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In this paper, results of the study on heavy metals solubility behavior of Ni-Cd filter cakes in Iranian Zinc Mine Development Company (IZMDC) plants are investigated. The effects of pH, temperature, liquid/solid ratio and contact time on the release of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Ni and Pb) into water media was examined. Also, “Extraction procedure tests” approved by EPA were applied to the residues. Moreover, statistical data analysis was performed and the most important parameters for dissolution of Zn, Cd, Ni and Pb were found to be the pH and L/S.. The concentration of Cd and Pb in the extracts obtained from filter cakes by applying EPA extraction procedures at pH 5 are over 1.0 and 5.0 mg/L, which are toxicity limits, respectively. The concentrations of other metals in the solution are above the limits given by various quality standards for surface water.

 

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Accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Fe, Z, Ni, Cu) in gill, liverrnand muscle of 30 individuals of greater lizardfish (Saurida tumbil), collectedrnfrom Hendijan fishing area in April 2012, was assessed. Metals werernextracted by digestion method and their levels were measured by atomicrnabsorption spectrophotometr (AAS- model GBC Savanta AA ). Levels ofrnthe heavy metals from maximal to minimal were Fe>Zn>Cu>Ni>Pb>Cd.rnMean of heavy metals accumulation in gill, liver and muscle werernsignificantly different (P

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The effect of sublethal concentrations of cadmium on some haematological parameters of juvenile sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus. For this purpose, 60 fish (41.69 ± 0.95 g and 23.98 ± 0.14 cm) were randomly divided into four experimental groups and exposed to 0 (control), 16, 32 and 64 μg/L Cd concentration, each in 3 replicates for 21 days. The hematological parameters, including red and white blood counts, differential white blood count, hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and white to red cells ratio were determined using standard methods. The highest level of Hct (30.57 ± 1.91%) was observed in fish exposed to 64 µg/L (p<0.05). The highest mean values of Hb (10.01 ± 0.63 and 10.47 ± 0.57 g/dL) were measured in the fish exposed to 32 and 64 µg/L of Cd, respectively, which was significantly higher than Hb values in the control (8.24 ± 0.38 g/dL). For the rest of parameters, there were no significant differences between fish exposed to different Cd doses (p>0.05). The results indicated at least some deleterious effects of sublethal concentration of Cd on some hematological parameters of sterlet, which maybe reflecting the stress response as well as deleterious effects on haemopoietic tissues.The study of long term effects of Cd exposure of starlet is suggested.

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The effect of cadmium on hematological and biochemical indices of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) exposed to subacute (0.65ppm) and acute (3.25ppm) concentrations for 96-h test period was assessed. The results showed that Hb, Hct, RBC and MCV significantly decreased in low concentration of cadmium (p<0/05), while MCH, MCHC, WBC, glucose and cortisol were significantly (p<0/05) higher than control group in both low and high concentrations. This study reveals that some hematological and biochemical indices of silver carp, such as cortisol, can be used as suitable biomarkers in tracing Cd²⁺ contamination within water bodies.

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In a completely randomized design, the effects of heavy metals of Cd, Cu, Pb and Ni at concentrations of 0, 5, 50 and 100 mg/l on chlorophyll a and biomass in green algae Scenedesmus quadricauda were investigated for 14 days under laboratory conditions of 23 °C, 12 h light: 12 hours light and light intensity of 60 mol photons/m²/s. The lowest density, chlorophyll a and dry biomass obtained at 100 mg/l in all of the heavy metals. The mean (±SE) highest increasing rates of chlorophyll a were 24.2±1.1, 23.1±0.8, 36.7±1.4 and 35.5±1.2% for Cd, Cu, Pb and Ni, respectively. Correspondingly, the reduction rates based on dry biomass were 51.5±3.1, 35.2±1.1, 47.9±1.6 and 56.6±2.8% for Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb, respectively. The results showed that heavy metals made significant reduction on chlorophyll a and dry biomass in S. quadricauda.

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Pot experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on some morphological characteristics of Thlaspi caerulescens L., and also on the accumulation of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in roots and shoots of T. caerulescens L.. Experiments were then set up in three treated pots with doses of 3, 6 and 9 mmol kg^-1 of EDTA and control pots (C: uncontaminated soil and W: contaminated soil). The results indicated the significant effect of EDTA on morphological characteristics and accumulation of heavy metals in the plant (P<0.05). Data revealed that the maximum of germination (99.11 and 96.00%), maximum of root length (73.31 and 70.14 mm) and maximum of shoot length (51.64 and 44.14 mm) and maximum of biomass weight (61.31 and 52.18 mg) were achieved by C treatment followed by W treatment. The maximum bioconcentration factor (3.57) and translocation factor (0.89) was observed on 9 mmol kg^-1 EDTA. In addition, the effect of EDTA on Tolerance Index (TI) showed that the TI decreased with increasing doses of EDTA. The findings indicated that the study species tolerated heavy metals concentration. EDTA had potential to promote the uptake of heavy metals for T. caerulescens L., butwith respect to non-significant differences between 6 mmol kg^-1 EDTA and 9 mmol kg^-1 EDTA treatments. Thereore, low dose of EDTA suggested to be applied because of its environmental risk.

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The total concentration and percentage of heavy metals content in the sediment of Hashilan wetland, Kermanshah province, was assessed in summer 2015. The total concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Fe were around 18.57, 6.95 and 379.24 μg g^-1, respectively. Successive extractions of the samples showed a decreasing trend as follows: residual>organic matter>iron and manganese oxides>exchangeable parts. The comparison of the total metal concentrations and SQGs and NOAA standards proposed high concentrations of Pb and Fe contents, while RAC suggested that Cu, Pb, and Fe had posed a low-moderate risk, low risk and no risk to the system, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that the most common sources of Pb and Fe were natural while sources of Cu was anthropogenic. Continuous monitoring of the wetlands, particularly water inputs are recommended.

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Background: Concentrations of 4 toxic metals, viz. Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the soil and alfalfa samples collected from Borujerd, Iran, was determined. The capability of alfalfa to accumulate heavy metals from soils was assessed in terms of Biological Concentration Factor. Materials and Methods: The alfalfa and soil samples were collected from 20 different farms, including 13 wastewater-irrigated and seven underground-irrigated farms. After acid digestion, the samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The levels of Cd, Pb, and Zn in the soils of wastewater-irrigated farms were higher than those from the groundwater-irrigated farms. With the exception of Cu, concentrations of heavy metals in the alfalfa crop were higher in wastewater-irrigated farms compared to well water. Also, in the case of BCF, both Cd and Cu values decreased with increasing metal concentration in soil. The order of BCF of heavy metals in alfalfa was in order of Cu>Cd>Zn>Pb in well water-irrigated and Zn>Cd>Cu>Pb in wastewater –irrigated samples. Discussion and Conclusions: The findings remarked that the levels of Cu, Cd, and Pb in alfalfa were exceeding the permissible levels suggested by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. These outcomes propose that the consumption of alfalfa plants is potentially threatening both animal and human health.

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  Natural Waters are normally Considered as Healthy, and most of the sources of pollution such as heavy metals, get Through the water, during the passage to reach the consumption aera. Therefore to search the total pollution, sampling was performed from the tap water (7 stations in Tehran). Samples were analyzed to determine the concentration of the elements such as Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn and Cr. Comparison of the results with that of the EPA Standard values showed that the concentration of Pb were much higher in few stations. Considering the canceriogenic effects of Pb, this can be very hazardous. There were no problems due to the other elements, One of the sources of Pb uptake is the piping network system, sharing 29% which seems to be the main source. However reduction and removal of heavy metals were examined by the Reverse Osmiss method at the second step. The results showed high reduction and removal of Pb by this method, so the method looks to be very applicable./s

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  Effect of two storage temperatures -14±2˚c and -28±2˚c was investigated on distribution and redistribution of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mg, Mn, Hg, Pb and Cd metals in tissue and viscera of green back mullet. Statical results showed that average amount of Fe metal in tissue of mature and immature fish stored at -14˚c (respectively 77.1 ppm and 166.6 ppm ) was more than both fresh mature and immature fish (28.5 ppm and 88.1 ppm) and fish stored at -28˚c ( 26 ppm and 109.1ppm). Amount of Zn metal in the viscera of mature fish stored at -28˚c (56.8 ppm) was more than fresh fish (43.5 ppm) and fish stored at -14˚c (43.5 ppm). Likewise amount of Pb metal in the viscera of immature fish (59.9 ppm) and fish stored at -14˚c (58.3 ppm) was less than immature fish stored at -28˚c (110.2 ppm). Considering that the amount of other metal did not show significant changes during frozen storage, it seems that -28˚c temperatures provides better quality from the view point of distribution and redistribution of heavy metals, and fish tissues stored at this temperature have more food immunity and health for consumers.    

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Aims: Karun River, which is the largest river in Iran, represents a unique ecosystem. However, increased anthropogenic activities result in the formation of this river is seriously affected by a large range of pollutants especially the heavy metal pollutants which may be toxic to human and aquatic fauna. Therefore, there is a need for continuous monitoring of pollution levels in the river.
Materials & Methods: In this study, water, sediment, and algae samples were collected from six different stations along the course of the river in September 2015 to investigate the quality of Karun’s River in terms of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cr, and Cd) at the basin of drinking water treatment in Ahwaz and Mollasani cities. After drying and digestion of samples, heavy metal concentrations were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Perkin Elmer-Analyst 300).
Findings: The highest concentration of trace metals was found in sediment samples with Zn having the highest mean concentration values in all stations. The heavy metal concentrations in the downstream indicated an increase in the pollution load due to the flow of water from upstream to downstream of the river resulted in the movement and accumulation of all contaminants to the river in the downstream; hence, there was the highest concentration
of metals in basin of the Kut Abdollah treatment (downstream) and the lowest in Mollasani (upstream).
Conclusion: Comparison of the concentration of metals in the sediments with some universal standards including EPA3050 and the criterion of sediments quality standard from NOAA and Canadian Environment Agency showed that the concentration of chromium and cadmium in stations was higher than the allowable limit of EPA3050 standards and some environmental standards of Canada among all metals. Since algae samples have been able to accumulate a significant amount of heavy metals, therefore, these are suitable bio-indicators to determine the concentration of heavy metals in this aquatic ecosystems.

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Aims: Cement industry is considered as one of the major consuming energies, producing large amounts of environmental contaminants. The aim of this study was to examine the extent of metals Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), and Manganese (Mn) in the soil and leaves of planted around the cement factory in Pinus eldarica, Ulmus umbraculifera, and Quercus brantii naturally grown there.
Materials and Methods: In the present experimental study, to perform this, the level of elements was examined in the leaves as well as depths of 0-10 and 10-20cm of soil across the three studied species using atomic absorption device. The extent of elements sequestrated in the factory’s electro filter was also measured. One-way ANOVA test, Duncan’s test, and SPSS 20 software were used for Statistical analysis.
Findings: Cadmium was sequestrated in the electro filter was almost close to the level of cadmium in the leaf and soil samples. The level of lead, zinc, and manganese in the electro filter of the factory were higher than the extent of sequestration of these three elements in the leaf of three tree species and the soil below them. Across the three species, with increased depth of soil, the extent of lead sequestration declined. Pinus eldarica had the minimum extent of sequestration for the four studied elements both in the soil and leaf across the three studied species.
Conclusion: Quercus brantii and Ulmus umbraculifera have a greater potential in sequestration of heavy metals in comparison with Pinus eldarica.

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Contamination of water and soil with heavy metals poses serious risks and threats to human health and the environment, and therefore finding an effective solution to remove these metals is very necessary. In this research, magnetic nanoparticles MnFe₂O₄ @ SiO₂ functionalized with N-phosphonomethyl aminodiacetic acid with core-shell structure were synthesized. These nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, (TGA) thermal gravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and (VSM) vibration sample magnetometer. The performance of this synthetic nanoadsorbent for removing Cr (VI), Cu (II) ions from aqueous solutions was evaluated by various parameters such as adsorbent amount, contact time effect on adsorption rate and pH effect. The results show that the adsorption efficiency increases with raising pH (2.5-5) and the best adsorbent performance in the adsorption process of Cr ((VI) and Cu (II) ions at pH 7 was observed. The amount of R in the Freundlich adsorption diagram of copper ion is higher than the Langmuir isotherm. As a result, the adsorption of copper ions on the adsorbent follows the Freundlich adsorption equation. In addition, the amount of R in the Freundlich adsorption diagram for chromium ion is higher than the Langmuir isotherm. Therefore, the absorption of chromium ions on the adsorbent follows the Freundlich adsorption equation. In conclusion, a high n value indicates a favorable and effective absorption in the Freundlich equation. The adsorption data were analyzed by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model. In addition, the recyclability and reuse of the adsorbent was investigated. The results show that no significant reduction in adsorbent activity is observed.
 

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Aim: The removal of heavy metals from drinking water is one of the highest impact challenges in the water and wastewater industry. For this purpose, the use of methods such as solid phase extraction followed by the use of selective adsorbents is considered as one of the most important issues in the water and wastewater industry.
Method: In this research, in order to remove the polluting and toxic heavy metal cadmium from water in the water treatment industry, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with a diameter of 10 nm have been synthesized. In order to make these nanoparticles resistant to corrosion and erosive factors of the environment, they are covered with a silica shell and afterwards with the aim of removing cadmium ions from aqueous solutions, the surface of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles is modified with 1,4-dihydroxyanthraquinone molecules. The synthesized nanoparticles are characterized in order to evaluate the efficiency of these nanoparticles in separating cadmium ions soluble in water has.
Results: The synthesized and functionalized magnetic nanoparticles have an effective surface area of 378 m²/g with black color and spherical morphology. The effects of the parameters of the amount of nano adsorbent, pH of the solution, various concentrations of the solution and test time in the removal of divalent cadmium ions are investigated. According to the experimental data, the optimal values for the absorption process at pH 7 by using 18 mg of adsorbent in 50 ml of cadmium solution with an initial concentration of 0.35 mmol/L lead to the removal of cadmium ions with a maximum absorption of 92% at ambient temperature in a period of 35 minutes. Moreover, the recyclability and reusability of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-DAQ in the adsorption-desorption process of cadmium ion is investigated using a magnetic magnet, and the results confirm that this synthetic nanocomposite is an effective adsorbent with excellent performance in order to remove divalent cadmium ion from aqueous solutions.
 

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Research subject: The presence of heavy metal ions in surface and underground water, followed by their infiltration into drinking water at high concentrations, poses irreparable risks to human health and the environment. In this context, solid-phase extraction (SPE) has recently been recognized as a routine and practical method for removing heavy metals from water and wastewater samples. Consequently, the development of selective adsorbents for application in the SPE method is of significant importance in environmental studies.
Research Approach: In the present study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) molecules were functionalized onto Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ core-shell nanoparticles using cyanuric chloride and triethoxysilyl propylamine compounds. The synthesized nanoparticles were then employed as an effective adsorbent for the removal of Pb²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions. The structural characteristics, morphology, and particle size were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the key operational parameters affecting adsorption performance were evaluated to optimize the adsorption capacity for the effective removal of heavy metal contaminants.
 

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Aims Fish is a potential source of vitamins and minerals and the cooking method an important role on the final content of nutrients in fish. The aim of this study was to the effects of different cooking methods on the heavy metals, fillet proximate composition and fatty acid composition of Roach (Rutilus rutilus) fillet.
Materials & Methods  Four cooking method such as deep frying, baking, steaming and microwave cooking were applied on fillet. Determination of the remaining heavy metals of the samples were carried out using atomic absorption.The proximate composition was assessed using the standard methods. To measure the composition of fatty acids, Gas-chromatography method (GC) was applied.
Findings The results showed that the all treated sample had significant decrease in moisture (frying) and ash (microwave) and significant increase in fat (frying) and protein (baking). The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), ω-3 fatty acids  as well as EPA/DHA content increased in baked samples in comparison to raw fish fillets and other coocked, although there were no significant was observed. The frying process caused a significant increase in lead concentration content. While, the steaming significantly decreased cadmium and lead heavy metals concentration in comparison to raw fish fillets and other cooked.
Conclusion Considering the increasing of PUFA and ω-3/ω-6 ratio in baked-cooked and losses of heavy metals in steamed, the baking and steaming are the best cooking method for a healthy consumption of Roach.

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  Cultivated mushrooms are considered as a popular delicacy and have an important role in daily intake due to essential Amino Acids, elements and vitamins. Based on Several Studies, mushrooms can accumulate great concentrations of toxic metallic elements like lead and cadmium in Comparative to other Fruits and vegetables. This study has conducted due to following reasons: - Lead and Cadmium have Considerable toxic effects even in low Concentrations. - There is no reports about these elements contents in mushrooms cultivated in Iran. - There is no Proper strategy for this infection control Material and Method: 8 mushroom Samples were collected randomatically from mushroom sale centres in Tehran, and delivered to laboratory. Then they were sorted, cut, washed, and dried at 80°c for 20h. Dried Samples were homogenized and laid in ash. Then they were Solved in Nitric Acid and finally analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Results: Cadmium Content was lower than acceptable level (EU 466/2001) (2.0 mg/kg dry weight) in all samples. Lead content was generally lower than acceptable level (3.0 mg/kg dry weight) except for 2 Samples which have 5.35 mg/kg and 3.71 mg/kg Lead Content. Conclusion: Analysed Samples have low content of cadmium due to cultivating environment, good quality of Compost and irrigation with deep underground water. Geographical Condition of Cultivation may cause high content of lead in two Samples. It is recommended to investigate the main reason of this infection.