Toxic Chemicals In Soil Research Articles

Levels and Health Risk Assessments of Heavy Metals in Khat and Its Support Soil in Algesachi, Ilu Ababor, Ethiopia.

Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is a stimulant plant grown in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Heavy metal pollution has been a global concern due to its acute and chronic health effects and the major route of exposure is the consumption of contaminated foods. In this study, the determination and health risk assessment of heavy metals (Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, and Pb) in khat and its support soil samples was carried out. Khat and its support soil were analyzed for the levels of 7 toxic heavy metals by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Samples were randomly collected from 3 districts of khat farming kebeles and digested using mixture of strong acids. The concentrations (mg/kg) of analytes in soil and khat samples were: Cu (6.78-35.80); Zn (24.30-199.02); Mn (7.59-1855.40); Ni (6.37-64.80); Cr (0.82-169.20); Cd (14.2-38.8), and Pb (ND). Among the analyzed heavy metals in soil, Mn was with the highest concentration, followed by Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Cd while that of Zn was the maximum followed by Cu, Mn, and Cr in khat. The levels of Zn, Cr, and Cd in soil samples from all study sites and detected concentrations of Cr in khat samples exceeded the recommended FAO/WHO levels. The hazard index (HI) of metals in khat from study areas was less than 1 indicating a less likelihood of non-carcinogenic toxicological health effects. However, the presence of these toxic chemicals in soil and khat indicates product contamination and needs extensive further investigation involving other heavy metals.

Application of Biological and Information Technologies in Ecological Environments Monitoring

As technology accelerates and humanity progresses into a new era, environmental challenges are intensifying. Consequently, extensive efforts have been directed towards the detection and remediation of pollutants in the environment. This paper presents two effective and practical technologies for monitoring and remediating contamination. Biological methods offer remarkable precision in environmental monitoring. By utilizing synthetic biological tools, researchers have access to a wide range of biosensors that can fulfill specific requirements. These biosensors enable the detection of heavy metals and organic toxic chemicals in soil and water systems. Additionally, biosensors can effectively monitor the concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide in gas environments, thus finding applications in safeguarding food products and preventing damage caused by insufficient oxygen levels. Remote sensing technology, a versatile tool in earth science, environmental monitoring, urban planning, and agriculture, captures vital surface and atmospheric data globally and locally. This article introduces two key technologies for contamination monitoring and environmental remediation, this paper highlights the essential role of biological methods in accurately detecting pollutants and their potential for environmental remediation. Through the utilization of emerging technologies, notably biosensors, significant opportunities arise to tackle environmental risks and foster a healthier ecosystem for future generations.

VETERINARY AND SANITARY ASSESSMENT OF THE CONTENT OF TECHNOLOGICALLY HARMFUL SUBSTANCES IN MILK AND THEIR REMOVAL FROM THE ANIMAL BODY

Тhe unfavorable ecological situation in the zones of man-made pollution is due to non-compliance with the requirements for the treatment of plants with toxic chemicals, the uncontrollable excess of emissions from industrial enterprises and motor vehicles, man-made disasters caused by the war of liberation, etc. As a result, particularly toxic substances, compounds of lead, cadmium, mercury, strontium and other heavy metals enter the atmosphere. Heavy metals, which are part of herbicides and fungicides, medicines, fertilizers, plant growth stimulants and poisons for their protection, accumulate in the environment, in particular in feed, enter the atmosphere with combustion products, respectively, have a negative impact on the well-being of animals, quality and safety of livestock products, in particular milk. Therefore, the priority direction, under conditions of increased man-made load on the environment and animals, was and is the monitoring of heavy metals in the trophic chain: soil-plant-feed-animal-product-human. According to a number of authors, a significant amount of toxic substances, including heavy metals that enter the animal's body with feed, water and by air are removed from it through the alimentary canal, kidneys, skin and mammary gland. According to Kovalchuk I.I., Fedoruka R.S. (Kovalchuk, Fedoruk, 2006), the content of heavy metals in the milk of cows under conditions of increased technogenic load on the environment depends on the intensity of harmful emissions, the content of heavy metals in them, the set of fodder in the diet and its balance, as well as the season of keeping, the period of lactation and the level of productivity. Therefore, an important task should be a scientific and practical in-depth study of man-made environmental pollution, which would include various studies of heavy metals, toxic chemicals in soil and feed, means of correcting their impact on the metabolism of productive animals.

Role of Nutrients in Plants, Its Deficiency and Management

Plants like all living beings need energy source. The energy needed by the plants are uptaken in the form of 17 essential elements. Among which Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are derived from surrounding. The remaining 14 essential necessary elements are supplied either from rhizosphere and soil organic matter or by important organic or inorganic fertilizers or value added soil amendments. Plants start showing nutrient deficiency when they do not get the necessary nutrients. More nutrient use can also show poor growth because of toxic chemicals in soil. So, required amount of use and the placement of nutrients is necessary. Soil and plant tissue tests have been developed to assess their’ nutrient content. By analysis, plant scientists determined the nutrient need of plant in a given soil. In addition to the levels of available nutrients, soil pH shows its role in nutrient availability and elemental toxicity in soil. In the majority, disease effect in crop plants has been reduced by fertilizer application. This is due to the host plant tolerance or resistance mechanisms involve these nutrients. When the plants were deficient, the application of nutrients significantly reduced disease.

Microplastics as a vector of toxic chemicals in soil: Enhanced uptake of perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid by earthworms through sorption and reproductive toxicity

The accumulation of microplastics (MP) in soil via their continuous release and degradation of large plastics has recently become a serious global problem. The major concern with MP is their potential to sorb pollutants as well as ingestion by living organisms. Hence, this study focused on the effect of PVC MP exposure on increasing the risk of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) bioaccumulation in earthworms in addition to their reproduction. In general, the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) for PFOA and PFOS increased up to 200% in earthworms exposed to MP-contaminated soil. MP at 500 and 1000 mg kg −1 soil caused enhanced uptake of PFOS and PFOA in earthworms, and a significant reduction in their reproduction. These results have significant implications for risk assessment of MP in soil. • PVC microplastics enhanced PFOS/PFOA uptake by earthworms. • PVC microplastics (PVC MPs) did not cause acute toxicity in earthworms. • PVC MPs at 1000 mg/kg soil decreased reproduction in earthworms. • PVC MPs acted as vectors for PFOS/PFOA uptake by earthworms. • PVC MPs enhanced reproductive toxicity in the presence of PFOS/PFOA.

Is the soil quality monitoring an effective tool in consumers\u2019 protection of agricultural crops from cadmium soil contamination?\u2014a case of the Silesia region (Poland)

The monitoring of soil quality should be a control tool used to reduce the adverse health effects arising from exposure to toxic chemicals in soil through cultivated crop absorption. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the monitoring and control system of soil quality in Poland, in terms of consumer safety, for agricultural plants cultivated in areas with known serious cadmium contamination, such as Silesia Province. To achieve the objective, the contents of cadmium in soils and vegetables in the Silesia administrative area were examined. The obtained results were compared with the results of soil contamination from the quality monitoring of arable soil in Poland. The studies show a significant exceedance of the permissible values of cadmium in soil samples and the vegetables cultivated on that soil. The threat to consumer health is a valid concern, although this threat was not indicated by the results of the national monitoring of soil quality. The results indicated an unequal distribution of risk to consumers resulting from contaminated soil. Moreover, the monitoring systems should be designed at the local or regional scale to guarantee the safety of consumers of edible plants cultivated in the areas contaminated with cadmium.

The usefulness of total concentrations and pore water concentrations of pesticides in soil as metrics for the assessment of ecotoxicological effects ‐ Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR)

The usefulness of total concentrations and pore water concentrations of pesticides in soil as metrics for the assessment of ecotoxicological effects ‐ Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR)

土壌汚染対策の課題と環境地質学の役割

Recently, environmental problems caused by hazardous chemicals have become a great concern in terms of geo-pollution and soil contamination. Natural sources of heavy metals in soil and sediments are quite common in the subsurface environment in Japan, which has large metal deposits and geologic formations from marine strata. Background levels of As, Pb, Cd, and other toxic elements are relatively high in soil and sediments compared to other countries in Europe and Asia. This paper presents the features of heavy metals in soils, and the distribution and concentration of heavy metals in Japan in terms of soil and geo-pollution. We have developed a geo-informatics system with risk maps for heavy metals on a regional scale, based on the accumulated results of various geological and environmental surveys. The role of environmental geology is also discussed to propose remedial action for soil contamination, and to reveal the importance of risk management. The geo-environment risk assessment system, one of the outcomes of our research, can be used to reduce contamination due to heavy metals and toxic chemicals in soil using geo-environment information data. These research outcomes can also be applied to environmental problems such as ecological risk assessment, tunnel excavation in civil engineering, and land use policy in industrial location.

Bacterial survival and mineralization of p-nitrophenol in soil by green fluorescent protein-marked Moraxella sp. G21 encapsulated cells.

Moraxella sp. G21 cells marked with the green fluorescent protein (gfp) survived in kappa-carrageenan beads and as free cells for a month after inoculation into autoclaved soil and non-sterile soil contaminated with p-nitrophenol (PNP). Similar [U-(14)C]PNP mineralization values were produced by encapsulated Moraxella sp. G21 cells and as free cells (53 and 60% mineralization). There was no significant difference between cell survival and [U-(14)C]PNP mineralization activity in soil by the rifampicin-resistant Moraxella sp. mental strain and Moraxella sp. G21. The ability of encapsulated Moraxella sp. G21 cells to survive, retain their green fluorescence and mineralize [U-(14)C]PNP suggests that the GFP-marked strain encapsulated in kappa-carrageenan may be useful for bioremediation of toxic chemicals in soil.

Bacterial survival and mineralization of p-nitrophenol in soil by green fluorescent protein-marked Moraxella sp. G21 encapsulated cells

Moraxella sp. G21 cells marked with the green fluorescent protein ( gfp) survived in κ-carrageenan beads and as free cells for a month after inoculation into autoclaved soil and non-sterile soil contaminated with p-nitrophenol (PNP). Similar [U- 14C]PNP mineralization values were produced by encapsulated Moraxella sp. G21 cells and as free cells (53 and 60% mineralization). There was no significant difference between cell survival and [U- 14C]PNP mineralization activity in soil by the rifampicin-resistant Moraxella sp. mental strain and Moraxella sp. G21. The ability of encapsulated Moraxella sp. G21 cells to survive, retain their green fluorescence and mineralize [U- 14C]PNP suggests that the GFP-marked strain encapsulated in κ-carrageenan may be useful for bioremediation of toxic chemicals in soil.

Maintenance energy model for microbial degradation of toxic chemicals in soil

A new kinetic model incorporating maintenance energy requirements is developed for use in the description of microbial degradation of toxic chemicals in soil. This model better describes extended, longterm CO 2 respiration data that typically occurs when substrate concentrations are low. The model is tested with data from the respiration of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) to CO 2 and is shown to statistically fit better than an associated model without maintenance considerations.

Maintenance energy model for microbial degradation of toxic chemicals in soil

A new kinetic model incorporating maintenance energy requirements is developed for use in the description of microbial degradation of toxic chemicals in soil. This model better describes extended, long-term CO 2 respiration data that typically occurs when substrate concentrations are low. The model is tested with data from the respiration of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) to CO 2 and is shown to statistically fit better than an associated model without maintenance considerations.

How Toxic Are Toxic Chemicals in Soil?

Assessments of the hazard of toxic chemicals in soil are made without concern about the possibility that their bioavailability may change with time. The patterns of disappearance of persistent compounds in the field and laboratory studies show a declining availability to microorganisms with residence time in soil. Changes in extractability with residence time and the kinetics of sorption and desorption suggest that the compounds are becoming sequestered in inaccessible microsites within the soil matrix. Diminishing toxicity as chemicals age in soil is evident in a limited number of assessments. Such findings suggest that the hazard and risk from toxic chemicals diminish as the compounds persist in soil.

Groundwater contamination and analysis at hazardous waste sites

Part 1 Analytical methodologies: practical organic analytical chemistry for hazardous waste site investigations, Suzanne Lesage and Richard E. Jackson nonpriority pollutant analysis and interpretation, Kathleen C. Swallow establishing an analytical protocol for the measurement of EPA's appendix IX list of compounds, Jerry Parr et al hierarchical analytical approach to evaluating the transport and bio-geochemical fate of organic compounds in sewage-contaminated groundwater, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Larry B. Barber-II application of soil-gas sampling technology to studies of trichloroethylene vapor transport in the unsaturated zone, Bernadette M. Hughes et al. Part 2 Monitoring strategies: field monitoring for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon contamination, Terri L. Bulman the importance of volatile organic compounds as a disposal site monitoring parameter, Russell H. Plumb-Jr. an overview of statistical methods for groundwater detection monitoring at waste disposal facilities, Robert D. Gibbons geochemistry of groundwater pollutants at German waste disposal sites, Helmut Kerndorff et al detection and evaluation of groundwater contamination caused by waste sites, Ruprecht Schleyer et al. Part 3 Site investigations: a review of studies of contaminated groundwater conducted by the U.S. geological survey organics project, Menlo Park, California, 1961-1990, Donald F. Goerlitz pollution of groundwater by organic compounds leached from domestic solid wastes: a case study from Morley, Western Australia, Chris Barber et al developing methods for the analysis of toxic chemicals in soil and groundwater: the case of Ville Mercier, Quebec, Canada, Hooshang Pakdel et al. Part 4 Geochemical investigations: the determination and fate of unstable constituents of contaminated groundwater, Mary Jo Baedecker and Isabelle M. Cozzarelli the dissolution of dense immiscible solvents into groundwater - implications for site characterization and remediation, Richard L. Johnson geochemical evaluation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in groundwater, Stanley Feenstra estimating the fate and mobility of CFC-113 in groundwater - results from the Gloucester landfill project, Richard E. Jackson, et al.