An evaluation of metal bioaccessibility in estuarine sediments using the commercially available protein, bovine serum albumin

The bioaccessibility of metals (Al, Ca, Fe, Mn, Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn) in oxic estuarine sediments has been evaluated using solutions of a commercially available protein (bovine serum albumin; BSA) that mimic the chemical conditions encountered in the gut environment of many deposit-feeding organisms. Over a 20 h incubation period with 5 g L^− 1 BSA, metal mobilisation was generally biphasic in that a relatively short period of rapid release was succeeded by more gradual release or approach to equilibrium, although in some cases metal readsorption was evident during the time-courses. Availability to BSA, defined as metal released after 20 h relative to metal extracted by boiling aqua regia, was greatest for Cd, Ni, Ca and Zn and lowest for Fe and Mn, and correlated well with, but was an order of magnitude lower than, metal digested by acidified hydrogen peroxide. Time-courses conducted in the absence of the protein revealed that significant quantities of Ca and Mn were water-soluble, reflecting the partial dissolution of carbonates and hydrous Mn oxides, respectively. Additional experiments indicated a net increase in metal release with increasing BSA concentration and, with the exception of Ca and Mn, a substantial increase in metal mobilisation after sediment organic matter had been digested by peroxidation. These observations suggest that, apart from Ca and Mn, metal release proceeds via complexation with component amino acids of the protein, denudation of organic host phases, and exposure of inorganic, metal-bearing minerals. Accordingly, the bioaccessibility of a metal is predicted to be dependent on its (i) affinity for proteinaceous ligands, (ii) association with components of digestible sediment organic matter, and (iii) degree of binding at relatively weak sites on sediment phases that are exposed or modified by the action of proteins and other chemical constituents of the gut environment.     

The influence of physicochemical parameters on bioavailability and bioaccessibility of heavy metals in sediments of the intertidal zone of Asaluyeh region,Persian Gulf,Iran

In this research, we have worked on the evaluation of heavy metal contamination in the sediments taken from the intertidal zone of Asaluyeh region using Modified Community Bureau of Reference sequential extraction method (mBCR), the simplified bioaccessibility extraction test (SBET), and calculated enrichment factor (EF). Also, potential influencing factors including sediment characteristics that may affect the heavy metals bioavailability and bioaccessibility were investigated. mBCR extraction analysis indicated that among the metals, Mn, Zn, V, Cu, and Cd exhibit relatively higher mobility, while Ti, Pb, Cr, and Ni occur mainly in the residual fractions. Based on the mean values, the bioaccessibility of metals decreased in the order: Mn (50.01%)>Cd (46.26%)>Zn (14.61%)>V (13.97%)>Pb (10.88%)>Ni (9.2%)>Ti (8.43%)>Cr (6.66%)>Cu (6.23%). The obtained results from the principal component analysis (PCA), EF and mBCR extraction showed that most anthropogenic-derived metals with higher solubility are more bioaccessible compared to those of natural origin. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that the main physicochemical variables of the sediment influencing the bioaccessibility of metals include cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, and particle size fraction.     

Investigating relations between environmental toxins in Northern Irish soils and streams and Chronic Kidney Disease prevalence

The unknown aetiology of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has attracted recent attention as a result of the increasing global prevalence and recent reviews of occupational and environmental exposure to nephrotoxins. The main focus of this research is to examine the potential relationship between environmental exposure to known nephrotoxins including arsenic, cadmium and lead and the potential health risk associated with the progressive dysfunction of the kidneys in renal impaired patients with CKD across Northern Ireland. In addition to these known nephrotoxins, co-abundance with several essential elements has been found to play a role as protecting mechanisms while others increase the uptake of nephrotoxic elements as a result of similar absorption mechanisms within the body. Key elements protecting the body from toxicity include selenium and zinc, whereas those which have been attributed to enhance the uptake of arsenic, cadmium and lead include iron and calcium. The compositional nature of the soil and stream geochemical data is explored to aid in the analysis of interactions between elements. Two approaches, one data-driven and the other knowledge-driven, are explored to investigate the associations between co-abundant elements. The bioaccessibility of these elements, which is the portion of the relevant toxin absorbed within the body, is also investigated to identify areas across Northern Ireland with an increased environmental hazard and potential health risk. The study uses a combination of datasets from the United Kingdom Renal Registry (UKRR) unknown aetiology subset, the soil and stream geochemical dataset from the Tellus Survey (GSNI) with the addition of a bioaccessibility subset. Findings suggest a relationship between the presence of elevated arsenic in stream waters and impaired renal function of the kidneys. Interactions between essential elements and potentially toxic elements could explain the regional variation of CKD of uncertain aetiology across Northern Ireland.     

Variation Characteristics of Mercury in Speciation during Road Runoff for Different Rainfall Patterns

Mercury (Hg) concentration was investigated during 2010 based on road runoff from Nanjing Ring Highway, China. The emphasis was placed on impact of rainfall characteristics on Hg speciation concentration, and on variation characteristics of Hg speciation during road runoff for different rainfall patterns. Results indicated that average concentration of total mercury (THg) was in the range from 0.472 to 1.304 µg/L, and steady Hg (SHg) was the dominant form of Hg. Rainfall and average rainfall intensity were two important factors of determining Hg speciation concentrations during road runoff for different rainfall patterns. Rainfall pattern had significantly influence on variation of available Hg and dissolved Hg during road runoff, and on their proportions in THg. However, the proportion of SHg in THg was not obviously affected by rainfall pattern. On the other hand, toxic degree of Hg to soil environment is various for different rainfall patterns, based on Hg speciation variation.     

土壤中砷的形态分析和生物有效性研究进展

土壤砷污染是当今全球十分严重的环境与健康问题之一。土壤砷形态及生物有效性研究是开展污染诊断、评估环境健康风险及开展砷污染土壤修复的重要依据。目前土壤砷形态的研究方法包括化学选择性提取操作定义法、溶剂提取仪器测定或吸附材料选择性分离法和同步辐射X射线近边能谱（XANES）直接测定法,这些方法相互结合在土壤砷的形态转化研究中发挥着重要作用。目前关于生物有效性研究存在多种方法并存的局面,化学提取法相对经济、方便,但存在很大的局限性,往往不能真实反映土壤砷的有效态含量,只能作为环境危害程度识别的参考;植物指示法需选择敏感性植物方能有效地指示土壤砷对环境与健康的潜在危害;土壤动物与微生物指示法代表了未来开展砷污染早期预警的发展方向,具有广阔的应用前景。模拟肠胃液提取法(In Vitro Gastrointestinal Method)比较接近动物或人体对土壤砷污染的真实吸收状态,在环境健康风险评价中发挥着重要作用。目前国外已发展出采用兔、仔猪和猴的动物模型以研究经口摄入的生物有效性砷,但尚不清楚哪种动物模型更能准确反映砷对人体的生物有效性。