diminished body weight and feed intake by approximately 17 and 21%, respectively. At 28 days, chickens who received 125 mg/kg Zn from Hizox had better feed efficiency (p < 0.05). The mortality rate of heat-stressed male broiler chickens who received different dosages of HiZox was 2.85% less than that of the regular ZnO group (p < 0.06). The results showed that addition of HiZox to the diet of male broiler under heat stress doubled the skin resistance during feather plucking in the slaughter plant and improved carcass quality (p < 0.07). Tibia breaking strength, included elongation and extension were improved by consumption of a diet supplemented with 75 mg HiZox/kg (p < 0.09). The HiZox-75 fed broilers required higher amounts of energy (MJ) for tibia breaking at break and peak points at 42 days (p < 0.09; p < 0.07). Jejunum Zn concentrations reflected the quantity of ingested Zn (p < 0.0001). Gizzard Zn solubility was dependent on dietary treatment (p < 0.03). Solubility of Zn in the gizzard of chickens who received HiZox was higher (about 30%) than broilers fed regular ZnO. In conclusion, Zn from HiZox was more efficient in decreasing heat stress mortality, increasing skin resistance and bone breaking strength compared to a regular ZnO source.

In situ growth of Mg-Zn-Al LDHs by ZIF-8 carrying Zn source and micro-arc oxidation integrated coating for corrosion and protection of magnesium alloys

For realistic large-scale applications, it is essential to prepare effective anti-corrosion coatings. In this study, ZIF-8 was first grown in situ on the pre-prepared MAO coating. Then, the Zn source in ZIF-8 and Mg and Al in the MAO coating were used to form an integrated coating, and the Mg-Zn-Al LDHs coating was formed on the MAO coating in one step by hydrothermal method (Mg-Zn-Al/Z LDHs). X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to confirm the chemical states, structural composition, and morphology of the Mg-Zn-Al/Z LDHs coating. The potentiodynamic polarization revealed that the corrosion protection ability of Mg-Zn-Al/Z LDHs coating (1.48 × 10−8 A/cm2) in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution is stronger than MAO coating (3.17 × 10−6 A/cm2). The feasibility of boosting the anti-corrosion ability of MAO coating was established by thorough examination of potential corrosion protection mechanisms in relation to Mg-Zn-Al/Z LDHs coating.

Assessment and source apportionment of toxic metal in soils using integrated positive matrix factorization and Bayesian maximum entropy: A case study in Z county, southeastern China

Soil pollution by toxic metals has become an important environmental problem over the last several decades. Because of environmental factor variation, specific spatial patterns of pollution and sources exist. However, commonly used methods rarely take natural spatial heterogeneity into account. Positive matrix factorization and Bayesian maximum entropy models combined with specific environmental factors were proposed for quantitative source apportionment to account for spatial heterogeneity. The proposed method was implemented in a region located in southeastern China using dense samples (3627 total samples containing Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni data). The results showed that more than one-fifth of soils in the northwest, north-central and southeast of the study region exhibited different degrees of integrated pollution. Cd, Cu and As were the main pollutants, with proportions that exceeded the national standards of 26%, 10% and 7%, respectively. In addition, Cd was the primary element responsible for ecological risk, and As was the greatest hazard to human health. Five main pollution sources were extracted: 72.11% of the toxic metal pollution could be ascribed to anthropogenic sources, and natural sources explained the remaining 27.89%. Traffic emissions (24.31%) consistent with the major road distribution were the main source of Pb and Zn, and atmospheric deposition during the coal combustion (18.04%) distributed across the study area, except for the southeastern mountain areas, was the main source of Hg. Agricultural activities (16.81%) distributed mainly in the north-central regions contributed the most to Cd and Cu, and industrial activities (12.95%) clustered in the northwestern areas contributed the most to As. In addition, natural sources were closely linked to Ni and Cr in the southeastern mountain areas.

Spatial distribution, sources and risk assessment of potentially toxic elements contamination in surface soils of Yellow River Delta, China.

The contamination status and ecological risk of soil potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in Yellow River Delta (YRD) are still poorly understood. Thirty surface soil samples were collected in YRD, determined for contents of PTEs, and assessed using four kinds of proxies. Results indicated that PTEs contents basically met the Environmental Quality Standard for Soils, and spatial heterogeneity of PTEs was not distinctive except for a few sampling sites. Results of geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) indicated significant enrichment of As and Sb in YRD. The multivariate analysis results distinguished the possible sources of these PTEs and demonstrated that sources of Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb and Zn could be influenced by anthropogenic activities (industrial and agricultural sources). Moreover, Ni, Cr and As had relatively high contributions to sum of toxicity units (ΣTUs). This study provides basic information for understanding soil PTEs contamination status of YRD.

Metal contamination in a sediment core from Osaka Bay during the last 400 years

Osaka Bay adjacent to the Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe metropolitan area was affected by severe metal pollution during the twentieth century; yet little is known about the trace metal sources and pre-industrial human activities. We have determined the elemental concentrations and zinc stable isotope ratios (δ66Zn) in bulk sediments and the trace metal concentrations in chemical fractions of a 9-m-long sediment core from Osaka Bay. Our goals were (1) to reconstruct the historical trace metal contamination, and (2) to identify anthropogenic Zn sources and the solid phases of anthropogenic trace metals. The core provided a continuous environmental record of the last 2300 years based on radiocarbon dating of molluscan shells. Copper, Zn, and Pb showed an initial enrichment from the 1670s AD, which could be caused by human activities due to an increasing population. In agreement with previous findings, the trace metal concentrations slightly increased from the 1870s, strongly increased from the beginning of the twentieth century, and peaked around 1960 before environmental pollution control laws were enacted. Increasing trace metal concentrations in the acid-labile and reducible fractions obtained by the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction procedure toward the surface indicate carbonates and Mn oxyhydroxides were the primary fractions for anthropogenic trace metals. The δ66Zn values (1) were constant until the 1940s, suggesting that the average δ66Zn of industrial sources was indistinguishable from that value of the natural background, (2) showed a slight decrease from the 1950s and remained constant until the present, and (3) fell in a binary mixing process between a lithogenic (~ + 0.27‰) and an anthropogenic endmember (~ + 0.17‰), the latter likely representing a mixture of various Zn sources such as road dust, tire wear, industrial effluents, and effluents from wastewater treatment plants. We conclude the combination of Zn stable isotopes together with chemical fractions obtained by the BCR method represents a promising approach to assess the trace metal sources and their potential mobility in sediment cores from anthropogenically affected coastal areas.

Integrating water, sediments, and land use analysis for pollution assessment in a countryside urban-farming watershed landscape in southern Brazil

ABSTRACT Integrating water and sediment analysis with land use brings significant results in understanding the transformations in the watershed and assessing anthropic actions. We assess water and sediment samples collected in four sites in a countryside urban-farming watershed landscape in Southern Brazil. We performed the land-use, physical–chemical, microbiological, potentially toxic element (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr), atrazine, 2.4-D, microbiological contamination analysis, and total organic carbon, nutrients, and granulometry. We also calculate the Water quality index, geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, and ecological risk potential, with SQGs (TEL and PEL). Our results demonstrate that all the water samples of this study were contaminated with faecal and total coliforms, alerting the effectiveness of treatment at these plants. We found no significant concentrations of pesticides in the water. The concentration of metals in the sediment was in the order of Cu > Zn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd, with Igeo = 0–3 for Cu, Zn, and EF < 3 for Cu. The Cu concentration was eight times higher than TEL, Cr, and Cu above TEL at all sites. We found a strong positive correlation between atrazine, 2.4-D, Pb, and nutrients from agricultural activities and higher concentrations at the one site. The Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, and Cr sources were plantations, forests, and domestic sewage discharges. The results corroborate with the proposition that complete assessments of watersheds including analyses of water, sediment, and land uses are necessary to understand the real effects of anthropic action on this ecosystem and diversity of this environmental.

Bioavailability of Different Zinc Sources in Pigs 0-3 Weeks Post-Weaning.

The bioavailability of dietary zinc (Zn) in pigs may differ according to the Zn source and is affected by other components in the diet. The aim was to determine the biomarkers of Zn bioavailability (apparent total tract digestibility of Zn and serum Zn status) following six different sources of added Zn and their effect on the performance and faecal consistency score in piglets 0-3 weeks after weaning on day 28. The sources of Zn were Zn oxide (ZnO), Zn sulfate (ZnSO4), porous ZnO, Zn-glycinate, amino acid-bound Zn and hydroxy covalent-bound Zn added at 100 mg/kg (ZnO and ZnSO4 also added at 1000 mg/kg), in a total of eight treatments (n = 12/treatment). Pigs were individually housed, and titanium dioxide was included as an indigestible marker in the feed. The digestibility of Zn on day 14 post-weaning was negative for all six Zn sources at 100 mg Zn/kg, indicating insufficient Zn supply. The digestibility of Zn differed according to the Zn source, but the digestibility of Zn from ZnO and ZnSO4 did not differ between processed inorganic or chelated organic sources of Zn. However, the differences in Zn digestibility between Zn sources were not reflected as differences in the serum Zn status, feed intake, gain or probability of diarrhoea.

A bottom-up sonication-assisted synthesis of Zn-BTC MOF nanosheets and the ppb-level acetone detection of their derived ZnO nanosheets

Two-dimensional metal-organic framework nanosheets, as a new member of the two-dimensional family, are attracting increasing research interest in various fields. Herein, a uniform two-dimensional Zn-BTC MOF nanosheet with a thickness of 14 ± 2 nm was synthesized through a simple, efficient, and scalable sonication-assisted bottom-up strategy. The ZnO nanoparticles were used as the Zn source, which can be corroded by H3BTC to form Zn-BTC MOFs under sonication conditions. The morphologies of Zn-BTC MOFs can be modulated from nanosheets to nanorods by changing the content of H3BTC. The crystal growth process is dominated by the thermodynamics of sonication and the stoichiometric ratio of the generated Zn2+ and H3BTC, and the crystal growth mechanism was elaborated by the oriented attachment. Consequently, a chemiresistive gas sensor based on Zn-BTC nanosheet derivatives was fabricated to detect ppb-level acetone. Notably, the experimental detection limit of concentration could reach as low as 100 ppb of acetone due to the functional surface, and the dynamic response linearity reached 99 %. Our work explored a new method of synthesizing two-dimensional Zn-BTC MOF, and the fabricated gas sensing device demonstrated promising potential in gas sensing fields.

Zinc trafficking to apo-Zn-proteins 2. Cellular interplay of proteome, metallothionein, and glutathione.

A recent study investigated the impact of glutathione (GSH) on the transfer of zinc (Zn) from proteome to apo-carbonic anhydrase. Here, we probed the requirement of glutathione for zinc trafficking in LLC-PK1 pig kidney epithelial cells. Depletion of GSH by at least 95% left cells viable and able to divide and synthesize Zn-proteins at the control rate over a 48-h period. Loss of GSH stimulated the accumulation of 2.5x the normal concentration of cellular Zn. According to gel filtration chromatography, differential centrifugal filtration, and spectrofluorimetry with TSQ, the extra Zn was distributed between the proteome and metallothionein (MT). To test the functionality of proteome and/or MT as sources of Zn for the constitution of Zn-proteins, GSH-deficient cells were incubated with CaEDTA to isolate them from their normal source of nutrient Zn. Control cells plus CaEDTA stopped dividing; GSH-depleted cells plus CaEDTA continued to divide at ∼40% the rate of GSH deficient cells. Evidently, proteome and/or MT served as a functional source of Zn for generating Zn-proteins. In vitro insertion of Zn bound to proteome into apo-carbonic anhydrase occurred faster at larger concentrations of Zn bound to proteome. These results support the hypothesis that enhanced transport of Zn into cells drives the conversion of apo-Zn-proteins to Zn-proteins by mass action. Similar results were also obtained with human Jurkat T lymphocyte epithelial cells. This study reveals a powerful new model for studying the chemistry of Zn trafficking, including transport processes, involvement of intermediate binding sites, and constitution of Zn-proteins.

P-Induced In Situ Construction of ZnCoMOF@CoP-5 S-Scheme Heterojunctions for Enhanced Photocatalytic H2 Evolution.

In view of the fact that the exposed catalytic active sites of single-metal MOFs cannot satisfy the efficient progress of the catalytic reaction, here we constructed a star-shaped bimetallic ZnCoMOF by introducing a Zn source by the partial ion exchange method and coprecipitation method. By controlling the quality of sodium hypophosphite, ZnCoMOF was subjected to different degrees of phosphating to optimize the experimental conditions. The introduction of the more electronegative P can attract more H+ to participate in the reduction reaction. The ZnCoMOF@CoP-5 S-scheme heterojunction was constructed in situ by generating CoP on the surface of ZnCoMOF under a PH3 reducing atmosphere, which exhibited excellent H2 evolution performance. This unique heterojunction effectively promotes the separation and transfer of e--h+ pairs, ensuring a strong redox capability. The best hydrogen-evolution performance of ZnCoMOF@CoP-5 under the EY sensitization system reaches 16 958 μmol h-1 g-1, which has significant advantages over the same type of materials and similar photocatalytic hydrogen-evolution work. Finally, the photocatalytic mechanism was demonstrated by an in situ XPS technique. Our work provides important ideas for the research of bimetallic MOFs in the field of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Zinc and silicon biogeochemical decoupling in the North Pacific Ocean

In the ocean, zinc (Zn) is an important element for biological activity and biogeochemistry. The distribution of dissolved Zn in the global ocean is similar to that of silica (Si). Previous model-based experiments proposed the Southern Ocean hypothesis: high Zn/P uptake ratio by phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean leads to Zn-depleted surface water and this anomaly is transported into the interior ocean associated with mode water formation, resulting in a distribution similar to Si. However, recent observational data from the North Pacific showed that there is decoupling of Zn and Si: the correlation between Zn and Si breaks down in the North Pacific. This study investigates the process of the Zn cycle that causes the decoupling of Zn and Si in the North Pacific using a model. We conducted the model experiment with various Zn uptake speeds in the surface ocean, but it was not easy to reproduce Zn concentrations in the North Pacific, indicating that additional mechanisms are required to produce the decoupling of Zn and Si in the North Pacific. By considering additional Zn sources from the continental shelves of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea, we found that high Zn concentration and the Zn–Si decoupling in the North Pacific were reproduced, consistent with observational data. Our result suggests that the Zn supply from the coastal regions in the North Pacific has an important role in causing the Zn–Si decoupling.

Distribution, sources and toxicity of heavy metals in surface sediments of north western Karnataka, south India

This study presents spatial distribution, sources and toxicological risks of As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the surface sediments from north-western Karnataka, southern India. Heavy metals (except Hg) are 1–5 times enriched than upper continental crust. High concentration of Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn is in the central Kudalgaon, Devarayi, and Tavargatti and in the south-western Ganeshgudi area, whereas Arsenic is enriched in the north-eastern Alnavar, Kakkeri,Tavargatti and Pb, and Hg in the north-western Kapoli, Devarayi, Manjarpal villages. The ecological risk index, toxic risk index, and mean probable-effects-levels quotient of heavy metals suggest that ~ 40% of the area is prone to very high risk especially for Cr and As to the hydrological, biological, and ecological systems. Multivariate statistical analysis suggests possible geogenic sources for Ni, Cr, Cu, and Zn and anthropogenic sources such as emissions from vehicles and agricultural sectors for As, Hg, and Pb. This study is the first of its kind in the area, which will help, in better formulation of environmental pollution and risk related remedial measures to conserve the natural ecosystem and the well-being of humans.

PSVII-7 Effects of Minerals Source Supplementation on Performance and Carcass Production by Feedlot Cattle

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the effects of mineral source supplementation on performance of finishing cattle when fed a high-concentrate diet for 89 days. Angus-Nellore bulls (iBW, n = 32; 472 ± 4.93 kg; age, 18 months) were randomly assigned to two treatments in a completely randomized design, with sixteen replicates per treatment (animal as experimental unit). The control group received a diet containing inorganic minerals (i.e. sulphates) and the other group were supplemented with carbo-amino-phospho-chelates (TM, Tortuga Minerals) as a source of Cr, Se, Zn, Mn, S, Cu and Co. The DM intake and weight of the animals variables were assessed individually using the respective digital devices, Intergado electronic feeders and the Bosch Precision Livestock platform placed in the feedlot pen. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS and means were separated using PDIFF statement, adopting P&amp;lt; 0.05, and the initial BW as a covariate when significant. Supplementation with TM increased the ADG (1.74 vs. 1.55 kg/d, P&amp;lt; 0.01) and final BW (626.96 vs. 609.91kg, P&amp;lt; 0.01) compared with animals supplemented with inorganic sources. Likewise, animals supplemented with TM had better G:F (0.133 vs. 0.123 kg/kg, P&amp;lt; 0.05) and biological efficiency (146.41 vs 134,34 kg DMI/15 kg de carcass; P&amp;lt; 0.05), with no effect on DM intake (~12.94 kg, P=0.43). In addition, supplementation with TM increased final HCW in 13.44 kg (366.57 vs. 353.13 kg; P&amp;lt; 0.01) and carcass ADG in 0.15 kg/d (1.47 vs. 1.32 kg/d; P&amp;lt; 0.01). We conclude that supplementation with carbo-amino-phospho-chelates can be used as a tool to increase productive performance and efficiency by feedlot cattle.

Seed priming with different levels and sources of zinc on the seed germination and seedling growth of barnyard millet (Echinocola frumentacea)

Seed priming with zinc increases the seed germination and seedling growth of many crops. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of seed priming with different levels and sources of zinc on seed germination and seedling growth of barnyard millet variety MDU1. A germination experiment was conducted with various Zn sources and concentrations viz., T1- Non-primed seeds (control); T2-water priming; T3-GA3 priming; T4-T6: seed priming with 0.10%, 0.25% &amp; 0.50% ZnSO4 ; T7- T9: seed priming with 0.10%, 0.25% &amp; 0.50% Zn EDTA; T10-T12: seed priming with 0.10%, 0.25% &amp; 0.50% Zn citrate and the experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD) which were replicated five times. The seeds of MDU1 variety were treated with different sources and levels of Zn for 12h and the seed germination study was carried out for 15 days. After 15 days, the germination percentage, speed of germination, germination energy, germination index and the seedling growth parameters such as, root length, shoot length, vigour index and seedling dry weight were recorded. Seed priming with 0.50% ZnSO4 performed better in increasing the germination percentage (99%), speed of germination (76.2%), germination energy (69.4%), germination index (3.91) and seedlings growth parameters like shoot length (14.7cm), root length (16.5cm), seedlings dry weight (0.44g), vigour index I (3099) and II (44.6), Zn content (21.9 mg kg-1) &amp; its uptake (5.54 mg g-1). This was closely followed by seed priming of Zn EDTA at 0.25% and Zn citrate at 0.50%. From this study, it can be concluded that seed priming with 0.50% ZnSO4 could be used to improve the germination and seedling growth of barnyard millet which was also economical.