Recent developments in TXRF techniques make the method appropriate for simple, accurate and precise analysis of heavy elements in organic materials in health-related and pollution problems. Special advantages are derived by the use of monochromatized beams of Xrays: i) The reduction in the spectrum background allows direct irradiation of organic matter specimens. Hence human tissue and body flu...

The geochemical characteristics of sediments deposited within a channel-type reservoir situated behind the weir of a water mill on the River Liswarta (southern Poland) were studied in relation to land use in the catchment. The catchment in question is an agricultural one with large forest areas. The contamination of sediments with trace elements was assessed using the geoaccumulation index. The...

The presence of many metals at trace or ultra-trace levels in the human environment has received increased global attention (WHO 1977; Hutton 1982; IRPTC 1984). Surveillance of concentrations of heavy metals in the environment is of global interest since elements like cadmium, lead and mercury are listed as environmenta]ly dangerous chemical substances. Sediments as a sink for pollutants are wi...

Heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and platinum (Pt) are a major environmental and occupational hazard. Unfortunately, these non-essential elements are toxic at very low doses and non-biodegradable with a very long biological half-life. Thus, exposure to heavy metals is potentially harmful. Because of its ability to reabsorb and accumulate divalent metals,...

Background & objectives: Since many plants have high efficiency in absorbing heavy elements, the use of phytoremediation is of great importance. The purpose of this study is to identify native plants that absorb heavy metals. Also, the possibility of using them in phytoremediation technology in soils contaminated with heavy metals (around the petrochemical industry of Razi fertilizer in Tehran ...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urban farming makes a substantial influence on the household economy of the urban poor especially in developing countries. Urban soil the hot spot of urban farming is a natural sink for contaminants especially the trace elements derived mainly from anthropogenic activities. This study’s aim was to quantify the concentrations of selected trace elements...

Today coal is among the most important energy sources. In order to meet the world's energy demands, low-calorie lignite with a high ash content is generally used in the large capacity coal-fired thermal power plants. As a result of coal firing, wastes such as fly ash, slag, and flue gas are also produced. Subsequently, toxic trace elements within coal are transferred to wastes such as slag, fl...

This study aims to determine the major elements of Portland cement type I and II (CEMI and CEMII) in a cement factory in north Tunisia and which metal elements are introduced into the production process. We determine also the metal input rate and their distribution at the entrance and exit of the process. The major elements were analyzed and the trace elements (Arsenic, barium, lead, mercur...

Snow cover is a good indicator of air pollution and accumulates trace elements organic pollutants. At the same time, analysis snow simple allows you to assess presence these pollutants in atmosphere. We have studied an urban agglomeration located northern part Europe, with large number inhabitants, therefore anthropogenic load on identified at many city crossroads. Also we determined PAHs as ma...

This research aims to monitor the trace elements content (Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ag, Al, Mn, Mg, Zn and Fe) in the tissues of the muscle and liver of silver carp (H. molitrix ) and stone moroko (P. parva) from Zarivar Wetland in western Iran. This research was cross-sectional. The research specimen was fish caught from Zarivar Wetland. Metal concentration analysis was carried out utilizing an ICP. Fin...