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The efficiency of element accumulation depends on numerous factors, where the physico-chemical characteristics of the soil seem to be very important, and the role of taxonomic rank in the accumulation of elements by mushrooms seems to be important. The aim of the study was to compare the mineral composition of 7 species belonging to Leccinum and Suillus genera, collected between 2019 and 2021 from localizations in the west-central part of Poland. The research aimed to indicate the role of selected soil parameters in stimulating/inhibiting the accumulation of elements by selected Boletales mushroom species and to answer the question about the role of species belonging to the genus as an indicator determining the specific mineral composition of fruiting bodies. Soil pH and other soil properties (granulometric composition, organic carbon, degree of organic matter decomposition) may significantly affect mushrooms' mineral composition. Mushroom species belonging to Leccinum genus exhibited the higher amount of essential major and trace elements than species of Suillus genus). It suggests that the affiliation of the studied mushroom species to a specific genus may affect their mineral composition, and the physicochemical properties of the soil may be responsible for the lack of a clear division in the efficiency of element(s) accumulation. Selected species contain high amounts of K, Cu, Fe, and Zn, while others, such as selected Suillus gravellei fruiting bodies, also contain As and Cd. The results described serve as an introduction to a broader scientific discussion and require many further studies to confirm the role of taxonomic ranks and the influence of soil characteristics on the accumulation of elements by fruiting bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the tolerance to metals (Zn, Cu) and drought of male and female Salix × fragilis L. under isolated and combined treatments, and to assess the metal uptake and profiling of metabolic plant responses. The 14-day experiment was performed in a hydroponic system, and metals were applied at 1.5 mM in a Knop's solution. Drought simulation was achieved by adding sorbitol at a moderate level (200 mM). Isolated Zn treatment enhanced plant growth, more pronouncedly in females. Equimolar Cu treatment caused diverse reactions, and females exhibited significantly higher tolerance. Male specimens were less tolerant to isolated drought and to combined drought and metal presence. The highest contents of Cu and Zn were found in roots, compared to the aboveground tissues (wooden rods and leaves), of both female and male metal-treated plants. Simultaneously applied drought limited Zn accumulation in roots and elevated its translocation to leaves while increasing Cu accumulation, predominantly in females showing higher tolerance. Both isolated and combined drought and metals reduced leaf water content, caused the allocation of mineral nutrients (Ca, Mg, K, and Na), and affected metabolism in a stressor-specific and sex-dependent manner. For males, Cu accumulation in the leaves was significantly correlated with the majority of metabolites, while for both sexes, kaempferol and salicylic acid were strongly correlated, indicating their role in tolerance against the metal. The obtained results are an excellent starting point for the practical use of male and female Salix × fragilis L. in areas heavily polluted with Cu or Zn and exposed to drought, for the purpose of their recultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The more yerba mate infusions that are consumed, the larger the amount of grounds generated. What is more, both the infusion and the residues after brewing remain rich elements. Therefore, a strategy for the three-stage assessment of the element content was presented. A new brewing method was based on dynamic extraction, ensuring both the ease of preparing the infusion and recovering the grounds. In turn, microwave-assisted acid mineralization was used to decompose the leaves and twigs of yerba mate before and after brewing. In total, 30 products were analyzed by ICP OES in three fractions each, i.e., dry yerba mate, infusion, and grounds, to determine up to 25 elements. The elemental composition was considered in terms of the country of origin, type, or composition of yerba mate. The extraction percentages obtained with dynamic extraction were comparable to previously used ultrasound-assisted extraction, as well as data from the literature. The three-stage strategy is a novel approach in yerba mate studies, and it may be a model procedure for the laboratory preparation of yerba mate grounds (waste that can be re-used, e.g., a natural fertilizer). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant ferritin is suggested as a good source of iron for human. Usually present in trace amounts, it was induced in legumes seeds by their sprouting in FeSO4 solution. Fortified sprouts were digested in the in vitro model of the human gastrointestinal tract. ~49% of lupine and ~ 45% of soy proteins were extracted into gastric fluid and next ~ 12% and only ~ 1% into intestine fluid from lupine and soybean, respectively. Gastric digestion released mainly ferrous iron (~ 85% from lupine and ~ 95% in soybean sprouts). Complexed iron constituted ~ 43% of total iron in intestine after lupine digestion and ~ 55% after soybean digestion. Intestine digestion doubled the total iron released from lupine sprouts (from ~ 21% up to 38%), while in soybean it increased from ~ 16% up to ~ 23%. Ferritin presence was confirmed by the specific antibodies in digestive fluids, but it is only partially extracted from sprouts during in vitro digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimization and application of a new hyphenated procedure for iron ionic speciation, i.e., high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with short cation–exchange column (50 mm × 4 mm) coupled to high resolution inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP hrOES), is presented in this paper. Fe(III) and Fe(II) species were separated on the column with the mobile phase containing pyridine–2,6–dicarboxylic acid (PDCA). The total time of the analysis was approx. 5 min, with a significantly low eluent flow rate (0.5 mL min−1) compared to the literature. Additionally, a long cation-exchange column (250 mm × 4.0 mm) was used as reference. Depending on the total iron content in the sample, two plasma views were chosen, e.g., an attenuated axial (<2 g kg−1) and an attenuated radial. The standard addition method was performed for the method's accuracy studies, and the applicability was presented on three types of samples: sediments, soils, and archaeological pottery. This study introduces a fast, efficient, and green method for leachable iron speciation in both geological and pottery samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the history of the development of six, paleo-lakes, which are at present filled with sediments, in a dune area in Central Poland, based on multiproxy paleoecological analyses and accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dating. The aims of the paleoecological studies were: i) to determine the initial age of lakes development, ii) to reconstruct the local and regional plant succession, as well as iii) to reconstruct the environmental conditions during the initial stage of the development of lakes and peatlands. The obtained results indicated that: the former lakes in dune depressions were developed during the Bølling and Allerød when sparse vegetation allowed strong aeolian activity. Climate warming in Bølling led to the development of a denser plant cover, inhibition of sand transportation and the formation of mid-dune reservoirs with the accumulation of organic sediments. As indicated by 14C dating, mid-dunes basins were formed between 14 686 ± 60 cal. yr BP and 13 421 ± 60 cal. yr BP. The results of the paleobotanical analysis suggested that the reservoirs were shallow, oligo-mesotrophic, inhabited by pioneer calcicole vascular plant species such as: Chara sp., Hippuris vulgaris, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton fresii, Potamogeton alpinus and Potamogeton filiformis, and mosses such as: Pseudocalliergon trifarium, Calliergon sp. and Calliergonella cordifolium. The area next to the reservoirs was covered with sparse pine forests combined with birch, which is typical of the Late Glacial period. The open areas were dominated by psammophilic and steppe vegetation, including Poaceae, Artemisia and Hippophae rhamnoides. Geochemical analysis revealed that Ca2+ and Fe3+ were in high concentrations, which could have influenced the presence of taxa preferring soil with high Ca2+ content. The accumulation of calcium in sediments confirms that the reservoirs were fed by groundwater originating from the progressive degradation of permafrost associated with thermal changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the effect of the extraction method on the concentrations of selected elements in yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) infusions is presented. Seven pure yerba mate samples (without additives) were selected, representing various types and countries of origin. An extensive sample preparation procedure was proposed: ultrasound-assisted extraction using two types of extractants (deionized and tap water) at two different temperatures (room and 80 °C). In parallel, the above extractants and temperatures were carried out for all samples by the classical brewing method (without ultrasound). In addition, microwave-assisted acid mineralization was carried out to determine the total content. All the proposed procedures were thoroughly investigated with certified reference material (tea leaves, INCT–TL–1). For the total content of all the determined elements, acceptable recoveries (80–116%) were obtained. All digests and extracts were analyzed by simultaneous ICP OES. For the first time, it was assessed how tap water extraction affects the percentage of extracted element concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the many environmental factors that modulate the phytoextraction of elements, little has been learnt about the role of metal interactions. The study aimed to show how different concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn in the cultivation medium influenced the biomass, plant development and phytoextraction abilities of Acer platanoides L. seedlings. Additionally, the impact on the content and distribution of Ca, K, Mg and Na in plant parts was studied with an analysis of phenols. Plants treated with a mixture of two metals were characterised by lower biomass of leaves and higher major elements content jointly than those grown in the salt of one element. Leaves of A. platanoides cultivated in Pb5 + Zn1, Pb1 + Zn1 and Pb1 + Zn5 experimental systems were characterised by specific browning of their edges. The obtained results suggest higher toxicity to leaves of Pb and Zn present simultaneously in Knop solution than Cu and Pb or Cu and Zn, irrespective of the mutual ratio of the concentrations of these elements. Antagonism of Cu and Zn concerning Pb was clearly shown in whole plant biomass when one of these elements was in higher concentration (5 mmol L−1) in solution. In the lowest concentrations (1 mmol L−1), there was a synergism between Cu and Zn in plant roots. Plants exposed to Zn5, Cu1 + Pb5, Pb5 + Zn1 and Cu1 + Zn1 were characterised by higher total phenolic content than the rest plants. Both the presence and the concentration of other elements in the soil are significant factors that modulate element uptake, total phenolic content, and plant development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to collect information about soil investigation by FTIR. As we know, the FTIR technique is most often used in organic and bioorganic chemistry, while in geochemistry FTIR spectroscopy is not used very often. Therefore, there is a problem with the identification and interpretation of the IR spectra of minerals contained in sediments and soils. The reason for this is a deficiency of data about characteristic wavenumbers for minerals. Therefore, this study reviews and sums up, in one place, published articles that are connected to an investigation of minerals from 2002 to 2021 (based on the Scopus database). Additionally, the present review highlights various analytical techniques (ATR-FTIR, DRIFT, 2D-IR, and SR-FTIR) and discusses some of them for geochemical study. Additionally, the study describes helpful tools in the data pre-processing of IR spectra (normalization, baseline correction, and spectral derivatives). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the children malnutrition in Madagascar and the environmental pollution of this country has been widely discussed, there is no research on the differences in toxic elements accumulation in human body in dependence on nutritional status of Malagasy. Nine elements concentration (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sn and Sb) was determined in scalp hair of 103 schoolgirls (8–15 years old), living in two areas: urban – close to Antananarivo (UR) and rural Berevo region (RU). Samples were analysed by an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. The nutritional status was evaluated by Cole's index. Underweight was related to higher accumulation of Al, Cd and Cr in the hair girls, and more common among girls living in RU than UR region (42 % v. 28 %). Two-factor ANOVA showed differences in the Al and Cr content in the girls' hair depending both on their place of residence and nutritional status. This indicates additional consequence of malnutrition to the girls development and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and related sea-level rise pose significant threats to lowland coasts. However, the role of key controlling factors responsible for the frequency and landward extent of extreme storm surges is not yet fully understood. Here, we present a high-resolution sedimentary record of extreme storm surge flooding from the non-tidal southern Baltic Sea, spanning two periods: 3.6–2.9 ka BP and 0.7 ka BP until present. Sediments from coastal wetland, including sandy event layers, were analyzed by sedimentological (grain size, loss-on-ignition, micromorphology), geochronological (14C), geochemical (XRF), mineralogical (heavy minerals) and micropaleontological (diatoms) methods. The results show that both periods were characterized by high-frequency of storm surge flooding, in order of 1.3–4.2 events per century. These periods correlate with phases of enhanced storminess in northwest Europe and took place during both rising and fluctuating sea levels. The study shows that the frequency and landward extent of coastal inundation, largely depended on the development of natural barriers (e.g. beach ridges and aeolian foredunes). Thus, in the context of the future coastal storm-surge hazard, the protection of existing coastal barriers and their morphology is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their enzymatic and bioaccumulation faculties the use of macromycetes for the decontamination of polluted matrices seems reasonable for bioremediation. For this reason, the aim of our study was to evaluate the mycoremediation ability of Agaricus bisporus cultivated on compost mixed with flotation tailings in different quantities (1, 5, 10, 15, and 20% addition). The biomass of the fruit bodies and the content of 51 major and trace elements were determined. Cultivation of A. bisporus in compost moderately polluted with flotation tailings yielded significantly lower (the first flush) and higher (the second flush) biomass of fruit bodies, compared with the control treatment. The presence of toxic trace elements did not cause any visible adverse symptoms for A. bisporus. Increasing the addition of flotation tailings to the compost induced an elevated level of most determined elements. A significant increase in rare earth elements (both flushes) and platinum group elements (first flush only) was observed. The opposite situation was recorded for major essential elements, except for Na and Mg in A. bisporus from the second flush under the most enriched compost (20%). Nevertheless, calculated bioaccumulation factor values showed a selective accumulation capacity—limited for toxic elements (except for Ag, As, and Cd) and the effective accumulation of B, Cu, K, and Se. The obtained results confirmed that A. bisporus can be used for practical application in mycoremediation in the industry although this must be preceded by larger-scale tests. This application seems to be the most favorable for media contaminated with selected elements, whose absorption by fruiting bodies is the most efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winter tourism can generate environmental pollution and affect microbial ecology in mountain ecosystems. This could stimulate the development of antibiotic resistance in snow and its dissemination through the atmosphere and through snow melting. Despite these potential impacts, the effect of winter tourism on the snow antibiotic resistome remains to be elucidated. In this study, snow samples subjected to different levels of anthropogenic activities and surrounding forest were obtained from the Sudety Mountains in Poland to evaluate the impact of winter tourism on snow bacteria using a metagenomic approach. Bacterial community composition was determined by the sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene and the composition of the antibiotic resistome was explored by metagenomic sequencing. Whereas environmental factors were the main drivers of bacterial community and antibiotic resistome composition in snow, winter tourism affected resistome composition in sites with similar environmental conditions. Several antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) showed a higher abundance in sites subjected to human activities. This is the first study to show that anthropogenic activities may influence the antibiotic resistome in alpine snow. Our results highlight the need to survey antibiotic resistance development in anthropogenically polluted sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and related sea-level rise pose significant threats to lowland coasts. However, the role of key controlling factors responsible for the frequency and landward extent of extreme storm surges is not yet fully understood. Here, we present a high-resolution sedimentary record of extreme storm surge flooding from the non-tidal southern Baltic Sea, spanning two periods: 3.6–2.9 ka BP and 0.7 ka BP until present. Sediments from coastal wetland, including sandy event layers, were analyzed by sedimentological (grain size, loss-on-ignition, micromorphology), geochronological (14C), geochemical (XRF), mineralogical (heavy minerals) and micropaleontological (diatoms) methods. The results show that both periods were characterized by high-frequency of storm surge flooding, in order of 1.3–4.2 events per century. These periods correlate with phases of enhanced storminess in northwest Europe and took place during both rising and fluctuating sea levels. The study shows that the frequency and landward extent of coastal inundation, largely depended on the development of natural barriers (e.g. beach ridges and aeolian foredunes). Thus, in the context of the future coastal storm-surge hazard, the protection of existing coastal barriers and their morphology is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the metal(loid)s phytoextraction potential of trees: Betula pendula Roth, Pinus sylvestris L. and the shrub Salix viminalis L. Plants of different ages were selected from a post-industrial area with an unusually high content of calcium (Ca) and trace elements in the soil. The content of 39 metal(loid)s in trees and shrub organs and physicochemical soil parameters were determined. A comparison of these species with control plants was also an object of the study. The polluted soil was characterized by worse physicochemical conditions and a much higher content of almost all the analyzed elements in comparison with the control. The older the plants, the greater their total biomass, with the control plant biomass being significantly greater in each case for all treated plants. According to the total content of all determined elements jointly, the most enriched was the oldest, a 7-year-old specimen of S. viminalis. The obtained results suggest that the high Ca concentration and the alkaline reaction (8.83) of polluted soil limit the uptake of most elements by tested plants. It can be concluded that despite the reduction of biomass, this limitation allows plants to better adapt and survive under challenging conditions. Excessive concentration of elements, even nutrients such as Ca, may act as an inhibitory factor for the uptake of other elements. Moreover, phytoextraction ability may significantly vary in different woody plant species and ages, which is an essential practical aspect in dendroremediation application. That is probably the first study to date of trees and shrubs differing in age and growing on post-industrial soil contaminated with calcium (Ca) and selected toxic metals/metalloids. The obtained results show that an alkaline reaction (less than 9) of soil and an unusually high Ca concentration may help the studied tree species to adapt/survive in unfavorable habitat conditions (high concentration of toxic elements). The efficiency of phytoextraction of toxic elements was so high that, especially for forest animals (roe-deer) that consume, e.g., willow shoots, it could pose a serious threat to health and life, both for them and potentially for humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown coal remains an important energy source in Europe, including countries such as Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Greece. Open-pit mines disturb the environment in terms of air quality, hydrology, and chemical and biological transformations in rivers receiving mine waters. In the present study, we assessed the impact of mine waters from four brown coal open-pit mines on the contamination of river sediments. Chemical analysis included the quantification of 62 elements, including heavy metals (HMs) and rare earth elements (REEs). The contamination of sediments by HMs was evaluated using the contamination factor (CF), the pollution load index (PLI), and the Nemerow multi-factor index (PI). The potential toxic effects of HMs on aquatic organisms were assessed using the potential ecological risk index (PERI). Detailed analysis of chondrite-standardized concentrations of REEs was performed to describe the effects of mine water on their pattern in sediments. Cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed to divide study sites into groups and to evaluate the combined effect of sediment texture and site location on HMs and REEs in sediments. The study showed that after mine water discharge, there is a decrease in HM and REE concentrations in sediments. The decrease in each element's concentration in sites located 100 m downstream of the discharge was caused by washing out of the finest fractions of sediments by mine waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mushrooms fortified with iron (Fe) can offer a promising alternative to counter the worldwide deficiency problem. However, the factors that may influence the efficiency of fortification have not yet been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three Fe forms (FeCl3 6H2O, FeSO4 7H2O, or FeHBED) in three concentrations (5, 10, or 50 mM) for three mushroom species (Pleurotus eryngii, P. ostreatus, or Pholiota nameko) on their chemical composition, phenolic compounds, and organic acid production. The most effective metal accumulation of all the investigated species was for the 50 mM addition. FeCl3 6H2O was the most favorable additive for P. eryngii and P. nameko (up to 145 and 185% Fe more than in the control, respectively) and FeHBED for P. ostreatus (up to 108% Fe more than in control). Additionally, P. nameko showed the highest Fe accumulation among studied species (89.2 ± 7.51 mg kg−1 DW). The creation of phenolic acids was generally inhibited by Fe salt supplementation. However, an increasing effect on phenolic acid concentration was observed for P. ostreatus cultivated at 5 mM FeCl3 6H2O and for P. eryngii cultivated at 5 mM FeCl3 6H2O and 5 mM FeSO4 7H2O. In the case of organic acids, a similar situation was observed. For P. ostreatus, FeSO4 7H2O and FeHBED salts increased the formation of the determined organic acids in fruiting bodies. P. eryngii and P. nameko were characterized by a much lower content of organic acids in the systems supplemented with Fe. Based on the obtained results, we recommend starting fortification by preliminarily indicating which form of the element is preferred for the species of interest for supplementation. It also seems that using an additive concentration of 50 mM or higher is most effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present results from a palaeoecological analysis conducted on deposits accumulated in an oxbow lake of the Prosna River (Poland), next to the Grodzisko fortified settlement. Palaeobotanical and geochemical analyses—supported by radiocarbon dating—were performed to (i) reconstruct palaeoenvironmental conditions of the oxbow lake and its surrounding area; (ii) determine the beginning of the human activity in the fortified settlement vicinity; and (iii) assess the impact of human pressure on the environment. The Grodzisko fortified settlement was originally located on a river island, encircled by a wetland, improving its defensive value. Increases in the water level (1800–1300 BC and 700–200 BC) created a small lake/moat around the fortified settlement. Indicators for human activity from pollen records suggest the presence of human populations from the late Neolithic, ca. 2800 BC, with a clear intensification ca. 1700 BC. From ca. 1600 BC, a decrease in some decidous trees suggests forest clearance. Low levels of human activity indicator pollen ca. 2000 BC suggest a reduction of human pressure (possible depopulation). The regular presence of macrocharcoal pieces and an increase in human activity indicator pollen from ca. 1300 to 200 BC provide evidence for renewed human habitation around the sampling site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Przeglad Elektrotechniczny is the property of Przeglad Elektrotechniczny and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fortified extruded snacks are convenient products to supplement malnourished patients' diet, e.g. suffering from Crohn's disease. The snacks were extruded with different additions of iron‐biofortified sprouts under varying process conditions (temperature and humidity). The sensory profiling showed the correlation between extrusion temperature and snack stickiness (R = 0.835), crispiness (R = 0.727), hardness (R=−0.485), as well as the intensity of corn (R = 0.888), powder (R=−0.795), metallic (R=−0.606) and bitter (R=−0.901) tastes. The sprouts addition affected metallic taste (R = 0.606) and aroma (R = 0.666) intensity. The product desirability was compared between healthy people (HP) and Crohn's patients (CP). Overall desirability positively correlated with taste desirability in both groups. In the HP group, taste desirability was associated with metallic taste (R=−0.857) and Fe(III) content (R=−0.717). Also, aroma desirability (connected with pyrazines) was more significant to HP. Higher tolerance of CP to metallic and bitter flavours was observed. This confirms that the taste and aroma preferences of CP and HP are different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the use of various substrates in the production of edible mushrooms which may contain metals, including Cu and Pb, it is important to understand the influence of mutual interactions between them in the process of their accumulation in fruit bodies. For this reason, the effects of Cu, Pb, and Cu × Pb on yield, accumulation of five major elements (Ca, K, Mg, Na and P), trace elements (Cu, Pb and Fe) and some bioactive compounds in Lentinula edodes fruit bodies were studied. Both the metals were added in doses of 0.1 and 0.5 mM (Cu0.1, Cu0.5, Pb0.1, Pb0.5 and their combinations). The addition of the metals resulted in a reduction in size, amount and finally yield of fruit bodies. Depending on the presence of Cu and or Pb and their concentration in the substrate, both antagonism and synergism may occur. The influence on the accumulation of other determining elements was also recorded. Among phenolic compounds, phenolic acids and flavonoids were detected. 2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid dominated in fruit bodies in the control variant, Pb0.1, Pb0.5 and all experimental variants enriched with Cu + Pb, while gallic acid was the major phenolic after Cu0.1 and Cu0.5 addition. Only protocatechuic acid content increased in all combinations. A significant decrease of all aliphatic acid contents in comparison to the control variant was observed in the Cu0.1 and Pb0.1 variants. Significant stimulation of aliphatic acid synthesis was recorded in Cu0.5 and Pb0.5 variants and in the mixture of both the metals. The additions pointed to the possible role of the determined molecules in detoxification mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cultivated mushroom species, Pleurotus citrinopileatus, is becoming increasingly popular thanks to its attractive colour and medicinal properties. In this study, P. citrinopileatus was grown in a cultivation medium enriched with wheat bran (WB), thymus post-extraction waste (TPEW) and pumpkin post-extraction waste (PPEW) products. The study showed that the post-extraction wastes are a crucial factor determining the accumulation of minerals, the content/profile of low-molecularweight organic acids (LMWOAs) and phenolic compounds in fruit bodies, thereby increasing their nutritional value. The use of the waste materials significantly increased LMWOAs contents. The sum of LMWOAs under all cultivation mediums increased, especially quinic, malic and citric acids under the 20% PPEW, 25 and 50% TPEW addition. Total phenolic content, phenolic content, as well as the composition and scavenging effect on DPPH radicals, were strongly dependent on the used substrate. The control variant was poor in phenolic compounds, while the supplementation increased the contents and diversity of these metabolites. In the control, only four phenolic compounds were quantified (chlorogenic, gallic, syringic and vanillic acids), while in the supplemented substrates up to 14 different phenolic compounds (caffeic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic, gallic, protocatechuic, salicylic, sinapic, syringic, trans-cinnamic and vanillic acids, catechin and rutin). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral administration of nickel is thought to be responsible for type-IV-mediated mechanism of immune response. Alternative type-I IgE-dependent mechanism is occasionally postulated, given relatively fast onset of symptoms, reports on spontaneous sensitisation and recurring mentions in scientific literature. In this paper, we make an insight into this hypothesis by performing immunisation using nickel(2+) chelates conjugated to carrier proteins, namely nickel coordinated by bifunctional ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or bifunctional nitrilotriacetic acid, using bovine serum albumin as a carrier (Ni-(ITCB)EDTA-BSA; Ni-(ITCB)NTA-BSA), and nickel coordinated by bifunctional diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid using bovine serum albumin or keyhole limpet haemocyanin as a carrier (Ni-p-SCN-Bn-DTPA-BSA; Ni-p-SCN-Bn-DTPA-KLH). Antibody raised in mouse as a reaction to Ni-p-SCN-Bn-DTPA-KLH was identified as the most capable of binding Ni(2+)-DTPA with 0.17 nmol nickel recovered per 0.2 nmol pAb, compared to 0.06 nmol Ni purified using reference antibody. Immunoassay methodology was applied upon several modifications to increase antibody contact surface and physical availability of antigen for more efficient binding. Magnetic beads dispersed in free solution were used as a medium for immobilisation and eluted nickel was subject to Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) instrumental quantitative analysis for more precise output reading. The antibody was tested for selectivity against other divalent metals coordinated with DTPA, i.e. Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Co and Mn. While Co and Mn were not detected, four other metals, Fe, Pb, Zn and Cu, were eluted in corresponding amounts greater than nickel at 4.15, 1.58, 3.11 and 3.54 nmol. Pb and Ni were the only two antigens whose binding surpassed the level showed by control antibody. We conclude that nickel-based immunogen may show little suitability for in vivo immunisation assays, which reinforces further question about physiological occurrence of potential nickel-responsive IgE antibodies as mediators in type-I hypersensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multi-elemental composition of 4 edible wild-growing mushroom species that commonly occur in Polish forests was compared to 13 cultivated mushroom species available in trade. A considerable variation in the macroelements content was revealed with cultivated species containing higher amounts of macroelements. The mean content of B, Co, Cr, Fe, Pb, Pr, Pt, Sb, Sm, Sr, Te, and Tm was higher in cultivated mushroom species, while the opposite was noted for Ba, Cd, Cu, Hg, La, Mo, Sc, and Zn. Selected cultivated forms exhibited increased content of Al (F. velutipes), As (H. marmoreus, F. velutipes), Ni (P. ostreatus, A. polytricha, H. marmoreus), and Pb (P. ostreatus, A. polytricha, F. velupites, and L. edodes). Wild-growing species, B. boletus, I. badia, and S. bovinus contained high Hg levels, close to or exceeding tolerable intakes. Compared to cultivated mushrooms, they also generally revealed a significantly increased content of Al (with the highest content in B. edulis and I. badia), As and Cd (with the highest content in B. edulis and S. bovinus in both cases). In turn, the cultivated mushrooms were characterized by a higher content of Ni (particularly in A. bisporus) and Pb (with the highest content in P. eryngii). The exposure risks may, however, differ between wild and cultivated mushrooms since the former are consumed seasonally (although in some regions at a high level), while the latter are available throughout the year. Both cultivated and wild-growing mushrooms were found to be a poor source of Ca and Mg, and only a supplemental source of K, Cu, Fe, and Zn in the human diet. These results suggest that mushrooms collected from the wild or cultivated, should be consumed sparingly. The study advocates for more strict monitoring measures of the content of toxic metals/metalloids in mushrooms distributed as food, preferentially through the establishment of maximum allowance levels not limited only to a few elements and mushroom species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Studied organic molecules in Pinus sylvestris L. seem to have acted as a safety net for metal transport, chelation and sequestration, allowing adaptation and growth under highly polluted conditions. Pinus sylvestris L. is known for its ability to survive in areas of highly elevated metal pollution, such as flotation tailings. The aim of the study was to estimate the content of selected organic molecules (including aliphatic low molecular weight organic acids (ALMWOAs), phenolic compounds and terpenes) and the physiological mechanisms underlying differences in metal/metalloid tolerance of P. sylvestris growing in unpolluted (soil) and polluted (flotation tailings) areas. The dominant ALMWOAs in rhizosphere soil extracts were citric acid followed by malic and oxalic acids, whereas in flotation tailings malic and oxalic acids. In roots and needles, the content of ALMOWAs was significantly higher in P. sylvestris L. tissue from flotation tailings in comparison to soil. Phenolic compounds were detected only in roots and needles, with a generally higher content of nearly all detected compounds from flotation tailings. The composition of roots did not contain all the compounds detected in needles. The profile of needles additionally contained four hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic and salicylic acids. In pine needles, 24 volatile terpenes were identified in total. The content of these compounds in pine needles from the polluted area was markedly different from the unpolluted area. The dominant volatile monoterpenes in P. sylvestris L. needles from the unpolluted area was three carene, while in pine needles from the polluted area monoterpenes α-pinene was dominant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study monitored the content of 55 elements in 21 wood-growing mushroom species collected between 2013 and 2019 from Lower and Upper Silesia in Poland. Only 27 of the elements (Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, In, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, Pr, Pt, Rh, Sr, Ti, Tm, V, Y, Zn, and Zr) were detected in all mushroom species, while others (As, Au, B, Be, Bi, Ce, Co, Cr, Dy, Er, Eu, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Ho, Ir, Li, Lu, Mo, Os, Pb, Rb, Re, Ru, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Tb, Te, Th, Tl, Tm, U, and Yb) were below the limit of detection in the fruit bodies of at least one species. Wide ranges for major elements in the whole population of all the mushroom species were as follows: 15.4–470 (Ca), 6580–44,600 (K), 314–2150 (Mg), 38.0–319 (Na), and 1100–15,500 (P) mg kg−1 dm, respectively. The rank sum revealed that M. giganteus fruit bodies were the most enriched with all detectable elements, while A. mellea had the lowest content of the majority of elements. Mushrooms belonging to the Hymenochaetaceae family were characterized as some of the most enriched with the studied elements, while mushrooms of the Fomitopsidaceae family had the lowest content of elements. Similarities as well as differences between the obtained results and the available literature data confirm the important role of both mushroom species and the tree on which the fungus has grown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical characteristics of substrate are one the most significant factors influencing the growth and development of cultivated mushroom species. The aim of this study was to determine the mineral composition of six Pleurotus species (P. cistidiosus, P. djamor, P. ostreatus, P. ostreatus var. florida, P. pulmonarius and P. sajor-caju) growing on three wheat straw substrates with the addition of agricultural fertilizer rich in ammonium and with addition of salt solution rich in nitrates. Significant differences in the concentration of Al, Ca, Cu, Ir, Ni, Ru, Sn and Te were observed in all substrates used in this experiment. Cultivation on chemically-enriched substrates did not result in changes in yield with the exception of P. sajor-caju, which had a lower yield when grown on ammonium-rich substrate. No macroscopic alterations in fruit bodies were observed for any species regardless of the applied substrate. A higher concentration of selected elements was not correlated with their higher content in particular mushroom species, or such a relationship was present only in selected mushroom species. The efficiency of element accumulation depends on their concentration in the substrate (positive values of rs), although the mushroom species and the nitrogen form concentration may also have a significant impact (negative rs values). The obtained results show that cultivation of different Pleurotus strains on substrates enriched with a different share of ammonium and nitrate may cause changes in their mineral composition in spite of the similarity in the concentration of the majority elements in substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been known since the 1970s that differences exist in the profile of element content in wild-growing mushroom species, although knowledge of the role of mushroom species/families as determinants in the accumulation of diverse element remains limited. The aim of this study was to determine the content of 63 mineral elements, divided into six separate groups in the fruit bodies of 17 wild-growing mushroom species. The mushrooms, growing in widely ranging types of soil composition, were collected in Poland in 2018. Lepista nuda and Paralepista gilva contained not only the highest content of essential major (531 and 14,800 mg kg−1, respectively of Ca and P) and trace elements (425 and 66.3 mg kg−1, respectively of Fe and B) but also a high content of trace elements with a detrimental health effect (1.39 and 7.29 mg kg−1, respectively of Tl and Ba). A high content of several elements (Al, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Er, Fe, Mg, Mo, P, Sc, Ti or V) in L. nuda, Lepista personata, P. gilva and/or Tricholoma equestre fruit bodies belonging to the Tricholomataceae family suggests that such species may be characterised by the most effective accumulation of selected major or trace elements. On the other hand, mushrooms belonging to the Agaricaceae family (Agaricus arvensis, Coprinus comatus and Macrolepiota procera) were characterised by significant differences in the content of all determined elements jointly, which suggests that a higher content of one or several elements is mushroom species-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very little is known about how the elemental composition (ionome) of an insect cuticle varies as a result of different colouration. Using inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), we established ionomic profiles in microsamples of two adjacent regions of an insect cuticle with a contrasting colour pattern, namely, the black and orange regions of the elytra of the aposematic burying beetle Nicrophorus vespillo. The analysis revealed 53 elements (ranging in atomic weight from Na to Bi) occurring above the detection limit. The frequency of detectability of individual elements varied strongly, and only ten elements (Ba, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, Rb, Sb and Zn) were present in concentrations exceeding the detection limit in all the samples. The sum of concentrations of all elements in the orange regions of the elytra was 9% lower than in the black ones. The opposite distribution was displayed by the rare earth elements (REEs), the sum of which was 17% lower in the black elytral regions than in the orange ones. The concentrations of six elements were significantly higher in the black than in the orange regions: Al (by 97%), Cu (41%), Mn (14%), Na (46%), Se (97%) and W (47%). The concentrations of essential elements measured in both the black and orange regions exhibited very considerable variance: Ca (σ2 = 1834; 1882, respectively), K (145; 82) P (97; 76), Na (84; 53), Mg (24; 26) and Ba (9; 13). This, in part, could be attributed to individual differences, e.g. those resulting from the consumption of animal carcasses of different quality/chemical composition, but interference between elements and the consequent lowering of measurement quality are also possible. We highlight the fact that deeper insight into the basic relationship between insect colouration and variation in elemental composition requires micro-sampling of the homogeneous layers of an exoskeleton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that a developing avian embryo resorbs micronutrients (calcium and other chemical elements) from the inner layer of the eggshell, inducing thinning and overall changes in the shell's chemical composition. However, an aspect yet to be explored relates to the local changes in the multi-elemental composition (ionome) of the pigment spot and adjacent background colour regions of eggshells resulting from avian embryogenesis (with respect to two extremes of embryonic growth: the maternal level at the moment of egg laying, and after the completion of embryonic growth). To address this problem, we used inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) to establish the elemental profiles of microsamples from the cryptic eggs of Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus and Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix, representing the background colour and pigment spot regions of the shell. We then related these to the developmental stage of the eggs (non-embryonated eggs vs. post-hatched eggshells) and their origin (wild vs. captive hens). Our results show an apparent local disparity between the pigment spot and background colour regions in the distribution of chemical elements: most elements tended to be at higher levels in the speckled regions of the shell, these differences becoming less pronounced in post-hatched eggshells. The trends of changes following embryonic eggshell etching between the pigment spot and background colour shell regions were conflicting and varied between the two species. We hypothesized that one potential working explanation for these interspecific differences could be based on the variable composition of elements (mostly of Ca and Mg), which are the result of the varying thickness of the individual shell layers, especially as the relative difference in shell thickness in the pigment spots and background colour regions was less in Black Grouse eggs. Overall, this investigation strongly suggests that egg maculation plays a functional role in the physiological deactivation of trace elements by incorporating them into the less calcified external shell layer but without participating in micronutrient resorption. Our major critical conclusion is that all research involving the chemical analysis of eggshells requires standardized eggshell sampling procedures in order to unify their colouration and embryonic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study demonstrated that Pleurotus eryngii cultivation on substrate enriched with thymus (Thymus vulgaris) post‐extraction waste (TPEW) and spent coffee grounds (SCG) can beneficially affect yield and modify the mineral composition, profile of phenolic compounds, organic acids, and antioxidant activity. Cultivation with TPEW and SCG did not result in any significant differences in the contents of K, Mg, P, and S in fruiting bodies. The highest content of Ca and Na was recorded in cultivation with TPEW. The use of TPEW and SCG increased the total phenolic content, while in the phenolic profile changes were observed in the variants of 50% and 100% TPEW and 50% SCG. Cultivation with TPEW increased the sum of the organic acids and quinic, malonic, malic, acetic, and succinic acids, while addition of SCG resulted in their significant decrease. Practical applications: The use of different additives to growing substrate is a possible way to improve the harvest yield. Moreover, this modification of cultivation allows to manage some waste materials. However, the application of waste materials can carry the risk to introduce substances potentially dangerous for human health into substrate. Additionally, the supplementation allows to modify the content of bioactive compounds. In this context, the monitoring of the quality of fruiting bodies seems to be necessary. Therefore, the study evaluated the content of elements (especially toxic trace elements), some bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity was examined. The results pointed, how the waste materials added to the substrate affect the quality of the final product. These findings could lead to improvements in the commercial production of P. eryngii and increase the quality of the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to present the results of XRF analysis of archeological samples in two different states of preservation: intact vessel surfaces and transformed into powder. To investigate the effect of sample processing for XRF analysis, a handheld spectrometer was used. In total, 41 pottery samples were measured. The samples were extracted from Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age ceramic vessels of two different technological traditions: local (hand-made pottery) and exogenous (wheel-thrown pottery) from the archeological site of Setefilla (western Andalusia, Spain). Multiple statistical tests were used to examine the effect of sample processing on the semi-quantitative outcome of XRF analysis of pottery. The results obtained from intact samples are considerably different from the results obtained from pulverized samples. The analyses revealed that levels of Co, Sb, Sn, Al, Si, Ca, Fe, S, K, Sr and Nb were higher in the group of intact samples. This study underlines the need to evaluate sample preparation when designing archeometric research programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-power microwave induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP-OES) constitutes a serious alternative to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for elemental analysis. To improve the analytical capabilities of MIP-OES, dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) procedures seems to be, a priori, a very promising choice for trace and ultra-trace analysis in complex matrices. Nevertheless, to date, DLLME has never been coupled to MIP-OES. The goal of the present work is to investigate the capability of MIP-OES as a detector in DLLME procedures. To this end, spectral and non-spectral interferences caused by the presence of common DLLME extractants (i.e., chloroform and supramolecular solvent based on 1-decanol and THF) in MIP-OES have been evaluated. Results reveal the occurrence of both spectral and non-spectral interferences due to carbon-based molecular bands emission in MIP-OES. Carbon-based molecular emission (i.e. C2 and CH) significantly affects analyte wavelengths above 328 nm. By the appropriate selection of experimental conditions (i.e. analyte wavelength and nebulizer gas flow rate), both spectral and non-spectral interferences could be mitigated allowing elemental analysis by means of DLLME-MIP-OES. Different DLLME methodologies have been developed for Cd determination in water samples (i.e., tap, sparkling and synthetic seawater) by MIP-OES. These methodologies afford an enrichment factor of 46 and 42 for chloroform and supramolecular-based solvent DLLME procedures, respectively, and a limit of detection (LoD) of 1 μg L−1. This LoD is 100-fold lower than that obtained by conventional MIP-OES (i.e. no DLLME) due to both analyte preconcentration and the beneficial effect of organics on aerosol generation and transport. These analytical figures of merit are equivalent to those previously reported for DLLME-ICP-OES and allows Cd determination in water samples according to current international policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study the effect of drying temperature on phenolic and organic acid content, total phenolic content, ergosterol content, antioxidant activity and content of 40 elements in fruiting bodies of Leccinum scabrum and Hericium erinaceus was estimated. The analysis was performed for fresh fruiting bodies and those dried at 20, 40 and 70 °C. Drying resulted in changes in the profile of phenolic and organic acids. Drying generally resulted in losses of the content of total phenolics, ergosterol and antioxidant activity in both species. However, a reduction and an increase of phenolic acids and organic acids were observed. The greatest reduction of the compounds was generally observed at 70 °C. The greatest losses concerned organic acids (some single components and total) (even more than 90% of some compounds). The inhibition of free radicals decreased in the following order: fresh samples > air-dried samples > samples dried at 40 °C > samples dried at 70 °C. The drying temperature affected only selected element contents in fruiting bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediments from an oxbow lake located in the Prosna River valley (Poland) were analysed to investigate the developmental history of the wetland ecosystem and any response to abrupt climatic changes. High resolution plant macrofossil analysis and radiocarbon dating were undertaken on two cores, with lower resolution geochemical analysis conducted on one of these cores. We provide evidence of a palaeolake with a late Glacial origin (older than 12,500 years). Abundant fossil presence of macrophytes (e.g. multiple Potamogeton species) in the studied palaeomeander may indicate that the north–south orientation of the Prosna valley made it an important route for the spreading of aquatic plants during the late Glacial. Chara sp., Batrachium sp. and Potamogeton spp. were the pioneer plants that colonised cold water with a high Ca2+ content. Early Holocene warming trigged a decrease in water level at the oxbow lake and facilitated the expansion of thermophilous water plants, for example, Ceratophyllum demersum, Typha sp. and Lemna trisulca, which usually occur in shallow water. A decreasing water level resulted in the gradual isolation of the study site from the influence of groundwater, leading to acidification of the habitat and the development of a Sphagnum population, with S. contortum and S. teres as dominant species. The presence of S. contortum (the oldest occurrence in the European lowlands) and S. teres during the early Holocene may indicate that river valleys and the peatlands that developed in this region acted as an important habitats (and possibly refugia) for some minerotrophic Sphagnum species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arthrospira spp. (known commercially as Spirulina) and Chlorella spp., valued for their evidence-based nutritional and bioactive properties, are cultivated for the purpose of production of food supplements for worldwide distribution. However, the quality and safety of the final product depends on culturing and manufacturing conditions. The present study investigated the content of toxic elements (As species, Al, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pt, Pb, Cr (VI), rare earth elements) and minerals (Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Na, Mg, Mn, P, Zn) in Chlorella (n = 10) and Spirulina (n = 13) food supplements registered in the European Union. Considering the most common recommended daily dosage 3.0, supplementation with any of the studied product would contribute significantly to mineral intake, with the exception of Fe which was found at high but acceptable levels in both Spirulina and Chlorella formulas. The majority of products revealed agreement between factual mineral content and that declared on the label, the only exception being Cu content in Chlorella products found to be significantly higher (> 130%). All studied supplements were found to have Cd, Hg, and Ni levels much below safety limits, although selected ones were characterized by increased content of Al, Pb, and inorganic As. No hexavalent Cr was detected in the studied products. The study highlights that microalgal supplements can be safe for consumers if appropriate measures are taken to ensure consumer safety, although it underlines the continuous need to monitor these products in order to fully eliminate those of low quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of substrate supplementation with germanium (Ge) and selenium (Se), alone or combined, on the growth, element accumulation and ergosterol content in the fruiting bodies of the mushroom species Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus ostreatus. Both species were grown in four independent experimental systems with different concentrations of germanium powder (1, 5 and 10 mM), selenite [Se(IV)] and selenate [Se(VI)] (0.1, 0.4 and 0.8 mM of each Se species). Se supplementation caused no observable changes to morphology while the addition of Ge induced changes in size and/or colour, especially for P. ostreatus. A synergistic effect of Ge supplementation on Se accumulation in fruiting bodies of G. lucidum was observed only at the two highest levels of supplementation with both elements. Even though inorganic Se was used to enrich the experimental substrates, organic Se compounds dominated in the fruiting bodies. Increasing levels of Ge in the substrates elevated the content of organic selenium in the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum. No such trend was recorded in P. ostreatus. The maximum mean Ge levels in P. ostreatus and G. lucidum reached up to 70 and 80 mg kg−1, respectively. However, the bioaccessibility of this element was low, in the range 5.4–6.6% (P. ostreatus) and 0.4–7.6% (G. lucidum). Ergosterol content in the fruiting bodies of both species displayed the highest values in all the experimental systems supplemented with Se. The addition of Ge and Se + Ge resulted in losses of ergosterol content in comparison to cultivation with Se supplementation and control. The obtained results show the significant role of Ge–Se interaction in the accumulation of these elements in the studied mushroom species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the phytoextraction of inorganic (As(III), As(V)) and organic arsenic (Asorg) forms in six tree species: Acer platanoides, Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, Quercus robur, Tilia cordata and Ulmus laevis. Plants were grown in a pot experiment using As-polluted mining sludge for 90 days. Arsenic (Astotal) was accumulated mainly in the roots of all six tree species, which were generally thinner, shorter and/or black after the experiment. The highest concentration of As(III) and As(V) was determined in the roots of A. pseudoplatanus and A. platanoides (174 and 420 mg kg−1, respectively). High concentrations of As(III) were also recorded in the shoots of B. pendula (11.9 mg kg−1) and As(V) in the aerial parts of U. laevis and A. pseudoplatanus (77.4 and 70.1 mg kg−1). With some exceptions, the dominant form in the tree organs was Asorg, present in mining sludge in low concentration. This form has a decisive influence on As phytoextraction by young tree seedlings even though its BCF value was the only one lower than 1. The obtained results highlight the important role of speciation studies in assessing the response of plants growing in heavily polluted mining sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the As phytoextraction potential of four tree species: Acer pseudoplatanus L., Betula pendula Roth., Quercus robur L., and Ulmus laevis Pall. in light of their prospective use in the phytoremediation of arsenate [As(V)] contaminated soils. The content of nutritional elements: B, Ca, K, Mg, Na, Si, P, and S was also analyzed. The trees were grown for 1 month in hydroponic cultures (Knop medium) supplemented with As(V), (1 mM). The results showed that the highest As accumulation efficiency was characterized by B. pendula (BCF = 0.87) and Q. robur (BCF = 0.5). Betula pendula accumulated about 80% of As in its roots (TF = 0.22) whereas Q. robur accumulated more than 60% of As in its shoots (TF = 1.60). The other tree species accumulated significantly lower amounts of As, more than 60% of which collected in their shoots. As(V) phytoextraction led to a significantly lower level of P and S in the roots of all tested tree species. Betula pendula seems promising for phytostabilisation and Q. robur for phytoextraction of As(V) from contaminated soils. The obtained results confirm the accumulation and translocation of As(V), as well as the acquisition of nutritional elements by the selected tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of cacodylic acid (dimethylarsinic acid, DMA) can be an important factor in limiting the abilities of young tree seedlings to adapt to unfavorable environmental conditions. For this reason, the aim of the study was to estimate the influence of different DMA additions (from 0.01 to 0.6 mM) to modified Knop solution to arsenic (As) and selected forms of this metalloid (As(III), As(V), DMA) phytoextraction by two-year-old Acer platanoides L. and Tilia cordata Miller seedlings. Additionally, the biomass and other elements important in As transport in plants were analyzed. Seedlings of both tree species were able to grow in all experimental systems except the one with the highest DMA concentration (0.6 mM). Exposure of tree seedlings was related to a general decrease in plant biomass. Phytoextraction of As in roots, stems, and leaves increased with a rise of DMA concentration in solution to the highest content of As in A. platanoides and T. cordata roots growing under 0.3 mM (135 ± 13 and 116 ± 14 mg kg−1 dry weight). Arsenic was accumulated mainly in roots, thereby confirming bioconcentration factor values BCF > 1 for all tree seedlings treated with DMA. Exposure of plants to low DMA concentrations (0.01 and 0.03 mM) was related to the transport of this element to aboveground parts, while increased DMA concentration in other experimental systems led to the limitation of As transport to stems, as confirmed by translocation factor values TF < 1. Changes in many other elements such as boron, silicon, phosphorus, or sulfur concentration indicated the possible influence of DMA on the transport of As from roots to leaves. The obtained results show that DMA can be an important factor in modulating As phytoextraction in the studied tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In arid areas, with rivers functioning episodically, alluvial resources are the main source of water. Considering the intensified regulation of discharge in montane catchments, supplying the intermittent rivers, in the nearest future alluvial aquifers will gain key importance for the functioning of people in arid zones. The research aimed to investigate the diversified chemistry of alluvial waters typical of large intermittent river valleys in hot arid zones as well as to analyse processes determining the water chemistry and affecting its diversity. The detailed study, carried out in October 2015, covered the Draa river valley (1100 km total length) in the region of the Mhamid Oasis. The examined water was sampled from all wells found in the study area. Concentrations of the main cations: Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, NH4+, and Li+, anions: Cl−, SO42−, HCO3−, and NO3−, as well as trace elements: Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn, were identified. Results were analysed with statistical, hydrochemical, and geochemical modelling methods. Alluvial waters of the eastern and western part of the oasis differed in concentrations of numerous components, what resulted from the regulation of irrigation. Specific electrical conductivity showed a 3.5-fold increase, from 3800 to 13800 μS/cm, consistent with the direction of water flow in the oasis, from east to west. Even a greater rise was observed for ions: Cl− (6x), Na+ (5.5x), Mg2+ (5.0x), Ca2+, and SO42− (3.5x). Such a composition indicated multiionic hydrochemical type of waters dominated by Na+ and Cl−. Additionally, high Pearson correlation coefficients were recorded for Na+ and Cl− (0.98) as well as Mg2+ and Cl− (0.97). The saturation index suggested that the main water components originated from dissolving of minerals such as halite, anhydrite, sylvite, and gypsum. Groundwater chemistry in the Mhamid Oasis was determined mainly by geogenic processes, such as dissolving of evaporates, precipitation of carbonate minerals, and ion exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an ongoing interest in the production of mushrooms as food, and with their consumption on the rise, there is a need to establish different safety measures. In the present study, six mushroom species (Agrocybe cylindracea, Clitocybe maxima, Flammulina velutipes, Ganoderma lucidum, Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus eryngii) were cultivated on two commonly used substrates (A—based on alder and beech sawdust; B—based on oak sawdust and flax shives). The aims were to determine their growth and the accumulation of 70 elements in their fruiting bodies, 33 of which were detected in all analysed samples and were used for statistical evaluation. Cultivation of C. maxima, G. lucidum and L. edodes resulted in higher yield and mineral content when substrate A was used, cultivation of A. cylindracea and F. velutipes yielded better results on substrate B, P. eryngii cultivation outcomes were similar for both substrates. L. edodes was found to have a high affinity to accumulate Cd, C. maxima can bioconcentrate Al and Ni, Ganoderma lucidum—Pb, while F. velutipes—Hg. The study indicated that the chemical composition of substrates could affect both the yield and the level of various toxic and nutritional elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trees of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) are known for their effective phytoextraction capabilities. The results obtained in this study point to the significant role of substrate composition and chemical characteristics in the phytoextraction potential of this species. A multi-elemental (53 elements) analysis of pines from unpolluted (soil) and polluted (post-flotation tailings) sites was performed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The analyzed flotation tailings were characterized by alkaline pH (7.19 ± 0.06) and significantly higher conductivity (277.7 ± 2.9 µS cm−1) than the soil (pH = 5.11 ± 0.09; 81.3 ± 4.9 µS cm−1). The two substrates also differed with respect to the contribution of the clay fraction (0% in the unpolluted and 8% in the polluted substrate). The specimens of P. sylvestris growing on flotation tailings had significantly smaller height (381 ± 58 cm) and total aboveground biomass (4.78 ± 0.66 kg) than the trees growing in soil (699 ± 80 cm and 10.24 ± 2.10 kg). The biomass of the trunk, twigs and branches, and needles of the trees from polluted sites was between 40.0% and 48.7% of the biomass of the same organs of the control trees. Generally, the organs (trunk, twigs and branches, needles) of the P. sylvestris specimens from polluted sites had significantly higher concentrations of Au, Al, Ba, Cd, Co, La, Lu, Ni, Pd, Sc, Zn, and lower concentrations of B, Bi, Ca, Ce, Er, In, K, Mg, Na, Nd, P, Pr, Re, Se, Sr, Te than in the control plants, these metals being accumulated effectively in the whole of the aboveground biomass (BCF>1). Although the concentration of the majority of elements was significantly higher in the flotation tailings, significantly higher concentrations of these elements were observed in the tree organs from unpolluted sites, which points to the important role of substrate characteristics in the phytoextraction efficiency of P. sylvestris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the comment on our paper entitled: "Family and species as determinants modulating mineral composition of selected wild-growing mushroom species" published in the Environmental Science and Pollution Research (Mleczek et al. [9]) prepared by Jerzy Falandysz, we would like to respond to the comments and suggestions. Answer to "Comments on "Family and species as determinants modulating mineral composition of selected wild-growing mushroom species" by Falandysz, Jerzy (DOI:10.1007/s11356-020-10508-6)" We would like to point out that according to the data presented on the US Geological Survey website, "The rare earths are a relatively abundant group of 17 elements composed of scandium, yttrium, and the lanthanides.". [Extracted from the article]

The aim of the study was to estimate the significance of the role of arsenite (As(III)), arsenate (As(V)), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) presence in modified Knop medium in the efficiency of phytoextraction of arsenic (As) in Acer platanoides root, stem, and leaves. The addition of particular As forms in single, double, and triple experimental systems was associated with a lower increase of seedling biomass compared to control plants (system free of As forms addition). Depending on As forms and their concentration in solution, negative symptoms from slight visible changes (inorganic forms separately or jointly), through smaller and discolored leaves (after DMA addition), and finally to their withering (after high DMA addition) were observed. Changes of color and shape for root systems exposed to particular As forms separately or jointly were also observed, in spite of the fact that there were no significant changes in biomass of seedlings growing in all experimental systems. The highest mean concentrations of As in root, stem, and leaves (590, 70, and 140 mg kg−1 dry weight (DW), respectively) were observed in plants growing under different experimental systems. The highest bioconcentration factor values were 10.8 for plants exposed to 0.06 mM of As(III) and DMA, while the highest translocation factor (1.0) was recorded for plants growing under the same As forms (0.6 and 0.06 mM, respectively). The obtained results indicate that the presence of particular As forms not only determines As phytoextraction and transport of this metalloid form but also has a decisive influence on plant morphology and survivability. As regards the practical aspects of phytoremediation, the kind of As forms present in substrate are more important than their total concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of elements whose concentration in numerous environmental matrices continues to increase; therefore, the use of biological methods for their removal from soil would seem to be a safe and reasonable approach. The aim of this study was to estimate the phytoextraction efficiency and distribution of light and heavy (LREEs and HREEs) rare earth elements by three herbaceous plant species: Artemisia vulgaris L., Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. and Trifolium repens L., growing at a distance of 1, 10, and 25 m from the edge of a frequented road in Poland. The concentration of REEs in soil and plants was highly correlated (r > 0.9300), which indicates the high potential of the studied plant species to phytoextraction of these elements. The largest proportion of REEs was from the group of LREEs, whereas HREEs comprised only an inconsiderable portion of the REEs group. The dominant elements in the group of LREEs were Nd and Ce, while Er was dominant in the HREEs group. Differences in the amounts of these elements influenced the total concentration of LREEs, HREEs, and finally REEs and their quantities which decreased with distance from the road. According to the Friedman rank sum test, significant differences in REEs concentration, mainly between A. vulgaris L., and T. repens L. were observed for plants growing at all three distances from the road. The same relation between A. vulgaris L. and T. officinale was observed. The efficiency of LREEs and REEs phytoextraction in the whole biomass of plants growing at all distances from the road was A. vulgaris L. > T. officinale L. > T. repens L. For HREEs, the same relationship was recorded only for plants growing at the distance 1 m from the road. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) values for LREEs and HREEs were respectively higher and lower than 1 for all studied plant species regardless of the distance from the road. The studied herbaceous plant species were able to effectively phytoextract LREEs only (BCF > 1); therefore, these plants, which are commonly present near roads, could be a useful tool for removing this group of REEs from contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of cyanobacteria in freshwaters attracts much attention due to its associated health threats and ecological implications. Yet data on the composition of cyanobacteria taxa and toxigenicity in some regions is still scarce. Here, we explored the occurrence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in three locations in Ukraine (reservoir for Kasperivtsi Hydrothermal Power Plant and outflowing River Seret, and cooling pond of Khmelnytsky Atomic Power Plant) in summer 2017. Cyanobacteria were a dominant fraction at all stations. A number of potent-toxin producers were identified including Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Aphanizomenon gracile, Dolichospermum flos-aquae, and Planktothrix agardhii. Screening for the presence of dissolved and particulate content of microcystins (-LR, -YR, and -RR), cylindrospermopsin, and anatoxin-a yielded negative results. The studied waters displayed no toxicity in human platelets in vitro. Further toxicological and ecological studies are necessary to evaluate the potential presence of cyanotoxin producers in Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]