Anna Leśniewicz

Metal Concentrations in Deciduous Tree Leaves from Urban Areas in Poland

Accumulation of metals in deciduous tree foliage fromurban areas in western-south Poland was monitored duringthe vegetation season of 2000 year. Concentrations of Al,Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti and Znwere measured in birch, willow, linden and maple leavesusing the ICP-AES method. Seasonal variations of metalconcentrations and their relations with sampling sitewere investigated. The most dynamic accumulation of Al,Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb was observed for examined species. Thehighest differences in element concentrations forinvestigated sites were found for Ba, Cd, Mn and Ni.Interelement correlations were investigated. In allfoliar samples synergistic relationships between Al–Crand Ca-Sr were found. Statistically significant negativecorrelations were observed only for Cd and Ti in birch leaves.

Major and Trace Elements in Spruce Needles from Urban Areas: Some Aspects of Analysis in Environmental Studies

Main and trace elements in samples of spruce needles from urban areas in Poland and Norway were analysed using the ICP-AES method. Concentrations of Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Sr, Ti, V and Zn were measured in needles from conifer trees growing in different locations. Two different procedures of laboratory sample preparation were compared and discussed. Different washing procedures were examined and compared. For quality control of analytical measurements, Standard Reference Material BCR CRM 101 (spruce needles from Europe) was used. Synergistic and antagonistic relationships between elements in spruce needles were investigated. Applicability of spruce needles in biomonitoring of environmental metal pollution was discussed.

Multielemental Analysis of Yew, Pine and Spruce Needles by ICP-AES

Abstract Concentrations of 22 trace and nutritional elements in yew, pine and spruce needles collected from urban and industrial areas were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Dependence of concentrations of trace elements in conifers species on sampling site was investigated. Various procedures of sample digestion (different acids, conventional hot plate and microwave digestion methods, dry ashing) were examined and discussed.

Inorganic micronutrients in food products of plant origin used for breakfast in Poland

The mineral compositions and nutritional properties of 22 breakfast cereals available at the local market in the Wroclaw agglomeration were studied. Products of popular brands widely distributed to the international market were selected for the investigation. The total concentrations of micronutrients were measured using the ICP-OES method in samples mineralised in a microwave system. The macroelement contents ranged from 0.02 to 4.60, 0.07 to 0.82 and 0.22 to 1.81 mg g−1 for Ca, Mg, and P, respectively. The contents of the Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti, V and Zn were found to be 0.08 to 1.73, 0.07 to 0.38, 0.12 to 0.24, 0.10 to 3.67, 1.67 to 167, 0.34 to 15.8, 0.19 to 2.30, 1.10 to 2.02, 0.03 to 4.01, 0.03 to 0.38, 0.05 to 7.28 and 0.21 to 14.4 µg g−1, respectively. The mineral contents in breakfast cereals based on wheat, rice, oats and barley, multigrain cereals and ready-to-eat breakfast cereals with taste additives were higher than in corn-based breakfast cereals, with the Ca, Mg and P concentrations being 3/4, 1/2 and 1 times higher, respectively, on average. The contents of the essential minerals were compared to the human nutritional requirements and daily permissible doses. The results are discussed in terms of the utility of breakfast cereals as a source of indispensable minerals for proper human function.

Comparison of Conventional, Ultrasound- and Microwave-Assisted Extraction Techniques Applied for the Determination of Metals in Spruce Needles

In the present study the extraction of trace and major elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) from spruce (Picea) needle samples under various experimental conditions, i.e., extractant, temperature and time of extraction, was examined. The effectiveness of conventional, ultrasound- and microwave-assisted extraction techniques was investigated. The replacement of a sample decomposition procedure by leaching prior to multielemental analysis by ICP-AES as well as the aspect of fractionation analysis is discussed. Standard Reference Material (CRM 101-Norway spruce needles) was used for validation of the applied analytical procedures.

Extraction of Trace Elements from Spruce Needles

In the present study, extraction was investigated as a method of sample preparation for elemental analysis of coniferous tree foliage. Extraction of trace and main elements [aluminum (Al), boron (B), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), phosphorus (P), strontium (Sr), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn)] from spruce needles prior to atomic emission spectrometry was examined. Effectiveness of extraction process was investigated at various experimental conditions (e.g., kind and concentration of extractant, temperature and leaching time) and discussed. It was found for some elements that the digestion procedure could be successfully replaced by solid–liquid extraction process. A fractionation analysis of plant materials with the use of extraction has been discussed.

Mineral Composition of Human fascia lata

The mineral composition of pathologically unchanged human fascia lata was examined here using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) method for the first time. The total concentrations of Ag, Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, Ti, V and Zn were simultaneously measured in the tissue secured during autopsy. The age-related changes and between-gender differences in mineral composition of the examined tissue were investigated and discussed.

Extraction Methods in Trace Analysis

Extraction processes and phenomena commonly occurring and easily observed in nature and the environment are of extreme importance and of enormous potential. Therefore, extraction processes have been widely applied in many areas of daily life, with special utilization in chemical and related technologies as well as chemical analysis.