Spectrophotometric Atomic Absorption Research Articles

Selected Metal Concentration in Maternal and Cord Blood.

Essential and non-essential elements deficiencies may lead to various birth complications. The aim of this paper was to determine calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), lead (Pb), strontium (Sr), and zinc (Zn) concentrations in maternal blood and cord blood. Whole blood and cord blood samples collected from pregnant women (n = 136) were analyzed for the concentration of the elements by spectrophotometric atomic absorption in inductively coupled argon plasma (ICP-OES). The results showed that Ca, Pb, and Sr concentrations were similar in maternal and cord blood, while Fe and K levels were higher in cord blood than in maternal blood. The cord blood Cu, Na, and Zn concentrations were lower than those in maternal blood, suggesting transplacental transfer of these elements were limited. Moreover, checking the influence of studied elements on the anthropometric parameters of the newborns, we found that the highest number of associations was between Cu in cord blood. Due to the fact that the pregnant women were healthy, and the newborns were without any disorders, we suggest that the values obtained in our study are normal values of studied elements in whole blood and cord blood in patients from Poland.

Determination of Level of Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) Migration on Bowl and Clear Plastic Cup Using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer

Food safety is a condition and efforts needed to prevent food from biological and chemical pollutants and other things that might irritate, harm, endanger human health. So the food is safe to consume. Besides, it should not against religion, faith, and culture. Chemical pollutants may come from migration of the food container or packaging, for example from a bowl or clear plastic cup. Migration happens as a result of the high temperature of food, duration of storage, and the production process. The higher the temperature the higher the possibility of migration. The existence of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in food may be because of environmental pollution, absorption of metal from equipment. Research has been conducted on the determination of the level of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) from the migration of some bowls and plastic glasses that are available online by using spectrophotometer atomic absorption. The research is using acetic acid 4 % simulant. The sample is identified by using Near Infra-Red. The result of two kinds of plastic bowls and one kind of clear plastic cup are Polypropylene (PP). The sample is filled with acetic acid 4% simulant, stored in a dark place for twenty- four hours, then it is measured with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). In all samples consist of two kinds of bowls and one clear plastic cup. The lead and cadmium are not detected with a limit of detection (LoD) Pb is 1.33 µg/ml dan (LoD ) Cd is 0.22 µg/ml, while the limit of quantitative (LoQ) Pb is 4.43 µg/ml and ( LoQ) Cd is 0.74 µg/ml. LoD dan LoQ for lead is too high because are using AAS Flame, while ideally using AAS Graphite Furnace.

Impact of Varied Factors on Iron, Nickel, Molybdenum and Vanadium Concentrations in the Knee Joint.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of iron, nickel, molybdenum, and vanadium in the knee joint. We also examined the relationships between the concentrations of these metals in the knee joint and the influence of varied factors on the concentration of Fe, Ni, Mo, and V. The study of these trace elements is important, because these elements are used alone and in combination in diet supplements, and they are components of biomaterials implanted in medicine. The study materials, consisting of the spongy bone, cartilage, meniscus, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and infrapatellar fat pad, were obtained from 34 women and 12 men from northwestern Poland. The concentrations of Ni, Fe, Mo, and V were determined using spectrophotometric atomic absorption in inductively coupled argon plasma (ICP-AES). We found significantly higher Mo concentrations in the ACL of women than men. There was a significant difference in the Mo concentration in the spongy bone between patients from cities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants and patients from cities with more than 100,000 residents. Iron concentrations in the spongy bone were higher in non-smoking patients and those who did not consume alcohol. Vanadium concentrations were higher in the infrapatellar fat pads in abstainers. In patients who had not undergone arthroscopy surgery, V concentration was lower in cartilage. The concentrations of V in the cartilage and infrapatellar fat pad were higher in osteoporotic patients than in non-osteoporotic patients. There were significant differences in Fe concentrations in the meniscus, with the lowest in osteoporotic patients. We noted lower Mo concentrations in the spongy bone of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, we noted some new interactions among metals in the studied structures of the knee joint. The results reported in this study show the influence of gender, place of residence, smoking, consumption of alcohol, arthroscopy surgery, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis on the Fe, Ni, Mo, and V concentrations in the studied structures of the knee joint.

ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF THE PAPER ENTERPRISE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Pulp and paper enterprises are of great importance for sustainable economic and environmental development of certain regions and the economy of Ukraine. Man uses many natural resources during the lifetime, creating a burden on nature. As the world's population increases, this load increases, leading to a shortage of resources and deterioration in the environment. The main activity of Kokhavynska Paper Mill PJSC is the production of sanitary products for the domestic market and export. Rational use of secondary raw materials helps to cut the use of forest resources and reduce the amount of waste paper utilized in landfills. 15291.76 t of pollutants from the sources of the enterprise emissions enter the air each year. A total of 9 standardized and 3 non-standardized substances (greenhouse gases) are released into the atmosphere, namely nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, nitrogen (1) oxide (N 2 O) (greenhouse gas), carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas), methane (greenhouse gas), iron and its compounds, manganese and its compounds, hexavalent chromium (expressed in terms of chromium trioxide), gaseous fluorides, hydrogen sulfide, saturated hydrocarbons C12- C19. There is no excess of the established maximum concentration limits at all emission sources at this enterprise. To assess the impact of the enterprise on soils, the content of heavy metals Zn, Cr (VI), Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, and Fe at the border of the sanitary protection zone of the enterprise was determined and the maximum multi plicity of the excess of MPC of heavy metals was calculated. The content of heavy metals in the selected soil samples was determined using a spectrophotometer atomic absorption C-115-M1. Evaluation of soils for heavy metals showed that the soils at the border of the sanitary protection zone of the enterprise are contaminated with heavy metals. The maximum multiplicity of the excess of the MPC of heavy metals in the soil is 1.04 times for lead; 0.43 times for zinc; 0.37 times for chromium; 0.93 times for copper; 1.85 times for manganese; 0.35 times for cobalt. Maximum concentrations of heavy metals exceed their background content: 1.6 times for lead; 1.8 times for zinc; 1.16 times for chromium; 0.77 times for copper; 3.9 times for manganese; 9.7 times for iron; 1.2 times for cobalt.

Assessment of heavy metals concentrations in coastal sediments in north-western cities of Madagascar

This study was undertaken to evaluate the heavy metals contamination of copper, zinc, manganese, iron, chromium, nickel, lead and cadmium, to assess the environment quality of the coastal area from town activities. Nickel, lead and cadmium are used in different kind of current accumulators and they are dangerous for sea wild life and for human food resources. The five others metals are usual and at a high concentration they are able to threat environment system. Six samples had been choice at two town of Madagascar north-western coast: Nosy Be and Mahajanga, in February, 2007. These sampling points stand in front of each mean sewage mouths in each locality. Table 1 and 2 give us same descriptions of each sampling points. These two sampling area are among the principal fishing area of Madagascar. Three kinds of analytical method were used for metals determination and quantification: flame spectrophotometer atomic absorption, UV spectrophotometer, and voltammeter method. The flame spectrophotometer atomic absorption gives the best result by testing with certified reference materiel. Our data suggested that Mahajanga’s stations have higher values of cadmium (1 mg/kg) and lead (91 mg/kg) than the non-contaminated sediments. However, the concentrations of other metals such as copper, zinc, manganese, iron and chromium in Nosy Be sediments, were twice as higher than in those of Mahajanga. In compiling our data obtained at the same stations in the vertical water column, we would like to confirm the growing order of potential absorption between metals and sediments, nickel, copper, cadmium and lead. According to the results of determinations, we suggested that more determination should have done in open sea to assess metals in a wide scale. Key words: Marine pollution, heavy metals, coastal sediments, toxicity, Nosy Be, Mahajanga, Madagascar

Predictive Values of Aspartate Aminotransferase and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase for the Hepatic Accumulation of Copper in Cattle and Buffalo

Ten cattle and 10 buffalo were divided into 2 groups (control [n = 8] and experimental [n = 12] that received daily administration of copper. Three hepatic biopsies and blood samples were performed on days 0, 45, and 105. The concentration of hepatic copper was determined by spectrophotometric atomic absorption, and the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were analyzed. Regression analyses were done to verify the possible existing relationship between enzymatic activity and concentration of hepatic copper. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values were determined. The serum activities of AST and GGT had coefficients of determination that were excellent predictive indicators of hepatic copper accumulation in cattle, while only GGT serum activity was predictive of hepatic copper accumulation in buffalo. Elevated serum GGT activity may be indicative of increased concentrations of hepatic copper even in cattle and buffalo that appear to be clinically healthy. Thus, prophylactic measures can be implemented to prevent the onset of a hemolytic crisis that is characteristic of copper intoxication.

The possibility of food contamination with cadmium by means of coloured plastics.

By using spectrophotometric atomic absorption, the release of cadmium from some plastic materials (polyethylenes, PVC, polystyrene) used for manufacturing containers, wraps and household objects (which are coloured with pigments derived from cadmium compounds) was studied. Subchronic experiments (45 days) were carried out in white Wistar rats with extracts from cadmium-containing plastic in comparison with the pigment alone. The excreted cadmium in urine and the activity of some serum enzymes were determined. Histopathological changes of the main internal organs were observed. It was found that some pigments of the Papion type have the property of releasing cadmium in amounts exceeding the admitted sanitary levels, amounts which proved to be toxic, producing enzymic and histopathological changes in kidneys and testes.

Determination of thallium in biological material by flame spectrophotometry and atomic absorption.

Flame-spectrophotometric and atomic-absorption methods of assaying trace amounts of thallium in biological material have been investigated. With the Perkin-Elmer, Model 303, spectrophotometer atomic absorption is the more sensitive and yields detection limits comparable with those reported in the literature for the most sensitive types of flame-emission equipment. A simple and rapid method of micro sampling by using a tantalum boat is described. It enables nanogram amounts of thallium (down to 3 ng) in 50 to 100 µl of blood and urine to be determined with an accuracy and precision of 3 to 5 per cent. This represents an increase in sensitivity of at least twenty-five times over conventional atomic-absorption spectrophotometry. The results obtained with the tantalum boat are susceptible to inter-element interferences, and calibration by using the additions method is essential for accurate quantitative results.