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.     

Metals contained and leached from rubber granulates used in synthetic turf areas

The aim of this study was to quantify metals contained in and leached from different types of rubber granulates used in synthetic turf areas. To investigate the total content of metals, ca 0.5 g of material was added with HNO₃, HF and HClO₄ and microwave digested with power increasing from 250 W to 600 W. Leachates were prepared by extraction of about 5.0 g of material at room temperature for 24 h in an acidic environment (pH 5). Leaching with deionized water was also performed for comparison. Aluminium, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Tl, V, W and Zn were quantified by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS) and ICP optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).Results indicated that the developed method was accurate and precise for the multi-element characterization of rubber granulates and leachates. The total amount and the amount leached during the acidic test varied from metal to metal and from granulate to granulate. The highest median values were found for Zn (10,229 mg/kg), Al (755 mg/kg), Mg (456 mg/kg), Fe (305 mg/kg), followed by Pb, Ba, Co, Cu and Sr. The other elements were present at few units of mg/kg. The highest leaching was observed for Zn (2300 μg/l) and Mg (2500 μg/l), followed by Fe, Sr, Al, Mn and Ba. Little As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb and V leached, and Be, Hg, Se, Sn, Tl and W were below quantification limits. Data obtained were compared with the maximum tolerable amounts reported for similar materials, and only the concentration of Zn (total and leached) exceeded the expected values.     

Concentrations of 17 elements, including mercury, in the tissues, food and abiotic environment of Arctic shorebirds

Exposure to contaminants is one hypothesis proposed to explain the global decline in shorebirds, and is also an increasing concern in the Arctic. We assessed potential contaminants (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V, and Zn) at a shorebird breeding site in Nunavut, Canada. We compared element levels in soil, invertebrates and shorebird blood to assess evidence for bioconcentration and biomagnification within the Arctic-based food chain. We tested whether elements in blood, feathers and eggs of six shorebird species (Pluvialis squatarola, Calidris alpina, C. fuscicollis, Phalaropus fulicarius, Charadrius semipalmatus, and Arenaria interpres) were related to fitness endpoints: adult body condition, blood-parasite load, egg size, eggshell thickness, nest duration, and hatching success. To facilitate comparison to other sites, we summarise the published data on toxic metals in shorebird blood and egg contents.Element concentrations and invertebrate composition differed strongly among habitats, and habitat use and element concentrations differed among shorebird species. Hg, Se, Cd, Cu, and Zn bioconcentrated from soil to invertebrates, and Hg, Se and Fe biomagnified from invertebrates to shorebird blood. As, Ni, Pb, Co and Mn showed significant biodilution from soil to invertebrates to shorebirds. Soil element levels were within Canadian guidelines, and invertebrate Hg levels were below dietary levels suggested for the protection of wildlife. However, maximum Hg in blood and eggs approached levels associated with toxicological effects and Hg-pollution in other bird species. Parental blood-Hg was negatively related to egg volume, although the relationship varied among species. No other elements approached established toxicological thresholds. In conclusion, whereas we found little evidence that exposure to elements at this site is leading to the declines of the species studied, Hg, as found elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic, is of potential concern for breeding bird populations.     

Metals in sugarcane molasses wastewater subjected to thermophilic anaerobic digestion

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the occurrence and removal of eleven trace elements, B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, V, W and Zn, from sugarcane molasses wastewater through a thermophilic anaerobic structured-bed reactor (AnSTBR). Concentration ranges in molasses were, in μg. L^?1: 19–277; 6–18; 37–449; 155–2160; 26–392; 3–15; 6–41; 12–46; 6–31; and 25–1648; for B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, V, and Zn, respectively. Tungsten was not identified in the molasses. The average metal/nutrient removal efficiency was 62 ± 12, 58 ± 22, 55 ± 28, and 49 ± 12% for selenium, manganese, molybdenum, and iron, respectively. It is possible that the overall anaerobic digestion functioning is not affected up to these reported metal values. Environmental impacts from releasing effluent streams into soils and groundwater need to be investigated.     

Trace element concentrations in skin of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the southeast Atlantic coast

Concentrations of trace elements (Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, U, V, Zn) and total mercury (THg) were determined in skin samples collected from free-ranging bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) populations. Dolphins were captured in the estuarine waters of Charleston (CHS), South Carolina (n=74) and the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida (n=75) during 2003, 2004 and 2005. A subset of the skin tissue samples were used to determine methylmercury (MeHg) levels in CHS (n=17) and IRL (n=8) bottlenose dolphins. Distributions of trace element concentrations by age (adult vs. juvenile), gender (male vs. female) and study area (CHS vs. IRL) were examined. In general, higher elemental skin concentrations were found in CHS adult males than those of IRL adult males, except for THg and MeHg. For CHS dolphins, adult females showed significantly higher THg levels than juvenile females while higher Mn levels were found in juvenile females. For IRL dolphins, adult males showed significantly higher As concentrations than that in juvenile males and females while higher Co and V levels were found in juvenile males than adult males. Of all elements measured in this study, significantly higher levels of Fe, Se and Zn concentrations in skin tissue of both dolphin populations were similar to other studies reported previously. Percentage of MeHg/THg in skin tissue of CHS and IRL dolphin was about 72% and 73%, respectively. Dietary levels of trace elements may play an important role in contributing to concentration differences for As, Co, Mn, Sb, Se, THg and Tl between CHS and IRL dolphins. Total Hg concentrations were significantly correlated with the age of CHS dolphins, while an inverse relationship was detected for Cu, Mn, Pb, U and Zn. The only significant correlation found between trace element concentration and IRL dolphins' age was Mn. Geographic differences in several trace element concentrations (As, Co, Mn, Sb, Se, THg and Tl) in skin tissue may be potentially useful to discriminate between dolphin populations and is a possibility that warrants further investigation.     

Kidney and liver levels of some major, minor and trace elements in two Ontario communities

The contents of Ag, As, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Se, Sr, Th, Ti and Zn in 143 autopsied liver and kidney specimens from two Ontario communities (Kingston and Ottawa) were determined using the techniques of inductively-coupled plasma--atomic emission spectrometry, and electrothermal atomization--atomic absorption spectrometry coupled with hydride evolution (As, Se), reduction--aeration (Hg), or solvent extraction (Pb). The majority of samples came from individuals older than 50 y. In general, the data for the various elements were independent of age or sex but showed some dependence on location for elements such as Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Se and Zn. Despite these differences the elemental values of the liver and kidney samples from both the communities were within the normal range.     

Breast feeding: Mo, As, Mn, Zn and Cu concentrations in milk of economically poor Indian tribal and urban women

The breast milk of 86 economically poor Indian women was analysed by neutron activation analyses for Mo, As, Mn, Zn, and Cu concentrations. The colostrum of 10 tribal women contained 0.27 microgram Cu/g, 2.1 micrograms Zn/g, 19.9 ng Mn/g, 0.73 ng As/g and 5.4 ng Mo/g, whereas 19 urban women had corresponding concentrations of 0.91 microgram Cu/g, 7.3 micrograms Zn/g, 15.3 ng Mn/g, 0.5 ng As/g and 15.3 ng Mo/g. A survey of mature milk between 1 and 6 months, 6 and 12 months and 1 and 2.5 years indicated decreasing concentrations of Zn and Mo, but increasing Mn concentrations as the post-partum period progressed. Malnourished infants received breast milk containing less Cu, Zn and Mn than those who were better nourished and of the same age group. The results, therefore, imply the necessity of supplementing breast feeds in the economically poorer groups.     

Concentrations of some trace elements in hair, liver and kidney from autopsy subjects--relationship between hair and internal organs

Autopsy samples of hair, liver and kidney cortex from 30 Swedish subjects (Caucasian) were analysed for Ag, Co, Cr, Hg, Sb, Se and Zn by neutron activation analysis (NAA). The following elements were observed to have higher concentrations in hair than in liver and kidney cortex: Ag, (Co), Cr and Hg (on a dry weight basis). Selenium was highly concentrated in kidney cortex, and Fe in liver. The observed concentrations of most of the elements were very variable for each tissue. In particular, Co values for hair showed more than a 5000-fold difference. However, Se values for hair were relatively constant. A highly significant positive correlation was observed between Hg concentrations in hair and kidney cortex. Somewhat weaker correlations were found between Hg in kidney cortex and liver and Se in hair and kidney cortex. The concentration of Co in liver correlated with that in kidney cortex. It was concluded that, with the exception of mercury, and to a lesser degree selenium, hair analysis did not provide a useful measure of the trace element status of the subjects included in this study.     

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 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.     

Market survey on toxic metals contained in tattoo inks

Tattooing practice is adopted worldwide and represents an important socio-cultural phenomenon, but, the injection into the skin of coloring agents as metals might pose a risk for allergies and other skin inflammations as well as for systemic diseases. In this context, 56 inks for tattooing purchased from 4 different supply companies were analyzed for metal concentration. Aliquots of pigments were microwave digested by nitric acid, fluoridric acid and hydrogen-peroxide and Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr and V were quantified by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Limits of quantification varied from 0.07 ng/ml (Cd) to 10 ng/ml (Al and Fe); recoveries ranged from 92% (Cd and Sb) to 109% (Sr); within- and between-day precisions were 3.2% and 4.67% on average.The relative contribution of metals to the tattoo inks composition was highly variable between brands and colors, even in pigments with the same base color. Elements found as the main components of inks were as follows (in µg/g): Al, 1.59–5893; Ba, 0.058–1226; Cu, 0.076–31,310; Fe, 0.717–88,443; Sr, 0.174–36.4. Toxic metals as Cd, Mn, Pb, Sb and V were over the 1 µg/g in a few cases, while Hg was in traces. Among the allergenic metals, Cr was the highest (0.315–147 μg/g), followed by Ni (0.037–9.59 μg/g) and Co (0.0028–6.43 μg/g) then. On 56 tattoo inks, Cr, Ni and Co exceeded the safe allergological limit of 1 µg/g in 62.5%, 16.1% and 1.8% of cases, respectively.     

Infants with a congenital anomaly and the concentration of Mo,As, Mn,Zn and Cu in the mother's milk

Thirty-one samples of mothers' milk were analysed by neutron activation analysis for the concentrations of Mo, As, Mn, Zn, Cu 1.5 to 3 months post-partum. Group I consisted of 6 mothers having infants with neonatal obstructive jaundice and exhibited lower mean values of Cu and Mn at 0.18 μg/g and 11.7 μg/g as compared with 16 control subjects with 0.34 μg/g Cu and 23.0 μg/g Mn; Mo levels were approximately twice as high (12.2 μg/g) as the control values (6.4 μg/g); Zn and As were grossly comparable. Group II consisted of 9 mothers who had delivered infants with either a congenital hydrocephalus (n = 7) or meningomyelocoele (n = 2), exhibited a mean Cu level of 0.27 μg/g, Zn 1.7 μg/g, Mn 25.3 μg/g and As 0.45 μg/g. These findings are discussed in the light of the patho-physiology of the congenital anomaly of the infant.     

Concentrations of 17 elements, including mercury, and their relationship to fitness measures in arctic shorebirds and their eggs

Exposure to contaminants is one hypothesis proposed to explain the global decline in shorebirds, and this is of particular concern in the arctic. However, little information exists on contaminant levels in arctic-breeding shorebirds, especially in Canada. We studied potential contaminants in three biparental shorebird species nesting in Nunavut, Canada: ruddy turnstones (Arenaria interpres), black-bellied plovers (Pluvialis squatarola) and semipalmated plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus). Blood, feathers and eggs were analyzed for As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V, and Zn. We assessed whether element concentrations a) differed among species and sexes, b) were correlated among pairs and their eggs, and c) were related to fitness endpoints, namely body condition, blood-parasite load, nest survival days, and hatching success.Non-essential elements were found at lower concentrations than essential elements, with the exception of Hg. Maximum Hg levels in blood approached those associated with toxicological effects in other bird species, but other elements were well below known toxicological thresholds. Reproductive success was negatively correlated with paternal Hg and maternal Pb, although these effects were generally weak and varied among tissues. Element levels were positively correlated within pairs for blood-Hg (turnstones) and feather-Ni and Cr (semipalmated plovers); concentrations in eggs and maternal blood were never correlated. Concentrations of many elements differed among species, but there was no evidence that any species had higher overall exposure to non-essential metals. In conclusion, whereas we found little evidence that exposure to the majority of these elements is leading to declines of the species studied here, Hg levels were of potential concern and both Hg and Pb warrant further monitoring.     

Multielement analysis of fingernail,scalp hair and water samples from Egypt (a preliminary study)

Scalp hair, fingernail and water samples collected from different parts of Egypt are analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and neutron activation analysis.The results for hair show minimum variation of Zn among different regions; a relatively well-controlled dispersion of values (maximum to minimum <2) for Co, Fe, Mn and Se; an overall inter-regional variation of factors of 7, 10, 6, 4 and 6 for the elements Ag, Cd, Cs, Sc and W, respectively; a steady decline in the concentration of Sc from south (Aswan) to north (Alexandria).The findings for nail show a steady decline in the concentration of Fe and Sc from south (Aswan) to north (Alexandria); elevated levels of Cd in samples from Aswan area; and regional variations extending up to factors of 6.5, 3.6, 4.7, 5.0, 4.4, 4.5 and 1.9 for Co, Cr, Cs, Mn, Mo, W and Zn, respectively.No unified relationship is observed between the elemental compositions of hair and nail. For Cr, Cs, Fe, Sb and Sc mean values for hair are lower than in nails. Among the remaining elements the ratio nail/hair is <1 for Ag in Assiut, El Kharga and Alexandria, for Cd in all of the areas with the exception of Aswan, for Co, Mn and Mo in Cairo, for Zn in Cairo and Alexandria, and for W in Alexandria.The data for water samples reflect highest concentration of all the measured elements in the Mediterranean sea; a steady increase of the concentration of Cu in drinking water from south to north and for Nile water a similar trend for Ca and Mg; and elevated concentrations of Sb and Mn in river water.No distinct trend for the interrelationship between water and tissue elemental concentrations could be established for the regions around Cairo, Aswan and Alexandria.     

Comparison of the element composition in several plant species and their substrate from a 1500000-km2 area in Northern Europe.

Leaves of 9 different plant species (terrestrial moss represented by: Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi; and 7 species of vascular plants: blueberry, Vaccinium myrtillus; cowberry, Vaccinium titis-idaea; crowberry, Empetrum nigrum; birch, Betula pubescens; willow, Salix spp.; pine, Pinus sylvestris and spruce, Picea abies) have been collected from up to 9 catchments (size 14-50 km2) spread over a 1500000 km2 area in Northern Europe. Soil samples were taken of the O-horizon and of the C-horizon at each plant sample site. All samples were analysed for 38 elements (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Th, Tl, U, V, Y, Zn and Zr) by ICP-MS, ICP-AES or CV-AAS (for Hg-analysis) techniques. The concentrations of some elements vary significantly between different plants (e.g. Cd, V, Co, Pb, Ba and Y). Other elements show surprisingly similar levels in all plants (e.g. Rb, S, Cu, K, Ca, P and Mg). Each group of plants (moss, shrubs, deciduous and conifers) shows a common behaviour for some elements. Each plant accumulates or excludes some selected elements. Compared to the C-horizon, a number of elements (S, K, B, Ca, P and Mn) are clearly enriched in plants. Elements showing very low plant/C-horizon ratios (e.g. Zr, Th, U, Y, Fe, Li and Al) can be used as an indicator of minerogenic dust. The plant/O-horizon and O-horizon/C-horizon ratios show that some elements are accumulated in the O-horizon (e.g. Pb, Bi, As, Ag, Sb). Airborne organic material attached to the leaves can thus, result in high values of these elements without any pollution source.     

Heavy metals in the tissues of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) stranded on the Portuguese coast.

The concentrations of Hg, Sn, Cr, Zn, Ni, Co, Cd, Mn, Fe and Cu were determined in the liver, kidney and muscle of 24 common dolphins stranded on the Portuguese coast between 1995 and 1998. Nitric acid was used to extract the metals from the tissues for analysis by inductively-coupled plasma/atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP/AES). Those metals with relatively higher concentrations included Fe, Zn and Hg, particularly in liver. Other metals including Cr, Ni and Cd tended to show much lower levels, or were even undetected (e.g. Co). Different metals seemed to show different temporal trends, although due to substantial variations of the mean concentrations for each year obtained, such temporal pattern has to be studied further. Total Hg concentration in the kidney, muscle and particularly liver, were higher in females than in males. Total Hg concentrations in all the organs increased with body length of dolphins, whilst those of Zn and Cu in muscle decreased with dolphin length. A strong correlation was found between essential metals Zn and Cu in muscle, possibly resulting from sequestration of these metals by metallothionein. In addition, significant co-associations existed between the same metal (e.g. Hg, Sn and Zn) in different organs.     

The performance of moss, grass, and 1- and 2-year old spruce needles as bioindicators of contamination: a comparative study at the scale of the Czech Republic

Moss (Pleurozium schreberi), grass (Avenella flexuosa), and 1- and 2-year old spruce (Picea abies) needles were collected over the territory of the Czech Republic at an average sample density of 1 site per 290 km². The samples were analysed for 39 elements (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nd, Ni, Pb, Pr, Rb, S, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Th, Tl, U, V, Y and Zn) using ICP-MS and ICP-AES techniques (the major nutrients Ca, K, Mg and Na were not analysed in moss). Moss showed by far the highest element concentrations for most elements. Exceptions were Ba (spruce), Mn (spruce), Mo (grass), Ni (spruce), Rb (grass) and S (grass). Regional distribution maps and spatial trend analysis were used to study the suitability of the four materials as bioindicators of anthropogenic contamination. The highly industrialised areas in the north-west and the far east of the country and several more local contamination sources were indicated in the distribution maps of one or several sample materials. At the scale of the whole country moss was the best indicator of known contamination sources. However, on a more local scale, it appeared that spruce needles were especially well suited for detection of urban contamination.     

Concentrations of selected essential and non-essential elements in arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and wolverines (Gulo gulo) from the Canadian Arctic

Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and wolverine (Gulo gulo) tissues were collected in the Canadian Arctic from 1998 to 2001 and analyzed for various essential and non-essential elements. Several elements (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, Sb, Sn, Sr, Tl, U and V) were near or below the detection limits in >95% arctic fox and wolverine samples. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, total Hg (THg), Mn, Pb, Se and Zn were quantifiable in >50% of the samples analyzed and reported herein. Hepatic elemental concentrations were not significantly different among arctic foxes collected at Ulukhaqtuuq (Holman), NT (n=13) and Arviat, NU (n=50), but were significantly greater than concentrations found in wolverine liver from Kugluktuk (Coppermine), NU (n=12). The mean (+/-1 S.E.) concentrations of Cd in kidney were also significantly greater in arctic fox (1.08+/-0.19 microg g(-1) wet wt.) than wolverine (0.67+/-0.18 microg g(-1) wet wt.). However, mean hepatic Cu concentrations (Ulukhaqtuuq: 5.5+/-0.64; Arviat: 7.1+/-0.49 microg g(-1) wet wt.) in arctic foxes were significantly lower than in wolverines (32+/-3.3 microg g(-1) wet wt.). Hepatic total Hg (THg) concentrations in arctic fox from this study were not significantly different from specimens collected in 1973, suggesting that THg concentrations have not changed dramatically over the past 30 years. The mono-methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in selected (n=10) arctic fox liver samples from Arviat (0.14+/-0.07 microg g(-1) wet wt.) comprised 14% of THg. While the molar concentrations of THg were correlated with Se in arctic foxes and wolverines, the hepatic Hg/Se molar ratios were consistently lower than unity; suggesting that Se-mediated detoxification pathways of Hg are not overwhelmed at current exposure.     

Application of high Cu compost to Swiss chard and basil

A greenhouse container experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of high Cu compost on basil and Swiss chard productivity, and the accumulation of As, Ca, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Na, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, S and Se in growth medium and plant tissue. The Cu content of the compost was over 1200 mg/kg, much higher than Canadian standards for type B compost quality. The treatments consisted of control soil (0% compost), and 20, 40 and 60% (by volume) of high Cu compost added to soil. All compost application treatments (20, 40 and 60%) resulted in increased dry matter yields in Swiss chard and basil. Addition of high Cu compost influenced basil plant development. Plants from the 20 and 40% treatments had higher numbers of buds and flowers. There were no differences between the control and 60% compost treatments with respect to flower initiation. Addition of 20, 40 and 60% compost to the soil resulted in increased EXCH fractions of Cu, but not of Mn and Zn. Compost additions resulted in increase in the HNO(3) extractable, CARB, FeMnOX, and in OM fractions of Cu, Mn and Zn in soils. Compost application increased soil pH and EC, soil HNO(3) extractable Ca, K, Mg, P, Na, B and Pb, but did not alter soil HNO(3) extractable Cd, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, Se. Increased rates of compost application decreased tissue Ca in basil, tissue Na in both plants, increased tissue K, Mg in both plants, but, did not alter tissue P, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni of either plants, and B in basil. Tissue As, Hg, Pb, and Se from all treatments were under the detection limits of VGA-AAS (for As, Hg, Se) and ICP (for Pb). Compost additions altered basil oil chemical composition. Copper in the essential oil of basil was below 0.25 mg/l. In conclusion, the addition of high rates of relatively immature high Cu compost may not always increase Cu concentration in plants and in plant oils.     

Reference values for elemental concentrations in some human samples of clinical interest: A preliminary evaluation

Over 60 investigators, some of them with an outstanding international reputation as analysts, were requested to identify reliable data from their countries for elemental concentrations in normal adult human samples of clinical interest by contributing their own data as well as screening the literature information. A set of samples consisting of whole blood and its components, urine, milk, liver and hair were chosen and considered for 15 elements of biological significance: Zn, Cu, Fe, Se, Mn, Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Mo, Cr, Co, I, Ni and F. The results partly cover over 40 countries from the global regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, North, South and Central America, Australia and New Zealand.This survey has been useful in demonstrating certain trends of trace element picture around the world, at least qualitatively. Both diet and environment have a strong influence on the distribution pattern of several elements such as As, Cd, Mn, Pb, Se and Zn. A limited comparison of the available information on soil status of different countries revealed interesting associations for elements such as Mn and Zn.Importantly, this study revealed that only a few countries were in a position to supply a reasonable amount of data on samples requested here. In particular, for a number of countries, reliable data for even very essential elements such as Cu, Zn and Fe were not available. In view of the nutritional importance of several elements the time is ripe for international organizations to intervene and help produce some reference data for selected global regions which lack data of any kind.