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Yao Y, Hu L, Li S, Zeng Q, Zhong H, He Z. Exploration on the bioreduction mechanisms of Cr(VI) and Hg(II) by a newly isolated bacterial strain Pseudomonas umsongensis CY-1. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2020; 201:110850. [PMID: 32531571 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite of significant progress in remediation of Cr(VI) or Hg(II) pollution by microorganisms, study on the reduction of both Cr(VI) and Hg(II) by the same microbial strain was not reported so far, which is actually important for bioremediation of contaminated sites with multiple heavy metals. In this study, Pseudomonas umsongensis CY-1 was newly isolated from chromium-contaminated soil and showed remediation potentials for both Cr(VI) and Hg(II) pollution. The highest Cr(VI) (93.9%) and Hg(II) (82.8%) reduction rates were obtained at the initial concentration of 5 mg/L. Comparison between removal by resting cells and heat-treated resting cells demonstrated that P. umsongensis CY-1 removed Cr(VI) and Hg(II) from Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.0) mainly through reduction instead of adsorption. By comparing the Cr(VI) and Hg(II) reduction rates of different cellular fractions, it was found that Cr(VI) and Hg(II) reductions mainly happened in the cytoplasm of P. umsongensis CY-1, which were further demonstrated by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Furthermore, analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated that the reduction products of Cr(VI) and Hg(II) were mainly in the form of Cr(III) and Hg (0), respectively. The findings in this study will provide a guide for further insights in the bioremediation of contaminated sites with multiple heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yao
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Biohydrometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Liang Hu
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Biohydrometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Shuzhen Li
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Biohydrometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Qiang Zeng
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Biohydrometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Hui Zhong
- School of Life Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410012, China.
| | - Zhiguo He
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Biohydrometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China; Faculty of Materials Metallurgy & Chemistry, Jiangxi University of Science & Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, China.
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2
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Gul N, Khan S, Khan A, Nawab J, Sarwar A, Gul N. Organic and Inorganic Mercury in Biological Samples of Flouresecent Lamp Industries Workers and Health Risks. Biomed Environ Sci 2020; 33:89-102. [PMID: 32131956 DOI: 10.3967/bes2020.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study aims to investigate the concentrations of Hg and its aspects methyl mercury (Me-Hg) and inorganic mercury (I-Hg) in the biological samples (BSs) of fluorescent lamp industries workers (FLIWs). METHODOLOGY Different BSs including red blood cells (RBCs), plasma, urine, hair and nails were collected from the workers exposed to Hg and unexposed persons were selected as control group to measure both the T-Hg concentration as well as its species in different biological samples through quantitative analysis. Health data was collected through questionnaire survey. RESULTS The mean concentrations of T-Hg (31.9 µg/L), Me-Hg (27.7 µg/L), and I-Hg (5.36 µg/L) in RBCs were found significantly ( P < 0.001) higher among the workers ( n = 40) as compared to the control group ( n = 40). Similarly the mean Hg concentrations in plasma, urine, hair and nails were also significantly higher among the workers than the control group. The statistical relation between Hg concentration and demographic characteristics observed that workers experience and fish consumption has increased the Hg concentration while age, weight and smoking found no significant effect on Hg concentration in the BSs. CONCLUSION The study observed that the workers were highly exposed to high concentration of Hg and they are at a high health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayab Gul
- Climate Change Centre, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan;Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
| | - Sardar Khan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
| | - Abbas Khan
- Drug Control Administration, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Health Department, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
| | - Javed Nawab
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
| | - Adnan Sarwar
- Pak International Medical College and Research Institute, Hayatabad, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
| | - Nida Gul
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
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Kavčič A, Mikuš K, Debeljak M, Teun van Elteren J, Arčon I, Kodre A, Kump P, Karydas AG, Migliori A, Czyzycki M, Vogel-Mikuš K. Localization, ligand environment, bioavailability and toxicity of mercury in Boletus spp. and Scutiger pes-caprae mushrooms. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2019; 184:109623. [PMID: 31518823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
This study provides information on mercury (Hg) localization, speciation and ligand environment in edible mushrooms: Boletus edulis, B. aereus and Scutiger pes-caprae collected at non-polluted and Hg polluted sites, by LA-ICP-MS, SR-μ-XRF and Hg L3-edge XANES and EXAFS. Mushrooms (especially young ones) collected at Hg polluted sites can contain more than 100 μg Hg g-1 of dry mass. Imaging of the element distribution shows that Hg accumulates mainly in the spore-forming part (hymenium) of the cap. Removal of hymenium before consumption can eliminate more than 50% of accumulated Hg. Mercury is mainly coordinated to di-thiols (43-82%), followed by di-selenols (13-35%) and tetra-thiols (12-20%). Mercury bioavailability, as determined by feeding the mushrooms to Spanish slugs (known metal bioindicators owing to accumulation of metals in their digestive gland), ranged from 4% (S. pes-caprae) to 30% (B. aereus), and decreased with increasing selenium (Se) levels in the mushrooms. Elevated Hg levels in mushrooms fed to the slugs induced toxic effects, but these effects were counteracted with increasing Se concentrations in the mushrooms, pointing to a protective role of Se against Hg toxicity through HgSe complexation. Nevertheless, consumption of the studied mushroom species from Hg polluted sites should be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Kavčič
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Klemen Mikuš
- Biotechnical Educational Centre Ljubljana, Cesta V Mestni Log 47, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marta Debeljak
- National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Iztok Arčon
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, SI-5000, Nova Gorica, Slovenia
| | - Alojz Kodre
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Ljubljana, Faculty for Mathematics and Physics, Jadranska 19, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Kump
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andreas Germanos Karydas
- Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics, National Centre for Scientific Research 'Demokritos', Patr. Grigoriou E' & 27 Neapoleos St, 153 41, Agia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - Alessandro Migliori
- Nuclear Science and Instrumentation Laboratory, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Laboratories, A-2444, Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Mateusz Czyzycki
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation, Laboratory for Applications of Synchrotron Radiation, Kaiserstrasse 12, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany; AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarina Vogel-Mikuš
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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4
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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.). Environ Pollut 2019; 249:647-654. [PMID: 30933762 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Perrot V, Landing WM, Grubbs RD, Salters VJM. Mercury bioaccumulation in tilefish from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico 2 years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill: Insights from Hg, C, N and S stable isotopes. Sci Total Environ 2019; 666:828-838. [PMID: 30818207 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) concentration in fish of the Gulf of the Mexico (GoM) is a major concern due to the importance of the GoM for U.S. fisheries. The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill in April 2010 in the northern GoM resulted in large amounts of oil and dispersant released to the water column, which potentially modified Hg bioaccumulation patterns in affected areas. We measured Hg species (methylmercury (MMHg) and inorganic Hg (IHg)) concentrations, and light (C, N and S) and Hg stable isotopes in muscle and liver tissues from tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaleonticeps) sampled in 2012 and 2013 along the shelf break of the northeastern GoM. Fish located close to the mouth of the Mississippi River (MR) and northwest of the DWH well-head (47 km) showed significantly lower Hg levels in muscle and liver than fish located further northeast of the DWH (>109 km), where 98% of tilefish had Hg levels in the muscle above US consumption advisory thresholds (50% for tilefish close to the DWH). Differences in light and Hg stable isotopes signatures were observed between these two areas, showing higher δ15N, and lower δ202Hg, Δ199Hg and δ34S in fish close to the DWH/MR. This suggests that suspended particles from the MR reduces Hg bioavailability at the base of the GoM food chains. This phenomenon can be locally enhanced by the DWH that resulted in increased particles in the water column as evidenced by the marine snow layer in the sediments. On the other hand, freshly deposited Hg associated with organic matter in more oligotrophic marine waters enhanced Hg bioaccumulation in local food webs. Comparing Hg isotopic composition in liver and muscle of fish indicates specific metabolic response in fish having accumulated high levels of MMHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Perrot
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA.
| | - William M Landing
- Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, 117 N. Woodward Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - R Dean Grubbs
- Coastal and Marine Laboratory, Florida State University, 3618 Coastal Highway 98, St. Teresa, FL 32358-2702, USA
| | - Vincent J M Salters
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
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6
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Rodenhouse NL, Lowe WH, Gebauer RLE, McFarland KP, Bank MS. Mercury bioaccumulation in temperate forest food webs associated with headwater streams. Sci Total Environ 2019; 665:1125-1134. [PMID: 30893744 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The soils and food webs associated with mid to high elevation, forested, headwater streams in northeastern North America are potential hotspots for mercury (Hg) methylation and bioaccumulation, but are not well studied. Our goals were to quantify total Hg (THg) and methyl Hg (MeHg) concentrations in soils and terrestrial food webs associated with headwater streams of northern hardwood forests to identify predictors of small-scale spatial variation in Hg bioaccumulation. We sampled soil characteristics that promote Hg methylation including pH, sulfur and calcium content, and organic matter. To assess spatial variation, we sampled at high (~700 m asl) and mid elevations (~500 m asl), both adjacent to (<1 m) and away from (>75 m) three replicate headwater streams in each of two watersheds of the White Mountains region, New Hampshire, USA. Soils of these forested watersheds differed significantly in pH and the content of calcium, sulfur, organic matter and THg. Conditions for methylation were more favorable in the upland forest sites compared to streamside sites. Significant bioaccumulation of THg occurred in all measured components of the food web, including insects, spiders, salamanders, and birds. Trophic position, as determined by δ15N, was the best predictor of both THg and MeHg bioaccumulation across the sampled taxa and was also a better predictor than spatial location. However, the degree of bioaccumulation at which MeHg significantly affects animal behavior, reproduction or survival is unknown for most taxa in terrestrial habitats, particularly for invertebrates. These findings show that Hg methylation and bioaccumulation is not limited to areas traditionally classified as wetlands or to areas with exceptionally high THg inputs, but that it is a widespread and important phenomenon in the moist deciduous forests of eastern North America.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Winsor H Lowe
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | | | | | - Michael S Bank
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA; Institute of Marine Research, Postboks 1870, Nordnes 5817, Bergen, Norway
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7
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Ewald JD, Kirk JL, Li M, Sunderland EM. Organ-specific differences in mercury speciation and accumulation across ringed seal (Phoca hispida) life stages. Science of The Total Environment 2019; 650:2013-2020. [PMID: 30290344 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a central nervous system toxicant and exposures can adversely affect the health of marine mammals. Mercuric selenide (HgSe) in marine mammal tissues is hypothesized to result from a protective detoxification mechanism, but toxicokinetic processes contributing to its formation are poorly understood. Here, new data is reported on speciated Hg concentrations in multiple organs of n = 56 ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from Labrador, Canada, and compare concentrations to previously published data from Greenland seals. A higher proportion of Hg is found to accumulate in the kidney of young-of-the-year (YOY) ringed seals compared to adults. A toxicokinetic model for Hg species is developed and evaluated to better understand factors affecting variability in Hg concentrations among organs and across life stages. Prior work postulated that HgSe formation only occurs in the liver of mature seals, but model results suggest HgSe formation occurs across all life stages. Higher proportions of HgSe in mature seal livers compared to YOY seals likely results from the slow accumulation and elimination of HgSe (total body half-life = 500 days) compared to other Hg species. HgSe formation in the liver reduces modeled blood concentrations of MeHg by only 6%. Thus, HgSe formation may not substantially reduce MeHg transport across the blood-brain barrier of ringed seals, leaving them susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of MeHg exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica D Ewald
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States; Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Macdonald Campus, McGill University Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada.
| | - Jane L Kirk
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Miling Li
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis are characterized by a chronic and selective process of neuronal cell death. Although the causes of neurodegenerative diseases remain still unknown, it is now a well-established idea that more factors, such as genetic, endogenous, and environmental, are involved. Among environmental causes, the accumulation of mercury, a heavy metal considered a toxic agent, was largely studied as a probable factor involved in neurodegenerative disease course. Mercury exists in three main forms: elemental mercury, inorganic mercury, and organic mercury (methylmercury and ethylmercury). Sources of elemental mercury can be natural (volcanic emission) or anthropogenic (coal-fired electric utilities, waste combustion, hazardous-waste incinerators, and gold extraction). Moreover, mercury is still used as an antiseptic, as a medical preservative, and as a fungicide. Dental amalgam can emit mercury vapor. Mercury vapor, being highly volatile and lipid soluble, can cross the blood-brain barrier and the lipid cell membranes and can be accumulated into the cells in its inorganic forms. Also, methylmercury can pass through blood-brain and placental barriers, causing serious damage in the central nervous system. This review describes the toxic effects of mercury in cell cultures, in animal models, and in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. In vitro experiments showed that mercury exposure was principally involved in oxidative stress and apoptotic processes. Moreover, motor and cognitive impairment and neural loss have been confirmed in various studies performed in animal models. Finally, observational studies on patients with neurodegenerative diseases showed discordant data about a possible mercury involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Lanza Cariccio
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124, Messina, Italy
| | - Annalisa Samà
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124, Messina, Italy
| | - Placido Bramanti
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124, Messina, Italy
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124, Messina, Italy.
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Zheng Z, Zhang M, Xiao Y, Wei L, Li C. Effect of Cys, GSH, and pH on Mercury Release from Tibetan Medicine Zuotai, β-HgS, and α-HgS in Artificial Gastrointestinal Juices. Biol Trace Elem Res 2018; 184:536-545. [PMID: 29130128 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-017-1185-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Zuotai, also named as "gTso thal", a known Tibetan medicinal mixture containing insoluble cubic crystal mercuric sulfide (β-HgS), has been used to treat diseases with long history. The mercury release ratio from Zuotai in gastrointestinal environment is one determinant factor for its bioavailability and biological effect. However, the information is still scarce now. Therefore, the study was designed to investigate the effect of sulfhydryl biomolecules [L-cysteine (Cys) and glutathione (GSH)] and pH on mercury dissociation from Zuotai, β-HgS, and hexagonal crystal mercuric sulfide (α-HgS) in artificial gastrointestinal juices or pure water with a 1:100 solid-liquid ratio. And, the digestion and peristalsis of gastrointestinal tract were simulated in vitro. The results showed the following trend for the mercury release ratio of Zuotai, artificial gastric juice > artificial intestinal juice > pure water, whereas the trend for β-HgS and α-HgS was as follows, artificial intestinal fluid > artificial gastric fluid > pure water. The mercury release ratios of Zuotai, β-HgS, and α-HgS significantly increased in artificial intestinal juice containing L-Cys or GSH compared to those without sulfhydryl biomolecules in the juice. However, in contrast to the results observed for β-HgS and α-HgS, the mercury release ratio of Zuotai was reduced remarkably in pure water and artificial gastric juice with Cys or GSH. And, we found that strong acidic or strong alkaline environments promoted the dissociation of mercury from Zuotai, β-HgS, and α-HgS. Taken together, current findings may contribute to other studies regarding clinical safety and bioavailability of the traditional drug Zuotai containing β-HgS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Zheng
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinning Road 23, Xining, Qinghai, 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100047, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinning Road 23, Xining, Qinghai, 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100047, China
| | - Yuancan Xiao
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinning Road 23, Xining, Qinghai, 810008, China
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, 810008, China
| | - Lixin Wei
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinning Road 23, Xining, Qinghai, 810008, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, 810008, China.
| | - Cen Li
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinning Road 23, Xining, Qinghai, 810008, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, 810008, China.
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Soto Cárdenas C, Gerea M, Queimaliños C, Ribeiro Guevara S, Diéguez MC. Inorganic mercury (Hg 2+) accumulation in autotrophic and mixotrophic planktonic protists: Implications for Hg trophodynamics in ultraoligotrophic Andean Patagonian lakes. Chemosphere 2018; 199:223-231. [PMID: 29438950 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Microbial assemblages are typical of deep ultraoligotrophic Andean Patagonian lakes and comprise picoplankton and protists (phytoflagellates and mixotrophic ciliates), having a central role in the C cycle, primary production and in the incorporation of dissolved inorganic mercury (Hg2+) into lake food webs. In this study we evaluated the mechanisms of Hg2+ incorporation in hetero- and autotrophic bacteria, in the autotrophic dinoflagellate (Gymnodinium paradoxum) and in two mixotrophic ciliates (Stentor araucanus and Ophrydium naumanni) dominating the planktonic microbial assemblage. The radioisotope 197Hg was used to trace the Hg2+ incorporation in microbiota. Hg uptake was analyzed as a function of cell abundance (BCF: bioconcentration factor), cell surface (SCF: surface concentration factor) and cell volume (VCF: volume concentration factor). Overall, the results obtained showed that these organisms incorporate substantial amounts of dissolved Hg2+ passively (adsorption) and actively (bacteria consumption or attachment), displaying different Hg internalization and therefore, varying potential for Hg transfer. Surface area and quality, and surface:volume ratio (S:V) control the passive uptake in all the organisms. Active incorporation depends on bacteria consumption in the mixotrophic ciliates, or on bacteria association to surface in the autotrophic dinoflagellate. Hg bioaccumulated by pelagic protists can be transferred to higher trophic levels through plankton and fish feeding, regenerated to the dissolved phase by excretion, and/or transferred to the sediments by particle sinking. In ultraoligotrophic Andean Patagonian lakes, picoplankton and planktonic protists are key components of lake food webs, linking the pelagic and benthic Hg pathways, and thereby playing a central role in Hg trophodynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Soto Cárdenas
- Grupo de Ecología de Sistemas Acuáticos a Escala de Paisaje, Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (INIBIOMA, UNComahue-CONICET), Quintral 1250, 8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina.
| | - Marina Gerea
- Grupo de Ecología de Sistemas Acuáticos a Escala de Paisaje, Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (INIBIOMA, UNComahue-CONICET), Quintral 1250, 8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Claudia Queimaliños
- Grupo de Ecología de Sistemas Acuáticos a Escala de Paisaje, Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (INIBIOMA, UNComahue-CONICET), Quintral 1250, 8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Sergio Ribeiro Guevara
- Laboratorio de Análisis por Activación Neutrónica, Centro Atómico Bariloche, CNEA, Av. Bustillo Km 9.5, 8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - María C Diéguez
- Grupo de Ecología de Sistemas Acuáticos a Escala de Paisaje, Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (INIBIOMA, UNComahue-CONICET), Quintral 1250, 8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
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11
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Dranguet P, Le Faucheur S, Slaveykova VI. Mercury bioavailability, transformations, and effects on freshwater biofilms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017; 36:3194-3205. [PMID: 28771825 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) compounds represent an important risk to aquatic ecosystems because of their persistence, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification potential. In the present review, we critically examine state-of-the-art studies on the interactions of Hg compounds with freshwater biofilms, with an emphasis on Hg accumulation, transformations, and effects. Freshwater biofilms contain both primary producers (e.g., algae) and decomposers (e.g., bacteria and fungi), which contribute to both aquatic food webs and the microbial loop. Hence they play a central role in shallow water and streams, and also contribute to Hg trophic transfer through their consumption. Both inorganic and methylated mercury compounds accumulate in biofilms, which could transform them mainly by methylation, demethylation, and reduction. Accumulated Hg compounds could induce diverse metabolic and physiological perturbations in the microorganisms embedded in the biofilm matrix and affect their community composition. The bioavailability of Hg compounds, their transformations, and their effects depend on their concentrations and speciation, ambient water characteristics, biofilm matrix composition, and microorganism-specific characteristics. The basic processes governing the interactions of Hg compounds with biofilm constituents are understudied. The development of novel conceptual and methodological approaches allowing an understanding of the chemo- and biodynamic aspects is necessary to improve the knowledge on Hg cycling in shallow water as well as to enable improved use of freshwater biofilms as potential indicators of water quality and to support better informed risk assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3194-3205. © 2017 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perrine Dranguet
- Faculty of Sciences, School of Earth and Environment Sciences, Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, Environmental Biogeochemistry and Ecotoxicology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Séverine Le Faucheur
- Faculty of Sciences, School of Earth and Environment Sciences, Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, Environmental Biogeochemistry and Ecotoxicology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vera I Slaveykova
- Faculty of Sciences, School of Earth and Environment Sciences, Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, Environmental Biogeochemistry and Ecotoxicology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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12
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Baldi F, Gallo M, Daniele S, Battistel D, Faleri C, Kodre A, Arčon I. An extracellular polymeric substance quickly chelates mercury(II) with N-heterocyclic groups. Chemosphere 2017; 176:296-304. [PMID: 28273537 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.02.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A strain of Klebsiella oxytoca DSM 29614 is grown on sodium citrate in the presence of 50 mg l-1 of Hg as Hg(NO3)2. During growth, the strain produces an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), constituted by a mixture of proteins and a specific exopolysaccharide. The protein components, derived from the outer membrane of cells, are co-extracted with the extracellular exopolysaccharide using ethanol. The extracted EPS contains 7.5% of Hg (total amount). This indicates that EPS is an excellent material for the biosorption of Hg2+, through chemical complexation with the EPS components. The binding capacity of these species towards Hg2+ is studied by cyclic voltammetry, and Hg L3-edge XANES and EXAFS spectroscopy. The results found indicate that Hg2+ is mainly bound to the nitrogen of the imidazole ring or other N-heterocycle compounds. The hydroxyl moities of sugars and/or the carboxyl groups of two glucuronic acids in the polysaccharide can also play an important role in sequestring Hg2+ ions. However, N-heterocyclic groups of proteins bind Hg2+ faster than hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of the polysaccharide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Baldi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, University Cà Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30172, Mestre Venezia, Italy.
| | - Michele Gallo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, University Cà Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30172, Mestre Venezia, Italy
| | - Salvatore Daniele
- Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, University Cà Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30172, Mestre Venezia, Italy
| | - Dario Battistel
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, University Cà Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30172, Mestre Venezia, Italy; Institute for the Dynamics of Environmental Processes, IDPA/CNR, Via Torino, 155, 30172, Mestre Venezia, Venice, Italy
| | - Claudia Faleri
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Siena University, Via Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Alojz Kodre
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Mathematics & Physics, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Iztok Arčon
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, Nova Gorica, Slovenia
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13
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Gutiérrez-de-Juan V, López de Davalillo S, Fernández-Ramos D, Barbier-Torres L, Zubiete-Franco I, Fernández-Tussy P, Simon J, Lopitz-Otsoa F, de las Heras J, Iruzubieta P, Arias-Loste MT, Villa E, Crespo J, Andrade R, Lucena MI, Varela-Rey M, Lu SC, Mato JM, Delgado TC, Martínez-Chantar ML. A morphological method for ammonia detection in liver. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0173914. [PMID: 28319158 PMCID: PMC5358814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperammonemia is a metabolic condition characterized by elevated levels of ammonia and a common event in acute liver injury/failure and chronic liver disease. Even though hepatic ammonia levels are potential predictive factors of patient outcome, easy and inexpensive methods aiming at the detection of liver ammonia accumulation in the clinical setting remain unavailable. Thus, herein we have developed a morphological method, based on the utilization of Nessler´s reagent, to accurately and precisely detect the accumulation of ammonia in biological tissue. We have validated our method against a commercially available kit in mouse tissue samples and, by using this modified method, we have confirmed the hepatic accumulation of ammonia in clinical and animal models of acute and chronic advanced liver injury as well as in the progression of fatty liver disease. Overall, we propose a morphological method for ammonia detection in liver that correlates well with the degree of liver disease severity and therefore can be potentially used to predict patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Gutiérrez-de-Juan
- CIC bioGUNE (Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Sergio López de Davalillo
- CIC bioGUNE (Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - David Fernández-Ramos
- CIC bioGUNE (Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Lucía Barbier-Torres
- CIC bioGUNE (Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Imanol Zubiete-Franco
- CIC bioGUNE (Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Pablo Fernández-Tussy
- CIC bioGUNE (Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jorge Simon
- CIC bioGUNE (Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Fernando Lopitz-Otsoa
- CIC bioGUNE (Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Javier de las Heras
- Division of Pediatric Metabolism, University Hospital of Cruces, BioCruces Health Research Institute, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Paula Iruzubieta
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Santander, Spain
- Infection, Immunity and Digestive Pathology Group, Research Institute Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - María Teresa Arias-Loste
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Santander, Spain
- Infection, Immunity and Digestive Pathology Group, Research Institute Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - Erica Villa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria & University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Javier Crespo
- Division of Pediatric Metabolism, University Hospital of Cruces, BioCruces Health Research Institute, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Santander, Spain
| | - Raúl Andrade
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Aparato Digestivo, Servicio de Farmacología Clínica, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Universidad de Málaga, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Málaga, Spain
| | - M. Isabel Lucena
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Aparato Digestivo, Servicio de Farmacología Clínica, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Universidad de Málaga, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Málaga, Spain
| | - Marta Varela-Rey
- CIC bioGUNE (Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Shelly C. Lu
- Division of Digestive and Liver Disease, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - José M. Mato
- CIC bioGUNE (Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Teresa Cardoso Delgado
- CIC bioGUNE (Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- * E-mail: (ML M-C); (TCD)
| | - María-Luz Martínez-Chantar
- CIC bioGUNE (Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- * E-mail: (ML M-C); (TCD)
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Kobal AB, Snoj Tratnik J, Mazej D, Fajon V, Gibičar D, Miklavčič A, Kocman D, Kotnik J, Sešek Briški A, Osredkar J, Krsnik M, Prezelj M, Knap Č, Križaj B, Liang L, Horvat M. Exposure to mercury in susceptible population groups living in the former mercury mining town of Idrija, Slovenia. Environ Res 2017; 152:434-445. [PMID: 27488273 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
500 years of mercury (Hg) mining in the town of Idrija has caused severe pollution in Idrija and its surroundings. Following the closure of the mine in 1995, the environment remains contaminated with Hg. Sources of elemental-, inorganic- and methyl Hg exposure were identified, potential environmental level of exposure to Hg was evaluated and actual internal exposure to Hg was assessed in selected susceptible population groups comprising school-age children and pregnant women living in Idrija and in control groups from rural and urban environments. The study of pregnant women (n=31) was conducted between 2003 and 2008, and the study of school-age children (n=176) in 2008. Potential interaction of Hg with selenium (Se) in plasma was assessed in both study populations, while in pregnant women antioxidative enzyme activity (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) in erythrocytes of maternal and cord blood was also assessed. Actual exposure to Hg as indicated by levels of Hg in children's blood (geometric mean (GM) 0.92µg/L), mother's blood (GM 1.86µg/L), children's urine (GM 1.08µg/g crea.), mother's urine (GM 2.51µg/L), children's hair (GM 241ng/g) and mother's hair (GM 251ng/g) was higher in the two study groups from Idrija than in the control groups from rural areas, but was still at the level of a "normal" population and reflects mainly exposure to elemental Hg (Hg°) from dental amalgam and, to a certain extent atmospheric Hg°. Furthermore, the internal doses of Hg received during pregnancy did not decrease the bioavailability of Se. Based on observation in children, the increase in Se protein expression is suggested to be a consequence of moderately elevated exposure to Hg°. The observed changes in activity of antioxidative enzymes, as biomarkers of oxidative stress, appear to be mainly associated with pregnancy per se and not with an increased exposure to Hg. In view of the continuing increased potential for Hg exposure and the low number of pregnant women studied, the results warrant a further longitudinal study of a larger group of pregnant women residing in the area of the former mercury mine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred B Kobal
- Ex-Department of Occupational Health, Idrija Mercury Mine, Arkova 43, 5280 Idrija, Slovenia
| | - Janja Snoj Tratnik
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Mazej
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Fajon
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darija Gibičar
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Miklavčič
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - David Kocman
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jože Kotnik
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Sešek Briški
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Joško Osredkar
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University in Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mladen Krsnik
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University in Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marija Prezelj
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University in Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Črtomir Knap
- Department of Gynecology, Idrija Health Service, Otona Župančiča 3, 5280 Idrija, Slovenia
| | - Bojana Križaj
- Laboratory Department, Idrija Health Service, Otona Župančiča 3, 5280 Idrija, Slovenia
| | - Lian Liang
- Cebam Analytical, Inc., 18804 North Creek Parkway, Bothell, WA 98011, USA
| | - Milena Horvat
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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15
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Stoichev T, Tessier E, Amouroux D, Almeida CM, Basto MCP, Vasconcelos VM. Multiple regression analysis to assess the role of plankton on the distribution and speciation of mercury in water of a contaminated lagoon. J Hazard Mater 2016; 318:711-722. [PMID: 27484944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.07.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Spatial and seasonal variation of mercury species aqueous concentrations and distributions was carried out during six sampling campaigns at four locations within Laranjo Bay, the most mercury-contaminated area of the Aveiro Lagoon (Portugal). Inorganic mercury (IHg(II)) and methylmercury (MeHg) were determined in filter-retained (IHgPART, MeHgPART) and filtered (<0.45μm) fractions (IHg(II)DISS, MeHgDISS). The concentrations of IHgPART depended on site and on dilution with downstream particles. Similar processes were evidenced for MeHgPART, however, its concentrations increased for particles rich in phaeophytin (Pha). The concentrations of MeHgDISS, and especially those of IHg(II)DISS, increased with Pha concentrations in the water. Multiple regression models are able to depict MeHgPART, IHg(II)DISS and MeHgDISS concentrations with salinity and Pha concentrations exhibiting additive statistical effects and allowing separation of possible addition and removal processes. A link between phytoplankton/algae and consumers' grazing pressure in the contaminated area can be involved to increase concentrations of IHg(II)DISS and MeHgPART. These processes could lead to suspended particles enriched with MeHg and to the enhancement of IHg(II) and MeHg availability in surface waters and higher transfer to the food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Stoichev
- Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
| | - E Tessier
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, IPREM UMR 5254 CNRS - Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Hélioparc Pau Pyrénées, 2, av. P. Angot, 64053 Pau cedex 9, France
| | - D Amouroux
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, IPREM UMR 5254 CNRS - Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Hélioparc Pau Pyrénées, 2, av. P. Angot, 64053 Pau cedex 9, France
| | - C M Almeida
- Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - M C P Basto
- Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - V M Vasconcelos
- Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
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16
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Zeng L, Zheng JL, Wang YH, Xu MY, Zhu AY, Wu CW. The role of Nrf2/Keap1 signaling in inorganic mercury induced oxidative stress in the liver of large yellow croaker Pseudosciaena crocea. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2016; 132:345-352. [PMID: 27362492 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of acute inorganic Hg exposure (0, 32 and 64μgHgL(-1)) on lipid peroxidation, activities and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT, GPx, GR and GST), and mRNA levels of the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling molecules at different exposure times (6h, 12h, 24h, 48h, and 96h) in the liver of large yellow croaker Pseudosciaena crocea. The results showed that lipid peroxidation was sharply reduced by 32μg Hg L(-1) during 6-12h before returning to control levels. Similarly, lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced during 6-12h followed by a sharp increase towards the end of the exposure in the 64μgHgL(-1) group. There was a negative relationship between lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities, and positive relationship between activities and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, suggesting that the changes at a molecular level may underlie enzymatic level and accordingly affect hepatic lipid peroxidation. Obtained results also showed a coordinated transcriptional regulation of antioxidant genes, suggesting that Nrf2 is required for the protracted induction of these genes. Furthermore, a negative relationship between the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and Keap1 indicated that Keap1 may play an important role in switching off the Nrf2 response. In conclusion, this is the first study to elucidate effects of waterborne Hg on antioxidant system in large yellow croaker through the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, which will aid our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of waterborne heavy metal on antioxidant responses in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zeng
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, PR China
| | - Jia-Lang Zheng
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, PR China
| | - Yong-Hong Wang
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, PR China
| | - Mei-Ying Xu
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, PR China
| | - Ai-Yi Zhu
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, PR China
| | - Chang-Wen Wu
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, PR China.
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17
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Zhu D, Zhong H. Potential bioavailability of mercury in humus-coated clay minerals. J Environ Sci (China) 2015; 36:48-55. [PMID: 26456605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2015.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
It is well-known that both clay and organic matter in soils play a key role in mercury biogeochemistry, while their combined effect is less studied. In this study, kaolinite, vermiculite, and montmorillonite were coated or not with humus, and spiked with inorganic mercury (IHg) or methylmercury (MeHg). The potential bioavailability of mercury to plants or deposit-feeders was assessed by CaCl2 or bovine serum albumin (BSA) extraction. For uncoated clay, IHg or MeHg extraction was generally lower in montmorillonite, due to its greater number of functional groups. Humus coating increased partitioning of IHg (0.5%-13.7%) and MeHg (0.8%-52.9%) in clay, because clay-sorbed humus provided more strong binding sites for mercury. Furthermore, humus coating led to a decrease in IHg (3.0%-59.8% for CaCl2 and 2.1%-5.0% for BSA) and MeHg (8.9%-74.6% for CaCl2 and 0.5%-8.2% for BSA) extraction, due to strong binding between mercury and clay-sorbed humus. Among various humus-coated clay particles, mercury extraction by CaCl2 (mainly through cation exchange) was lowest in humus-coated vermiculite, explained by the strong binding between humus and vermiculite. The inhibitory effect of humus on mercury bioavailability was also evidenced by the negative relationship between mercury extraction by CaCl2 and mercury in the organo-complexed fraction. In contrast, extraction of mercury by BSA (principally through complexation) was lowest in humus-coated montmorillonite. This was because BSA itself could be extensively sorbed onto montmorillonite. Results suggested that humus-coated clay could substantially decrease the potential bioavailability of mercury in soils, which should be considered when assessing risk in mercury-contaminated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiwen Zhu
- Nanjing University, School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Huan Zhong
- Nanjing University, School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China.
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18
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Wang YZ, Li D, He M. Application of internal standard method in recombinant luminescent bacteria test. J Environ Sci (China) 2015; 35:128-134. [PMID: 26354701 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2015.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Revised: 03/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Mercury and its organic compounds have been of severe concern worldwide due to their damage to the ecosystem and human health. The development of effective and affordable technology to monitor and signal the presence of bioavailable mercury is an urgent need. The Mer gene is a mercury-responsive resistant gene, and a mercury-sensing recombinant luminescent bacterium using the Mer gene was constructed in this study. The mer operon from marine Pseudomonas putida strain SP1 was amplified and fused with prompterless luxCDABE in the pUCD615 plasmid within Escherichia coli cells, resulting in pTHE30-E. coli. The recombinant strain showed high sensitivity and specificity. The detection limit of Hg(2+) was 5nmol/L, and distinct luminescence could be detected in 30min. Cd(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Ca(2+), Pb(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), and Al(3+) did not interfere with the detection over a range of 10(-5)-1mM. Application of recombinant luminescent bacteria testing in environmental samples has been a controversial issue: especially for metal-sensing recombinant strains, false negatives caused by high cytotoxicity are one of the most important issues when applying recombinant luminescent bacteria in biomonitoring of heavy metals. In this study, by establishing an internal standard approach, the false negative problem was overcome; furthermore, the method can also help to estimate the suspected mercury concentration, which ensures high detection sensitivity of bioavailable Hg(2+).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Zhi Wang
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (ESPC) State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China. E-mail: .
| | - Dan Li
- Fudan University, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Miao He
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (ESPC) State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China. E-mail: .
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19
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Bridges CC, Zalups RK, Joshee L. Toxicological significance of renal Bcrp: Another potential transporter in the elimination of mercuric ions from proximal tubular cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2015; 285:110-7. [PMID: 25868844 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2015.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Secretion of inorganic mercury (Hg(2+)) from proximal tubular cells into the tubular lumen has been shown to involve the multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2). Considering similarities in localization and substrate specificity between Mrp2 and the breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp), we hypothesize that Bcrp may also play a role in the proximal tubular secretion of mercuric species. In order to test this hypothesis, the uptake of Hg(2+) was examined initially using inside-out membrane vesicles containing Bcrp. The results of these studies suggest that Bcrp may be capable of transporting certain conjugates of Hg(2+). To further characterize the role of Bcrp in the handling of mercuric ions and in the induction of Hg(2+)-induced nephropathy, Sprague-Dawley and Bcrp knockout (bcrp(-/-)) rats were exposed intravenously to a non-nephrotoxic (0.5 μmol · kg(-1)), a moderately nephrotoxic (1.5 μmol · kg(-1)) or a significantly nephrotoxic (2.0 μmol · kg(-1)) dose of HgCl2. In general, the accumulation of Hg(2+) was greater in organs of bcrp(-/-) rats than in Sprague-Dawley rats, suggesting that Bcrp may play a role in the export of Hg(2+) from target cells. Within the kidney, cellular injury and necrosis was more severe in bcrp(-/-) rats than in controls. The pattern of necrosis, which was localized in the inner cortex and the outer stripe of the outer medulla, was significantly different from that observed in Mrp2-deficient animals. These findings suggest that Bcrp may be involved in the cellular export of select mercuric species and that its role in this export may differ from that of Mrp2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy C Bridges
- Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, USA.
| | - Rudolfs K Zalups
- Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, USA
| | - Lucy Joshee
- Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, USA
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20
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Windmöller CC, Durão Júnior WA, de Oliveira A, do Valle CM. The redox processes in Hg-contaminated soils from Descoberto (Minas Gerais, Brazil): implications for the mercury cycle. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2015; 112:201-211. [PMID: 25463872 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Revised: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Investigations of the redox process and chemical speciation of Hg(II) lead to a better understanding of biogeochemical processes controlling the transformation of Hg(II) into toxic and bioaccumulative monomethyl mercury, mainly in areas contaminated with Hg(0). This study investigates the speciation and redox processes of Hg in soil samples from a small area contaminated with Hg(0) as a result of gold mining activities in the rural municipality of Descoberto (Minas Gerais, Brazil). Soil samples were prepared by adding Hg(0) and HgCl2 separately to dry soil, and the Hg redox process was monitored using thermodesorption coupled to atomic absorption spectrometry. A portion of the Hg(0) added was volatilized (up to 37.4±2.0%) or oxidized (from 36±7% to 88±16%). A correlation with Mn suggests that this oxidation is favored, but many other factors must be evaluated, such as the presence of microorganisms and the types of organic matter present. The interaction of Hg with the matrix is suggested to involve Hg(II)-complexes formed with inorganic and organic sulfur ligands and/or nonspecific adsorption onto oxides of Fe, Al and/or Mn. The kinetics of the oxidation reaction was approximated for two first-order reactions; the faster reaction was attributed to the oxidation of Hg(0)/Hg(I), and the slower reaction corresponded to Hg(I)/Hg(II). The second stage was 43-139 times slower than the first. The samples spiked with Hg(II) showed low volatilization and a shifting of the signal of Hg(II) to lower temperatures. These results show that the extent, rate and type of redox process can be adverse in soils. Descoberto can serve as an example for areas contaminated with Hg(0).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia C Windmöller
- Departamento de Química, ICEX, UFMG, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | | | - Aline de Oliveira
- Departamento de Química, ICEX, UFMG, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Cláudia M do Valle
- IFAM-Campus Manaus Centro, Av. Sete de setembro, 1975, 69020-120 Manaus, AM, Brazil
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21
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Jew AD, Behrens SF, Rytuba JJ, Kappler A, Spormann AM, Brown GE. Microbially enhanced dissolution of HgS in an acid mine drainage system in the California Coast Range. Geobiology 2014; 12:20-33. [PMID: 24224806 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Mercury sulfides (cinnabar and metacinnabar) are the main ores of Hg and are relatively stable under oxic conditions (Ksp = 10⁻⁵⁴ and 10⁻⁵² , respectively). However, until now their stability in the presence of micro-organisms inhabiting acid mine drainage (AMD) systems was unknown. We tested the effects of the AMD microbial community from the inoperative Hg mine at New Idria, CA, present in sediments of an AMD settling pond adjacent to the main waste pile and in a microbial biofilm on the surface of this pond, on the solubility of crystalline HgS. A 16S rRNA gene clone library revealed that the AMD microbial community was dominated by Fe-oxidizing (orders Ferritrophicales and Gallionellas) and S-oxidizing bacteria (Thiomonas sp.), with smaller amounts (≤ 6%) being comprised of the orders Xanthomondales and Rhodospirillales. Though the order Ferritrophicales dominate the 16S rRNA clones (>60%), qPCR results of the microbial community indicate that the Thiomonas sp. represents ~55% of the total micro-organisms in the top 1 cm of the AMD microbial community. Although supersaturated with respect to cinnabar and metacinnabar, microcosms inoculated with the AMD microbial community were capable of releasing significantly more Hg into solution compared to inactivated or abiotic controls. Four different Hg-containing materials were tested for bacterially enhanced HgS dissolution: pure cinnabar, pure metacinnabar, mine tailings, and calcine material (processed ore). In the microcosm with metacinnabar, the presence of the AMD microbial community resulted in an increase of dissolved Hg concentrations up to 500 μg L ⁻¹during the first 30 days of incubation. In abiotic control microcosms, dissolved Hg concentrations did not increase above 100 ng L⁻¹ . When Hg concentrations were below 50 μg L⁻¹ , the Fe-oxidizing bacteria in the AMD microbial community were still capable of oxidizing Fe(II) to Fe(III) in the AMD solution, whereas concentrations above 50 μg L⁻¹ resulted in inhibition of microbial iron oxidation. Our experiments show that the AMD microbial community contributes to the dissolution of mercury sulfide minerals. These findings have major implications for risk assessment and future management of inoperative Hg mines worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Jew
- Surface & Aqueous Geochemistry Group, Department of Geological & Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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22
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Amirbahman A, Massey DI, Lotufo G, Steenhaut N, Brown LE, Biedenbach JM, Magar VS. Assessment of mercury bioavailability to benthic macroinvertebrates using diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT). Environ Sci Process Impacts 2013; 15:2104-2114. [PMID: 24084872 DOI: 10.1039/c3em00355h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Mercury-specific diffusive gradient in thin films (DGTs) were used in laboratory microcosms as a biomonitoring tool to assess the lability of mercury (Hg) total and monomethylmercury Hg (MeHg), and to develop a relationship between chemical lability and bioavailability in estuarine sediments. Time-series deployment of DGTs in sediments showed that sediment-bound MeHg is more labile than sediment-bound inorganic Hg. In subsequent experiments, DGTs were deployed simultaneously with three benthic macroinvertebrates (the estuarine amphipod, Leptocheirus plumulosus; the estuarine polychaete, Nereis virens; and the marine clam, Macoma nasuta) in sediments for up to 55 days. All organisms and their co-deployed DGTs exhibited an initial period of rapid Hg uptake followed by slower uptake reaching apparent steady state. Strong correlative relationships were generally observed between paddle-type DGTs and macroinvertebrate tissue data (r(2) between 0.57 and 0.97). Further, %MeHg:Total Hg ratios for M. nasuta and N. virens (38.5 ± 12.2 and 19.2 ± 5.2) were similar to their corresponding ratios for the DGTs (33.1 ± 13.3 and 24.4 ± 11.0), and they were significantly higher than the same ratios for sediment (2.9 ± 0.3) and pore water (8.5 ± 4.9). The %MeHg:Total Hg ratios for L. plumulosus (68.5 ± 6.2) were significantly higher than those for the DGTs. This may be because the tissue and DGT data for this organism were not truly co-located as L. plumulosus burrows close to the sediment surface, and the DGTs sampled the sediment surface. Overall, our results suggest that for benthic macroinvertebrates in estuarine sediments studied here, (a) sediment MeHg is more bioavailable than inorganic Hg, (b) sediment and pore-water concentration measurements are not good predictors for the extent of bioaccumulation of Hg species, and (c) DGTs are an effective biomonitoring tool for the assessment of bioavailability of Hg species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aria Amirbahman
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469, USA.
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23
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Kalisinska E, Kosik-Bogacka DI, Lisowski P, Lanocha N, Jackowski A. Mercury in the body of the most commonly occurring European game duck, the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos L. 1758), from northwestern Poland. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 2013; 64:583-93. [PMID: 23344844 PMCID: PMC3617349 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-012-9860-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of mercury (Hg) in liver (L), kidney (K), breast muscle [BM (musculus pectoralis major)], breast feathers (BF), and stomach contents (SC) of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos L. 1758). Among the edible parts of mallard, the greatest concentrations of Hg were observed in K and L, although they did not exceed 1.5 mg/kg dry weight (dw). Average concentrations in K, L, and BM were 0.27, 0.25, and 0.13 mg/kg dw, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between Hg concentrations in BM and K and in BM and L (r s = 0.92) as well as between Hg concentrations in these tissues and BF. In addition, we found significant correlations between Hg concentrations in SC and BM (r s = 0.72) and in L and K (r s = 0.55). In conclusion, mallard exhibits a measurable response to environmental Hg pollution and meets the requirements of a bioindicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elzbieta Kalisinska
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstancow Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Danuta I. Kosik-Bogacka
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstancow Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Piotr Lisowski
- Section of Toxicology and Bioanalytics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Koszalin University of Technology, Sniadeckich St. 2, 75-453 Koszalin, Poland
| | - Natalia Lanocha
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstancow Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Jackowski
- Department of Zoology and Beekeeping, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Doktora Judyma St. 20, 71-466 Szczecin, Poland
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Bouchet S, Rodriguez-Gonzalez P, Bridou R, Monperrus M, Tessier E, Anschutz P, Guyoneaud R, Amouroux D. Investigations into the differential reactivity of endogenous and exogenous mercury species in coastal sediments. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2013; 20:1292-1301. [PMID: 22821341 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-012-1068-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2012] [Accepted: 07/04/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Stable isotopic tracer methodologies now allow the evaluation of the reactivity of the endogenous (ambient) and exogenous (added) Hg to further predict the potential effect of Hg inputs in ecosystems. The differential reactivity of endogenous and exogenous Hg was compared in superficial sediments collected in a coastal lagoon (Arcachon Bay) and in an estuary (Adour River) from the Bay of Biscay (SW France). All Hg species (gaseous, aqueous, and solid fraction) and ancillary data were measured during time course slurry experiments under variable redox conditions. The average endogenous methylation yield was higher in the estuarine (1.2 %) than in the lagoonal sediment (0.5 %), although both methylation and demethylation rates were higher in the lagoonal sediment in relation with a higher sulfate-reducing activity. Demethylation was overall more consistent than methylation in both sediments. The endogenous and exogenous Hg behaviors were always correlated but the exogenous inorganic Hg (IHg) partitioning into water was 2.0-4.3 times higher than the endogenous one. Its methylation was just slightly higher (1.4) in the estuarine sediment while the difference in the lagoonal sediment was much larger (3.6). The relative endogenous and exogenous methylation yields were not correlated to IHg partitioning, demonstrating that the bioavailable species distributions were different for the two IHg pools. In both sediments, the exogenous IHg partitioning equaled the endogenous one within a week, while its higher methylation lasted for months. Such results provide an original assessment approach to compare coastal sediment response to Hg inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bouchet
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-inorganique et Environnement, Institut Pluridisciplinaire de Recherche sur l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254 CNRS-Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Hélioparc Pau Pyrénées, 2, av. P. Angot, 64053, Pau cedex 9, France
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25
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Wang YJ, Li HY, Hu HF, Li DP, Yang YJ, Liu C. Using biochemical system to improve cinnabar dissolution. Bioresour Technol 2013; 132:1-4. [PMID: 23384822 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2012] [Revised: 12/31/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In order to evaluate the leaching of cinnabar, a chemobiological reactor system with Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans for cinnabar dissolution was investigated. The results demonstrated cinnabar dissolution had relation to bioprocess of A. ferrooxidans and iron concentration tightly. The optimal dilution rate and iron concentration were 0.4/h and 2-3 g/L in chemobiological reactor. The process may be contributed to the indirect catalyzing of ferric iron generated with A. ferrooxidans and direct adherence oxidation function. This research shows the new microbiological technique may be a feasible and economical method in application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y J Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, PR China.
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26
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Meng B, Feng X, Qiu G, Wang D, Liang P, Li P, Shang L. Inorganic mercury accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Environ Toxicol Chem 2012; 31:2093-8. [PMID: 22707079 DOI: 10.1002/etc.1913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2011] [Revised: 03/03/2012] [Accepted: 05/15/2012] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the source and process of inorganic mercury (IHg) accumulation in rice, we monitored the concentrations of IHg in tissues of rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) from four experimental plantation plots. Biweekly during the rice-growing season, tissues of rice plants, corresponding soil, precipitation, and irrigation water samples were collected. The sampling data support the following: (1) the atmosphere is the principal source of IHg to the aboveground parts of the rice plant; (2) both the atmosphere and soil contribute to IHg content in stalks, but the former source tends to be more important; and (3) soil is the major source of root IHg content. These observations and the fact that the gradually increasing concentration and mass of IHg in stalks and leaves during the rice-growing season suggested that atmospheric Hg could be absorbed by and incorporated into the aboveground parts of the rice plant and that limited or no Hg emission to the air or translocation to the soil occurred after deposition of atmospheric Hg. The root surface acted as a potential Hg barrier and consequently reduced the translocation of Hg ion mass through the root system to the aboveground parts. Accumulated IHg in aboveground parts of rice plants cannot be transported to seeds, which is completely different from the case of methylmercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, People's Republic of China
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Zhang T, Kim B, Levard C, Reinsch BC, Lowry GV, Deshusses MA, Hsu-Kim H. Methylation of mercury by bacteria exposed to dissolved, nanoparticulate, and microparticulate mercuric sulfides. Environ Sci Technol 2012; 46:6950-8. [PMID: 22145980 DOI: 10.1021/es203181m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The production of the neurotoxic methylmercury in the environment is partly controlled by the bioavailability of inorganic divalent mercury (Hg(II)) to anaerobic bacteria that methylate Hg(II). In sediment porewater, Hg(II) associates with sulfides and natural organic matter to form chemical species that include organic-coated mercury sulfide nanoparticles as reaction intermediates of heterogeneous mineral precipitation. Here, we exposed two strains of sulfate-reducing bacteria to three forms of inorganic mercury: dissolved Hg and sulfide, nanoparticulate HgS, and microparticulate HgS. The bacteria cultures exposed to HgS nanoparticles methylated mercury at a rate slower than cultures exposed to dissolved forms of mercury. However, net methylmercury production in cultures exposed to nanoparticles was 6 times greater than in cultures treated with microscale particles, even when normalized to specific surface area. Furthermore, the methylation potential of HgS nanoparticles decreased with storage time of the nanoparticles in their original stock solution. In bacteria cultures amended with nano-HgS from a 16 h-old nanoparticle stock, 6-10% of total mercury was converted to methylmercury after one day. In contrast, 2-4% was methylated in cultures amended with nano-HgS that was aged for 3 days or 1 week. The methylation of mercury derived from nanoparticles (in contrast to the larger particles) would not be predicted by equilibrium speciation of mercury in the aqueous phase (<0.2 μm) and was possibly caused by the disordered structure of nanoparticles that facilitated release of chemically labile mercury species immediately adjacent to cell surfaces. Our results add new dimensions to the mechanistic understanding of mercury methylation potential by demonstrating that bioavailability is related to the geochemical intermediates of rate-limited mercury sulfide precipitation reactions. These findings could help explain observations that the "aging" of mercury in sediments reduces its methylation potential and provide a basis for assessing and remediating methylmercury hotspots in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Zhang
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Duke University, 121 Hudson Hall, Box 90287, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
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28
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Jan AT, Azam M, Ali A, Haq QMR. Molecular characterization of mercury resistant bacteria inhabiting polluted water bodies of different geographical locations in India. Curr Microbiol 2012; 65:14-21. [PMID: 22488489 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-012-0118-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2011] [Accepted: 03/13/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Mercury pollution is a major environmental problem that arises as a result of natural processes as well as from anthropogenic sources. In response to toxic mercury compounds, microbes have developed astonishing array of resistance systems to detoxify them. To address this challenge, this study was aimed in screening bacterial isolates for their tolerance against varied concentrations of phenylmercuric acetate. Mercury transformation by bacteria being sensitive to factors such as available carbon source, etc. that affect mer-mediated transformation, screened mercury tolerant bacteria were also studied for their tolerance to different antimicrobials and carbon sources, followed by identification using biochemical as well as 16S rRNA approach. Following identification, gene encoding organomercurial lyase catalyzing protonolytic cleavage of C-Hg bond of organic mercury was amplified using gene specific primers, cloned in pGEMT(®) easy vector and sequenced. Microbe-based approach using organomercurial lyase encoded by merB gene being potentially economic, provides foundation to facilitate genetic manipulation of this environmentally important enzyme to remove high concentrations of obstinate mercury using holistic, multifaceted approach for use in bioremediation through generation of transgenics or as catalyst for use in bioreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif Tasleem Jan
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
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29
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Graham AM, Aiken GR, Gilmour CC. Dissolved organic matter enhances microbial mercury methylation under sulfidic conditions. Environ Sci Technol 2012; 46:2715-23. [PMID: 22309093 DOI: 10.1021/es203658f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is generally thought to lower metal bioavailability in aquatic systems due to the formation of metal-DOM complexes that reduce free metal ion concentrations. However, this model may not be pertinent for metal nanoparticles, which are now understood to be ubiquitous, sometimes dominant, metal species in the environment. The influence of DOM on Hg bioavailability to microorganisms was examined under conditions (0.5-5.0 nM Hg and 2-10 μM sulfide) that favor the formation of β-HgS(s) (metacinnabar) nanoparticles. We used the methylation of stable-isotope enriched (201)HgCl(2) by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ND132 in short-term washed cell assays as a sensitive, environmentally significant proxy for Hg uptake. Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA) and Williams Lake hydrophobic acid (WLHPoA) substantially enhanced (2- to 38-fold) the bioavailability of Hg to ND132 over a wide range of Hg/DOM ratios (9.4 pmol/mg DOM to 9.4 nmol/mg DOM), including environmentally relevant ratios. Methylmercury (MeHg) production by ND132 increased linearly with either SRHA or WLHPoA concentration, but SRHA, a terrestrially derived DOM, was far more effective at enhancing Hg-methylation than WLHPoA, an aquatic DOM dominated by autochthonous sources. No DOM-dependent enhancement in Hg methylation was observed in Hg-DOM-sulfide solutions amended with sufficient l-cysteine to prevent β-HgS(s) formation. We hypothesize that small HgS particles, stabilized against aggregation by DOM, are bioavailable to Hg-methylating bacteria. Our laboratory experiments provide a mechanism for the positive correlations between DOC and MeHg production observed in many aquatic sediments and wetland soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Graham
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, Maryland 21037, United States.
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30
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Romero-Pastor J, Navas N, Kuckova S, Rodríguez-Navarro A, Cardell C. Collagen-based proteinaceous binder-pigment interaction study under UV ageing conditions by MALDI-TOF-MS and principal component analysis. J Mass Spectrom 2012; 47:322-330. [PMID: 22431458 DOI: 10.1002/jms.2966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
This study focuses on acquiring information on the degradation process of proteinaceous binders due to ultra violet (UV) radiation and possible interactions owing to the presence of historical mineral pigments. With this aim, three different paint model samples were prepared according to medieval recipes, using rabbit glue as proteinaceus binders. One of these model samples contained only the binder, and the other two were prepared by mixing each of the pigments (cinnabar or azurite) with the binder (glue tempera model samples). The model samples were studied by applying Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to their mass spectra obtained with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The complementary use of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to study conformational changes of secondary structure of the proteinaceous binder is also proposed. Ageing effects on the model samples after up to 3000 h of UV irradiation were periodically analyzed by the proposed approach. PCA on MS data proved capable of identifying significant changes in the model samples, and the results suggested different aging behavior based on the pigment present. This research represents the first attempt to use this approach (PCA on MALDI-TOF-MS data) in the field of Cultural Heritage and demonstrates the potential benefits in the study of proteinaceous artistic materials for purposes of conservation and restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Romero-Pastor
- Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
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Schaefer AM, Stavros HCW, Bossart GD, Fair PA, Goldstein JD, Reif JS. Associations between mercury and hepatic, renal, endocrine, and hematological parameters in Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) along the eastern coast of Florida and South Carolina. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 2011; 61:688-695. [PMID: 21340575 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-011-9651-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2010] [Accepted: 02/07/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated associations between total mercury (Hg) concentrations in blood and skin and endocrine, hepatic, renal, and hematological parameters in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Dolphins in Indian River Lagoon, FL had higher concentrations of Hg in blood (0.67 μg/l wet wt) and skin (7.24 μg/g dry wt) compared with those from Charleston Harbor, SC (0.15 μg/l wet wt, 1.68 μg/g dry wt). An inverse relationship was observed between blood and skin Hg concentrations and total thyroxine, triiodothyronine, absolute numbers of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and platelets. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), blood urea nitrogen, and gamma-glutamyl transferase increased with increasing concentrations of Hg in blood and skin; lactate dehydrogenase and neutrophils increased with concentrations in skin only. Hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin increased with increasing concentrations of Hg in blood. Selenium was negatively associated with free T4, progesterone, and absolute numbers of monocytes, and positively correlated with absolute numbers of eosinophils and lymphocytes, and mean corpuscular volume. The results suggest the potential for a deleterious effect of Hg in highly exposed dolphins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M Schaefer
- Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, 34946, USA.
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Clarkson CE, Riscassi A. Using ptilochronology to determine daily mercury deposition in feathers of nestling waterbirds. Environ Toxicol Chem 2011; 30:2081-2083. [PMID: 21647948 DOI: 10.1002/etc.591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2011] [Revised: 05/05/2011] [Accepted: 05/19/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Feathers are commonly used biomarkers of mercury (Hg) contamination in waterbird species. Most studies that analyze waterbird feathers for Hg content report concentrations on a per-unit mass basis. While this is appropriate for intraspecific comparisons, we suggest a more effective method for studies comparing multiple species of similar size and with similar foraging habits. Ptilochronology is a technique for determining the rate of feather growth in individuals based on their nutritional condition. When paired with Hg analysis, feather growth rates can be used to calculate the average daily Hg deposition into a feather. In this study we used this technique in comparison with the commonly used metric of Hg per-unit feather mass in two waterbird species. Average daily Hg deposition into feathers was 26.7% more sensitive to differences in Hg between the two species, suggesting that this may be a more biologically meaningful metric to use in interspecific comparisons.
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Mieiro CL, Pacheco M, Pereira ME, Duarte AC. Mercury organotropism in feral European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 2011; 61:135-143. [PMID: 20730611 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-010-9591-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2010] [Accepted: 08/09/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The knowledge of mercury (Hg) burdens in a wide set of tissues and organs of exposed fish is crucial to understand the internal distribution dynamics and thus predict Hg bioavailability and implications for ecosystem and human health. Total Hg was measured in six tissues of Dicentrarchus labrax captured along an estuarine contamination gradient, revealing the following pattern: liver > kidney > muscle > brain ≈ gills > blood. All of the tissues displayed intersite differences, although brain and muscle seemed to better reflect the extent of contamination. Hg speciation showed that liver presented higher concentrations than muscle for both organic and inorganic forms. Furthermore, liver seemed to exert a protective action in relation to Hg accumulation in the other tissues and organs. This protection seems to be particularly marked in relation to the brain, whereas liver is assisted in that action by kidney and muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Leopoldina Mieiro
- CESAM and Departamento de Química, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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Zhou X, Wang L, Sun X, Yang X, Chen C, Wang Q, Yang X. Cinnabar is not converted into methylmercury by human intestinal bacteria. J Ethnopharmacol 2011; 135:110-115. [PMID: 21382464 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2010] [Revised: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 02/27/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Cinnabar (Cin), a naturally occurring mercuric sulfide (HgS), is a mineral widely used in traditional Chinese medicine throughout history. As for the toxicity of cinnabar, one important assumption is that cinnabar may be transformed into highly toxic methylmercury by gastrointestinal flora. There is no evidence in humans to support this assumption. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the biotransformation of cinnabar (HgS) in the human intestinal bacteria with modern analytical techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS A gas chromatograph, equipped with electron capture detection (GC-ECD) and mass spectrometry (GC-MS), were used to detect the formation of methylmercury after incubation of cinnabar with human intestinal bacteria. The content of soluble mercury in the bacteria media was determined by cold vapor-atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS). In addition, X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) was used to confirm the possible transformation of cinnabar in the bacteria media, and under mimetic intestinal condition by measuring the species of sulfur and mercury in the reaction extraction of cinnabar and Na(2)S mixture. RESULTS No methylmercury was detected by both GC-ECD and GC-MS, which suggest that cinnabar (HgS) is not methylated in the human intestine. A small amount of soluble mercury was found to be released in the flora medium of HgS or cinnabar by CV-AAS. The XANES analyses revealed that polysulfides exist in the flora medium, and the simulated results showed that the products by incubating cinnabar with Na(2)S were mercuric polysulfides. CONCLUSION These results showed that under gut flora conditions cinnabar would be transformed into mercuric polysulfides rather than methylmercury. Our work provides evidences of nontoxic transformation of cinnabar in the human intestinal bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinrui Zhou
- State Key Laboratories of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
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Yang DY, Chen YW, Belzile N. Evidences of non-reactive mercury-selenium compounds generated from cultures of Pseudomonas fluorescens. Sci Total Environ 2011; 409:1697-1703. [PMID: 21316739 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2010] [Revised: 01/06/2011] [Accepted: 01/18/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
This work was designed to determine chemically inert mercury-selenium (Hg-Se) compounds formed in a culture of Pseudomonas fluorescens exposed to Hg(2+) and Se(IV) (selenite). To isolate these compounds, different digestion methods were studied and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) lysis was selected. The Hg(0) and non-reactive Hg were determined in two series of cultures containing 0.0-6.00 μg L(-1) Se(IV) (0.0-76.0 μmol L(-1)) in combination with low 5.00 μg L(-1) (0.025 μmol L(-1)) or high 100 μg L(-1) (0.500 μmol L(-1)) Hg(2+). It was found that Hg(0) formed in the culture decreased with the increase of initial Se(IV), while the non-reactive Hg increased with the Se(IV). In cultures with low initial [Hg(2+)], a median Se(IV) (2.0 μg L(-1) or 25.3 μmol L(-1)) resulted in about 70% of the added Hg(2+) sequestered as non-reactive Hg, and in culture with high initial Hg(2+), about 40% was sequestered. P. fluorescens was proved to be indispensible for the formation of the non-reactive Hg-Se compounds. The Hg:Se molar ratio in the non-reactive Hg-Se compounds was close to 1, suggesting the existence of mercuric selenide in cells. Mechanisms for the formation of the non-reactive Hg-Se compounds are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Yi Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6
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Zhou X, Zeng K, Wang Q, Yang X, Wang K. In vitro studies on dissolved substance of cinnabar: chemical species and biological properties. J Ethnopharmacol 2010; 131:196-202. [PMID: 20600770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2010] [Revised: 06/01/2010] [Accepted: 06/14/2010] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Cinnabar is one of traditional Chinese medicines widely used in many Asian countries. It is also a medicine with potential toxicity especially when taking overdose. Up to date, studies on the mechanism of the biological activity of cinnabar were still insufficient. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the possible bioactive species from cinnabar after oral administration, which is the fundamental of biological effects of cinnabar. MATERIALS AND METHODS Under mimetic intestinal and gastric conditions, the chemical components dissolved from cinnabar were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (IR) and Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, binding of mercuric species of cinnabar extractions to human serum protein (HSA) was characterized and their intestinal permeability was determined using the Caco-2 cell monolayer. The cytotoxicity of cinnabar extractions was assessed on human kidney-2 (HK-2) cell. RESULTS Major dissolved species included mercuric polysulfide (i.e. HgS(2)(OH)(-) and Hg(3)S(2)Cl(2)). The apparent permeability coefficient (P(app)) of mercuric polysulfides was (1.6+/-0.3)x10(-6)cm/s, which is slightly lower than that of mercuric chloride (HgCl(2)). Unlike HgCl(2), mercuric polysulfides exhibited two tightly binding sites to HSA and had little effect on viability of HK-2 cells. CONCLUSION Mercuric polysulfides, as the major dissolved components, may serve as the active species of cinnabar exhibiting pharmacological and/or toxicological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinrui Zhou
- State Key Laboratories of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs and Department of Chemical Biology, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
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Bhattacharyya S, Chaudhuri P, Dutta S, Santra SC. Assessment of total mercury level in fish collected from East Calcutta Wetlands and Titagarh sewage fed aquaculture in West Bengal, India. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2010; 84:618-622. [PMID: 20407747 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-010-9972-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2009] [Accepted: 04/06/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Total mercury levels were quantified in Tilapia mossambicus, Cirrhinus mrigela and Labio rohita, captured from East Calcutta Wetlands and Titagarh sewage fed aquaculture ponds. The bioconcentration factor of collected fish was assessed. Total mercury level ranged from 0.073 to 0.94 microg/g in both pre and post monsoon season. T. mossambicus in both season and C. mrigela at pre monsoon, cross the Indian recommended maximum limit (0.50 microg/g wet weight) for food consumption and according to World Health Organization guidelines all fish were not recommended for pregnant women and individuals under 15 years ages. A significant correlation was observed between mercury content of aquaculture pond water and fish muscle tissue. Total mercury concentration in experimental sites were higher than the control area (Wilcoxon Ranked-Sum test p > 0.05), which suggested the connection between mercury bioaccumulation and sewage fed aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subarna Bhattacharyya
- Department of Environmental Studies, Rabindra Bharati University, 56A, B. T. Road, Kolkata 700050, India.
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Della Torre C, Petochi T, Corsi I, Dinardo MM, Baroni D, Alcaro L, Focardi S, Tursi A, Marino G, Frigeri A, Amato E. DNA damage, severe organ lesions and high muscle levels of As and Hg in two benthic fish species from a chemical warfare agent dumping site in the Mediterranean Sea. Sci Total Environ 2010; 408:2136-2145. [PMID: 20083295 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2009] [Revised: 12/18/2009] [Accepted: 01/02/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the environmental threat to benthic species from chemical weapons dumped in the southern Adriatic Sea. An ecotoxicological approach using chemical analysis and biological responses was applied, in two sentinel species: the Blackbelly rosefish Helicolenus dactylopterus and European conger Conger conger. Specimen were collected in a stretch of sea, where had been dumped war materials and from a reference site free of ordnance. Residues of yperite, Hg and As were measured in fish fillets. Skin, liver, kidney and spleen were examined for histopathological and macroscopical lesions. Liver detoxifying capacities (EROD and UDPGT) and genotoxicity (comet assay) were also investigated. As and Hg levels were three-four times higher than those from the reference site in both species (p<0.001). Both species captured in dumping site showed clear signs of chronic illness according to the health assessment index (HAI). Deep ulcers and nodules were observed on skin and external organs. Histological lesions such as periportal and bile duct fibrosis, pericholangitis, steatosis, granuloma and elevated splenic MMCs were detected in liver and spleen. Significantly higher EROD activities were also found in both species from dumping site (p<0.01). Comet assay revealed genotoxicty in gills of C. conger from dumping site, indicating uptake of chemical warfare agents through fish gills. European conger was found to be a more sensitive bioindicator of this type of contamination than the Blackbelly rosefish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Della Torre
- Department of Environmental Sciences G. Sarfatti, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Chien MF, Narita M, Lin KH, Matsui K, Huang CC, Endo G. Organomercurials removal by heterogeneous merB genes harboring bacterial strains. J Biosci Bioeng 2010; 110:94-8. [PMID: 20541123 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2010.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2009] [Revised: 01/07/2010] [Accepted: 01/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Organomercury lyase (MerB) is a key enzyme in bacterial detoxification and bioremediation of organomercurials. However, the merB gene is often considered as an ancillary component of the mer operon because there is zero to three merB genes in different mer operons identified so far. In this study, organomercurials' removal abilities of native mercury-resistant bacteria that have one or multiple merB genes were examined. Each heterogeneous merB genes from these bacteria was further cloned into Escherichia coli to investigate the substrate specificity of each MerB enzyme. The merB1 gene from Bacillus megaterium MB1 conferred the highest volatilization ability to methylmercury chloride, ethylmercury chloride, thimerosal and p-chloromercuribenzoate, while the merB3 from B. megaterium MB1 conferred the fastest mercury volatilization activity to p-chloromercuribenzoate. The substrate specificities among these MerB enzymes show the necessity for selecting the appropriate bacteria strains or MerB enzymes to apply them in bioremediation engineering for cleaning up specific organomercurial contaminations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Fang Chien
- Faculty of Engineering, Tohoku Gakuin University, 1-13-1 Chuo, Tagajo, Miyagi 985-8537, Japan
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Vega CM, Siciliano S, Barrocas PRG, Hacon SS, Campos RC, do Couto Jacob S, Ott PH. Levels of cadmium, mercury, and lead in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) stranded on the Brazilian coast. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 2010; 58:460-468. [PMID: 19582498 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-009-9349-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2009] [Accepted: 05/20/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) were determined in samples of liver and breast muscles of first-year Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus), from two different areas on the Brazilian coast, 35 on the Rio de Janeiro coast and 12 on the Rio Grande do Sul coast. In both areas, Cd concentrations in muscle samples were <0.025 microg/g. However, the Cd and Hg concentrations found in liver and Hg concentrations found in muscle showed a significant difference between the two regions. The geometric mean of the concentrations was higher in the specimens from Rio de Janeiro (Cd--6.8 microg/g; Hg--liver, 1.6 microg/g, and muscle, 0.4 microg/g wet weight) than in those from Rio Grande do Sul (Cd--2.3 microg/g; Hg--liver, 0.9 microg/g, and muscle, 0.1 microg/g wet weight). The site differences could be related to differences in diet influenced by geographic factors. Brazil's southeastern coast is highly urbanized, and its coastal waters are contaminated by the waste of agricultural and industrial activities. There is a lack of information on the levels of heavy metals in S. magellanicus, however, their wide distribution and top position in the trophic chain make the use of stranded specimens an attractive source of information for monitoring heavy metals in the South Atlantic coast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia M Vega
- PPG em Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública/FIOCRUZ, Rua Leopoldo Bulhões 1480, 6 masculine andar, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21041-210, Brazil.
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Payne EJ, Taylor DL. Effects of diet composition and trophic structure on mercury bioaccumulation in temperate flatfishes. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 2010; 58:431-443. [PMID: 19997909 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-009-9423-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2009] [Accepted: 11/09/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus and winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus support valuable fisheries along the northeastern United States. The importance of these flatfish as a human dietary resource indicates they are potential sources of mercury (Hg) to fish-consuming citizens. In this study, summer flounder (SF) and winter flounder (WF) were collected from the Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island, USA) and were measured for total Hg burden in whole-body or dorsal muscle tissue. Interspecies differences in Hg contamination were analyzed relative to flounder body size, age, and Hg content of preferred prey. Stable isotope signatures were also used to elucidate the effect of trophic processes on Hg accumulation in the estuarine food web. The mean Hg content of SF exceeded concentrations measured in WF across multiple life-history stages (0.039-0.100 and 0.016-0.029 mg Hg/kg wet weight for SF and WF, respectively), and observed values for both species were lower than the US Environmental Protection Agency regulatory threshold of 0.3 mg Hg/kg wet weight. Total Hg concentrations were also positively correlated with flounder age and length, verifying that both flatfish bioaccumulate Hg. SF accumulate Hg at an accelerated rate, however, owing to this species consuming Hg-enriched prey (teleosts, squid, and macrocrustaceans; mean Hg content = 0.023 mg Hg/kg wet weight), whereas WF feed on prey with low Hg levels (amphipods and polychaetes; mean Hg content = 0.013 mg Hg/kg wet weight). The positive correlation observed between mean biota Hg content and stable nitrogen (delta(15)N) isotope signatures further indicates that Hg is trophically transferred through the food web, and higher trophic level organisms (i.e., enriched delta(15)N) have increased Hg concentrations. Therefore, results from this study suggest that dietary preference and trophic structure are the main factors affecting Hg bioaccumulation in the estuary. Total Hg concentrations of flatfish from the Narragansett Bay, however, do not necessarily reflect coastwide contamination patterns. This reinforces the importance of having research conducted at sufficiently small spatial scales, including the local assessment of Hg contamination for the purpose of issuing state consumption advisories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Payne
- Department of Marine Biology, Roger Williams University, One Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809, USA
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Akearok JA, Hebert CE, Braune BM, Mallory ML. Inter- and intraclutch variation in egg mercury levels in marine bird species from the Canadian Arctic. Sci Total Environ 2010; 408:836-840. [PMID: 19962722 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2009] [Revised: 11/18/2009] [Accepted: 11/18/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal that has been of increasing concern in the Canadian Arctic. We measured total Hg in eggs of three marine birds (Arctic terns Sterna paradisaea, common eiders Somateria mollissima borealis, long-tailed ducks Clangula hyemalis) that breed in the Canadian Arctic, to compare Hg laying order effects from the same clutch and to examine Hg among species. Early-laid eggs of all three species had 24-48% higher Hg concentrations than late laid eggs. Arctic terns had approximately twice the concentration of Hg in their eggs as the two duck species, and Hg in eider eggs from the High Arctic was higher than Hg in eggs from the Low Arctic. Higher Hg in tern eggs was consistent with this species occupying a higher trophic position in marine food webs, as indicated by stable nitrogen isotope (delta(15)N) values. The egg-laying sequence may need to be considered for Hg biomonitoring studies where small samples sizes are planned, and early eggs may be preferable for such studies since early eggs may be more representative of potential maximum levels of Hg in the marine food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Akearok
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Iqaluit, NU, Canada X0A 0H0.
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Bose-O'Reilly S, Drasch G, Beinhoff C, Rodrigues-Filho S, Roider G, Lettmeier B, Maydl A, Maydl S, Siebert U. Health assessment of artisanal gold miners in Indonesia. Sci Total Environ 2010; 408:713-25. [PMID: 19945736 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.10.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2009] [Revised: 10/18/2009] [Accepted: 10/27/2009] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Small scale miners use mercury to extract gold from ore in many countries. An environmental and health assessment was performed in Indonesia in two regions, Galangan in Central Kalimantan and Talawaan in Northern Sulawesi. The environmental assessment showed severe mercury contamination of the sediments, and increased mercury levels in local fish. For the health investigation 281 volunteers were recruited and examined by a standardized questionnaire, a neurological examination and neuro-psychological tests. A medical score was used consisting of significant factors of mercury intoxication. Mercury exposed workers showed typical symptoms of mercury intoxication, such as movement disorders (ataxia, tremor, dysdiadochokinesia, etc.). Blood, urine and hair samples were taken from any participant and analyzed for mercury. The mercury concentration in the biomonitors was high, partly extreme high in the working population, increased in the population living in the same habitat and low in the control group. By a standard protocol which includes a combination of threshold values of mercury in the biomonitors and a medical sum score the diagnosis of chronic mercury intoxication was made for highly burdened workers (amalgam smelters) in 55% in Sulawesi and in 62% in Kalimantan. Less exposed mineral processors and the general population in the mining areas were also intoxicated to a high percentage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Bose-O'Reilly
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT - University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Eduard Wallnoefer-Center I, A-6060 Hall i.T., Austria.
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Bose-O'Reilly S, Drasch G, Beinhoff C, Tesha A, Drasch K, Roider G, Taylor H, Appleton D, Siebert U. Health assessment of artisanal gold miners in Tanzania. Sci Total Environ 2010; 408:796-805. [PMID: 19945738 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2009] [Revised: 10/11/2009] [Accepted: 10/16/2009] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In 2003 UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) conducted an environmental and health assessment in a small-scale mining area in Tanzania. BGS (British Geological Survey) performed the environmental assessment. The Institute of Forensic Medicine - University of Munich performed the health assessment. The results of the medical, neurological and neuro-psychological examination of 180 participants from the affected area of Rwamagasa and 31 controls were analyzed. Urine, blood and hair samples were analyzed to detect the level of mercury body burden. Mercury concentrations in the bio-monitors urine, blood and hair were statistically significantly higher in the exposed population from Rwamagasa compared to the control group from Katoro. Only amalgam burners showed mercury levels above the toxicological threshold limits. A speciation of mercury in hair indicated that mainly elemental mercury vapor contributed to the high body burden of the artisanal miners. 104 amalgam-burners, the most exposed population group, were examined. 25 of these workers were found to be intoxicated. Small-scale mining is a serious health hazard for amalgam burners. Reduction of the exposure is essential to prevent further damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Bose-O'Reilly
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT - University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Eduard Wallnoefer Center I, A-6060 Hall i.T., Austria.
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Lomonte C, Doronila AI, Gregory D, Baker AJM, Kolev SD. Phytotoxicity of biosolids and screening of selected plant species with potential for mercury phytoextraction. J Hazard Mater 2010; 173:494-501. [PMID: 19775810 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.08.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2009] [Revised: 07/29/2009] [Accepted: 08/25/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Mercury contaminated stockpiles of biosolids (3.5-8.4 mg kg(-1) Hg) from Melbourne Water's Western Treatment Plant (MW-WTP) were investigated to evaluate the possibility for their phytoremediation. Nine plant species (Atriplex codonocarpa, Atriplex semibaccata, Austrodanthonia caespitosa, Brassica juncea, Brassica napus, Gypsophila paniculata, Sorghum bicolor, Themeda triandra and Trifolium subterraneum) were screened for phytoextraction potential in Hg-contaminated biosolids from MW-WTP. In addition, the same plant species were germinated and grown in two other substrates (i.e. potting mix and potting mix spiked with mercury(II)). Growth measurements and the mercury uptake for all three substrates were compared. Some plant species grown in potting mix spiked with mercury(II) grew more vigorously than in the other two substrates and showed higher levels of sulphur in their tissues. These results suggested that the mercury stress activated defence mechanisms and it was hypothesised that this was the likely reason for the enhanced production of sulphur compounds in the plant species studied which stimulated their growth. Some species did not grow in biosolids because of the combined effect of high mercury toxicity and high salt content. Atriplex conodocarpa and Australodanthonia caespitose proved to be the most suitable candidates for mercury phytoextraction because of their ability to translocate mercury from roots to the above-ground tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Lomonte
- School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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Melgar MJ, Alonso J, García MA. Mercury in edible mushrooms and underlying soil: bioconcentration factors and toxicological risk. Sci Total Environ 2009; 407:5328-34. [PMID: 19631362 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2009] [Revised: 06/30/2009] [Accepted: 07/02/2009] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Wild growing mushrooms are a popular delicacy in many countries, but some species accumulate high levels of toxic heavy metals, e.g., mercury, both in unpolluted and mildly polluted areas. In this study, we examined the accumulation capacity of mercury in edible mushrooms in relation to certain factors and their possible toxicological implications. Total concentrations of mercury were determined by an anodic stripping voltammetric technique using a gold disc as the working electrode in 238 samples of the fruiting bodies of 28 wild growing edible mushrooms species and the underlying soil. The mushrooms were collected from different sites in the province of Lugo (NW Spain). The hymenophore (H) and the rest of the fruiting body (RFB) were analysed separately. The highest mean mercury concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) were found in Boletus pinophilus (6.9 in H and 4.5 in RFB), Agaricus macrosporus (5.1 in H and 3.7 in RFB), Lepista nuda (5.1 in H and 3.1 in RFB) and Boletus aereus (4.6 in H and 3.3 in RFB), while the lowest was found in Agrocybe cylindrica (0.34 in H and 0.26 in RFB) and Fistulina hepatica (0.30 in H and 0.22 in RFB). All mushroom species accumulated mercury (BCF>1) in relation to the underlying soils. There were no statistically significant differences between the mercury levels in the hymenophore and in the rest of the fruiting body. The total mercury concentrations were compared to data in the literature and to levels set by legislation. It was concluded that consumption of the majority of the studied mushrooms is not a toxicological risk as far as mercury content is concerned, although the species B.pinophilus, A.macrosporus, L.nuda and B.aereus should be consumed in low amounts.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Melgar
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002-Lugo, Spain.
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Liu G, Cai Y, Mao Y, Scheidt D, Kalla P, Richards J, Scinto LJ, Tachiev G, Roelant D, Appleby C. Spatial variability in mercury cycling and relevant biogeochemical controls in the Florida Everglades. Environ Sci Technol 2009; 43:4361-4366. [PMID: 19603647 DOI: 10.1021/es803665c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Spatial patterns in mercury cycling and bioaccumulation at the landscape level in the Everglades were investigated by collecting and analyzing multimedia samples for mercury species and biogeochemical characteristics from 228 randomly located stations. Higher total mercury (THg) in environmental compartments (surface water, soil, flocculent detrital material (floc), and periphyton) generally occurred in the northern and central Everglades, but higher THg in water and periphyton in the Everglades National Park was an exception. Multiple biogeochemical characteristics, such as surface water dissolved organic matter (DOC(sw)), pH, chloride, and compositional properties of solid compartments (soil and floc), were identified to be important factors controlling THg distribution. Methylmercury (MeHg) was also higher in the northern Everglades for water, soil, and floc, but not for periphyton. Higher mosquitofish THg and bioaccumulation factor were observed in the central and southern Everglades, partially in accordance with periphyton MeHg distribution, but not in the "hot spot" areas of water, soil, or floc MeHg. The discrepancy in mercury bioaccumulation and mercury distribution in environmental compartments suggests that in addition to MeHg production, biogeochemical controls that make MeHg available to aquatic organisms, such as DOC(sw) and compositional properties of soil and floc, are important in mercury bioaccumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangliang Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
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Zamani-Ahmadmahmoodi R, Esmaili-Sari A, Ghasempouri SM, Savabieasfahani M. Mercury in wetland birds of Iran and Iraq: contrasting resident moorhen, Gallinula chloropus, and migratory Common Teal, Anas crecca, life strategies. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2009; 82:450-453. [PMID: 19142558 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-009-9637-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2008] [Accepted: 01/06/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We document mercury distribution in tissues of two waterfowls; moorhen (Gallinula chloropus; n=6), and Common Teal (Anas crecca; n=6) from Shadegan wetlands in Southwestern Iran. Mean value of mercury in moorhen liver was (0.36 Hg microg g(-1) dry weight), Common Teal had (4.34 Hg microg g(-1) dry weight) mercury. In all tissues, Common Teals had significantly higher mercury concentrations than moorhens (U test, p <or= 0.05). Mercury was 12, 9, 8, and 6 times higher in liver, muscle, kidney, and feather of Common Teals. These birds have comparable diets but Common Teals are migratory and moorhens are residents of Shadegan wetlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasool Zamani-Ahmadmahmoodi
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Science, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 46414-356, Noor, Mazandaran, Iran.
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Abstract
The kidney is a model organ for transport physiology (Nielsen 1996). AQPs are well-characterized in mammalian kidneys, where they facilitate transepithelial water reabsorption. Most renal AQPs are expressed either in proximal tubule cells or in collecting duct principal cells, which are known as sites for water reabsorption. AQP1 is present in both apical and basolateral membranes of proximal tubules, and in descending limbs of Henle's loop where 70% of filtrated water is isoosmotically reabsorbed (King and Agre 1996). AQP2 is expressed in principal cells of the collecting duct; in response to vasopressin, AQP2 translocates from intracellular vesicles to the apical plasma membranes, thereby increasing water permeability to concentrate urine (Nielsen et al. 1993, 1995; Knepper 1997; Schrier 2006). AQP3 and AQP4 reside in the basolateral membranes of collecting duct principal cells, where they may provide the exit pathways for urine. AQP7, AQP8, and AQP11 are also present in the proximal tubules (Nielsen et al. 1998).A rat cDNA clone encoding AQP6 was isolated by PCR-based homologous cloning from a rat kidney cDNA library (Ma et al. 1993; Yasui et al. 1999). AQP6 has high sequence homology to AQP0, AQP2, and AQP5. A human AQP6 was also cloned (Ma et al. 1996). Interestingly, the genes encoding AQP2, AQP5, and AQP6 are mapped to chromosome band 12q13 as a family gene cluster at this locus (Ma et al. 1997). Nevertheless, AQP6 is distinct from AQP0, AQP2, and AQP5 in terms of function. Among the renal aquaporins mentioned above, AQP6 has a unique distribution and a distinct function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Yasui
- Department of Pharmacology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Augspurger TP, Echols KR, Peterman PH, May TW, Orazio CE, Tillitt DE, Di Giulio RT. Accumulation of environmental contaminants in wood duck (Aix sponsa) eggs, with emphasis on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 2008; 55:670-82. [PMID: 18726540 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-008-9199-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2008] [Accepted: 07/05/2008] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
We measured polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, and mercury in wood duck (Aix sponsa) eggs collected near a North Carolina (USA) bleached kraft paper mill. Samples were taken a decade after the mill stopped using molecular chlorine. Using avian toxic equivalency factors, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxicity equivalent (TEQ) concentrations were 1-30 pg/g fresh wet weight in eggs (n = 48) collected near the mill in 2002-2005 and were significantly higher than those from a reference site (<1 pg/g) 25 km away. Geometric mean wood duck egg TEQs (6 pg/g) were one-fifth those measured at this site prior to the cessation of molecular chlorine bleaching. Concentrations of mercury in wood duck eggs from nests of the Roanoke River sites ranged from 0.01 to 0.14 microg/g (geometric mean, 0.04 microg/g) and were significantly higher than those from the reference site, where concentrations did not exceed 0.04 microg/g (geometric mean, 0.02 mug/g). All concentrations were lower than those associated with adverse effects in birds. The congener profiles, lack of contamination in reference site eggs, and decline in contaminant concentrations after process changes at the mill provide strong evidence that mill discharges influenced contamination of local wood duck eggs. Collectively, the results indicate that the wood duck is an effective sentinel of the spatial and temporal extent of PCDD, PCDF, and mercury contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- T P Augspurger
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 551-F Pylon Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
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