Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Asian Rice-Derived Food Products

With the increase in the occurrence of heavy metal polluted rice in Asian countries, food safety of rice products is of utmost concern to consumers. The current study discusses the distribution of trace elements Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Hg, and Pb in Asian rice-derived food products. Three types of food products, rice noodles, rice vinegar/wine, and rice snacks, were chosen for examination. Most toxic heavy metals and metalloid such as As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were found to be within the safe level of EPA. Since rice vinegar/wine is not the staple food for people, there is no noticeable safety concern. Rice noodles and snacks are consumed with noticeable Se content and they are possible for human Se source addition. With comparison with raw rice, rice-derived food products showed better quality in terms of toxic heavy metals and metalloids. This study is for the first time reporting a thorough understanding of safety concern of rice-derived food products. It provides baselines and understanding on current levels of trace elements and heavy metals in Asian-derived rice products as affected by food processes. It would also help consumers build up confidence on the food safety of Asian rice products.     

Forest management and biomass in the U.S.A.

There are a variety of opportunities to change land and forest management and, at the same time, create a positive impact on the current use of fossil energy. To the extent that these opportunities can be captured, they address the root cause of greenhouse warming-fossil fuel emissions-while, at the same time, improving economic opportunities, ecosystem productivity, and environmental conditions over broad areas. The need for better markets to absorb biomass energy, plus research to make biomass conversion more efficient, is probably the most important deterrent to achieving these possibilities.     

Size Distribution of Trace Elements and Major Ions in the Eastern Mediterranean Atmosphere

Size distribution of trace elements is measured at the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, by analyzing hi-vol impactor samples collected between August 1993 and May 1994. Mass median diameters of marine elements are between 4.6 and 5.3 μm, and those of crustal elements are between 3.0 and 3.5 μm. Mass median diameters of crustal elements are 30% smaller in samples impacted by Saharan Dust. Pollution derived elements, As, Cd, Mo, Pb, Se, and Zn have MMD's between 1.25 and 1.01 μm. Although 70–90% of the masses of these elements were associated with particles smaller than 2.1 μm, 10–30% of their mass was associated with coarse particles. Coarse component in concentrations of Cd, Pb, Sb and particulate Hg are due to adsorption of fine anthropogenic particles on coarse crustal aerosol, whereas coarse fraction Zn, As, Se, In, Mo and Au are crustal at Al concentrations > 100 ng m^?3. Bromine, Cr, Ni, and V have bimodal distributions. The fine component, which account for approximately 30–40% of their masses are due to anthropogenic sources, whereas the coarse component, which accounts for 30–50% of their masses are due to sea salt for Br, and crustal particles for Cr, Ni, and V.     

Recovery of Surface Waters in the Northeastern U.S. from Decreases in Atmospheric Deposition of Sulfur

A simple mass flux model was developed to simulate the response of SO₄ ^2- concentrations in surface waters to past and anticipated future changes in atmospheric deposition of SO₄ ^2-. Values of bulk (or wet) SO₄ ^2- deposition and dry deposition of S determined from measured air concentrations and a deposition velocity were insufficient to balance watershed SO₄ ^2- export at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, NH and for a regional survey of watersheds in the northeastern U.S. We propose two explanations for the unmeasured S source: 1) a significant underestimation of dry S deposition, and/or 2) internal watershed S sources, such as weathering and/or mineralization of soil organic S. Model simulations based on these two mechanisms agreed closely with measured stream SO₄ ^2- concentrations at Hubbard Brook. Close agreement between measured and model predicted results precluded identification of which of the two mechanisms controlled long-term trends in stream SO₄ ^2-. Model simulations indicated that soil adsorption reactions significantly delayed the response of stream water to declines in SO₄ ^2- inputs since 1970, but could not explain the discrepancy in watershed S budgets. Extrapolation of model predictions into the future demonstrates that uncertainty in the source of the S imbalance in watersheds has important implications for assessments of the recovery of surface water acid neutralizing capacity in response to anticipated future reductions in SO2 emissions.     

Concentrations of Major and Minor Mineral Elements in Different Organs of Kosteletzkya virginica and Saline Soils

Abstract

Kosteletzkya virginica (L.) Presl. is a perennial dicot halophytic species that grows in brackish portions of coastal tidal marshes of the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States. It was introduced into Northern Jiangsu, China, by the Halophyte Biotechnology Center (University of Delaware, Newark, DE) as a species with potential to improve the soil and develop ecologically sound saline agriculture. Fifteen major and minor elements [calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), lithium (Li), cobalt (Co), and vanadium (V)] in roots, stems, leaves, and seeds of Kosteletzkya virginica and saline soils were measured in the study. Concentrations of Al, Fe, Zn, Mn, V, and Pb were the highest in soils, whereas concentrations of Na, Li, Cu, Ca, and Mg were the highest in the roots, stems, and leaves, respectively, and concentrations of K and P were the highest in the seeds. Potassium, P, Mg, and Ca were the main constituents in the seeds, and concentrations of Fe, Li, Mn, Zn, and Cu in seeds were relatively high. However, concentrations of Na and Al were very low in the seeds. The K/Na ratio in the seeds was 34.26, and the Ca/P ratio was 0.52, which was less than the maximum tolerable value for the human diet. These proportions were considered to be an advantage from a nutritional point of view. From roots to stems to leaves, increases in K/Na, Ca/Na, and Ca/Mg ratios could mitigate salt stress of the growth habitat of Kosteletzkya virginica. These results suggest that Kosteletzkya virginica is a halophytic species with potential as a rich source of mineral-element supply, and its products could be used for development of food, fodder, health care products and industrial raw materials.     

Soluble Trace Metals and Major Ionic Species in the Bulk Deposition and Atmosphere of Hong Kong

Diurnal bulk deposition samples werecollected in an urban residential area in Hong Kongfrom 1996 to 1997, and were analyzed for major anionicand cationic species. The rapid Kuderna-Danish vacuumconcentration technique was adapted to preconcentratethe soluble components of rainwater samples prior tothe analysis of 7 trace metal species by GFAAS.Percentage recoveries in the range 80–115% wereobtained for the trace metals, without the addition ofany modifier. The results showed the importance ofbelow-cloud washout since the removal of the tracemetals from the atmosphere by precipitation dependedupon the rainfall pH and amount. Bulk depositionfluxes of the soluble trace metals are generallycomparable with literature values for (total) Al, Cu,Mn, V and Fe, but are much smaller for Cd and Pb. Acomparison of bulk deposition concentrations withsoluble and insoluble ambient particulate matterconcentrations in Hong Kong has also been made.Several occasions of low rainfall amount, smallrainfall intensity, and low windspeed, produced highconcentrations of trace metals in bulk deposition in1996, coinciding with pH values down to 3.6.     

Biomonitoring of Trace Elements in Air and Soil Compartments Along the Major Motorway in France

The impact on the environment of Cd, Pb and Zn emissions from the A1 motorway, one of the busiest in France, was based on a simultaneous analysis of lichens, fungi and soil.The study was conducted in 12 rest areas located along a 55 kmstretch of the motorway. Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations in the top soil horizon (0–10 cm) largely exceeded their concentrations at the control site.The Cd-, Pb- and Zn levels in fruiting bodies of fungi Armillaria mellea, Coprinus comatus, Marasmius oreades and Paxillus involutus were highly variable between sites. The contamination degree of transplanted thalliof Parmelia caperata was well correlated to the cumulated traffic on the western side. On the eastern side, heavy metals originated from the traffic but also from neighbouring sources (urbanization and agricultural practices). Although lead levels are decreasing, leaded petrol is still on offer and lead remains an indicator of vehicle pollution.     

Rainfall Concentrations and Wet Atmospheric Deposition of Phosphorus and Other Constituents in Florida,U.S.A.

Concentrations of phosphorus (P) and other constituents inweekly composited rain samples and concurrently acquired rainfallvolumes, collected from September 1992 through October 1993, wereused to estimate volume-weighted concentrations and wetatmospheric deposition rates, and compared to estimates fromprevious studies. Since this study’s purpose was to estimateregionally representative concentrations and rates of wetatmospheric deposition, sampling locations were chosen to avoidsites characterized by substantial local resuspension orrecycling phenomena. Significant differences were found in the wet deposition rates of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na), hydrogen (H), and chloride (Cl) ions between sampling stationsin Florida. Consequently, statewide deposition rates and volume-weighted concentrations were estimated only for P, and fororthophosphate (PO₄), ammonium (NH₄), nitrate (NO₃) and sulfate (SO₄) ions that were not found to be spatially variable. Over the period of record, the mean rate of wet atmospheric P deposition across the state, and the mean rainfall P concentration, were found to be 25±>5 μg P M^-2 wk^-1 and 1.3±0.1 μg P L ^-1, respectively.     

竹林坡位对土壤及竹笋中微量元素的影响

为探讨竹林不同坡位对土壤理化性质、土壤全锌、土壤有效锌、笋中锌、铁、锰、钾及铜元素的影响,本研究以浙江省遂昌县毛竹现代示范生产基地的毛竹林为对象,试验共设置5个坡位,分别为坡顶(S0)、上坡位(S1)、中坡位(S2)、下坡位(S3)和坡底(S4).结果表明:土壤碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾和有机质含量有随坡位上升呈下降的趋势,S4坡位的土壤碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾和有机质均与S1坡位达到显著差异.而土壤全锌、土壤有效锌、笋中锌及铁有随坡位的降低而降低的趋势,均以S0为最高.但各坡位处理中的土壤全锌含量均未达到显著差异,S0坡位的有效锌与其他各坡位均达到极显著差异.笋中的锌So坡位为最高,比其他各坡位增加了5.20％、7.25％、85.61％和140.52％,So与S3和S4达到了极显著差异.笋中铁含量也是以S0为最高,为157.16mg· kg-1,与其他各处理间均达到了显著差异(S3除外).笋中锰钾元素则以S1为最高,分别为206.78mg· kg-1和37.14g·kg-1,S1位笋中锰只与S4达到了显著差异,S1位笋中的钾与S3达到了显著差异.笋中铜以S4坡位为最高,其他各坡位均与S2达到了显著差异(S0除外).在其他外界环境相同条件下,随着坡位的升高笋中锌、铁、锰、钾土壤中全锌和有效锌而增加的趋势,而土壤碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾、有机质和笋中铜的变化趋势则相反.试验结果为竹笋中锌、铁及其他元素的环境风险控制提供科学依据.     

Minor Elements and Trace Metals in the Shell of Marine Gastropods from a Shore in Tropical East Africa

The concentrations of minor elements (magnesium and strontium)and trace metals (iron, manganese, copper and zinc) in the shellof fifty-nine species of marine gastropod collected from a shorein tropical East Africa are reported. Mean trace metalconcentrations and range of concentrations in the fifty-threespecies having an aragonitic shell were: iron, 17.5 μg g^-1, range 7.2 to 30.6 μg g^-1; manganese 2.4 μgg^-1, range 1.8 to 3.4 μg g^-1; copper, 1.2 μgg^-1, range 0.6 to 2.4 μg g^-1 and zinc, 1.5 μgg^-1, range 0.8 to 2.6 μg g^-1. The six species ofthe Nerita included in the study all had a shell of mixedmineralogy, a high magnesium concentration (2550 to 3407 μgg^-1) and relatively elevated concentrations of the tracemetals, manganese, copper and zinc (mean concentrations, 7.5,3.4 and 5.5 μg g^-1, respectively). Highestconcentrations of all three metals occurred in the shell of N. albicilla. Manganese, copper and zinc concentrations inshells of a population of N. albicilla (n = 20) taken fromthe Kenyan coast were higher than those in a similar populationof shells taken from Aldabra Atoll (Seychelles) by factors of29, 10 and 2.6, respectively. Of the fifty-nine species ofmarine gastropod included in this study the shell of N.albicilla is identified as having the greatest potential as abiomonitoring tissue for trace metals.     

Changes in water content in and under frozen soil in Iowa,U.S.A.

Water contents were measured in a soil profile during the winter from the time of harvest until soil temperatures were greater than 0°C through this profile in the spring. Water movement between successive layers was predicted using the Darcy flow law and changes in water flux. These values were then compared with the changes in soil water content observed in field measurements. Results showed that water content changes (accumulation or loss) below the frozen layer were greater than predicted but that the differences between predicted and measured contents were small, much smaller than the amounts reported in previous experiments.     

不同土地利用方式对贵州岩溶土壤微量重金属元素含量的影响

利用地统计学的方法,对贵州水城岩溶盆地复合土地利用方式下土壤微量重金属元素含量的时空变异进行了研究。结果表明:贵州水城盆地岩溶土壤微量重金属元素含量的变化与不同的土地利用方式时空上的变异有很好的一致性。盆地中工业区往往成为土壤微量重金属元素迁移富集的高值中心,而受人类活动影响较小的自然林区则基本保持了原始状况成为低值中心。因此合理进行土地利用对保护土壤和岩溶地下水免受污染具有重要的意义。     

Effect of Long-term Fertilizer Application on the Concentration and Solubility of Major and Trace Elements in a Cultivated Andisol

The concentrations and solubility of major and trace elements in soils collected from a field for long-term experiments maintained for more than 60 years and the neighboring area were investigated in order to reveal the influence of soil management on their behavior in soils. No obvious differences in the element concentrations in soils were observed except for P and U, whose concentrations were elevated in the surface soils of the experimented field because of the long-term application of phosphate fertilizers. Soil acidification associated with the successive applications of potentially acid fertilizers had changed the solubility of many elements as follows: the solubility of Li, Be, Al, Mn, Co, Zn, Y, Cd, Ba and rare earth elements increased, while the solubility of P, As, Se, Nb, Sb, Mo and V increased by liming. In the uncultivated soils, the concentrations of Fe, Zr, Nb, Hf and Th in the water extracts were relatively high, and a certain amount of these elements in the water extracts may occur in colloidal forms.     

Trace elements in surface soils from the mineralized area of Madison County, Missouri, U.S.A.

Duplicate, bulked surface soil samples, from sites 10m apart, were collected at 97 locations 1000 m apart on a regular grid measuring 8x11 km. Data were obtained for Ag, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn. One field sample was a good predictor of its nearby duplicate for Co, Cu, Ni and Pb, satisfactory for Ba, Be, Cr, Mn and Zn, but poorer for Cr, Li and V. Maps of the variation in precision of the field samples did not reveal any association between abandoned mine sites and high variability. The median coefficient of variation for trace elements in the field duplicates was between 8 and 19.5%. The duplicated field data were averaged to yield a mean soil metal concentration at each sample location. Concentrations of Ba, Be, Cr, Li, Sr and V were comparable with other published values for similar soils in Missouri. Concentrations of Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were higher which was explained by pollution from mining activities. A graphical technique was used to calculate background levels for metals in the second group. Samples of forest litter were collected at 12 locations: Ag, Ba, Cd, Mn, Sr and Zn concentrations were higher in the litter whereas Li and V concentrations were higher in the subjacent mineral soil. Computer isoline maps of the distribution of elements revealed an association between areas of high soil Cu, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn and abandoned mines or mineralized rocks.     

Catchment-Scale Variation in the Nitrate Concentrations of Groundwater Seeps in the Catskill Mountains,New York,U.S.A.

Forested headwater streams in the Catskill Mountains of New York show significant among-catchment variability in mean annual nitrate (NO₃ ^-) concentrations. Large contributions from deep groundwater with high NO₃ ^-concentrations have been invoked to explain high NO₃ ^-concentrations in stream water during the growing season. To determine whether variable contributions of groundwater couldexplain among-catchment differences in streamwater, we measuredNO₃ ^- concentrations in 58 groundwater seeps distributed across six catchments known to have different annual average streamwater concentrations. Seeps were identified based on release from bedrock fractures and beddingplanes and had consistently lower temperatures than adjacentstreamwaters. Nitrate concentrations in seeps ranged from neardetection limits (0.005 mg NO₃ ^--N/L) to 0.75 mg NO₃ ^--N/L. Within individual catchments, groundwaterresidence time does not seem to strongly affect NO₃ ^-concentrations because in three out of four catchments therewere non-significant correlations between seep silica (SiO₂) concentrations, a proxy for residence time, andseep NO₃ ^- concentrations. Across catchments, therewas a significant but weak negative relationship betweenNO₃ ^- and SiO₂ concentrations. The large rangein NO₃ ^- concentrations of seeps across catchmentssuggests: 1) the principal process generating among-catchmentdifferences in streamwater NO₃ ^- concentrations mustinfluence water before it enters the groundwater flow system and 2) this process must act at large spatial scales becauseamong-catchment variability is much greater than intra-catchmentvariability. Differences in the quantity of groundwater contribution to stream baseflow are not sufficient to account for differences in streamwater NO₃ ^- concentrationsamong catchments in the Catskill Mountains.     

Heavy Metals in Polish Forest Stands of Quercus Robur and Q. Petraea

This study aimed to compare concentrations of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in wood of Quercus robur and Q. petraea and in the soil on 21 plots in different parts of Polish lowlands. Concentrations of those metals in growth rings taken with an increment borer were measured in 20-year periods. The curves of radial distribution of heavy metals in growth rings are highly variable, but usually a greater variation was observed in sapwood than in heartwood. This attests to transport of metals in the younger, functional xylem, and confirms earlier observations. Quercus petraea accumulated significantly more Zn but less Cd than Q. robur, while concentrations of other metals were similar in both species. No significant correlations between levels of different metals in oak wood were detected, except a strong correlation between Pb and Cd. Concentrations of heavy metals in oak wood were generally not correlated with their concentrations in the soil. Most of the forest stands can be regarded as free from pollution with heavy metals.     

Temporal Trends in Ca,Mg and K Concentrations of Grassland and Garden Soils in West Virginia,U.S.A. between 1986 and 1999

The effects of acidic deposition on agricultural soils have not received much attention because they are regularly limed and receive acid forming fertilizers far in excess of what would accumulate in these soils from atmospheric acidic deposition. However, not all agricultural soils are managed with equal intensity, and some may be prone to element specific effects from acidic deposition. Using data from the West Virginia University Soil Testing Laboratory and the National Atmospheric Deposition Program,it was found that soil Mg concentrations were decreasing up to 2.6% yr^-1 in hay and pasture soils where acidic deposition was the highest. Rainfall amounts and biomass removaldid not appear to be related to this effect. By comparison, no trends in Mg depletion with acidic deposition were found for the more intensely managed home garden soils. Nor were there regional trends in Ca or K for either hay and pasture or home garden soils. While the correlation Mg depletion and acidic deposition does not in and of itself indicate causality, it does suggest the Mg status of unmanaged or moderately managed grasslands may be adversely affected by acidic deposition.     

冻融循环次数和土壤含水率对油松林土壤团聚体及有效态微量元素的影响

以王茂沟流域典型人工油松林土壤为对象,研究了不同冻融循环次数(0,3,9次)和不同土壤含水率(40%FC,60%FC,80%FC)条件下土壤团聚体组成和团聚体中4种有效态微量元素(Cu、Fe、Mn、Zn)的演变特征。结果表明:冻融循环次数增加显著增加了<0.25 mm粒径团聚体比例(P<0.01),降低了>2 mm粒径团聚体比例(P<0.01),从而导致团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)显著降低(P<0.01);土壤含水率增加显著降低了<0.25 mm粒径团聚体比例(P<0.01),增加了0.25~2,>2 mm粒径团聚体的比例,团聚体MWD值显著增加(P<0.01)。土壤含水率增加对土壤颗粒的团聚作用显著大于冻融循环作用对土壤团聚体的破坏作用。冻融循环作用降低了<0.25 mm粒径团聚体中有效态Cu和Fe的总量,增加了Mn和Zn的总量,同时增加了在>2 mm粒径团聚体中4种有效态元素的总量。土壤含水率增加降低了<0.25 mm粒径团聚体中4种有效态微量元素的总量,而在>2 mm粒径团聚体中其总量显著增加。土壤含水率升高能够抵消冻融循环次数增加对土壤团聚体的破坏作用,冻融循环作用和土壤含水率增加的协同作用提高了>2 mm粒径团聚体有效态微量元素的含量。     

天然降水和径流水中四种微量元素的测定

水样中微量元素的测量是研究元素迁移的一项基础工作。通常用火争原子吸收和法测定水样中微量元素,当样品中元素含量较低时需用甲基异丁基甲酮萃取后测定。该文对这一方法进行了改进,采用浓缩水样以提高街测元素的含量,并加入二氯化钙作为释放剂来消除硅的干扰。     

河南郑州郊县保护地养分及重金属含量演变趋势

对河南郑州郊县不同种植年限保护地土壤速效氮、磷、钾及重金属铜、锌、镉、铅含量调查表明:随保护地种植年限的增加,速效氮、磷含量有显著的增加,其增加与种植年限呈极显著正相关,速效钾含量增加幅度不大,说明氮、磷、钾肥施用不均衡;重金属铜、锌、铅含量随保护地种植年限的增加有一定的增加,镉含量没有明显的规律性,但这几项重金属含量均比农田含量要高,说明在保护地高强度施肥及人为活动下,引入了重金属;农田及保护地重金属含量较土壤背景值均有一定程度的增加,但未超出国家土壤环境质量标准。