73 research outputs found

    Assessment the Seasonal Variability and Enrichment of Toxic Trace Metals Pollution in Sediments of Damietta Branch, Nile River, Egypt

    No full text
    This work appraises the extent of toxic trace metals and seasonal pollution degree in Damietta branch sediments of the River Nile of Egypt. The toxic trace metals Fe, Mn, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were analysed in sediments from six sites during the summer and winter seasons. The metal concentrations and organic matter were determined using inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometry and loss-on-ignition, respectively. Multivariate statistical methods were used in order to allocate the possible metals sources and their relationships in sediments. The seasonal mean sequence of toxic trace metals was: Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Co > Cd. The mean Cd, Pb, and Zn values exceeded the sediment quality guidelines and average shale and they represent severe potential toxicity for aquatic organisms. Cu and Co were enriched during winter. The geo-accumulation index stipulated that metal pollution degree in the sequence of: Pb > Zn > Cd > Co > Cu > Mn > Ni > Fe. The highest metal pollution index reported in winter in sites S4/S5 and during summer in sites S4–S6. Different agricultural, wastewater discharge, fisheries, and industrial activities, as well as the effect of dilution/concentration during summer/winter seasons, are the main factors that contributed to metal accumulations in Damietta branch sediments. Continuous monitoring and evaluation of toxic trace metal concentrations of the Damietta sediments and similar localities worldwide can help to protect the ecosystem from harmful metal contaminations

    Animal exposure to microplastics and health effects: A review

    No full text
    Microplastic (MP) contamination has become a pervasive global issue, affecting terrestrial and aquatic environments, and its potential health hazards are of widespread concern. This review examined the intricate relationship between animal exposure to MPs and their health effects, revealing that MP contamination affects a broad spectrum of animal species across terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Crucially, interspecies differences in ingestion, accumulation, and responses to MPs emerge as central themes arising from various factors, including feeding behavior, physiology, and ecological niches. The health implications of MP exposure are multifarious; animals may suffer physical harm, endure chemical exposure to adsorbed contaminants, provoke inflammatory responses, and undergo behavioral modifications. Chronic exposure to MPs raises concerns about their long-term health consequences, and the ability of MPs to adsorb and transport chemicals has implications for the bioaccumulation of pollutants within food webs. The ecological ramifications of MP contamination are profound, impacting animal behavior, population dynamics, and ecosystem processes. The intricate interplay between animals and MPs underscores the need for interdisciplinary research that unites fields such as biology, ecology, chemistry, and toxicology. Recognizing the relationship between animal exposure to MPs and their health effects has significant implications, particularly as the potential for MPs to enter the human food chain through animals underscores the need for research on human health risks
    corecore