 |
|
Heavy metals accumulate more in some mushrooms than in others
November 02, 2009A research team from the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) has analysed the presence of heavy metals in 12 species of mushroom collected from non-contaminated natural areas, and has found that the levels vary depending on the type of mushroom. The results of the study, which appears this month in the journal Biometals, show that the largest quantities of lead and neodymium are found in chanterelles.
"The aim was to find out if there is a connection between the concentrations of specific heavy metals detected in the mushrooms, based on three factors: the type of substrate, the study area and the species of mushroom. The third was the determining factor", explains Juan Antonio Campos, principal author of the study and researcher at the Department of Crop Production and Agricultural Technology at UCLM.
The researchers have analysed the presence of lead (Pb), neodymium (Nd), thorium (Th) and uranium (U) in a hundred samples of 12 different species of common mushroom, both edible and non-edible, collected from non-contaminated zones in the Ciudad Real province. They were collected from wooded areas comprising Holm oak, Kermes oak, Pyrenean oak, Pine and Cistus.
The results of the study, published this month in the journal Biometals, reveal that there are 'considerable' quantities of the four metals in all the species examined, as well as significant differences in the capacity for accumulation of these elements depending on the species.
The analysis of these heavy metals - which can be toxic to humans - was carried out using X-ray fluorescence spectometry, a technique that enables a sample's composition to be detected and quantified using X-rays.
The highest levels of neodymium (7.1 micrograms/gram) and lead (4.86 µg/g) were found in the chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius), a mushroom widely used in European cuisine. This mushroom grows in the shadow of Holm oaks, Cork oaks and oaks, and is ectomycorrhizal (it clings to the external roots of plants to exchange nutrients), thereby it has direct contact with the mineral particles of the soil.
For their part, thorium and uranium accumulated mostly in Hypholoma fasciculare, with concentrations of 3.63 and 4.13 µg/g, respectively, "despite being a species that lives on fallen tree trunks and is isolated from the mineral substances of the soil".
The scientists found no significant differences in the metal levels when comparing mushrooms collected from different substrates, habitats and localisations. The only exception was with thorium, which accumulates more in mushrooms which grow on wood (such as Hypholoma fasciculare or Gymnopilus spectabilis) than in those which have contact with the organic material of the soil (Tricoloma ustaloides and Pisolithus arrhizus).
New lines of research
To confirm that the type of substrate can take on a more important role than reflected in the study, the researchers have embarked on a new project in which they will analyse the presence of 19 chemical elements (toxic and non-toxic) in 15 species of edible mushroom.
"The real issue is that those mushrooms that form ectomycorrhizae are specially adapted to absorb chemical elements from the mineral particles of the soil, and give them to the plant. This is their contribution to symbiosis, and, the more effective they are in providing nutritional elements to the plant, the closer their connection to it, and the more sugars from photosynthesis they can access, which is what they are ultimately looking for", explains Juan Antonio Campos.
This type of mushroom carries out an indiscriminate acid attack on the mineral particles of the soil and absorbs elements in quantities relative to the mineralogical composition of the soil. "In some contaminated soils, or those with particular mineralogical characteristics, the mushrooms collected can reach such high concentrations of toxic elements that their consumption would be unadvisable", reveals the researcher.
FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology
The results of the study, published this month in the journal Biometals, reveal that there are 'considerable' quantities of the four metals in all the species examined, as well as significant differences in the capacity for accumulation of these elements depending on the species.
The analysis of these heavy metals - which can be toxic to humans - was carried out using X-ray fluorescence spectometry, a technique that enables a sample's composition to be detected and quantified using X-rays.
The highest levels of neodymium (7.1 micrograms/gram) and lead (4.86 µg/g) were found in the chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius), a mushroom widely used in European cuisine. This mushroom grows in the shadow of Holm oaks, Cork oaks and oaks, and is ectomycorrhizal (it clings to the external roots of plants to exchange nutrients), thereby it has direct contact with the mineral particles of the soil.
For their part, thorium and uranium accumulated mostly in Hypholoma fasciculare, with concentrations of 3.63 and 4.13 µg/g, respectively, "despite being a species that lives on fallen tree trunks and is isolated from the mineral substances of the soil".
The scientists found no significant differences in the metal levels when comparing mushrooms collected from different substrates, habitats and localisations. The only exception was with thorium, which accumulates more in mushrooms which grow on wood (such as Hypholoma fasciculare or Gymnopilus spectabilis) than in those which have contact with the organic material of the soil (Tricoloma ustaloides and Pisolithus arrhizus).
New lines of research
To confirm that the type of substrate can take on a more important role than reflected in the study, the researchers have embarked on a new project in which they will analyse the presence of 19 chemical elements (toxic and non-toxic) in 15 species of edible mushroom.
"The real issue is that those mushrooms that form ectomycorrhizae are specially adapted to absorb chemical elements from the mineral particles of the soil, and give them to the plant. This is their contribution to symbiosis, and, the more effective they are in providing nutritional elements to the plant, the closer their connection to it, and the more sugars from photosynthesis they can access, which is what they are ultimately looking for", explains Juan Antonio Campos.
This type of mushroom carries out an indiscriminate acid attack on the mineral particles of the soil and absorbs elements in quantities relative to the mineralogical composition of the soil. "In some contaminated soils, or those with particular mineralogical characteristics, the mushrooms collected can reach such high concentrations of toxic elements that their consumption would be unadvisable", reveals the researcher.
FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology
Heavy Metals Current Events and Heavy Metals News RSSTiny bubbles clean oil from water
Small amounts of oil leave a fluorescent sheen on polluted water. Oil sheen is hard to remove, even when the water is aerated with ozone or filtered through sand.
Amphibians as environmental omen disputed
Amphibians, for years considered a leading indicator of environmental degradation, are not uniquely susceptible to pollution, according to a meta-analysis to be published in Ecology Letters.
'Green Clean:' Researchers Determining Natural Ways To Clean Contaminated Soil
Researchers at North Carolina State University are working to demonstrate that trees can be used to degrade or capture fuels that leak into soil and ground water. Through a process called phytoremediation - literally a "green" technology - plants and trees remove pollutants from the environment or render them harmless.
New X-ray technique illuminates reactivity of environmental contaminants
A chemical reaction can occur in the blink of an eye.
Widespread Occurrence of Intersex Bass Found in U.S. Rivers
Intersex in smallmouth and largemouth basses is widespread in numerous river basins throughout the United States is the major finding of the most comprehensive and large-scale evaluation of the condition, according to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) research published online in Aquatic Toxicology.
Water quality in orbit
Space is not a fun place to get a stomach bug. To ensure drinking water is adequately disinfected, University of Utah chemists developed a two-minute water quality monitoring method that just started six months of tests aboard the International Space Station.
MU researcher uses bacteria to make radioactive metals inert
The Lost Orphan Mine below the Grand Canyon hasn't produced uranium since the 1960s, but radioactive residue still contaminates the area.
Platinum nanocatalyst could aid drugmakers
Nanoparticles combining platinum and gold act as superefficient catalysts, but chemists have struggled to create them in an industrially useful form.
Facile synthesis of nanoparticles with multiple functions advanced in Singapore
Nanostructured materials have garnered great interest worldwide due to their unique size-dependent properties for chemical, electronic, structural, medical and consumer applications.
Waste water treatment plant mud used as 'green' fuel
Catalan scientists have shown that using mud from waste water treatment plants as a partial alternative fuel can enable cement factories to reduce their CO2 emissions and comply with the Kyoto Protocol, as well as posing no risk to human health and being profitable.
More Heavy Metals Current Events and Heavy Metals News Articles
 |
Heavy Metal (Collector's Edition) Starring: Richard Romanus, John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Rodger Bumpass, Jackie Burroughs Directed By: Gerald Potterton Also With: Angus McKie (Writer), Bernie Wrightson (Writer), Dan O'Bannon (Writer), Daniel Goldberg (Writer), Jean Giraud (Writer), Len Blum (Writer), Richard Corben (Writer) Based on the fantastical illustrated magazine Heavy Metal producer Ivan Reitman enlists the world s greatest comic book artists to create the otherworldly tale of a glowing green orb from outer space that spreads destruction throughout the galaxy. Only when encountered by its one true enemy - to whom it is inexplicably drawn - will goodness prevail throughout the universe. Lavishly drawn vignettes of the orb s dark victories include the character voices of John Candy and Harold Ramis plus a pounding soundtrack by Black Sabbath Blue Oyster Cult Cheap Trick Devo Donald Fagen Don Felder Grand Funk Railroad Sammy Hagar Journey Nazareth Stevie Nicks Riggs and Trust. Highly imaginative and full of surprising special effects Heavy Metal set the standard for alternative contemporary animation.... |
 |
Heavy Metal 2000 Starring: Michael Ironside, Julie Strain, Billy Idol, Pier Paquette, Sonja Ball Directed By: Michael Coldewey, Michel Lemire Also With: Carl Macek (Writer), Eric Talbot (Writer), George Ungar (Writer), John Minnis (Writer), Kevin Eastman (Writer), Lorenzo Orzari (Writer) In the tradition of the ground-breaking 1981 animated cult classic film, heavy metal 2000 is a stylish mix of jaw-dropping visuals and original soundtrack featuring some of the biggest names in rock and mind-bending story. Special features: english, french, spanish, portuguese languages and subtitles and more. |
 |
Heavy Metal: Music From The Motion Picture Various Artists (Composer) |
 |
Heavy Metal Fun Time Activity Book by Aye Jay (Author), Andrew W. K. (Foreword) With all the fun of a heavy metal parking lot without the beer stains and moshing, this activity book for kids and adults is an entirely new take on the coloring book genre. Headbangers get the chance to color legends like Metallica, Danzig, and Pantera; help get Spinal Tap through a backstage maze; complete the Black Metal word scramble and hair metal crossword; and solve heavy metal Sudoku. The cover features lettering by text master Aaron Horkey and design by graphic icon Brent Rollins, and will be appreciated by anyone who loves to rock. |
 |
Heavy Metal Parking Lot Directed By: Jeff Krulik, John Heyn Studio: Wea-des Moines Video Release Date: 10/30/2007 |
 |
Heavy Metal/Heavy Metal 2000 Starring: Richard Romanus, John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Michael Ironside, Julie Strain Directed By: Gerald Potterton, Michael Coldewey, Michel Lemire Also With: Angus McKie (Writer), Bernie Wrightson (Writer), Carl Macek (Writer), Dan O'Bannon (Writer), Daniel Goldberg (Writer) Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 10/25/2005 |
 |
Heavy Metal Box by Various Artists |
 |
The Official Heavy Metal Book of Lists by Eric Danville (Author) The heaviest book of all time! The Spinal Tap of books! A gorgeous, time-wasting, absolutely essential toilet reader! Part rock trivia contest, part encyclopedia of excess, The Official Heavy Metal Book of Lists features over 150 lists that chronicle rock and roll's most enduring genre. Ever wanted to know the names of Alice Cooper's snakes? The names of Spinal Tap's dead drummers? Which metal stars have made celebrity sex tapes?? Get ready to be thrown headfirst into a mosh pit of wacky, wild, and weird lists from metal's hardest-hitting stars - members of Motorhead, Sepultura, Guns N' Roses, Vixen, Biohazard, Whitechapel, Deathklok, and GWAR are among the heavyweights who cast their ballots herein (not to mention porn stars, Air Guitar champs, and the director of Heavy Metal Parking... |
 |
Heavy Metal in Baghdad Starring: Eddy Moretti, Suroosh Alvi, Firas al Lateef, Faisal Talal, Marwan Reyad Directed By: Eddy Moretti;Suroosh Alvi Heavy Metal in Baghdad is a documentary feature film that follows the Iraqi heavy metal band Acrassicauda (Latin for a deadly black scorpion native to Iraq) from the fall of Saddam Hussein to their escape from Iraq. The band members - Firas (bass), Tony (lead guitar), Marwan (drums) and Faisal (lead vocals and rhythm guitar) - were bred on American heavy metal albums, learning to speak English by listening to Slayer, Metallica and Slipknot. Playing heavy metal in a Muslim country has always been a difficult (if not impossible) proposition, but, after Saddam s regime was toppled, there was a brief moment for the band in which real freedom seemed possible. That hope was quickly dashed as their country fell into a bloody insurgency. Bonus Features include: 45 Minute Featurette: HEAVY... |
 |
Guitar Hero Encore Pack Heavy Metal by Jada Toys |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |