Trace elements and alcohol

In our study alcoholic patients with and without cirrhosis have a decreased serum zinc. They also have increased serum copper and iron with an increase in the serum ferritin. There is no evidence of selenium deficiency in either alcoholic group. Alcohol when given with zinc in a single dose to normal volunteers increases the serum zinc and therefore appears to increase the absorption of zinc.     

Trace elements in hair of epileptic and normal subjects

The concentrations of Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe and Cu in scalp hair of 101 epileptic patients (48 males and 53 females, average age 25 years) and 101 normal subjects (47 males and 54 females, average age 22 years) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Mercury was also determined in some samples. The aim of this investigation was to use scalp hair as a possible indicator of trace element abnormality and to determine whether or not differences in their levels might occur due to this neurological disorder. The results showed significant differences in Fe, Cu, Mg and Zn in the hair between the two groups but no differences were observed in the levels of Ca and Hg. The high Mg and low Zn content in the hair of epileptic patients is reported as of particular interest in the investigation of this neurological disorder.     

Trace elements in some human milk samples by radiochemical neutron activation analysis

Some trace element contents of samples of human milk, mainly colostrum and transitional milk, collected in the Ljubljana area of Yugoslavia, are reported. Analyses of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, I, Mn, Sb, Se, Sn, V and Zn were performed by radiochemical neutron activation analysis, and the results are discussed briefly in the light of literature values.     

Determination of mineral and trace elements in some medicinal herbs and their infusions consumed in Turkey

Fourteen mineral and trace elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn) were determined in the herbs and their infusions consumed for medical purposes in Turkey such as chamomile (Matricaria chammomile L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), linden (Tilia vulgaris), nettle (Urtica dioical), rosehip (Fr.Rosa caninae), sage (Salvia officinalis) and senna tea (Cassia anqustifolia). Microwave digestion procedure was applied under optimized conditions for dissolution of medicinal herbs. Element concentrations in the medicinal herbs and their infusions were determined by FAAS and ICP-AES. The accuracy and precision were verified against a GBW 07605 Poplar leaves and Tea certified reference material. The mineral and trace element content of medicinal herbs and their infusions showed a wide variability. However, distribution of the elements in the infusions is not high and it is nil especially for Cd, Co, Cr and Pb.     

Trace elements in hair in the UK: results and interpretation in the preconception situation

The paper examines the high incidence of birth defects that still occur in the UK and suggests that it might be possible to reduce this by preparing prospective mothers for parenthood prior to conception. One test in particular is suggested as having a part to play in this preconception screening-that being the hair metals analysis. Such a screening test is useful in identifying both excesses of toxic metals and deficiencies of essential metals. The results from our studies seem to indicate a high proportion of potential mothers as having low levels of manganese, iron and possibly zinc in their hair. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the possible effect on birth defects and the possible routine use of hair metal testing in the pre-conception situation is suggested.     

Trace elements in home-produced eggs in Belgium: Levels and spatiotemporal distribution

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper and zinc in home-produced eggs, soils and kitchen waste samples of private chicken owners in Belgium, and to determine spatiotemporal differences in trace element contents in eggs. Eggs were sampled in all provinces of Belgium in autumn 2006 and spring 2007. A total number of 59 private chicken owners participated in the study. Trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry except for mercury, which was determined by atomic absorption of mercury vapour. The mean fresh weight concentrations in eggs in autumn and spring respectively were < 8.0 and < 8.0 µg/kg for arsenic, 0.5 and < 0.5 µg/kg for cadmium, 116 and 74 µg/kg for lead, 0.43 and 0.52 mg/kg for copper, 20.3 and 19.2 mg/kg for zinc, and 3.15 and 4.44 µg/kg for mercury. Analysis of variance determined significant differences in some trace element concentrations in eggs among seasons and regions in Belgium. Average concentrations of arsenic, cadmium and mercury corresponded well with values measured in other countries, while copper and zinc concentrations were within the same order of magnitude as in other countries. Average lead concentrations were high compared to concentrations in eggs from other countries and correlated well with lead concentrations in soil, indicating that the soil is an important source. Other sources of trace elements in eggs might be home-grown vegetables and forage (grass and herbs), and indirectly, air pollution.     

Trace elements in human milk, selenium a case study

Longitudinal changes of the trace element (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Mo, Cr, Co, As, Se) composition of human milk are discussed. The mean daily intake of breast fed infants is compared with the intake of infants fed cow's milk and with recommended dietary allowances. Parameters which can be used to check the selenium status are discussed. Clinical consequences of selenium deficiency are discussed.     

Trace elements in precipitation over an industrial area of Bombay

An extensive rainwater sampling program was carried out in the Chembur Trombay industrial belt of Bombay to assess the elemental composition of precipitation. The analytes included Hg, Cr, Sb, Pa, Fe, Sc, Sm, La, Eu, As, Co, Zn, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Br and Cl originating from marine, crustal and industrial sources. For comparison, their concentrations at a non-polluted coastal site (Alibag) were also studied. The elemental excesses were determined by calculating the enrichment factors with respect to Sc in the crust, and their probable sources have been examined.     

210Pb in di-calcium phosphate consumed by dairy cows

In the semiarid region of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, the feedstuffs for dairy cattle contain the mineral supplement of di-calcium phosphate (DCP). This study was carried out to determine the concentration of ²¹⁰Pb in samples of di-calcium phosphate (DCP: CaHPO₄) consumed by dairy cows in Pedra and Venturosa. ²¹⁰Pb concentrations ranged from 17 to 256 Bq.kg^?1, and although they are below the concentrations reported in Spain (up to 2260 Bq.kg^?1), they also could be considered to represent a potential risk of chemical toxicity in dairy cows.     

Analysis of environmental samples by spark source mass spectrometry—I. Trace elements in water

Spark source mass spectrometry is ideally suited to the determination of trace elements in natural waters. In the work described, almost all of the elements present in lake or river waters at concentrations of one part in 10¹¹ parts of water and higher were routinely determined. In the particular waters investigated 30 or more elements were found in each sample.     

Trace elements in ships' ballast water as tracers of mid-ocean exchange

Recent regulation mandates that ships conduct mid-ocean ballast water exchange (BWE) prior to discharging foreign ballast in U.S. territorial waters. We investigated the utility of dissolved concentration measurements for 6 elements (Ba, P, Mn, U, V and Mo) in the ballast tanks of ships operating in the North Pacific and Atlantic oceans as tracers of mid-ocean BWE. Relatively conservative elements Mo, U and V provided little additional information beyond that obtained from salinity, whereas nonconservative Ba, P and Mn offered greater resolution. The utility of Ba, P and Mn was further examined in the context of three criteria: (1) stability, or whether tracers maintain stable concentrations in ballast tanks over time; (2) fidelity, or the degree to which tracer concentrations in ballast tanks faithfully reflect concentrations at their ocean source; and (3) predictability, or the degree to which ballast tanks have a predictable and restricted range of tracer concentrations following BWE. We found that in water held in ballast tanks over time, average stability increased for Mn21%>3%) and fidelity increased in the same direction. While Ba and P usually increased discrimination at high salinities, Mn was typically the most sensitive indicator of BWE and the presence of residual port water in partially exchanged tanks. Ba, P and Mn in tanks exchanged in the Atlantic exhibited different concentration ranges compared to tanks exchanged in the Pacific, suggesting that if trace elements are to be used to verify BWE, criteria for discriminating between exchanged and unexchanged ballast tanks may need to be basin-specific.     

临夏盆地中新世至上新世微量元素分布意义

介绍了临夏盆地的地理概况及地质背景,利用∑REE,∑LREE／∑HREE,Zn,Co,Mn／Y,Co／L,Zn／Y七种指标,分析了临夏毛沟剖面的微量元素含量变化特征,进而恢复临夏盆地晚新生代的古环境气候演变。     

Trace elements in brains of patients with alcohol abuse,endogeneous psychosis and schizophrenia

The concentrations of Co, Fe, Rb, Se and Zn were analysed, by means of neutron activation analysis, in the brains of three patients with alcohol abuse, of one patient with endogeneous psychosis and of one patient with schizophrenia. The patients with alcohol abuse suffered from the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. The data were compared with results from brains which were not diseased (“normals”).Patients with alcohol abuse had diminished values of rubidium in nearly all analysed samples of cerebral nuclei (> 30% compared to normals), whereas the Rb values were normal or diminished in cortical regions. The cobalt values were reduced (> 20%) in eight out of 14 nuclei and in five out of nine cortical regions. Differences in the Fe and Se values were mainly located in the cerebral nuclei.In the caudate nucleus the patient with endogeneous psychosis had highly significant elevated values of all analysed elements. The element concentrations of the patient with schizophrenia did not significantly differ from those of normal controls. The loss of nearly all elements was conspicuous in those regions which show neuro-pathological cell degeneration or atrophy in the case of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This loss of element concentrations in patients with alcohol abuse is interpreted as a loss of cellular vitality.     

Trace elements in size separated atmospheric particulates at trombay,Bombay, India

The results of measurements for the trace element composition of size-separated aerosols collected with an eight-stage impactor at Trombay, Bombay, India and analysed by instrumental neutron activation analysis are presented. The mass size functions and the sources of the elements analysed are discussed. The elements Sb and Hg are mainly derived from industrial emissions; over 40% of the concentration of these elements have a mean particle diameter (M.P.D.) of 1 μm for which alveolar deposition is higher than that in other parts of the lung. For Zn the abundance of particles <1 μm MMAD is high, while it is only ca. 15% or less for elements such as Fe, Sc, Co and Cr which are principally derived from soil debris.     

Trace elements, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in New Zealand common dolphins (Delphinus sp.)

Trace elements, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine (OC) pesticide levels were determined in tissues collected from stranded and bycaught common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) from New Zealand waters between 1999 and 2005. The concentrations of mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and silver (Ag) were determined in blubber, liver and kidney tissue. PCBs (45 congeners) and a range of OC pesticides including dieldrin, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites DDE and DDD were determined in blubber samples. Cr and Ni were not detected in any of the samples and concentrations of Co, Sn and Pb were generally low. Concentrations of Hg ranged from 0.17 to 110 mg/kg wet weight. Organochlorine pesticides dieldrin, HCB, o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE were present at the highest concentrations. Sum DDT concentrations in the blubber ranged from 17 to 337 and 654 to 4430 microg/kg wet weight in females and males, respectively. Similarly, Sigma45CB concentrations ranged from 49 to 386 and 268 to 1634 microg/kg wet weight in females and males, respectively. The mean transmission of SigmaDDTs and ICES7CBs between a genetically determined mother-offspring pair was calculated at 46% and 42%, respectively. Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides determined in the present study are within similar range to those reported for Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhyncus hectori) from inshore New Zealand waters.     

Trace elements in moose (Alces alces) found dead in Northwestern Minnesota, USA

The moose (Alces alces) population in bog and forest areas of Northwestern Minnesota has declined for more than 25 years, and more recently the decline is throughout Northwestern Minnesota. Both deficiencies and elevations in trace elements have been linked to the health of moose worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether trace element toxicity or deficiency may have contributed to the decline of moose in Northwestern Minnesota. Livers of 81 moose found dead in Northwestern Minnesota in 1998 and 1999 were analyzed for trace elements. With the exception of selenium (Se) and copper (Cu), trace elements were not at toxic or deficient levels based on criteria set for cattle. Selenium concentrations in moose livers based on criteria set for cattle were deficient in 3.7% of livers and at a chronic toxicity level in 16% of livers. Copper concentrations based on criteria set for cattle were deficient in 39.5% of livers, marginally deficient in 29.5% of livers and adequate in 31% of livers. Moose from agricultural areas had higher concentrations, on average, of Cd, Cu, Mo and Se in their livers than moose from bog and forest areas. Older moose had higher concentrations of Cd and Zn, and lower concentrations of Cu than younger moose. Copper deficiency, which has been associated with population declines of moose in Alaska and Sweden, may be a factor contributing to the decline of moose in Northwestern Minnesota.     

降低建筑能耗的几点认识

在分析我国能源现状的基础上,探讨了降低建筑能耗的必要性,提出了降低建筑能耗的相关措施,并在依法规范建筑节能方面提出了建议,对缓解我国建筑能源的危急具有重要的意义。     

Trace elements total content and particle sizes distribution in the air particulate matter of a rural-residential area in north Italy investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis

The concentrations (ng/m3) of more than 30 trace elements have been determined in the total air particulate of a rural-residential area in north Italy. By collecting the aerosols with multistage impactors the distribution of the trace elements in the different size-fractionated particles has been also investigated. The fine 'inhalable' fraction with particles of less than 10 microns in equivalent aerodynamic diameter (PM10) as well as the subsequent finest 'respirable' fractions with particles of 0-1.1 microns (alveolar), 1.1-4.6 microns (bronchial) and 4.6-9 microns (tracheo-pharynx) have been analyzed and evaluated. Apart from Pb, Cd and, in some cases, Ni and Cu which have been determined by ETAAS (electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy), all measurements have been carried out by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA).