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Lin J, Sun D, Zhang Z, Duan Z, Dong J. Heavy metals and health risk of rice sampled in Yangtze River Delta, China. FOOD ADDITIVES & CONTAMINANTS PART B-SURVEILLANCE 2021; 14:133-140. [PMID: 33840360 DOI: 10.1080/19393210.2021.1903568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Dietary exposure to heavy metals is threatening human health worldwide. In this study, the concentration of cadmium, mercury, arsenic and chromium in 258 samples of brown rice, grown in Yangtze River Delta where the soils were low-level contaminated, were investigated. In 12 (4.6%) and 10 (3.9%) rice samples the concentrations of Cd and Hg, respectively, exceeded the limit for food. ANOVA showed that Cd and Hg concentrations in rice grains collected from Nanjing and Jiaxing were higher than in the less developed city Yancheng. Students' t-test showed Cd and Hg were accumulated in hybrid rice higher than in conventional rice. The hazard quotients (HQs) showed a low risk from rice consumption. Conventional rice was recommended to cultivate to reduce the current risk in the soil defined as safe use level in Yangtze River Delta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Ministry of Natural Resources, Technology Innovation Center of Ecological Evaluation and Remediation of Agricultural Land in Plain Area, Hangzhou, China
| | - Da Sun
- Technology Extension Station of Agriculture and Fisheries of Nanhu District of Jiaxing, Jiaxing, China
| | - Ziliang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zengqiang Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China.,Ministry of Natural Resources, Technology Innovation Center of Ecological Evaluation and Remediation of Agricultural Land in Plain Area, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinlong Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China.,Ministry of Natural Resources, Technology Innovation Center of Ecological Evaluation and Remediation of Agricultural Land in Plain Area, Hangzhou, China
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52
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Wang Q, Li Z, Feng X, Wang A, Li X, Wang D, Fan L. Mercury accumulation in vegetable Houttuynia cordata Thunb. from two different geological areas in southwest China and implications for human consumption. Sci Rep 2021; 11:52. [PMID: 33420215 PMCID: PMC7794452 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80183-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (HCT) is a common vegetable native to southwest China, and grown for consumption. The results suggested that THg contents in all parts and MeHg in underground parts of HCT in Hg mining areas were much higher than those in non-Hg mining areas. The highest THg and MeHg content of HCT were found in the roots, followed by the other tissues in the sequence: roots > leaves > rhizomes > aboveground stems (THg), and roots > rhizomes > aboveground stems > leaves (MeHg). The average THg bioaccumulation factor (BCF) of HCT root in the Hg mining area and in non-Hg mining areas could reach 1.02 ± 0.71 and 0.99 ± 0.71 respectively, indicating that HCT is a Hg accumulator. And the THg and MeHg contents in all tissues of HCT, including the leaves, were significantly correlated with THg and MeHg content in the soil. Additionally, preferred dietary habits of HCT consumption could directly affect the Hg exposure risk. Consuming the aboveground parts (CAP) of HCT potentially poses a high THg exposure risk and consuming the underground parts (CUP) may lead to a relatively high MeHg exposure risk. Only consuming the rhizomes (OCR) of the underground parts could significantly reduce the exposure risk of THg and to some extent of MeHg. In summary, HCT should not be cultivated near the Hg contaminated sites, such as Hg tailings, as it is associated with a greater risk of Hg exposure and high root Hg levels, and the roots should be removed before consumption to reduce the Hg risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfeng Wang
- Department of Resources and Environment, Zunyi Normal College, Zunyi, 563006, People's Republic of China. .,State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhonggen Li
- Department of Resources and Environment, Zunyi Normal College, Zunyi, 563006, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, People's Republic of China
| | - Ao Wang
- Zunyi Product Quality Inspection and Testing Institution, Zunyi, 563006, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Resources and Environment, Zunyi Normal College, Zunyi, 563006, People's Republic of China
| | - Leilei Fan
- Department of Resources and Environment, Zunyi Normal College, Zunyi, 563006, People's Republic of China
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53
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Du H, Guo P, Wang T, Ma M, Wang D. Significant bioaccumulation and biotransformation of methyl mercury by organisms in rice paddy ecosystems: A potential health risk to humans. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 273:116431. [PMID: 33453697 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Rice has been confirmed as one of the principal intake pathways for methylmercury (MeHg) in human, however, the impact of edible organisms, such as snails, loaches and eels, living in the rice-based ecosystem to the overall MeHg intake has been overlooked. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional ecological study, and the results showed that bioaccumulation of MeHg in these edible organisms was significantly higher than in paddy soils and rice roots (p < 0.001), even though rice roots and grains have significantly higher total Hg (THg) (p < 0.001). The MeHg/THg ratios were consistently and significantly higher in those edible organisms than in rice grains, suggesting a potential elevated MeHg exposure risk through consumption. Based on results of bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for MeHg, it was clear that MeHg was bioaccumulated and biotransformed from paddy soils to earthworms and then to eels, as well as from paddy soils to snails and then to eels and loaches, potentially indicating that the consumption of eels and loaches was absolutely pernicious to people regularly feeding on them. Overall, MeHg was biomagnified along the food chain of the paddy ecosystem from soil to the organisms, and it was of potential higher risks for local residents to eat them, especially eels and loaches. Therefore, it is intensely indispensable for people fond of such diets to attenuate their consumption of rice, eels and loaches, thus mitigating their MeHg exposure risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Du
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Bio-resource for Bioenergy, Southwest University, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Pan Guo
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Ming Ma
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Bio-resource for Bioenergy, Southwest University, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China; Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Dingyong Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Bio-resource for Bioenergy, Southwest University, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
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54
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Wu Q, Hu H, Meng B, Wang B, Poulain AJ, Zhang H, Liu J, Bravo AG, Bishop K, Bertilsson S, Feng X. Methanogenesis Is an Important Process in Controlling MeHg Concentration in Rice Paddy Soils Affected by Mining Activities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:13517-13526. [PMID: 33084323 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Rice paddies are agricultural sites of special concern because the potent toxin methylmercury (MeHg), produced in rice paddy soils, accumulates in rice grains. MeHg cycling is mostly controlled by microbes but their importance in MeHg production and degradation in paddy soils and across a Hg concentration gradient remains unclear. Here we used surface and rhizosphere soil samples in a series of incubation experiments in combination with stable isotope tracers to investigate the relative importance of different microbial groups on MeHg production and degradation across a Hg contamination gradient. We showed that sulfate reduction was the main driver of MeHg formation and concentration at control sites, and that methanogenesis had an important and complex role in MeHg cycling as Hg concentrations increased. The inhibition of methanogenesis at the mining sites led to an increase in MeHg production up to 16.6-fold and a decrease in MeHg degradation by up to 77%, suggesting that methanogenesis is associated with MeHg degradation as Hg concentrations increased. This study broadens our understanding of the roles of microbes in MeHg cycling and highlights methanogenesis as a key control of MeHg concentrations in rice paddies, offering the potential for mitigation of Hg contamination and for the safe production of rice in Hg-contaminated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Haiyan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, P. R. China
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala SE-75007, Sweden
| | - Bo Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, P. R. China
| | - Baolin Wang
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala SE-75007, Sweden
| | - Alexandre J Poulain
- Biology Department, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, P. R. China
| | - Jinling Liu
- School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Andrea G Bravo
- Department of Marine Biology and Oceanography, Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Pg Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, Barcelona E08003, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Kevin Bishop
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala SE-75007, Sweden
| | - Stefan Bertilsson
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala SE-75007, Sweden
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, P. R. China
- Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xian 710061, P. R. China
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55
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Wang Y, He T, Yin D, Han Y, Zhou X, Zhang G, Tian X. Modified clay mineral: A method for the remediation of the mercury-polluted paddy soil. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 204:111121. [PMID: 32798754 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Rice is easy to accumulate mercury (Hg), especially methylmercury (MeHg) with high toxicity, and this leads to a serious health risk for residents in some Hg-polluted areas of Asia. Thus, there is an urgent need to find soil remediation techniques that can both guarantee agricultural production and protect human health in these Hg-contaminated areas. In this study, montmorillonite (Mont) and medical stone (Med) were modified by a thiol-based material (-SH) and by chitosan to obtain modified clay mineral adsorbents. Pot experiments were then performed to explore their ability to reduce the levels of Hg and MeHg in rice and their reduction mechanisms. Compared with unmodified clay minerals, modified clay minerals had better Hg reduction efficiencies in rice. The amendment of SH-modified Med (Med-SH) had the highest THg and MeHg reduction efficiencies in rice, reaching up to 78% and 81%, respectively, and brought the THg concentration in the rice below China's health guidelines for rice (20 ng g-1). Not only did amendment of the SH-modified clay minerals reduce the exchangeable and specially adsorbed Hg in the soil, as did the other amendments, but they also significantly reduced the amount of oxide-bound Hg and MeHg in the soil, and greatly enhanced the retention of Hg and MeHg in soil, thus significantly reduced the concentration of Hg and MeHg in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Tianrong He
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China; College of Resources and Environment, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China; Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Deliang Yin
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China; College of Resources and Environment, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China; Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Yixin Han
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Xian Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Xiang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
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56
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Wang Y, Habibullah-Al-Mamun M, Han J, Wang L, Zhu Y, Xu X, Li N, Qiu G. Total mercury and methylmercury in rice: Exposure and health implications in Bangladesh. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114991. [PMID: 32574891 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Rice methylmercury (MeHg) contamination has attracted global attention, especially in countries where rice is considered a staple food. The daily rice intake rate in Bangladesh ranks first in the world; however, no attention has been paid to rice MeHg contamination in Bangladesh. Total Hg (THg) and MeHg concentrations of commercial rice (n = 172) from Bangladesh were first analyzed to accurately evaluate both rice MeHg and inorganic Hg (IHg) exposure in different age-gender groups of Bangladeshis. The corresponding adverse health impacts and associated economic loss were also assessed. The results showed that THg concentration in all samples ranged from 0.42 to 14.4 ng/g, with an average of 2.48 ± 1.41 ng/g, while the MeHg concentration ranged from 0.026 to 7.47 ng/g, with an average of 0.83 ± 0.60 ng/g. The highest average MeHg and IHg were both recorded in rice from Chittagong. The highest mean MeHg and IHg exposures were observed in 2-5 years-old group and were 16.2% of the reference dose (RfD) of 0.1 μg/kg/day for MeHg and 7.09% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 0.571 μg/kg/day for IHg. Surprisingly, MeHg exposure of the 2-5 year-old children could be up to 93.7% of the RfD at a high percentile (P99.9). The total intelligence quotient reduction caused by rice MeHg exposure could be 54700 points, and the associated economic loss is approximately 42.5 million USD. To avoid high rice MeHg exposure, it was suggested that diet structure be improved. More attention should be paid to residents with long-term rice MeHg exposure, especially children in the 2-5 year-old group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Wang
- College of Food Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Md Habibullah-Al-Mamun
- Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Jialiang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Le Wang
- Guizhou Province Key Laboratory for Information System of Mountainous Areas and Protection of Ecological Environment, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China; Plateau Wetland Ecology and Environment Research Center, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Yaru Zhu
- College of Resource & Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Ning Li
- National Grid Ningxia Electric Power Co., Ltd, Yinchuan Institute of Economy and Technology, Yinchuan, 750002, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
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57
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Tang Z, Fan F, Deng S, Wang D. Mercury in rice paddy fields and how does some agricultural activities affect the translocation and transformation of mercury - A critical review. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 202:110950. [PMID: 32800226 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) through rice consumption is raising health concerns. It has long been recognized that MeHg found in rice grain predominately originated from paddy soil. Anaerobic conditions in paddy fields promote Hg methylation, potentially leading to high MeHg concentrations in rice grain. Understanding the transformation and migration of Hg in the rice paddy system, as well as the effects of farming activities, are keys to assessing risks and developing potential mitigation strategies. Therefore, this review examines the current state of knowledge on: 1) sources of Hg in paddy fields; 2) how MeHg and inorganic Hg (IHg) are transformed (including abiotic and biotic processes); 3) how IHg and MeHg enter and translocate in rice plants; and 4) how regular farming activities (including the application of fertilizer, cultivation methods, choice of cultivar), affect Hg cycling in the paddy field system. Current issues and controversies on Hg transformation and migration in the paddy field system are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenya Tang
- Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science &Technology, Kunming, China; Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Fangling Fan
- School of Energy and Environment Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China.
| | - Shiping Deng
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
| | - Dingyong Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; State Cultivation Base of Eco-agriculture for Southwest Mountainous Land, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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58
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Sun T, Wang Z, Zhang X, Niu Z, Chen J. Influences of high-level atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury on methylmercury accumulation in maize (Zea mays L.). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114890. [PMID: 32544787 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) leaves play an important role in stomatal uptake and surface adsorption of atmospheric mercury (Hg). However, the influence of atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) on methylmercury (MeHg) accumulation in maize plants is poorly understood. In this study, we conducted a field open-top chambers (OTCs) experiment and a soil Hg-enriched experiment to investigate the response of MeHg accumulation in maize tissues to different GEM levels in the air. Maize upper leaves had a higher average MeHg concentration (0.21 ± 0.08 ng g-1) than bottom leaves (0.15 ± 0.05 ng g-1) in the OTCs experiment, which was inconsistent with that in the soil Hg-enriched experiment (maize upper leaves: 0.41 ± 0.07 ng g-1, maize bottom leaves: 0.60 ± 0.05 ng g-1). Additionally, significantly positive correlations were found between MeHg concentrations in maize leaves and air Hg levels, suggesting that elevated air Hg levels enhanced MeHg accumulation in maize leaves, which was possibly attributed to methylation of Hg on leaf surfaces. Mature maize grains from the OTCs experiment had low MeHg concentrations (0.12-0.23 ng g-1), suggesting a low accumulation capability of MeHg by maize grains. Approximately 93-96% of MeHg and 51-73% of total Hg in maize grains were lost from the grain-filling stage to the grain-ripening stage at all GEM level treatments, implying that self-detoxification in maize grains occurred. MeHg concentrations in maize roots showed a significant linear relationship (R2 = 0.98, p < 0.01) with soil Hg levels, confirming that MeHg in maize roots is primarily from soil. This study provides a new finding that elevated air GEM levels could enhance MeHg accumulation in maize leaves, and self-detoxification may occur in maize grains. Further studies are needed to clarify these mechanisms of Hg methylation on maize leaf surfaces and self-detoxification of Hg by maize grains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; Western University, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Zhangwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Xiaoshan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhenchuan Niu
- Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Science, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
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59
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Feng L, Zhang C, Liu H, Li P, Hu X, Wang H, Chan HM, Feng X. Impact of low-level mercury exposure on intelligence quotient in children via rice consumption. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 202:110870. [PMID: 32593806 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Wanshan is a city in southwest China that has several inactive mercury (Hg) mines. The local population are exposed to methylmercury (MeHg) due to the consumption of Hg contaminated rice. The relationship between Hg exposure and the cognitive functions of local children is unknown. This study investigated the relationship between hair Hg concentrations and the intelligence quotient (IQ) of 314 children aged 8-10 years, recruited from three local primary schools in Wanshan area in 2018 and 2019. IQ was evaluated using Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fourth Edition (WISC-IV). The average THg concentration in children's hair samples was 1.53 μg g-1 (range: 0.21-12.6 μg g-1), and 65.6% exceeded the United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) recommended value of 1 μg g-1. Results of logistic regression analysis showed that children with hair Hg ≥ 1 μg g-1 were 1.58 times more likely to have an IQ score <80, which is the clinical cut-off for borderline intellectual disability (R2 = 0.20, p = 0.03). Increasing of 1 μg g-1 hair Hg resulted in 1 point of IQ loss in Wanshan children, which was.much higher than that via fish consumption. The economical cost due to Hg exposure was estimated to be $69.8 million (9.43% of total GDP) in the Wanshan area in 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Feng
- School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Chanchan Zhang
- School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Haohao Liu
- School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Ping Li
- School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
| | - Xuefeng Hu
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Huiqun Wang
- School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Hing Man Chan
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
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60
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Li R, Wu H, Ding J, Li N, Fu W, Gan L, Li Y. Transgenic merA and merB expression reduces mercury contamination in vegetables and grains grown in mercury-contaminated soil. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2020; 39:1369-1380. [PMID: 32712731 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-020-02570-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Arabidopsis, tobacco, tomato and rice with merA/merB expressed reduced mercury concentration of leaves, fruits or grains. These mercury-breathing plants produce agricultural products with acceptable levels of mercury from contaminated soil. Mercury contamination in plant food products can cause serious health risks to consumers. Transgenic approaches to enhance mercury phytoremediation have been accomplished with expression of bacterial merA and merB genes to convert toxic organic mercury to less toxic elemental mercury. However, little is known whether these genes can be used to produce safe foods from plants grown on mercury-contaminated land. We have used Arabidopsis and tobacco as model plants for leafy vegetables, and tomato and rice as representative fruit and grain crops to investigate whether merA and merB expression allows for production of safe foods from mercury-contaminated soils. Our results show that grown on heavily contaminated land with mercury, merA and merB expressing transgenic plants can produce vegetables, fruits and grains safe for human and animal consumption, while the wild-type plants cannot. The merA and merB transgenic plants can also efficiently remove mercury from soil. With increasing mercury contamination problems for the agricultural land worldwide, the use of the merA and merB genes can help produce safe food from mercury-polluted land and also remediate contaminated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Han Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Jing Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Nan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Weimin Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Lijun Gan
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
| | - Yi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA.
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Angeles-Agdeppa I, Sun Y, Tanda KV. Dietary pattern and nutrient intakes in association with non-communicable disease risk factors among Filipino adults: a cross-sectional study. Nutr J 2020; 19:79. [PMID: 32746858 PMCID: PMC7397579 DOI: 10.1186/s12937-020-00597-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study evaluated the relationship between dietary quality and food patterns of Filipino adults and the rising prevalence of selected cardiometabolic non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study that examined the association of dietary pattern and NCDs using data collected in the 2013 National Nutrition Survey. A total of 19,914 adults aged 20 years and above were included in the analyses. The Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI-2010) was used to characterize the dietary quality, and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify dietary patterns specific to the study population. Logistic regression models were applied to assess the association between the dietary pattern scores and selected cardiometabolic NCD indices including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and overweight and obesity with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS The mean AHEI-2010 score was 19.7 for women and 18.9 for men out of a total possible score of 100. Three major dietary patterns were identified through PCA: 1) meat and sweetened beverages (MSB); 2) rice and fish (RF) and 3) fruit, vegetables and snack (FVS). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, the AHEI pattern was associated with higher odds of overweight/obesity [extreme-tertile odds ratio (OR) 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.21]. Subjects in the highest tertile of the MSB pattern had greater odds for overweight/obesity, diabetes, high total cholesterol, low HDL-cholesterol, high LDL-cholesterol, and high triglycerides (OR ranging 1.20 to 1.70, all p-value < 0.001). The RF pattern was associated with higher probability of overweight/obesity (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.08-1.32) high LDL-cholesterol (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.07-1.37), and less likelihood of diabetes (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77-0.98). The FVS pattern was associated with lower probability of overweight/obesity, diabetes, high triglycerides, and hypertension (OR ranging 0.85 to 0.90, all p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Diet quality of Filipino adults is extremely poor. MSB and RF patterns were associated with a higher risk of cardiometabolic NCD indices, while FVS pattern was associated to lower risks. Identifying healthy and detrimental dietary patterns in the local diet could be informative for future local-based dietary recommendation and area-specific intervention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa
- Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Bicutan, Taguig, Philippines.
| | - Ye Sun
- Nestlé Research Singapore Hub, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Keith V Tanda
- Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Bicutan, Taguig, Philippines
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Distribution of total and organic mercury in soils around an artisanal and small-scale gold mining area in West Java, Indonesia. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-020-3008-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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63
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Bishop K, Shanley JB, Riscassi A, de Wit HA, Eklöf K, Meng B, Mitchell C, Osterwalder S, Schuster PF, Webster J, Zhu W. Recent advances in understanding and measurement of mercury in the environment: Terrestrial Hg cycling. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 721:137647. [PMID: 32197286 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This review documents recent advances in terrestrial mercury cycling. Terrestrial mercury (Hg) research has matured in some areas, and is developing rapidly in others. We summarize the state of the science circa 2010 as a starting point, and then present the advances during the last decade in three areas: land use, sulfate deposition, and climate change. The advances are presented in the framework of three Hg "gateways" to the terrestrial environment: inputs from the atmosphere, uptake in food, and runoff with surface water. Among the most notable advances: These and other advances reported here are of value in evaluating the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention on reducing environmental Hg exposure to humans and wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Bishop
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7050, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | | | - Ami Riscassi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400123, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4123, USA.
| | - Heleen A de Wit
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadalléen 21, NO-0349, Norway.
| | - Karin Eklöf
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7050, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Bo Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China.
| | - Carl Mitchell
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada.
| | - Stefan Osterwalder
- Institut des Géosciences de l'Environnement, Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, IRD, Grenoble 18 INP, 38000 Grenoble, France.
| | - Paul F Schuster
- U.S. Geological Survey, 3215 Marine Street, Suite E-127, Boulder, CO 80303-1066, USA.
| | - Jackson Webster
- Department of Civil Engineering, California State University, 400 W. 1st Street, 21 95929-0930 Chico, CA, USA.
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183 Umeå, Sweden.
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Zhao L, Meng B, Feng X. Mercury methylation in rice paddy and accumulation in rice plant: A review. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 195:110462. [PMID: 32179234 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The bioavailability and toxicity of mercury (Hg) are dependent on its chemical speciation, in which methylmercury (MeHg) is the most toxic compound. Inorganic Hg can be transformed into MeHg in anaerobic conditions. Subsequent accumulation and biomagnification in the food chain pose a potential threat to human health. Previous studies have confirmed that paddy soil is an important site for MeHg production, and rice fields are an important source of MeHg in terrestrial ecosystems. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is recently confirmed as a potential bioaccumulator plant of MeHg. Understanding the behaviour of Hg in rice paddies is important, particularly the mechanisms involved in Hg sources, uptake, toxicity, detoxification, and accumulation in crops. This review highlights the issue of MeHg-contaminated rice, and presents the current understanding of the Hg cycling in the rice paddy ecosystem, including the mechanism and processes of Hg species accumulation in rice plants and Hg methylation/demethylation processes in rice paddies and the primary controlling factors. The review also identified various research gaps in previous studies and proposes future research objectives to reduce the impact of Hg-contamination in rice crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhao
- School of Management Science, Guizhou University of Finance and Economics, Guiyang, 550025, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, PR China
| | - Bo Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, PR China.
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, PR China.
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Xing Y, Wang J, Shaheen SM, Feng X, Chen Z, Zhang H, Rinklebe J. Mitigation of mercury accumulation in rice using rice hull-derived biochar as soil amendment: A field investigation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 388:121747. [PMID: 32001101 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Effect of application of 24 t ha-1 and 72 t ha-1 rice hull-derived biochar (RHB) on total Hg (THg) and methylHg (MeHg) immobilization and their accumulations by rice plants were studied in a field experiment (Wanshan Hg mine, China). The addition of two doses of RHB significantly increased the biomass of rice plants, and decreased the MeHg concentration in the pore water, as compared to the control. The RHB promoted the partitioning of pore water MeHg to the soil solid phase throughout rice growing season, and pore water THg partitioning only at rice filling stage. Mercury methylation potential was weakly affected by the RHB addition to the soil. Mercury might be immobilized through binding of thiols (e.g., cysteine) presented in the RHB or in the soil induced by RHB addition. Biochar addition decreased MeHg and THg contents in the tissues of rice plants, particularly in the polished rice. We attributed the reduction of THg in the rice to the bio-dilution effect, and of MeHg content in the rice to the decreased MeHg availability in the soil by RHB addition. Results suggest that RHB might be suitable for managing Hg transfer in soil-rice plants at Hg contaminated mining regions in China and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xing
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550002, PR China; University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Jianxu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China; University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany; CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an, 710061, PR China.
| | - Sabry M Shaheen
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany; King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment, and Arid Land Agriculture, Department of Arid Land Agriculture, 21589, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; University of Kafrelsheikh, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil and Water Sciences, 33516, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt.
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China.
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550002, PR China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China.
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany; University of Sejong, Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, 98 Gunja-Dong, Guangjin-Gu, Seoul, South Korea.
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Chang C, Chen C, Yin R, Shen Y, Mao K, Yang Z, Feng X, Zhang H. Bioaccumulation of Hg in Rice Leaf Facilitates Selenium Bioaccumulation in Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) Leaf in the Wanshan Mercury Mine. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:3228-3236. [PMID: 32101685 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b06486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation in rice poses a health issue for rice consumers. In rice paddies, selenium (Se) can decrease the bioavailability of Hg through forming the less bioavailable Hg selenides (HgSe) in soil. Rice leaves can directly uptake a substantial amount of elemental Hg from the atmosphere, however, whether the bioaccumulation of Hg in rice leaves can affect the bioaccumulation of Se in rice plants is not known. Here, we conducted field and controlled studies to investigate the bioaccumulation of Hg and Se in the rice-soil system. In the field study, we observed a significantly positive correlation between Hg concentrations and BAFs of Se in rice leaves (r2 = 0.60, p < 0.01) collected from the Wanshan Mercury Mine, SW China, suggesting that the bioaccumulation of atmospheric Hg in rice leaves can facilitate the uptake of soil Se, perhaps through the formation of Hg-Se complex in rice leaves. This conclusion was supported by the controlled study, which observed significantly higher concentrations and BAFs of Se in rice leaf at a high atmospheric Hg site at WMM, compared to a low atmospheric Hg site in Guiyang, SW China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanyu Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Chongying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, P. R. China
| | - Kang Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, P. R. China
| | - Zhugen Yang
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK430AL, United Kingdom
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, P. R. China
- Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xian 710061, P. R. China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, P. R. China
- Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xian 710061, P. R. China
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Xu X, Han J, Pang J, Wang X, Lin Y, Wang Y, Qiu G. Methylmercury and inorganic mercury in Chinese commercial rice: Implications for overestimated human exposure and health risk. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 258:113706. [PMID: 31864929 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
China is the largest rice producer and consumer in the world, and mercury (Hg) levels, particularly methylmercury (MeHg), in rice and health exposure risks are public concerns. Total Hg (THg) and MeHg levels in 767 (domestic = 709 and abroad = 58) Chinese commercial rice were investigated to evaluate Hg pollution level, dietary exposures and risks of IHg and MeHg. The mean rice THg and MeHg levels were 3.97 ± 2.33 μg/kg and 1.37 ± 1.18 μg/kg, respectively. The highest daily intake of MeHg and IHg were obtained in younger groups, accounted for 6% of the reference dose-0.1 μg/kg bw/day for MeHg, 0.3% of the provisional tolerance week intake-0.571 μg/kg bw/day for IHg. Residents in Central China and Southern China meet the highest rice Hg exposure, which were more than 7 times of those in Northwest China. Lower concentrations than earlier studies were observed along the implementations of strict policies since 2007. This may indicate that a declining temporal trend of Hg in Chinese grown rice and associated exposures could be obtained with the implementations of strict policies. Though there exist Hg pollution in commercial rice, Hg levels in Chinese commercial rice is generally safe compared with Hg polluted sites. Populations dwelling in China have relatively a quite low and safe MeHg and IHg exposure via the intake of commercial rice. Strict policies contributed to the decrease in THg and MeHg levels in Chinese-grown rice. More attention should be paid to younger groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jialiang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jian Pang
- Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Xun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Yan Lin
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo, 0349, Norway
| | - Yajie Wang
- College of Food Safety, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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68
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Zhang C, Gan C, Ding L, Xiong M, Zhang A, Li P. Maternal inorganic mercury exposure and renal effects in the Wanshan mercury mining area, southwest China. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 189:109987. [PMID: 31784104 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the relationship between urine mercury (UHg) concentrations and renal function (serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)) in delivery women in the Wanshan mercury (Hg) mining area. Leishan County was selected as the control area. 165 and 65 maternal samples were collected from the Wanshan and Leishan area, respectively. The geometric means of UHg concentrations were 1.09 and 0.29 μg/L in Wanshan and Leishan subjects, respectively. Significant differences (p < 0.01) of UHg were observed between the two populations, indicating the potential risks of inorganic Hg exposure in the Wanshan population. The median (interquartile range) values of SCr were 69.1 (12.5) μmol/L and 46.0 (11.0) μmol/L for the Wanshan and Leishan populations, respectively, indicating significant differences (p < 0.01) between the two groups. However, no significant differences among BUN values for the two groups were observed. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.385, p < 0.001) was observed between UHg concentration and SCr in the study population. The odds ratio (OR) value of UHg in Wanshan area was 9.29 times higher than that in Leishan area (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.58-24.1). The OR value of SCr decrease in patients with low UHg was 0.32 times higher than that in patients with high UHg (95% CI: 0.19-0.55). The OR value of SCr decrease in the population with fish consumption was 0.71 times higher than that of the population without fish consumption (95% CI: 0.58-0.88). In conclusion, maternal IHg exposure caused impaired renal function and fish consumption may play a role in preventing Hg-induced nephrotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanchan Zhang
- School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Chunfang Gan
- School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Li Ding
- School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Min Xiong
- School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Aihua Zhang
- School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Ping Li
- School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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Khanam R, Kumar A, Nayak AK, Shahid M, Tripathi R, Vijayakumar S, Bhaduri D, Kumar U, Mohanty S, Panneerselvam P, Chatterjee D, Satapathy BS, Pathak H. Metal(loid)s (As, Hg, Se, Pb and Cd) in paddy soil: Bioavailability and potential risk to human health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 699:134330. [PMID: 31522043 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Rice is one of the principal staple foods, essential for safeguarding the global food and nutritional security, but due to different natural and anthropogenic sources, it also acts as one of the biggest reservoirs of potentially toxic metal(loids) like As, Hg, Se, Pb and Cd. This review summarizes mobilization, translocation and speciation mechanism of these metal(loids) in soil-plant continuum as well as available cost-effective remediation measures and future research needs to eliminate the long-term risk to human health. High concentrations of these elements not only cause toxicity problems in plants, but also in animals that consume them and gradual deposition of these elements leads to the risk of bioaccumulation. The extensive occurrence of contaminated rice grains globally poses substantial public health risk and merits immediate action. People living in hotspots of contamination are exposed to higher health risks, however, rice import/export among different countries make the problem of global concern. Accumulation of As, Hg, Se, Pb and Cd in rice grains can be reduced by reducing their bioavailability, and controlling their uptake by rice plants. The contaminated soils can be reclaimed by phytoremediation, bioremediation, chemical amendments and mechanical measures; however these methods are either too expensive and/or too slow. Integration of innovative agronomic practices like crop establishment methods and improved irrigation and nutrient management practices are important steps to help mitigate the accumulation in soil as well as plant parts. Adoption of transgenic techniques for development of rice cultivars with low accumulation in edible plant parts could be a realistic option that would permit rice cultivation in soils with high bioavailability of these metal(loid)s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubina Khanam
- ICAR - National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India
| | - Anjani Kumar
- ICAR - National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India
| | - A K Nayak
- ICAR - National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India.
| | - Md Shahid
- ICAR - National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India
| | - Rahul Tripathi
- ICAR - National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India
| | - S Vijayakumar
- ICAR - National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India
| | | | - Upendra Kumar
- ICAR - National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India
| | - Sangita Mohanty
- ICAR - National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India
| | - P Panneerselvam
- ICAR - National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India
| | | | - B S Satapathy
- ICAR - National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India
| | - H Pathak
- ICAR - National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India
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Zhao G, Duan Z, Lian M, Svanberg S. Atmospheric Mercury in China Studied with Differential Absorption Lidar. EPJ WEB OF CONFERENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/202023703003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mercury is a very serious environmental pollutant which is intensely studied by many researchers. China is a main producer and consumer of mercury. We have pursued extensive monitoring of atomic mercury using the differential absorption lidar (DIAL) technique, based on a newly constructed mobile monitoring system. Mercury levels in major cities (Guangzhou, Zhengzhou, Xi´a n) were measured, as well as in mercury mining areas in Wanshan, Guizhou province. Further, mercury emissions from the Emperor Qin Mausoleum in Xi´an were investigated together with archaeologists.
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Xu X, Han J, Abeysinghe KS, Atapattu AJ, De Silva PMCS, Xu Z, Long S, Qiu G. Dietary exposure assessment of total mercury and methylmercury in commercial rice in Sri Lanka. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 239:124749. [PMID: 31505443 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) in rice has attracted growing health concern over the past decade, due to the accumulation of high MeHg levels, which may pose potential health risk to humans. Rice is the staple food in Sri Lanka; nevertheless, the presence of micro pollutants, such as MeHg has been not investigated. Therefore, commercial rice samples from the Sri Lankan market (n = 163) were measured to reveal the total mercury (THg) and MeHg levels. THg (mean: 1.73 ± 0.89 ng/g, range: 0.21-6.13 ng/g) and MeHg concentrations (mean: 0.51 ± 0.37 ng/g; range: 0.03-3.81 ng/g) were low. Compared to the fish MeHg exposure, the rice MeHg exposure was generally lower in different consumption groups, suggesting that rice plays a less role than fish in MeHg exposure in Sri Lanka. Babies (infants and toddlers) at one year old may face fish MeHg exposure (0.17 μg/kg bw/day) higher than the reference dose for MeHg (RfD)-0.1 μg/kg bw/day, which was more than 5 times that of rice MeHg exposure (0.031 μg/kg bw/day). Future studies in Sri Lanka should focus on health impacts under long-term overexposure of MeHg, especially in vulnerable populations. Some diet changes should be made to mitigate MeHg exposure levels in Sri Lankans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jialiang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kasun S Abeysinghe
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Anjana J Atapattu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, 666303, China; Agronomy Division, Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, 61150, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Zhidong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | | | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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Ao M, Xu X, Wu Y, Zhang C, Meng B, Shang L, Liang L, Qiu R, Wang S, Qian X, Zhao L, Qiu G. Newly deposited atmospheric mercury in a simulated rice ecosystem in an active mercury mining region: High loading, accumulation, and availability. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 238:124630. [PMID: 31473530 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) mining activities are an important anthropogenic source of atmospheric Hg. The Xunyang Hg mine located in Shaanxi Province is the largest active Hg producing centre in China. To understand the biogeochemical processes of atmospheric Hg through Hg mining activities, six groups of experimental pots were carefully designed to investigate the effect of Hg mining activities on Hg contamination from atmospheric deposition in the local surface soils. Based on the variations of Hg in the soil from the experimental pots, the deposition flux and loading of Hg in the Xunyang Hg mining district were investigated. The results showed that the average concentration of total gaseous mercury (TGM) as high as 193 ± 122 ng m-3 was observed in the ambient air, which was orders of magnitude higher than that in remote areas. The average deposition flux and annual loading of atmospheric Hg were 72 mg m-2 y-1 and 10 t y-1, respectively. The dominant atmospheric Hg deposition is within a distance range of 6.0-12 km from the Hg retorting facility, accounting for approximately 85% of the total Hg loading. After 14 months of exposure, total mercury (THg) concentrations in the soil from the experimental pots increased 0.35-9.5 times, and the highest concentrations of methylmercury (MeHg) (3.7 ± 2.9 μg kg-1) in soil were observed in February. Concentrations as high as 643 μg kg-1 THg and 13 μg kg-1 MeHg in rice were observed in the second experimental year. Elevated concentrations of both THg and MeHg in rice indicated that the newly deposited atmospheric Hg was bioavailable, readily methylated, and taken up by rice, suggesting that the ongoing Hg mining activities cause serious Hg contamination in the soil-rice ecosystem and posed a threat to local residents in the Xunyang Hg mining area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Ao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China; College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Yonggui Wu
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China.
| | - Chao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China
| | - Bo Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China
| | - Lihai Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China
| | - Longchao Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China; College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Rongliang Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Shizhong Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Xiaoli Qian
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Lei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China.
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73
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Jinadasa BKKK, Fowler SW. Critical review of mercury contamination in Sri Lankan fish and aquatic products. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 149:110526. [PMID: 31543477 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) in fish and aquatic products is a potential threat to human health and international trade, and guidelines of international advisory bodies are established for assessing Hg in these foods. As fish are the most consumed animal protein in Sri Lanka, this assessment summarises for the first-time total mercury concentrations in Sri Lankan marine and freshwater fish, invertebrates, aquatic plants, and fisheries products. It reveals that Hg levels in fish and other edible aquatic species are mostly below the published safety limits, except for certain top trophic level fish (swordfish, tuna, marlin). The review also highlights gaps in Sri Lankan Hg assessments such as a total lack of data for methyl‑mercury in these aquatic species and food products. This data compilation and assessment will serve as an initial baseline for comparison with results from future monitoring and research studies in Sri Lanka while adding to the world-wide Hg database.
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Affiliation(s)
- B K K K Jinadasa
- Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (ACL), National Aquatic Resources Research & Development Agency (NARA), Colombo 15, Sri Lanka.
| | - Scott W Fowler
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000, USA
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74
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Liang L, Xu X, Han J, Xu Z, Wu P, Guo J, Qiu G. Characteristics, speciation, and bioavailability of mercury and methylmercury impacted by an abandoned coal gangue in southwestern China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:37001-37011. [PMID: 31745793 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06775-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
During coal mining activities, a lot of coal gangue is produced, which usually contains high mercury (Hg) concentrations as well as the acid mine drainage (AMD) generator of pyrite. In the present study, the total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in gangue, water, sediment, paddy soil, and rice samples, collected from abandoned coal mining areas, were analyzed. Results showed that the THg concentrations ranged from 0.37 to 35 mg/kg (11 ± 8.4 mg/kg) and 0.15 to 19 mg/kg (2.0 ± 3.9 mg/kg) in gangue and sediments, respectively. For paddy soils, the THg concentrations and MeHg varied from 0.16 to 0.91 mg/kg and 0.71 to 11 ng/g, respectively. Rice samples exhibited wide concentration ranges of THg (3.0-22 ng/g) and MeHg (0.71-8.9 ng/g). Sequential extraction of Hg revealed that the nitric acid-extractable state Hg (F4) was the dominant Hg species in gangue and sediment, while humic acids state Hg (F3) was the dominant form in paddy soil. Compared with gangue, higher percentages of F3 and the residual state Hg (F5) in both sediment and soil samples implied the transformation of F4 to F3 and F5 during transportation. Soil n-HAs (the difference between the total organic carbon and humic acids) were positively correlated with both THg and MeHg in soil and rice, indicating that n-HAs enhance Hg bioavailability under acidic conditions. Further studies should be conducted to reveal the factors influencing the transformation of different Hg fractions, providing ideas on decreasing the bioavailability of Hg in coal mining areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longchao Liang
- College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jialiang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Zhidong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Pan Wu
- College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
- Key laboratory of Karst Environment and Geohazard, Ministry of Land and Resources, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Jianyang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
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75
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Harley J, Gaxiola-Robles R, Zenteno-Savín T, Méndez-Rodríguez LC, Bencomo-Alvarez AE, Thiede A, O'Hara TM. Using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope modelling to assess dietary mercury exposure for pregnant women in Baja California Sur, Mexico. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 234:702-714. [PMID: 31234087 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.06.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous studies of mercury (Hg) in pregnant women in the area of La Paz, Baja California Sur (BCS), Mexico found a proportion of individuals had concentrations of total Hg ([THg]) above some thresholds of concern set by health agencies. The [THg] were associated with fish and seafood consumption as well as other factors; although it was unclear which marine diet items could potentially be contributing to the concentrations observed. METHOD We examined [THg] and monomethylmercury concentration ([MeHg+]) in the archived hair of 70 pregnant women from BCS as well as in diet items including fish, shellfish, and staple items (rice, beans, corn, and flour). We measured stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen and employed a Bayesian stable isotope mixing model to investigate the proportion of fish and seafood in the isotopic profiles of archived hair samples. RESULTS Concentrations of Hg species were low in staple foods and ranged from below detection limit to 5.71 parts per billion (ppb) wet weight. In hair, geometric mean [THg] was 658 ppb and [MeHg+] was 395 ppb, which were lower than previous reports. Percent MeHg+ was positively correlated with higher δ15N values. CONCLUSIONS The largest carbon contributors to the diet of the study participants were corn and rice, and our analysis of fish contribution to diet varyingly agreed with the self-reported fish consumption. This report highlights the ability to discriminate potential sources of Hg from a diverse diet and the limitations of dietary recall studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Harley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 900 Yukon Drive Rm 194, Fairbanks, AK, 99775-6160, USA.
| | - Ramón Gaxiola-Robles
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23096. Mexico; Hospital General de Zona No.1. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. 5 de Febrero y Héroes de la Independencia, Centro, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23000. Mexico.
| | - Tania Zenteno-Savín
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23096. Mexico.
| | - Lía Celina Méndez-Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23096. Mexico.
| | - Alfonso Enrique Bencomo-Alvarez
- Hospital General de Zona No.1. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. 5 de Febrero y Héroes de la Independencia, Centro, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23000. Mexico.
| | - Alisa Thiede
- Department of Biology and Wildlife, 211 Irving I, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA.
| | - Todd M O'Hara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 901 Koyukuk Dr, Fairbanks, AK, 99775-7750, USA.
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76
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Sun T, Ma M, Du H, Wang X, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Wang D. Effect of different rotation systems on mercury methylation in paddy fields. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 182:109403. [PMID: 31276889 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Rice (Oryza sativa) paddy is the hotspot of mercury (Hg) methylation. Given distinct influences of rotation systems on the physicochemical properties of paddy soils, we hypothesized different rotation systems in rice paddies inducing a large difference in Hg methylation. Here, we investigated Hg species distribution, dissolved organic matter (DOM) features, and Hg methylation in five rotation systems (Other farmland newly reclaim into paddy field, i.e., NR-R; Drain the water in winter, i.e., DW-R; Flooding in winter, i.e., FW-R; Rape-Rice rotation, i.e., Ra-R; Wheat-Rice rotation, i.e., Wh-R) of paddy fields to identify such hypothesis. Results shown that FW-R had the strongest Hg methylation, followed by Ra-R and Wh-R, then DW-R, and finally NR-R. We further found that much higher soil organic matter (SOM) and organo-chelated Hg (Hg-o) from straw residues and root exudates were the main cause for the greater Hg methylation in FW-R, Ra-R and Wh-R. This was because the protein-like fraction of SOM facilitated the net production of methyl Hg (MeHg), meanwhile the humin-like fraction had a strong affinity to MeHg in paddy soils. Therefore, it can be concluded that paddy soil under DW-R was the optimum pattern in order to reduce the occurrence of Hg methylation. However, paddy soils under Ra-R and Wh-R were the recommendable patterns if the productivity of paddy fields was considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Sun
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Ming Ma
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Hongxia Du
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Xun Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Yongjiang Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China; Ecological Environmental Monitoring Station of Qianjiang District in Chongqing, Chongqing, 409099, China
| | - Yongmin Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Dingyong Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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77
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Sun G, Feng X, Yin R, Zhao H, Zhang L, Sommar J, Li Z, Zhang H. Corn (Zea mays L.): A low methylmercury staple cereal source and an important biospheric sink of atmospheric mercury, and health risk assessment. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 131:104971. [PMID: 31284107 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.104971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In mercury (Hg) contaminated areas of Asia, human exposure to toxic methyl-Hg (MeHg) through a rice-based diet of locally produced crop may pose a health threat. Alternative cropping system to rice in such areas would be most desirable. In this study, corn, the leading cereal source in the world with large biomass, was demonstrated to accumulate an insignificant amount of MeHg from the soil in its edible portion compared to that in rice, suggesting corn being a very competitive alternative crop. By examining Hg stable isotope composition, Hg in the aerial parts of corn was found to be mostly from the atmosphere. Maize cropping worldwide is estimated to be a discemible sink of atmospheric Hg with approximately 44 Mg Hg accumulated in each growing season on a yearly basis, most of which is from foliar uptake of atmospheric Hg and this amount is comparable to litterfall Hg observed in North America and Europe. It is thus recommended to use corn as a replacement of rice in highly Hg-contaminated areas for remediation of Hg pollution in the food supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China.
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Huifang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Leiming Zhang
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto M3H5T4, Canada
| | - Jonas Sommar
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Zhonggen Li
- College of Resources and Environment, Zunyi Normal University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China.
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78
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Xu Z, Abeysinghe KS, Xu X, Gu C, Liang L, Lu Q, Zhang Y, Zheng L, Wang WX, Qiu G. New insights into the chemical forms of extremely high methylmercury in songbird feathers from a contaminated site. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 225:803-809. [PMID: 30904760 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The chemical forms of mercury (Hg), particularly methylmercury (MeHg), in songbird feathers from an abandoned mining region were analyzed via X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis (XANES). In feathers, proportions of MeHg as total mercury (75.6-100%) quantified by the XANES were directly comparable to the chemical extraction values (74.1-95.9%). Most of MeHg were bound with cysteine (Cys) and reduced glutathione (GSH), whereas inorganic mercury (IHg) was mainly bound with GSH. These results were consistent with those found in fish muscles and human hairs of both fish consumers and occupational Hg exposure populations. Our study suggested that chemical forms and speciation of Hg were highly dependent on the exposure sources and food consumption, respectively. Bird feathers were able to selectively accumulate MeHg due to their special binding ways. However, detailed mechanisms of Hg accumulation in bird feathers remain to be further elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidong Xu
- State Key laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kasun S Abeysinghe
- State Key laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaohang Xu
- State Key laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chunhao Gu
- Department of Ecosystems Science and Management, University of Wyoming, 82071, United States
| | - Longchao Liang
- College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Qinhui Lu
- State Key laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yubo Zhang
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Anshun College, Anshun, 561000, China
| | - Lirong Zheng
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wen-Xiong Wang
- Department of Ocean Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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79
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Xu X, Yan M, Liang L, Lu Q, Han J, Liu L, Feng X, Guo J, Wang Y, Qiu G. Impacts of selenium supplementation on soil mercury speciation, and inorganic mercury and methylmercury uptake in rice (Oryza sativa L.). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 249:647-654. [PMID: 30933762 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Rice grain is known to accumulate methylmercury (MeHg) and has been confirmed to be the major pathway of MeHg exposure to residents in mercury (Hg) mining areas in China. Selenium (Se) supplementation has been proven to be effective in mitigating the toxicity of Hg. To understand how Se supplementation influences soil Hg speciation, a wide range of Se (0-500 mg/kg) was applied to Hg polluted paddy soils in this study, which decreased MeHg concentration in soil from 2.95 ± 0.36 to 0.69 ± 0.16 μg/kg (or 77%). After Se addition, humic acid state Hg (F4) was transformed into strong-complexed state Hg (F5), indicating that Hg bound up to the non-sulfur functional groups of humic acid (non-RSH) was released and reabsorbed by strong binding Se functional group (F5). As a result, inorganic Hg (IHg) was reduced by >48%, 18%, and 80% in root, stem, and grain, respectively, however, the reduction was not apparent in leaf. Substantial reductions were also found for MeHg in grain and root, but not in stem and leaf. Soil is suggested to be the main source of both MeHg and IHg in rice grain. Such a finding may provide an idea for improving Hg-polluted paddies through controlling soil IHg and MeHg. Further research on the molecular structure of the strong-complexed Hg in F5 should be conducted to elucidate the mechanism of Hg-Se antagonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Min Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | | | - Qinhui Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | | | - Lin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Jianyang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Yajie Wang
- College of Food Safety, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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80
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Yeung AWK, Tzvetkov NT, Jóźwik A, Horbanczuk OK, Polgar T, Pieczynska MD, Sampino S, Nicoletti F, Berindan-Neagoe I, Battino M, Atanasov AG. Food toxicology: quantitative analysis of the research field literature. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2019; 71:13-21. [PMID: 31140340 DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2019.1620184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Total-scale quantitative research literature analysis on the food toxicology scientific field has yet to be conducted. In this work, we identified and analysed food toxicology publications in the existing scientific literature. A literature search was performed with the online Web of Science database. Full records and cited references of the 73,099 identified manuscripts were imported into VOSviewer software for analysis. This research field has been growing steadily since the 1990s. Article to review ratio was 7.4:1. The publications were mainly related to toxicology, environmental sciences, food science and technology, pharmacology/pharmacy and biochemistry/molecular biology. The United States and China are major contributors to food toxicology research, followed by other European and Asian countries. The prolific authors have formed three major clusters within a citation network. Toxic or hazardous chemicals related to food with high citations included aflatoxin, dioxin, fumonisin, malondialdehyde, mycotoxin, ochratoxin, phthalate, and polychlorinated biphenyl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Wai Kan Yeung
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Applied Oral Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R, China
| | - Nikolay T Tzvetkov
- Department of Biochemical Pharmacology and Drug Design, Institute of Molecular Biology "Roumen Tsanev", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria.,Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Artur Jóźwik
- The Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, Poland
| | - Olaf K Horbanczuk
- Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Timea Polgar
- GLOBE Program Association (GLOBE-PA), Grandville, MI, USA
| | - Magdalena D Pieczynska
- The Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, Poland
| | - Silvestre Sampino
- The Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, Poland
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- MEDFUTURE - Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Institute of Doctoral Studies, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Department of Experimental Pathology, "Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta", The Oncology Institute, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Maurizio Battino
- Nutrition and Food Science Group, Department of Analytical and Food Chemistry, CITACA, CACTI, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Atanas G Atanasov
- The Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, Poland.,GLOBE Program Association (GLOBE-PA), Grandville, MI, USA.,Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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81
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Sheng F, Ling J, Hong R, Jin X, Wang C, Zhong H, Gu X, Gu C. A new pathway of monomethylmercury photodegradation mediated by singlet oxygen on the interface of sediment soil and water. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 248:667-675. [PMID: 30849584 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Photodegradation is an important pathway for monomethylmercury (MeHg) degradation in aquatic ecosystems. In this process, dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an essential role. However, little information is available regarding the photo-transformation of MeHg in shallow aquatic environments, where a significant portion of MeHg is associated with soil suspensions. In this study, 14 soils sampled from different sites in China were used to simulate these conditions. Our results clearly demonstrated that soil organic matter (SOM) was the most important factor controlling the MeHg photodegradation in suspension. Degradation in this heterogeneous aqueous system was shown to be mediated by the 1O2 produced by organic matter on the surface of the soil particles rather than by DOM. This was confirmed by the strong correlation between the kinetics rate constant of MeHg degradation and steady state concentrations of 1O2 (R2 = 0.81). Our results propose a new pathway of MeHg induced by sediment soils under sunlight irradiation. Identification of this pathway may improve the estimates of potential ecological risk of Hg in shallow field ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Jingyi Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Ran Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Xin Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Huan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Xueyuan Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Cheng Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China.
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82
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Zhao H, Yan H, Zhang L, Sun G, Li P, Feng X. Mercury contents in rice and potential health risks across China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 126:406-412. [PMID: 30826619 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.02.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Rice samples were collected at 560 sites in 15 provinces across China in areas without known point mercury (Hg) sources. Total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations were analyzed in these rice samples for risk assessment. Relatively low THg and MeHg concentrations were found in the majority of the white rice samples with an overall mean of 4.74 (1.06-22.7) μg kg-1 and 0.682 (0.03-8.71) μg kg-1, respectively. The means (range of) THg concentration of rice in each geographical region were 5.23 (1.07-19.5) μg kg-1, 5.14 (1.06-17.2) μg kg-1, 4.45 (1.41-17.2) μg kg-1, 4.20 (1.48-19.4) μg kg-1, 3.49 (1.49-10.7) μg kg-1, and 4.53 (1.30-19.4) μg kg-1 in east, centre, south, southwest, northwest and northeast, China, respectively, and the corresponding values for MeHg concentrations were 0.898 (0.127-8.35) μg kg-1, 0.603 (0.207-2.48) μg kg-1, 0.516 (0.032-1.50) μg kg-1, 0.615 (0.050-5.03) μg kg-1, 0.704 (0.148-2.41) μg kg-1 and 0.565 (0.035-8.71) μg kg-1, respectively. Hg contents in rice across China were found to be at background levels. Both the probable daily intakes (PDIs) of inorganic Hg (IHg) and MeHg from rice consumption showed low risks for general population in the investigated regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Haiyu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Leiming Zhang
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, M3H5T4, Canada
| | - Guangyi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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83
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Qiu G, Abeysinghe KS, Yang XD, Xu Z, Xu X, Luo K, Goodale E. Effects of Selenium on Mercury Bioaccumulation in a Terrestrial food Chain from an Abandoned Mercury Mining Region. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2019; 102:329-334. [PMID: 30637433 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-019-02542-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Few reports of the relationship exist between mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) from locations of severe Hg contamination in terrestrial environments. Here, we report the concentrations of Hg and Se as well as Se:Hg molar ratios in biotic samples collected from a region with a long history of Hg mining. Nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) were analyzed to confirm the trophic levels. Results showed that bird feathers at the top trophic level exhibited the highest Hg concentrations, while the lowest concentrations were found in herbivorous insects, demonstrating a significant biomagnification across the food chain. In contrast, herbivorous insects of different types (generalists vs. specialized rice pests) exhibited both the highest and the lowest concentrations of Se, indicating a lack of biomagnification. Indeed, Se was correlated positively with Hg when Se:Hg ratios were greater than one, suggesting Se:Hg molar ratios can be a controlling influence on Hg in terrestrial organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
| | - Kasun S Abeysinghe
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, 666303, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, 666303, China
| | - Zhidong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kang Luo
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, 666303, China
| | - Eben Goodale
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, Guangxi, China
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84
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Li Y, Zhao J, Zhong H, Wang Y, Li H, Li YF, Liem-Nguyen V, Jiang T, Zhang Z, Gao Y, Chai Z. Understanding Enhanced Microbial MeHg Production in Mining-Contaminated Paddy Soils under Sulfate Amendment: Changes in Hg Mobility or Microbial Methylators? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:1844-1852. [PMID: 30636405 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b03511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Elevated methylmercury (MeHg) production in mining-contaminated paddy soils, despite the high fraction of refractory HgS(s), has been frequently reported, while the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we hypothesized that sulfate input, via fertilization, rainfall, and irrigation, is critical in mobilizing refractory HgS(s) and thus enhancing Hg methylation in mining-contaminated paddy soils. To test this hypothesis, the effects of sulfate amendment on Hg methylation and MeHg bioaccumulation in mining-contaminated soil-rice systems were examined. The results indicated 28-61% higher net MeHg production in soils under sulfate amendment (50-1000 mg kg-1), which in turn increased grain MeHg levels by 22-55%. The enhancement of Hg methylation by Hg mobilization in sulfate-amended soils was supported by two observations: (1) the increased Hg(aq) release from HgS(s), the dominant Hg species in the paddy soils, in the presence of sulfide produced following sulfate reduction and (2) the decreases of refractory HgS(s) in soils under sulfate amendment. By contrast, changes in the abundances/activities of potential microbial Hg methylators in different Hg-contaminated soils were not significant following sulfate amendment. Our results highlight the importance to consider enhanced Hg mobility and thus methylation in soils under sulfate amendment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyun Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, and HKU-IHEP Joint Laboratory on Metallomics , Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation , Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou 350002 , Fujian China
| | - Jiating Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, and HKU-IHEP Joint Laboratory on Metallomics , Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Huan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University , Nanjing 210023 , China
- Environmental and Life Sciences Program (EnLS) , Trent University , Peterborough , Ontario Canada
| | - Yongjie Wang
- School of Geographic Sciences , East China Normal University , Shanghai 200241 , China
| | - Hong Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, and HKU-IHEP Joint Laboratory on Metallomics , Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Yu-Feng Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, and HKU-IHEP Joint Laboratory on Metallomics , Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Van Liem-Nguyen
- School of Science and Technology , Örebro University , SE-70281 , Örebro , Sweden
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Resources and Environment , Southwest University , Chongqing 400716 , China
- Department of Forest Ecology and Management , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences , Umeå SE-90183 , Sweden
| | - Zhiyong Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, and HKU-IHEP Joint Laboratory on Metallomics , Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Yuxi Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, and HKU-IHEP Joint Laboratory on Metallomics , Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Zhifang Chai
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, and HKU-IHEP Joint Laboratory on Metallomics , Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
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85
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Xu X, Gu C, Feng X, Qiu G, Shang L, Xu Z, Lu Q, Xiao D, Wang H, Lin Y, Larssen T. Weir building: A potential cost-effective method for reducing mercury leaching from abandoned mining tailings. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 651:171-178. [PMID: 30227287 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
To mitigate mercury (Hg) pollution and reduce Hg downstream transportation, a weir was designed by a river system that had been inflicted by leachate from the slagheap of the Yanwuping Hg mine in Wanshan Hg mining area. A whole year monitoring of Hg species was conducted, and the efficiency of Hg reduction by the weir application was evaluated. The Hg concentrations in the river water were significantly higher in the wet season than in the dry season. Waterflow was confirmed to be the main driving factor for Hg mobilization and transportation, and an episode study revealed that most Hg was released in times of storms. Increased monitoring and preventive maintenance measures need to be taken on barriers in advance of storms. A large proportion of the total Hg (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) is associated to particles. During the study period, approximately 412 g THg and 4.04 g total MeHg (TMeHg) were released from the YMM slagheap, of which 167 g THg and 1.15 g TMeHg were retained by the weir. Annually, 40.4% THg and 38.4% TMeHg was retained by the weir. Weir construction is considered as a potential cost-effective measure to mitigate Hg in river water and should be promoted and extended in the future after optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chunhao Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Lihai Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
| | - Zhidong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qinhui Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dean Xiao
- Guizhou Institute of Technology, Guiyang 550003, China
| | - Heng Wang
- Guizhou University of Finance and Economics, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yan Lin
- College of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China; Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadalleen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Thorjørn Larssen
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadalleen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway
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86
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Han J, Chen Z, Pang J, Liang L, Fan X, Li Q. Health Risk Assessment of Inorganic Mercury and Methylmercury via Rice Consumption in the Urban City of Guiyang, Southwest China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16020216. [PMID: 30646539 PMCID: PMC6352273 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16020216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Rice consumption is the main methylmercury (MeHg) exposure route for residents in mercury (Hg) mining areas. However, there is limited studies on mercury in commercial rice, which has high liquidity and can be directly consumed by urban residents. This study measured the total Hg (THg) and MeHg concentrations in 146 rice samples purchased from the markets in Guiyang city, southwest China, and both the inorganic Hg (IHg) and MeHg estimated daily intakes (EDIs) and hazard quotients (HQs) were calculated according to rice consumption. The THg concentrations in all rice samples (range: 0.97 to 13.10 μg·kg−1; mean: 3.88 μg·kg−1) were lower than the Chinese national standard (20 μg·kg−1). The average MeHg concentration in rice was 1.16 μg·kg−1. The total HQs (THQs) ranged from 0.0106 to 0.1048, with a mean of 0.0462, which was far lower than 1. This result suggests that there were low Hg exposure levels through consumption of commercial rice in residents of Guiyang.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialiang Han
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550003, China.
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Chemistry and Material Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China.
| | - Jian Pang
- School of Chemistry and Material Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China.
| | - Longchao Liang
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550003, China.
| | - Xuelu Fan
- School of Chemistry and Material Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China.
| | - Qiuhua Li
- Key Laboratory for Information System of Mountainous Area and Protection of Ecological Environment of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China.
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87
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Qin C, Chen M, Yan H, Shang L, Yao H, Li P, Feng X. Compound specific stable isotope determination of methylmercury in contaminated soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 644:406-412. [PMID: 29981990 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 06/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Rice is one of the main sources of methylmercury (MeHg) to humans, and soil is the main source of MeHg to rice grains. Determining the Hg isotope composition in environmental samples is a good way of characterizing sources of Hg pollution and investigating environmental processes. We developed a new compound-specific method for determining stable Hg isotopes in MeHg in contaminated soil and sediment. The method involved HNO3 leaching/solvent extraction, chemical ethylation, and separation by gas chromatography with a solenoid valve optimized to enrich MeHg. The method was optimized by using MeHg standard solution, certified reference materials and paddy soil samples. The δ202Hg precision for replicate MeHg isotope analyses was 0.14‰ (2 × standard deviation, n = 11), and no fractionation of Hg stable isotopes was found during the separation processes. The δ202Hg values for MeHg in paddy soils were -1.78‰ to -1.30‰, which were lower than the δ202Hg values for total Hg (-1.32‰ to -0.44‰). The results indicated that methylation (rather than demethylation) was the dominant process in the paddy soils. The method developed in this study can help us to better understand MeHg migration and transformation processes in paddy soil-rice ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongyang Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Min Chen
- School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Haiyu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Lihai Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Heng Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
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88
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Zhang Y, Wang M, Huang B, Akhtar MS, Hu W, Xie E. Soil mercury accumulation, spatial distribution and its source identification in an industrial area of the Yangtze Delta, China. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 163:230-237. [PMID: 30056336 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.07.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Understanding soil mercury (Hg) accumulation, spatial distribution, and its sources is crucial for effective regulation of Hg emissions. We chose a study area covering approximately 100 km2 representing one of the rapid growing industrial towns of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), China, to explore soil Hg accumulation. In surface soil, total Hg ranged from 310 to 3760 μg/kg, and 53% samples exceeded the most generous Chinese soil critical value (1500 µg/kg). Hg concentration in rice ranged from 10 to 40 µg/kg, and 43% samples exceeded the regulatory critical value (20 µg/kg). Total Hg concentrations in soil profiles gradually decreased, reaching background levels up to 60 cm profile depth. Meanwhile, proportions of mobile, semi-mobile and non-mobile Hg to total Hg at every soil depth were similar, leading us to deduce that soil Hg has accumulated in this area over a long period. Total and bioavailable Hg in topsoil exhibited the highest concentrations in the center of the study area, and radially decreased towards the periphery, which might be explained by the distribution of industry and the prevailing wind. To trace the Hg sources, we selected soil and atmospheric dust samples for isotope analysis. Hg isotopic composition of surface soil (δ202Hg = -0.29 ± 0.10‰ and Δ199Hg = 0.03 ± 0.03‰) was close to that of atmospheric dust (δ202Hg = -0.54 ± 0.10‰ and Δ199Hg = 0.03 ± 0.05‰), but considerably different from Hg isotopic composition in subsoil (δ202Hg = -0.90 ± 0.09‰ and Δ199Hg = -0.04 ± 0.04‰). Thus, we speculated that atmospheric deposition could change Hg isotopic composition in topsoil. Our findings suggest that when Hg atmospheric dust deposition changes Hg levels in surface soil, soil remediation, and crop safety might be compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Mei Wang
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Biao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | | | - Wenyou Hu
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Enze Xie
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
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89
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Wang Z, Sun T, Driscoll CT, Yin Y, Zhang X. Mechanism of Accumulation of Methylmercury in Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) in a Mercury Mining Area. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:9749-9757. [PMID: 30129363 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b01783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Rice consumption is the primary pathway for methylmercury (MeHg) exposure at inland mercury (Hg) mining areas of China. The sources and processes of formation and translocation for MeHg in rice plant are complex and remain largely unknown. In this study, rice ( Oryza sativa L.) was exposed to isotopically labeled dimethylmercury (DMe199Hg) in field experiments using open top chambers to explore the response of MeHg accumulation in rice tissues to different levels of DMe199Hg in air. Rice leaves assimilated DMeHg from air, which was subsequently largely stored in aboveground tissues, including the rice grain, with only a small amount reaching the root. Combining these experimental results with field investigations of DMeHg concentrations in air beneath the rice canopy in a Hg mining area, we estimate that 15.5%, 10.8%, and 8.50% MeHg in the brown rice, the leaf, and the upper stalk, respectively, could be derived from atmospheric sources of DMeHg, while 99.5% of MeHg in rice root originated from the rice soil-water system. These findings help refine the mechanism of MeHg accumulation in rice that, in addition to soil, a fraction of MeHg in rice plants can be derived from DMeHg emissions from flooded rice paddies in Hg mining areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangwei Wang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , Chinese Academy of Sciences , No. 18 Shuangqing Road , Beijing 100085 , China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Ting Sun
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , Chinese Academy of Sciences , No. 18 Shuangqing Road , Beijing 100085 , China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Charles T Driscoll
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Syracuse University , 151 Link Hall , Syracuse , New York 13244 , United States
| | - Yongguang Yin
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , Chinese Academy of Sciences , No. 18 Shuangqing Road , Beijing 100085 , China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Xiaoshan Zhang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , Chinese Academy of Sciences , No. 18 Shuangqing Road , Beijing 100085 , China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
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90
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Lian M, Shang L, Duan Z, Li Y, Zhao G, Zhu S, Qiu G, Meng B, Sommar J, Feng X, Svanberg S. Lidar mapping of atmospheric atomic mercury in the Wanshan area, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 240:353-358. [PMID: 29751331 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.04.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A novel mobile laser radar system was used for mapping gaseous atomic mercury (Hg0) atmospheric pollution in the Wanshan district, south of Tongren City, Guizhou Province, China. This area is heavily impacted by legacy mercury from now abandoned mining activities. Differential absorption lidar measurements were supplemented by localized point monitoring using a Lumex RA-915M Zeeman modulation mercury analyzer. Range-resolved concentration measurements in different directions were performed. Concentrations in the lower atmospheric layers often exceeded levels of 100 ng/m3 for March conditions with temperature ranging from 5 °C to 20 °C. A flux measurement of Hg0 over a vertical cross section of 0.12 km2 resulted in about 29 g/h. Vertical lidar sounding at night revealed quickly falling Hg0 concentrations with height. This is the first lidar mapping demonstration in a heavily mercury-polluted area in China, illustrating the lidar potential in complementing point monitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Lian
- Center for Optical and Electromagnetic Research, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, Science Building 5, South China Normal University, University City Campus, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lihai Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Zheng Duan
- Center for Optical and Electromagnetic Research, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, Science Building 5, South China Normal University, University City Campus, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yiyun Li
- Center for Optical and Electromagnetic Research, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, Science Building 5, South China Normal University, University City Campus, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guangyu Zhao
- Center for Optical and Electromagnetic Research, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, Science Building 5, South China Normal University, University City Campus, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shiming Zhu
- Center for Optical and Electromagnetic Research, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, Science Building 5, South China Normal University, University City Campus, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Bo Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Jonas Sommar
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
| | - Sune Svanberg
- Center for Optical and Electromagnetic Research, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, Science Building 5, South China Normal University, University City Campus, Guangzhou 510006, China; Department of Physics, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden.
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91
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Li P, Du B, Chan HM, Feng X, Li B. Mercury bioaccumulation and its toxic effects in rats fed with methylmercury polluted rice. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 633:93-99. [PMID: 29573695 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence indicated that methylmercury (MeHg) contaminated rice can be a significant source of MeHg human exposure, but the health implications are not known. The objective of this study was to study the kinetics, speciation, and effects of MeHg contaminated rice using a rat model. Five groups of adult Sprague-Dawley rats (n=10 in each group) were fed control rice, low (10ng/g MeHg) and high (25ng/g MeHg) MeHg contaminated rice. Two groups of the positive control were fed control rice spiked with the same levels of MeHgCl. Short-term exposure to low level of spiked MeHgCl stimulated the growth of male rats while long-term exposure to spiked MeHgCl inhibited the growth in female rats. There was no temporal variation of total mercury (THg) concentrations in the rat fecal samples from each group, and the THg concentrations significantly correlated with the inorganic Hg concentrations in the feeding rice. There were significant differences in the accumulation of THg and MeHg among different groups and different organs. THg and MeHg concentrations in the kidney were the highest among the organs examined. The blood and brain had high percentages of THg as MeHg, which indicates that MeHg can easily pass through the blood-brain barrier and has a high affinity for brain tissue. Exposure to rice containing 25ng/g MeHg decreased antioxidant function and damaged the nervous system in rats, but no significant effects were found in the group fed with rice containing 10ng/g MeHg. MeHgCys in rice is less toxic than spiked MeHgCl to rats. The toxicity of MeHg both decided by its concentration and speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Buyun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hing Man Chan
- Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
| | - Baixiang Li
- Department of Toxicology, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
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92
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Qian X, Wu Y, Zhou H, Xu X, Xu Z, Shang L, Qiu G. Total mercury and methylmercury accumulation in wild plants grown at wastelands composed of mine tailings: Insights into potential candidates for phytoremediation. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 239:757-767. [PMID: 29729617 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.04.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MMHg) were investigated in 259 wild plants belonging to 49 species in 29 families that grew in heavily Hg-contaminated wastelands composed of cinnabar ore mine tailings (calcines) in the Wanshan region, southwestern China, the world's third largest Hg mining district. The bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of THg and MMHg from soil to roots ([THg]root/[THg]soil, [MMHg]root/[MMHg]soil) were evaluated. The results showed that THg and MMHg in both plants and soils varied widely, with ranges of 0.076-140 μg/g THg and 0.19-87 ng/g MMHg in roots, 0.19-106 μg/g THg and 0.06-31 ng/g MMHg in shoots, and 0.74-1440 μg/g THg and 0.41-820 ng/g MMHg in soil. Among all investigated species, Arthraxon hispidus, Eremochloa ciliaris, Clerodendrum bunge, and Ixeris sonchifolia had significantly elevated concentrations of THg in shoots and/or roots that reached 100 μg/g, whereas Chenopodium glaucum, Corydalisedulis maxim, and Rumex acetosa contained low values below 0.5 μg/g. In addition to the high THg concentrations, the fern E. ciliaris also showed high BCF values for both THg and MMHg exceeding 1.0, suggesting its capability to extract Hg from soils. Considering its dominance and the tolerance identified in the present study, E. ciliaris is suggested to be a practical candidate for phytoextraction, whereas A. hispidus is identified as a potential candidate for phytostabilization of Hg mining-contaminated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Qian
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550003, PR China
| | - Yonggui Wu
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550003, PR China
| | - Hongyun Zhou
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550003, PR China
| | - Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China
| | - Zhidong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China
| | - Lihai Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, PR China.
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93
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Wünsche J, Lambert C, Gola U, Biesalski HK. Consumption of gluten free products increases heavy metal intake. NFS JOURNAL 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nfs.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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94
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Peng Y, Yang R, Jin T, Chen J, Zhang J. Risk assessment for potentially toxic metal(loid)s in potatoes in the indigenous zinc smelting area of northwestern Guizhou Province, China. Food Chem Toxicol 2018; 120:328-339. [PMID: 30016697 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We investigated potentially toxic metal (loid)s (arsenic, As; cadmium, Cd; chromium, Cr; copper, Cu; mercury, Hg; lead, Pb; selenium, Se; and zinc, Zn) in agricultural samples (i.e., Solanum tuberosum L. tubers (potatoes) and their planting media) in the indigenous zinc smelting area of northwestern Guizhou Province, China. Based on the pollution index values for As, Cd, Pb and Zn, the order of the samples was as follow: slag > planting soil with slag > planting soil without slag, and the order of the samples in terms of the bioconcentration factor was the opposite. Cr, Cu and Hg were present in the planting soil with and without slag at slight pollution levels, and the other potentially toxic metal (loid)s had different degrees of contamination. Additionally, the potentially toxic metal (loid) contents in potato were under their limit values except for Cd (all samples) and Pb and Se (some samples). All bioconcentration factors for potatoes were below 0.5, and no health risk index value for potatoes was higher than 0.1. Therefore, although no significant health risk associated with potentially toxic metal (loid)s via consuming potato exists for either adult men or women in the research area, the Cd concentration in this crop should be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishu Peng
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Ruidong Yang
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Tao Jin
- Institute of Mountain Resources of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Jun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
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95
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Tanner KC, Windham-Myers L, Marvin-DiPasquale M, Fleck JA, Tate KW, Linquist BA. Methylmercury Dynamics in Upper Sacramento Valley Rice Fields with Low Background Soil Mercury Levels. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2018; 47:830-838. [PMID: 30025065 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2017.10.0390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have considered how methylmercury (MeHg, a toxic form of Hg produced in anaerobic soils) production in rice ( L.) fields can affect water quality, and little is known about MeHg dynamics in rice fields. Surface water MeHg and total Hg (THg) imports, exports, and storage were studied in two commercial rice fields in the Sacramento Valley, California, where soil THg was low (25 and 57 ng g). The median concentration of MeHg in drainage water exiting the fields was 0.17 ng g (range: <0.007-2.1 ng g). Compared with irrigation water, drainage water had similar MeHg concentrations, and lower THg concentrations during the growing season. Significantly elevated drainage water MeHg and THg concentrations were observed in the fallow season compared with the growing season. An analysis of surface water loads indicates that fields were net importers of both MeHg (76-110 ng m) and THg (1947-7224 ng m) during the growing season, and net exporters of MeHg (35-200 ng m) and THg (248-6496 ng m) during the fallow season. At harvest, 190 to 700 ng MeHg m and 1400 to 1700 ng THg m were removed from fields in rice grain. Rice straw, which contained 120 to 180 ng MeHg m and 7000-10,500 ng m THg was incorporated into the soil. These results indicate that efforts to reduce MeHg and THg exports in rice drainage water should focus on the fallow season. Substantial amounts of MeHg and THg were stored in plants, and these pools should be considered in future studies.
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96
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Yin D, He T, Yin R, Zeng L. Effects of soil properties on production and bioaccumulation of methylmercury in rice paddies at a mercury mining area, China. J Environ Sci (China) 2018; 68:194-205. [PMID: 29908739 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2018.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Rice paddy soil is recognized as the hotspot of mercury (Hg) methylation, which is mainly a biotic process mediated by many abiotic factors. In this study, effects of key soil properties on the production and bioaccumulation of Hg and methylmercury (MeHg) in Hg-contaminated rice paddies were investigated. Rice and soil samples were collected from the active Hg smelting site and abandoned Hg mining sites (a total of 124 paddy fields) in the Wanshan Mercury Mine, China. Total Hg (THg) and MeHg in soils and rice grains, together with sulfur (S), selenium (Se), organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), mineral compositions (e.g., SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3) and pH in soils were quantified. The results showed that long-term Hg mining activities had resulted in THg and MeHg contaminations in soil-rice system. The newly-deposited atmospheric Hg was more readily methylated relative to the native Hg already in soils, which could be responsible for the elevated MeHg levels in soils and rice grains around the active artificial Hg smelting site. The MeHg concentrations in soils and rice grains showed a significantly negative relationship with soil N/Hg, S/Hg and OM/Hg ratio possibly due to the formation of low-bioavailability Hg-S(N)-OM complexes in rhizosphere. The Hg-Se antagonism undoubtedly occurred in soil-rice system, while its role in bioaccumulation of MeHg in the MeHg-contaminated rice paddies was minor. However, other soil properties showed less influence on the production and bioaccumulation of MeHg in rice paddies located at the Wanshan Mercury Mine zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deliang Yin
- The Key Laboratory of Karst Environment and Geohazard Prevention, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550003, China; College of Resources and Environments, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Tianrong He
- The Key Laboratory of Karst Environment and Geohazard Prevention, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550003, China.
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Lingxia Zeng
- The Key Laboratory of Karst Environment and Geohazard Prevention, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550003, China
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97
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Tang Z, Fan F, Wang X, Shi X, Deng S, Wang D. Mercury in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and rice-paddy soils under long-term fertilizer and organic amendment. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 150:116-122. [PMID: 29272715 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
High levels of mercury (Hg), especially methylmercury (MeHg), in rice is of concern due to its potential of entering food chain and the high toxicity to human. The level and form of Hg in rice could be influenced by fertilizers and other soil amendments. Studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of 24 years application of chemical fertilizers and organic amendments on total Hg (THg) and MeHg and their translocation in soil, plants, and rice grain. All treatments led to significantly higher concentrations of MeHg in grain than those from the untreated control. Of nine treatments tested, chemical fertilizers combining with returning rice straw (NPK1+S) led to highest MeHg concentration in grain and soil; while the nitrogen and potassium (NK) treatment led to significantly higher THg in grain. Concentrations of soil MeHg were significantly correlated with THg in soil (r = 0.59***) and MeHg in grain (r = 0.48***). Calcium superphosphate negatively affected plant bioavailability of soil Hg. MeHg concentration in rice was heavily influenced by soil Hg levels. Phosphorus fertilizer was a main source contributing to soil THg, while returning rice straw to the field contributed significantly to MeHg in soil and rice grain. As a result, caution should be exercised in soil treatment or when utilizing Hg-contaminated soils to produce rice for human consumption. Strategic management of rice straw and phosphorus fertilizer could be effective strategies of lowering soil Hg, which would ultimately lower MeHg in rice and the risk of Hg entering food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenya Tang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, China; Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Fangling Fan
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, China; Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Xinyue Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, China
| | - Xiaojun Shi
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, China; The National Long- Term Fertilizer Experimental Station in Purple Soil, Southwest University, China
| | - Shiping Deng
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Dingyong Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Chongqing, China.
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98
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Riaz A, Khan S, Muhammad S, Liu C, Shah MT, Tariq M. Mercury contamination in selected foodstuffs and potential health risk assessment along the artisanal gold mining, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2018; 40:625-635. [PMID: 28695305 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-017-0007-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the mercury (Hg) contaminations in soil and foodstuffs along the artisanal gold mining areas, Gilgit-Baltistan Province, Pakistan. For this purpose, soils were analyzed for Hg concentrations and evaluated for the enrichment/contamination using enrichment factor or contamination factors (CF). The CF values ranged from 18.9 to 153 showed multifold higher levels of Hg contamination as compared to background or reference site. Foodstuffs including vegetables, seeds or grains and fish muscles showed Hg accumulation. Results revealed that Hg concentrations in foodstuffs were higher than the critical human health value set by European Union. The Hg in foodstuffs was consumed and, therefore, evaluated for the risk assessment indices using the daily intake (DI) and health risk index (HRI) for the exposed human population both children and adults. Results of this study revealed that cumulative HRI values through foodstuffs consumption were <1 (within safe limit), but if the current practices continued, then the Hg contamination could pose potential threat to exposed population in near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjumand Riaz
- Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Sardar Khan
- Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China.
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan.
| | - Said Muhammad
- Department of Earth Sciences, COMSATS University, Abbottabad, 22060, Pakistan.
| | - Caihong Liu
- College of Chemical Engineering, Taishan Medical University, Tai'an, 271016, China
| | - Mohammad Tahir Shah
- National Center of Excellence of Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Mohsin Tariq
- Department of Earth Sciences, COMSATS University, Abbottabad, 22060, Pakistan
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99
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Liu X, Ma A, Zhuang G, Zhuang X. Diversity of microbial communities potentially involved in mercury methylation in rice paddies surrounding typical mercury mining areas in China. Microbiologyopen 2018. [PMID: 29527815 PMCID: PMC6079176 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Mercury can be a serious hazard to human health, especially in paddy soils surrounding mining areas. In this study, mercury (Hg)‐methylating microbes with the potential biomarker gene hgcA were obtained from 45 paddy soil samples in mercury mining areas in Fenghuang, Wanshan, and Xunyang. In different areas, the abundance of the hgcA gene was affected by different environmental factors, including organic matter, pH, total carbon content, total nitrogen content, and total mercury content. Phylogenetic analysis showed that hgcA microbes in paddy soils were potentially members of the phyla Proteobacteria, Euryarchaeota, Chloroflexi, and two unnamed groups. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that pH and organic matter impacted the hgcA gene diversity and the microbial community structures in paddy soils. The identification of Hg‐methylating microbes may be crucial for understanding mercury methylation/demethylation processes, which would be helpful in assessing the risk of methylmercury contamination in the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- University of Sciences and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,CAS, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Anzhou Ma
- CAS, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guoqiang Zhuang
- CAS, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuliang Zhuang
- CAS, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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100
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Hsu-Kim H, Eckley CS, Achá D, Feng X, Gilmour CC, Jonsson S, Mitchell CPJ. Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes. AMBIO 2018; 47:141-169. [PMID: 29388127 PMCID: PMC5794684 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-017-1006-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The environmental cycling of mercury (Hg) can be affected by natural and anthropogenic perturbations. Of particular concern is how these disruptions increase mobilization of Hg from sites and alter the formation of monomethylmercury (MeHg), a bioaccumulative form of Hg for humans and wildlife. The scientific community has made significant advances in recent years in understanding the processes contributing to the risk of MeHg in the environment. The objective of this paper is to synthesize the scientific understanding of how Hg cycling in the aquatic environment is influenced by landscape perturbations at the local scale, perturbations that include watershed loadings, deforestation, reservoir and wetland creation, rice production, urbanization, mining and industrial point source pollution, and remediation. We focus on the major challenges associated with each type of alteration, as well as management opportunities that could lessen both MeHg levels in biota and exposure to humans. For example, our understanding of approximate response times to changes in Hg inputs from various sources or landscape alterations could lead to policies that prioritize the avoidance of certain activities in the most vulnerable systems and sequestration of Hg in deep soil and sediment pools. The remediation of Hg pollution from historical mining and other industries is shifting towards in situ technologies that could be less disruptive and less costly than conventional approaches. Contemporary artisanal gold mining has well-documented impacts with respect to Hg; however, significant social and political challenges remain in implementing effective policies to minimize Hg use. Much remains to be learned as we strive towards the meaningful application of our understanding for stakeholders, including communities living near Hg-polluted sites, environmental policy makers, and scientists and engineers tasked with developing watershed management solutions. Site-specific assessments of MeHg exposure risk will require new methods to predict the impacts of anthropogenic perturbations and an understanding of the complexity of Hg cycling at the local scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heileen Hsu-Kim
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Duke University, 121 Hudson Hall, Box 90287, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Chris S. Eckley
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region-10, 1200 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 USA
| | - Dario Achá
- Unidad de Calidad Ambiental, Instituto de Ecología, Carrera de Biología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, P.O. Box 10077, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002 China
| | - Cynthia C. Gilmour
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037-0028 USA
| | - Sofi Jonsson
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8, 11418 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carl P. J. Mitchell
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4 Canada
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