A Widely Distributed Metal

Rutile TiOj is a mineral with a metalhc or diamond luster and a blood-red to yellowish-brown color. The Latin word rutilus just means golden red. Beautiful specimens can be used as jewelry. 

Ilmenite, like rutile, is found in the sand deposits of beaches and rivers but what makes ilmenite particularly important is that it frequently exists crystalline as massive ore deposits, often together with hematite or magnetite. 

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Cadmium is a widely distributed metal used in manufacturing and is present in a number of consumer products. Dietary exposure to cadmium is possible from shellfish and plants grown on cadmium-contaminated soils. Absorption is increased when associated with low levels of iron or calcium in the diet. Some plants, such as tobacco, can concentrate cadmium from even low levels in the soil. The lung readily absorbs cadmium, thus cigarette smokers have elevated cadmium exposure. Cadmium is also used as a metal alloy, in paint, and in batteries (Ni-Cad, nickel-cadmium). Workplace exposure can occur in welding and battery manufacture. 

Pyruvate kinase, phosphopyruvate kbtase (EC 2.7.1.40) a widely distributed, metal-ion dependent phosphotransferase, present in yeast, muscle, liver, erythrocytes and other organs and cells. It catalyses the last reaction of glycolysis Phosphoeno/pyruvate (PEP) + ADP -> Pyruvate + ATP (substrate level phosphorylation). Each subunit of P. k. forms an intermediate, cyclic, ternary metal bridge complex ... 

Titanium is a widely distributed metal and ranks tenth among the most common elements in the earth crust. In the soils, titanium is generally found in the form of titanium dioxide or titanium silicates, and due to its low solubility is practically unavailable for plants. The application of soluble forms of titanium, Ti-chloride, Ti-sulphate or Ti-ascorbate (Titavit), has been proved to be beneficial to the growth and quality of some important agricultural crops [1,2]. 

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