A heavy metal ion sensor was constructed by cross-linking melanin onto the gold electrode of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). A mercury ion sensitivity of 518+/-37 Hz/ppm was observed, a substantial increase in sensitivity compared to previous reports of 10-50 Hz/ppm with the limit of detection at 5 ppb. Detection of other metal ions including Sn(2+), Ge(4+), Li(+), Zn(2+), Cu(2+), Bi(3+), Co...

A sensitive dip-and-read test strip for the determination of mercury in aqueous samples based on the inhibition of urease reaction by the ion has been developed. The strip has a circular sensing zone that containing two layers: the top layer is a cellulose acetate membrane where urease is immobilized on it; the bottom layer is a pH indicator wafer that is impregnated with urea. The principle of...

Volume 34 of the series METAL IONS IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS, entitled "Mercury and its Effects on Environment and Biology", covers many upto date multidisciplinary research lines in this area. Speciation of Hg(ll) and CH3Hg(II) compounds and its applications to the determination of mercury in lakes, rivers and marine environment, including boreal surface waters, are the topics of chapters 1 to 4. ...

INTRODUCTION Heavy metals can negatively influence the reproduction due to the fact that they are able to impair the immune reactions including autoantibody production in susceptible individuals. In such a way the infertility could be also caused by altered pathologic immune reaction. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the in vitro lymphocyte reaction after stimulation with metals and production...

The biosorption of heavy metals Hg(II) and Cu(II) from aquatic solution by biomass of dried Sargassum fusiforme was studied in the paper. The Sargassum fusiforme was able to absorb appreciable amount of mercury and copper from the aquatic solutions within 60 min of contact time with the metal solution and exhibited high removal of mercury and copper at low equilibrium concentrations. The specif...

Mercury contamination in wild birds has long been recognized as a serious predicament in terms of pollution. Emission of mercury is still being observed [1-3] in order to reduce the rate of environmental pollution. Birds can be exposed externally, by physical contact, and internally, by consumption of contaminated feed [4]. Mercury can be bioaccumulated and biomagnified in the ecosystems leadin...

A new sensing area for a sensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was fabricated to detect trace amounts of mercury and lead ions. The gold surface used for SPR measurements were modified with polypyrrole-chitosan (PPy-CHI) conducting polymer composite. The polymer layer was deposited on the gold surface by electrodeposition. This optical sensor was used for monitoring toxic metal ions w...

High-resolution differential surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) capability has been demonstrated for detecting heavy metal ions in water. Metal ions are electroplated onto the gold SPR sensing surface and are quantitatively detected by stripping voltammetry. Both the SPR angular shift and electrochemical current signal are recorded to identify the type and a...

Mercury contamination in wild birds has long been recognized as a serious predicament in terms of pollution. Emission of mercury is still being observed [1-3] in order to reduce the rate of environmental pollution. Birds can be exposed externally, by physical contact, and internally, by consumption of contaminated feed [4]. Mercury can be bioaccumulated and biomagnified in the ecosystems leadin...

The biotransformation of Hg(II) by cyanobacteria was investigated under aerobic and pH-controlled culture conditions. Mercury was supplied as HgCl(2) in amounts emulating those found under heavily impacted environmental conditions where bioremediation would be appropriate. The analytical procedures used to measure mercury within the culture solution, including that in the cyanobacterial cells, ...