Distribution of heavy metals in soils of the Yellow River Delta: concentrations in different soil horizons and source identification

Purpose

The Yellow River Delta, an active land-ocean interaction area, will develop into a large eco-economic region in East China during the coming decade. It is necessary to assess the geochemical features of heavy metals in the soils. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the concentrations and distribution of heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) in soil profiles of the area and to identify their sources.

Materials and methods

Horizon samples were collected based on pedogenic features from bottom to top in each profile to a depth of 120 cm and a total of 92 samples were collected. The sampling sites were grouped into four lines from inland to coastal area with three land use types (cotton field, cereal field, and wetland). The concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Iron oxide fractions in the soil were extracted by oxalate-oxalic acid and dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to determine the mineral composition of the soils. Multivariate statistical analysis and historical data were employed to identify the possible sources of these heavy metals.

Results and discussion

The mean concentrations of heavy metals were elevated along the Yellow River region and in the southern part of the delta; however, they were generally lower than the Chinese guideline values. As for the depth distribution of heavy metals in soil profiles, the maximum values of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd in middle horizon of cotton field were almost twice than those in surface horizon. The iron oxides and XRD analysis indicated that the trace elements accumulation appeared to be related with the contents of crystalline iron oxide and layer silicates. Historical data from suspended sediments of the Yellow River and principal component analysis (PCA) implied that most of the metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn) were sourced from natural alluviation and sedimentation.

Conclusions

The Yellow River Delta soils were slightly polluted by heavy metals the Yellow River Delta. The special pedogenic horizon characterized by higher iron oxides and layered silicates minerals in the middle and lower part of the soil profile was found with heavy metals enrichment, which required to be studied further. Suspended sediments transported by the Yellow River were suggested to be one of the major sources for the heavy metals accumulation in the basal soils of this region.     

Postprandial glycemia, insulinemia, and satiety responses in healthy subjects after whole grain rye bread made from different rye varieties. 1

Rye products typically induce low insulin responses and appear to facilitate glucose regulation. The objective of this study was to investigate differences in postprandial glucose, insulin, and satiety responses between breads made from five rye varieties. Breads made from whole grain rye (Amilo, Rekrut, Dankowski Zlote, Nikita, and Haute Loire Pop) or a white wheat bread (WWB) were tested in a randomized cross-over design in 14 healthy subjects (50 g available starch). Metabolic responses were also related to the composition of dietary fiber and bioactive compounds in the breads and to the rate of in vitro starch hydrolysis. The Amilo and Rekrut rye breads induced significantly lower insulin indices (II) than WWB. Low early postprandial glucose and insulin responses (tAUC 0-60 min) were related to higher amounts of caffeic, ferulic, sinapic, and vanillic acids in the rye breads, indicating that the phenolic acids in rye may influence glycemic regulation. All rye breads induced significantly higher subjective feelings of fullness compared to WWB. A low II was related to a higher feeling of fullness and a lower desire to eat in the late postprandial phase (180 min). The data indicate that some rye varieties may be more insulin-saving than others, possibly due to differences in dietary fiber, rate of starch hydrolysis, and bioactive components such as phenolic acids.     

Bovine neonatal pancytopenia in German Holstein calves

Profiles of blood cell counts were evaluated for 15 calves from three different farms. These calves showed petechia in the mucous membranes and in the skin and prolonged secondary bleeding after puncture. The clinical course of the disease could be observed in eleven calves. With exception of one case, the blood cell counts indicated a severe anaemia, leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Out of these 15 calves, six calves survived and the other nine calves died or had to be euthanized due to the severity of the disease. Necropsy of these nine calves revealed petechia in the skin, subcutis, muscles, in inner organs and all serous membranes. Pathohistological examination showed a depletion of the bone marrow and lymphatic tissue in eight calves. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP) for eight of these nine calves. Bluetongue virus serotype 8 was tested negatively using PCR. Bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) was negatively tested using immunofluorescence and cell culture and salmonella species were negatively tested in seven dissected calves. A cluster of toxins was negatively tested in one of the dissected calves. All 15 calves had high antibody titres for BVDV. The BVDV-antibody titres from twelve dams with affected calves were positive in six cases and not detectable in the other six cases. In three of the six dams with not detectable BVDV-antibody titres, calves were fed with colostrum of a further dam with high BVDV-antibody titres. In the further three dams without detectable BVDV-antibody titres, we could not ascertain which colostrum has been fed to the calves. BVDV-specific antigen could not be detected in any of the samples from the calves and dams tested. Using the activity of the gamma-glutamyl-transferase, we assumed a sufficient supply with colostrum for the examined calves.The cause for the occurrence of these BNP cases was due to bone marrow depletion.The reason for the bone marrow depletion remained unclear. However, it was obvious that the BNP described here is highly likely caused by colostrum from cows with positive BVDV-antibody titres.