Determination of wholesome elements and heavy metals in safflower(Carthamus tinctorius L.)from Xinjiang and Henan by ICP-MS/ICP-AES

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （ICP-MS） or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry （ICP-AES） was developed to determine 19 elements in safflower, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb from Xinjiang Autonomous Region and Henan Province of China. Totally 19 elements in safflower included heavy metals, i.e. As, Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb, and wholesome elements, i.e. Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Se, Sr, V and Zn. The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals in safflower samples were both low, all of which met the national hygiene standards except for Pb in Xinjiang sample. Meanwhile, the distribution tendency of elements in the two samples was similar, which indicated that the plant might absorb given elements in a proportional way. The method can be used for the quality control of elements in safflower, and it provides a way for the determination of the contents of safflower from Xinjiang and Henan.

Investigating Catalase and Carbonic Anhydrase Enzyme Activities and Levels of Certain Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Patients with Primary and Metastatic Hepatic Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among most common terminal cancer types in the world. Primary etiological factors include cirrhosis, hepatitis, aflatoxin and alcohol. The current study was conducted to determine cytosolic erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase and catalase enzyme activities and levels of some trace elements. For this purpose, 40 patients with primary and metastatic hepatic cancer and 29 healthy volunteers enrolled to the study. Catalase and carbonic anhydrase enzyme activities and serum trace element levels were measured in patient and control groups. In the current study, serum copper, magnesium, manganese and zinc levels were lower in the primary and metastatic hepatic cancer group in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). In contrast, serum iron, cobalt, cadmium and lead levels were higher in the patient relative to the control group (P < 0.05). In comparison with the control group, the catalase level was lower in primary and metastatic cancer group, while the carbonic anhydrase level was higher in the cancer group (P < 0.05). Changes in levels of trace elements and anti-oxidant enzymes may be the factors which influence the development and progression of liver cancer. The carbonic anhydrase enzyme can be a useful indicator in the diagnosis of cancer. However, this issue warrants further investigation.

Analysis of Wholesome Elements and Heavy Metals in Red Soybean by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Objective: To study wholesome elements and heavy metals in red soybean of Heilongjiang Province. Methods: Samples preparation with hydrodigestion, and twenty-four elements quantitative analysis in red soybean by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique (ICP-MS) with indium, platinum, ruthenium as internal standard. Results: The red soybean contained many elements necessary to human health, the sequence of elements (higher than mg/kg) was K > Mg > Ca > Fe ≈ Zn > Na > Mn > Ti > Cu > Sr ≈ Ni > Ba > Mo. Besides the trace elements, the contents of heavy metals were very low than National standard. With reference standard substance and added standard recovery for the quality control of analytical method, the results were credibility, recovery 85% - 114%, the detect limit 0.2 - 20 ng/g, linearity range 0 - 200 μg/g (r > 0.999), RSD (n = 6) Conclusion: The established method could be applied to the element quantitative analysis in food, simple and high sensitivity.

Heavy Metal Control in Domestic Rubbish by Source Screening and Suitability of Nutrient Elements as Turfgrass Medium

This paper, probing into heavy metal control in domestic rubbish by source screening and nutrient element analysis, revealed the feasibility of source control of heavy metals and the suitability of rubbish as turfgrass medium. Heavy metals in domestic rubbish were controlled by source screening before composting. The study consisted of a control with garden soil. The contents of main mineral elements and heavy metals in rubbish compost and control were determined by the method of ICP-AES. The results showed that heavy metal concentrations in rubbish were lower than those in garden soil, and little difference occurred between rubbish and garden soil in main mineral element concentrations. Based on this, it was concluded that rubbish compost was favorable for using as turfgrass medium and heavy metal control in rubbish by source screening was effective.

Distribution of heavy metals and nutrients in rainwater in coastal regions between the southern Yellow Sea and East China Sea

Rainwater samples were collected in series in Qianliyan Island (southern Yellow Sea) and Shengsi Archipelago (East China Sea) between May 2000 and May 2002, chemical analysis for pH values, concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd) and nutrients (NH4+, NO3-, PO43-, SiO32-) were performed. Results indicate that concentrations of most of the heavy metals and nutrients in rainwater show clear seasonal variation, i.e. high level in winter and low level in summer. Regionally, concentrations are higher in the southern Yellow Sea than in the East China Sea, but the annual input of heavy metals into oceans by wet deposition is similar in both stations. However, the input of nutrients by wet deposition in the East China Sea is 2–3 times higher than that in the southern Yellow Sea. In individual, Pb and PO43- are input to the sea mainly by dry deposition; whereas Cu, Zn, Cd and N compounds are input dominantly by wet deposition, the N/P ratios in the rainwater from two stations are much higher than those in seawater, showing a significant impact of atmospheric wet deposition on marine production and biogeochemical circulation of nutrients in these sea regions.

Migration of Heavy Metal Elements in Reclaimed Irrigation Water-Soil-Plant System and Potential Risk to Human Health

[Objectives]To study the impact of heavy metal pollution of soil and plants during the process of reclaimed water for irrigation of green land in arid areas and the potential health risks to humans during use.[Methods]Taking Zhongwei City in Ningxia,a typical arid area,as the research area,the irrigation water,soil and green grass in the reclaimed water irrigation region and the original green water irrigation region were sampled,the heavy elements Hg,As,Zn,Pb,Cd,Cr were detected,and the Nemerow method,biological absorption coefficient,and health risk assessment were employed to evaluate the degree of soil pollution,plant absorption capacity,and human health risks.[Results]Compared with the original green water,the Hg,Cd,and Cr pollution of the reclaimed water irrigated green land was higher,the As,Zn,Pb pollution was lower,and the content of Hg and Cd was higher than the environmental background values of soil in Ningxia;the Cr content exceeded the risk intervention values of the first type of land in the Soil Environmental Quality—Risk Control Standard for Soil Contamination of Development Land(GB 36600-2018).Compared with the original green water irrigation region,it is found that the reclaimed water irrigation reduced the heavy metal pollution of the soil to a certain extent.The heavy metal content of tall fescue grass(Festuca arundinacea)in the reclaimed water irrigation region was Zn,Cr,Pb,As,Cd,and Hg from high to low;the order of the biological absorption coefficient was Cd>As>Zn>Pb>Hg>Cr;irrigation water exerted a certain effect on the content of heavy metals in plants and the biological absorption coefficient through the soil.Using the health risk assessment method recommended by Environmental Protection Agency of the United States of America(USEPA),it was found that the reclaimed water has the highest risk through the inhalation route,and the occupational population has a higher risk of skin contact with soil and plants.[Conclusions]This study is intended to provide data support and theoretical basis for the environmental safety risk research of the application of reclaimed water in arid areas to urban greening.

Plasma Concentrations of Some Trace Element and Heavy Metals in Patients with Metastatic Colon Cancer

Purpose: It is well known that trace elements and heavy metals play a significant role in human health and disease. These elements play an important role in different metabolic pathways of cells and tissues. Trace element deficiency or excess is implicated in the development or progression of some cancers. We present a study which investigates serum/ plasma levels of trace-heavy elements in metastatic colon cancer patients and healthy subjects. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 29 healthy subjects and 40 patients with metastatic colon cancer in Oncology Department of Medical School of Yuzuncu Yil University. In both groups, the serum levels of copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn) selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), and cadmium (Cd) were determined. Results: Higher levels of Cu, Mg, Pb, Cr, Zn, Mn and Cd were seen in patients with metastatic colon cancer compared to healthy subjects and these findings were statistically significant (p 0.05). Se levels were noted to be lower in patients with colon cancer in comparison to healthy subjects and this finding was also statistically significant (p 0.05). Conclusions: According to our findings there was significant diffence in trace elements and heavy metals levels between healthy subjects and metastatic colon cancer patients. Therefore heavy metal and trace elements may have prognostic significance in complex disorders including colon cancer. However, further comprehensive studies are needed in order to advance our understanding of the relationship between heavy metal and trace elements and their role in cancers.

Health risk assessment of heavy metal pollution in groundwater of a karst basin,SW China

To investigate the presence of metal elements and assess their health risk for the populace in the Nandong Underground River Basin(NURB),we conducted an analysis of eleven common heavy metals in the water body.A Health risk assessment(HRA)model was employed to analyze 84 water samples from the NURB.The detection results revealed the following order of heavy metals concentrations:Fe>Al>Mn>Zn>As>Cd>Pb>Cr>Ni>Cu>Hg.Correlation analysis indicated a certain similarity in material source and migration transformation among these eleven metal elements.Our study identified that the health risks for local residents exposed to metal elements in the water of NURB primarily stem from carcinogenic risk(10^(−6)–10^(−4)a^(−1))through the drinking water pathway.Moreover,the health risk of heavy metal exposure for children through drinking water was notably higher than for adults.The maximum health risks of Cr in both underground and surface water exceeded the recommendation standard(5.0×10^(−5)a^(−1))from ICRP,surpassing the values recommended by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency,the Dutch Ministry of Construction and Environment and the British Royal Society(5.0×10^(−6)a^(−1)).The results of the health risk assessment indicate that Cr in the water of NURB is the primary source of carcinogenic risk for local residents,followed by Cd and As.Consequently,it is imperative to control these three carcinogenic metals when the water was used as drinking water resource.

Heavy Metals and the Alternate Bearing Effect in the Date Palm (<i>Phoenix dactylifera</i>)

The alternate bearing effect is when plants produce abundant crops of fruit in some years, but sparse yields in others. This review summarises recent studies that suggest a connection between the alternate bearing effect in the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, and the presence of certain chemical elements (mostly metals) in the tree tissues. So far, there is evidence that levels of Ag, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, N, Na, Se, Tl, and Zn in the dates and leaflets are affected by the alternate bearing phenomenon. The significance of this work, therefore, emphasises the prospect of using our experimental data to overcome sparse yields, due to the alternate bearing effect, and producing more prolific growth of fruits. The potential agricultural, economic, environmental and health implications of these findings are considered.

Environmental Impact Assessment of Natural Radioactivity, Heavy and Major Metals in Primary Schools’ Drinking Water

Measurement of natural radioactivity levels of major and heavy metals concentration was carried out for water samples collected from primary schools in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. The estimations were done for two different age groups, children (students 7 - 12 y) and adults (teachers and workers > 17 y) at the schools. The chemical analysis was performed by an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and a high-resolution HPGe detector was used for the natural radionuclides measurement. The obtained results for the heavy metals (Fe, Cu, and Zn) and major and heavy elements (Na, K, Ca and Mg) concentrations in all water samples did not exceed the limits of WHO, EPA and TSE-266 guidelines for drinking water. Only Pb exceeded the safe limit. Generally, heavy metals and major elements’ concentrations in water samples were found decrease in sequence of Ca > Na > Mg > K > Zn > Pb > Cu > Fe. The radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in all studied samples were below the permissible safe limit value. The total average annual effective doses of (226Ra + 232Th + 40K) radionuclides were 0.259 mSv.y-1 for the children and 0.112 mSv.y-1 for adults, which are below the recommended annual dose level 1.0 mSv.y-1 as reported by WHO (2006). The present drinking waters are high quality waters and safe in terms of natural radioactivity and the results of the HQ values for the individual heavy metals showed that there was no health risk for humans due to consumption of these waters.

Determination of Harmful Elements and Analysis of Pollution Level in Lysimachia christinae

[Objectives]To detect content of Pb,Cd,Hg,As,Cu,Zn,and Cr in Lysimachia christinae,and to analyze the pollution level.[Methods]Seven kinds of elements in L.christinae were determined by Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and analyzed by single index and comprehensive index.[Results]The seven heavy metal elements showed good linearity in their respective concentration ranges.The recoveries of the samples were 84.5%-109.5%,and the RSD values were 2.30%-5.10%.Comparing the measured results of heavy metal elements with the limit values stipulated in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and other standards,the Cr element in 19 batches of samples exceeded the standard,and the Zn element in 7 batches of samples exceeded the standard.The exceeding rates were 100.0%and 36.8%,respectively;the content of other heavy metal elements did not exceed the standard.The order of individual index from large to small was Cr,Zn,Cd,Hg,Cu,As,and Pb,and the average comprehensive pollution level was mild pollution and above.[Conclusions]L.christinae was mainly polluted by Cr,followed by Zn;this study can provide basic data for drafting of the limit standard for heavy metal elements in L.christinae.

Annual Fluxes of Heavy Metal Elements in Atmospheric Dry and Wet Depositions in the Pearl River Delta Economic Region, Guangdong Province

There are 158 sampling points to be set up in the Pearl River delta economic region. The collecting period is mostly one year, namely, from July 2007 to July 2008. The eight heavy metal elements of Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Hg, and Cd in 474 dry and wet deposition samples were tested in terms of the standard procedures. Their average annual fluxes have no obvious difference between dry deposition and wet deposition. So these elements might be at an equilibrium or quasi-equilibrium state between dry deposition and wet deposition.

The Determination of Heavy Metal Elements in Sipunculs nudus by MWD-ICP-AES

In order to develop a method for measuring of elements in Sipunculus nudus, the contents of Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, As, Hg and Ba were determined by actively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry （MWD） and microwave digestion （ICP-AES）. The results showed that correlation coefficients al kept higher than 0.999 and the recovery rates of sample added standard solutions were in 98%-114%. The results indicated that the contents of Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, As, Hg and Ba were 17.119, 3.781, 0.695, 7.351, 1997.982, 0.620, 0.144, 4.249 mg/kg respectively. The contents of Mn exceeded national limit by hundredfold, Cd sevenfold, Pd fourfold, Cd three-and-a-half-fold, and As onefold. Sipunculs nudus became seriously pol uted. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate robust policies to fol ow closely and pay close attention to coastal areas pol ution around Dongfang City.

Analysis and Evaluation of Heavy Metal Environmental Quality of Irrigation Water in Vegetable Farmlands of Shandong Province

[Objective] The aim was to evaluate heavy metal environmental quality of irrigation water in vegetable farmlands of Shandong Province. [Method] Heavy metal contents including Hg,Cd,As,Cr (+6),Pb,Cu and Zn in irrigation water of main vegetable farmlands of Shandong Province were investigated by randomly sampling,and the environmental quality conditions of these heavy metals were evaluated by methods of single quality index and complex quality index. [Result] The results showed that the average contents of heavy metals in irrigation water of Shouguang,Laiyang,Jinxiang and Zhangqiu were all far lower than the limit values prescribed by 'Farmland Environmental Quality Evaluation Standards for Edible Agricultural Products' (HJ332-2006),and no heavy metal was found beyond the limit value in every sample. The single quality indices of the 7 elements in the studied 4 places were all lower than 0.5. The comprehensive quality index of the seven elements was 0.317 8 in Shouguang,0.320 4 in Laiyang,0.232 6 in Jinxiang,and 0.260 7 in Zhangqiu. The environmental quality of irrigation water in the studied four places were all set at the first class. [Conclusion] The environmental quality of irrigation water in the 4 places belonged to clean level and were fit for the plantation of no pollution vegetables.

Heavy metal accumulation by panicled goldenrain tree(Koelreuteria paniculata) and common elaeocarpus(Elaeocarpus decipens) in abandoned mine soils in southern China

Phytoremediation can be used as a sustainable technology for mine spoil remediation to remove heavy metals. This study investigated the concentration of 7 heavy metal contamination in soil and plant samples at an abandoned mine site. We found that, after vegetation remediation at the abandoned mine site, the reduction rates for 7 heavy metals were in the range of 4.2%-86%, where reduction rates over 50% were achieved for four heavy metals （Zn, Mn, Cd, Ni）. Transfer coefficients of the panicled goldenrain tree （Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm） and the common elaeocarpus （Elaeocarpus decipens） for Zn, Mn, Ni, and Co were more than 1. Enrichment coefficients of both trees for Mn were higher than 1. Our results suggest that the panicled goldenrain tree and the common elaeocarpus tree may act as accumulators in remediation. Moreover, the woody vegetation remediation in abandoned mining areas play an important role in improving scenery besides removing heavy metal from contaminated soil.

Distribution of major and trace elements in surface sediments of Hangzhou Bay in China

The Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer was used to analyze sediment samples collected from the Hangzhou Bay to determine major and trace elemental concentrations. Based on these concentrations, the study area can be classified into three geochemical provinces. Province I covers the northern Hangzhou Bay area and contains high concentrations of A120~, Fe203, MgO, Na20, K20, MnO, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Co and Zn. Province III is located in the western Hangzhou Bay, near the Qiantang River mouth, and contains high concentrations of SiO~, Na20, P205~ TiO2, Cr, Sr, Zr. Province II is located in the middle and eastern Hangzhou Bay, with the medium concentrations of major and trace elements. The results also demonstrate that the grain size is the dominating factor controlling the spatial variations of elemental concentrations, and the Changjiang River （Yangtze River） and Qiantang River sediments play an important role in the distribution of these elements. Anthropogenic impact on heavy metal concentrations （especially Cr, Sr and Zr） can be detected in the surface sediments near the Qiantang River mouth.

Modified accumulation of selected heavy metals in Bt transgenic rice

Safety assessment of genetically modified crops generally does not take into account the potential hazard of altered patterns of heavy metal accumulation in plants. A pot experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the impact of heavy metal amendments on the accumulation of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in a Bt transgenic rice Ke-Ming-Dao （KMD） and its wild-type Xiushui 11 （Xs11）. In control soils, significant difference was only found in contents of Cu （p 〈 0.01） and Pb （p 〈 0.05） in straw between KMD and Xs11. At three levels of Cd amendments （5, 10, and 20 mg/kg）, the Cd contents in grain and straw of KMD were significantly higher than those of Xs11, and all grain Cd contents were significantly higher than the International Criteria （0.2-0.4 mg/kg） as specified by the Codex Alimentarius Commission （CAC）. These results implied that it may be unsafe for growing Bt transgenic rice in heavily Cd-polluted areas. No significant difference in Zn was found between the two varieties with the exception of roots at Zn amendment level of 600 mg/kg, while Pb contents in KMD were much higher in the straw at the lead amendment level of 1000 mg/kg and in the root at 250 mg Pb/kg. Data on the heavy metal accumulation patterns for the genetically modified rice may be used for the selection of growing areas as well as for plant residue management for Bt rice.

SPATIAL-TEMPORAL VARIATION OF HEAVY METAL ELEMENTS CONTENT IN COVERING SOIL OF RECLAMATION AREA IN FUSHUN COAL MINE

Grid method is employed for sampling covering soil at the test field,whic h is reclamation area filled by coal mining wastes for cropland in th e Fushun coal mine,Liaoning Province,the Northeast China.The soil samp les are taken at different locations,inclu ding three kinds of covering soil,th ree different depths of soil layers a nd four different covering ages of covering soil.The s patial-temporal variation of heavy metal element content in reclamatio n soil is stud-ied.The results indicate that the co ntent of heavy metal elements is decreasing year after year;the determin ant reason why the content of heavy metal elemen ts at 60cm depth layer is higher than t hat at 30cm depth layer and surface is fertiliz-er and manure application;the metal elements mainly come from external environment;there is no metal pollut ion coming from mother material(coal mining wastes)in plough layer of covering soil.

Effect of occurrence mode of heavy metal elements in a low rank coal on volatility during pyrolysis

The harmful trace elements will be released during coal utilization, which can cause environment pollution and further endangering human health, especially for heavy metal elements. Compared to combustion, the release of heavy metal elements during coal pyrolysis process, as a critical initial reaction stage of combustion, has not received sufficient attention. In the present paper, a low rank coal, from Xinjiang province in China, was pyrolyzed in a fixed bed reactor from room temperature, at atmospheric pressure, with the heating rate of 10 °C/min, and the final pyrolysis temperature was from 400 to 800℃ with the interval of 100℃. The volatility of heavy metal elements (including As, Hg, Cd and Pb) during pyrolysis process was investigated. The results showed the volatility of all heavy metal elements increased obviously with increasing temperature, and followed the sequence as Hg > Cd > As > Pb, which was mainly caused by their thermodynamic property and occurrence modes in coal. The occurrence modes of heavy metals were studied by sink-andfloat test and sequential chemical extraction procedure, and it can be found that the heavy metal elements were mainly in the organic and residual states (clay minerals) in the raw coal. And most of the organic heavy metals escaped during the pyrolysis process, the remaining elements were mainly in the residual state, and the elements in Fe-Mn state also tended to remain in the char.

The distribution and variation of elements in sediments off the Huanghe (Yellow) River mouth

Surface sediment samples collected off the Huanghe （Yellow） River mouth during the period 2007-2009 were analyzed for major and trace element concentrations. Concentrations of 16 elements were measured using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Results demonstrate that sediment grain size is the dominant factor controlling the spatial variations of elemental concentrations. Correlation and cluster analyses allowed classification of the study area into four geochemical regions： Regions Ⅰ and Ⅲare characterized by high concentrations ofAl2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, Na2O, K2O, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn, and contain fine-grained sediments with mean grain size （Mz）〈22 μm; and; Regions Ⅱ and Ⅳcontain mostly coarse-grained sediments, and are characterized by high concentrations of SiO2, Na2O, and Zr. The sediment entering the sea from the Huanghe River and its tributaries is enriched in Ca. Thus, the Ca/Al ratio was used as an indicator of the proportion of sediments in the study area that originated from the Huanghe River. Ca/Al ratios decrease from Regions Ⅰ and Ⅱ（located in the nearshore zone of the Huanghe River delta） to Regions Ⅲand Ⅳ（distributed in the offshore zone of the northern Huanghe River delta, southern and southeastern Laizhou Bay area）.