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Special Issue "Advances in Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment"

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2023) | Viewed by 5760

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Bogumila Pilarczyk

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Guest Editor

Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbundry, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 71-415 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: parasitofauna of livestock and free-living animals; selenium in livestock and wild animals; elements in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems

Prof. Dr. Małgorzata Gałczyńska

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Guest Editor

West Pomeranian Univ Technol, Dept Chem Microbiol & Environm Biotechnol, Slowackiego 17, PL-71434 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: environmental pollution; environmental chemistry; wastewater pollution; aquatic ecosystems; soil and water conservation

Prof. Dr. Podlasińska Joanna

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Guest Editor

Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 70-310 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: environmental impact assessment; distribution studies of pollutants in different environmental media; adverse effects of pollutants in environmental; aquatic and terrestrial; organisms; soil; sediments and water chemistry focused on interaction; degradation and speciation aspects of environmental contaminants; ecological monitoring; environmental management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The term “heavy metals” covers a wide range of metals/metalloids that can pollute the environment and potentially cause toxicity, but it also includes essential nutrients that are required for living organisms to perform biochemical and physiological functions.

The increasing human awareness of significant contributions to the environmental contamination of heavy metals by anthropogenic activities as well as knowledge of heavy metal biomagnification properties have raised great concern regarding the negative impact on the environment and human health. This requires further reseach on the environmental safety of heavy metals as well as the adverse effect of co-exposure to metal/metalloid mixtures. The more we know about the key processes and mechanisms regarding environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology of heavy metals, the better we can counter their adverse effects.

In this Special Issue, we invite submissions dedicated to the recent advances in environmental chemistry and the biochemistry of heavy metals.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the impact of heavy metals on plant and animal health (their influence on the physiology and growth of the organism); the mechanisms regulating the accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in organisms; the ways of heavy metal detoxification; organism tolerance, the adverse effect of co-exposure to metal/metalloid mixtures; phytoremediation processes; and the environmental safety of heavy metals.

Prof. Dr. Bogumila Pilarczyk
Prof. Dr. Małgorzata Gałczyńska
Prof. Dr. Podlasińska Joanna
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2300 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

heavy metal
ecotoxicity
biomagnification
phytoremediation
co-exposure

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Sludge-Ash Granulates on the Content and Uptake of Heavy Metals by Winter Rape Seeds and Triticale

Ewa Możdżer

and

Renata Gamrat

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(5), 2863; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13052863 - 23 Feb 2023

Viewed by 417

Abstract

Four granulates were prepared from waste, including lignite ash, industrial sludge, sawdust, ammonium nitrate and potassium salt (60% K₂O). The produced granulates were chemically tested. They contained significant Ca and C organic contents and slightly less S, P, K and Mg. The concentration of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn did not exceed the applicable standards. Then, they were tested in a experiment with 2 plants: spring rape, Larissa cv., and spring triticale, Milikaro cv. The content of the tested heavy metals in rape seed and triticale grain largely depended on the chemical properties and the amount of components used to produce granulates. As a rule, a higher share of industrial sludge and a lower share of lignite ash (granulates II with industrial sludge 40% and IV with industrial sludge 50%) in the granulates increased the content of heavy metals in the test plants. Applying the 2nd and 3rd doses of granulates increased the contents of cadmium, copper, chromium, nickel, lead, and zinc. Increasing doses of granulates significantly increased the uptake of heavy metals by rape seed and triticale grain. Under the influence of applied fertilizer granulates, the content of heavy metals in rape seeds and triticale grain was significantly positively correlated with their uptake. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment)

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Open AccessArticle

Penicillium spp. XK10, Fungi with Potential to Repair Cadmium and Antimony Pollution

and

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1228; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031228 - 17 Jan 2023

Viewed by 812

Abstract

Soil heavy-metal pollution is one of the most important environmental problems in the world, and seriously endangers plant growth and human health. Microbial remediation has become a key technology in the field of soil heavy-metal remediation due to its advantages of being harmless, green and environmental. In this study, a fungus Penicillium spp. XK10 with high tolerance to cadmium (Cd) and antimony (Sb) was screened from mine slag, and its adsorption characteristics to heavy metals under different environmental conditions were studied. The results showed that at pH₀ = 6, C₀ (Cd) = 0.1 mM, and the adsorption time was 4 days, the maximum removal rate of cadmium by XK10 was 32.2%. Under the conditions of pH₀ = 4, T = 7d, and the initial antimony concentration of 1 mM, the removal rate of antimony by XK10 was the highest, which was 15.5%. This study provides potential microbial materials for bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment)

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Open AccessArticle

An Analysis of the Reaction of Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L.) to Cadmium Contamination with a View to Its Use in the Phytoremediation of Water Bodies

Małgorzata Gałczyńska

Renata Gamrat

and

Artur Ciemniak

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 1197; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13021197 - 16 Jan 2023

Viewed by 837

Abstract

Macrophytes play an important role in assessing the condition of aquatic ecosystems. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of cadmium uptake by frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae) for the phytoremediation of aquatic ecosystems. The study examined cadmium (Cd) uptake by frogbit grown under conditions of low and high fertilizer dose and three cadmium dose levels over three- and six-week exposure times. Cadmium uptake was found to be influenced by water reactivity, mineral nutrient abundance, and exposure time. Its accumulation in frogbit is hence a good bioindicator of cadmium pollution in water bodies. Where the plant had greater access to phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium (PNK) compounds, i.e., high fertilizer level, a higher pH level (7.6) was associated with increased cadmium uptake and decreased plant biomass. A higher PNK level was also associated with greater tolerance to cadmium, while at lower PNK levels, more efficient cadmium uptake was noted after three weeks. Hydrocharis morsus-ranae can be used for water and wastewater treatment in the final stage of phytoremediation, but in combination with other species of pleustophytes that represent different biosorption sites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment)

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Open AccessArticle

Heavy Metal Exposures on Freshwater Snail Pomacea insularum: Understanding Its Biomonitoring Potentials

Mehrzad Keshavarzifard

and

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13021042 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1174

Abstract

The present investigation focused on the toxicity test of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn), utilizing two groups of juvenile and adult apple snail Pomacea insularum (Gastropod, Thiaridae) with mortality as the endpoint. For the adult snails, the median lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) values based on 48 and 72 h decreased in the following order: Cu < Ni < Pb < Cd < Zn. For the juvenile snails, the LC₅₀ values based on 48 and 72 h decreased in the following order: Cu < Cd < Ni < Pb < Zn. The mussel was more susceptible to Cu than the other four metal exposures, although the juveniles were more sensitive than the adults because the former had lower LC₅₀ values than the latter. This study provided essential baseline information for the five metal toxicities using P. insularum as a test organism, allowing comparisons of the acute sensitivity in this species to the five metals. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that P. insularum was a sensitive biomonitor and model organism to assess heavy metal risk factors for severe heavy metal toxicities. A comparison of the LC₅₀ values of these metals for this species with those for other freshwater gastropods revealed that P. insularum was equally sensitive to metals. Therefore, P. insularum can be recommended as a good biomonitor for the five metals in freshwater ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment)

Open AccessArticle

Mercury Contents in the Liver, Kidneys and Hair of Domestic Cats from the Warsaw Metropolitan Area

Ewa M. Skibniewska

and

Michał Skibniewski

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(1), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13010269 - 26 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 624

Abstract

Mercury is a highly toxic element subject to bioaccumulation, increasing its harmful effects on living organisms over time. In the present study, total mercury contents were determined in the liver, kidneys and hair of cats from Warsaw and its suburban areas. The study took into account the influence of the age, sex and living conditions of the animals. Samples were obtained between 2014 and 2016, and mercury contents were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The average mercury concentrations in the tissues studied were 0.025, 0.026 and 0.030 mg∙kg⁻¹ in the hair, kidneys and livers of the individuals tested, respectively. Higher values were recorded in animals from the city area, and an increase in this metal with the age of the cats was also found. The average contents of mercury in the tissues studied were within the range of the recommended reference values, which in this case indicates low environmental exposure of animals to mercury. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment)

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Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Ecotoxicity of Ag, Bi, Te and Tl According to the Biological Indicators of Haplic Chernozem

and

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(24), 12854; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122412854 - 14 Dec 2022

Viewed by 604

Abstract

Soil contamination with such rare heavy metals as silver (Ag), bismuth (Bi), tellurium (Te), and thallium (Tl) leads to disruption of its agricultural and ecological functions. Each of these rare heavy metals has a different level of soil toxicity, which affects the ecological state of the soil and its recovery degree estimated by biological indicators. The work objective is to assess the ecotoxicity of oxides and nitrates of silver, bismuth, tellurium, and thallium by biological indicators of Haplic Chernozem. Under the conditions of a laboratory simulation experiment, silver, bismuth, tellurium, and thallium were introduced into the samples of soil. The ecological state of the soil for each incubation period was assessed by the activity of soil enzymes (catalase and dehydrogenases), the intensity of seed development in polluted soil (the length of shoots and roots of winter wheat), and microbiological indicators (the total number of bacteria and Azotobacter sp. abundance). For 90 days, when contaminated with oxides of silver, bismuth, tellurium, and thallium, the most sensitive biological indicator was the length of wheat roots; when contaminated with nitrates, the total number of bacteria was the most sensitive biological indicator. The most informative biological indicator for contamination with both chemical forms of rare elements (silver, bismuth, tellurium, and thallium) was the Azotobacter sp. abundance. The most ecotoxic elements among those studied were thallium and tellurium, both in the form of oxides and nitrates. The results of the study may be useful for biomonitoring and diagnostics of the state of soils contaminated with silver, bismuth, tellurium, and thallium. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment)

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Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Pollution Characteristics and Magnetic Response of Heavy Metals in Dustfall before and after COVID-19 Outbreak in Shanghai

and

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(21), 10853; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122110853 - 26 Oct 2022

Viewed by 580

Abstract

In this study, dustfall samples were systematically collected in various regions of Shanghai before and after the occurrence of COVID-19 in December 2019 and December 2020. The magnetic response, content and pollution status of relevant heavy metal elements in the samples were analyzed using environmental magnetism, geochemistry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the enrichment factor (EF) method. The results show that the magnetic particles in the dustfall samples are mainly pseudo-single-domain (PSD) and multi-domain (MD) ferrimagnetic minerals, and Fe, Zn, Cr, and Cu are mainly concentrated in the districts with intensive human activities. Due to restrictions on human activities following the COVID-19 epidemic, both the values of magnetic parameters and the heavy metal pollution level in 2019 are more significant than those in 2020, which is consistent with the Air Quality Index (AQI) results. In addition, magnetic susceptibility (χ_lf), non-hysteresis remanence (χ_ARM) and saturation isothermal remanence (SIRM) have different degrees of correlation with heavy metal elements, and the correlations with Fe, Pb, Cr and Zn are extremely prominent. The magnetic parameters can effectively and quickly reflect the level of particulate matter pollution, making them a useful tool for monitoring urban air quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment)

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