Vegetables grown in mining areas can accumulate significant amounts of heavy metals (HMs), which can cause serious developmental disorders and have long-term negative effects on public health. In the present study, the HMs contamination level in vegetables grown around the Riruwai mining area in Kano State, Nigeria, was investigated. Fifteen (15) vegetable samples were collected, including lettuce (Lacuta sativa L.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), as well as their corresponding soils. The levels of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in all the samples were determined using Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry, and the measured concentrations were used to calculate the bioaccumulation factor (BAF). The results of the study revealed that HMs concentrations in the investigated vegetables were found to be significantly high, with the majority of levels exceeding the WHO/FAO (2007) recommended limit, and the concentration of HMs in the soil decreased in the order of Zn > Mn > Cr > Pb > As > Ni > Cd > Hg, with As, Pb, and Zn exceeding the WHO/FAO (2001) recommended limit. Pollution levels were found to significantly differ between HMs and vegetable types. BAF results revealed that cadmium is an accumulator of all the studied vegetables (BAFs > 1), while mercury was found to be an accumulator of L. sativa. Higher concentrations of these metals in vegetables and soil, particularly arsenic, cadmium, lead, and zinc, necessitate immediate scientific attention and further research to determine the optimum concentration required for human health. Planting of vegetables for human and animal consumption should be stopped until this is accomplished.

In this study, the effect of foliar L-Histidine and Methinonin amino acid applications on grain cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) uptake on durum wheat grown in soil contaminated with Cd was investigated. The research was carried out according to the randomized blocks design as a pot experiment in greenhouse conditions. In the experiment, Cd doses were applied as control (0 mg Cd kg-1) and (3 mg Cd kg-1). L-Histidine and Methionine amino acids were applied 7 times from the leaf after the start of flag leaf formation in wheat at 0.5 mM doses and harvested after the grain maturity was completed. According to the results obtained, the wheat grain dry matter yield in 3 mg Cd kg-1 polluted soil was 44.5 mg grain-1 in the control, while the dry matter weight was increased with the application of L-Histidine and Methionine from the leaves being 48 and 50 mg grain-1, respectively. It was determined that there were differences in grain Cd and Zn concentrations with the application of amino acids from the leaves at the dose of 3 mg kg-1 cadmium. When the grain Cd and Zn intakes were compared with the control, it was found that the grain Cd concentration decreased, and the Zn concentration increased as a result of the application of amino acids. The high amount of Cd in wheat can make it to the human body through the food chain and is known to cause serious health problems after a certain amount of accumulation. As a result of this study, it is seen that L-Histidine and Methionine are effective in reducing Cd in the grain, and these amino acids probably form a complex with Cd, resulting in less transport.

High concentrations of chromium in the soil have a toxic effect on the living organisms in the soil ecosystem. If chromium, which is not an absolute essential element, accumulates in plants, it causes structural changes, causing a decrease in plant growth and also high toxicity due to its accumulation in biomass. Use of plants to remove chromium (Cr) from contaminated soils, it is an environmentally efficient, cost-effective, modern, applicable technique. The different species of plant and ornamental plants are used in this technique. In this study, the Kordes shrub rose used in landscaping in our province, Cr phytoremediation capacity was evaluated by growing at contaminated soil with Cr. In the study, the different doses of Cr (0, 50, 100, 500, 1000 mg kg-1) have been applied in Cr+3 and Cr+6 forms. In addition, two doses (0% and 3%) of leonardite were added to the pots to determine the effect on the developmental status of the plants and Cr uptake. In the study, plant height, number of branches, number of flowers, flower diameter, stem diameter, flower yield values and total wet and dry weight values at the end of the experiment were determined. At the end of the experiment, it was observed that generally developmental status of the plants was adversely affected at high Cr doses. Especially at 500 and 1000 mg kg-1 application doses was observed that the plants could not withstand Cr toxicity in a short time. It has been observed that plants treated with leonardite were healthier than those without. According to the data obtained at the end of the study, it was determined that the resistance of plant to high doses of Cr was low, but it showed better growth at 50 and 100 mg kg-1 doses.

Heavy metal toxicity can either be acute or chronic effects. Long-term exposure of the body to heavy metal can progressively lead to muscular, physical and neurological degenerative process. In this research, a total of 30 representative chocolate samples were collected from local shops and markets in Lahore. All the samples were analysed to assess the levels of Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr) and Cadmium (Cd) by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer in Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Lahore. It was observed that the majority of chocolate samples contain heavy metals levels higher than the permissible limits as recommended by Punjab Food Rules (PFR) 2011. The levels of Pb ranged between 0.375 and 3.4 mg/kg with 90% samples having concentrations exceeding PFR allowable limit (0.5 mg/kg). Whereas, Ni concentrations varied from 0.005 to 0.28 mg/kg and 80% samples were above the PFR limit (0.025 mg/kg). Further, Cr levels analysed between 0.005 to 0.28 mg/kg and 53% samples had Cr concentrations higher than PFR limit (0.02 mg/kg). Similarly, Cd levels were observed between 0.50-3.25 mg/kg with 53% samples having Cd concentrations exceeding the PFR limit (1.0 mg/kg). Investigation indicates that the quality of available chocolates is not recommendable for eating because of the higher concentrations of toxic heavy metals.

Determining the potential bioavailability of heavy metals, evaluating according to adapted regulations is essential to efficiently conserve our coastal and estuarine waters. In this study, it is aimed to determine the industrial pollution and various other pollution sources that the Black Sea Basin is exposed to by using DGT (Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films) method and grab (manuel) sampling method in water and sediment and to evaluate the existing pollution according to quality standards. In Samsun, seasonal samples were collected from five different sampling stations, namely Akkiraz Stream, Hıdırellez Stream, Organized Industrial Zone (OIZ) Channel, Şabanoğlu Stream and Selyeri Stream, which are selected from Tekkeköy region where industry is intensively active. In order to determine the heavy metal content in both water and sediment samples, the DGT method was chosen for passive sampling and the grab sampling method was used for active sampling, and the efficiency of the methods was evaluated. According to the results of the study, the heavy metal concentration in grab sampling for water samples in descending order Al> Fe> Zn> Pb> Ni> Cu; In the samples taken with DGT, they are listed as Al> Fe> Zn> Cu> Ni> Pb. There were significant relationships between the total metal concentrations of sediment (Csed) and water (Csu) in grab sampling and metal concentrations sediment (Csed-DGT) and water (Csu-DGT) measured by DGT. It was found that the sensitivity and performance of sampling with DGT was 2-10 times higher compared to grab sampling. The high resolution in situ DGT technique for the assessment and management of the potential release risk of heavy metals at the water-sediment interface is a complementary method that contributes to the standard grab sampling method.

Heavy metal toxicity can either be acute or chronic effects. Long-term exposure of the body to heavy metal can progressively lead to muscular, physical and neurological degenerative process. In this research, a total of 30 representative chocolate samples were collected from local shops and markets in Lahore. All the samples were analysed to assess the levels of Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr) and Cadmium (Cd) by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer in Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Lahore. It was observed that the majority of chocolate samples contain heavy metals levels higher than the permissible limits as recommended by Punjab Food Rules (PFR) 2011. The levels of Pb ranged between 0.375 and 3.4 mg/kg with 90% samples having concentrations exceeding PFR allowable limit (0.5 mg/kg). Whereas, Ni concentrations varied from 0.005 to 0.28 mg/kg and 80% samples were above the PFR limit (0.025 mg/kg). Further, Cr levels analysed between 0.005 to 0.28 mg/kg and 53% samples had Cr concentrations higher than PFR limit (0.02 mg/kg). Similarly, Cd levels were observed between 0.50-3.25 mg/kg with 53% samples having Cd concentrations exceeding the PFR limit (1.0 mg/kg). Investigation indicates that the quality of available chocolates is not recommendable for eating because of the higher concentrations of toxic heavy metals.

This study was aimed to determine the molybdenum content of meadow - pasture soil between Kırıkhan and Reyhanlı in Hatay province and to determine the relations of the molybdenum content with some heavy metals in the soil. For this purpose, two different depths (0-20 and 20-40 cm) representing grassland pasture lands and 80 soil samples from 40 different points were taken. Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), and Molybdenum (Mo) contents were determined in the soil samples. The contents of the available Cd, Co, Pb, Cu, Fe, Ni and Mo of the soil were determined by reading the 0.005 M DTPA + 0.01 M CaCl2 + 0.1 M TEA extracts in the ICP instrument. The results of the research shows that the Cd contents of the soils are between 0.01-0.32 ppm; Co contents are from 0.01 to 4.97 ppm; Ni contents 0.00 to 20.00 ppm; Pb contents 3.00-67.00 ppm; Cu contents 0.26-7.48 ppm; The Fe contents are between 4.00 and 61.00 and the Mo contents are between 0.001 and 0.064 ppm. It was determined that there are significant positive relationships between Co, Ni, Pb, Cu and Fe contents of Mo in the soil. It was also determined that there are significant positive significant relationships between Cd and Co; Co with Ni, Pb, Fe and Pb and Cu, Fe and Cu and Fe. No heavy metal pollution was found when the heavy metal contents of the regional soils were compared with the limit values.

This study was carried out to determine the concentrations of some heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr and Fe) in Solen marginatus (Pulteney, 1799) and sediments in the middle region of Izmir Bay. Metal concentrations in S. marginatus vary in the one-year period between summer 2005 and summer 2006. The order of accumulation of metal concentrates in soft tissue of razor clam was determined as Cd < Pb < Cr< Cu < Zn < Fe. Metal accumulations in the soft tissue of S. marginatus were compared with Provisional Tolerable Weakly Intakes (PTWI) and Provisional Tolerable Daily Intakes (PTDI) for human consumption. The results show that the maximum concentrations of metals were markedly below the limits of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), WHO (World Health Organization) and TFC (Turkish Food Codex) for human consumption. The order of the metal concentrations detected in the sediment samples was Cd < Pb < Cu< Cr < Zn < Fe. In this study, the maximum heavy metal values determined in the sediment are below the criteria values of the stated for international sediment quality guidelines in the NOAA (The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), OMEE (The Ministry of Environment and Energy of Ontario), ANZECC (The Australia and New Zealand Environmental on Conservation Council), CCME (The Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment). There was a statistically significant but weak correlation between concentrations of Cu and Cr in sediment and S. marginatus. The significant correlations have shown that Solen species can be used as a bioindicator species, such as mussels due to their ability to accumulate heavy metals.

The study was conducted on farmers' field in sofi district of Harari Regional State during 2013/2014 main cropping season, eastern Ethiopia, to investigate the impact of brewery sludge on sorghum production and soil fertility. The treatments comprised seven levels of brewery sludges (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0 t ha-1) and NP inorganic fertilizer at recommended rate, arranged in randomized complete block design with four replications. Application of brewery sludge at 15 t ha-1 significantly increased the yield and biomass yield of sorghum by 79 and 85% over control and by 57 and 67% over NP application, respectively. There was no effect of brewery sludge application on heavy metals concentrations in soil after crop harvest, compared to international standard tolerable level. Co and Se levels were high in the control as well as in the soils treated with brewery sludge indicating the already high concentration of these heavy metals in the soils of the area. Plots, which received higher brewery sludge application, resulted in decreased or less percentage of grain nitrogen content showing the independence of grain protein content on lower brewery sludge level. The nitrogen uptake by sorghum grain, straw and the total was maximum (52.68, 44.25 and 79.03 kg ha-1, respectively) with the application of brewery waste sludge at 10 and 15 t ha-1 which were significantly higher than the other brewery sludge and NP mineral fertilizer applications.

The study was conducted on farmers' field in sofi district of Harari Regional State during 2013/2014 main cropping season, eastern Ethiopia, to investigate the impact of brewery sludge on sorghum production and soil fertility. The treatments comprised seven levels of brewery sludges (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0 t ha-1) and NP inorganic fertilizer at recommended rate, arranged in randomized complete block design with four replications. Application of brewery sludge at 15 t ha-1 significantly increased the yield and biomass yield of sorghum by 79 and 85% over control and by 57 and 67% over NP application, respectively. There was no effect of brewery sludge application on heavy metals concentrations in soil after crop harvest, compared to international standard tolerable level. Co and Se levels were high in the control as well as in the soils treated with brewery sludge indicating the already high concentration of these heavy metals in the soils of the area. Plots, which received higher brewery sludge application, resulted in decreased or less percentage of grain nitrogen content showing the independence of grain protein content on lower brewery sludge level. The nitrogen uptake by sorghum grain, straw and the total was maximum (52.68, 44.25 and 79.03 kg ha-1, respectively) with the application of brewery waste sludge at 10 and 15 t ha-1 which were significantly higher than the other brewery sludge and NP mineral fertilizer applications.