Misbah Rani , Zainul Abideen , Neelma Munir , Maria Hasnain , Mohammad Mehdizadeh , Muhammed Qasim , Emanuele Radicetti
{"title":"Enhancing soil fertility, nutrient recovery and carbon sequestration: the role of biochar, composted biochar, and biochar-compost mixtures in sustainable agriculture","authors":"Misbah Rani , Zainul Abideen , Neelma Munir , Maria Hasnain , Mohammad Mehdizadeh , Muhammed Qasim , Emanuele Radicetti","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100276","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100276","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Soil degradation, caused by salinity, nutrient depletion, and trace metal pollutants, is a major problem for agricultural productivity. Organic amendments, such as biochar, have shown potential to improve soil health, water retention, and nutrient availability. However, biochar-based blended amendments, such as biochar compost mixture and composted biochar, may offer greater benefits even under harsh soil environments.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This systematic review evaluates the limitations and advantages of biochar, compost, and biochar-compost mixtures in restoring degraded and polluted soils. The review assesses their roles in improving soil fertility, nutrient availability, microbial activity, and key physiochemical properties relevant to sustainable agriculture.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched major scientific databases and screened studies based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible studies included laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments assessing soil restoration outcomes using biochar-based amendments.</div></div><div><h3>Key findings</h3><div>Biochar applications enhanced biomass production, CO<sub>2</sub> capture, soil quality, and immobilization of inorganic ions and organic waste material due to promising properties like advanced cation exchange capacity, high permeability, and large surface area. Biochar-compost further improved nutrient availability, biomass uptake, water retention, carbon sequestration, and plant physiological responses under stress. Composted biochar offered more sustained and long-lasting improvements in soil quality and plant productivity under salinity stress, thus solving multiple biochar-associated challenges, although further long-term field evidence is still needed.</div></div><div><h3>Broader implications</h3><div>Overall, biochar and biochar-compost represent promising tools for soil restoration, pollutant remediation, and crop productivity. Although their benefits are widely reported, variability in outcomes and gaps in long-term evidence underscore the importance of optimizing application strategies for different soil systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100276"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Md. Shazzadur Rahman , Sharmin Sultana , Pradip Kumar Biswas , Md. Aminur Rahman , A.H.M. Selim Reza , Md. Moniruzzaman , Md. Abu Bakar Siddique , Md. Ripaj Uddin , Md. Shah Alam , Md. Shohel Rana , Md. Golam Mostafa , Shamim Ahmed , Hayatullah
{"title":"Monitoring and assessment of groundwater suitability for drinking and irrigation in the granary region of central-west Bangladesh using entropy index","authors":"Md. Shazzadur Rahman , Sharmin Sultana , Pradip Kumar Biswas , Md. Aminur Rahman , A.H.M. Selim Reza , Md. Moniruzzaman , Md. Abu Bakar Siddique , Md. Ripaj Uddin , Md. Shah Alam , Md. Shohel Rana , Md. Golam Mostafa , Shamim Ahmed , Hayatullah","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100272","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100272","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>This study assesses groundwater suitability for drinking and irrigation in central-west Bangladesh’s granary region. Using the entropy water quality index (EWQI) and conventional irrigation indices, it evaluates water quality essential for public health and sustainable agriculture.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>Groundwater samples from multiple sites were analyzed for major physicochemical parameters. Drinking suitability was assessed using EWQI, while irrigation suitability was evaluated through USSL, Wilcox, and Doneen indices. Hydrochemical facies and geochemical processes were interpreted using Piper, Gibbs, and bivariate analyses.</div></div><div><h3>Results and discussion</h3><div>Groundwater in the study area is neutral to alkaline in nature and is dominated by calcium (Ca<sup>2+</sup>) and bicarbonate (HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>), characterizing a Ca-Mg-HCO<sub>3</sub> water type. This composition reflects calcite dissolution and ion-exchange processes. Gibbs plots and bivariate relationships indicate that rock weathering, particularly of calcite, dolomite, and silicate minerals, largely governs the groundwater chemistry. The EWQI and WQI results reveal that 96.67 % of the samples are unsuitable for drinking, with 76.67 % classified as poor quality. PCA results indicate that the dissolved constituents are primarily of geogenic origin, with minor anthropogenic influence. For irrigation purposes, the USSL diagram suggests low to medium alkali hazards, Wilcox ratings range from permissible to excellent, and Doneen’s classification places the samples in Class I, indicating high permeability.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Groundwater is generally unsuitable for drinking but remains acceptable for irrigation. Regular monitoring and effective management are essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term water sustainability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100272"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145600534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluating climate-induced drivers of trace metal mobilization in environmental systems","authors":"Anita Punia , Saurabh Kumar Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100271","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100271","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Background</em>: Two major threats to the environment are intensification of anthropogenic activities and ongoing climate change. The anthropogenic activities for economic growth are releasing abundant quantity of trace metals into the environment and it is likely to increase leading to disaster in future. Co-currently frequent natural disasters such as floods, droughts, forest fires and rise in sea level due to climate change are resulting in loss of life and economic burden. <em>Purpose and methodology</em>: The extreme weather events influence the environmental redox conditions promoting the dissolution/mobility of trace metals from the waste dumps associated with urban, industrial and mining activities. Climate change is predicated to intensify in future. The main objective of the present study is to understand the role of environmental consequences caused by climate change in governing the mobility of trace metals. It is important to predicate future risk and consequences caused by trace metals to avoid the natural hazards by implementing the mitigation strategies. A total of 191 research and review articles were selected on the basis of their relevance with the objectives of the study. <em>Observations</em>: The climatic factors such as temperature and precipitation influence the geochemical processes and hydrodynamics governing the trace metal mobility in environmental systems. The increase in temperature significantly influences the microbial activities leading to impact on the geochemical properties of soil and sediment. Additionally, the threat of rising sea level and the growing incidents of forest fires are among the key consequences of climate change. The sea water intrusion into the coastal areas facilitates mineral dissolution and leaching of trace metals into the aquifers. The burning of urban infrastructures and elevated temperature during forest fires significantly contribute to trace metal contamination in affected ecosystems. <em>Conclusions</em>: The environmental consequences caused by trace metals are expected to increase under the influence of future climate change. The new guidelines for the permissible limits for trace metals released from anthropogenic activities is recommended to avoid the natural hazard in future under the influence of climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100271"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145600535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Agroclimatic variation in mineral and heavy metal levels of Raphanus sativus L. Microgreens grown in West Bengal","authors":"Shubhadeep Hazra , Amitesh Chakraborty , Santanu Giri , Aniruddha Sarkar , Tushar Adhikari","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2026.100278","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2026.100278","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Microgreens have emerged as potent ‘functional foods’ or ‘superfoods’ because of their rich nutritional profile.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This research aims to perform Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy based estimation of minerals, heavy metals, and associated health risks of <em>Raphanus sativus</em> L. microgreens grown in different agroclimatic zones of West Bengal, India.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>The radish microgreens were cultivated in soils collected from different districts (as confirmed by soil analysis), and the mineral content (Ca, Mn, Zn, Se) and heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb) were analysed using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Significant variations (p<0.05) in mineral profiles were found in radish microgreens grown in soils of different districts. Major elements determined were Calcium (1091.43±21.87 to 1481.17±12.58 mg/kg); Zinc (44.21±1.54 to 158.92±1.21 mg/kg); Manganese (66.21±8.73 to 83.47±6.43 mg/kg); and Selenium (0.32±0.13 to 1.01±0.22 mg/kg). South 24 Parganas recorded exceptionally high zinc content in the grown microgreens. Chromium concentration was below toxic limits. Lead and cadmium were found in negligible amounts (1.57±0.63 to 11.21±2.02 μg/kg). The hazard index of microgreens grown in all districts was less than 1. A positive correlation between heavy metals indicates that their source and route of uptake are similar.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Almost all investigated microgreens were good sources of minerals, with the best mineral profile and high germination rate rich alluvial soils, indicating that fertile soils are best for growth. Based on the obtained results, these microgreens might be further assessed for any seasonal variation in mineral content and in vivo bioavailability studies of minerals needs to be analyzed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100278"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jules Mbanga Nyobe , Raoul Gake Belle , André Mbabi Bitchong
{"title":"Statistical analysis of major element behavior in gneiss weathering profiles, northwest of Yaoundé, South Cameroon","authors":"Jules Mbanga Nyobe , Raoul Gake Belle , André Mbabi Bitchong","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2026.100280","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2026.100280","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the morphological, mineralogical, and geochemical characteristics of weathering profiles developed on garnet and biotite gneisses in the Nguibassal and Maganga areas, northwest of Yaoundé (South Cameroon). The objective was to characterize major element evolution across the profiles and assess their statistical behavior using correlation analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The two weathering profiles, 4 m thick in Nguibassal and 3 m in Maganga, content four horizons: iron duricrust, nodular, loose clayey, and organomineral horizons. Both profiles display the reddish coloration typical of ferrallitic soils formed under humid tropical conditions. Mineralogy is dominated by quartz, feldspars, and muscovite, with kaolinite, hematite, and goethite, reflecting advanced chemical weathering. Geochemically, soils are aluminous–siliceous with high SiO₂ (50–67 wt %), Al₂O₃ (13–26 wt %), and Fe₂O₃ (5–14 wt %). SiO₂ decreases upward, whereas Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ increase, consistent with progressive desilication and sesquioxide enrichment. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) indicates very advanced weathering in Nguibassal (CIA = 89.5–94.9 %) and moderate to high alteration in Maganga (CIA = 69.1–88.7 %). PCA performed on standardized data shows that PC1 distinguishes silica-rich phases from Fe–Al oxides, while PC2 separates TiO₂–MnO from K₂O, reflecting mineral transformation pathways, reveals two main components explaining 83.2 % and 89.7 % of total variance at Nguibassal and Maganga, respectively. Despite the small dataset (<em>n</em> = 10), statistical trends confirm stronger ferrallitization in Nguibassal compared to Maganga. These results help clarify the geochemical evolution of gneiss-derived weathering profiles in the humid tropical zone of Cameroon and provide a basis for future regional comparisons.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100280"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146023069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aduema Wadioni , Olusegun G. Adebayo , Adebimpe V. Masanwoola , Joseph Chimezie
{"title":"Neuroprotective potential of Zingiber officinale methanol extract in copper sulfate-induced nigrostriatal neurodegeneration in mice","authors":"Aduema Wadioni , Olusegun G. Adebayo , Adebimpe V. Masanwoola , Joseph Chimezie","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100274","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100274","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><strong>Background:</strong> Exposures to transition metals such as copper have been investigated in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients’ brain with the concentrations higher comparative to the non-diseased. However, the mechanistic approach in PD remains largely unexplored.<strong>Objectives</strong> This study aims to investigate the <em>Zingiber officinale</em> methanol extract (MEZO) neuroprotective effect in mice striatal and nigral neurons after exposure to copper intoxication. <strong>Methods:</strong> A total of 40 mice (n = 8 mice/group) were treated orally with distilled water (10 mL kg<sup>-1</sup>; group 1), copper sulfate (CuSO<sub>4</sub>, 20 mg kg<sup>-1</sup>; group 2), MEZO (50 and 100 mg kg<sup>-1</sup>; group 3 and 4), and vitamin C (100 mg kg<sup>-1</sup>; group 5) repeatedly for 28 days. The mice in group 3 – 5 were pre-treated with CuSO<sub>4</sub>, followed 1 hour later by MEZO and Vitamin C treatment. Locomotor and neuromuscular performances were assessed using open field, negative geotaxis and tail suspension test, respectively. After termination, markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, neuronal transmission, and histoarchitectural changes were evaluated in the brain tissues. <strong>Results:</strong> The exposure to CuSO<sub>4</sub> treatment induced significant reduction in locomotor and neuromuscular competence but was improved following the administration of MEZO. Oral exposure to CuSO<sub>4</sub> increased striatal pro-oxidants (malondialdehyde and nitrite), inflammatory mediators (MPO, TNF-α, and IL-6), and α-synuclein levels; and decreased endogenous antioxidant enzymes (glutathione and catalase), anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), dopamine, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and brain derived neurotophic factor (BDNF) levels in the striatum. However, the administration of MEZO decreased pro-oxidants, inflammatory mediators, and α-synuclein levels; and increased the endogenous antioxidant enzymes, anti-inflammatory cytokine, dopamine, AChE and BDNF levels in the mice striatum in a dose-related manner. Additionally, the administration of MEZO abated the loss of the nigrostriatal neurons as well as the structural integrity after CuSO<sub>4</sub> lesioning. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The study suggests that MEZO could be used as a pharmacotherapy in the management and treatment of PD pathophysiology following exposure to CuSO<sub>4</sub> intoxication.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100274"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Global lead contamination in soils, sediments, and aqueous environments: Exposure, toxicity, and remediation","authors":"Pratibha Mishra , Shakir Ali , Rakesh Kumar , Shashank Shekhar","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100259","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100259","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Lead (Pb) is a heavy meta(loid) and historically been used in paints, jewelleries, electronics, soldering, plumbing, and cookware due to its high malleability, low melting point, resistance to corrosion, and ability to bond with other metals. However, Pb is recognized as one of the toxic elements commonly occurring in soils, sediments, and natural water.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives and methods</h3><div>This article provides a comprehensive review of the current status of Pb contamination, underscoring its distribution, persistence, fate, and impacts on humans and plants. We investigated recent literature focusing on: <strong>(a)</strong> sources of Pb contamination in soils, sediments, and aqueous environments, <strong>(b)</strong> lead mobilization, occurrences, toxicity mechanisms, and their potential health effects; and <strong>(c)</strong> various remediation methods for Pb contamination in soil and water. Additionally, case studies from the USA, China, and India on Pb sources and pollution in different ecosystems are discussed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our findings indicate that: 1) Lead concentrations exceed permissible limits in numerous soils, sediments, and water globally, while remediation efforts remain largely localized and limited in scale. 2) The mobility of Pb facilitates its bioaccumulation, enabling it to substitute for Ca²⁺ as a signalling messenger in plants and animals. This results in adverse effects such as impaired germination and nutrient uptake in plants, as well as neurotoxicity and other cascading negative impacts in humans and animals.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The study reveals that soils, sediments, and aqueous environments are moderately to highly polluted with Pb, necessitating further investigation into its mobilization and toxicity. Therefore, this contaminant should be comprehensively studied and mitigated through appropriate policy interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"14 ","pages":"Article 100259"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144922357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ashraf Dawar , Muhammad Waqar Khan , Lindsey Tchatchouang
{"title":"The geopolitical implications of rare earth minerals extraction in Afghanistan","authors":"Ashraf Dawar , Muhammad Waqar Khan , Lindsey Tchatchouang","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100267","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100267","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Background: Afghanistan’s Rare Earth Elements (REEs) reserves have become a central point of geopolitical competition following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. This study investigates the complex interplay between China’s growing dominance in Afghanistan’s mining sector, the failure of Western containment approaches, and the Taliban’s unconventional governance of these critical resources. Drawing on satellite imagery analysis, blockchain tracking of cryptocurrency transactions, and interviews with industry experts, the research uncovers how China has secured preferential access to REEs deposits through a “security-for-minerals” bargain with the Taliban. The study documents the Taliban’s paradoxical approach to resource governance, combining bureaucratic pragmatism with ideological constraints, resulting in revenue capture (15 % local allocations) and notable leakage (42 % lost to corruption). Findings highlight the emergence of REEs smuggling as a key funding source for regional militant groups, with an estimated $19 million annually flowing to ISIS-K Khorasan. The research contributes to theoretical debates on the “resource curse” in Islamic governance contexts and the evolving effectiveness of sanctions in an era of digital financialization. Practical implications include recommendations for tiered sanctions regimes and regional monitoring mechanisms to curb conflict financing while maintaining pressure for responsible mining practices. This study offers critical insights into how fragile states’ mineral wealth reshapes 21st-century geopolitical competition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"14 ","pages":"Article 100267"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mahbuba Begum , Fatema Tuz Zohora Toma , Md. Bazlar Rashid , Md. Ahosan Habib , Saeed Mahmud Ullah , Rahat Khan , Syed Mohammod Hossain , S. M. Mostafa Al-Mamun
{"title":"Integrated mineralogical and microstructural analysis of gas field samples in Bangladesh: Optimizing extraction strategies for Salda and Shahbazpur reservoirs","authors":"Mahbuba Begum , Fatema Tuz Zohora Toma , Md. Bazlar Rashid , Md. Ahosan Habib , Saeed Mahmud Ullah , Rahat Khan , Syed Mohammod Hossain , S. M. Mostafa Al-Mamun","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100268","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100268","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The Salda and Shahbazpur gas fields are two significant natural gas reservoirs in the Bengal Basin, Bangladesh. This study presents a novel integration of mineralogical and microstructural analyses aimed at optimizing gas extraction strategies for the both Salda and Shahbazpur gas fields.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>Core samples (consolidated sedimentary rocks) from both fields were analyzed using X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy advanced techniques. These analyses focused on identifying mineral composition, porosity, particle size, and textural features influencing permeability.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Salda samples were found to be rich in quartz with minimal diagenetic alteration, exhibiting porosity ranging from 10 to 32% and an average particle size of 7.12 µm, supporting conventional gas extraction methods. Shahbazpur samples, however, contained evaporitic minerals (e.g., halite) and diagenetic features, including iron oxides and silicates, with reduced porosity (8 to 30%) and a finer particle size of 6.73 µm. The presence of syngenetic zircon and alteration minerals suggested possible complex diagenetic processes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Salda gas field conditions favor conventional extraction techniques, whereas Shahbazpur’s mineralogical complexity and compacted matrix require enhanced methods such as hydraulic or waterless fracturing. This study demonstrates a novel approach to correlating mineralogical properties with gas extraction challenges, contributing to sustainable reservoir management in geologically diverse environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"14 ","pages":"Article 100268"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145528356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cedrick S. Mutombo , Cynthia M. Kibwe , Gael N. Mavungu , Henry M. Manya , Arsene T. Kabamba , Vianney N. Ntabaza , Salvius A. Bakari , Joh B. Kahumba
{"title":"Health risks from the harmful mineral elements’ extractability in the Lubumbashi’s three most used medicinal plants root barks","authors":"Cedrick S. Mutombo , Cynthia M. Kibwe , Gael N. Mavungu , Henry M. Manya , Arsene T. Kabamba , Vianney N. Ntabaza , Salvius A. Bakari , Joh B. Kahumba","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100261","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100261","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>To date, no studies have been reported on the mineral element’s extractability in medicinal plants from Lubumbashi, despite the harmful mineral element’s accumulation in medicinal plant species from this region. This study evaluates (<em>i</em>) the extractability of mineral elements in aqueous extracts of root barks from 3 of Lubumbashi’s most used medicinal plants and (<em>ii</em>) the health risk from the harmful mineral elements bioaccessibility.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Root bark powders of <em>Oldfieldia dactyllophylla</em> (Welw.exOliv.) J. Léonard, <em>Phyllanthus muellerianus</em> (Kuntze) Exell, and <em>Securidaca longepedunculata</em> Fresen, collected from 3 sites in the Lubumbashi region, were macerated (2 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h), infused and decocted in distilled water. These extracts, corresponding crude samples (powders), and used solvent were subjected to inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>4 macroelements (Ca, K, Na, Mg), 6 trace elements (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Se), and 5 non-essential elements (Ag, Al, Cd, Pb, Ni), were detected and quantified in the crude sample of each species. Cd, Co, Fe, and Na were most extracted (82.5, 64.3, 89.8, and 55.6 % respectively) by infusion in <em>P. muellerianus</em>; Mg by infusion (41.3 %), and Cd by decoction (37.1 %) in <em>O. dactylophylla</em>; as well as Se and Co by infusion (74.6 and 55.4 % respectively) in <em>S. longepedunculata</em>. Mineral elements daily intake trough the studied extracts decreased in order <em>P. muellerianus</em> > <em>S. longepedunculata</em> > <em>O. dactyllophylla</em>, reflecting the mineral content of their crude drugs, and showing the dangerousness of <em>P. muellerianus</em>, known to bioaccumulate harmful minerals including Cd and Pb. Target hazard quotients (HTQ) were > 1 for Al, Cd and Pb, multiplying the non-carcinogenic toxic hazard index (HI) by 40, 22, and 32 respectively for infused, decocted and 24 h macerated <em>P. muellerianus</em>. However, the carcinogenic risk was significantly negligible (CR < 0.0001) for extracts of all the analyzed species.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Ingestion of 367 mL of <em>O. dactyllophylla</em> root bark aqueous extracts would be harmless, whereas extraction on the same samples of <em>S. longepedunculata</em> and <em>P. muellerianus</em> should preferably be 2 to 12 h maceration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"14 ","pages":"Article 100261"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144933640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}