Trace elements, toxicity

Heavy metals stimulate or inhibit a wide variety of enzyme systems (16, 71, 72), sometimes for protracted periods (71, 73). These effects may be so sensitive as to precede overt toxicity as in the case of lead-induced inhibition of 8 ALA dehydrase activity with consequential interference of heme and porphyrin synthesis (15, 16). Urinary excretion of 8 ALA is also a sensitive indicator of lead absorption (74). Another erythrocytic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphatase, when present in abnormally low amounts, may increase susceptibility to lead intoxication (75), and for this reason, screens to detect such affected persons in lead-related injuries have been suggested (76). Biochemical bases for trace element toxicity have been described for the heavy metals (16), selenium (77), fluoride (78), and cobalt (79). Heavy metal metabolic injury, in addition to producing primary toxicity, can adversely alter drug detoxification mechanisms (80, 81), with possible secondary consequences for that portion of the population on medication. 

In biology and medicine, identification and characterization of species of essential (e.g., Fe, Cu, Zn, Se), toxic (e.g., Hg, Pb, Cd, As), and therapeutic elements (e.g., Pt, Au) in living organisms is arousing great interest these days. Also, in occupational medicine, speciation provides information about the volatile species (e.g., Hg) and inhalable particles at the workplace (e.g., Cr(VI) in dust particles), providing information about trace element toxicants absorption, distribution, reactivity, toxicity, and the final excretion after an occupational exposure to Pb, Cr, As, etc. 

Copper Metal plating, mining, industrial Essential trace element, toxic to plants and... 

Elemental selenium has been said to be practically nontoxic and is considered to be an essential trace element however, hydrogen selenide and other selenium compounds are extremely toxic, and resemble arsenic in their physiological reactions. 

Cobalt, copper, molybdenum, iodine, iron, manganese, nickel, selenium, and zinc are sometimes provided to mminants. Mineral deficiency or toxicity in sheep, especially copper and selenium, is a common example of dietary mineral imbalance (21). Other elements may be required for optimal mminant performance (22). ExceUent reviews of trace elements are available (5,22). 

Health and Environment. Manganese in trace amounts is an essential element for both plants and animals and is among the trace elements least toxic to mammals including humans. Exposure to abnormally high concentrations of manganese, particulady in the form of dust and fumes, is, however, known to have resulted in adverse effects to humans (36,37) (see Mineral nutrients). 

Efficient homeostatic controls of mammalians generally prevent serious toxicity from ingestion of the mineral nutrients. Toxicity may occur under conditions far removed from those of nutritional significance or for individuals suffering from some pathological conditions. Because of very low concentrations in foods, the trace elements are not toxic under normal nutritional conditions. Exceptions are selenium and iron (162). 

Concern over the release of hazardous trace elements from the burning of coal has been highlighted by the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. Most toxic elements are associated with ash-forming minerals in coal (5). As shown in Table 1, levels of many of these toxic metals can be significantly reduced by physical coal cleaning (6). 

The bad guys, shown in pink in Figure 2.8, are toxic, often lethal, even in relatively small quantities. Several of the essential trace elements become toxic if their concentrations in the body increase. Selenium is a case in point. You need about 0.00005 g/day to maintain good health, but 0.001 g/day can be deadly. That s a good thing to keep in mind if you re taking selenium supplements. 

Sediment Analysis. Sediment is the most chemically and biologically active component of the aquatic environment. Benthic invertebrate and microbial life concentrate in the sediment, a natural sink for precipitated metal forms, and an excellent sorbent for many metal species. TTie extent to which potentially toxic trace element forms bind to sediment is determined by the sediment s binding intensity and capacity and various solution parameters, as well as the concentration and nature of the metal forms of interest. Under some conditions sediment analyses can readily indicate sources of discharged trace elements. 

The following chapter is a case study of how the three problem areas illustrated (dissolved oxygen depletion, erosion/deposition, and potentially toxic trace elements) may be successfully addressed on a major river system using quantitative, semi-quantitative and qualitative approaches respectively. 

The goals of this chapter do not include a "state of the art" literature review which would be appropriate for a more in-depth discussion of one particular problem area. Rather the intent is to illustrate mechanistic approaches to river quality assessment using the three globally relevant water quality problem areas discussed in the previous chapter dissolved oxygen depletion, erosion/deposition, and potentially toxic trace elements. The information provided does not include all rationale, methology or approaches used in the study as this is beyond the scope of the chapter. Additional general information on application of the intensive river quality assessment approach in the Willamette River basin may be found elsewhere (4-9, 11-14, 17). 

Potentially Toxic Trace Elements - A Qualitative Approach... 

Methods. As discussed in the previous chapter, a number of approaches have been used to assess the presence of potentially toxic trace elements in water. The approaches used in this assessment include comparative media evaluation, a human health and aquatic life guidelines assessment, a mass balance evaluation, probability plots, and toxicity bioassays. Concentrations of trace elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry according to standard methods (21,22) by the Oregon State Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Geological Survey. 

Comparative Media Evaluation. Table 4 is a summary of trace element occurrences for water, sediment, fish and rocks in Oregon as compared with concentrations measured elsewhere in the world. Details of the comparison parameters are provided in the footnotes to Table 4. The table indicates that no excessively high concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements exist in Willamette River water relative to "uncontaminated sites. 

Toxicity Bioassay. Ninety-six hour acute toxicity tests were conducted on the effluent streams of major industries. A static renewal procedure was used in which waste waters of various dilutions were renewed at 24 hour intervals over a 96 hour period. Rainbow trout was used as the test organism. Tests were conducted at 13°C in 20 liter aquaria according to standard procedures (22), Results are summarized in Table 8. Chemical and toxicity test results indicate that the trace element quantities identified in Table 8 are not acutely toxic under the prevailing conditions and unlikely to pose an acute threat to aquatic life. In this case a chronic toxicity assessment would require additional research. 

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