Thallium (Tl) is a highly toxic trace metal, included in the US EPA list of priority pollutants. Even though its toxicity is potentially higher or comparable to Cd or Hg, its environmental impact is largely unknown. Despite its toxicity, only a few recent studies are mapping the impact of recently introduced Tl on soil microbial communities, namely in agricultural systems but no studies focus on its long term effect. To complement the understanding of the impact of Tl on soil, this study aims to describe the influence of extremely high naturally occurring Tl concentration (50 mg/kg of potentially bioavailable Tl) on soil microbial communities. Our investigation concentrated on samples collected at Buus (Erzmatt, Swiss Jura, Switzerland), encompassing forest and meadow soil profiles of the local soil formed on hydrothermally mineralized dolomite rock, which is naturally rich in Tl. The soil profiles showed a significant proportion of potentially bioavailable Tl. Yet, even this high concentration of Tl has a limited impact on the richness of the soil bacterial community. Only the meadow soil samples show a reduced richness compared to control samples. Furthermore, our analysis of geogenic Tl contamination in the region unveiled a surprising finding: compared to other soils of Switzerland and in stark contrast to soils affected by recent mining activities, the structure of the bacterial community in Buus remained relatively unaffected. This observation highlights the unique ability of soil microbial communities to withstand extreme Tl contamination. Our study advances the understanding of Tl's environmental impact and underscores the resilience of soil microbes in the face of severe long-term contamination.
The objective of the study was to determine the effects of inferior alveolar nerve transection on inorganic components in mandibular molars of the rat. We used 26 male laboratory rats of the Wistar strain for the study, age 7-9 weeks. The rats were divided in three groups. The control group (intact) included 6 rats. The surgery was performed under general anesthesia. The experimental group included (group with the nerve transected on the left) included 12 rats. The sham group (group with the nerve prepared without transection) included 8 rats. The animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks. Molars from the left and right sides of the mandible were extracted. Element content levels were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The following elements were determined in all samples: magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), and strontium (Sr). The nerve transection caused: a reduction of the contents of Ca and Sr in the mandibular molars; an increase in the contents of Mg and Zn; a difference arrangement of both sides for Na. The surgery approach itself caused a decrease in the contents of Na and K in the experimental and sham groups; the difference in K in M3 between the left and right sides disappeared due to the surgery. Our results have confirmed the hypothesis of inferior alveolar nerve transection having an effect on inorganic components in mandibular molars in the rat.
- MeSH
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- mandibula * chirurgie MeSH
- moláry chirurgie MeSH
- nervus mandibularis * fyziologie chirurgie MeSH
- potkani Wistar MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
It is well known that road transport emits various trace elements into the environment, which are deposited in soils in the vicinity of roads, so-called roadside soils, and thus contributes to the deterioration of their chemical state. The aim of this work was to determine concentrations of some metals and metalloids (arsenic (As), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn)) in soils from crossroads with traffic signals, which are characterized by deceleration of vehicles and increased emissions of elements related mainly to brake and tyre wear. The results confirmed a moderate enrichment of soils with Cu, Pb, and Zn (enrichment factor (EF) values > 2) and significant enrichment for Sb (EF > 5), while the other elements showed no or minimal enrichment. The age of crossroads proved to have a positive influence on the accumulation of some elements in soils with the largest differences for Cu, Fe, Pb, Sb, and Zn (p < 0.001). Traffic volumes expressed as the average daily traffic intensity (ADTI) also positively influenced soil concentrations of Cr, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn, while distance to the crossroad had a significant negative effect on the soil concentration of Cu, Sb, and Zn (p < 0.001). The stable isotopic ratios of Pb, 206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/206Pb, ranging from 1.1414 to 1.2046 and from 2.0375 to 2.1246, respectively, pointed to the mixed natural-anthropic origin of Pb in the soils of crossroads with a visible contribution of traffic-related sources. Based on the above findings combined with covariance among the studied elements using statistical methods applied to compositionally transformed data, it was possible to show that Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn clearly originated from road traffic.
- MeSH
- látky znečišťující půdu * analýza MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
- půda MeSH
- stopové prvky * analýza MeSH
- těžké kovy * analýza MeSH
- velkoměsta MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovenská republika MeSH
- velkoměsta MeSH
The paper deals with the thallium (Tl) access into the white mustard (Sinapis alba L.). We were comparing two approaches: A - hydroponic, B - semi-hydroponic (artificial soil). The kinetics of Tl plant uptake at different available Tl doses (0.1, 0.05 and 0.01 mg L-1) was tested. It was revealed that the hydroponic arrangement did not accelerate the plant uptake of Tl. The concentration of plant Tl was surprisingly roughly double under the semi-hydroponic (artificial soil) conditions as compared to the hydroponic system; the highest Tl concentrations were detected in stems, proving an important role of plant grown strategy on Tl bioaccessibility. We found that almost independently of the initial dose of Tl the juvenile stadium of the mustard can preserve1-2% of the total Tl pool. Up to 95% of this Tl dose is stored in the shoots. The different strategy of the plant growing may strongly affect the path of Tl incorporation. The total Tl input into the leaf tissue in hydroponics may be from 69% (p = 0.01) explained by parallel assimilation of Ca. In contrast, the Tl entry into the leaf grown on the artificial soil could be limited by Mn path (R2 = 0.91, p = 0.01).
- MeSH
- biodegradace MeSH
- hořčice rodu Sinapis * MeSH
- hydroponie MeSH
- látky znečišťující půdu * MeSH
- půda MeSH
- thallium MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The former Pb-Zn mining town of Kabwe in central Zambia is ranked amongst the worst polluted areas both in Africa and in the world. The fine dust particles from the ISF and Waelz slags deposited in Kabwe represent a health risk for the local population. Here, we combined a detailed multi-method mineralogical investigation with oral bioaccessibility testing in simulated gastric fluid (SGF; 0.4 M glycine, pH 1.5, L/S ratio of 100, 1 h, 37 °C) to evaluate the risk related to the incidental dust ingestion. The slag dust fractions contain up to 2610 mg/kg V, 6.3 wt% Pb and 19 wt% Zn. The metals are mainly bound in a slag glass and secondary phases, which formed during the slag weathering or were windblown from nearby tailing stockpiles (carbonates, Fe and Mn oxides, phosphates, vanadates). The bioaccessible fractions (BAFs) are rather high for all the main contaminants, with the BAF values generally higher for the ISF slags than for the Waelz slags: Pb (24-96%), V (21-100%) and Zn (54-81%). The results clearly indicate the potential risks related to the incidental slag dust ingestion. Even when a conservative value of the dust daily intake (100 mg/day) is considered, the daily contaminant intake significantly exceeds the tolerable daily intake limits, especially for Pb ≫ V > Zn. At higher ingestion rates, other minor contaminants (As, Cd) also become a health risk, especially for children. The slag heaps in Kabwe should be fenced to prevent local people entering and should be covered to limit the dust dispersion.
- MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- hornictví MeSH
- kovy analýza MeSH
- látky znečišťující životní prostředí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
- prach analýza MeSH
- průmyslový odpad * MeSH
- velkoměsta MeSH
- vystavení vlivu životního prostředí * MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- velkoměsta MeSH
- Zambie MeSH
Today, it is proven that the contaminated urban soils are hazardous for the human health. Soil substrates of playgrounds call for special research as they are places where children are directly exposed to soil contaminants. Therefore, the objective of this work was to measure the pseudo-total contents and bioaccessibility of several metals and metalloids (As, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, V, Zn) in two grain sizes (< 150 μm and < 50 μm) of playground soils in Bratislava city (the capital of Slovakia). The content of metal(loid)s in the soils was controlled by a number of factors, with their increased contents (above 75% percentile or higher) at sites influenced by point sources of pollution (industry and agriculture) or at old sites located in the city centre. Cobalt, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni and V had relatively uniform contents in soils compared to the other elements. As regression modelling with a categorical variable confirmed, the age of urban areas influenced the accumulation of As, Bi, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Sb and Sn in playground soils. Exploratory statistical techniques with compositionally transformed data (principal component analysis, cluster analysis and construction of symmetric coordinates for correlation analysis) divided trace elements into the two main groupings, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, V and Bi, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Sb, Sn, Zn. Median concentrations of the elements in smaller soil grains (< 50 μm) were significantly higher than in coarser grains (< 150 μm). Cobalt, Cu, Mn, Pb, Sn and Zn had significantly higher bioaccessible proportions (% of the pseudo-total content) in < 50 μm soil size than in < 150 μm; however, the same order of bioaccessibility was achieved in both grain sizes. The highest bioaccessibility had Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn (~ 40% and more), followed by Co, As, Mn, Sb (18-27%), Hg, Ni, Sn (10-12%) and finally Cr, Fe and V (less than 4%). The hazard index and carcinogenic risk values were higher in < 50 μm than in < 150 μm and significantly decreased in the two soil sizes when the bioaccessibility results were included in the health hazard calculation.
- MeSH
- biologická dostupnost MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- karcinogeny analýza MeSH
- kovy analýza farmakokinetika MeSH
- látky znečišťující půdu analýza farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí metody MeSH
- polokovy analýza farmakokinetika MeSH
- půda chemie MeSH
- stopové prvky analýza farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- velikost částic MeSH
- velkoměsta MeSH
- veřejné parky MeSH
- vystavení vlivu životního prostředí škodlivé účinky analýza MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovenská republika MeSH
- velkoměsta MeSH
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to test the effect of transecting the inferior alveolar nerve on the inorganic bone component of the rat mandible. METHODS: 7-9 weeks old, male Wistar rats were used for the study. The animals were divided in 3 groups: control, experimental (nerve was transected) and sham (nerve was only prepared but not transected). After 4 weeks, the animals were killed, their teeth were extracted, and the mandibular bone was divided in 4 parts. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to the levels of 7 elements in the bone. RESULTS: The study results demonstrate that transection of the inferior alveolar nerve caused a decrease in calcium, iron, and strontium, and an increase of zinc. It caused the differences in potassium contents between the sides was significantly lower in the experimental group. The increase in the magnesium content, and decrease of sodium and potassium in the experimental group, as well as differences in the contents of: magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron and zinc between individual locations in the mandible are associated with the surgical approach. CONCLUSION: The results support our hypothesis - that sensory innervation has an impact on the inorganic component of the mandibular bone.
We studied the key geochemical and mineralogical factors that could affect the fractionation of stable thallium (Tl) isotopes in soil. A set of grassland soil samples enriched in geogenic Tl in combination with selected Tl-containing mineral materials from the Czech Republic (Kluky) were investigated for this purpose. The results demonstrate significant incorporation of Tl in pedogenic (specific) Mn-oxide, which led to a large accumulation of the heavy 205Tl isotope (∼+14 ε205Tl units), presumably resulting from oxidative Tl sorption. Consequently, we concluded that the Mn-oxide-controlled Tl uptake is the primary cause of the observed 205Tl enrichment in the middle profile zone, at the A/B soil horizon interface, with up to +4 of ε205Tl. Furthermore, our results displayed a clear relationship between the Tl isotopic fractionation degree and the Mn-oxide soil concentration (R2 = 0.6), as derived from the oxalate-extractable data. A combination of soil and mineralogical considerations suggests that 205Tl enrichment in respective soil samples is also partly due to the Tl present in micaceous clay minerals, mainly illite, which is the predominant pedogenic Tl host phase. In line with our previous results, this Tl behavior can be inferred from systematic Mn-oxide degradation and the associated Tl (enriched in 205Tl) cycling in the studied soils and thus, presumably in the redoximorphic soils in general.
- MeSH
- izotopy MeSH
- látky znečišťující půdu analýza MeSH
- půda * MeSH
- thallium analýza MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Cílem studie bylo testovat vliv přerušení nervus alveolaris inferiorna vybrané stopové prvky kosti dolní čelisti potkana. Materiál a metodika. Pro studii jsme použili 7–9 týdnů staré samce laboratorních potkanů kmene Wistar. Zvířata jsme rozdělili do tří skupin: kontrolní skupina (intaktní), experimentální skupina (s přerušeným nervem na levé straně) a ,,sham“ skupina (nerv jsme pouze vypreparovali, ale nepřerušili). Po 4 týdnech jsme zvířata usmrtili a extrahovali zuby (nebyly součástí studie). Kost dolní čelisti jsme rozdělili na 4 části. Ke stanovení 7 prvků v kosti jsme použili hmotnostní spektrometrii s indukčně vázaným plazmatem. Výsledky. Ze studie vyplývá, že přerušení nervu způsobilo snížení obsahu kobaltu, niklu a baria. Dále bylo příčinou vymizení rozdílu obsahů rubidia mezi levou a pravou stranou čelisti. Chirurgický přístup měl za následek změnu distribuce obsahů rubidia, molybdenu a baria v dolní čelisti a vymizení stranového rozdílu u baria v hřebeni a u niklu v meziálním místě a v hřebeni. U manganu a mědi jsme neprokázali zásadní rozdíly. Popsané změny nejspíše souvisejí s určitou přestavbou spongiózní kosti a s jejím úbytkem, jak zaznamenali jiní. Závěr. Výsledky podporují naši hypotézu, že senzitivní inervace ovlivňuje stopové prvky v kosti dolní čelisti potkana.
Objective. The purpose of the study was to test the effect of transection the inferior alveolar nerve on selected trace elements in the mandibular bone of the rat.Material and methodsWe used 7–9 weeks old males of Wistar laboratory rats for the study. The animals were divided in three groups: control (intact) group, experimental group (with the nerve transected on the left) and the sham group (the nerve was only exposed, not transected). The animals were sacrificed 4 weeks later and their teeth were extracted (not part of the study). The mandibular bone was divided in 4parts. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine 7 elements in the bone.Results. As follows from the study, nerve transection resulted in decreased contents of cobalt, nickel and barium. Furthermore, it resulted in disappearing of rubidium content differences on the left and right side of the mandible. The surgical approach itself causes changes in the distribution of rubidium, molybdenum and barium contents of the mandible and disappearance of the left and right side difference for barium in the ridge and for nickel at the mesial location and in the ridge. No sub-stantial differences were observed for manganese and copper. The described changes are probably related to acertain remodelling of the cancellous bone and its loss, as noted by others. Conclusion. The results support our hypothesis stating that sensory innervation affects trace elements in the mandibular bone.
Wildfires can be responsible for significant mercury (Hg) emissions especially in contaminated areas. Here, we investigated the Hg distribution in topsoils and vegetation samples and temperature-dependent Hg mobilization from biomass-rich topsoils collected near a copper (Cu) smelter in Tsumeb (semi-arid Namibia), where Hg-rich Cu concentrates are processed. The thermo-desorption (TD) experiments conducted on representative biomass-rich topsoils (3.9-7.7 mg Hg/kg) indicated that more than 91% of the Hg was released at ∼340 °C, which corresponds to the predominant grassland-fire conditions. The mineralogical investigation indicated that the Hg comes mainly from the deposited smelter emissions because no distinct Hg-rich microparticles corresponding to the windblown dust from the nearby disposal sites of the technological materials (concentrates, slags, tailings) were found. A comparison with the TD curves of the Hg reference compounds confirmed that the Hg in the biomass-rich topsoils occurs as a mixture of Hg bound to the organic matter and metacinnabar (black HgS), which exhibits similarities with the TD pattern of smelter flue dust residue. Despite the installation of a sulfuric acid plant in the smelter in 2015 and a calculated drop in the estimated Hg emissions (from 1301 ± 457 kg/y for the period 2004-2015 to 67 ± 5 kg/y after 2015), the Hg legacy pool in the smelter surroundings can potentially be re-emitted back to the atmosphere by wildfire. Using the Hg spatial distribution data in the area (184 km2), the estimates indicate that up to 303 kg and 1.3 kg can be remobilized from the topsoils and vegetation, respectively.
