Explore the vast range of titles available.

The distribution, enrichment, and ecotoxicity potential of Bangladesh part of Sundarban mangrove was investigated for eight trace metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) using sediment quality assessment indices. The average concentration of trace metals in the sediments exceeded the crustal abundance suggesting sources other than natural in origin. Additionally, the trace metals profile may be a reflection of socio-economic development in the vicinity of Sundarban which further attributes trace metals abundance to the anthropogenic inputs. A total of eleven surficial sediment samples were collected along a vertical transect along the freshwater–saline water gradient. The sediment samples were digested using EPA 3051 method and were analyzed on ICP-MS. Geo-accumulation index suggests moderately polluted sediment quality with respect to Ni and As and background concentrations for Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Co, As, and Cd. Contamination factor analysis suggested low contamination by Zn, Cr, Co, and Cd, moderate by Fe, Mn, Cu, and Pb while Ni and As show considerable and high contamination, respectively. Enrichment factors for Ni, Pb, and As suggests high contamination from either biota or anthropogenic inputs besides natural enrichment. As per the three sediment quality guidelines, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, and As would be more of a concern with respect to ecotoxicological risk in the Sundarban mangroves. The correlation between various physiochemical variables and trace metals suggested significant role of fine grained particles (clay) in trace metal distribution whereas owing to low organic carbon content in the region the organic complexation may not be playing significant role in trace metal distribution in the Sundarban mangroves.

The present study measured the concentrations of toxic metals (Cd, Pb) and other elements (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Cr, Ni) in tea leaves and their infusions. The total metal contents were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Phosphorus concentration was determined using an ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer. Assessment of the mineral composition enabled determination of the leaching percentage and the risk of exceeding provisional tolerable weekly intake for Cd through daily tea consumption. The concentrations of bioelements were analyzed based on the recommended daily intake values for each. According to recently established standards, green tea was found to be a rich source of Mn. The average Pb and Cd levels in a 200-mL beverage were 0.002 and 0.003 mg, respectively. Indian teas had the highest percentage of Cd leaching (43.8 %) and Chinese tea had the lowest (9.41 %). Multivariate analysis techniques such as factor analysis and cluster analysis were used to differentiate samples according to geographical origin (China, India, or Japan). Potassium, P, Mn, Fe, Cu, Co, and Cd were effective descriptors for the identification of tea samples from China, India, and Japan.

Metal toxicity in groundwater surrounding coal mines is a major concern because it may pose a significant risk to human health of the local populace. The present study investigated Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, and Zn concentrations in the groundwater of Umaria coalfields during the post-monsoon season and pre-monsoon season. The study was carried out to investigate the spatial and temporal variation of the metals in the groundwater along with statistical source identification of the metals and assessment of human health risks due to intake of the metals through the groundwater. The metals of concern were Al, Fe and Mn, which exceeded the Indian drinking water quality standards in 26%, 38% and 12% of samples in the post-monsoon season and 38%, 40% and 14% of samples in the pre-monsoon season. A marked decrease in metal concentrations in the post-monsoon season was also observed, which may be attributed to the dilution effect associated with the heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. Principal component analysis used to identify contamination sources of the metals indicated geogenic attributes, coal mining activities and vehicular load as the sources of the metals in the groundwater. The human health risk assessment suggested considerable risk to the local populace using the groundwater for drinking purposes. The probable health risk, as suggested by the Hazard Index, depicted a higher risk to the child population as opposed to the adults. The Hazard Index for the child population was greater than unity in 60% and 76% of the samples in the post- and pre-monsoon seasons, respectively, suggesting a significant risk of metal exposure from groundwater intake. The study also suggested that ingestion was the primary exposure pathway and risk due to dermal exposure was trivial. The carcinogenic risk due to As and Cr were within the acceptable limits except for one location each for As and Cr. The present study suggests a potential non-carcinogenic human health risk due to groundwater intake; hence, the study area needs routine groundwater quality monitoring.

Background Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for the newborn infant. However, since all infants cannot be breast-fed, there is a need for background data for setting adequate daily intakes. Previously, concentration data on major essential elements and some toxic elements in breast milk, based on different analytical techniques, have been published. There is no recent study on a large number of metals and trace elements in breast milk, using a sensitive analytical method for determination of low element concentrations. Methods Breast milk concentrations of 32 metals and elements in early lactation (days 14-21) were determined in a random sample of first time Swedish mothers (n = 60) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Results There were small inter-individual concentration variations in the macroelements Ca, K, Mg, P and S, and striking similarities across studies and over time, supporting a tight regulation of these elements in breast milk. Large inter-individual and over time differences were detected for Na concentrations, which may reflect an increase in salt consumption in Swedish women. Large inter-individual differences were also detected for the microelements Co, Cr, Mn and Mo, and the toxic metals As, Cd, Pb, Sb and V. Arsenic and B were positively correlated with fish consumption, indicating influence of maternal intake on breast milk concentrations. Observed differences in breast milk element concentrations across studies and over time could be attributed to the timing of sampling and a general decline over time of lactation (Cu, Fe, Mo, Zn), a possible lack of regulation of certain elements in breast milk (As, B, Co, Mn, Se) and time trends in environmental exposure (Pb), or in some cases to differences in analytical performance (Cr, Fe). Conclusions This study provides reliable updated information on a number of metals and elements in breast milk, of which some have not previously been reported.

Air pollution is a growing global concern due to harmful constituents like potentially toxic metals (PTMs), which can attach to particles such as dust, soot, and secondary aerosols, increasing their toxicity. This study assessed the seasonal variation, source apportionment, meteorological patterns, and health risks associated with PTMs (V, Mn, Cd, Cr, Fe, Zn, Ni, As, Co, Cu, Pb) in PM₂.₅ over Ilorin, Nigeria. PM 2.5 data for 2019 were obtained from the SPARTAN network at the University of Ilorin and processed for analysis. Results showed that PTM concentrations—particularly Fe, Zn, Cr, Pb, and Co, were significantly higher during the dry season. Cu and Cd also contributed to observed seasonal variations. PMF showed that the sources of pollutant were crustal, industrial sources, secondary inorganic, and biomass burning. EF showed that Cu, Pb, As had values that were between 10 and 100 indicating that they were from both crustal and anthropogenic sources. Cd and Zn had values of 953.27 and 217.87 respectively, which were greater than 100 indicating that they were from industrial sources. Finally, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, had values of 6.05, 1.97, 2.47, 1.00, and 5.28 respectively, which indicates that they were majorly from crustal sources. The Health risk assessment (non-cancer risk) via inhalation revealed a high hazard index (HI = 99.12), mainly from Fe (66.48) and Zn (31.76). Monte Carlo simulation for cancer risk (CR) indicated Cr and As as the highest contributors via inhalation (7.06E-05 and 2.84E-06), while Ni posed the greatest risk via dermal exposure (3.20E-05). These findings highlight significant health concerns associated with airborne PTMs and the need for targeted air quality management, particularly during the dry season.

This research examines the contamination levels in the Pashur River in Bangladesh stemming from trace metal discharge originating from the Mongla seaport and various industrial outlets. It delves into both ecological risks and potential health hazards for humans consuming fish carrying accumulated trace metals. The research employed atomic absorption spectrometry to measure the concentrations of chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in surface water, sediment, and fish samples. Target hazard quotient (THQ) and carcinogenic risks were calculated to determine the human health risk caused by the consumption of these targeted fish species. An R I value of 42.89 indicates that the collective presence of trace metals in sediment poses significant ecological risks to the study area. Although the majority of trace metals present in sediment are categorized under class 1 (ranging from unpolluted to moderately polluted) based on the I geo values, Cd is classified under class 2, signifying a moderate level of pollution. Significantly, THQ values surpass the threshold of 1 for Cr and As, indicating potential health risks associated with the consumption of specific fish species. Among the trace metals analyzed, Ni demonstrates the highest cancer risk (CR) value, at 5.78 × 10 3 , indicating a notable cancer risk associated with the consumption of targeted fish. Recommendations include the strict enforcement of waste disposal policies to mitigate anthropogenic discharge and safeguard the river from further pollution.

The utilization or secondary use of technogenic waste is a relevant problem for the current economy. To assess the environmental influence and economic potential, it is necessary to study the elemental content of technogenic objects and to reveal the tendencies of the spatial distribution of elements, components, and indices such as the pollution coefficient. In this study, we performed elemental analysis, and calculation of indicators: average gross content, hazard quotients, concentration coefficients of metals, and total pollution coefficients of ground samples taken from the ash-slag storage of the Aksu ferroalloy plant [Aksu, Pavlodar region, Kazakhstan]. Maps of the spatial distribution of concentrations of elements and total pollution coefficients were created. The territory of the studied ash-slag storage by the level of soil contamination should be considered as an environmental disaster zone. The given statistical data on the number of oncological and respiratory diseases indirectly indicated the negative influence of open storage of ash-slag waste. The studied ground was of chromium-manganese geochemical specialization. The calculated volume of the accumulated waste mass by the approximating method was 1 054 638.0 m 3 . The calculated approximate weight of the accumulated waste was 23 679 576.0864 tons, including 1 822 972.2 tons of chromium, 1 727 354.0 tons of manganese, and 953 813.3 tons of iron. The large amounts of valuable components retained in the waste mass led us to conclude that the studied technogenic object can be considered as a secondary field to produce various technological products. Moreover, valuable metals can be extracted as metal concentrates.

Freshwater lakes in central India like Pandharabodi Lake (PBL), face escalating environmental pressures due to anthropogenic activities, threatening their ecological conditions. Despite growing concerns, systematic investigations on trace metal pollution in the PBL sediments are so far not done, hindering effective conservation strategies. The present study aims to evaluate temporal distribution, enrichment, and potential eco-environmental risks of 14 trace metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Co, U, V, Rb, Th, and Sc) in the PBL core sediments. A sediment core from the deepest part of the PBL along with 06 soil samples around the lake was collected and analyzed for trace metal concentrations using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique. The metal pollution was assessed using enrichment factor (EF), Index of geo-accumulation (I geo ), contamination factor (CF), ecological risk factor (E r ), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and multivariate statistical analyses. The geochemical study of trace metals in the vertical profile, pollution indices, and statistical assessment revealed low to moderate pollution in the core sediments of the lake. The highest contamination factor (CF) values were observed at 8 cm core depth for Cu indicating “considerable pollution”, while Fe, Mn, Al, Co, Cr, V, Zn, Ni, and Sc show “moderate pollution”. The maximum enrichment factor (EF) values were recorded at 32 cm core depth for Rb and at 24 cm for U indicating “moderate enrichment”. The mean geo-accummulation index (I geo ) values for Cu show that the PBL core sediments had “low level of pollution” by Cu, while remaining metals show the unpolluted nature of sediments. The estimated potential ecological risk index (PERI) showed “low potential risk” for aquatic organisms and plants due to its low value (< 150), i.e., < 66.80 in 100% of samples in consideration of eco-environmental risk. The principal component analysis (PCA)/factor analysis (FA), correlation coefficients, and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) showed that Cu had considerable contamination in the PBL core sediments due to anthropogenic activities like particulate matters released from adjoining iron and steel plant and opencast coal mine in addition to its origin from the geogenic (natural) sources like weathering and erosion of basalts and soils present in the catchment area. The present findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, contributing to the development of effective conservation strategies for freshwater lakes in central India and other tropical regions.

The contamination of drinking water resources by toxic metals is a major problem in many parts of the world, particularly in dense populated areas of developing countries that lack wastewater treatment facilities. The present study characterizes the recent evolution with time of some contaminants deposited in the Congo River and Lake Ma Vallée, both located in the vicinity of the large city of Kinshasa, capital of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Physicochemical parameters including grain size distribution, organic matter and trace element concentrations were measured in sediment cores sampled from Congo River ( n  = 3) and Lake Ma Vallée ( n  = 2). The maximum concentration of trace elements in sediment profiles was found in the samples from the sites of Pool Malebo, with the values of 107.2, 111.7, 88.6, 39.3, 15.4, 6.1 and 4.7 mg kg −1 for Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb, As and Hg, respectively. This site, which is characterized by intense human activities, is especially well known for the construction of numerous boats that are used for regular navigation on Congo River. Concerning Lake Ma Vallée, the concentration of all metals are generally low, with maximum values of 26.3, 53.6, 16.1, 15.3, 6.5 and 1.8 mg kg −1 for Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb and As, respectively. However, the comparison of the metal profiles retrieved from the different sampled cores also reveals specific variations. The results of this study point out the sediment pollution by toxic metals in the Congo River Basin. This research presents useful tools for the evaluation of sediment contamination of river–reservoir systems.