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Ali SW, Božič D, Vijayakumaran Nair S, Živković I, Gačnik J, Andron TD, Jagodic Hudobivnik M, Kocman D, Horvat M. Optimization of a pre-concentration method for the analysis of mercury isotopes in low-concentration foliar samples. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:1239-1248. [PMID: 38193932 PMCID: PMC10850019 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-05116-5] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Hg isotope analysis in samples from background regions is constrained by the presence of low Hg concentration and therefore requires a pre-concentration method. Existing Hg pre-concentration methods are constrained by long sample processing time and limited sample loading capacity. Using foliar samples as a test case, an optimized Hg pre-concentration method is presented that involves the microwave-assisted digestion of samples for Hg isotope analysis with the addition of a pre-digestion step. Microwave-digested foliar samples and CRMs were transferred to an impinger, reduced with SnCl2, and collected in a 2.25 mL concentrated inverse aqua regia (3:1 HNO3:HCl, v/v). This resulted in an optimal acid concentration in the solution ideal for analysis on MC-ICP-MS. The time for purging with Hg-free N2 was optimized to 30 min and the efficiency of the pre-concentration method was tested using a combination of approaches. Tests performed on pure reagents and matrix of foliar samples spiked with 197Hg radiotracer showed recoveries averaging 99 ± 1.7% and 100 ± 3.0%, respectively. Mercury at concentrations as low as 1.83 ng g-1 was pre-concentrated by digesting aliquots of foliage samples in individual digestion vessels. Recoveries following their pre-concentration averaged 99 ± 6.0%, whereas recoveries of 95 ± 4.7% and 95 ± 2.5% were achieved for NIST SRM 1575a (pine needle) and reagents spiked with NIST SRM 3133, respectively. Analysis using multicollector-ICP-MS showed low fractionation of δ202Hg during sample pre-concentration with no significant mass-independent fractionation. The proposed method is a relatively simple and robust way to prepare Hg samples for Hg isotopic analysis and is suitable even for complex biological matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Waqar Ali
- Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Dominik Božič
- Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sreekanth Vijayakumaran Nair
- Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Živković
- Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jan Gačnik
- Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Teodor-Daniel Andron
- Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - David Kocman
- Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Milena Horvat
- Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Kovačič A, Andreasidou E, Brus A, Vehar A, Potočnik D, Hudobivnik MJ, Heath D, Pintar M, Maršič NK, Ogrinc N, Blaznik U, Heath E. Contaminant uptake in wastewater irrigated tomatoes. J Hazard Mater 2023; 448:130964. [PMID: 36860048 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130964] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
As population growth and climate change add to the problem of water scarcity in many regions, the argument for using treated wastewater for irrigation is becoming increasingly compelling, which makes understanding the risks associated with the uptake of harmful chemicals by crops crucial. In this study, the uptake of 14 chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) and 27 potentially toxic elements (PTEs) was studied in tomatoes grown in soil-less (hydroponically) and soil (lysimeters) media irrigated with potable and treated wastewater using LC-MS/MS and ICP-MS. Bisphenol S, 2,4 bisphenol F, and naproxen were detected in fruits irrigated with spiked potable water and wastewater under both conditions, with BPS having the highest concentration (0.034-0.134 µg kg-1 f. w.). The levels of all three compounds were statistically more significant in tomatoes grown hydroponically (<LOQ - 0.137 µg kg-1 f. w.) than in soil (<LOQ - 0.083 µg kg-1 f. w.). Their elemental composition shows differences between tomatoes grown hydroponically or in soil and tomatoes irrigated with wastewater and potable water. Contaminants at determined levels showed low dietary chronic exposure. When the health-based guidance values for the studied CECs are determined, results from this study will be helpful for risk assessors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Kovačič
- Department of Environmental science, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia; International Postgraduate School Jožef Stefan, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Eirini Andreasidou
- Department of Environmental science, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia; International Postgraduate School Jožef Stefan, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Anže Brus
- Department of Environmental science, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Anja Vehar
- Department of Environmental science, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia; International Postgraduate School Jožef Stefan, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Doris Potočnik
- Department of Environmental science, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Marta Jagodic Hudobivnik
- Department of Environmental science, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - David Heath
- Department of Environmental science, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Marina Pintar
- Department of Agronomy, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, Ljubljaan 1000, Slovenia
| | - Nina Kacjan Maršič
- Department of Agronomy, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, Ljubljaan 1000, Slovenia
| | - Nives Ogrinc
- Department of Environmental science, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia; International Postgraduate School Jožef Stefan, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Urška Blaznik
- Environmental Health Centre, National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva 2, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Ester Heath
- Department of Environmental science, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia; International Postgraduate School Jožef Stefan, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
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Božič D, Živković I, Hudobivnik MJ, Kotnik J, Amouroux D, Štrok M, Horvat M. Fractionation of mercury stable isotopes in lichens. Chemosphere 2022; 309:136592. [PMID: 36167212 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Bio-monitoring of mercury (Hg) in air using transplanted and in-situ lichens was conducted at three locations in Slovenia: (I) the town of Idrija in the area of the former Hg mine, where Hg contamination is well known; (II) Anhovo, a settlement with a cement production plant, which is a source of Hg contamination, and (III) Pokljuka, a part of a national park. Lichens from Pokljuka were transplanted to different sites and sampled four times-once per season, from January 2020 to February 2021. Lichens were set on tree branches, fences, and under cover, allowing them to be exposed to different environmental conditions (e.g., light and rain). The in-situ lichens were sampled at the beginning and the end of the sampling period. The highest concentrations were in the Idrija area, which was consistent with previous research. Significant mass-dependent fractionation has been observed in transplanted lichens during summer period. The δ202Hg changed from -3.0‰ in winter to -1.0‰ in summer and dropped again to the same value in winter the following year. This trend was observed in all samples, except those from the most polluted Idrija sampling site, which was in the vicinity of the former Hg ore-smelting plant. This was likely due to large amounts of Hg originating from polluted soil close to the former smelting plant with a distinct isotopic fingerprint in this local area. The Δ199Hg in transplanted lichens ranged from -0.5‰ to -0.1‰ and showed no seasonal trends. These findings imply that seasonality, particularly in summer months, may affect the isotopic fractionation of Hg and should be considered in the sampling design and data interpretation. This trend was thus described in lichens for the first time. The mechanism behind such change is not yet fully understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Božič
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Street 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova Street 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Živković
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Street 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marta Jagodic Hudobivnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Street 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jože Kotnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Street 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - David Amouroux
- The Institute of Analytical Sciences and Physico-Chemistry for Environment and Materials, 2 Avenue Pierre Angot, Pau Cedex 9, France
| | - Marko Štrok
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Street 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova Street 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Street 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova Street 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Strojnik L, Potočnik D, Jagodic Hudobivnik M, Mazej D, Japelj B, Škrk N, Marolt S, Heath D, Ogrinc N. Geographical identification of strawberries based on stable isotope ratio and multi-elemental analysis coupled with multivariate statistical analysis: A Slovenian case study. Food Chem 2022; 381:132204. [PMID: 35114619 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132204] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The geographical classification and authentication of strawberries were attempted using discriminant and class-modelling methods applied to stable isotopes of light elements and elemental composition. The work involved creating a database of 92 authentic Slovenian strawberry samples and 32 imported samples. All samples were harvested between 2018 and 2020. A good geographical classification of Slovenian and non-Slovenian strawberries was obtained despite different production years using discriminant approaches. However, for verifying compliance with a given specification (geographical indications), a class-modelling approach was used to build an unbiased verification model. Class models generated by data-driven soft independent modelling of class analogy (DD-SIMCA) had high sensitivity (96% to 97%) and good specificity (81% to 91%) on a yearly basis, while a more generalised model combining total yearly data gave a lower specificity (63%). Of the 33 commercially available samples (test samples) with declared Slovenian origin, 39% were from outside of Slovenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidija Strojnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Doris Potočnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | | | - Darja Mazej
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | | | - Nadja Škrk
- Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Suzana Marolt
- Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - David Heath
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Nives Ogrinc
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
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Orlando-Bonaca M, Pitacco V, Bajt O, Falnoga I, Hudobivnik MJ, Mazej D, Šlejkovec Z, Bonanno G. Spatial and temporal distribution of trace elements in Padina pavonica from the northern Adriatic Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 172:112874. [PMID: 34454384 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112874] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Chemical pollution is a major environmental concern especially in coastal areas, having adverse impacts on marine organisms and ecosystem services. Macroalgae can accumulate trace elements, but available studies are restricted to a limited number of elements and species. The goal of this research was to assess, seasonally, the concentrations of 22 elements in the brown alga Padina pavonica from monitoring sampling sites in Slovenian waters. The concentration of most elements in thalli differed significantly between spring and autumn, with generally higher levels in autumn samples. However, it was not possible to correlate these concentrations with the ecological status of macroalgae. The maximum values set by European regulations for the potentially hazardous As, Cd and Hg in food and feed were never exceeded, while Pb concentrations were slightly higher. The results show that P. pavonica can act as an effective bioindicator of chemical pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Orlando-Bonaca
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, SI-6330 Piran, Slovenia
| | - Valentina Pitacco
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, SI-6330 Piran, Slovenia
| | - Oliver Bajt
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, SI-6330 Piran, Slovenia; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport, Pot pomorščakov 4, 6320 Portorož, Slovenia
| | - Ingrid Falnoga
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marta Jagodic Hudobivnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Mazej
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Zdenka Šlejkovec
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Giuseppe Bonanno
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 100, IT-95123 Catania, Italy.
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Kejžar J, Jagodic Hudobivnik M, Nečemer M, Ogrinc N, Masten Rutar J, Poklar Ulrih N. Characterization of Algae Dietary Supplements Using Antioxidative Potential, Elemental Composition, and Stable Isotopes Approach. Front Nutr 2021; 7:618503. [PMID: 33614692 PMCID: PMC7892597 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2020.618503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary supplements based on algae, known for their nutritional value and bioactive properties, are popular products among consumers today. While commercial algal products are regarded safe by numerous studies, information about the production and origin of such products is scarce. In addition, dietary supplements are not as strictly regulated as food and medicinal drugs. We characterized different algal products (kelps: Laminariales, Spirulina spp., Chlorella spp., and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae), obtained on Slovenian market, based on their elemental composition (X-ray fluorescence, inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry), antioxidative potential [DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, total phenolic content], and stable isotope values [carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S); elemental analyzer isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS) method]. Antioxidative potential is consistent among products of the same type, with A. flos-aquae samples having 4.4 times higher antioxidative potential compared to Chlorella spp. and 2.7 times higher compared to Spirulina spp. Levels of toxic trace elements (arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead) are below the maximum allowed values and as such do not pose risk to consumers' health. Samples of Spirulina spp. have relatively high δ15N (7.4 ‰ ± 4.4‰) values, which indicate use of organic nitrogen sources in certain samples. Likewise, different elemental composition and isotopic ratios of stable elements (C, N, and S) for the samples with Spirulina spp. or Chlorella spp. are the consequence of using different nutrient sources and algae-growing techniques. Statistical analysis (principal component analysis) has confirmed that all tested A. flos-aquae samples originate from the same source, supposedly Klamath Lake (Oregon, USA). Hawaiian Spirulina pacifica can also be differentiated from all the other samples because of its characteristically high metal content (iron, manganese, zinc, cobalt, nickel, vanadium). Chlorella spp. and Spirulina spp. require further analyses with larger number of samples, as differentiation is not possible based on results of this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kejžar
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Marijan Nečemer
- Department of Low and Medium Energy Physics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nives Ogrinc
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jasmina Masten Rutar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nataša Poklar Ulrih
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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