This paper investigates the composition of major, trace, and rare earth elements in 15 different species of wild edible mushrooms and the possible effect of urban pollution on elemental uptake. The ...collected mushrooms include different species from the green areas of the city, exposed to urban pollution, and from the forests, with limited anthropogenic influence. Through a comprehensive approach that included the analysis of 46 elements, an attempt was made to expand knowledge about element uptake by mushroom fruiting bodies. The results showed a wide variability in the composition of mushrooms, suggesting a number of factors influencing their element uptake capacity. The data obtained do not indicate significant exposure to anthropogenic influences, regardless of sampling location. While major elements' levels appear to be influenced more by species-specific affinities, this is not true for trace elements, whose levels presumably reflect the geochemical characteristics of the sampling site. However, the risk assessment showed that consumption of excessive amounts of the mushrooms studied, both from urban areas and from forests, may have adverse health effects.
Aims
A potential of rare earth elements (including yttrium) (REY) accumulation in olives is increasing due to enhanced use of REY in human activities. REY transfer to extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is ...little studied, and characterising the relationships between soil properties and REY concentrations in olive leaves, pomace and EVOO can enhance our understanding of soil-plant interactions.
Methods
Three different soil types (reclaimed karst, rendzina and cambisols), with the sum of REY concentrations (54–364 μg g
−1
) among the highest in European soils, were characterized for their pH, organic carbon, total carbonates and the applied agronomic practice. Aluminium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and REY were determined in soil (total and plant-available), olive leaves, pomace and EVOO.
Results
REY were mainly excluded from plant uptake and only small amounts of REY were transferred to leaves (0.2–652 ng g
−1
), pomace (0.001–10 ng g
−1
) and EVOO (<0.5–33 pg g
−1
). Soil REY availability (0.001–1685 ng g
−1
) and plant uptake increased with increasing soil acidity. Leaf REY concentrations were mainly explained by plant-available REY and pH. There was an indication of enhanced REY plant availability being associated with low available phosphorus and soil ploughing.
Conclusions
Soil properties influence REY uptake and further partitioning to leaves, fruits and EVOO.
This study presents the first assessment of butyltins (BuTs) pollution of the Montenegrin coast. The distribution of tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT) was investigated in ...mussels, sediments and water overlying sediment after the sediment resuspension. The results showed that the investigated sites (marinas, ports, shipyards) are contaminated with BuTs (19–402 ng (Sn)/g in mussels; 43–20,641 ng (Sn)/g in sediments; 9–566 ng (Sn)/L in overlying waters). The measured TBT concentrations indicate that toxic effects on marine organisms are expected at most locations. The simultaneous analysis of BuTs and total Sn in sediment cores allowed the assessment of TBT historical input, while it was demonstrated that resuspension of contaminated sediments leads to the release of all BuTs into the water column. This study shows that, despite the ban of TBT-based antifouling paints more than a decade ago, pollution of the marine environment with TBT is still a problem and regular monitoring remains essential.
•Montenegrin Adriatic coast is polluted with TBT despite the ban of TBT-based paints.•High levels of BuTs in mussels indicate recent input of TBT into marine environment.•TBT input and persistence was assessed by analysing BuTs and total Sn in sediments.•Total Sn contamination of sediments originates primarily from TBT-based paints.•Resuspension of contaminated sediments causes the pollution of water column with BuTs.
This study presents a new approach for the investigation of tributyltin (TBT) behaviour and fate in the marine environment. The approach is based on a simultaneous analysis of butyltins (BuTs) and ...total Sn in sediments, thus enabling an assessment of long-term persistence and historical input of TBT. The study also presents first evaluation of the extent to which the TBT-antifouling paints contribute to the contamination of coastal environments with inorganic Sn; it was demonstrated that the inorganic Sn in the investigated areas primarily originates from TBT degradation.
The study was conducted by analyzing BuTs and total Sn in sediments from 34 locations along the Croatian Adriatic coast. The results revealed that 85% of the locations were contaminated with both BuTs and inorganic Sn. The share of ƩBuTs/total Sn was low (<10%) even in sediments with low TBT degradation efficiency (TBT/ƩBuTs >40%), demonstrating that only small portion of TBT introduced into the water column reached the sediment before being degraded. This means that recent TBT input into the marine environment may be at least 10 times higher than the amount estimated if only BuTs levels in sediments are considered. It was also demonstrated that TBT concentration in sediments with TOC <1% is not a good indicator of the overall pollution level, even if TBT/TOC approach is used in pollution assessment. Finally, in situ investigation showed that resuspension of contaminated sediments leads to significant release of MBT and DBT into the water column, whereas TBT mainly remains in sediment.
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•Simultaneous analyses of BuTs and total Sn enable assessment of overall TBT behaviour.•Simultaneous analyses of BuTs and total Sn enable assessment of initial TBT input.•Sn contamination of coastal environment principally originates from TBT-antifoulings.•Less than 10% of the initial TBT input reaches sediment before being degraded.•Contrary to MBT and DBT, TBT remains attached in the sediments during resuspension.
The Raša coal from Istria belongs to a special type of superhigh-organic-sulfur coals, with organic sulfur content of 11%. This study encompasses culm and coal ashes from old landfills left behind ...after many decades of the Raša coal use with regards to their rare earth element geochemistry. Regarding the studied coal ashes, obtained results suggest a substantial variability in the content of rare earth elements and Y (REY) in coal combustion products generated from the Raša coal. Although samples of coal ash and culm of the Raša coal have REO (oxide of REY) content (up to 464 mg kg−1) below the level considered as the cut-off grade for beneficial recovery of these metals (1000 ppm, ash basis), they contain relatively high share of critical REY (>30%). The coutl values (outlook coefficient of REY ores; based on Seredin-Dai's criterion) range from 0.78 to 1.45 while Eu and Ce anomaly display slightly positive and negative values, respectively. With LaN/SmN ratios below unity, from 0.65 to 0.88, and LaN/LuN and GdN/LuN ratios ranging from 0.53 to 1.17 and from 0.80 to 1.41, respectively, they dominantly correspond to M-type of enrichment and only sporadically to H-type of enrichment.
Previous studies attributed the formation of superhigh-organic-sulfur Raša coal to the seawater percolation. However, the geochemical data presented in this study suggest that the Raša coal-bearing strata, representing the Upper Paleocene lacustrine and brackish facies, were influenced by both the seawater and the hydrothermal solutions under conditions which led not only to sulfur enrichment but also to REY accumulation.
From the economic standpoint and currently available data, Raša coal ash cannot be considered as the secondary raw material for rare earth elements, but its significantly variable composition and relatively high REO found in culm highlights the need for future studies of Raša coal and related combustion products.
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•Rare earth elements and yttrium in superhigh-organic-sulfur Raša coal ash.•Raša coal ash contains up to 464 ppm REO.•Evidence of marine and hydrothermal influence on sulfur and REY enrichment in coal.•REY coal ash fingerprint visible in soils near landfills of coal combustion products.
► First data on OTC concentrations in seawater and mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis along the Croatian Adriatic Coast. ► TBT based antifouling paints are still in use in Croatia despite ban of its ...usage. ► TBT concentrations in seawater are higher than allowed one at 93.6% of all sampling locations.
In this work, data on the level of organotin compounds (OTCs) in seawater and mussels collected along the entire Croatian Adriatic Coast are presented. The samples were collected in 2009 and 2010 at 48 locations representing different levels of maritime activities, including marinas, ports and reference sites. Butyltins (BuTs) were found in all analyzed samples, representing >97% of OTCs, and ranged from 0.46 to 27.98ngSnL−1 in seawater and from <6 to 1675ngSng−1 in mussels. The results indicate a recent input of TBT, with the highest concentrations of BuTs found in the marinas. It appears that the Adriatic coast is still polluted with TBT despite the fact that TBT-containing antifouling paints have been banned in Croatia since 2008. It is questionable how much TBT pollution decreased since 2005, when a high incidence of imposex was established in the same area.
This study investigates multi-element composition of soil, mosses and mushrooms from a pristine temperate rainforest (Prašnik, Croatia). Additionally, the activity levels of natural (238U, 235U and ...232Th decay chains, 40K and 7Be) and anthropogenic (137Cs and 134Cs) radionuclides in the investigated soil samples, obtained by gamma spectrometry, provide baseline of environmental radioactivity levels in this area. The aim of investigation was to explore the uptake of metal(loid)s by bioindicator species (mosses, mushrooms) growing in a pristine environment characterized by naturally elevated concentration of metals. The calculated enrichment and bioaccumulation factors, correlations between different groups of elements and similar multi-element patterns in mosses, mushrooms and soil samples revealed the prevailing influence of the local substrate geochemistry on element concentrations in mosses and mushrooms. The results suggest atmospheric deposition of Bi, Cd and Pb, while radionuclide activities point to atmospheric fall-out (including global contamination by radiocaesium) and influence of the pedological substrate. The confined area of investigation, with limited variations in soil characteristics and geological composition, allowed clearer insight into the origin of metal(loid)s in mosses and mushrooms. On the other hand, using bioindicator species with different element uptake mechanisms enabled distinction between different sources of elements.
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•Multi-element composition of soil, mosses and mushrooms from a pristine forest.•Soil radioactivity levels (238U, 235U, 232Th, 40K, 7Be,137Cs, 134Cs) determined.•Element levels in mosses and mushrooms influenced by substrate geochemistry.•Indications of atmospheric deposition of Bi, Cd and Pb.
The development of new analytical techniques enabled the precise determination of the expanded set of stable isotopes and provided new insight into the existing geological issues. This review ...outlines recent studies of non-traditional isotope signatures in geological matrices, summarizing in one place new data for stable isotopes of Ca, Mg, Sr, Li, Ni, Cr, and Cu and their application in the interpretation of environmental processes. Although some of them, such as δ44Ca and δ26Mg, have been previously used to track changes in seawater chemistry throughout geological history, recent studies report their application as geochemical proxies of post-depositional processes. Similarly, isotopic signatures of strontium, previously used in radioactive isotope chronology, and δ7Li, used in tracing plate subduction and crust/mantle material cycling, found a new application in studies of weathering patterns. The use of δ53Cr and δ 65Cu isotope signatures, on the other hand, reflects their fractionation under different redox conditions, whereas δ60Ni, due to its co-precipitation with sulfide species and Fe-Mn phases, is used in interpreting the contributions of different material sources. And while the isotopic signatures of all these elements indicate certain environmental conditions and processes (e.g., post-depositional processes, redox conditions, organic matter input, the contribution of sources, etc.), combining them a more comprehensive insight into the investigated environment can be achieved.
The present study aims to discuss the data on levels and distribution of rare earth elements, including Y, (REYs) in leaves of three different citrus species (lemon, orange, and tangerine) and ...provide additional information about the major, minor and trace elements in two biological certified reference materials (CRMs), Apple leave (NIST SRM 1515) and Rye grass (ERM CD281). In all samples, element concentrations were determined by High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The obtained data display substantial variability in the distribution of REY elements, not only between different citrus species but also between different genera of plants indicating their different uptake and accumulation abilities. Measured concentrations of REYs in citrus leaves were substantially lower compared to the literature values, although the fractionation indices were comparable. The data for CRMs provide additional information for the 14 elements in NIST SRM 1515 and the 30 elements in ERM CD281, including rare earth elements. Keywords: citrus leaves, rare earth elements, trace elements, Apple leave (NIST SRM 1515), Rye grass (ERM CD281)
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•Ultrasonic extraction is suitable for elemental analysis in pomace and olive oil.•Pomace residue increases concentrations and alters distribution of elements in oil.•Oil samples must ...be centrifuged prior to analysis to remove pomace residue.
Analysis of elements in Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is challenging due to the complex oil matrix as well as very low element concentrations in oil. We postulate that inadequate sample preparation (in particular, the presence of pomace residue in oil) may significantly contribute to variations in EVOO element concentrations. In order to confirm this hypothesis, EVOO and pomace samples were analysed for content of 29 elements by ultrasonic acid extraction and ICP-MS detection. Comparative analyses of non-centrifuged and centrifuged EVOO samples confirmed significant influence of pomace residues on element concentrations. Ranges of macronutrients (25–286 ng g−1), micronutrients (0.3–1.1 ng g−1) and trace elements (0.001–0.2 ng g−1) in centrifuged EVOO samples were up to 1000 times lower than in non-centrifuged oils. We have shown that pomace residue, even when present in very small quantity (1 g of pomace in 1 kg of oil), significantly altered concentrations and relative proportions of many elements in EVOO. Therefore, adequate sample pre-treatment (removal of pomace residue via centrifugation) is essential for determining real multi-element composition of olive oil. This is critical in application of EVOO multi-element composition in traceability studies and determination of geographic origin of olive oil.
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