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Supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) has been proposed as one new alternative separation medium for soil remediation due to its preferrable dissolution properties and environmentally friendly nature. This study is focused on the effects of operation parameters, such as separation pressure, temperature and processing time, on the extraction efficiency of inorganic contaminants (chromium; arsenic) from soil samples by using the newly established kilogram-scale prototype. The prototype system was operated with Cyanex 302 as a chelating agent and methanol as a co-solvent. The extraction efficiency (EE) of chromium (Cr) is experimentally identified to be 97.98% at 35 MPa and 75 °C (with 60 min processing time), while it is found to drop quickly at low temperature and pressure (only 40% under 20 MPa and 35 °C). The EE of arsenic (As) has been identified generally with high efficiency, over 95% for most cases. For chromium (Cr), 30 MPa and 55 °C or higher parameter ranges are recommended to maintain an efficiency over 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the profile of micronutrients and inorganic contaminants in the plant-based and dairy food products most consumed by the Portuguese population. Methods: The sampling plan followed the Total Diet Studies (TDS) methodology and included representative samples of the Portuguese vegetarian diet, chosen based on the National Food and Physical Activity Survey. Five main food groups were selected: Grains and grain-based products (n = 48); Dairy products (n = 60); Products for non-standard diets (n = 72); Pulses, dried fruits, and oilseeds (n = 132); and Fruiting vegetables (n = 12). The sampling plan included 324 individual samples, prepared as 27 pooled samples for laboratory analyses. Each pooled sample was analyzed for 13 elements: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, I, Li, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se, Sr, and Zn. The methodology used for the analysis was ICP-MS with samples previously subjected to acid digestion through closed vessel microwave-assisted, except for I, which required an alkaline extraction. Results: The results of this study indicate that food samples from the group of Pulses, dried fruits, and oilseeds had the highest content of Mn, Zn, Mo, and Se. On the other hand, Products for non-standard diets and Dairy products had the highest content of Cu and I, respectively. The As, Cd, and Pb levels were below the limit of quantification for most of the analyzed samples from every food group. Conclusions: This research enabled updating the Portuguese Food Composition Database (FCD), underscoring the importance of regular dietary assessments and the role of FCDs and TDS in safeguarding public health by ensuring nutritional adequacy and safety in the food supply.

This paper aimed to evaluate the ecological and health risks for some potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) in agricultural soils irrigated with sewage wastewater for more than 50 years. Therefore, soil and plant samples were collected from 21 sites at sewage wastewater irrigated area and these samples were analyzed for their contents of PTEs i.e. Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb. The risks of PTEs pollution in the study area were analyzed using indices such as the individual and comprehensive potential ecological risk indices (Eri and RI, respectively), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR) model. The results showed that the PTEs in soil samples ranged from 1.70 to 9.90 mg/kg for Cd, from 39.9 to 183.4 mg/kg for Cr, from 31.5 to 655.1 mg/kg for Cu, from 18.8 to 113.1 mg/kg for Ni and from 5.4 to 65.4 mg/kg for Pb. The results also demonstrated that the soil samples were characterized by high to very high ecological risk for Cd. According to the health risk assessment, the mean HQ and HI of the PTEs in soil for adults and children were below the risk threshold of 1, indicating no risk for non-carcinogenic health effects. However, the HI of PTEs via plant consumption was > 1, suggesting a non-carcinogenic health risk. The CR for most plant samples was above the acceptable range. These findings may offer helpful information regarding the ecological and human risks related to PTEs exposure in soil and plants irrigated with wastewater under arid conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the future of inorganic contaminants in drinking water and the challenges that water utilities may face in the coming years. It highlights that while the number of regulated inorganic contaminants has remained relatively stable over the past 26 years, compliance with current regulations can be difficult for some water systems. The article also identifies three inorganic contaminants, hexavalent chromium, arsenic, and manganese, that are likely to pose new challenges in the future. It emphasizes the importance of preparing for the future by developing innovative treatment technologies and addressing issues such as climate change and changing consumer expectations. [Extracted from the article]

Background: School meals represent a significant supply of nutrients for children in Brazil, especially those in conditions of social vulnerability. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in meals served in public elementary schools in four municipalities in the state of Bahia, Brazil, and assess the risk posed to children's health. Methods: Ninety-six samples were collected from 16 schools, freeze-dried, and subjected to microwave-assisted digestion. The As, Cd, and Pb levels were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The risk assessment was based on calculating each element's hazard quotient (HQ). Results: None of the samples reached or exceeded the tolerable levels for the elements analyzed. Pb was the metal that obtained the most significant result, reaching maximum levels of 39–157 µg·kg−1. Conclusions: No element exceeded the PTWI proposed by JECFA; thus, the toxic metal content in school meals poses a negligible risk to children's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plankton plays a very crucial role in bioaccumulation and transfer of metals in the marine food web and represents a suitable bioindicator of the occurrence of trace and rare earth elements in the ecosystem. Trace elements and REEs were analyzed by ICP-MS in phytoplankton samples from the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Metal concentrations in phytoplankton were found strongly influenced by seasons and depth of collection (− 30 m, − 50 m). Principal component analysis (PCA) has shown that Al, As, Cr, Cu, Ga, and Sn concentrations were related to summer and autumn in samples collected at 30 m depth, while Fe, Mn, Ni, V, and Zn levels related strongly with summer and spring at 50 m depth. Fe, Al, and Zn were the most represented elements in all samples (mean values respectively in the ranges 4.2–8.2, 9.6–13, and 1.0–4.4 mg kg−1) according to their widespread presence in the environment and in the earth crust. Principal component analysis (PCA) performed on REEs showed that mostly all lanthanides’ concentrations strongly correlate with summer and autumn seasons (− 30 m depth); the highest ∑REE concentration (75 µg kg−1) was found in winter. Phytoplankton REE normalized profile was comparable to those of other marine biota collected in the same area according to the suitability of lanthanides as geological tracers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) has been proposed as one new alternative separation medium for soil remediation due to its preferrable dissolution properties and environmentally friendly nature. This study is focused on the effects of operation parameters, such as separation pressure, temperature and processing time, on the extraction efficiency of inorganic contaminants (chromium; arsenic) from soil samples by using the newly established kilogram-scale prototype. The prototype system was operated with Cyanex 302 as a chelating agent and methanol as a co-solvent. The extraction efficiency (EE) of chromium (Cr) is experimentally identified to be 97.98% at 35 MPa and 75 °C (with 60 min processing time), while it is found to drop quickly at low temperature and pressure (only 40% under 20 MPa and 35 °C). The EE of arsenic (As) has been identified generally with high efficiency, over 95% for most cases. For chromium (Cr), 30 MPa and 55 °C or higher parameter ranges are recommended to maintain an efficiency over 90%.

Understanding the prevalent form of platinum (Pt) based antineoplastic agents, used in chemotherapy, is of importance to develop a remediation strategy that restricts aquatic exposure. The speciation of Pt-based compounds was measured in actual patients’ urine using hydrophobic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) equipped with an ICP-MS detector. Carboplatin showed poor metabolization and intact excretion 11 h after administration, whereas cisplatin underwent a rapid aquation in the first 7 h. To compare, the in vitro degradation rate of cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin was determined in synthetic human urine, mimicking true environmental conditions. The fraction of intact molecules was measured at regular intervals following incubation at 37 °C, resulting in degradation rate constants. The chemical stability was highest for carboplatin (k = 0.0143 ± 0.0012 min−1), versus faster degradation of oxaliplatin and cisplatin by exponential decay with k1 of 0.0026 ± 0.0001 min−1 and k2 = 5.59 ± 0.46 × 10−6 min−1, respectively. These kinetic parameters can serve as input to further expand modelling databases and improve the predictive power of speciation software to estimate eco-toxicity risks. Considering the strong residual cytotoxicity of the platinum antineoplastic molecules following renal clearance and human excretion, the contaminants are of high environmental concern and offer potential for metal recovery using advanced treatment steps. In such water treatment processes, especially carboplatin, above all cancerostatic platinum compounds, should be addressed since it is more persistent in the aquatic environment.

Background: School meals represent a significant supply of nutrients for children in Brazil, especially those in conditions of social vulnerability. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in meals served in public elementary schools in four municipalities in the state of Bahia, Brazil, and assess the risk posed to children’s health. Methods: Ninety-six samples were collected from 16 schools, freeze-dried, and subjected to microwave-assisted digestion. The As, Cd, and Pb levels were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The risk assessment was based on calculating each element’s hazard quotient (HQ). Results: None of the samples reached or exceeded the tolerable levels for the elements analyzed. Pb was the metal that obtained the most significant result, reaching maximum levels of 39–157 µg·kg−1. Conclusions: No element exceeded the PTWI proposed by JECFA; thus, the toxic metal content in school meals poses a negligible risk to children’s health.

Insects represent a valuable and environmentally friendly protein alternative in food and feed. The Farm to Fork strategy encouraged the reintroduction of animal by-products in feed production to optimise recycling and to valorise under-used resources. In order to grant safe and valuable feed products, this study investigated the black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) chemical risk. Samples collected in different steps of production (8 samples of substrate for culturing, 7 samples of larvae, 15 samples of protein meal, 18 samples of spent substrate) were analysed for microessential elements (chromium, copper, iron, nickel, selenium and zinc) and inorganic contaminants (aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, lead, tin and vanadium) by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). Microessential elements were found in the following order: Fe > Zn > Cu > Ni > Se > Cr (mg kg−1). Non-essential element concentrations were found lower than the set limits according to the European Union Regulations. The growing demand for alternative protein sources for feed production could be partially compensated by black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) meal, as it appears a good source for high-quality proteins and microessential elements which play a pivotal role in animal growth. In the foreseeable future the current legislation and the official monitoring plans may be implemented and broaden, to focus and assess limits for upcoming matrices, and to ensure feed and food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of riparian forests into agricultural land results in the loss of water quality and aquatic biota health. The objectives of this study were therefore to determine the proportion of land use with emphasis on the type of vegetation cover; evaluate the limnological parameters and concentration of inorganic elements in the water of the São José stream in the Dourados River Basin, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; correlate land use with the concentrations of inorganic elements in water; and evaluate the risk to preservation aquatic biota and in situ toxic effect on Astyanax lacustris. We collected samples from the São José Stream in 2020 and evaluated land use with high resolution aerial images. The inorganic elements in water samples were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. In the surroundings of the São José stream, a reduction in riparian forest was observed with a proportion of only 16.32% of the area and the predominance of agricultural areas with 75.06%. The concentrations of dissolved oxygen (1.510 mg L-1) and P (> 0.235 mg L-1) in the water did not comply with the national legislation. In addition, Al and P indicated risks regarding the conservation of aquatic biota (risk quotient >1). The in situ evaluation of A. lacustris also revealed toxicity in the water. The results indicate environmental imbalance in the São José stream, requiring mitigation measures for its restoration and the sustainable use of its resources.

The re-vegetation of mining wastes with native plants is a comparatively low-cost solution for mine reclamation. However, re-vegetation fails when extreme pH values, low organic matter, or high concentrations of phytotoxic elements inhibit plant establishment and growth. Our aim was to determine whether the combined addition of municipal waste compost and diazotrophic endophytes (i.e., microorganisms that fix atmospheric N2 and live within plants) could improve plant growth, organic matter accumulation, and phytostabilization of trace element contaminants in two types of hard rock mine waste. We grew a widespread native perennial grass, Bouteloua curtipendula, for one month in alkaline waste rock (porphyry copper mine) and tailings (Ag-Pb-Au mine, amended with dolomite) sourced from southeastern Arizona, United States. B. curtipendula tolerated elevated concentrations of multiple phytotoxic trace elements in the tailings (Mn, Pb, Zn), stabilizing them in roots without foliar translocation. Adding compost and endophyte seed coats improved plant growth, microbial biomass, and organic matter accumulation despite stark differences in the geochemical and physical characteristics of the mining wastes. The widespread grass B. curtipendula is a potential candidate for re-vegetating mine wastes when seeded with soil additives to increase pH and with microbial and organic amendments to increase plant growth. This study quantifies improvements to plant growth, soil fertility, and trace element stabilization with a municipal waste compost topdressing and diazotrophic endophyte seed coating in two common hard rock mining wastes of the western United States. It establishes that a widespread perennial grass, Bouteloua curtipendula, can grow despite high concentrations of phytotoxic trace elements and minimal soil nutrients, and stabilizes trace elements on or in its roots, making it a suitable option for re-vegetation or phytostabilization of hard rock mining wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological and environmental studies demonstrated that the rate of cancer mortality in the Acerra area, better known as "Triangle of Death", and, more in general, in the Neapolitan metropolitan territory are higher than the regional average values. In the "Triangle of Death" the higher rate of mortality has been mostly related to the presence of toxic wastes illegally buried in agricultural areas which have been contaminating soils and groundwater for decades. Thus, collecting a total of 154 samples over an area of about 100 km2, a detailed study was carried out to assess the geochemical-environmental conditions of soils aiming at defining the environmental hazard proceeding from 15 potentially toxic elements (PTEs), 9 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 14 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) related with soil contamination. The study was also targeted at discriminating the contamination sources of these pollutants. Results showed that 9 PTEs, 5 PAHs and 6 OCPs are featured by concentrations higher than the guideline values established by the Italian Environmental laws, especially in the proximities of inhabited centers and industrial areas. The contamination source analysis revealed that, as regards the concentrations of chemical elements, they have a dual origin due to both the natural composition of the soils (Co-Fe-V-Tl-Be) and the pressure exerted on the environment by anthropic activities such as vehicular traffic (Pb-Zn-Sb-Sn) and agricultural practices (Cu-P). As far as organic compounds are concerned, the source of hydrocarbons can be mainly attributed to the combustion of biomass (i.e., grass, wood and coal), while for pesticides, although the use of some of them has been prohibited in Italy since the 1980s, it has been found that they are still widely used by local farmers.

[Display omitted] • Assessment of curcumin and trace elements in turmeric capsules marketed in Brazil. • Different formulation: 30% turmeric only, 43% with pepper, 27% other ingredients. • Curcumin content widely ranges from 0.03 to 37.6 g/100 g. • Levels of Cd, Pb and As were in agreement with the established limits. • Curcumin exposure below 50% ADI; trace elements exposure was low. Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is valued for its coloring properties, flavor enhancement, functionality, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which help prevent various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of curcumin and trace elements (Cr, Co, Ni, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, Hg, and Pb) in 30 samples of turmeric capsules. The quantification of curcumin was performed by spectrophotometry, with results ranging from 0.03 g/100 g to 37.6 g/100 g. The concentration of trace elements was determined by ICP-MS after acid digestion of the samples. Except for the elements Sb and Hg, which showed levels below the quantification limits (0.002 and 0.008 mg/kg, respectively), the results were: Cr (<0.008–0.083 mg/kg), Co (<0.003–0.78 mg/kg), Ni (<0.008–1.61 mg/kg), As (<0.003–0.083 mg/kg), Mo (<0.008–1.21 mg/kg), Cd (<0.002–0.076 mg/kg), Ba (<0.008–23.48 mg/kg), and Pb (<0.008–0.619 mg/kg). The interaction between curcumin and the trace elements was complex, with no direct relationship found between them. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of curcumin varied from 0.004 to 2.684 mg/kg of body weight, with 13 samples below 10 % of the acceptable daily intake (ADI), 12 samples between 10 % and 50 % of the ADI, and three samples above 50 %. For trace elements, Co showed the highest contribution, corresponding to 2.72 % of the health-based guidance value established by EFSA. A careful approach in marketing turmeric-based products is fundamental to ensure their quality, efficacy, and safety for consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetables are a rich source of macro and micronutrients. Particularly, potatoes and sweet potatoes are widely consumed and are two of the most important food crops in the world. Therefore, contamination of these products due to their content of inorganic contaminants is of great concern. Considering the healthy trend of consuming these tubers and roots with their skins, which are rich in fiber and other nutrients, analysis of the whole product could provide valuable information in relation to their food safety. Therefore, the presence of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in peeled and whole potatoes and sweet potatoes was studied. To do so, analytical methods were optimized and validated according to the Association of Official Analytical Collaboration International (AOAC) requirements for food analysis. Although the content of As, Cd and Pb was in most cases more than three times below the maximum allowed levels for these contaminants, the presence of Cd was detected in the samples of whole sweet potato but not in the peeled ones. The same behavior was observed for Pb in most of the sweet potato samples analyzed. This information points to the need to generate information on the whole root and tuber contaminants content, and to have analytical methods available to gather data on the occurrence of these contaminants in the whole vegetable in order to perform their risk assessment according to the consumption habits.

Copyright of Innotec is the property of Laboratorio Tecnologico del Uruguay 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.)

Copyright of Revista Ambiente e Água is the property of Revista Ambiente e Agua 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.)

This study proposes a predictive model to determine the concentration of cadmium (Cd) in cocoa beans based on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and partial least squares regression (PLSR-1 or PLS-1). The multivariate calibration model was developed using 46 cocoa bean samples, with Cd concentrations up to 1 mg kg-1. The increase of the LIBS signal in the Cd emission lines was evident when the cocoa bean sample was subjected to a solid-liquid-solid transformation (SLST). The range error ratio (RER) was 7.92, which allowed it to be classified as a screening model. Monte Carlo cross-validation was used, with 60% of samples for calibration and the remaining for testing. The standard error of cross-validation (SECV) and standard error of calibration (SEC) were 0.12 mg kg-1 and 0.05 mg kg-1, respectively. The proposed procedure is framed within the alternatives for the chemical analysis of cocoa.

Epidemiological and environmental studies demonstrated that the rate of cancer mortality in the Acerra area, better known as "Triangle of Death", and, more in general, in the Neapolitan metropolitan territory are higher than the regional average values. In the "Triangle of Death" the higher rate of mortality has been mostly related to the presence of toxic wastes illegally buried in agricultural areas which have been contaminating soils and groundwater for decades. Thus, collecting a total of 154 samples over an area of about 100 km², a detailed study was carried out to assess the geochemical-environmental conditions of soils aiming at defining the environmental hazard proceeding from 15 potentially toxic elements (PTEs), 9 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 14 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) related with soil contamination. The study was also targeted at discriminating the contamination sources of these pollutants. Results showed that 9 PTEs, 5 PAHs and 6 OCPs are featured by concentrations higher than the guideline values established by the Italian Environmental laws, especially in the proximities of inhabited centers and industrial areas. The contamination source analysis revealed that, as regards the concentrations of chemical elements, they have a dual origin due to both the natural composition of the soils (Co-Fe-V-Tl-Be) and the pressure exerted on the environment by anthropic activities such as vehicular traffic (Pb-Zn-Sb-Sn) and agricultural practices (Cu-P). As far as organic compounds are concerned, the source of hydrocarbons can be mainly attributed to the combustion of biomass (i.e., grass, wood and coal), while for pesticides, although the use of some of them has been prohibited in Italy since the 1980s, it has been found that they are still widely used by local farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agronomía Colombiana is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia 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.)

The submicrometric fraction of surface sediments that accumulate in the bottom of dam reservoirs represent important sources of nutrients and contaminants in freshwater systems. However, assessing their stability in the presence of sediment bacteria as well as their bioavailability in the sediment remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that sediment's bacteria are able to extract nutrients from sedimentary colloids (<1 µm fraction) and thus contribute to the release of other colloid-associated elements to water. Experiments were performed under laboratory conditions, using the submicrometric fractions of sediments recovered from two dam reservoirs (in calcareous and crystalline granitic contexts) and two heterotrophic bacteria (Gram-negative Pseudomonas sp. and Gram-positive Mycolicibacterium sp.). The results demonstrated that bacteria were able to maintain their metabolic activity (the acidification of the growth medium and the production of organic ligands) in the presence of colloids as the sole source of iron (Fe) and regardless of their chemical composition. This demonstrates that bioavailable Fe, aside from ionic forms, can also occur in colloidal forms. However, the bacteria also catalyzed the release of potentially toxic metallic elements (such as Pb) associated with colloids. These results help improve our understanding of the processes that influence contaminants' mobility in the ecosystems as well as provide an important insight into current research evaluating the bioavailability of different forms of nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution remains one of the greatest challenges in the modern era, and water treatment strategies have continually been improved to meet the increasing demand for safe water. In the last few decades, tremendous research has been carried out toward developing selective and efficient polymeric adsorbents and membranes. However, developing non-toxic, biocompatible, cost-effective, and efficient polymeric nanocomposites is still being explored. In polymer nanocomposites, nanofillers and/or nanoparticles are dispersed in polymeric matrices such as dendrimer, cellulose, resins, etc., to improve their mechanical, thermophysical, and physicochemical properties. Several techniques can be used to develop polymer nanocomposites, and the most prevalent methods include mixing, melt-mixing, in-situ polymerization, electrospinning, and selective laser sintering techniques. Emerging technologies for polymer nanocomposite development include selective laser sintering and microwave-assisted techniques, proffering solutions to aggregation challenges and other morphological defects. Available and emerging techniques aim to produce efficient, durable, and cost-effective polymer nanocomposites with uniform dispersion and minimal defects. Polymer nanocomposites are utilized as filtering membranes and adsorbents to remove chemical contaminants from aqueous media. This study covers the synthesis and usage of various polymeric nanocomposites in water treatment, as well as the major criteria that influence their performance, and highlights challenges and considerations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the situation of water contamination seriously hinders the healthy cycle of natural environment and the development of human society. Capacitive deionization technology is a novel water treatment technology for remediating inorganic-contaminated ions from aqueous medium. This paper briefly introduces the related theory and reviews the current research and application in removing inorganic contaminants (heavy metal ions, anionic contaminants, other inorganic contaminants, etc.) in the aqueous solution. In addition, the influence of electrode materials, device design and environmental factors on capacitive deionization of inorganic contaminants was briefly summarized. In order to provide help for the further development and application of the capacitive deionization technology, the summary and prospect are also part of the article.

Philippines stingless bee (Tetragonula biroi Friese) pot-pollen are known for their advantageous effects on human health due to a high nutritional value and a broad range of beneficial physiological and pharmacological effects. However, safety aspects regarding this product were rarely examined. Therefore, pollen samples from the Philippines were analyzed for inorganic contaminants and microbiological quality. Obtained values for heavy metals (e.g., arsenic 0.015–0.032 mg/kg, cadmium 0.053–0.153 mg/kg and lead 0.017–0.155 mg/kg) were generally lower compared to previous studies and most were within the safety limits. Further, microbial counts for total aerobic microorganisms, yeasts and molds, Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus were in accordance with the recommended values. Microbial population was diverse and the identified species were mostly endosporeformers such as Bacillus spp. and Clostridium spp., and molds because of the low water activity and low pH of the pot-pollens. Results indicated that good practices in agriculture, hygiene and manufacturing in every step of the production chain must be implemented in order to enhance the quality and safety of this bee product. Overall, pot-pollens from T. biroi are safe for human consumption if hygienic principles are applied.

The commercial production of wine is directly linked to the use of large amounts of fresh water coupled with the generation of copious amounts of wastewater containing significant amounts of organic and inorganic substances. The impact of this waste stream on the environment has required the wine industry to implement certain protocols in wastewater management to comply with respective effluent discharge regulations as set out by local authorities. Reduced accessibility to good quality water resources in recent years has forced wineries to consider more efficient wastewater management strategies to improve water recovery and re-use, thereby promoting more sustainable wine production and minimizing the impact on stressed water resources. This review presents a comprehensive overview of established and emerging, physicochemical, biological, advanced oxidation and hybrid wastewater treatment technologies specifically applicable to the wine producing industry. Herein, winery wastewater composition and treatment techniques, environmental implications, knowledge gaps, technological operational challenges, alternative disposal and recycling options of treated winery wastewater are critically evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We now realize that manganese is tasteless at relevant drinking water concentrations and that manganese speciation plays an important role in the visual detection of manganese. Best practice involves setting a water quality goal for manganese that is less than 0.05 mg/L. In 2019, Health Canada established an aesthetic objective of 0.02 mg/L for manganese to avoid discolored water events and minimize distribution system loading with manganese. Manganese Deserves More Respect Like inorganic contaminants in general, manganese deserves more respect, and water utilities need to assess their own positions in relation to the changing picture involving manganese. [Extracted from the article]

At present, the situation of water contamination seriously hinders the healthy cycle of natural environment and the development of human society. Capacitive deionization technology is a novel water treatment technology for remediating inorganic-contaminated ions from aqueous medium. This paper briefly introduces the related theory and reviews the current research and application in removing inorganic contaminants (heavy metal ions, anionic contaminants, other inorganic contaminants, etc.) in the aqueous solution. In addition, the influence of electrode materials, device design and environmental factors on capacitive deionization of inorganic contaminants was briefly summarized. In order to provide help for the further development and application of the capacitive deionization technology, the summary and prospect are also part of the article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high quality and unique flavor and aroma of bean-to-bar chocolates have resulted in an increase in the consumption of these products. Nevertheless, cocoa beans may present inorganic contaminants from environmental and anthropogenic sources which can contribute to contamination of the chocolates, despite the fewer processing steps and few ingredients used in bean-to-bar manufacturing process compared to the industrial one. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the content of trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se) in bean-to-bar chocolates and traceable cocoa beans from Brazil and Ecuador. Bean-to-bar chocolate samples were acquired in Brazil (n=65) and Ecuador (n=10), considering the main products available: white, milk, semisweet and dark chocolate. Cocoa samples from dedicated farms (n=23) were analyzed for trace elements and inorganic contaminants regulated by Brazil and European agencies. Samples were mineralized using acid digestion (nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide) in a closed microwave-assisted system. Quantification of trace elements was performed using Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP OES) in optimized conditions. The analytical control was performed with certified reference materials (ERM BD512 - Dark Chocolate, Tort-2 and Tort-3 - Lobster Hepatopancreas and SRM 1547 - Peach leaves) and recoveries ranged between 84% and 105% for all elements. The trace element levels in the bean-to-bar chocolates were (mg/kg): As (<0.022–0.023), Cd (<0.002–0.74), Cu (0.11–21.2), Co (<0.003–1.88), Hg (<0.010-<0.010), Pb (<0.007–0.22), and Se (<0.029–0.35). The exposure assessment from inorganic contaminants in chocolates revealed up to 93% of provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) for Cd and 123% of tolerable upper intake level (UL) for Co for children. Inorganic contaminants were also analyzed in cocoa beans from dedicated farms and Cd and Pb levels were found above the thresholds established by Brazil health agency. The results observed for both bean-to-bar chocolates and raw materials (cocoa beans from dedicated farms) indicated a need for monitoring these trace elements. • As, Cd, Cu, Co, Hg, Pb, and Se were studied in traceable cocoa and bean-to-bar chocolates. • Cd was quantified in 97% of chocolate bean-to-bar chocolates. • Cd was positively correlated with the concentration of cocoa solids in chocolate samples. • Exposure assessment revealed contribution up to 123% of UL for Co for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental contamination is reaching ever higher levels and affecting several animal populations, including humans. In this context, studies are being developed to monitor and evaluate this environmental problem using bioindicators organisms, in addition to testing the toxicity of contaminants in the laboratory. In this perspective, reptiles are ideal animals for these types of studies, considering that they are ectothermic and have a slower metabolism directly influencing their recovery power, and therefore, they are more sensitive to xenobiotic effects. Among reptiles, lizards are animals that adapt to various environmental conditions, even being found in areas with arid characteristics. Therefore, a literature review was conducted in this study regarding the use of lizards as models for ecotoxicological studies, including biomonitoring, carried out in the last 10 years, with the aim of evaluating them as bioindicators in Brazilian semi-arid region. Studies were found involving ten lizard families, among which the most investigated was Lacertidae. The studies were classified into two categories: organic contaminants (pesticides, petroleum by-products, and explosives) and inorganic contaminants (metals such as zinc, lead and aluminum, and radionuclides). Contaminants directly contributed to DNA damage and to increasing the frequency of micronuclei in exposed animals, histopathological effects, and oxidative stress. The performed analysis highlights the usefulness of lizards as environmental biomonitors. However, the response profile is dependent on the exposure level and route, in addition to the environmental scenario analyzed. Therefore, future studies aimed at evaluating environmental contaminants are required under exposure conditions more related to the environmental reality to be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey is a very unusual food – a natural substance produced by bees from the nectar or secretion of plants and elaborated by the bees themselves. Differences in trace elements and rare earth elements (REEs) are related to botanical and geographical origin, and, as such, honey could be a suitable indicator for metal occurrence in the environment within the bee forage area. A total of 40 metals were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in multi-floral honey samples from different geographical areas. The highest levels of trace elements and REEs were found in honey from Tanzania, while lower concentrations were recorded in Italian, Kazakhstan, the Balkans, and South American honeys. Tanzanian honey is of interest due to its different content of metals, related to the peculiar lithology and the mineral resources of this country. Rubidium and aluminum were the most represented nonessential elements, while manganese, iron, zinc, and copper registered the highest values of the essential elements. Very low concentrations were found for the toxic elements lead, cadmium, and arsenic. The present study showed differences in metal concentrations in multi-floral honey from different countries, confirming the strong influence of the area of origin on the chemical composition of honeys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work evaluated the potential of Catharanthus roseus in phytoremediation of As, Ba, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn in sewage sludge-based substrates. C. roseus was cultivated for 108 days in a treatment containing sewage sludge:vermiculite (70:30%) and in the control with 100% commercial substrate. The plants cultivated in sludge showed approximately four times greater height, number of leaves and stem diameter, as well as 89% higher fresh mass than those of the control. The highest concentrations of the metals were obtained in the roots of plants grown in the sludge, and ranged from 2.04 (Cd) to 1121 mg kg−1 (Zn). Cu, Cd and Zn had a higher bioconcentration factor than 1 in both treatments. On the other hand, the translocation factor value in the control was greater than 1 for Ba, Cd, Cu, Ni, Se and Zn. The results showed that C. roseus was efficient in the phytoremediation of the evaluated metals, in which the translocation process was progressive in the treatment that presented higher metal content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distilled spirits, in addition to satisfying the legal requirements with respect to its composition, must possess a sensorial quality capable of satisfying its consumers. The present work describes the analysis of volatile compounds, trace elements and glycerol in thirteen samples of Mozambican spirits collected in different regions of the country. Extraction of volatile components was a accomplished using the headspace SPME technique, the quantification of glycerol was achieved by UV/Vis spectroscopy and the determination of trace elements by atomic absorption spectrometry. Of the 35 volatile compounds identified, 19 were esters, of which ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, ethyl nonanoate, ethyl decanoate, ethyl laurate, ethyl hexadecanoate, ethyl tetradecanoate, ethyl benzenepropanoate, 3-methylbutyl acetate and isoamyl alcohol were the predominant compounds found in the different samples, contributing to the characteristics and aroma of the beverages. As for glycerol, concentrations below 5 mg L−1 were observed in all the samples studied. The samples were found to be contaminated by metals such as copper, lead and zinc. In addition, the results provided information on the quality of Mozambican spirits regarding some aspects related to the determination of metals and glycerol. This information might stimulate producers to be more attentive to the conditions of production and the risks involved in achieving good quality spirits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are the most common natural contaminants and include different types of organic compounds, such as deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2 and HT-2 toxins. The major toxic inorganic elements include those commonly known as heavy metals, such as cadmium, nickel, and lead, and other minerals such as arsenic. In this study, micronisation and air classification technologies were applied to durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum L.) samples to mitigate inorganic (arsenic) and organic contaminants in unrefined milling fractions and final products (pasta). The results showed the suitability of milling plants, providing less refined milling products for lowering amounts of mycotoxins (DON and the sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxins) and toxic inorganic elements (As, Cd, Ni, and Pb). The results showed an As content (in end products) similar to that obtained using semolina as raw material. In samples showing high organic contamination, the contamination rate detected in the more bran-enriched fractions ranged from 74% to 150% (DON) and from 119% to 151% (sum of T2 and HT-2 toxins) as compared to the micronised samples. Therefore, this technology may be useful for manufacturing unrefined products with reduced levels of organic and inorganic contaminants, minimising the health risk to consumers.

This study examines the relationship between the quantity of landfill leachate and attenuation distance of inorganic contaminants in the groundwater of open, semi-open and closed hydrogeological systems. Nearly 2,000 groundwater samples were collected and 12 inorganic chemical parameters were investigated, of which NH4 +, K+ and Fe were considered to be the most groundwater polluting chemical parameters. Analytical modelling of pollution migration, multivariate statistical techniques and a single factor pollution index method were applied for data processing. The results showed that irrespective of waste volume, the degradation coefficients of NH4 +, K+ and Fe were by 36-90% higher in the groundwater of open hydrogeological systems, where attenuation distances were by 14-56% shorter compared with those in closed hydrogeological systems. Also, the degradation coefficients of NH4 +, K+ and Fe+ in the groundwater of very small and small landfills were by 37-90% higher and attenuation distances were by 38-99% shorter compared with those in the groundwater of large and very large landfills. In the groundwater of very small and small landfills the difference between NH4 +, Fe and K+ attenuation distance in open and closed hydrogeological systems was about 89-97% lower than the difference in large and very large landfills. This finding indicates that the quantity of leachate is the main factor of attenuation of contaminants in groundwater. The results obtained in this research may be used to predict the dispersion of pollution in the groundwater of landfills located in similar hydrogeological systems and to take environmental protection measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, biochar has received significant attention, especially for the removal of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from water and wastewater. No review has been focused on the potential use of wood-based biochar (WB) for the removal of PTEs in water and wastewater. Here, we have critically reviewed the (i) preparation and characterisation of WB; (ii) removal efficiency of WB for PTEs in water with respect to its physicochemical characteristics, biochar/water ratio, pH, and sorption system; (iii) removal mechanisms of PTEs by WB; (iv) fate of the sorbed PTEs onto WB; and (v) recovery of the sorbed PTEs from the resultant sludge of WB. We also discussed the removal of PTEs by engineered/designer WB as compared to pristine WB. This review demonstrates the overarching scientific opportunities for a comprehensive understanding of using WB as an emerging biosorbent and a promising low-cost and effective material for the remediation of PTEs contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]