Bioenvironmental Trace Elements in Warm Climatic Plant, Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)

Bioenvironmental trace elements play a vital role in plant, animal, and man metabolism. This study aims to determine trace element concentration in different parts (pods, pericarp, seeds, cotyledon, and taste) of the warm climate plant pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.). The pigeon pea pods were collected from the farms on the shore of the High Dam Lake, Egypt. Elements (Ag, Au, Co, Cr, Sr, Fe, Cu, Ni, Mn, and Zn) in the pods and its different parts were determined by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis (cluster, Pearson correlation coefficient, and factor analysis) was applied to trace elements in different parts of pigeon pea. The results reveal that seeds exhibited the highest concentrations of Cu, Ni, Cr, and Zn, while Ag, Co, Pb, and Fe in the pods. Factor and cluster analyses explain a good relationship among the trace elements in pigeon pea. Also, transfer factor of the elements between plant and soil shows that the high transfer factor of most elements was observed for pods and pericarp. The studied elements in the pods and its different parts were in the safety baseline levels for both man and animal uses.

Adsorption and photocatalysis for methyl orange and Cd removal from wastewater using TiO2/sewage sludge-based activated carbon nanocomposites

Nanocomposite TiO₂/ASS (TiO₂ nanoparticle coated sewage sludge-based activated carbon) was synthesized by the sol-gel method. The changes in surface properties of the TiO₂/ASS nanocomposite were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray fluorescence. The prepared TiO₂/ASS nanocomposite was applied for simultaneous removal of methyl orange dye (MO) and Cd²⁺ from bi-pollutant solution. The factors influencing photocatalysis (TiO₂ : ASS ratios, initial pollutant concentrations, solution pH, nanocomposite dosage and UV irradiation time) were investigated. The results revealed that high removal efficiency of methyl orange dye (MO) and Cd²⁺ from bi-pollutant solution was achieved with TiO₂/ASS at a ratio (1 : 2). The obtained results revealed that degradation of MO dye on the TiO₂/ASS nanocomposite was facilitated by surface adsorption and photocatalytic processes. The coupled photocatalysis and adsorption shown by TiO₂/ASS nanocomposite resulted in faster and higher degradation of MO as compared to MO removal by ASS adsorbent. The removal efficiency of MO by ASS adsorbent and TiO₂/ASS (1 : 2) nanocomposite at optimum pH value 7 were 74.14 and 94.28%, respectively, while for Cd²⁺ it was more than 90%. The experimental results fitted well with the second-order kinetic reaction.

Adsorption of methylene blue using modified adsorbents from drinking water treatment sludge

This study aims to explore the preparation and application of alum sludge (AS) and mud sludge (MS) from a drinking water treatment plant to remove methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solution. The sludge (MS and AS) was treated by chemical and physical activation to obtain new adsorbents. The adsorption experiments were carried out under different conditions of initial dye concentration (50-100 mg/L) adsorbent dosage (0.05-0.25 g), solution pH (3-9), temperature (20-60 °C) and contact time (20-90 min). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction instruments were used for characterization of the developed adsorbents. The results show that sludge activated by nitric acid (0.25 M HNO₃) and pyrolysis at 700 °C were the best chemically and physically activated adsorbents. The optimum adsorption conditions for the adsorption of MB are 100 ppm initial dye concentration, 1 hour contact time, 250 °C solution temperature, pH 7 and 0.25 g adsorbent dosage. Application of the Langmuir and Freundlich Isotherm models showed that adsorbents fitted the Langmuir model well. SEM studies indicated the porous structural aspects of sludge suitable for removing MB dye.

The role of trace elements on hepatitis virus infections: a review

The significance of the nutritional roles of trace metals (includes some heavy metals) is widely recognized, since these elements are as constituent components of many metal proteins and metalloenzymes serum trace metals levels, and their ratios are frequently reported to be good marker for diagnosing various diseases. Trace metals play an important role in liver disease particularly liver degeneration. Influence of trace elements has been studied in a large number of viruses belonging to different groups. This review reported the role of some trace elements iron (Fe), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) as well as toxic elements Pb on hepatitis virus infections.

Monitoring of contaminated toxic and heavy metals, from mine tailings through age accumulation, in soil and some wild plants at Southeast Egypt

This study includes tailing from gold mine, at Allaqi Wadi Aswan, Egypt, used by incident Egyptian and after by some English companies. Tailings, soils and wild plants (Acia Raddiena and Aerva Javanica) were sampled and analysed for toxic metals (Hg, Cd, Pb and As) and associated heavy metals (Cr, Ag, Ni, Au, Mo, Zn, Mn and Cu) using ICP-MS, ICP-AES, CVAAS and FAAS techniques. The present work concerns the distribution and mobility of these metals from tailing to the surrounding soils and wild flora. The results reveal that Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Ag, Au, Mn, Hg, As, Ag, Au and Pb in soil decreased as faraway from the tailing, after then irregular trends as a result of input from surrounding rocks. Acia Raddiena plant accumulated As, Cd and Pb in higher levels than Aerva Javanica. Quantification of soil and plant pollution was studied using enrichment factors, contamination factor, pollution index and bioaccumulation factors and show good interpretations of the results. The overall results of this study show that the soil and plants near the gold mine tailing were highly toxic, and the plants and soil must not be uses for grazing or agriculture.

Trends in speciation analysis of some heavy metals in serum of patients with chronic hepatitis C and chronic hepatitis B using differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetric measurement and atomic absorption spectrophotometry

The relationships between chronic liver diseases and trace heavy metal contents in blood are debatable and have not been understood clearly. The present study is undertaken to determine Co, Fe, and Ni concentrations in sera from viral hepatitis patients. In all eighty patients with chronic hepatitis (B, C) and 29 healthy individuals were chosen for this study. Donors were selected from different environmental areas, including Aswan, Kom Ombo, and Edfu as polluted areas, and Daraw as an unpolluted area. Co, Fe, and Ni concentrations in patient and healthy blood serum were measured by two different analytical techniques: differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DPA(d)SV) and atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results reveal that Fe is present in higher level in the blood serum of hepatitis patients than in the healthy control, whereas Co and Ni showed the opposite trend. Hepatitis patients from Edfu area exhibited higher Fe level in their serum than those from the other areas, while hepatitis patients and healthy control from Daraw area (free from pollution) exhibited the lowest metal values. Patients with hepatitis C show lower levels of Co, Ni, and Fe in their serum than those with hepatitis B. A comparative study was carried out between the results using DPA(d)SV and AAS techniques, which are in very good agreements.

Fruit stones from industrial waste for the removal of lead ions from polluted water

Lead, one of the earliest metals recognized and used by humans, has a long history of beneficial use. However, it is now recognized as toxic and as posing a widespread threat to humans and wildlife. Treatment of lead from polluted water and wastewater has received a great deal of attention. Adsorption is one of the most common technologies for the treatment of lead-polluted water. This technique was evaluated here, with the goal of identifying innovative, low-cost adsorbent. This study presents experiments undertaken to determine the suitable conditions for the use of peach and apricot stones, produced from food industries as solid waste, as adsorbents for the removal of lead from aqueous solution. Chemical stability of adsorbents, effect of pH, adsorbents dose, adsorption time and equilibrium concentration were studied. The results reveal that adsorption of lead ions onto peach stone was stronger than onto apricot stone up to 3.36% at 3 h adsorption time. Suitable equilibrium time for the adsorption was 3-5 h (% Pb adsorption 93% for apricot and 97.64% for peach). The effective adsorption range for pH in the range was 7-8. Application of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models show high adsorption maximum and binding energies for using these adsorbents for the removal of lead ions from contaminated water and wastewater.

Animal hair as biological indicator for heavy metal pollution in urban and rural areas

Animal hair is a good biomonitoring tool for heavy metals assessment and reflects the content of heavy metals in the forage and soil. Heavy metals Fe, Mn, Co and Ni as well as toxic metals Cd and Pb were determined in goat, sheep and camel hair, forage and soil collected from four different environmental urban and rural regions. These regions are Aswan city farms, Allaqi desert pasture, Kalabsha farms and Halaiub desert pasture at far south of Egypt. The results reveal that sheep hair contains the highest levels of Fe and Mn (879 and 55 microg/g, respectively), camel hair contains the highest Pb, whereas for goat Cd and Ni were the highest. Heavy metal concentrations in the studied hair reflect the presence of these metals in the surrounding forage and soil and vary from one area to another, and give knowledge of pollution in the area. Correlation statistics analysis and cluster analysis show a good and significant value between metals in hair and plants.

Assessment of essential and toxic elements in some kinds of vegetables

Vegetables provide the human body with the essential bioavailable trace elements, and a constant supply of these various elements is necessary and highly recommended for daily life. Minor elements such as Ca, Fe, K, Mg, and Na as well as trace elements such as Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer in 12 different species of vegetables from Saudi Arabia (the Al-Taif district). These vegetables were cucumber, vegetable marrow, tomato, potato, green pepper, eggplant, carrots, parsley, lettuce, spinach, salq, onion, leek, watercress, and cabbage. The results reveal that the different element concentrations of each vegetable depend upon the selective uptake of the elements by the plant. Salq and watercress exhibited higher element concentrations than the other vegetables. Cluster analysis, principle component analysis, and transfer factor analysis of elements from soil to plant were applied to the elements database and produced good interpretations of the data. The element concentrations of these vegetables were within safety baseline levels for human consumption.

Monitoring of environmental heavy metals in fish from Nasser Lake

Lake ecosystems are, in particular, vulnerable to heavy metal pollution. Tilapia nilotica is one of the aquatic organisms affected by heavy metals. Therefore, heavy metals Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sr and Zn were determined in different tissues of T. nilotica (ages 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 years), which include the muscle, gill, stomach, intestine, liver, vertebral column and scales, to assess the fish pollution with heavy metals. In addition, the study was extended to determine these elements in the aquatic plant (Najas armeta), sediment and water of Khor E1-Ramel in Nasser Lake (Egypt). The study showed that of all the fish parts, fish liver accumulated the highest levels of Cu and Zn. Manganese presented in the intestine and stomach in the highest concentration. Scales exhibited the highest levels of Co, Cr, Ni and Sr, while the gill and vertebral column contains the lowest level of the studied elements. Heavy metals in different parts of T. nilotica differ with the fish growth and extraction rate of these elements from sediment, aquatic plant and lake water. Heavy metals under study in the edible parts of the investigated fish were in the safety permissible levels for human uses.

Cadmium and lead levels in fish (Tilapia nilotica) tissues as biological indicator for lake water pollution

Cadmium and lead were determined in different tissues (muscle, gill, stomach, intestine. liver, vertebral column and scales) of Tilapia nilotica from the High Dam Lake, Aswan (Egypt) to assess the lake water pollution with those toxic metals. Fish samples were chosen from different ages and weights to be analyzed along with samples of the aquatic plant (Najas armeta), sediment and lake water. The results showed that cadmium and lead concentrations were higher in fish scales and vertebral column than in the other parts of the fish. Cadmium and lead levels in High Dam lake water and fish (Tilapia nilotica) were a result of the pollution which uptakes from aquatic plants, sediments and gasoline containing lead that leaks from fishery boats. Tilapia nilotica fish was used as a good bio-assay indicator for the lake pollution with cadmium and lead. The fish muscles in this study were in the safety baseline levels for man consumption.