Scientists studying the environment, physiology, and biology have been particularly interested in nickel (Ni) because of its dual effects (essentiality and toxicity) on terrestrial biota. It has been reported in some studies that without an adequate supply of Ni, plants are unable to finish their life cycle. The safest Ni limit for plants is 1.5 μg g-1, while the limit for soil is between 75 and 150 μg g-1. Ni at lethal levels harms plants by interfering with a variety of physiological functions, including enzyme activity, root development, photosynthesis, and mineral uptake. This review focuses on the occurrence and phytotoxicity of Ni with respect to growth, physiological and biochemical aspects. It also delves into advanced Ni detoxification mechanisms such as cellular modifications, organic acids, and chelation of Ni by plant roots, and emphasizes the role of genes involved in Ni detoxification. The discussion has been carried out on the current state of using soil amendments and plant-microbe interactions to successfully remediate Ni from contaminated sites. This review has identified potential drawbacks and difficulties of various strategies for Ni remediation, discussed the importance of these findings for environmental authorities and decision-makers, and concluded by noting the sustainability concerns and future research needs regarding Ni remediation.

• Klíčová slova
• Environmental pollution, Metal detoxification, Oxidative stress, Physiological responses, Phytoremediation,
• MeSH
• biodegradace MeSH
• fotosyntéza MeSH
• kořeny rostlin chemie   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * analýza   MeSH
• nikl * analýza   MeSH
• půda MeSH
• rostliny MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující půdu * MeSH
• nikl * MeSH
• půda MeSH

There is limited evidence regarding the exposure-effect relationship between lung-cancer risk and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) or nickel. We estimated lung-cancer risks in relation to quantitative indices of occupational exposure to Cr(VI) and nickel and their interaction with smoking habits. We pooled 14 case-control studies from Europe and Canada, including 16 901 lung-cancer cases and 20 965 control subjects. A measurement-based job-exposure-matrix estimated job-year-region specific exposure levels to Cr(VI) and nickel, which were linked to the subjects' occupational histories. Odds ratios (OR) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for study, age group, smoking habits and exposure to other occupational lung carcinogens. Due to their high correlation, we refrained from mutually adjusting for Cr(VI) and nickel independently. In men, ORs for the highest quartile of cumulative exposure to CR(VI) were 1.32 (95% CI 1.19-1.47) and 1.29 (95% CI 1.15-1.45) in relation to nickel. Analogous results among women were: 1.04 (95% CI 0.48-2.24) and 1.29 (95% CI 0.60-2.86), respectively. In men, excess lung-cancer risks due to occupational Cr(VI) and nickel exposure were also observed in each stratum of never, former and current smokers. Joint effects of Cr(VI) and nickel with smoking were in general greater than additive, but not different from multiplicative. In summary, relatively low cumulative levels of occupational exposure to Cr(VI) and nickel were associated with increased ORs for lung cancer, particularly in men. However, we cannot rule out a combined classical measurement and Berkson-type of error structure, which may cause differential bias of risk estimates.

• Klíčová slova
• SYNERGY, metals, pulmonary cancer, smoking, welders,
• MeSH
• chrom toxicita   analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádory plic * chemicky indukované   epidemiologie   MeSH
• nikl toxicita   analýza   MeSH
• pracovní expozice * škodlivé účinky   analýza   MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chrom MeSH
• chromium hexavalent ion MeSH Prohlížeč
• nikl MeSH

The aims of this study were to investigate the occurrence and distribution of total mercury (Hg) and other trace elements of environmental concern, such as arsenic (As), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and vanadium (V), in soils from the abandoned Merník cinnabar mine in eastern Slovakia. For this purpose, thirty soil samples from two depth intervals within the mine area (n = 60 soil samples) and additional sixteen soil samples from adjacent areas (n = 25 soil samples) were collected. Total Hg was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry, while As and other metals were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. High mercury concentrations (> 100 mg/kg with a maximum of 951 mg/kg) were observed only in surface soils close to mine waste heaps and adits. Otherwise, Hg concentrations in the majority of surface soils were lower (0.14-19.7 mg/kg), however, higher than Hg in soils collected from sites outside the mine area (0.19-6.92 mg/kg) and even considerably higher than Hg in soils at sites not influenced by the Merník mine. Elevated Cr and Ni concentrations in soils regardless of their sampling sites (mean of 276 mg/kg and median of 132 mg/kg for Cr and 168 mg/kg and 81 mg/kg for Ni, respectively) were attributed to the lithology of the area; the soils are underlain by the sediments of the Central Carpathian Palaeogene, containing a detritus of ultrabasic rocks. As our geochemical data are compositional in nature, they were further treated by compositional data analysis (CoDA). Robust principal component analysis (RPCA) applied on centred (clr) log-ratio-transformed data and correlation analysis of compositional parts based on symmetric balances distinguished very well different sources of origin for the chemical elements. The following three element associations were identified: Hg association with the main source in mining/roasting, Cr-Ni association derived from bedrock and As-Cu-Mn-Pb-Zn-V association (natural background and minor sulphides/sulfosalts in mineralized rocks). The values of geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor suggested that concentrations of Hg in the soils were influenced by human industrial activities.

• Klíčová slova
• Compositional data analysis, Contamination, Mercury, Mine soil, Nickel, Slovakia,
• MeSH
• chrom analýza   MeSH
• hornictví MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lidské činnosti MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• nikl analýza   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• rtuť analýza   MeSH
• sloučeniny rtuti MeSH
• stopové prvky analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chrom MeSH
• cinnabar MeSH Prohlížeč
• látky znečišťující půdu MeSH
• nikl MeSH
• půda MeSH
• rtuť MeSH
• sloučeniny rtuti MeSH
• stopové prvky MeSH

OBJECTIVES: This study determines the levels of selected contaminants in the muscle of three common fish species from the upper course of the Nitra River. DESIGN: Were detected levels of Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd and Hg in the muscle and correlations among selected metals as well as standard length and total weight in brown trout (Salmo trutta morpha fario), Alpine bullhead (Cottus poecilopus) and grayling (Thymallus thymallus). RESULTS: The content of analysed metals (mg.kg-1 wet weight) ranged as follows: brown trout - Zn 5.86-12.97, Cu 0.51-0.76, Ni 0.00-0.37, Cr 0.18-0.41, Pb 0.00-0.34, Cd 0.03-0.13, Hg 0.04-0.07; Alpine bullhead - Zn 7.02-13.68, Cu 0.34-0.62, Ni 0.00-1.13, Cr 0.19-0.24, Pb 0.00-0.37, Cd 0.03-0.09, Hg 0.06-0.18; grayling - Zn 3.38-6.36, Cu - 0.46-0.62, Ni 0.04-0.22, Cr 0.13-0.22, Pb 0.00-0.25, Cd 0.02-0.09, Hg 0.05-0.12, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Slovak permissible limits for safe consumption, defined in the Commission Regulations No. 1881/2006 and 629/2008, in the case of Pb, Cd and Hg were exceeded in 10%, 63% and 0%, respectively.

• MeSH
• chrom analýza   MeSH
• kadmium analýza   MeSH
• měď analýza   MeSH
• nikl analýza   MeSH
• olovo analýza   MeSH
• pstruh MeSH
• řeky * MeSH
• rtuť analýza   MeSH
• ryby * MeSH
• Salmonidae MeSH
• svaly chemie   MeSH
• těžké kovy analýza   MeSH
• zinek analýza   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chrom MeSH
• kadmium MeSH
• měď MeSH
• nikl MeSH
• olovo MeSH
• rtuť MeSH
• těžké kovy MeSH
• zinek MeSH

The laterite Ni ore smelting operations in Niquelândia and Barro Alto (Goiás State, Brazil) have produced large amounts of fine-grained smelting wastes, which have been stockpiled on dumps and in settling ponds. We investigated granulated slag dusts (n = 5) and fly ash samples (n = 4) with a special focus on their leaching behaviour in deionised water and on the in vitro bioaccessibility in a simulated gastric fluid, to assess the potential exposure risk for humans. Bulk chemical analyses indicated that both wastes contained significant amounts of contaminants: up to 2.6 wt% Ni, 7580 mg/kg Cr, and 508 mg/kg Co. In only one fly ash sample, after 24 h of leaching in deionised water, the concentrations of leached Ni exceeded the limit for hazardous waste according to EU legislation, whereas the other dusts were classified as inert wastes. Bioaccessible fractions (BAF) of the major contaminants (Ni, Co, and Cr) were quite low for the slag dusts and accounted for less than 2 % of total concentrations. In contrast, BAF values were significantly higher for fly ash materials, which reached 13 % for Ni and 19 % for Co. Daily intakes via oral exposure, calculated for an adult (70 kg, dust ingestion rate of 50 mg/day), exceeded neither the tolerable daily intake (TDI) nor the background exposure limits for all of the studied contaminants. Only if a higher ingestion rate is assumed (e.g. 100 mg dust per day for workers in the smelter), the TDI limit for Ni recently defined by European Food Safety Authority (196 µg/day) was exceeded (324 µg/day) for one fly ash sample. Our data indicate that there is only a limited risk to human health related to the ingestion of dust materials generated by laterite Ni ore smelting operations if appropriate safety measures are adopted at the waste disposal sites and within the smelter facility.

• Klíčová slova
• Bioaccessibility, Dust, Fly ash, Laterite, Ni smelting, Slag,
• MeSH
• anorganické látky aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• aplikace orální MeSH
• biologické modely MeSH
• chrom analýza   MeSH
• hutnictví * MeSH
• kobalt analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nebezpečný odpad analýza   MeSH
• nikl analýza   MeSH
• odpadky - odstraňování metody   MeSH
• popel uhelný analýza   MeSH
• prach analýza   MeSH
• průmyslový odpad MeSH
• vystavení vlivu životního prostředí * MeSH
• žaludeční šťáva MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Brazílie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• anorganické látky MeSH
• chrom MeSH
• kobalt MeSH
• nebezpečný odpad MeSH
• nikl MeSH
• popel uhelný MeSH
• prach MeSH
• průmyslový odpad MeSH

Acid mine drainage from mine tailings at Selebi Phikwe, eastern Botswana, has been investigated using a combination of total decomposition, sequential extraction, X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and SEM analyses of solid phase samples, water analyses, isotopic analyses, and geochemical modeling. The principal ferric phases in the seepage stream sediments are jarosite and goethite, which incorporate Ni and Cu. The Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS) indicated exclusively 3+ oxidation state of iron with typical features of ferric hydroxides/sulfates. A fraction of dissolved sulfate is also sequestered in gypsum which precipitates further downstream. Significant portions of Fe, Ni, and Cu are transported in suspension. Values of pH decreased downstream due to H+ generated by the precipitation of jarosite. Values of δ2H and δ18O indicate evaporation of pore water in the mine tailings before seepage. Values of δ34S(SO4) are consistent with the oxidation of sulfides, but sample from the seepage face is affected by dissolution of gypsum. No minerals of Ni and Cu were detected and the principal attenuation processes seem to be adsorption and co-precipitation with jarosite. Higher contents of Cu are sequestered in solid phases compared to Ni, in spite of much higher dissolved Ni concentrations. Based on the speciation calculations, seepage water is undersaturated with respect to all Ni and Cu phases and adsorption and co-precipitation with jarosite seems to be the principal attenuation processes. Direct geochemical modeling was able to reproduce downstream pH trends, thus confirming the precipitation of jarosite as the principal pH-controlling process.

• Klíčová slova
• Attenuation, Cu, Jarosite, Mine tailings, Ni, Ochres, Seepage,
• MeSH
• adsorpce MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu analýza   chemie   MeSH
• chemické modely * MeSH
• difrakce rentgenového záření MeSH
• hornictví * MeSH
• koncentrace vodíkových iontů MeSH
• měď analýza   chemie   MeSH
• minerály MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• nikl analýza   chemie   MeSH
• průmyslový odpad analýza   MeSH
• sírany MeSH
• sloučeniny železa MeSH
• sulfidy analýza   MeSH
• železité sloučeniny MeSH
• železo analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Botswana MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu MeSH
• ferric hydroxide MeSH Prohlížeč
• ferric sulfate MeSH Prohlížeč
• goethite MeSH Prohlížeč
• jarosite MeSH Prohlížeč
• měď MeSH
• minerály MeSH
• nikl MeSH
• průmyslový odpad MeSH
• sírany MeSH
• sloučeniny železa MeSH
• sulfidy MeSH
• železité sloučeniny MeSH
• železo MeSH

The use of Ni and Cu isotopes for tracing contamination sources in the environment remains a challenging task due to the limited information about the influence of various biogeochemical processes influencing stable isotope fractionation. This work focuses on a relatively simple system in north-east Norway with two possible endmembers (smelter-bedrock) and various environmental samples (snow, soil, lichens, PM10). In general, the whole area is enriched in heavy Ni and Cu isotopes highlighting the impact of the smelting activity. However, the environmental samples exhibit a large range of δ60Ni (-0.01 ± 0.03‰ to 1.71 ± 0.02‰) and δ65Cu (-0.06 ± 0.06‰ to -3.94 ± 0.3‰) values which exceeds the range of δ60Ni and δ65Cu values determined in the smelter, i.e. in feeding material and slag (δ60Ni from 0.56 ± 0.06‰ to 1.00 ± 0.06‰ and δ65Cu from -1.67 ± 0.04‰ to -1.68 ± 0.15‰). The shift toward heavier Ni and Cu δ values was the most significant in organic rich topsoil samples in the case of Ni (δ60Ni up to 1.71 ± 0.02‰) and in lichens and snow in the case of Cu (δ65Cu up to -0.06 ± 0.06‰ and -0.24 ± 0.04‰, respectively). These data suggest an important biological and biochemical fractionation (microorganisms and/or metal uptake by higher plants, organo-complexation etc.) of Ni and Cu isotopes, which should be quantified separately for each process and taken into account when using the stable isotopes for tracing contamination in the environment.

• Klíčová slova
• Biogeochemical fractionation, Copper, Isotopes, Nickel, Smelter,
• MeSH
• chemická frakcionace MeSH
• izotopy analýza   MeSH
• kovy MeSH
• měď analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• nikl analýza   MeSH
• půda MeSH
• sníh MeSH
• znečištění životního prostředí statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Norsko MeSH
• Názvy látek
• izotopy MeSH
• kovy MeSH
• měď MeSH
• nikl MeSH
• půda MeSH

Nickel is a metal that can be present in products containing hardened edible oils, possibly as leftover catalyst from the vegetable oil hardening process. Nickel may cause toxic effects including the promotion of cancer and contact allergy. In this work, nickel content was determined in hydrogenated vegetable fats and confectionery products, made with these fats, available on the Czech market using newly developed method combining microwave digestion and graphite furnace AAS. While concentrations of 0.086±0.014mg.kg(-1) or less were found in hydrogenated vegetable fats, the Ni content in confectionery products was significantly higher, varying between 0.742±0.066 and 3.141±0.217mg.kg(-1). Based on an average consumer basket, daily intake of nickel from vegetable fats is at least twice as low as intake from confectionery products. Based on results, the levels of nickel in neither vegetable fats nor confectionery products, do not represent a significant health risk.

• Klíčová slova
• Atomic absorption spectrometry, Hydrogenated fats, Microwave mineralization, Nickel,
• MeSH
• čokoláda analýza   MeSH
• hydrogenace MeSH
• kontaminace potravin analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nikl analýza   MeSH
• oleje rostlin analýza   MeSH
• spektrofotometrie atomová metody   MeSH
• tuky analýza   chemie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• nikl MeSH
• oleje rostlin MeSH
• tuky MeSH

In this work we analysed the protein variations which occurred in two Thlaspi caerulescens populations when subjected to 0 and 10 microM nickel (Ni) treatments: the Ni hyperaccumulator T. caerulescensfrom a metalliferous soil in Italy and T. caerulescens from Czech Republic, adapted to grow on a non-metalliferous soil. Ni accumulation in roots and shoots and the effect on growth and morphology were examined. Leaves proteins profiles of Ni treated and untreated samples were analysed by two dimensional liquid chromatography technique. From the comparison of more than 500 proteins, few differences were observed between treated and untreated plants of the same population. Differences were found between the two Thlaspi populations, instead. Proteins involved in transport, metal chelation, and signal transduction increased in abundance in the 10 microM Ni treated samples while, in condition of absence of Ni, proteins involved in sulphur metabolism, protection against reactive oxygen species and stress response showed to increase in abundance in the two populations. These proteins can be used as biomarkers both for monitoring biodiversity in indigenous plants and for selection of Ni phytoremediation plants.

• MeSH
• enzymy genetika   MeSH
• genetická variace MeSH
• kořeny rostlin enzymologie   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• kovy analýza   MeSH
• listy rostlin anatomie a histologie   enzymologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• nikl analýza   farmakologie   MeSH
• půda analýza   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese u rostlin MeSH
• rostlinné proteiny genetika   MeSH
• thioredoxiny genetika   MeSH
• Thlaspi účinky léků   enzymologie   genetika   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Itálie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• enzymy MeSH
• kovy MeSH
• nikl MeSH
• půda MeSH
• rostlinné proteiny MeSH
• thioredoxiny MeSH

The welding processes belong among the important sources of occupational pollutions. The welding fumes are ranked, according to the classification of IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer), into the group of 2B. In our study we have performed the investigation of twenty men (exposed group) working in the stainless steel welding industrial processes (11 welders and 9 grinders, average age was 31 years, 55% of smokers, average time period of welding occupational exposure was 8 years). The concentrations of chromium (0.557-16.343 mg/m3) and nickel (0.340-10.129 mg/m3) in occupational atmosphere highly exceeded established values of maximum permitted concentrations (0.1 and 1.0 mg/m3, respectively). The concentrations of manganese did not exceed its permitted values. Total concentrations of 12 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in occupational atmosphere varied from 300.9 to 961.2 ng/m3. For purposes of biological monitoring, the levels of chromosomal aberrations were determined in the exposed and control group. Healthy blood donors servedas a control group. People from that group were not occupationally exposed to harmful chemical compounds (20 men, average age was 36 years, 40% of smokers). Increased level of chromosomal aberrations of exposed group brought the evidence about higher genotoxic risk of investigated welding processes.

• MeSH
• chrom analýza   MeSH
• chromozomální aberace * MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch v pracovním prostředí škodlivé účinky   analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nerezavějící ocel MeSH
• nikl analýza   MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky analýza   MeSH
• pracovní expozice * MeSH
• svařování * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chrom MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch v pracovním prostředí MeSH
• nerezavějící ocel MeSH
• nikl MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky MeSH