Heavy Metal Status Research Articles

Toxicity and oxidative stress induced by chromium in workers exposed from different occupational settings around the globe: A review.

The present review focused on the levels and toxicological status of heavy metals especially chromium (Cr) in the exposed workers from different occupational settingsaround the globe and in Pakistan. It was found that exposed workers from leather tanning and metal plating units showed elevated levels of Cr than the workers from other occupational settings.Cr and other heavy metals level in biological matrices of the exposed workers indifferent occupational settingsrevealed that developing countries are severely contaminated. Occupational settings from the Sialkot district, Pakistan exhibited elevated level of Cr in biological entities of the exposed workers. Review suggested that higher level of Cr exposure to the workers enhance the oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydroxyl (OH) radical generation) which may cause; cellular and molecular damage such as genotoxicity and chromosomal aberration formations, and carcinogenic effects. This review will help to understand the Cr contaminationmechanisms and associated health implications in different occupational settings around the globe in general and particularly to Pakistan. This study will also assist occupational health and safety management authorities to devise or change the Cr recommended exposure limits (REL) for different occupational settings.

Status of heavy metal in sediments of the Turag river in Bangladesh

The experiment was conducted to appraise the level of Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn contamination in 15 sediment samples of upstream of Turag river, at the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The concentrations of Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn were 178.0, 18.3, 0.8, 155.4, 194.1, 54.8, 13679 and 5501.6 µg g-1 and the pH and EC ranged from 2.01-7.85 and 391-3910µS cm-1, respectively. Heavy metal concentrations were compared with geochemical background and standard values of previous report on the Turag and other rivers in Bangladesh. The average concentrations of Cr, Zn and Ni in sediments of the Turag are almost twice of the geochemical background i.e. average worldwide shale standard and continental upper crust. Cadmium is about three times higher than the geochemical background values. Chromium and Ni concentration exceeded the severe effect level (SEL), where as Cd, Zn and Cu exceeded toxicity reference values (TRV). The average Enrichment Factors (EFc) for Mn, Cd, Cr and Ni reflected moderate to extremely contaminated pollution. The pollution load index (PLI) varied from 1.65 to 3.21. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) for Mn of 11 locations and Cd for a single location were greater than 2.0, and exhibited moderately to strongly polluted sediment quality. The Igeo for Zn in two locations and Ni in one location were greater than 1.0, indicated moderately polluted sediment quality. Sediment pollution load signaled alarming condition for city dwellers and aquatic ecosystem of the Turag river. Pollution sources to be sealed immediately and continuous monitoring on pollution prevention and cleanup operation is suggested.Progressive Agriculture 27 (2): 78-85, 2016

Appraisal of heavy metal status in water for irrigation usage of the Bangshi River, Bangladesh

An attempt was made to assess the status of heavy metals in the Bangshi River water for irrigation usage. River water was sampled from 20 sampling points for chemical analysis of physicochemical parameters and metal ions. Our analyses revealed that water samples were slightly alkaline to alkaline. All samples had reasonable electrical conductivity, and these samples were from low to medium salinity classes as being fit for irrigation on soils having moderate level of permeability. Water samples were categorized freshwater as per total dissolved solids (TDS). All water samples were excellent indicating low alkalinity hazard, based on sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), but most of the samples were doubtful to unsuitable for soluble sodium percentage (SSP). All samples were free from residual sodium carbonate (RSC) suggesting suitability for irrigation purpose. For water hardness, samples were rated as moderately hard, hard, and very hard. The status of Fe, Zn, Pb, Cd, and Ni in water samples were within permissible levels but Cr, Cu, and Mn content in water samples were in excess of recommended limits and these ions would be considered toxic in long-term irrigation system. Significant relationships existed between EC versus TDS, SAR versus SSP, SSP versus RSC, and SAR versus RSC. There were significant correlations between metal ions: Fe–Cu, Fe–Pb, Cu–Pb, Fe–Mn, Cu–Mn, and Mn–Pb. This finding showed that Cr, Cu, and Mn ions were considered contaminants in river water used for irrigation because the present status of these metals may pose a harmful impact on human health.

Evaluating levels and health risk of heavy metals in exposed workers from surgical instrument manufacturing industries of Sialkot, Pakistan

The study aimed to monitor heavy metal (chromium, Cr; cadmium, Cd; nickel, Ni; copper, Cu; lead, Pb; iron, Fe; manganese, Mn; and zinc, Zn) footprints in biological matrices (urine, whole blood, saliva, and hair), as well as in indoor industrial dust samples, and their toxic effects on oxidative stress and health risks in exposed workers. Overall, blood, urine, and saliva samples exhibited significantly higher concentrations of toxic metals in exposed workers (Cr; blood 16.30μg/L, urine 58.15μg/L, saliva 5.28μg/L) than the control samples (Cr; blood 5.48μg/L, urine 4.47μg/L, saliva 2.46μg/L). Indoor industrial dust samples also reported to have elevated heavy metal concentrations, as an example, Cr quantified with concentration of 299mg/kg of dust, i.e., more than twice the level of Cr in household dust (136mg/kg). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) level presented significant positive correlation (p ≤ 0.01) with Cr, Zn, and Cd (Cr > Zn > Cd) which is an indication of heavy metal's associated raised oxidative stress in exposed workers. Elevated average daily intake (ADI) of heavy metals resulted in cumulative hazard quotient (HQ) range of 2.97-18.88 in workers of different surgical units; this is an alarming situation of health risk implications. Principal component analysis-multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR)-based pie charts represent that polishing and cutting sections exhibited highest metal inputs to the biological and environmental matrices than other sources. Heavy metal concentrations in biological matrices and dust samples showed a significant positive correlation between Cr in dust, urine, and saliva samples. Current study will help to generate comprehensive base line data of heavy metal status in biomatrices and dust from scientifically ignored industrial sector. Our findings can play vital role for health departments and industrial environmental management system (EMS) authorities in policy making and implementation.

Sewage effluent as an alternative source for irrigation: Impact on soil properties and heavy metalstatus

Sewage effluent as an alternative source for irrigation: Impact on soil properties and heavy metalstatus

Heavy metal concentrations in roadside-deposited sediments in Kuwait city

In the present study, roadside-deposited sediment samples collected from Kuwait city district, in Kuwait, were analyzed for specific heavy metals (As, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn). Contamination assessment status of heavy metals in roadside sediments was made using mathematical models in terms of enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (I geo), and contamination factor (CF). The sediments showed remarkably high levels of all the metals, except Ni, above background concentrations in the following order (As, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, and Cr). CF and I geo revealed overall moderately uncontaminated and moderate contamination, respectively, but the EFs for all metals ranged between moderate and significant enrichment.

Soil Physiochemical Properties in Relation to Heavy Metals Status of Agricultural Soils in El-Minia Governorate, Egypt.

Soil Physiochemical Properties in Relation to Heavy Metals Status of Agricultural Soils in El-Minia Governorate, Egypt.

A new index for assessing heavy metal contamination in sediments of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (Zaozhuang Segment): A case study

Zaozhuang Segment of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is an important water conveyance line on the eastern route of the South-North Water Transfer Project in China and its water environment condition can exert a significant influence on diversion water quality safety. This paper analyzed contents of five heavy metals such as Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn as well as their chemical forms in surface sediments in this region. Methods including Threshold Effects Level-Probable Effects Level (TEL-PEL), Risk Assessment Code (RAC) and Acid Volatile Sulfide- Simultaneously Extracted Metals (AVS-SEM) were also employed to evaluate the quality of sedimentary environment in this region. With the aim to assess the eco-environmental risk revealing the information of the concentration, the chemical fractionation, the toxicity of heavy metals, a new assessment index known as Multivariable Evaluation Index (MEI) was introduced into this paper. Results indicated that contents of such five heavy metals in surface sediments were generally low. Overall, ecological risk was in the medium-low grade in addition to several locations where the level of risk was high. However, certain differences still existed among various assessment results. Comparing with other single evaluation methods, MEI may be able to reflect contamination status and ecological risks of heavy metals in sediments of a specific region more comprehensively. MEI also seemed able to overcome the limitations of other prevalent aggregated indexes to assess potential sediment pollution risk in aquatic systems.

Factorial Kriging analysis and sources of heavy metals in soils of different land-use types in the Yangtze River Delta of Eastern China.

The objectives of this study are to analyse the pollution status and spatial correlation of soil heavy metals and identify natural and anthropogenic sources of these heavy metals at different spatial scales. Two hundred and twenty-four soil samples (0-20cm) were collected and analysed for eight heavy metals (Cd, Hg, As, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn and Ni) in soils of different land-use types in the Yangtze River Delta of Eastern China. The multivariate methods and factorial Kriging analysis were used to achieve the research objectives. The results indicated that the human and natural effects of different land-use types on the contents of soil heavy metals were different. The Cd, Hg, Cu, Pb and Zn in soils of industrial area were affected by human activities, and the pollution level of these heavy metals in this area was moderate. The Pb in soils of traffic area was affected by human activities, and eight heavy metals in soils of residential area and farmland area were affected by natural factor. The ecological risk status of eight heavy metals in soils of the whole study area was light. The heavy metals in soils showed three spatial scales (nugget effect, short range and long range). At the nugget effect and short range scales, the Cd, Hg, Cu, Pb and Zn in soils were affected by human and natural factors. At three spatial scales, the As, Cr and Ni in soils were affected by soil parent materials.

Impact of WWII dumpsites on Saipan (CNMI): heavy metal status of soils and sediments.

A number of dumpsites occur on the island of Saipan and in the surrounding coastal waters. Many of these sites date back to the immediate post WWII clean-up period and contain a variety of wartime wastes. Metallic debris is generally the most visible waste material and commonly includes bomb fragments, artillery shells, bullets, and other military hardware. In this investigation, we examined the heavy metal status of soils from around several of these dumpsites and in any obvious drainage pathways leading from them to the coast. Sediments were also taken for analysis from a number of coastal discharge points and three submerged sites. Metal enrichment was evident for one or more elements in deposits from two of the three submerged sites and 24 of the 32 land-based sites visited. Copper, Pb, and Zn were the most commonly encountered contaminant metals with levels well in excess of 1000μg/g(-1) in several instances. Elevated Hg and Cd concentrations were also relatively widespread throughout the study area although levels of each element seldom exceeded 1.0 and 10.0μg/g(-1), respectively. Silver, another element of toxicological concern, was only occasionally detected despite registering a high of 42μg/g(-1) at one particular site. The metal data were weighed against established benchmarks formulated for the protection of human and ecological health. Implications of the findings and issues of primary concern are briefly addressed.

Erratum to: An ecological risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in the surface sediments of Bosten Lake, northwest China

Bosten Lake, a typical rump lake in an oasis in northwest China, was chosen to evaluate the distribution, sources, pollution status, and potential ecological risk of heavy metals. Sediment samples were collected from the lake, and results showed that the values of the eight heavy metals all fell within the Second Soil National Standard, while the average and maximum values of the metals were higher than the background values of the study. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that sediment concentrations of Cd, Pb, Hg, and Zn were mainly influenced by man sources. In comparison, Cu, Ni, Cr, and As were primarily natural in origin. Enrichment factor analysis (EF) and the geo-accumulation index evaluation method (I geo) showed that Cd, Hg, and Pb fell under low and partial serious pollution levels, while Zn, As, Cr, Ni, and Cu mainly were characterized under no pollution and low pollution levels. The potential ecological hazards index (RI) showed that among the eight heavy metals, Pb, Hg, and Cd posed the highest potential ecological risk, with potential ecological hazards indices (RI) of 29.06, 27.71, and 21.54 %, respectively. These findings demonstrated that recent economic development in the area of the basin has led to heavy metal accumulation in the surface sediments of the lake.

Concentration distribution and assessment of heavy metals in the surface sediments of the western Gulf of Thailand

Heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, As), grain size, pH, Eh, total organic carbon, and total nitrogen of 157 surface sediments from the western Gulf of Thailand (GoT) were analyzed to determine the spatial distribution pattern, constraint factors, and pollution status of heavy metals in the surface sediments of the western GoT. The relationships of the heavy metals with sediment composition, pH, reduction/oxidation conditions, and total organic materials were evaluated by statistical analysis. Sediment compositions were the main factors controlling the concentrations of heavy metals as reported in many previous studies, while the hydrodynamic conditions, in particular the seasonal eddies, were an important factor controlling their distribution. Both sediment enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index were used to assess heavy metal accumulation. Only As reached the light contamination level near the upper GoT and the coastal area close to the Songkhla Province, due primarily to anthropogenic activities.

Growth, heavy metal status and yield of salt-stressed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants as affected by the integrated application of bio-, organic and inorganic nitrogen-fertilizers

Efforts have been made to use the integrated application of bio-, organic and inorganic nitrogen (N)-fertilizers to decrease waste accumulation, and to minimize nutrient losses and yield contamination with heavy metals for human nutrition and health. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of integrated applications of organic manures, bio-fertilizer and/or mineral-N fertilizers on growth, yield, some chemical constituents and shoot and yielded grain heavy metal contents of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. cv. Sakha 93) plants grown under salinity stress (ECe = 7.84 dS m -1 ). Results showed that, the treatment comprised of ⅓NH 4 NO 3 (55 kg N ha -1 ) + Cerealine (bio-fertilizer; 4 Kg ha -1 ) + cattle manure (10 t ha -1 ) was found to be most effective, producing the best status of growth characteristics, osmoprotectants concentrations, essential nutrient contents, shoot heavy metal concentrations, and grain yield and its content of heavy metals compared to the all other treatments. The treatment comprised of Cerealine (4 Kg ha -1 ) + cattle manure (20 t ha -1 ) was occupied the second order. We can recommend to use the integrated treatment of ⅓NH 4 NO 3 (55 kg N ha -1 ) + Cerealine (bio-fertilizer; 4 Kg ha -1 ) + cattle manure (10 t ha -1 ) effectively in saline soils to improve wheat growth and yield with minimum contents of heavy metals for human health and nutrition.

An ecological risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in the surface sediments of Bosten Lake, northwest China.

Bosten Lake, a typical rump lake in an oasis in northwest China, was chosen to evaluate the distribution, sources, pollution status, and potential ecological risk of heavy metals. Sediment samples were collected from the lake, and results showed that the values of the eight heavy metals all fell within the Second Soil National Standard, while the average and maximum values of the metals were higher than the background values of the study. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that sediment concentrations of Cd, Pb, Hg, and Zn were mainly influenced by man sources. In comparison, Cu, Ni, Cr, and As were primarily natural in origin. Enrichment factor analysis (EF) and the geo-accumulation index evaluation method (I geo) showed that Cd, Hg, and Pb fell under low and partial serious pollution levels, while Zn, As, Cr, Ni, and Cu mainly were characterized under no pollution and low pollution levels. The potential ecological hazards index (RI) showed that among the eight heavy metals, Pb, Hg, and Cd posed the highest potential ecological risk, with potential ecological hazards indices (RI) of 29.06, 27.71, and 21.54%, respectively. These findings demonstrated that recent economic development in the area of the basin has led to heavy metal accumulation in the surface sediments of the lake.

Heavy Metals Status in Some Commercially Important Fishes of Meghna River Adjacent to Narsingdi District, Bangladesh: Health Risk Assessment

The present study was carried out to determine the heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Al, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cr, Co) in the muscles of 32 fish species for 3 seasons in Meghna River. The heavy metals were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The estimated concentrations of all metals in the present study were lower than the limits permitted by FAO, WHO, EU, United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), US Environment Protection Agency (US/EPA) and England Guidelines except the concentrations of Pb & Zn that were found above the allowable ranges in different fishes namely <i>Amblypharyngnodon mola. Colisa lalia, Tetraodon cutcutia, Barbodes sarana, Labeo calbasu, Puntius sarena, Ompok pabda, Aila coila, Mastacembelus armatus, Glossogobius giuris, Nandus nandu, Tenualosa ilisha, Lepidocephalichthys guntea, Xenentodon cancila, Stinging catfish</i>. Multivariate statistical analysis such as principal component analysis and correlation matrix showed significant anthropogenic intrusions of Zn, Al, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cr, Co in fishes. There was significant positive correlation between Cd vs Co (0.733), moderate positive correlation between Fe vs Al (0.568), Ni vs Co (0.482), Mn vs Co (0.395) which indicate that their common origin especially from industrial effluents, municipal wastes and agricultural inputs.

Geochemical indicators of technogenic pollution of bottom sediments of small rivers in an urbanized environment

We have explored the possibility of using the geochemical characteristics of migration and accumulation of alkali metals (lithium, rubidium, and caesium) as the indicators of anthropogenic status of heavy metals in bottom sediments of small rivers of a technogenically disturbed (urbanized) environment. A study was made of the behavior of the above elements in bottom sediments of the rivers of Petrozavodsk (Republic of Karelia). The chemical composition of the sediments used in the study was determined with X-ray fluorescence spectrometer ARL ADVANT’X and mass spectrometer XSeries-2 ICP-MS; the content of organic matter in bottom sediments (from the LOI index) was estimated by the weighing method upon heating the samples under investigation to the temperature of 1100°C. As a result of the investigations, it was found that among the heavy metals, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Sb, W and Pb are of predominantly technogenic origin in river sediments, which Cr and Cs are of predominantly natural origin due to a high background of these elements in Quaternary formations of the study area. We determined a close association of the trace elements of technogenic status as well as of Li, Rb and Cs with content levels of iron-manganese formations and organic matter in river sediments, which does indicate a commonalty of the processes promoting their input into the urban water stream. It is established that the commonalty of accumulation of a number of heavy metals in bottom sediments with lithophylic elements (Li, Rb and Cs), due to the high chemical activity of these latter, makes it possible to use the geochemical characteristics of the alkali metals as the indicator of technogenic status of the main pollutants of the urban environment.

Multivariate analysis combined with GIS to source identification of heavy metals in soils around an abandoned industrial area, Eastern China.

Heavy metals in soils polluted by industrial production are a meaningful topic worldwide. The purpose of this study is to understand the pollution status and spatial distribution of heavy metals in soils. The result can help decision-makers apportion possible soil heavy metals sources and formulate effective pollution control policies. In this paper, 155 soil samples (0-20 cm) were collected and analyzed for eight heavy metals (Cd, Hg, As, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, and Ni) from an abandoned industrial area of Tong County, located in Jiangsu Province of Eastern China. The multivariate analysis (including I(geo), Ei/RI, EF, PCA, and CA) and geostatistics (GIS) were used to assess the enrichment level and pollution level of soil heavy metals and identify their sources. The results indicated that eight heavy metals in soils had moderate variations, with CVs ranging from 19.63 to 63.34%. The pollution level of I(geo) of soil heavy metals decreased in the order of Cd~Zn > Cu > Hg~As~Pb~Cr~Ni. The enrichment level of soil heavy metals decreased in the order of Cd > Zn > Hg > Cu > Pb > Ni > As > Cr. According to the Ei, except Cd and Hg were in the significant and moderate ecological risk levels respectively, other soil heavy metals were in the clean or light ecological risk levels, the level of potential ecological risk (RI) of the whole industrial area was moderate. Finally, the source identification of soil heavy metals indicated that Cd and Zn were primarily controlled by human activities, and Hg and Cu were controlled by natural and anthropogenic sources, and As, Pb, Cr, and Ni were mainly controlled by soil parent materials.

Quality of the bottom sediments in the area affected by mining activities

The remains of human activities may be seen in several places of the landscape in positive or negative form. Probably the most common phenomenon that fundamentally impacts the country is mining activity. The environmental problems caused by mining have attracted a great deal of research attention and led to development of numerous sediment heavy metal contamination assessment methods, including the index method, the dynamic method, the synthesis methods in chemistry, ecology and toxicology, etc. This research was undertaken in order to determine and analyze selected heavy metals present in sediment samples collected from different sampling localities inside and around water reservoir Ruzin, Slovakia. Reservoir and its inflows are located in the vicinity of region with historical Cu, Fe, Ag, Au-deposit, which was exploited from the 14th century to 1990 and currently causing environmental burden. For the determination of sediments quality different methods (XRD and XRF analysis) have been used. Based on the obtained data of analysis, potential ecological risk indices were used to study the pollution status of heavy metals in sediments and assess their potential ecological risk to environment. The calculated potential ecological risk indicates the level of water environment pollution by heavy metals in the sampling localities in the studied area.

Pollution assessment and spatial variation of soil heavy metals in Lixia River Region of Eastern China

Purpose The effect of soil heavy metals on crops and human health is an important research topic in some fields (Agriculture, Ecology et al.). In this paper, the objective is to understand the pollution status and spatial variability of soil heavy metals in this study area. These results can help decision-makers apportion possible soil heavy metal sources and formulate pollution control policies, effective soil remediation, and management strategies.

Geochemical background and ecological risk of heavy metals in surface sediments from the west Zhoushan Fishing Ground of East China Sea.

Surface sediment grain size as well as the spatial distribution, pollution status, and source identification of heavy metals in the west Zhoushan Fishing Ground (ZFG) of the East China Sea were analyzed to study the geochemical background concentrations of heavy metals and to assess their potential ecological risk. Our results show that surface sediments in the eastern part of study area were mainly composed of sand-sized components. Spatial distributions of heavy metals were mainly controlled by grain size and terrigenous materials, and their concentrations in the coarsest grain sediments formed primarily during the Holocene transgressive period could represent the element background values of our study area. Contamination factor suggests that there was no pollution of Pb, Zn, and Cr generally in our study area and slight pollution of Cu, Cd, and As (especially Cu) at some stations. In addition, ecological harm coefficient indicates that the ecological risk of each heavy metal, except for Cd, at two stations was low as well. These results are consistent with the pollution load index and ecological risk index, which suggest both the overall level of pollution and the overall ecological risk of six studied metals in sediment were relatively low in our study area. Enrichment factor indicates that the heavy metals came mostly from the natural source. Summarily, the quality level of sediment in our study area was relatively good, and heavy metals in sediments could not exert threat to aquatic lives in the ZFG until now.