• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.37-44
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• 2018

Soil trace elements and their bioaccumulation in agricultural products have attracted widespread concerns, yet the crop uptake characteristics of trace elements in different soil-plants systems have been rarely investigated. Experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of soil properties on trace element concentrations in cabbage and radish. Soil pH and total organic matter were major factors influencing trace elements transfer from soil to vegetables. Inclusion of other soil properties in the stepwise regression analysis improved the regression models for predicting trace element concentrations. Consideration of other soil properties should be taken into account for more precise prediction of trace element concentrations in the two vegetables, which could help quantitatively evaluate the ecologic risk of toxic trace elements accumulation in crops.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.346-353
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• 1999

For the non-destructive multi-elemental analysis of environmental and biological materials, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was applied for the determination of toxic and trace elements in a set of three Algae samples provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The analytical quality control was evaluated by comparing the analytical results of two standard reference materials of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Oyster Tissue (SRM 1566a) and Citrus Leaves (SRM 1572). According to given analytical procedure, the concentration of 15-25 elements including spiked elements such as As, Cd, Cr and Hg in Algae samples were determined. To identify and validate these results, a data intercomparison program using more than 35 analytical methods in 150 laboratories was carried out and the estimated statistical data are summarized. Result of INAA is favorable, therefore, it is illustrated that can be applied for routine analysis of essential and toxic elements in algae samples as well as analytical quality assurance.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.247-255
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• 2016

Ten trace elements (Mg, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo, and Cd) were determined in seven traditionally used wild medicinal plants of the Nagas in the North-East India viz Cynoglossum furcatum Wallich, Elsholtzia blanda Bentham, Lycopodium cernuum Linnaeus, Potentilla fulgens Wallich ex Hooker, Swertia macrosperma C.B. Clarke, Thalictrum foliolosum DC and Valeriana jatamansi Jones. Plant samples were dried, weighed, digested and analyzed for their mineral distribution level ranging from trace to major elements by graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectroscopy. All the medicinal herbs studied were found to contain the ten elements analyzed. The elemental concentration is given in mg/kg. Mg and Ca are present in high concentrations in both the roots and leaves of the plant samples. Among trace transition metals Fe had the highest concentration, followed by Mn, Cr, Cu, V, Zn, and Mo. Analysis showed that the toxic Cd element was at a lower concentration and is within the permissible limit of FAO/WHO, California standards and United States Pharmacopeia Limit for Nutritional Supplements.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.435-444
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• 2003

In 1957, Schwarz and Foltz discovered that selenium (Se) was an essential trace mineral and nutritionists then started extensive studies to figure out the metabolic function of this element which has been called as toxic mineral. The discovery that glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) contained Se demonstrated a biochemical role for Se as an essential trace element. The major physiological function of Se containing GSH-Px is thought to maintain low levels of $H_2O_2$ and other hydroperoxides in the cell to prevent tissues from peroxidation damages. It is known that the GSH-Px activity is increased when animals were fed high dietary levels of Se. Chemical properties of Se have much in common with sulfur (S) therefore Se would follow the sulfur pathways in its metabolism in animal body. Two sources of Se are available for supplementation of Se in animal feed. Inorganic Se can also exist in selenide (-2), elemental (0), selenite (+4) and selenate (+6) oxidation state with other minerals. When sulfur in S containing amino acids is replaced by Se, organic Se can be made and named "eleno"prior to the name of S containing amino acid, i.e. selenomethionine. Selenium deficiency affects humans as well as animals and dysfunctions such as exudative diathesis, retained placenta, mastitis, liver necrosis, Keshan disease, numerous diseases and cancer. From several centuries ago, Se toxicity was recognized in various animal species and much of the current toxic Se levels has been established largely based upon the controlled toxicity studies used inorganic Se. Toxic effects of Se in animal result in reduced feed intake, growth retardation, ataxia, diarrhea, alopecia and sloughing of hooves. However, several experiments demonstrated that Se deficiencies or toxicities were varied by dietary Se levels and sources. Recent studies demonstrated that the incidence of colorectal and prostate cancer was reduced by approximately 50% when humans consumed 200 ${\mu}g$ of Se daily.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2625-2629
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• 2014

Background: Trace elements are major components of biological structures; however, excessive levels of these elements can be toxic. Materials and Methods: In the present study, serum levels of trace elements were measured in 30 patients with newly diagnosed as prostate cancer and 32 healthy volunteer by using furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: It was found that there was an increase in serum levels of Co, Cu, Mg and Pb (p<0.05), whereas a decrease in serum levels of Fe, Mn, and Zn levels in patients with prostate cancer (p<0.05). Conclusions: These changes may be important in the pathogenesis of prostate cancers; however, further prospective studies are needed to identify relationships between prostate cancer and trace elements.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.499-502
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• 2013

Trace elements which are essential components of biological structures may also be toxic when present at levels above the amounts required for biological function. In our study, trace element levels were measured with furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 33 newly diagnosed renal cell carcinoma cases (preoperative) and 32 healthy controls. When compared with the control group, it was found that the levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) were higher and the levels of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) were lower in the patient group. These changes may be important in the formation of renal cell carcinoma, a question which should be explored with postoperative comparative studies.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.553-566
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• 1997

Origin, behavior and enrichment of environmental toxic elements from the Deokpyeong area were investigated on the basis of major, trace and rare earth element geochemistry. Coaly metapelites of the Deokpyeong area are subdivided into grey phyllite, dark grey phyllite, coaly slate and black slate, which are interbedded along the Ogcheon Supergroup. The coaly slate had been mined for coal, but mining is closed. The coaly and black slates are lower contents of $SiO_2$ and $Al_2O_3$, and higher contents of LOI, CaO, $Na_2O$ and BaO as compared with the phyllitic rocks. Rare earth elements are highly enriched in the coaly and black slate. Average compositions (ppm) of minor and/or environmental toxic elements in the coaly and black slate are revealed as As=127, Ba=30,163, Cd=18, Cr=740, Cu=84, Mo=378, Pb=43, Sb=12, Se=44, U=144, V=8,147 and Zn=292, which are extremely high concentrations than those in the NASC compositions. Major elements (average enrichment index; 5.34) in the coaly metapelites are mostly depleted, excepting $P_2O_5$ and BaO, normalized by NASC. Rare earth elements (average enrichment index; 1.48) are enriched in the coaly slate. On the basis of NASC, minor and/or environmental toxic elements in the coaly metapelites were strongly enriched of all the elements with the exception of Co, Cs, Ni and Sr. Average enrichment index of trace elements in coaly metapelite is 31.51 (coaly slate; 51.94 and black slate; 15.46). Especially, enrichment index of potentially toxic elements (As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Sb, Se, U, V and Zn) of the rock is 46.10 (grey phyllite; 7.15, dark grey phyllite; 4.77, coaly slate; 88.96 and black slate; 22.11). These coal formations were deposited in basin of boundary between terrestrial and marine environments deduced to carbon, sulfur (C/S=2.2 to 275.7), trace and rare earth elements characteristics. Irregular behavior and dispersion between major, minor and rare earth elements of those metapelites indicates a variable source materials, incomplete mixing of differential source and/or reequilibrium of diagenesis and metamorphism.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.459-467
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• 1997

Due to the growing demand for bottled mineral waters, a study was undertaken to determine the quality of the twenty six brands of domestic and imported drinking waters. The quality of water was evaluated by analyzing the twenty four elements including minerals, essential and/or toxic trace elements, and the analytical items to affect the taste of water. The contribution of drinking water to the mineral nutrition of human was calculated in order to investigate the health effect of drinking water. The taste of water was evaluated in terms of minerals, anions, TDS, alkalinity, hardness and pH.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.1 s.182
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• pp.15-28
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• 2007

The study is for contaminations of major, rare earth and trace elements of the farmland soils from the Boeunjeil mine area. The results are compared with the soils of Chungjoo, Deokpyeong, Boeun and Chubu areas. Fe and S contents of the contaminated area are high relative to those from the uncontaminated areas, Chungjoo and Boeun areas. Trace elements of the contaminated area are high relative to those from uncontaminated area, Chunajoo, Deokpyeong, Boeun and Chubu areas. The trace elements ares divided into Cd, Ni, Sr, U, V, Zn and As, Co, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, based on these dispersion and correlation. Two groups show the positive correlation. Enrichment factor of potentially toxic elements from contaminated area is >5 value, but <4 value in the uncontaminated area. In the geoaccumulation index of the minor elements, the contaminated area has >1 value and the uncontaminated area has <1 value except Mn. Enrichment index of potentially toxic elements(As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, U, Zn) ranges from 0.3 to 87.0 in the contaminated area and from 0.4 to 3.9 in the uncontaminated area. Overall results show that the high contents of farmland soils for the elements(Fe, S, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, U, Zn) indicate the contamination by coal-related activities.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.111-125
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• 1998

Dispersion, migration and enrichment of environmental toxic elements from the Samkwang Au-Ag mine area were investigated based upon major, minor and rare earth element geochemistry. The Samkwang mine area composed mainly of Precambrian granitic gneiss. The mine had been mined for gold and silver, but closed in 1996. According to the X-ray powder diffraction, mineral composition of stream sediments and soils were partly variable mineralogy, which are composed of quartz, orthoclase, plagioclase, amphibole, muscovite, biotite and chlorite, respectively. Major element variations of the host granitic gneiss, stream sediments and soils of mining and non-mining drainage, indicate that those compositions are decrese $Al_2O_3$, $Fe_2O_3$, MgO, $TiO_2$, $P_2O_5$ and LOI with increasing $SiO_2$ respectively. Average compositional ranges (ppm) of minor and/or environmental toxic elements within those samples are revealed as As=<2-4500, Cd=<1-24, Cu=6-117, Sb=1-29, Pb=17-1377 and Zn=32-938, which are extremely high concentrations of sediments from the mining drainage (As=2006, Cd=l1, Cu=71, Pb=587 and Zn=481 ppm, respectively) than concentrations of the other samples and host granitic gneiss. Major elements (average enrichment index=6.53) in all samples are mostly enriched, excepting $SiO_2$, $Na_2O$ and $K_2O$, normalized by composition of host granitic gneiss. Rare earth element (average enrichment index=2.34) are enriched with the sediments from the mining drainage. Minor and/or environmental toxic elements within all samples on the basis of host rock were strongly enriched of all elements (especially As, Br, Cu, Pb and Zn), excepting Ba, Cr, Rb and Sr. Average enrichment index of trace elements in all samples is 15.55 (sediments of mining drainage=37.33). Potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) of the samples revealed that average enrichment index is 46.10 (sediments of mining drainage=80.20, sediments of nonmining drainage=5.35, sediments of confluent drainage=20.22, subsurface soils of mining drainage=7.97 and subsurface soils of non-mining drainage=4.15). Sediments and soils of highly concentrated toxic elements are contained some pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, galena and goethite.