Ecological risk assessment of metals in soils is important to develop the critical loads of metals in soils. Phytotoxicity is one of the endpoints for ecological risk assessment of soils contaminated with metals. The ...Ecological risk assessment of metals in soils is important to develop the critical loads of metals in soils. Phytotoxicity is one of the endpoints for ecological risk assessment of soils contaminated with metals. The sensitivity of eight Chinese plant species（bok choy, mustard, tomato, green chilli, paddy rice, barley, spinach and celery） to copper（Cu） and nickel（Ni） toxicity in two Chinese soils was investigated to assess their potential use for ecological risk assessment in the region. The results showed that bok choy and mustard were the two most sensitive species to Cu and Ni toxicities. Assessment of metal accumulation by the plants demonstrated that bok choy shoot had the highest bioconcentration factor（BCF, the ratio of metal concentration in plant shoots to metal concentration in soil）. Given the importance of bok choy to agricultural production in Asia, it is therefore important that these sensitive plant species are included in species sensitivity distributions for ecological risk assessment of Cu and Ni in soils.展开更多
Background:One way that people get infected with intestinal parasites is through the consumption of contaminated vegetables and fruits.This study aimed at determining the prevalence and predictors of parasitic contami...Background:One way that people get infected with intestinal parasites is through the consumption of contaminated vegetables and fruits.This study aimed at determining the prevalence and predictors of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables collected from four local markets in Arba Minch town,Southern Ethiopia.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 21 September 2014 to determine the level of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables sold in Arba Minch town.A total of 360 samples of different types of fruits and vegetables were soaked in physiological saline,followed by vigorous shaking with the aid of a mechanical shaker for 15 minutes and then examined using the sedimentation concentration technique.Results:Out of the 360 samples examined,196(54.4%)were contaminated with at least one type of parasite.Ascaris lumbricoides(20.83%)was the most frequently detected parasite and Isospora belli(3.06%)was the least frequently detected one.It was also observed that decreased parasitic contamination was significantly associated with washing the products before displaying it for selling(P<0.001).Conclusions:The findings of this study provide evidence that there is a potentially high risk of acquiring parasitic infections from the consumption of raw vegetables and fruits in Arba Minch,Ethiopia.The authors believe that an effort should be made by the relevant bodies to reduce the rate of contamination of products with medically important parasites by educating the vendors and the community.展开更多
基金financial support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(40971262,40620120436 and 41401361)the International Copper Association,Rio Tinto Pty Ltd.and the Nickel Producers Environmental Research Association
文摘Ecological risk assessment of metals in soils is important to develop the critical loads of metals in soils. Phytotoxicity is one of the endpoints for ecological risk assessment of soils contaminated with metals. The sensitivity of eight Chinese plant species（bok choy, mustard, tomato, green chilli, paddy rice, barley, spinach and celery） to copper（Cu） and nickel（Ni） toxicity in two Chinese soils was investigated to assess their potential use for ecological risk assessment in the region. The results showed that bok choy and mustard were the two most sensitive species to Cu and Ni toxicities. Assessment of metal accumulation by the plants demonstrated that bok choy shoot had the highest bioconcentration factor（BCF, the ratio of metal concentration in plant shoots to metal concentration in soil）. Given the importance of bok choy to agricultural production in Asia, it is therefore important that these sensitive plant species are included in species sensitivity distributions for ecological risk assessment of Cu and Ni in soils.
基金The study was supported by the Arba Minch Hospital Leishmaniasis Research and Treatment Centre.The funders played no role in the study design,data collection,and data analysis or interpretation。
文摘Background:One way that people get infected with intestinal parasites is through the consumption of contaminated vegetables and fruits.This study aimed at determining the prevalence and predictors of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables collected from four local markets in Arba Minch town,Southern Ethiopia.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 21 September 2014 to determine the level of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables sold in Arba Minch town.A total of 360 samples of different types of fruits and vegetables were soaked in physiological saline,followed by vigorous shaking with the aid of a mechanical shaker for 15 minutes and then examined using the sedimentation concentration technique.Results:Out of the 360 samples examined,196(54.4%)were contaminated with at least one type of parasite.Ascaris lumbricoides(20.83%)was the most frequently detected parasite and Isospora belli(3.06%)was the least frequently detected one.It was also observed that decreased parasitic contamination was significantly associated with washing the products before displaying it for selling(P<0.001).Conclusions:The findings of this study provide evidence that there is a potentially high risk of acquiring parasitic infections from the consumption of raw vegetables and fruits in Arba Minch,Ethiopia.The authors believe that an effort should be made by the relevant bodies to reduce the rate of contamination of products with medically important parasites by educating the vendors and the community.
