This study provides an insight into a province of Santa Fe region of a developing country, namely San Cristobal and Huanqueros, Argentina and a possible link between arsenic, copper and iron concentration in toenail, fingernail and hair in the population. A multivariate statistical tool, known as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to explain the behaviour of the elements in toenails, fingernails, drinking waters and hair using multi- base 2013 excel add- ins. Correlation test, error bars, and a 2-factor ANOVA test were employed. Results from one hundred and twenty- nine (n=129) samples of tap well water (n=23), rainwater (n=20), bottled water (n=6) and treated well water (n=80) and each of toenail, fingernail and hair (n=129) samples from the subjects were determined and the results compared with the previous works. Mean, standard deviation, covariance and maximum and minimum for each variable were reported. The hypothesis is to understand if there is a correlation between fingernail and toenail metals levels and make a comparison with previous researches. Results show that a positive correlation exists between fingernail and toenail metals concentrations. Also, the study reveals higher concentrations of arsenic, copper and iron in the samples tissues compared with the values available in the previous works. The elevated levels of these metals may be attributed to the drinking water sources. Since this study highlighted elevated levels of these metals, consumptions of contaminated drinking water should be constantly monitored. Finally, the application of multivariate statistical techniques can provide powerful information on heavy metals bioaccumulation analysis in human and environment.
This study investigated the phytoremediation potentials of Cynodon dactylon in heavy metal contaminated soils of Challawa Industrial Estate, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria. A total of 100 samples comprising of 50 soils and 50 plant parts of C. dactylon were evaluated for the presence of heavy metals by the use of atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) method. Extent of heavy metal soil contamination and phytoremediation potentials of the study plant were assessed by the use of metal contamination factor (Cf) for soil; Bioaccumulation and translocation factors for the plant sample respectively. From the results, levels (mg/kg) of the metals in the C. dactylon from contaminated and control sites were found to be in the sequence of Fe (442.60) > Cu (138.35) > Zn (133.53) > Cd (61.50) > Pb (42.47) > Mn (28.40) > Ni (18.40) > Cr (17.73) and Fe (88.60) > Zn (38.18) > Cu (33.60) > Ni (13.70) > Mn (12.67) > Pb (6.07) > Cd (5.60) > Cr (5.03) respectively. The contamination factor values Cf, (mg/kg) of all the metals in the soils were found to be in the sequence of Cd (10.73) > Cu (5.64) > Cr (3.07) > Pb (2.98) > Ni (2.17) > Zn (2.09) > Mn (2.00) > Fe (1.72). The results showed that the soils are highly contaminated with Cd, considerably contaminated with Cu and Cr, and moderately contaminated with Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni and Pb. The bioaccumulation and translocation factor values (BAF>1 and TF<1) for Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn suggest accumulation in roots and qualify the plant as good candidate for phytostabilization. Moreover, the bioaccumulation and translocation factor values (BAF and TF>1) for the plant species were greater than 1 for Fe suggesting efficient accumulation in the shoot. However, C. dactylon could be recommended as good candidate for phytoextraction of Fe and phytostabilization of the study investigated metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in multi-metal contaminated soils.
Seaweeds readily absorb heavy metals that are present in their environment, because of this; they are an effective way of monitoring heavy metal pollution in an area. The metal that is absorbed can be damaging to the seaweed cell walls. Seaweeds have evolved over time to have excellent antioxidant systems to combat this damage. One antioxidant they produce is polyphenol, a chemical molecule containing many phenol rings that bind to metals and keep them from the damaging the cell walls. They have been shown to be linked to the health benefits of red wine, fruit and vegetables. Samples of different species of seaweed from the Bangor area were collected, processed and analysed for their iron and polyphenol concentrations. Samples were collected from multiple points along the Bangor coastline, they were dried and processed into a fine, dry powder. The iron concentrations were analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy after digestion by HNO3. Different species were analysed for the iron and polyphenol content. The whole of the algae was analysed, as well as the nodules and the rest (stipe and blades). The polyphenol concentrations were analysed by a colourimetric assay using the Ragan and Glombitza method and quantified by UV/Vis spectroscopy. Different species were tested in order to see if the concentrations of iron and polyphenol change between species. Different parts of the seaweed were also tested to see where the higher concentrations of the metals were located. Iron concentration statistically significantly changed between all species with the concentrations ranging from 58.0 ± 3.5 mg/Kg to 796.0 ± 10.6 mg/Kg. The Polyphenol concentration changed statistically significantly between some species, but statistically not significant between others. Polyphenol concentration ranged from 63.7 ± 0.3 mg (g dw)-1 to 202.1 ± 6.7 mg (g dw)-1.
The sorption uptake of lead by marine brown alga Fucus spiralis was investigated in bimetallic solutions. The experimental data fitted very well to Langmuir model. In bimetallic systems, the affinity of biomass for lead and cadmium increased and the sorption uptake of these metals was not affected by increasing concentrations. However, in solutions with both metals there was a significant mutual decrease of their sorption levels at high concentrations of the other metal. There is practical removal up to 100 ± 4% for biomass dosage 4.0 ±0.1 g which correspond to lowest adsorbed amount of 0.25 ± 0.1 mg/g. The highest adsorbed value was recorded with biomass dosage 0.25 ± 0.1 g but with the lowest percentage removal of 92.50 ± 6%. In this study at initial metal concentration of 10 mg/L the highest metal removal of 96% was achieved.
Metformin hydrochloride is an anti-hyperglycaemic drug that is widely prescribed in the management of noninsulin diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). However, metformin does not undergo complete metabolism in the body thereby excreting significant amount through urine and eventual discharged into the water bodies. Therefore, this work investigates the possibility bio-sorption of metformin by Fucus spiralis seaweed. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and FITR was used for quantifying metformin biosorption. The result shows that Fucus spiralis is a potential biosbent for metformin removal in aqueous solution. The highest removal was up to 74% at 50 µg/mL. It can be mentioned here that this study is the first of it kind in testing seaweed for metformin biosorption. In conclusion, biomass (Fucus spiralis) was tested for its efficiency in metformin removal in aqueous solution. Adsorption studies revealed that F. spiralis can be used as potential adsorbent for metformin uptake. Very limited literature investigates the application of seaweeds species for pharmaceutical remediation. Remediation of waste and surface water using readily available adsorbent such as seaweed will be useful as it relates to human health and environmental contamination. HPLC was used in this study but other spectroscopic technique such as UV/vis could be explored to ascertain the optimized method. Further studies would be needed to test other algal species for metformin bio sorption.
This work was carried out to evaluate the heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn) pollution load and health risks to the population of some local fruit samples in Katsina state Nigeria. Results from this study have shown that except for the mean concentration of Pb (1.152-1.623) and Cd (0.053-0.092), the mean concentration (mg/kg) range values of Fe (1.728-1.954), Mn (0.321-0.502) and Zn (0.263-0.967 ppm) in the samples were generally below the maximum allowable concentration for these metals. The risk level of Target Hazard Quotient below 1(< 1) was recorded for all the evaluated heavy metals for the population, indicating a no non-carcinogenic adverse health effect on the population. The Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk for the heavy metal Cd was at the threshold risk limit (>10−4) in all the sampled fruits in adults, while Pb for adults and Pb and Cd for children were within the moderate risk limit (>10−3). The cumulative cancer risk (∑ILCR) of the studied fruits was within the moderate risk level (>10−3) in adults and above the level (>10−2) in children. The results of the study have suggested that the intake of the local fruits in Katsina State is of public health concern as it may lead to an increase in the population cancer cases.
The health risk to the population from exposure to heavy metals in an area that have witnessed a surge in illegal mining activities, cattle rustling and banditry were evaluated in the current study. Moringa leaves sample from Jabiyawa village, Jibia local Government area, Katsina State, Nigeria was evaluated for the presence of heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The health risks of the evaluated heavy metals in the sample to the population were assessed using the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Health Risk Index (HRI)) to assess the possible non-carcinogenic effect and the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) for the cancer risks. The result of the mean concentration values of the evaluated heavy metals Fe, Cu and Pb from the sample falls above the Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) of heavy metals in leafy vegetables. The concentrations of the other metals including Zn, Ni, Mn and Cd evaluated in the sample were within the permissible values The results of the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) associated with the evaluated heavy metals exposure through consumption of the sample for adults and children were below 1, with exception of the THQ for the heavy metal Cu in the children population that was above 1. The combined health risks for all the metals in the sample for the adults and children population represented as the HRI were above 1. The result of the Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR) for both the adults and children population shows that the heavy metal Ni is beyond the threshold of the safety limit for cancer risk. There is a health risk concern from consumption of the sample as the vegetable may contribute to the disease burden of the population.
This work investigates the concentration of some trace elements in freshwater microalgae ( Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis) through total reflection x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF). Slurry samples were prepared from 3.4 ± 0.5 to 9.8 ± 0.5 mg of freeze-dried algae biomass for direct metals analysis. Gallium was used as internal standard at concentration of 500 µg/L and the solution was mixed for 15 second using vortex. The concentrations of different metals including Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), Phosphorus (P), Sulphur (S), Copper (Cu), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Manganese (Mn) and Iron (Fe) were determined in the ranged 6.8 ± 1.7 – 15709 mg/kg. A similar study investigated the total macro and micronutrient profile Chlorella vulgaris and the published data agree with current study. Statistical analysis shows that only Ba has significant difference between Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis (P = 0.05) The two investigated algal species shows a measurable concentration using TXRF of metals such as manganese, iron, copper, and zinc. TXRF shows good accuracy with ability to determine sample in small quantities (µl) In conclusion, the sensitivity of TXRF technique can also be seen in determining elements with lower atomic number such as Ca, P and K.
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