Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Metals and Radioactive Substances".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 March 2023) | Viewed by 44113

Special Issue Editors

1. Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas-CERTH, 6th km Charilaou-Thermi Rd, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
2. Department of Geophysics, School of Geology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: urban geochemistry; environmental magnetism; soil and water contamination; green minerals
Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
Interests: urban geochemistry, soil and water contamination, environmental geology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that have a high atomic weight and a density at least five times greater than that of water. Their multiple industrial, domestic, agricultural, medical, and technological applications have led to their wide distribution in the environment, raising concerns over their potential effects on human health and the environment. Heavy metals are systemic toxicants known to induce adverse health effects in humans, with their severity being related to the type of heavy metal and its chemical form. Severity is also time- and dose-dependent.

We are pleased to invite researchers to submit original articles and reviews related to all aspects of metals and their environmental and human health impacts. This Special Issue aims to be multidisciplinary in its approach covering the latest research on the behavior of metals in the environment, their cycles and pathways, whether rural or urban, industrial or agricultural, and their effects on human health.

Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Heavy metals in diverse environmental media (e.g., particulate matter, soil, road dust, indoor dust, water, plants);
  • Monitoring and analysis of heavy metals in the environment;
  • Source identification and apportionment of heavy metals;
  • Heavy metal speciation, mobility, oral and respiratory bioaccessibility;
  • Human exposure to heavy metals and effects on human health;
  • Bioindicators and biomarkers for assessment of heavy metal pollution;
  • Heavy metal impact on ecosystems and remediation techniques.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Anna Bourliva
Dr. Efstratios Kelepertzis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2600 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 metals
  • environment
  • human health
  • human exposure
  • toxicity
  • contamination
  • monitoring
  • source identification
  • remediation

Published Papers (18 papers)

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17 pages, 1178 KiB  
Article
A New Advanced and Validated Method for the Determination of Potentially Toxic Metals and Trace and Ultra-Trace Elements in Peritoneal Fluid to Assess the Health Risks of Women with Gynecological Pathologies
by Andrea López-Botella, Raquel Sánchez, José-Luis Todolí-Torró, María José Gómez-Torres, Irene Velasco and Maribel Acién
Toxics 2023, 11(5), 399; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11050399 - 23 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1785
Abstract
Toxic metals found in the environment have been linked to female infertility and gynecological illnesses. Reliable analytical methods, such as inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS), are necessary to determine the elemental composition of biological samples. Currently, the multielemental profile of peritoneal [...] Read more.
Toxic metals found in the environment have been linked to female infertility and gynecological illnesses. Reliable analytical methods, such as inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS), are necessary to determine the elemental composition of biological samples. Currently, the multielemental profile of peritoneal fluid (PF) samples has not yet been established. Due to the complexity of the PF matrix, an ICP-MS/MS-based method has been optimized to mitigate matrix effects and spectral interferences. A dilution factor of 1:4 was the best option to mitigate matrix effects while keeping sensitivity at an appropriate level. A collision gas (He) was useful to lower the extent of spectral interferences for 56Fe, 52Cr, 63Cu, and 68Zn. An intermediate validation test was performed to evaluate accuracy, achieving recoveries ranging from 90 to 110%. The method was validated in terms of intermediate precision, reproducibility, and trueness, with an expanded uncertainty lower than 15%. Afterward, it was applied to perform the multielemental analysis of 20 PF samples. The concentrations for major analytes were up to 151 µg L−1. Meanwhile,209Bi, 111Cd, 52Cr, 55Mn, 95Mo, 60Ni, 208Pb, 118Sn, and 51V were present at concentrations included within the 1–10 µg L−1 range, while 59Co and 139La were found at concentrations below 1 µg L−1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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12 pages, 11092 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Gastric/Lung Arsenic Bioaccessibility from Lignite Fly Ashes: Comparing Bioaccessibility Rates with Multiple Environmental Matrices
by Anna Bourliva, Efstratios Kelepertzis, Lamprini Papadopoulou, Carla Patinha and Nikolaos Kantiranis
Toxics 2023, 11(4), 358; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11040358 - 10 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1388
Abstract
Inorganic arsenic (As), a carcinogenic element to humans, is among the most dangerous and flammable substances that coal-burning plants could release. When coal is burned, large portions of arsenic are captured on fly-ash (FA) particles, but it could also contribute significantly to stack [...] Read more.
Inorganic arsenic (As), a carcinogenic element to humans, is among the most dangerous and flammable substances that coal-burning plants could release. When coal is burned, large portions of arsenic are captured on fly-ash (FA) particles, but it could also contribute significantly to stack emissions of fine fly-ash particles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral and respiratory bioaccessibility of arsenic in lignite fly-ash (LFA) samples, and their contribution to total As exposure. Arsenic bioaccessibility fractions via ingestion and inhalation showed significant differences, suggesting the presence of highly soluble As-bearing phases in the studied LFA samples. The bioaccessible As fractions (BAF%) in the simulated gastric fluids (UBM protocol, ISO 17924:2018) showed a range of 45–73%, while the pulmonary bioaccessibility rates in the simulated lung fluid (artificial lung fluid (ALF)) exhibited significantly enhanced levels ranging from 86% to 95%. The obtained arsenic bioaccessibility rates were compared with previous data for multiple environmental matrices such as soil and dust-related materials, revealing that LFA exhibited significantly higher bioaccessibility (%) for the inhalation pathway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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11 pages, 1356 KiB  
Article
Structural Characterization of Toxicologically Relevant Cd2+-L-Cysteine Complexes
by Astha Gautam, Amanda Gomez, Emérita Mendoza Rengifo, Graham N. George, Ingrid J. Pickering and Jürgen Gailer
Toxics 2023, 11(4), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11040294 - 23 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1721
Abstract
The exposure of humans to Cd exerts adverse human health effects at low chronic exposure doses, but the underlying biomolecular mechanisms are incompletely understood. To gain insight into the toxicologically relevant chemistry of Cd2+ in the bloodstream, we employed an anion-exchange HPLC [...] Read more.
The exposure of humans to Cd exerts adverse human health effects at low chronic exposure doses, but the underlying biomolecular mechanisms are incompletely understood. To gain insight into the toxicologically relevant chemistry of Cd2+ in the bloodstream, we employed an anion-exchange HPLC coupled to a flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS) using a mobile phase of 100 mM NaCl with 5 mM Tris-buffer (pH 7.4) to resemble protein-free blood plasma. The injection of Cd2+ onto this HPLC-FAAS system was associated with the elution of a Cd peak that corresponded to [CdCl3]/[CdCl4]2− complexes. The addition of 0.1–10 mM L-cysteine (Cys) to the mobile phase significantly affected the retention behavior of Cd2+, which was rationalized by the on-column formation of mixed CdCysxCly complexes. From a toxicological point of view, the results obtained with 0.1 and 0.2 mM Cys were the most relevant because they resembled plasma concentrations. The corresponding Cd-containing (~30 μM) fractions were analyzed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and revealed an increased sulfur coordination to Cd2+ when the Cys concentration was increased from 0.1 to 0.2 mM. The putative formation of these toxicologically relevant Cd species in blood plasma was implicated in the Cd uptake into target organs and underscores the notion that a better understanding of the metabolism of Cd in the bloodstream is critical to causally link human exposure with organ-based toxicological effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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17 pages, 4261 KiB  
Article
Detection of Heavy Metals, Their Distribution in Tilapia spp., and Health Risks Assessment
by Leonel C. Mendoza, Ronnel C. Nolos, Oliver B. Villaflores, Enya Marie D. Apostol and Delia B. Senoro
Toxics 2023, 11(3), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030286 - 20 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4916
Abstract
Concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) were assessed in Tilapia spp. from selected communities in Calapan City, Philippines. Eleven (11) inland farmed tilapia samples were collected and analyzed for HMs concentration using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The 11 fish samples were cut into seven pieces, [...] Read more.
Concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) were assessed in Tilapia spp. from selected communities in Calapan City, Philippines. Eleven (11) inland farmed tilapia samples were collected and analyzed for HMs concentration using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The 11 fish samples were cut into seven pieces, according to the fish body parts, constituting a total of 77 samples. These fish samples were then labeled as bone, fins, head, meat, skin, and viscera. Results showed that the mean concentration of Cd in all parts of tilapia exceeded the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) limits. The highest concentration was recorded in the fins, which was sevenfold higher than the limit. The trend of the mean concentration of Cd in different parts of tilapia was fins > viscera > skin > tail > head > meat > bone. The target hazard quotient (THQ) recorded a value less than 1. This means that the population exposed to tilapia, within the area where fish samples originated, were not at risk to non-carcinogens. The concentrations of Cu, Pb, Mn, Hg, and Zn in different parts, particularly in skin, fins, and viscera, also exceeded the FAO/WHO limits. The calculated cancer risk (CR) in consuming the fish skin, meat, fins, bone, viscera, and head was higher than the USEPA limit. This indicated a possible carcinogenic risk when consumed regularly. Most of the correlations observed between HMs in various parts of the tilapia had positive (direct) relationships, which were attributed to the HM toxicity target organ characteristics. Results of the principal component analysis (PCA) showed that most of the dominating HMs recorded in tilapia were attributable to anthropogenic activities and natural weathering within the watershed of agricultural areas. The agriculture area comprises about 86.83% of the overall land area of Calapan City. The identified carcinogenic risks were associated with Cd. Therefore, regular monitoring of HMs in inland fishes, their habitat, and surface water quality shall be carried out. This information is useful in creating strategies in metals concentration monitoring, health risks reduction program, and relevant guidelines that would reduce the accumulation of HM in fish. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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14 pages, 527 KiB  
Article
Health Risk in a Geographic Area of Thailand with Endemic Cadmium Contamination: Focus on Albuminuria
by Soisungwan Satarug, David A. Vesey, Glenda C. Gobe, Supabhorn Yimthiang and Aleksandra Buha Đorđević
Toxics 2023, 11(1), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11010068 - 11 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2218
Abstract
An increased level of cadmium (Cd) in food crops, especially rice is concerning because rice is a staple food for over half of the world’s population. In some regions, rice contributes to more than 50% of the total Cd intake. Low environmental exposure [...] Read more.
An increased level of cadmium (Cd) in food crops, especially rice is concerning because rice is a staple food for over half of the world’s population. In some regions, rice contributes to more than 50% of the total Cd intake. Low environmental exposure to Cd has been linked to an increase in albumin excretion to 30 mg/g creatinine, termed albuminuria, and a progressive reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, termed reduced eGFR. However, research into albuminuria in high exposure conditions is limited. Here, we applied benchmark dose (BMD) analysis to the relevant data recorded for the residents of a Cd contamination area and a low-exposure control area. We normalized the excretion rates of Cd (ECd) and albumin (Ealb) to creatinine clearance (Ccr) as ECd/Ccr and Ealb/Ccr to correct for differences among subjects in the number of surviving nephrons. For the first time, we defined the excretion levels of Cd associated with clinically relevant adverse kidney health outcomes. Ealb/Ccr varied directly with ECd/Ccr (β = 0.239, p < 0.001), and age (β = 0.203, p < 0.001), while normotension was associated with lower Ealb/Ccr (β = −0.106, p = 0.009). ECd/Ccr values between 16.5 and 35.5 ng/L of the filtrate were associated with a 10% prevalence of albuminuria, while the ECd/Ccr value of 59 ng/L of the filtrate was associated with a 10% prevalence of reduced eGFR. Thus, increased albumin excretion and eGFR reduction appeared to occur at low body burdens, and they should form toxicity endpoints suitable for the calculation of health risk due to the Cd contamination of food chains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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15 pages, 1422 KiB  
Article
Co-Application of Silicate and Low-Arsenic-Accumulating Rice Cultivars Efficiently Reduces Human Exposure to Arsenic—A Case Study from West Bengal, India
by Arkaprava Roy, Siba Prasad Datta, Mandira Barman, Debasis Golui, Somnath Bhattacharyya, Mahesh Chand Meena, Viswanathan Chinnusamy, Suchitra Pushkar, Punyavrat S. Pandey and Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman
Toxics 2023, 11(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11010064 - 09 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1791
Abstract
We investigated the effect of practically realizable doses of silicate on arsenic (As) uptake by differential-As-accumulating rice cultivars grown on geogenically As-polluted soil. The possible health risk from the dietary ingestion of As through rice was also assessed. In addition, a solution culture [...] Read more.
We investigated the effect of practically realizable doses of silicate on arsenic (As) uptake by differential-As-accumulating rice cultivars grown on geogenically As-polluted soil. The possible health risk from the dietary ingestion of As through rice was also assessed. In addition, a solution culture experiment was conducted to examine the role of root-secreted weak acids in differential As acquisition by rice cultivars. When grown without silicate, Badshabhog accumulated a much smaller amount of As in grain (0.11 mg kg−1) when compared to the other three varieties. Satabdi, IR-36, and Khitish accumulated As in grain beyond the permissible limit (0.2 mg kg−1) for human consumption. The application of silicate effectively reduced the As content in the grain, husk, and straw of all of the cultivars. The grain As content fell to 17.2 and 27.6% with the addition of sodium metasilicate at the rates of 250 and 500 mg kg−1, respectively. In the case of Khitish, the grain As content was brought down within permissible limits by the applied silicate (500 mg kg−1). The integrated use of low-As-accumulating cultivars and silicate has great potential to reduce the public health risks associated with As. A positive correlation between root-secreted total weak acid and grain As content could explain the different rice cultivars’ differential As acquisition capacity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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18 pages, 2985 KiB  
Article
Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentration in Seafood Collected from Pattani Bay, Thailand
by Phanwimol Tanhan, Niyada Lansubsakul, Napasorn Phaochoosak, Pattanasuda Sirinupong, Pun Yeesin and Kanjana Imsilp
Toxics 2023, 11(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11010018 - 26 Dec 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2728
Abstract
A significant impact of marine pollution is the contamination of seafood which has raised concerns due to its potential human health risks. This current study investigated seasonal bioaccumulation of 9 heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in [...] Read more.
A significant impact of marine pollution is the contamination of seafood which has raised concerns due to its potential human health risks. This current study investigated seasonal bioaccumulation of 9 heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in 14 commercially important seafood species, including 4 fish, 5 molluscs, and 5 crustacean species. Samples were collected from Pattani Bay, Pattani province, Thailand, during the dry (July 2020) and wet (February 2021) seasons. The edible samples were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The bioaccumulation trend of heavy metals decreased in the sequence of molluscs > crustaceans > fish. The possible human health risks associated with heavy metal-contaminated seafood consumption were assessed. The parameters investigated for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic were target hazard quotient (THQ), total hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TR). The average ranges of THQs (7.79 × 10−8–8.97 × 10−3), HIs (4.30 × 10−5–1.55 × 10−2), and TRs (2.70 × 10−9–1.34 × 10−5) were observed in the studied seafood species. The results revealed no non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks from consuming these 14 kinds of seafood. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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12 pages, 2167 KiB  
Article
Copper and Zinc Treatments Alter the Thyroid Endocrine System in Zebrafish Embryos/Larvae
by Liqiao Zhong, He Zhang, Luyin Wu, Huijun Ru, Nian Wei, Fan Yao, Zhaohui Ni, Xinbin Duan and Yunfeng Li
Toxics 2022, 10(12), 756; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120756 - 04 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1697
Abstract
Copper (Cu2+) and zinc (Zn2+) are two kinds of heavy metals essential to living organisms. Cu2+ and Zn2+ at excessive concentrations can cause adverse effects on animals, but little is known about the thyroid-disrupting effects of these [...] Read more.
Copper (Cu2+) and zinc (Zn2+) are two kinds of heavy metals essential to living organisms. Cu2+ and Zn2+ at excessive concentrations can cause adverse effects on animals, but little is known about the thyroid-disrupting effects of these metals in fish, especially in the early developmental transition stage from embryos to larvae. Wild-type zebrafish embryos were used to expose to Cu2+ (0, 1.5, 15, and 150 μg/L) and Zn2+ (0, 20, 200, and 2000 μg/L) for 120 h. Thyroid hormone contents and transcriptional changes of the genes connected with the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis were measured. Results showed that zebrafish embryos/larvae malformation rates were significantly increased in the Cu2+ and Zn2+ groups. Remarkably elevated thyroxine (T4) concentrations and reduced triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations were observed in Cu2+ and Zn2+ exposure fish. And the expression patterns of genes connected with the HPT axis were changed after Cu2+ and Zn2+ treatment. Based on principal component analysis (PCA) results, Zn2+ caused significant effects on the thyroid endocrine system at 200 μg/L, while Cu2+ resulted in thyroid disruption as low as 1.5 μg/L. In short, our study demonstrated that exposure to Cu2+ and Zn2+ induced developmental toxicity and thyroid disruption to zebrafish embryos/larvae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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14 pages, 10888 KiB  
Article
Composition of Three Common Chinese Herbal Medicines and the Influence of Preparation Types on the Bioaccessibility of Trace Elements
by Xiaoming Wan and Weibin Zeng
Toxics 2022, 10(12), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120719 - 24 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1336
Abstract
The high concentration of trace elements in Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is an important research topic for quality control. This study investigated the total concentration of trace elements in three herbs used as both medicine and supplementary food, including Astragalus membranaceus, Glycyrrhiza [...] Read more.
The high concentration of trace elements in Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is an important research topic for quality control. This study investigated the total concentration of trace elements in three herbs used as both medicine and supplementary food, including Astragalus membranaceus, Glycyrrhiza, and Isatidis. Further, the effects of different preparation ways, such as decoct, granule, and oral liquid, on the bioaccessibility of trace elements in CHM were disclosed. Results indicated that the total concentrations of trace elements in these three herbs were lower than the medical standards, but the concentrations of As and Pb in CHMs were higher than the standards for supplementary food. Different preparations ways affect bioaccessibility. Powder and oral liquid show a high bioaccessibility possibly because of the grinding process and the repeated extraction with ethanol. Among the three different CHMs, Isatidis showed higher bioaccessibility of As, which may be related to the sulfur fumigation process of this CHM. The three investigated CHMs were found to be safe as medicine but presented risks as supplementary food. The apparent influence of preparation procedures on the bioaccessibility of trace elements indicated that it is necessary to appropriately regulate preparation processes for CHMs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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24 pages, 2217 KiB  
Article
Zinc Biofortification through Basal Zinc Supply Reduces Grain Cadmium in Mung Beans: Metal Partitioning and Health Risks Assessment
by Md Harunur Rashid, Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman and Ravi Naidu
Toxics 2022, 10(11), 689; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10110689 - 14 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1370
Abstract
Grain zinc (Zn) biofortification with less cadmium (Cd) accumulation is of paramount importance from human health and environmental point of view. A pot experiment was carried out to determine the influence of Zn and Cd on their accumulations in Mung bean tissues ( [...] Read more.
Grain zinc (Zn) biofortification with less cadmium (Cd) accumulation is of paramount importance from human health and environmental point of view. A pot experiment was carried out to determine the influence of Zn and Cd on their accumulations in Mung bean tissues (Vigna radiata) in two contrast soil types (Dermosol and Tenosol). The soil types with added Zn and Cd exerted a significant effect on translocation and accumulation of metals in different tissues. The accumulation of Zn and Cd was higher for Tenosol than that for Dermosol. At control, the concentration of Cd followed a pattern, e.g., root > stem > petiole > pod > leaflet > grain for both soils. A basal Zn supply (5 mg kg−1) increased the grain Zn concentration to a significant amount (up to 67%). It also reduced Cd accumulation in tissues, including grains (up to 34%). No non-carcinogenic effect was observed for either the children or the adults as the EDI and PTDI values were below the safety limit; however, the ILCR values exceeded the safety limit, indicating the possibility of some carcinogenic effects. Added Zn helped to reduce the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks on humans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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21 pages, 1980 KiB  
Article
Remediating Garden Soils: EDTA-Soil Washing and Safe Vegetable Production in Raised Bed Gardens
by Christoph Noller, Wolfgang Friesl-Hanl, Rebecca Hood-Nowotny and Andrea Watzinger
Toxics 2022, 10(11), 652; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10110652 - 29 Oct 2022
Viewed by 2005
Abstract
Soil remediation is an important practice in the restoration of heavy metal-contaminated soils and reduce the heavy metal exposure of the local population. Here, we investigated the effect of an ex-situ soil washing technique, based on ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a chelating agent, [...] Read more.
Soil remediation is an important practice in the restoration of heavy metal-contaminated soils and reduce the heavy metal exposure of the local population. Here, we investigated the effect of an ex-situ soil washing technique, based on ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a chelating agent, on a contaminated Cambisol. Lead, Cd and Zn were investigated in different soil fractions, drainage water and four vegetables from August 2019 to March 2021. Three treatments consisting of (C) contaminated soil, (W) washed soil and (WA) washed soil amended with vermicompost and biochar were investigated in an outdoor raised bed set up. Our results showed that the total and bioavailable metal fractions were significantly reduced but failed to meet Austrian national guideline values. Initial concentrations in the soil leachate increased significantly, especially for Cd. Vegetables grown on the remediated soil took up significantly lower amounts of all heavy metals and were further reduced by the organic amendment, attaining acceptable values within EU guideline values for food safety. Only spinach exceeded the thresholds in all soil treatments. The increase in soil pH and nutrient availability led to significantly higher vegetable yields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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10 pages, 2108 KiB  
Article
Trace Metals in Cannabis Seized by Law Enforcement in Ghana and Multivariate Analysis to Distinguish among Different Cannabis Farms
by Chris Douvris, Edward Bentil, Isaac Ayensu, Clement Osei Akoto, Isaac Kingsley Amponsah, Joseph Adu and Derek Bussan
Toxics 2022, 10(10), 567; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10100567 - 27 Sep 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1755
Abstract
For hundreds of years, cannabis has been one of the most known cultivated plants due to its variety of uses, which include as a psychoactive drug, as well as for medicinal activity. Although prohibiting cannabis products, the countries of the African continent are [...] Read more.
For hundreds of years, cannabis has been one of the most known cultivated plants due to its variety of uses, which include as a psychoactive drug, as well as for medicinal activity. Although prohibiting cannabis products, the countries of the African continent are the largest producers of cannabis in the world; a fact that makes the trafficking of cannabis-based illicit drugs a high priority for local law enforcement authorities. The latter are exceedingly interested in the use of chemical analyses for facilitating quantification, identification, and tracing of the origin of seized cannabis samples. Targeting these goals, and focusing on the country of Ghana, the present study used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the determination of 12 elements (Pb, Cu, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cd, As, Hg, Fe, Na, and K) in cannabis seized by Ghana’s law enforcement authorities and soils of cannabis farms. Furthermore, multivariate analysis was applied to distinguish among different cannabis farms and match them with the samples. As a result, 22 seized cannabis samples and 12 other cannabis samples with their respective soils were analyzed to reveal considerable As and Pb concentrations. As and Pb levels in cannabis were found up to 242 ppb for As and 854 ppb for Pb. Multivariate analysis was applied for separating different cannabis farms and seized samples based on elemental analysis, evidently linking the seized samples with two Ghana regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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12 pages, 4589 KiB  
Article
Detecting Aquatic Pollution Using Histological Investigations of the Gills, Liver, Kidney, and Muscles of Oreochromis niloticus
by Sana Shahid, Tayyaba Sultana, Salma Sultana, Bilal Hussain, Khalid Abdullah Al-Ghanim, Fahad Al-Bashir, Mian Nadeem Riaz and Shahid Mahboob
Toxics 2022, 10(10), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10100564 - 26 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1703
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the degree of changes in the histological architecture of the liver, gills, kidneys, and muscles of fish Oreochromis niloticus collected from different polluted river sites. Fish samples collected from the Faisalabad Fish Hatchery and upstream of Chakbandi [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to determine the degree of changes in the histological architecture of the liver, gills, kidneys, and muscles of fish Oreochromis niloticus collected from different polluted river sites. Fish samples collected from the Faisalabad Fish Hatchery and upstream of Chakbandi drain acted as a control. Necrosis, hemorrhage, and epithelial hyperplasia were observed in the gills of fish inhabiting the river downstream of the Chakbandi drain entrance. Liver tissues were found to be affected by vacuolated cytoplasm, bile duct proliferation, melanomacrophages, and necrosis. In kidney tissues, shrinkage of the renal cortex, necrosis, and destructive renal tubules were observed. Histopathology of muscles indicates the presence of hypertrophy and swollen myofibers. In contrast, upstream specimens of fish exhibited mild tissue alterations. Histopathology of gills tissue showed vacuolization. Liver tissues indicated the presence of hypertrophy and more frequent Kupffer cells than usual. The vacuolation was also observed in kidney tissues. Muscle tissues expressed splitting of muscle fibres and degeneration in muscle bundles. However, sections of tissues collected from farmed fish have normal morphology and no anomalies. The histopathological assessment indicated various cellular, biochemical, and histological changes in response to the contamination in the vicinity of the fish. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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12 pages, 1458 KiB  
Article
Arsenic Metabolism, Toxicity and Accumulation in the White Button Mushroom Agaricus bisporus
by Owen Dong, Michael Powers, Zijuan Liu and Masafumi Yoshinaga
Toxics 2022, 10(10), 554; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10100554 - 22 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2577
Abstract
Mushrooms have unique properties in arsenic metabolism. In many commercial and wild-grown mushrooms, arsenobetaine (AsB), a non-toxic arsenical, was found as the dominant arsenic species. The AsB biosynthesis remains unknown, so we designed experiments to study conditions for AsB formation in the white [...] Read more.
Mushrooms have unique properties in arsenic metabolism. In many commercial and wild-grown mushrooms, arsenobetaine (AsB), a non-toxic arsenical, was found as the dominant arsenic species. The AsB biosynthesis remains unknown, so we designed experiments to study conditions for AsB formation in the white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. The mushrooms were treated with various arsenic species including arsenite (As(III)), arsenate (As(V)), methylarsenate (MAs(V)), dimethylarsenate (DMAs(V)) and trimethylarsine oxide (TMAsO), and their accumulation and metabolism were determined using inductively coupled mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with ICP-MS (HPLC-ICP-MS), respectively. Our results showed that mycelia have a higher accumulation for inorganic arsenicals while fruiting bodies showed higher accumulation for methylated arsenic species. Two major arsenic metabolites were produced in fruiting bodies: DMAs(V) and AsB. Among tested arsenicals, only MAs(V) was methylated to DMAs(V). Surprisingly, AsB was only detected as the major arsenic product when TMAsO was supplied. Additionally, AsB was only detected in the fruiting body, but not mycelium, suggesting that methylated products were transported to the fruiting body for arsenobetaine formation. Overall, our results support that methylation and AsB formation are two connected pathways where trimethylated arsenic is the optimal precursor for AsB formation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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13 pages, 1370 KiB  
Article
Soil and Freshwater Bioassays to Assess Ecotoxicological Impact on Soils Affected by Mining Activities in the Iberian Pyrite Belt
by Óscar Andreu-Sánchez, Mari Luz García-Lorenzo, José María Esbrí, Ramón Sánchez-Donoso, Mario Iglesias-Martínez, Xabier Arroyo, Elena Crespo-Feo, Nuria Ruiz-Costa, Luis Roca-Pérez and Pedro Castiñeiras
Toxics 2022, 10(7), 353; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10070353 - 28 Jun 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1606
Abstract
This study aims to use geochemical, mineralogical, ecotoxicological and biological indicators for a comprehensive assessment of the ecological risks related to the mobility, ecotoxicity and bioavailability of potentially harmful elements in the Lousal mining district. Particularly, toxicity was evaluated using four assays: algae, [...] Read more.
This study aims to use geochemical, mineralogical, ecotoxicological and biological indicators for a comprehensive assessment of the ecological risks related to the mobility, ecotoxicity and bioavailability of potentially harmful elements in the Lousal mining district. Particularly, toxicity was evaluated using four assays: algae, cytotoxicity assays with HaCaT cell line (dermal), earthworms and Daphnia magna. The geochemical and mineralogical characterization of the studied area shows that the mine wastes underwent intense weathering processes, producing important contamination of the adjacent soils, which also led to the release and mobilization of PHEs into nearby water courses. Total PTE results indicate that the soils affected by mining activities were highly contaminated with As and Cu, while Zn and Pb content ranged from low to very high, depending on the analyzed samples. Cadmium levels were found to be very low in most of the soil samples. The test using Daphnia magna was the most sensitive bioassay, while the Eisenia foetida test was the least sensitive. Except for the LOS07 soil sample, the rest of the soils were classified as “High acute toxicity” and “Very high acute toxicity” for aquatic systems. The results in HACaT cells showed results similar to the ecotoxicological bioassays. The application of biotests, together with geochemical and mineralogical characterization, is a very useful tool to establish the degree of contamination and the environmental risk of potentially harmful elements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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11 pages, 2876 KiB  
Article
Combined Toxicity of Xenobiotics Bisphenol A and Heavy Metals on Zebrafish Embryos (Danio rerio)
by Davide Di Paola, Fabiano Capparucci, Giovanni Lanteri, Marika Cordaro, Rosalia Crupi, Rosalba Siracusa, Ramona D’Amico, Roberta Fusco, Daniela Impellizzeri, Salvatore Cuzzocrea, Nunziacarla Spanò, Enrico Gugliandolo and Alessio Filippo Peritore
Toxics 2021, 9(12), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9120344 - 09 Dec 2021
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 3891
Abstract
Environmental pollutants may cause adverse effects on the immune system of aquatic organisms. This study revealed that combination of environmental pollutants and Bisphenol A(BPA) could cause an acute inflammatory response in zebrafish larvae as shown by body alterations, which may imply a common [...] Read more.
Environmental pollutants may cause adverse effects on the immune system of aquatic organisms. This study revealed that combination of environmental pollutants and Bisphenol A(BPA) could cause an acute inflammatory response in zebrafish larvae as shown by body alterations, which may imply a common immunotoxicity mechanism for most environmental pollutants. In the present study we evaluated the toxicity after co-exposure of BPA and Cd or Cr (III) in zebrafish embryos and larvae, and the oxidative stress pathway involved. Evaluation of lethal and developmental endpoints such as hatching, edema, malformations, abnormal heart rate and survival rate were evaluated after 96 h of exposure. Combination of BPA at 10 μM with Cd or Cr at 0.5 μM exposure induce malformations at 96 hpf in zebrafish larvae, as well as significantly increases oxidative stress and induce apoptosis on larvae. Our study suggested how environmental pollutant showed a synergistic effect at common not-effective doses, promoting decrease of antioxidant defense and contrasted fish development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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Review

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28 pages, 1763 KiB  
Review
Bioaccumulation and Bioremediation of Heavy Metals in Fishes—A Review
by Farhan Jamil Emon, Md Fazle Rohani, Nusrat Sumaiya, Mst Fatema Tuj Jannat, Yeasmin Akter, Md Shahjahan, Zulhisyam Abdul Kari, Albaris B. Tahiluddin and Khang Wen Goh
Toxics 2023, 11(6), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11060510 - 06 Jun 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3972
Abstract
Heavy metals, the most potent contaminants of the environment, are discharged into the aquatic ecosystems through the effluents of several industries, resulting in serious aquatic pollution. This type of severe heavy metal contamination in aquaculture systems has attracted great attention throughout the world. [...] Read more.
Heavy metals, the most potent contaminants of the environment, are discharged into the aquatic ecosystems through the effluents of several industries, resulting in serious aquatic pollution. This type of severe heavy metal contamination in aquaculture systems has attracted great attention throughout the world. These toxic heavy metals are transmitted into the food chain through their bioaccumulation in different tissues of aquatic species and have aroused serious public health concerns. Heavy metal toxicity negatively affects the growth, reproduction, and physiology of fish, which is threatening the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector. Recently, several techniques, such as adsorption, physio-biochemical, molecular, and phytoremediation mechanisms have been successfully applied to reduce the toxicants in the environment. Microorganisms, especially several bacterial species, play a key role in this bioremediation process. In this context, the present review summarizes the bioaccumulation of different heavy metals into fishes, their toxic effects, and possible bioremediation techniques to protect the fishes from heavy metal contamination. Additionally, this paper discusses existing strategies to bioremediate heavy metals from aquatic ecosystems and the scope of genetic and molecular approaches for the effective bioremediation of heavy metals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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24 pages, 7395 KiB  
Review
The Status and Research Progress of Cadmium Pollution in Rice- (Oryza sativa L.) and Wheat- (Triticum aestivum L.) Cropping Systems in China: A Critical Review
by Yue Gao, Zengqiang Duan, Lingxiao Zhang, Da Sun and Xun Li
Toxics 2022, 10(12), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120794 - 16 Dec 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3208
Abstract
The accumulation of cadmium in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a serious threat to the safe use of farmland and to the health of the human diet that has attracted extensive attention from researchers. In this [...] Read more.
The accumulation of cadmium in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a serious threat to the safe use of farmland and to the health of the human diet that has attracted extensive attention from researchers. In this review, a bibliometric analysis was performed using a VOS viewer (1.6.18, Netherlands) to investigate the status of cadmium contamination in rice and wheat growing systems, human health risks, mechanisms of Cd uptake and transport, and the corresponding research hotspots. It has a certain reference value for the prevention and control of cadmium pollution in rice and wheat planting systems in China and abroad. The results showed that the Cd content in rice and wheat planting systems in the Yangtze River Basin was significantly higher than that in other areas of China, and the Cd content in rice and wheat grains and the hazard quotient (HQ) in Hunan Province was the highest. The average Cd concentration exceeded the recommended limit by about 62% for rice and 81% for wheat. The main reasons for the high Cd pollution in rice and wheat growing areas in Hunan are mining activities, phosphate fertilizer application, sewage irrigation, and electronic equipment manufacturing. In this review, we demonstrate that cadmium toxicity reduces the uptake and transport of essential elements in rice and wheat. Cadmium stress seriously affected the growth and morphology of plant roots. In the shoots, Cd toxicity was manifested by a series of physiological injuries, such as decreased photosynthesis, soluble protein, sugar, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Cadmium that accumulates in the shoots is transferred to grains and then passes up the food chain to people and animals. Therefore, methods for reducing cadmium content in grains of rice and wheat are urgently needed, especially in Cd-contaminated soil. Current research on Cd pollution in rice and wheat planting systems focuses on the bioavailability of Cd, soil rhizosphere changes in wheat and rice, and the role of antioxidant enzyme systems in alleviating heavy metal stress in rice and wheat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)
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