Search Results (332)

Molting is an important biological and physiological stage in penguins, influenced by environmental and nutritional factors. Feather composition analysis before and after molting can consequently place boundaries on element bioaccumulation and excretion. We quantified and compared elemental concentrations in African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) feathers collected pre- and post-molt across three zoos to evaluate how molt stage and zoo-specific conditions influence feather elemental composition. Feathers were retrieved from individual penguins at Zoom Torino (Italy), Overloon ZooParc (Netherlands), and Zoo Magdeburg (Germany). Quantification of elemental concentrations were performed by analytical methods, with both ICP-OES and HR-ICP-MS techniques. A statistical approach involving MANOVA and factorial analysis helped identify important trends. Pre-molt features had more variability than post-molt, with both showing significant differences in elemental concentrations. Factorial analysis showed geogenic trends in Mg, Sr, and Ni trends as well as anthropogenic trends in Pb. While Na and K differed among all treatment groups, this likely points to physiological adaptations in response to increased demand during feather regrowth. Additionally, inter-zoo comparisons highlighted distinct elemental profiles linked to local environmental and dietary conditions, particularly in Zoo Magdeburg, where Na levels were markedly elevated. This study highlights the influence of environmental and dietary conditions on feather composition during molt, offering insights for improving captive penguin welfare and broader ecological implications related to climate change and pollution. Full article

In this study, we investigated the bioaccumulation of 17 heavy metals—titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, molybdenum, antimony, cadmium, tin, mercury, and lead—in the liver and kidney tissues of the least weasel, based on samples (n = 129) collected from adjacent intensive agricultural environments in Hungary and Austria. To explore the structure of the bioaccumulation data, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed. The PCA score plot based on national-level elemental profiles revealed no differentiation between Austria and Hungary. In contrast, a clear and unambiguous distinction was observed between the two examined tissues within individuals for Ti, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Se, Mo, Cd, and Hg (p < 0.001), as well as for Pb (p < 0.05). The biological relevance of the accumulation results was adjusted using the MCID approach. As heavy metal accumulation in the least weasel has not yet been investigated, our results could only be compared with concentrations reported for predatory mammals occurring in similar habitats. Based on the relevant literature, we highlight predominantly anthropogenic exposure pathways affecting agroecosystems—organic and mineral fertilizers, plant protection products, wastewater, and fossil fuels—which underscore the necessity of regular biomonitoring studies in agricultural landscapes. Full article

Acid mine drainage (AMD) and acid-generating mine wastes exhibit low pH, high sulfate levels, and complex multi-metal loads that strain conventional treatment. Thermoacidophilic red algae of the order Cyanidiales, particularly Galdieria sulphuraria (G. sulphuraria), have attracted interest as a biological option because they tolerate extreme acidity and elevated temperatures, grow under low light in mixotrophic or heterotrophic modes, and display rapid metal binding at the cell surface. This review synthesizes about two decades of peer-reviewed work to clarify how G. sulphuraria can be deployed as a practical module within mine water treatment trains. We examine the mechanisms of biosorption and bioaccumulation and show how they map onto two distinct configurations. Processed freeze-dried biomass functions as a regenerable sorbent for rare earth elements (REEs) and selected transition metals in packed beds with acid elution for recovery. Living cultures serve as polishing units for divalent metals and, when present, nutrients or dissolved organics under low light. We define realistic operating windows centered on pH 2–5 and temperatures of approximately 25–45 °C, and we identify matrix effects that govern success, including competition from ferric iron and aluminum, turbidity and fouling risks, ionic strength from sulfate, and suppression of REE uptake by phosphate in living systems. Building on laboratory studies, industrial leachate tests, and ecosystem observations, we propose placing G. sulphuraria upstream of bulk neutralization and outline reporting practices that enable cross-site comparison. The goal is an actionable framework that reduces reagent use and sludge generation while enabling metal capture and potential recovery of valuable metals from mine-influenced waters. Full article

Facing water scarcity and environmental contamination, a sustainable approach combining bioeconomy and circular economy principles has emerged: the use of onshore oil and gas produced water (PW) to irrigate Nopalea cochenillifera. This study evaluated the ability of Nopalea cochenillifera to phytoextract contaminants, focusing on translocation and bioaccumulation factors for the recovery of degraded soils. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with five treatments (T1: 100% supply water; T2: 75% supply water + 25% PW; T3: 50% supply water + 50% PW; T4: 25% supply water + 75% treated PW; T5: 100% PW) and five replicates in 20 L pots. After 240 days, plant and soil samples were analyzed for micronutrients (Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Na⁺) and heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb). The highest median TF was observed for Mn in treatment T3 (10.55), while the highest median BF occurred for Cu in treatment T2 (10.852). Nopalea cochenillifera effectively translocated Mn, Zn, Ni, Cd, and Pb from roots to shoots and bioaccumulated all analyzed nutrients, particularly Cu, Mn, Fe, and Zn. PW irrigation altered elemental transport and intensified metals accumulation. Thus, Nopalea cochenillifera demonstrates strong phytoextraction potential for environmental remediation in semi-arid regions. Full article

The principal global sources of platinum-group elements (Os, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pt, Pd), collectively referred to as PGEs, are magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposits associated with large, layered intrusions, such as the Bushveld Complex. Recent exploration efforts have identified rock types with elevated PGE concentrations, although their potential remains uncertain. This comprehensive review synthesizes the current knowledge regarding potential sources from both natural magmatic and anthropogenic activities, as well as the environmental risks associated with the Pt, Pd, and Rh sub-group, or PPGEs. The order of Pd > Pt > Rh content in emitted particulates has been documented in dust and soil along roadsides, whereas in Fe-Ni laterite, Pt tends to accumulate residually at the top of profiles due to the higher mobility of Pd compared to Pt and Rh. The greater mobility and transfer of Pd are evidenced by higher bioaccumulation factors for Pd in plants and crops, with a higher Pd content observed in roots than in shoots. The effects of chronic occupational exposure to Pt compounds, such as allergic reactions affecting the skin and respiratory system of workers, are well-documented. Although no established permissible limits for Pt, Pd, and Rh in soil, water, or plants exist within major regulatory frameworks, the increasing applications of PPGEs and the use of Pd in catalytic converters (due to its lower cost) underscore the need for further studies on the recycling of spent catalytic converters, health impacts, ecotoxicological assessments, and the application of current technological advances to mitigate exhaust emissions. Full article

The accumulation of heavy metals in fish tissues is widely recognized as an indicator of aquatic environmental pollution, and the analysis of their content provides a basis for assessing ecological risk and the safety of aquatic food. The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a species frequently used as a bioindicator in environmental studies due to its wide geographic distribution, long life cycle, and high capacity for bioaccumulation of heavy metals in various tissues. The aim of this study was to assess the variation in the accumulation of heavy metals, i.e., mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd), in the tissues (muscle, liver, gonads, and gills) of European eels caught in two locations in Polish inland waters. The obtained results showed significant differences both in the concentration levels of individual elements and in their co-occurrence in the examined tissues. The statistical methods used, including correlation analysis, heat maps, and principal component analysis (PCA), allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the relationships between metals and the identification of factors differentiating the studied populations. The obtained results clearly indicate that fish residing in similar environments for long periods exhibit significant differences in heavy metal content in various fish tissues. Fish obtained from environments with potentially higher levels of heavy metal inputs, such as the Oder River EMU compared with the Vistula River EMU, showed higher levels of heavy metal accumulation in tissues. This study also found that the concentration of heavy metals tested did not exceed the safe standards for human fish consumption. Full article

Our main goal was to determine whether the accumulation of Cd and Cu is harmful for L. perenne or whether this plant can be used in the bioremediation, e.g., of wastewaters or contaminated soils. The IC50 values (concentration at which the tested parameter is inhibited to 50% against the control) for root and shoot inhibition after 14 days showed that Cu, as an essential element for plants, was more toxic than Cd. The translocation factor (TF), which refers to metal transport from the root to the shoot, did not exceed values of 0.228 and 0.353 for Cd and Cu, respectively, indicating their accumulation mostly in the roots rather than in the shoots. The protein thiol (-SH) groups as a parameter of the increased level of reactive oxygen species did not confirm the significantly higher level of oxidative stress for Cu, which is a redox-active cation. We confirmed a statistically significant positive correlation between -SH groups and chlorophyll a (r = 0.79; p < 0.05) and chlorophyll b (r = 0.84; p < 0.01) in the presence of Cd. We concluded that bioaccumulation of the tested metals occurred mostly in the roots, and the photosynthetic pigment content in the shoots was not significantly impaired by the increased presence of Cd or Cu in the shoots. Therefore, we suggest L. perenne as a suitable candidate for the phytomining or phytoextraction of metals, mostly from wastewater, in cooperation with other plant hyperaccumulators. Full article

The increasing contamination of water resources by wastewater has stimulated extensive research into advanced methods for effluent analysis, monitoring, and treatment. Heavy metals are among the most concerning pollutants due to their toxicity, persistence, and potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification in living organisms. This study investigates the use of purple ipe (Handroanthus impetiginosus) leaves as a biosorbent for the removal of Co(II) and Cd(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The biosorbent was characterized using FTIR, NMR, EDX, SEM, and elemental analysis, revealing a porous and heterogeneous surface with functional groups suitable for metal adsorption. The point of zero charge (pH_PZC) was 5.8, and the zeta potential was −14.7 mV, indicating a negatively charged surface at higher pH values. Maximum removal efficiency was observed in the pH range of 5–6. Kinetic data showed the best fit to a pseudo-second order model, while adsorption equilibrium was most accurately described by the Langmuir isotherm, suggesting a monolayer adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacities were 0.823 mmol g⁻¹ for Co(II) and 0.270 mmol g⁻¹ for Cd(II). The results demonstrate that purple ipe leaves are a sustainable, efficient, and low-cost biosorbent for wastewater treatment, showing great potential for mitigating environmental impacts associated with heavy metal pollution. Full article

Documenting baseline elemental distribution patterns in crops under non-contaminated conditions provides a physiological reference for understanding constitutive metal homeostasis. This study compared the internal allocation of elements in sunflower (Helianthus annuus), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and maize (Zea mays) grown in soil with a specific geochemical profile. Soil was characterized using X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Plants were grown under controlled conditions, and elemental concentrations in roots and shoots were quantified to calculate Bioaccumulation (BCF) and Translocation (TF) Factors. Soil analysis confirmed nickel (42.6 mg kg⁻¹) and copper (32.8 mg kg⁻¹) concentrations within typical global ranges for uncontaminated soils. Species exhibited different distribution tendencies: sunflower showed balanced root–shoot allocation for nickel (TF = 1.00); wheat demonstrated pronounced root retention of nickel and copper (TF < 0.5); and maize exhibited preferential translocation of copper (TF = 0.76) alongside root retention of nickel. Concentrations of lead, selenium, and silver were minimal across all species. The study delineates different species-specific tendencies in internal elemental allocation under given growth conditions. These patterns represent baseline physiological behaviors rather than responses to contamination, providing a comparative dataset that contributes to the understanding of crop ionomics and informs the interpretation of tissue metal concentrations in relation to soil conditions. Full article

Volcanic eruptions can mobilize naturally occurring toxic elements such as arsenic into surrounding ecosystems, contaminating soil, water, and food webs. Despite increasing evidence of arsenic enrichment in volcanic regions, comprehensive exposure assessments that integrate dietary and drinking water pathways remain limited, particularly in post-eruption contexts where baseline data are scarce. Following the 2020 Taal Volcano eruption, this study conducted a probabilistic risk assessment to quantify aggregate exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) among residents of Batangas, Philippines. A Monte Carlo simulation framework (10,000 iterations) integrated post-eruption environmental data on total arsenic in soil, lake water, drinking water and clam tissues with modeled bioaccumulation and transfer factors for fish and major terrestrial crops. Two exposure scenarios, lower bound (50% iAs fraction) and upper bound (90% iAs fraction), were applied to capture uncertainty in arsenic speciation and bioavailability. Simulated iAs concentrations followed the order rice > corn > vegetables > root crops. Aggregate daily iAs doses averaged 3.0 ± 1.4 µg/kg bw/day (lower bound) and 4.0 ± 2.0 µg/kg bw/day (upper bound), with females showing slightly higher exposures and pregnant women exhibiting lower doses. Sensitivity analysis identified clam intake, rice intake, and iAs in rice, clams, and drinking water as dominant determinants of total exposure. All simulated individuals exceeded the U.S. EPA non-cancer reference dose (HQ > 1) and cancer risk benchmark (10⁻⁶–10⁻⁴), indicating substantial health concern. These findings highlight the urgent need for sustained environmental monitoring, arsenic speciation analyses, biomonitoring, and public health programs to guide evidence-based management in arsenic-affected volcanic regions. Full article

Although the health risks associated with exposure to potentially harmful elements (PHEs) are well documented, there is still limited research on their accumulation at trace concentrations in small mammals inhabiting agricultural ecosystems. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of PHE accumulation in fossorial water voles (Arvicola scherman) from two low-input apple orchards (Nava and Oles) located in Asturias, northwestern Spain, demonstrating its value as a potential bioindicator of trace element inputs. We quantified the concentrations of three toxic metals (Pb, Cd, and Hg) and selenium (Se), an element with concentration-dependent toxicity, in kidney, liver, and muscle tissues. We also determined inter-population differences and associations with body condition. Overall, element concentrations generally reflected the natural content of the local soils, except for Cd in the kidney, which exceeded soil levels, highlighting its strong affinity for this organ. Significant differences in Pb, Cd, and Se accumulation were found among tissues, with the kidney showing the highest levels, underscoring the importance of organ-specific monitoring. The observed positive correlations between body condition and Se and Cd in kidney tissue, and Cd in liver tissue, particularly in the Nava population, suggest that individual health status modulates exposure and accumulation dynamics. Higher PHE burdens were found in Oles specimens, pointing to a potential threshold effect where higher contamination may begin to impair physiological condition. In contrast, Hg showed a negative relationship with body condition, suggesting possible adverse effects even in these low-input systems. These findings highlight the importance of carefully interpreting physiological biomarkers within an ecological context and demonstrate the potential for trace elements to propagate through the food web, with possible cascading effects on predator health and key ecosystem services, such as natural pest control. Future research should extend to more contaminated sites and adopt an integrative framework combining biomonitoring, dietary ecology, and stress physiology to better assess the ecological risks posed by trace elements in agroecosystems. Full article

Environmental contamination with heavy metals, resulting from industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural intensification, poses serious ecological and health risks. Horses, due to their grazing behavior and close association with human environments, serve as reliable sentinel species for assessing environmental pollution. This study aimed to evaluate the bioaccumulation of heavy metals and trace elements in different biological matrices of horses—blood, hair, hooves, and synovial fluid—and to investigate their relationship with hematological biomarkers as indicators of physiological stress. Samples were collected from horses raised in anthropogenically influenced areas and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). Hematological parameters were determined with an automated analyzer to assess systemic effects. The results revealed significant variations in metal concentrations among matrices, with keratinized tissues reflecting long-term exposure, while blood and synovial fluid indicated recent contamination. Correlations between elevated metal levels and altered hematological values suggested oxidative stress and adaptive physiological responses. These findings demonstrate the value of multi-matrix biomonitoring in evaluating both environmental quality and animal health. Horses effectively reflect the cumulative impact of heavy metal exposure, supporting their role as bioindicators within a One Health framework that links environmental, animal, and human well-being. Full article

Metallomics, which studies the role of metals in biological processes, is crucial for understanding the impact of elements on human health. It requires an integrated approach combining quantitative and functional methods, supported by advanced analytical techniques. A comprehensive understanding of metallomics considers the accumulation, speciation, and distribution of metals. In recent decades, an increasing number of studies have focused on determining metal levels in human tissues, particularly in the context of chronic diseases and developmental disorders. Levels of macro- and microelements, both essential and toxic, play a fundamental role in both physiological and pathological processes. Given the increasing health risks associated with addictions such as smoking, understanding the mechanisms of toxicity based on metallomic studies is crucial. This literature review synthesizes current advances in analytical techniques used to determine trace elements in biological samples, the accumulation of toxic metals, and the disruption of element homeostasis in tobacco smokers. The aim of this study is to identify key risks from tobacco-related metal exposure, thereby providing a deeper understanding of the long-term health consequences. The obtained results may constitute the basis for future directions of metallomic research. Full article

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) exhibits a heightened ability to bioaccumulate arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd), which directly affects the quality of agricultural products and poses serious risks to both the ecological environment and human health. Due to considerable differences in the occurrence states and chemical behaviors of As and Cd, simultaneous remediation efforts for water or soil contaminated by these elements often prove challenging. Our previous study indicated that the addition of both As and Cd markedly promoted the immobilization of each other by sulfidized nano-zero-valent iron (S-nZVI). To further explore the influence of S-nZVI on the passivation of As-Cd composite contamination, we examined its effect on the residual proportions of As and Cd in the soil by varying the dosage of S-nZVI, the soil moisture content and pH levels. At 2 g·kg⁻¹ S-nZVI over a 90-day period, residual fraction reached 83% for As and 39% for Cd. When the water content was 100%, residual fractions peaked at 83% for As and 29% for Cd. Additionally, variations in initial pH levels were found to have no significant impact on the remediation efficiency of As and Cd. This suggests that S-nZVI has the ability to sustain the stabilization of As and Cd in soil across diverse environmental conditions. The evident passivation effects on As-Cd composite contaminated soil can effectively reduce the potential ecological risk associated with these contaminants. Full article