Total Trace Element Concentrations Research Articles

Assessment of the phytoremediation effectiveness in the restoration of uranium mine tailings

Uranium (U) contamination due to mining and metallurgical operations is a serious problem and poses a high potential threat to humans and other organisms. The application of amendments and/or plants, known as assisted phytoremediation, can accelerate the adsorption, complexation and precipitation processes in soil, and therefore can facilitate the restoration of U mining areas. This study located in the central-west of peninsular Spain was focussed on two different U mine waste dumps (MWD), where the assisted phytoremediation process was implemented. At each MWD, an area of 10 ha (approx.) was selected for sugar lime (SL) application, at a rate of 75 T ha −1. In addition, after SL addition, common grasses Cynodon dactylon, Secale cereale, and the leguminosae Vicia sativa were seeded. Evolution of soil physico-chemical properties and plant development was monitored for 69 months in Top, Medium and Low areas of both MWDs. The main results indicated a positive effect of the amendment, improving the development of the spontaneous and induced vegetation and the accumulation of soil organic matter. Values of pH were maintained in the range of the neutrality during all the experimentation period. In general, total concentrations of trace elements (including U) presented a high variability. Values were similar in the different studied areas of each MWD (Top, Medium and Low) and did not change in time. Trace elements contents were, in general, higher than those found in non-contaminated soils. However, U and Mn availability decreased with time, as well as the accumulation of trace elements (especially U and Mn) in the studied plants. Moreover, these contents were lower than the permitted limit for animal consumption. In conclusion, application of phytoremediation contributed to the stabilization of U within the soil-plant system, mainly by its positive effects on vegetation cover and the consequent increase in soil organic matter.

Impact of Car Traffic on Metal Accumulation in Soils and Plants Growing Close to a Motorway (Eastern Slovakia).

The paper evaluates the impact of car transport on the distribution and accumulation of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd in soils, as well as in the vegetation near a newly built R4 motorway Košice-Milhosť (Slovakia). Samples were taken from surface humus layer (litter) and 0–5, 10–20 and 20–30 cm mineral layers of Cambisol and Luvisol, as well as from assimilatory organs of Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus cerris, Quercus rubra, Negundo aceroides and Anthriscus sylvestris growing in the segments of geobiocoenosis Querci-Fageta Typica. The concentrations of total Zn and Cu were determined using SensAA AAS and the total concentrations of Cd and Pb using an instrument iCE 3000 Series AAS-F. Contamination factor (CF) values showed that surface humus layer of both soil units is moderately contaminated with Zn (1 ≤ CF ˂ 3), low contaminated with Cu (CF ˂ 1) and considerably contaminated with Pb and Cd (3 ≤ CF ˂ 6). Contamination of the surface humus layer of Luvisol with Pb is very high (CF > 6), while in the case of mineral layers with Zn and Cu it is low (CF ˂ 1). The mineral layers of Luvisol are moderately contaminated with Pb and Cd (1 ≤ CF ˂ 3) and Cambisol layers with Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd. For the group of 5 tested plants, higher values of toxic elements in the leaves were observed on Luvisol compared to Cambisol. However, only Cu conconcentrations in Luvisol significantly correlated with Cu concentrations in plants (r > 0.4 or r < 0.6). The same can be said for Zn concentrations in Cambisol (r > 0.8). The best indicator of the environment polluted by car traffic appears to be A. sylvestris. Transfer coefficients (TC ˃ 1) revealed that this species concentrated the most Zn and Cu on Luvisol and close to 1 are also the TC values found for Cu in F. excelsior and Q. cerris leaves taken on Luvisol. Lead is accumulated most efficiently in N. aceroides leaves and Cd in A. sylvestris leaves regardless of soil unit. Compared to background values, the total concentrations of trace elements in soils and plants were significantly higher and point to the pollution of forest ecosystems already in the initial stage of motorway operation.

Accumulation potential of heavy metals at different growth stages of Pacific white leg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei farmed along the Southeast coast of Peninsular India: A report on ecotoxicology and human health risk assessment

This study compared the heavy metal concentration in water, sediment, and shrimp at different growth stages of culture and subsequently evaluated the ecotoxicological and human health risk status. Total trace element concentration in the water, sediment and shrimp ranged from not detected (ND) (Hg) to 91.05 (Fe) μg/L, 0.01 (Hg) to 19, 246.33 (Fe) mg/kg, and ND (Hg) to 13.98 (Fe) mg/kg, respectively. Toxic metals such as, Cd, Hg, and Pb in shrimps ranged from ND to 2.11 mg/kg, ND to 0.158 mg/kg, ND to 0.088 mg/kg, and ND to 0.469 mg/kg, respectively. Toxic heavy metals at all the growth stages of shrimps (days of culture (DOC)-01 to DOC-90) were found below the maximum residual limit (MRL) of 0.5 mg/kg set by the European Commission (EC). Similarly, Cu, Zn, and As concentrations in shrimp were also far below the MRLs of 30 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 76 mg/kg set by the World Health Organization and Food Safety and Standard Authority of India, respectively. The concentration of heavy metals increased from DOC-01 to DOC-90 and was positively correlated with the length and weight of the shrimps (p < 0.05). The risk assessment was estimated for both Indians and Americans and found no carcinogenic (lifetime cancer risk (LCR) < 10−4) and non-carcinogenic (THQ and TTHQ<1) health risks through consumption of shrimp cultured in this region. The hazard quotient (HQdermal < 1), hazard index (HI < 1), and LCR (<10−4) values of the heavy metals indicated that the dermal absorption might not be a concern for the local fishermen and marine fish/shrimp farmworkers. Water and sediment quality indices were applied to assess the surface water and sediment quality, and their results were found nil to low levels of heavy metal contamination at all the sampling sites. All heavy metals studied in sediments were < effect range low (ERL) and < threshold effect level (TEL), indicating no adverse biological effects on aquatic organisms. Therefore, regular monitoring of the shrimp aquaculture system throughout the crop will provide evidence of heavy metals bioaccumulation in shrimps. This research will provide baseline data to help farmers establish the optimal aquaculture practices and regulatory authorities to formulate legislation and strategies to reduce heavy metal biomagnification in shrimps from farm to fork.

Occurrence and human health risk assessment of mineral elements and pesticides residues in bee pollen

Bee pollen contains a diversity of bioactive components. Nevertheless, since pollen is retrieved from a variety of plants, including the cultivated ones which are subjected to agrochemical treatments, its contamination is unavoidable. In this context, 45 samples of pollen were analysed with optimized analytical methods for trace and macro elements (ICP-MS), pesticides and metabolites residues (LC & GC-MS/MS) content. According to the results, potassium and iron were the most abundant in terms of concentration and frequency of detection, while the contribution of the most hazardous elements, such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, to the total concentration of trace elements was lower than 1%. For pesticides, coumaphos was the most frequently detected in the examined samples (22%), followed by propargite, azoxystrobin, dimethoate and cypermethrin. Non-carcinogenic health risk assessment demonstrated in the majority of cases negligible risk for adults and children. On the contrary, carcinogenic risk assessment considering a worst case scenario disclosed nickel and in less extent chromium and arsenic, as risk drivers, exhibiting in several samples carcinogenic risk values for adults above the safety threshold. Yet, regarding that both adults and children unlikely will daily consume such pollen quantities, especially on a long-term basis, an overestimation of risk should be appraised.

Genesis and evolution of the San Manuel iron skarn deposit (Betic Cordillera, SW Spain)

The San Manuel magnesian skarn is an iron deposit hosted in dolomitic marbles from a tectonic slice imbricated within the Ronda peridotites, in the westernmost part of the Betic Cordillera, Spain. According to the dominant mineral assemblage, the skarn is subdivided into three different zones, (1) forsterite ± calcite skarn, (2) calcite ± chlorite ± serpentine skarn, and (3) Ca-amphibole skarn. The main ore in the skarn is a ∼ 2.5 m thick, massive ore body situated in the middle of the sequence. In this paper, we firstly report a comprehensive major to trace element composition, texture, microstructure, and mineralogy characterization for zoned magnesioferrite-magnetite grains of the San Manuel deposit using a combination of (1) laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, (2) focused ion beam combined with transmission electron microscopy, and (3) electron back-scattered diffraction. We have defined four different magnesioferrite-magnetite generations. A complete sequence of zoning includes cores of magnesioferrite (Mag-1; MgO up to 10.6 wt%) overprinted by three successive generations of magnetite, namely Mag-2, Mag-3, Mag-4. Mag-2 (MgO < 4 wt%), hosts composite forsterite ± calcite ± chlorite inclusions, consistently with high Si, Ca, and Sr (average: 8204 ppm, 8980 ppm, and 49 ppm respectively) contents detected by in situ laser ablation inductively coupled plasma (LA-ICP-MS). Mag-3 replacing former Mag-1 and Mag-2 includes nanometric spinel and gahnite exsolutions detected by focused ion beam combined with a transmission electron microscope (FIB-TEM), which is consistent with its high Al, Ti, V, and Ga (average: 5073 ppm, 368 ppm, and 20 ppm, respectively) trace element concentration. Mag-4 is the Fe-richest magnetite (up to 94.16 wt% FeOtotal) forming the outermost rims in magnetite grains, and exhibiting the lowest total trace element contents. Approaches in temperature estimations employing magnetite-spinel exsolutions in Mag-3 suggest that the minimum temperature of the prograde stage reached temperatures below 700 °C, whereas Mag-4 should be formed during the retrograde stage. Magnetite microstructure studied by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) suggests Mag-4 formation under fluid-assisted dynamic conditions, which is consistent with the tectonic evolution of the emplacement. We propose that the San Manuel deposit formed by pulsed hydrothermal fluids derived from anatexis of crustal rocks during peridotite emplacement, promoting re-equilibration processes that led to the magnesioferrite-magnetite zoning.

Overlooked Significant Impact of Trace Metals on the Bacterial Community of PM2.5 in High‐Time Resolution

AbstractBioaerosol has been increasingly recognized as a hazardous factor, possibly leading to environmental issues and health risks. However, the driving factors were rarely investigated, which impeded comprehensive assessment of environmental quality. Herein ambient trace metals and bacterial community in PM2.5 and their interactions during severe pollution were characterized in high time resolution. The results showed that the mass concentrations of total trace elements in PM2.5 were 1.4–9.4 μg m−3, with As and Cr exceeding the national standard, which might pose health risks to humans, especially children with frequently hand‐to‐mouth activity. The airborne bacterial community structure responded to the changing environmental and meteorological variables including PM2.5, related water‐soluble ions, SO2, O3, temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. Our results suggested that the trace metal was an overlooked factor in shaping the bacterial community compared to PM2.5, related water‐soluble inorganic ions, trace gases, and meteorological variables based on the aggregated boosted tree. Cd, Ga, and Nb were main trace metals factors affecting the bacterial community. The better knowledge of airborne bacterial diversity in high‐time resolution were essential to assess the environmental quality and help to explore the interactions of bioaerosols and atmospheric pollutants in PM2.5. The synergistic toxicity effects for the combination of trace metals and bioaerosol should be considered in future studies when evaluating their health effects.

Bioaccumulation of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in native Brachystegia longifolia naturally growing in a copper mining environment of Mufulira, Zambia

Heavy metal contamination in the soil and the subsequent accumulation in Brachystegia longifolia were investigated as a function of the wind direction and distance from a copper mine in Mufulira, Zambia. Soil and leaves of B. longifolia were collected along transects up to 12km downwind and 19km upwind. The total concentration of trace elements in the soil and leaves was determined through pXRF. Plant-available Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn were extracted in a Mehlich III solution and analyzed using ICP-AES. The degree of soil contamination illustrates that Cu and Fe from the copper mine strongly pollute Mufulira and the surrounding forests. Bioavailable Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn reduced with increasing distance from the mine. An average of 296mg/kg Cu, 2337mg/kg Fe, 1101mg/kg Mn, and 109mg/kg Zn were recorded in leaves at the most polluted site. Similarly, 55.21mg/kg Cu, 516.4mg/kg Fe, 3196mg/kg Mn, and 154mg/kg Zn were recorded at an unpolluted site 19km upwind. The concentration of Cu and Fe reduced significantly with increasing distance, while Mn and Zn increased significantly. It was further established that B. longifolia leaves accumulated Mn (× 38) and Zn (× 15) more than their respective total concentration in the soil. The concentrations of Cu and Fe found in leaves near the mine, as well as the Mn concentration in leaves across the study sites, could be stressful for B. longifolia tree growth.

Quantification of trace elements in surgical and KN95 face masks widely used during the SARS-COVID-19 pandemic

During the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, face masks have been the single most important protective equipment against the threat of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). While masks are worn, both the nose and the mouth of the user come in contact with the mask material, and as the latter mediates the inhaled air and may interfere with the swallowed saliva, it is of paramount importance to assure that the mask is free of toxic substances. As there are currently no studies on the total amount of trace elements in masks, the present study fills the void and investigates 24 surgical and KN95 face masks. Specifically, mask samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the total concentrations of trace elements as well as to assess the possibility that any detected of the elements present could transfer into the human body, based on saliva leaching and breathing experiments. Accordingly, it is reported herein that although most masks analyzed in this study contain trace elements below their corresponding detection limits, a few masks did contain detectable levels of trace elements. In particular, the maximum values that were determined in certain analyzed samples were: Pb (13.33 μg g−1), Cu (410 μg g−1), Zn (56.80 μg g−1), and Sb (90.18 μg g−1). Finally, in the masks that Pb was present, it easily leached out (58% transfer during a 6-h exposure) during the saliva simulation experiments.

Insights into Elemental Composition and Sources of Fine and Coarse Particulate Matter in Dense Traffic Areas in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada.

Traffic is a significant pollution source in cities and has caused various health and environmental concerns worldwide. Therefore, an improved understanding of traffic impacts on particle concentrations and their components could help mitigate air pollution. In this study, the characteristics and sources of trace elements in PM2.5 (fine), and PM10-2.5 (coarse), were investigated in dense traffic areas in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada, from 2015–2017. At nearby urban background sites, 24-h integrated PM samples were also concurrently collected. The PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 masses, and a number of elements (i.e., Fe, Ba, Cu, Sb, Zn, Cr), showed clear increases at each near-road site, related to the traffic emissions resulting from resuspension and/or abrasion sources. The trace elements showed a clear partitioning trend between PM2.5 and PM10-2.5, thus reflecting the origin of some of these elements. The application of positive matrix factorization (PMF) to the combined fine and coarse metal data (86 total), with 24 observations at each site, was used to determine the contribution of different sources to the total metal concentrations in fine and coarse PM. Four major sources were identified by the PMF model, including two traffic non-exhaust (crustal/road dust, brake/tire wear) sources, along with regional and local industrial sources. Source apportionment indicated that the resuspended crustal/road dust factor was the dominant contributor to the total coarse-bound trace element (i.e., Fe, Ti, Ba, Cu, Zn, Sb, Cr) concentrations produced by vehicular exhaust and non-exhaust traffic-related processes that have been deposited onto the surface. The second non-exhaust factor related to brake/tire wear abrasion accounted for a considerable portion of the fine and coarse elemental (i.e., Ba, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sb) mass at both near-road sites. Regional and local industry contributed mostly to the fine elemental (i.e., S, As, Se, Cd, Pb) concentrations. Overall, the results show that non-exhaust traffic-related processes were major contributors to the various redox-active metal species (i.e., Fe, Cu) in both PM fractions. In addition, a substantial proportion of these metals in PM2.5 was water-soluble, which is an important contributor to the formation of reactive oxygen species and, thus, may lead to oxidative damage to cells in the human body. It appears that controlling traffic non-exhaust-related metals emissions, in the absence of significant point sources in the area, could have a pronounced effect on the redox activity of PM, with broad implications for the protection of public health.

Multi-Element Composition of Diatom Chaetoceros spp. from Natural Phytoplankton Assemblages of the Russian Arctic Seas.

Simple SummaryDespite the long history of studying the elemental composition of phytoplankton and its individual ecological and systematic groups or specific algae species, the global dataset is far from completed. Our original research aims to study the elemental composition of a certain taxonomic group of marine diatoms, whose representatives make a significant contribution to primary production in the Arctic Ocean. The data on the chemical composition of diatom microalgae are discussed concerning their role in the global biogeochemical circulation of elements in the ocean. In particular, the obtained data make a prominent input to the study of the multi-element composition of marine diatom species, namely Chaetoceros spp., inhabiting the shelf seas of the Arctic Ocean. These data may be used as a basis for the cultivation of marine diatom strains for obtaining commercially promising producers of biogenic silica or valuable biological products that can be used as raw materials in the production of feed and nutrition for agriculture and aquaculture.Data on the elemental composition of the diatom Chaetoceros spp. from natural phytoplankton communities of Arctic marine ecosystems are presented for the first time. Samples were collected during the 69th cruise (22 August–26 September 2017) of the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh in the Kara, Laptev, and East Siberian Seas. The multi-element composition of the diatom microalgae was studied by ICP-AES and ICP-MS methods. The contents of major (Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, K and Ca), trace (Li, Be, B, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th and U) and rare earth (Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) elements varied greatly, which was probably associated with the peculiarities of the functional state and mineral nutrition of phytoplankton in the autumn period. Biogenic silicon was the dominant component of the chemical composition of Chaetoceros spp., averaging 19.10 ± 0.58% of dry weight (DW). Other significant macronutrients were alkaline (Na and K) and alkaline earth (Ca and Mg) metals as well as biogenic (S and P) and essential (Al and Fe) elements. Their total contents varied from 1.26 to 2.72% DW, averaging 2.07 ± 0.43% DW. The Al:Si ratio for natural assemblages of Chaetoceros spp. of the shelf seas of the Arctic Ocean was 5.8 × 10−3. The total concentrations of trace and rare earth elements on average were 654.42 ± 120.07 and 4.14 ± 1.37 μg g−1 DW, respectively. We summarize the scarce data on the average chemical composition of marine and oceanic phytoplankton and discuss the limitations and approaches of such studies. We conclude on the lack of data and the need for further targeted studies on this issue.

Geochemical approach to the genesis of the Buyukkizilcik (Afsin) barite deposit, SE Turkey

This study investigated the geochemistry, mineralogy, fluid inclusion, trace and rare earth element (REE) contents and Pb, O and S isotope results of the barites formed together with Pb-Zn deposits in the region. The Buyukkizilcik barite mineralization is located in the west part of Afsin, Turkey and it can be traced through 14 kilometers in NE-SW direction within the Yoncayolu and Cayderesi Formation. The thickness of these mineralized areas reaches 7-8 m, especially in the middle and eastern part of the ore zone. Mineralization is represented by barite-antimonite-fluorite in the western part, pyrite-chalcopyrite in the middle part and galena-sphalerite in the eastern part of the mineralized zone. Fluid inclusion studies indicate that these mineralizations are formed in the epithermal phase of hydrothermal period, with liquids having 4.5 to 2% NaCl salinity values and temperatures of 105 °C to 121 °C. The barite samples were collected from Buyukkizilcik mineralization area for analysis of major oxides, trace elements, and rare earth elements (REEs) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). According to the results of the analysis, it is seen that total trace element contents change from 163 to 20458 ppm and ∑REE contents are between 4.31 and 14.4 ppm. The chondrite- normalized REE patterns of the studied barites exhibit trends decrease from LREE towards HREE and have negative Ce and negative Eu anomalies. The 206Pb/204Pb; 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb isotope values of galena vary between 17.20 and 19.96%o; 14.1 and 16.2%; and 35.4 and 41.9%, respectively. These isotope results show that these mineralizations were originated from upper crust materials. The δ34S values in Buyukkizilcik mineralizations range from 8.2 to 14.4‰. The barite mineralization was formed by hydrothermal activity and that the δ34S values indicate an epithermal phase. The δ18O values of barites are between 17.0 and 18.5‰ and these δ18O values show that the origin of the water displayed in the hydrothermal activity is magmatic and/or magmatic mixed with meteoric water. All results indicate that the barite mineralization was deposited as vein-type by hydrothermal solutions that are transported along fractures and fault zones within the Malatya Metamorphic complexes.

Biochar ageing in polluted soils and trace elements immobilisation in a 2-year field experiment

Biochar application to soils has become a focus of research during the last decade due to its high potential for C sequestration. Nevertheless, there is no exhaustive information on the long-term effects of biochar application in soils contaminated with trace elements. In this work, a 2-year field experiment was conducted comprising the application of different types of biochar to acidic and moderately acidic soils with high concentrations of As, Cu, Pb, Ba and Zn. In addition, representative samples of each biochar were buried in permeable bags that allowed the flow of water and microorganisms but not their physical interaction with soil aggregates. The biochars significantly adsorbed trace elements from polluted soils. However, given the high total concentration of these persistent trace elements in the soils, the application of biochars did not succeed in reducing the concentration of available metals (CaCl2 extractable fraction). After 2 years of ageing under field conditions, some degradation of the biochars from olive pit, rice husk and wood were observed. This study provides novel information concerning the biochar alterations during ageing in polluted soils, as the decrease of aryl C signal observed by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and the presence of O-containing groups shown by Fourier Transform mid-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) in aged biochar which enhanced trace elements adsorption. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed slight changes on surface morphology of aged biochar particles.

Detection of land degradation caused by historical Zn‐Pb mining using electrical resistivity tomography

AbstractSoil contamination with trace elements in mining areas still remains an urgent research problem due to their negative environmental impact that needs to be assessed. Despite the wide application of the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) method to different environmental problems, it continually remains methodologically challenging in soil contamination near waste dumps of post‐metal historical mining. The aims of our study were: (1) to validate ERT measurements for detecting soil contamination by trace elements in the vicinity of a waste dump containing post‐processing spoil from Zn‐Pb ore smelting, (2) to determine the extent of soil contamination, and (3) to analyze the mineralogical, physical, and chemical properties of the soils affected. ERT enabled us to study the variability of electrical properties of soils, to locate the area of contamination, and to evaluate its spatial diversity in both. The impact of soil pollution is reflected on ERT cross‐sections in the form of electrical resistivities that decrease with increasing depth and distance from the waste dump. The respective maximum contents of Zn, Pb and Cd in the soils were 28,903, 12,407, and 136 mg kg−1. The total concentration of trace elements in soils was the highest down to a depth of 0.25 m and decreased in the order: Zn &gt; Pb &gt; Cu &gt; Cd &gt; Tl &gt; As &gt; Cr &gt; Ni. The electrical resistivities of the soil samples were negatively correlated with the silty and clayey fraction content (−0.78), specific electrical conductivity (−0.75), total trace element content (−0.67), organic matter content (−0.57), and gravimetric water content (−0.53). The results also indicate that the electrical properties of the topsoil depend directly on the type of mineral components. Hydrated iron sulphates, lead sulphates, water‐bound in aluminosilicates, Fe oxides/hydroxides, and hydrated Fe, Zn, and Pb sulphates present in the soil all decrease its electrical resistivity. Our results show the impact of the mineralogical, physical, and chemical properties of the soils on the measured electrical resistivity and that including this information in the interpretation of ERT results enables non‐invasive detailed determination of soil contamination by trace elements.

An Influence of the Fuel Type on Element Behaviour in Domestic Boilers with Respect to the Circular Economy

The use of waste from the regional production of waste wood, waste paper, and cardboard in the form of briquettes may be causing an increase in local emissions, both of major elements and trace elements. When burning paper and cardboard briquettes, more than 70% of Mn, Zn, As, and Pb is released into the air from the total content of trace elements in the fuel. The largest amounts of major and trace elements are released when burning paper briquettes (56 g/kg of fuel); half of these amounts are released from burning briquettes from waste wood and coal (23 g/kg of fuel). The pursuit of alternative uses for those cardboard components that are not suitable for recycling cannot be directed to the production of briquettes for residential combustion in the framework of the application of the principles of the circular economy. In particular, the high concentrations of undesirable elements in the emissions released in the gas phase into the atmosphere are an obstacle existing even when the parameters of the PM10 emissions of a boiler are met. This is related to the high ash content of the cardboard (13.5%). Waste paper or cardboard could be added to waste wood at a maximum of 10% to make the pollution produced comparable to the burning of coal briquettes.

Potentially Toxic Trace Elements in the Urban Soils of Santiago de Compostela (Northwestern Spain)

With the objective of increasing information inorganic pollutants in urban soils in Spain, we studied the presence of Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, and As in 55 soils in the city of Santiago de Compostela (northwestern Spain). The soils were developed over diverse parent materials (granites, gneiss, schists, and amphibolites) and present different land uses, urban grasslands, urban forests, urban allotment gardens, and peri-urban agricultural soils. Total trace element concentrations, analyzed by XRF of ground samples, were correlated to physicochemical properties of the soils, and the influence of land use, lithology, and location on the degree of pollution was explored. In most soils, trace element concentrations followed the sequence Zn (55–484 mg kg−1) &gt; Pb (20–566 mg kg−1) &gt; Cr (17–277 mg kg−1) &gt; Cu (17–188 mg kg−1) &gt; As (13–205 mg kg−1) &gt; Ni (11–91 mg kg−1). The concentrations were overall higher than regional backgrounds, but not high enough to class the soils as contaminated according to the Spanish regulation. Accordingly, the geoaccumulation index values indicate that most soils present low to moderate pollution levels. Among the elements studied, Cu, Pb, and Zn were correlated between them, with their highest concentrations happening in soils of the green areas in the city center; Cr and Ni concentrations were related to lithology of the parent material, with the highest concentrations in soils developed over amphibolite; finally, As concentrations are higher in two precise points without a clear connection to a known source of pollution.

Macro and Trace Elements in Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Cultivated in Greece: Risk Assessment of Toxic Elements.

The accumulation of hazardous contaminants in Cannabis sativa L. raises warning signs regarding possible adverse effects on human health due to the consumption of herbal medicines and/or other herbal edible products made from cannabis. Thus, there is an urge to investigate the levels of hazardous contaminants, such as heavy metals, in cannabis plant. In the present study, 29 macro and trace elements, including both beneficial and toxic elements (heavy metals and metalloids), were investigated in 90 samples of Cannabis sativa L. collected from Greece. According to the results, the detected concentrations of macro elements in the leaves/flowers of cannabis ranged between 28 and 138,378 ppm, and of trace elements between 0.002 and 1352.904 ppm. Although the concentrations of elements varied among the samples, their accumulation pattern was found to be similar, with the contribution of toxic elements to the total concentration of trace elements being below 1%. The detected levels of the most toxic elements were below the prescribed limits established by the WHO, while the calculated THQ and CR values showed no risk (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic) for the population exposed to the current cannabis samples. Positive correlation between the concentration of elements and cannabis geographical origin and variety was observed. Cannabis leaves/flowers were more contaminated with trace and macro elements than seeds.

A risk-based approach for the safety analysis of eight trace elements in Chinese flowering cabbage (Brassica parachinensis L.) in China.

Most countries set regulatory values for the total trace element (TE) concentrations in soil, although there is growing interest in using a risk-based approach to evaluate the bioavailable TE using dilute salt extractants or other soil parameters, including pH and organic carbon. The present study compares the current regulatory system (based on total TEs and pH) and a risk-based approach using 0.01 mol L-1 CaCl2 to estimate the bioavailable fraction. In total, 150 paired samples of Chinese flowering cabbages (Brassica parachinensis) and their growth soils were collected, and the total and extractable concentrations of chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg), as well as soil pH and organic matter content, were measured. No more than 3.33% of the edible parts exceeded Chinese food safety standards, even when growing in soils exceeding the current regulatory thresholds by over 50%. The total soil Cd (1.5mg kg-1 ), as well as the extractable concentrations of Cd (0.1mg kg-1 ), Ni (0.03 mg kg-1 ) and Zn (0.1mg kg-1 ), are the key factors affecting the TE concentrations in B. parachinensis. Our findings suggest that the current soil regulatory guidelines for safe production of B. parachinensis are overly strict and conservative. A risk-based approach based on the extractable TE concentrations would provide a better indication for plant uptake of soil TEs and avoid the waste of farmlands that can still produce safe vegetables. Future research should focus on providing crop-specific available TE concentration guidelines to promote effective utilization of farmlands. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Hydrogen, trace, and ultra-trace element distribution in natural olivines

We investigate the coupling between H, minor, trace, and ultra-trace element incorporations in 17 olivines from ten different locations covering various petrological origins: magmatic, hydrothermal, and mantle-derived context. Concentrations in major element are determined by micro X-ray fluorescence. Minor, trace, and ultra-trace elements are determined by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Hydrogen concentrations are quantified using unpolarized and polarized Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Forsterite contents (83.2–94.1%) reflect the petrogenetic diversity. Hydrogen concentrations range from 0 to 54 ppm H2O wt. Minor element concentrations (Ni + Mn) range from 3072 to 4333 ppm, and impurities are dominated by Ni, Mn, Ca or B. Total trace element concentrations range from 8.2 to 1473 ppm. Total rare Earth and extended ultra-trace elements concentrations are very low (< 0.5 ppm). Magmatic and hydrothermal olivines show the most and least amount of impurities, respectively, and mantle-derived olivines have concentrations between these two extremes. Combined with minor, trace, and ultra-trace element concentrations, the hydrogen concentrations, and FTIR OH bands reflect the point defect diversity imposed by different geological settings. Hydrogen concentrations are inversely correlated with divalent impurities, indicating their competition for vacancies. However, a broad positive correlation is also found between OH bands at 3575 and 3525 cm−1 and Ti, confirming the existence of Ti-clinohumite-like point defect in mantle olivines. Nonetheless, Ti does not exclusively control hydrogen incorporation in olivine due to the co-existence with other mechanisms, and its effect appears diluted. Our results confirm that hydrogen behaves as a peculiar incompatible element, and furthermore as an opportunistic impurity in olivine.

The living cells and elemental synthesis: New insights

The generation of new elements inside living cells, either by nuclear fusion or nuclear fission is questionable. Nuclear fusion theory can interpret the increase of an element or reduction of another one following the dissociation of the atomic nucleus of some elements and recoordination of new integrated nuclei, which surrounded by electrons to neutralize protons of nucleus. To proof our hypothesis, in vitro microcosm investigations were carried out using two microbial stains (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MN592674B and Escherichia coli), which spiked with seven trace elements (Ti, V, Co, Ni, Se, Mo, and B) in a closed system. Total trace element concentrations were determined using Inductivity Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) at the end of inoculation experiment. Some trace elements (e.g. Se, V and Ni) showed increments, others (e.g. Ti and B) showed reductions; however, some trace elements such as Ag, B and Cd vanished completely from the microbial media. The addition of V, Co, Ni, Se, Mo, and B to B. amyloliquefaciens culture medium enhanced Bismuth (Bi) biosynthesis. This finding was also supported by Energy Eispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) data, which showed substantial alterations in metals distribution in the outersphere surfaces as affected by the microbial strain and the spiked elements. In this regard, trace elements transformation differed greatly among bacterial strains. Findings from this investigation provide insights for understanding elemental transformations in the living cells.

Mobility of potentially toxic elements in family garden soils of the Riotinto mining area

Agricultural soils in mining areas usually accumulate potentially toxic elements (PTEs) that can become a health risk to humans by entering the trophic chain. In this study, five small agricultural plots close to Riotinto mines (SW Spain) were studied, with the aims of comparing the concentration of PTEs with respect to the regional (South Portuguese Zone) baseline and conducting availability studies in order to determine the contamination of soils. Chemical composition, total and clay mineralogy, and edaphic parameters were determined in topsoil and subsoil samples to characterize the soils, and single extractions were conducted to assess the mobility. The mineralogy of the soils was composed of quartz and phyllosilicates, with small amounts of feldspars and occasionally containing hematite and calcite. The texture ranged from sandy to silty loam, the pH was slightly acidic, and high contents of organic matter were found. Total concentrations of trace elements correlated with the texture, the content in iron oxy-hydroxides and the pH. The values of As, Pb, Cu, and Zn exceeded the regional baseline even in sites unaffected by mining. The results suggest that a widespread sampling is necessary to determine the local background. The most water-soluble element was As, due to the competition of organic matter for sorption sites. The content of Cu, Cr and Zn extracted with different methods were higher in sandy soils with low iron oxy-hydroxides content. Monoammonium phosphate and EDTA extractions seemed to remove elements from organic matter and iron oxy-hydroxides. The extracted fractions of As and metals reached up to 10–30 wt%. Despite the high total concentrations of the element in soils, they generally showed low available proportions, especially with water and ammonium acetate extractants. The results suggest that the soils are not necessarily a risk to humans and higher investigation efforts are necessary to assess the availability of PTEs and their transfer to plants.