Journal of trace elements and minerals最新文献

{"title":"Investigation on nitrate induced histological alterations in vas deferens of rats","authors":"S.V. Rajini ,&nbsp;R. Srushti ,&nbsp;M. Sanchana ,&nbsp;H.N. Sarjan","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100245","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100245","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Nitrate (NO₃) contamination is a serious global concern as high level of NO₃ adversely affect different components of the male reproductive system including accessory sex organs. However, there are no reports of NO₃ effects on vas deferens. With this background, the study was undertaken to investigate the effects of NO₃ contaminated ground water and sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) on vas deferens of rats.</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>Adult rats were randomly divided into control, NO₃ contaminated ground water and NaNO₃ (100 mg kg⁻¹ bw/1mL/rat) treated groups (<em>n</em> = 5). The animals were exposed to NO₃ for 52 days and after the treatment period, the rats were sacrificed and histological alterations in vas deferens, few biochemical and sperm parameters were analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Nitrate exposure resulted in significant increase in percentage gain in body weight, abnormal spermatozoa and nitrite level in spermatozoa. Further, there was significant decrease in relative weight of vas deferens, sperm motility and serum concentration of testosterone in NO₃ exposed rats compared to control. Histologically, distorted pseudostratified columnar epithelium, damaged stereocilia, reduced luminal sperm population, damaged basal lamina and disorganized muscle layers were observed in vas deferens of NO₃ treated rats compared to control. In addition, the height of pseudostratified columnar epithelium and diameter of muscularis was significantly reduced in NO₃ exposed rats compared to control.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The present investigation clearly indicated the adverse effects of NO₃ on vas deferens; one of the important accessory reproductive structures in transport of mature sperm to the urethra. Further, exposure to NO₃ contaminated ground water caused severe histological damage in vas deferens compared to that of NaNO_3.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100245"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143886002","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":"Inorganic constituents in cassava derivatives: Total concentration, dietary intake and bioaccessibility","authors":"Leilane R. Santos ,&nbsp;Filipe B. Santana ,&nbsp;Hilária F.A. Silveira ,&nbsp;Wellington C. de Carvalho ,&nbsp;Laís A. Souza ,&nbsp;Rennan Geovanny O. Araujo ,&nbsp;Maria Graças A. Korn ,&nbsp;Daniele Cristina M.B. Santos","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100216","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100216","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentration and in vitro bioaccessibility of inorganic constituents in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) derivatives marketed in Brazil, aiming to uncover new data on the distribution and bioaccessibility of Mn and Mg. By identifying patterns in bioaccessibility, the study aims to provide crucial insights into the dietary impact of these chemical elements, with a focus on nutritional benefits and health risks.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The concentrations of As, Ba, Cd, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Se, Sr, V, and Zn were determined in cassava samples using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after sample decomposition employed closed digester block and diluited nitric acid.</div></div><div><h3>Results and Discussion</h3><div>The concentration ranges (in μg g^-1) were: Ba (&lt;0.32 - 0.60), Ca (&lt;11- 542), Fe (&lt;0.39 - 111), K (156 - 7362), Mg (9.8 - 533), Na (&lt;3.1 - 98), P (58 - 1774) and Sr (&lt;0.005 - 3.85). The concentration ranges (in ng g^-1) obtained were: As (&lt;12 - 158), Cd (&lt;9 - 47), Co (&lt;17 - 295), Cu (&lt;90 - 1159), Mn (70 - 2523), Pb (&lt;14 - 521), Se (&lt;16 - 215), V (&lt;6 - 106) and Zn (&lt;3208 - 7277). The consumption of 100 g of starch contributes to the intake of Ca (1.0 - 2.8 %), Cu (3.8 - 2.9 %), Fe (1.2 - 12.4 %), Mg (0.2 – 11.0 %), Mn (0.6 - 8.0 %), P (1.6 - 18.0 %), Se (26.3 – 26.8 %) and Zn (4.0 – 6.0 %). No health risk was distributed for As and Cd. For Pb, the concentrations were three times higher than the legislated values in Brazil. The estimated bioaccessibility of Mg (up to 80 %) and Mn (up to 43 %) suggests that these chemical elements can be available for absorption and may contribute positively to dietary intake when consuming cassava derivatives.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study makes a significant contribution by proposing a simple and low-cost procedure for evaluating the mineral composition of cassava samples, as well as bioaccessibility estimation of Mn and Mg, providing new nutritional information of interest to public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100216"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143136069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Alfalfa seeds biofortification with zinc for production of enriched sprouts","authors":"Marco Antonio Alves de Paula ,&nbsp;Rafael Giovanini de Lima ,&nbsp;Paulo Sérgio Monteiro ,&nbsp;Fabrícia Queiroz Mendes ,&nbsp;Hudson Wallace Pereira de Carvalho ,&nbsp;Willian Rodrigues Macedo","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100230","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100230","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Hidden hunger is considered a dilemma, especially in developing countries. The scarcity of micronutrients causes severe health problems by weaking the population's immune system. Biofortified food can mitigate the harm of this problem by assisting specially less favored persons that cannot afford supplements.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the biofortification of alfalfa (<em>Medicago sativa</em> L.) seeds with zinc (Zn) through osmotic conditioning as a strategy to produce enriched sprouts that contribute to human mineral nutrition and adopt modern analytical tools to verify Zn absorption in seedlings.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Four rates of Zn were tested: 0 mmol l^-1, 0.005 mmol l^-1, 0.010 mmol l^-1, and 0.015 mmol l^-1 of Zn as ZnSO₄·7H₂O. Sprout mass (g), root length (cm) and shoot length (cm), germination rate (%), germination speed index, and Zn concentration in the sprouts were evaluated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>No significant differences between treatments were observed for sprout mass and germination speed index. However, increases were noticed for root growth and germination rate at estimated doses of 0.0091 and 0.0099 mmol l^-1 of Zn, respectively. X-ray fluorescence analysis showed Zn concentrations as follows: 134, 176, 208, and 288 μg g^-1 for the 0, 0.005, 0.010, and 0.015 mmol l^-1 of Zn treatments, respectively. Biofortification proved a viable tool for plant shoot enrichment, with doses close to 0.010 mmol l^-1 of Zn resulting in superior plant development and adequate Zn accumulation in the sprouts.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Osmotic conditioning has proven to be a technological process capable of assisting in food biofortification, and X-ray fluorescence is an adequate analytical tool to measure mineral elements in plant-based food.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100230"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143645028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geologic setting of mineral licks and availability of trace element nutrients: case study of the Dewar Creek geothermal spring site in the Canadian Cordillera","authors":"Paul L. Broughton","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100243","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100243","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The link between the geology and development of mineral licks involves the mineralogy and availability of metallic elements that are necessary for mammalian nutritional requirements. The chemistries of natural mineral licks have been widely documented, but their constituent elements necessary for mammalian nutrition have usually not been linked to regional tectono-stratigraphic controls on their mineralogy and element availability. The extensive mineral lick emplaced along the Dewar Creek geothermal spring area in southeast British Columbia of the Canadian Cordillera has a dominant carbonate mineralogy that has been a longstanding attraction to ungulates. This case study provides insight into how the geologic context directly controls the availability of various trace metal nutrient ions and thereby attracts mammalian wildlife.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>Sediments collected along the Dewar Creek geothermal spring are analyzed for their mineralogy and trace element concentration to further our understanding as to why the site is attractive to ungulates as a mineral lick.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>The geologic framework provides the overall context for the location of mineral licks that result in the availability of metallic elements necessary for the nutritional requirements of mammals, and furthers our understanding on how the geologic framework controls the location of mineral licks that provide specific elements necessary for the health of ungulates. High concentrations of Sr (3000–12,000 ppm) and Mn (4000–9000 ppm) are incorporated into different carbonate minerals that accumulated as bottom sediment and overlying crust along the geothermal spring. The unusually high concentration of bioactive strontium in particular at this mineral lick facilitates the attractiveness to ungulates because of the impact on mammalian bone osteoporosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100243"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143838429","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":"Comparative effect of dietary fortification of raw and roasted seeds of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L) on fertility biomolecules in cisplatin-induced spermatotoxic rats","authors":"Seun Funmilola Akomolafe ,&nbsp;Mary Aderonke Bola Ogundare ,&nbsp;Ibikunle Akinlua ,&nbsp;Oluwadamilare Oluwaseun Ajayi ,&nbsp;Elijah Olalekan Odesanmi ,&nbsp;Olusola Bolaji Adewale","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100236","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100236","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Cisplatin is a known chemotherapeutic/anticancer drug, reported to induce oxidative stress, a major risk factor in male infertility. However, studies have shown that dietary pattern plays a pivotal role in the protection of chemotherapy-induced testicular damage, and till date no report on the comparative effect of raw and roasted pumpkin seeds against chemotherapy-induced male infertility and reproductive dysfunction. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate how raw and roasted pumpkin seed enriched diets affect reproductive function biomarkers in adult male Wistar rats that had been exposed to a single dose (7 mgkg^-1 i.p) of cisplatin-induced testicular damage.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Rats were fed with basal diets (CTRL), cisplatin-induced rats fed with basal diet (CIS); cisplatin-induced rats fed diet supplemented with raw (5 % and 10 %) and cisplatin-induced rats fed roasted (5 % and 10 %) pumpkin seeds for 14 days. A single administration of cisplatin was done 14th day after treatment with supplemented diet, and the rats were euthanized 24 h later for the evaluation of reproductive hormones, epidydimal sperm parameters, nitric oxide level, testicular and epididymal total thiol level and non-protein thiol level, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and steroidogenic enzymes activities.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Reproductive hormones, epidydimal sperm parameters, and both testicular and epididymal levels of nitric oxide, total thiol and non-protein thiol, as well as glutathione-S-transferase, catalase and steroidogenic enzyme activities were significantly elevated (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05), with a reduction in arginase activity, and levels of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species in testes and epididymis of cisplatin- spermatotoxic rats pre-fed with pumpkin seed in comparison with untreated cisplatin-induced testicular damage rats. Testes architectures were efficiently restored in cisplatin-intoxicated rats pre-fed with pumpkin seed. In the immunohistochemistry assay, there were fewer caspase-3 expressions in cisplatin-intoxicated rats pre-fed with roasted pumpkin seed than in those pre-treated with raw pumpkin seed and untreated cisplatin-intoxicated group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The ameliorative effects of raw and roasted pumpkin seeds on various biochemical parameters associated with fertility may suggest its role in enhancing male fertility in rats exposed to cisplatin. However, the roasted pumpkin seeds was noted to possess more ameliorative effect than raw seed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100236"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143683012","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Contamination status and toxicity risk assessment of selected potentially toxic elements in surface soils under the influence of different land uses in Midwestern Burkina Faso, West Africa","authors":"Michel Bembamba ,&nbsp;Aboubakar Sako","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100241","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100241","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>As land use transitions from rain-fed farming to market gardening and artisanal gold mining in Burkina Faso, soil contamination with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) has become a major environmental concern.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study investigates the PTE pollution status of highly anthropized soil in Midwestern Burkina Faso.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 226 topsoil samples were collected, and their PTE concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Enrichment factors and ecological and toxicity risk indices were used to evaluate the soil's contamination status.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results revealed that artisanal gold mining mainly contributed to Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn loadings in the soils, whereas agricultural practices might have partially contributed to Pb concentrations. Based on the spatial distribution maps of the ecological risk index (RI), the studied soils exhibited low (23–104), moderate (150 ≤ RI &lt; 300), and very high (RI&gt;600) risk levels. Samples with high toxicity units (ΣTU &gt; 4) and toxicity risk index (TRI &gt; 20) were clustered around artisanal gold mining sites. The strong spatial and linear correlations between ΣTU and RI (r² = 0.79), and between RI and TRI (r² = 0.90), suggest that the newly developed toxicity indices are suitable for assessing PTE toxicity in soils.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The study's findings demonstrate that, in addition to chemical weathering, uncontrolled artisanal gold mining activities and, to a lesser degree, agricultural practices are likely to threaten soil functioning and food security. The study provides valuable insights into the ongoing global discourse on PTE distribution and its effects on soil environmental quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100241"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143817487","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":"Speciation of arsenic and concentration of cadmium and arsenic in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivated under co-exposure of cadmium/arsenic and different water ponding","authors":"Tatiana Pedron,&nbsp;Valmir Silva,&nbsp;Fernanda Pollo Paniz,&nbsp;Bruno Lemos Batista","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100240","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100240","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Over three billion people consume rice (<em>Oryza sativa</em> L), an important cereal in the human diet. It is cultivated typically in flooded soils. However, it is also grown in soils with limited water (upland or dryland). There are few studies on the concomitant translocation of As and Cd from soil to rice in different irrigation systems. The present work aimed to verify the influence of 3 irrigation systems (dry soil, semi-dry, and flooded soil) on the absorption and translocation of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in the rice cultivar GURI INTA CL. Four different soil treatments were used in each of these irrigation regimes: As 10 mg kg^-1 only, Cd 10 mg kg^-1 only, 10 mg kg^-1 of As + Cd, and the control group (no As/Cd additions). Arsenic treatment affected the agronomic parameters (stem masses and heights and the mass of grains) of the plants cultivated in dry soil and semi-dry soil. It was observed that the co-exposure in flooded soil presented a higher concentration of total As with the lowest percentage of inorganic As (iAs 37.6 %) in grains. Co-exposure or only As had a similar iAs percentage in grains from plants cultivated under other irrigation systems ( ̴ 55 %). The highest Cd concentration was observed in the dry soil irrigation system, for both roots and grains, mainly in co-exposure treatment. Thus, the rice cultivar GURI INTA CL raised in flooded soils absorb higher amounts of As and lesser amounts of Cd. On the contrary, in dry soil there is higher and lesser absorption of Cd and As, respectively. Therefore, this new knowledge on the dynamics of absorption and translocation of As and Cd in Brazilian rice cultivars can provide mitigation strategies for the contamination of rice grains by toxic elements.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100240"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143759744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Are industrial footprints driving potentially toxic element contamination in the Karnaphuli River Estuary?","authors":"Istiak Ahmed ,&nbsp;Md. Mostafa Monwar ,&nbsp;Md Iqram Uddin Al Amran ,&nbsp;Md Mehedi Iqbal ,&nbsp;Israt Sultana Isha ,&nbsp;Md Masum Billah ,&nbsp;Mohammad Rafiqul Islam ,&nbsp;Abdullah Al Mamun ,&nbsp;Md Khurshid Alam Bhuiyan","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100220","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100220","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The contamination of estuarine sediments with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is a growing concern in industrialized regions. The Karnaphuli River estuary, a critical ecosystem in Bangladesh, is exposed to untreated industrial, agricultural, and urban effluents, posing ecological and health risks.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to assess the levels and spatial distribution of chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) in sediments of the estuary, along with potential contamination sources and the associated ecological risks.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Sediment samples were collected from six key discharge points and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The data were examined to identify contamination patterns using geostatistical techniques, element correlations, and possible pollution sources. Results were compared with international sediment quality guidelines and findings from global estuarine systems to assess ecological risks.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The concentrations of Cr (77.13–165.29 mg kg^-1), Zn (67.86–83.29 mg kg^-1), and Cu (53.28–73.66 mg kg^-1) were highest near industrial zones. Strong correlations were observed among Cr, Zn, and Pb, indicating overlapping anthropogenic sources such as industrial discharges and urban runoff. When compared to global estuarine systems, the contamination levels of PTEs in the Karnaphuli estuary were found to be moderate to high, reflecting similar patterns observed in other industrialized regions. Several PTEs exceeded permissible limits, raising significant ecological concerns.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The findings underscore the need for stricter wastewater management, advanced remediation technologies, and robust monitoring frameworks to mitigate contamination risks. The study provides a baseline for policymaking to protect estuarine ecosystems in rapidly industrializing regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100220"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143547802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Availability and mobilisation of potentially harmful elements in contaminated mining sites: A systematic review of using soil amendments and plants for remediation","authors":"Albert Kobina Mensah ,&nbsp;Ephraim Sekyi-Annan ,&nbsp;Emmanuel Amoakwah","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100234","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100234","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>Environmental contamination in Ghana constitutes both a political and sustainability challenge. This study offers a contemporary analysis of the influence and prevalence of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in the environment related to mining activities. Additionally, we examine soil remediation initiatives and research conducted in the previous decade to tackle soil contamination and pollution issues within the mining industry.</div></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><div>The study focused on peer-reviewed publications in the last decade (i.e., 2014–2024) identified in the Scopus database. The search included articles written in English at the final stage of publication and all open-access content, including those published in gold. The study context was in Ghana. A total of 185 publications related to topics such as biochar, iron oxides, compost, charcoal, phytoremediation, organic amendments, inorganic fertilisers, and soil amendments were identified within the aforementioned time frame.</div></div><div><h3>Results and discussions</h3><div>We found 2,175 global document results from 2014 to 2024 related to soil amendments and phytoremediation for remediating harmful elements in mine-soils. We identified 524 documents in Ghana, which accounted for 24% of global research articles on these topics. The 185 studies that were included made up 35% of all studies on mine-contaminated soils in Ghana that used organic amendments and phytoremediation strategies. Consequently, the 185 documents constituted 9% of all research articles published in the world.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions and implications</h3><div>We emphasise the importance of implementing strategies to mitigate PHE contamination to protect the health of humans, plants, and animals. Overall, green remediation can effectively tackle PHEs contamination problems, minimise the spread of metals and metalloids in the food chain, prevent their transfer into surface water and groundwater resources, and ensure a clean environment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100234"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143683083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trace element and mercury speciation analysis in yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis)","authors":"María Victoria Panzl ,&nbsp;Jarol R. Miranda-Andrades ,&nbsp;Wendy J. Sandoval Rojano ,&nbsp;Joseane A. Mendes ,&nbsp;Tatiana D. Saint'Pierre ,&nbsp;Alejandra Rodríguez-Haralambides ,&nbsp;Ricardo Q. Aucelio","doi":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100217","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100217","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Yerba mate, a popular beverage in South America, is rich in bioactive compounds and minerals. However, yerba mate leaves may contain toxic metals and environmental contaminants. This study performed multi-element analyses using ICP-MS and ICP OES and mercury speciation by GC-CV-AFS and CV–AAS to profile infusions of ten yerba mate samples consumed in Brazil and Uruguay.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>For ICP OES and ICP-MS analyses, 500 mg infusions of samples were prepared and diluted with 10 % v/v HNO₃. Ultrasonic-assisted extractions of mercurial species were made followed by distillation and dilution with water for CV-AAS. For GC-CV-AFS speciation, samples were extracted and distilled, using 200 μL aliquots for analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The most abundant elements in the digested solid samples were K, Ca, and Mg, whereas in infusions the ranges were up to 9.18 mg g⁻¹ for K, 0.68 mg g⁻¹ for Ca, and 2.74 mg g⁻¹ for Mg. Pb presented a mean concentration of 260 µg kg⁻¹ in leaves but it was not found in infusions. Hg²⁺ was found from 0.67 to 0.96 μg kg⁻¹ in leaves with one sample presenting 0.67 μg kg⁻¹ of CH₃Hg.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>K, Ca, and Mg were the most abundant elements in the yerba mate samples. Four samples showed ultra-trace concentrations of Hg²⁺ and one of CH₃Hg.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73997,"journal":{"name":"Journal of trace elements and minerals","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100217"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143369855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}