This work presents a case study accompanied by an analysis of potential reasons for fish mortality in the lower Oder River during an ecological disaster in August 2022. Changes in physicochemical ...water quality indicators indicate that fish and benthic organism death was likely due to the creation of hypoxia. The research also highlighted the trophic threats to the studied Oder River section linked to the disaster. The disaster occurred in the upper and middle Oder River, extending to the lower stretch. A physicochemical analysis of water samples revealed that the fish and organism death in the estuarine section was mainly due to reduced dissolved oxygen, caused by the decomposition of organic matter from the upper river sections. This was reinforced by high temperatures and low water levels. The negative trophic consequences of the described ecological disaster for the lower section of the Oder River may be long-term. Over thirty years of monitoring showed threats of excess biogenic compounds, organic matter, and bacterial contamination. Despite decreasing nitrogen and phosphorus, significant phytoplankton blooms implied internal nutrient sources. Considering climate change and the poor trophic status, recurrent disasters and deteriorating conditions are anticipated. Mitigation requires continuous monitoring, limiting the nutrient input (especially phosphorus), and preparing for extreme events. Geotechnical methods in the lower river can improve oxygen levels and fish survival.
The aim of the study was to determine content of 17 elements (Co, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn, Fe, Mg, Na, Ca, K, N, C, S and P) and their bioaccumulation factors (BCF) in bay bolete (Boletus badius ...(Fr.) Fr.) fruiting bodies (caps and stalks) and underneath soil samples collected from forest sites in lubuskie voivodeship in Poland. Forty-eight samples of Boletus badius (Fr.) Fr. fruiting bodies and the same number of underneath soil substrate samples were collected in forest sites of Sulęcin Forest District in western Poland. Copper and zinc were absorbed most strongly from soil substrate, which is performed by bioaccumulation factors (BCFCap/Soil = 16.57 and 11.60, respectively), wherein Pb, Co, Cr, Fe and Mn were excluded from bioaccumulation (BCF < 1.0). The mean content of Cd in caps and stalks was 1.44 ± 0.88 and 2.01 ± 1.26 mg kg−1 dry weight, respectively and in contrary to Pb (≈3.00 ± 2.66 and 2.01 ± 1.26 mg kg−1 d. w.) this metal is strongly accumulated from subsoil (BCFCap/Soil = 11.12 and BCFStipe/Soil = 10.83). The fruiting bodies of Boletus badius were distinguished by elevated content of Cr, Zn, Pb and Cd. Few statistically significant metal-to-metal correlations were observed. The correlation between forest habitat types and metals concentrations was also analysed. An attempt of estimation of Pb and Cd safe dose for human consumption was made. In conclusion: mushrooms can be a good source of some micro- and macroelements, but they also contain a great amount of toxic heavy metals.
•Analysis of heavy metals, micro- and macroelemets bioaccumulation in Boletus badius fruiting bodies.•Determination of elements concentration in mushrooms and underneath soil substrate.•High copper and zinc bioaccumulation factors.•Bioexclusion of Pb, Co, Cr, Fe and Mn.
Mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are involved in mammalian brain damage. However, little is known about Pb and Cd brain levels in wildlife that reflect the geochemical background. The aims of ...the study include the estimation of Hg, Pb and Cd concentrations, and the determination of relationships between these elements in the brains of 94 mesocarnivores. Road-killed or hunted animals were obtained from north-western Poland near the Polish-German border. The investigation covered the native Eurasian otter Lutra lutra, badger Meles meles, pine marten Martes martes, beech marten M. foina, European polecat Mustela putorius, red fox Vulpes vulpes, and alien species: feral and ranch American mink Neovison vison, raccoon Procyon lotor and raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides. Depending on the diet and environmental pollution, the carnivore brains accumulated toxic metals in varying amounts. The highest median Hg levels (in mg/kg dry weight, dw) were found in the piscivorous Eurasian otter and feral mink (2.44 and 3.96), Pb in the omnivorous raccoon (0.47), while Cd in minks (~0.06). We indicated that Pb-based ammunition is a significant source of the element in scavengers from hunting area, and we also found a significant correlation between Pb and Cd levels in the fox brain. Finally, this study is the first to suggest background levels for brain Pb and Cd in mesocarnivores (<0.50 and <0.04 mg/kg dw, respectively).
This study examined the concentration of total mercury (THg) and selenium (Se), as well as the molar ratio of Se:THg in hair samples of terrestrial animals. THg and Se concentrations were measured ...from the hair of raccoons (
Procyon lotor
) and European wildcats (
Felis s. silvestris
) from Germany and Luxembourg. Median THg concentrations in hair from raccoons and wildcats were 0.369 and 0.273 mg kg
−1
dry weight (dw), respectively. Se concentrations were higher in the hair of raccoons than of wildcats (0.851 and 0.641 mg kg
−1
dw, respectively). Total mercury concentration in hair of raccoons from Luxembourg was almost 5× higher that found in hair of raccoons from Germany; however, Se concentration was similar. Thus, molar ratio of Se:THg was ~4× higher in the hair of raccoons from Germany than those from Luxembourg. Significant negative correlation was found between THg concentration and Se:THg molar ratio in both wildcats and raccoons.
Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni and Zn contents were quantified for three wild-growing edible species of macrofungi (Boletus edulis, Macrolepiota procera and Cantharellus cibarius) and underlying soil samples ...collected at forest sites in Lubuskie voivodeship, Poland. The total concentration of the analysed elements was determined using an ASA iCE 3000 series atomic absorption spectrometer. The analysis found significant differences in bioaccumulation between species and differing distributions of trace elements in the caps and stalks of fruiting bodies. Bioaccumulation factors revealed that Zn and Cu are the most bioaccumulated elements, whereas Cr and Mn are excluded from bioaccumulation. Macrolepiota procera showed the highest bioaccumulation of Cu, and Zn is accumulated to the greatest extent by Boletus edulis . A few significant differences (p ≤0.05) between the examined species were observed.
The phytoremediation role of aquatic plants in situ is extremely important today when, due to repeated droughts and periodical shrinkage of surface water resources, the load of biogenic and toxic ...substances in these waters is increasing dramatically. The aim of the study was to assess the bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn and Zn) by the Groenlandia densa reintroduced in the area of its historical occurrence in the habitat of rivers characterized by Ranunculion fluitantis vegetation. Research material was collected from 3 sites in the Natura 2000 area in Western Pomerania on areas differing in anthropogenic load, from sites on streams in agricultural, urbanized and forested catchments. The study showed varying content of trace metals in Groenlandia densa. Plants and sediments collected from the site with the highest anthropogenic load, located in an urbanized catchment, contained more metals. The tolerance of Groenlandia densa to elevated Mn levels in water/sediment was confirmed.
The aim of the study was to evaluate Hg and Se concentrations and Se:Hg molar ratios in the placenta, umbilical cord and fetal membranes, and to examine the relationship between the concentrations of ...the elements and selected factors. The study material consisted of the placenta, umbilical cord and fetal membranes obtained from 91 healthy women from northwestern and central Poland. In our study mean Hg and Se concentrations in afterbirth were ~ 0.01 mg/kg dry weight (dw) and ≤ 0.5 mg/kg dw, respectively. Correlation analysis showed negative relationships between placenta weight and Se concentration in the placenta and umbilical cord, as well as between placenta length and Se levels in the umbilical cord. We found negative correlations between THg concentration in the placenta and birth weight and between Se concentration in the placenta and umbilical cord and the morphological parameters of the placenta. Furthermore, we noted new types of interactions in specific parts of the afterbirth. In our study, Se:THg molar ratios ranged from 5 to 626; these values indicate protection against Hg toxicity.
The qualitative and quantitative composition of major ions and nutrient compounds in surface waters and soils of the west coast of Admiralty Bay (King George Island, West Antarctica) was investigated ...together with the effect of soil-forming processes and atmospheric precipitation on the ionic composition of surface waters. In the water bodies studied, Cl- and Na+ were dominant major ions (average concentrations: 1102.2 and 930.9 μM, respectively). Average concentrations of the other major anions ranged from 2.80 μM (F-) to 81.64 μM (SO4
2-) and major cations ranged from 12.46 μM (K+) to 130.76 μM (Mg2+). Average concentrations of total reactive phosphorus, N-NO2
-, N-NO3
- and N-NH4
+ amounted to 1.374, 0.410, 6.299 and 1.490 μM, respectively. Average concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, K, N and P in the surface layer of the soil equalled 16.8, 15.9, 6.4, 3.6, 0.646 and 0.744 g kg-1, respectively. The calculated Na+/Cl-, Ca2+/Mg2+, Ca2+/Na+ and HCO3
-/Cl- ratios revealed that atmospheric precipitation was the main source of major ions. We conclude that the ionic composition of the waters of the western coast of Admiralty Bay differ from surface waters of Continental Antarctica.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the aforementioned chemical elements in tibial plateau samples obtained during knee arthroplasty. The gender-specific analysis of chemical element levels in the ...bone samples revealed that there were statistically significant differences in the concentration of Pb and Se/Pb ratio. The contents of elements in the tibial plateau in the patients with osteoarthritis (OA) can be arranged in the following descending order: F− > K > Zn > Fe > Sr > Pb > Mn > Se > Cd > THg. We observed statistical significant effects of environmental factors including smoking, seafood diet, and geographical distribution on the levels of the elements in tibial bone. Significant positive correlation coefficients were found for the relationships K-Cd, Zn-Sr, Zn-F−, THg-Pb, Pb-Cd, Se-Se/Pb, Se-Se/Cd, Se/Pb-Se/Cd, Pb-Cd/Ca, Cd-Cd/Ca, and F−-F−/Ca·1000. Significant negative correlations were found for the relationships THg-Se/Pb, Pb-Se/Pb, Cd-Se/Pb, K-Se/Cd, Pb-Se/Cd, Cd-Se/Cd, THg-Se/THg, Pb-Se/THg, Se-Pb/Cd, Zn-Cd/Ca, and Se/Cd-Cd/Ca. The results reported here may provide a basis for establishing reference values for the tibial plateau in patients with OA who had undergone knee replacement surgery. The concentrations of elements in the bone with OA were determined by age, presence of implants, smoking, fish and seafood diet, and sport activity.
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