Helena Górecka

Inter-element interactions in human hair

The concentrations of 33 elements: Ca, Mg, Na, U, Cu, Zn, P, Fe, Mn, Cr, Se, B, Co, Mo, Si, V, Ni, Be, Hg, Cd, Al, Pb, As, Ba, Au, Pt, Ag, Sr, Sn, Ti, W, Sb and Zr in hair were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Hair samples (n=83) were collected between 1996 and 2003 from inhabitants of city of Wrocław, located in Lower Silesia, south-west Poland (urbanized and industrialized region). Inter-element interactions were studied by evaluation of correlation coefficients between two elements, as well as by multiple regression analysis. The strongest relations found between the elements in the hair were as follows: Mg and Ca, Mn and Ca, Sr and Ca, Sr and Mg, U and Na, Ni and Zn, Mn and Sr, Cd and Ni, Sb and Pt. We obtained also the following essential linear multiple dependences (p<0.05): Al=f(U, P, Mn), As=f(Zn, Fe) (Zn is negatively correlated, β<0), Cu=f(V), Fe=f(Mn, As), Mg=f(Ca), Ca=f(Mg, Ba), Ni=f(Zn, Cd), Sb=f(Pt, Sn, W) and Ti=f(Fe, Co). These relations can be useful in the explanation of relationships among the elements in man.

The effect of age, sex, smoking habit and hair color on the composition of hair

Hair samples (N=83) were collected between the years 1996 and 2003 from inhabitants of Wrocław, a city located in Lower Silesia, south-western Poland (urbanized and industrialized region). The concentrations of 33 elements: Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cu, Zn, P, Fe, Mn, Cr, Se, B, Co, Mo, Si, V, Ni, Be, Hg, Cd, Al, Pb, As, Ba, Au, Pt, Ag, Sr, Sn, Ti, W, Sb and Zr in hair were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) techniques. The effect of age, sex, smoking habits and hair color on the elemental composition of hair was investigated. Also, the obtained results were compared with literature data. It was found that the composition of hair varied with age, sex, hair color and smoking habits. This concerned the majority of elements except Ti, Se, Mn, Ni, Hg, Cd, As, Co (in the case of effect of age), Al, Cd, Co (sex), Cd, K, Ag, Ca, Co, Be (smoking habit), P, Fe, Al, Mn and Cr (hair color). Therefore, reference values for the level of the remaining elements should be normalized according to age, sex, smoking habit and hair color. This would make hair analysis more reliable.

Reference values for hair minerals of Polish students.

In the present work, reference values for the content of elements in human hair were elaborated. The population chosen for the study was a group of students in Polish urban area, which served as a representative group of a population of 20 years old individuals living in Europe. The content of 36 elements (essential (B, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, S, Si, Sn, V, Zn), toxic (Al, As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Tl) elements and others (Ag, Ba, Bi, Ce, La, Li, Rb, Sr, Ti, Y, Zr)) was determined in hair sampled from 117 subjects. Hair were digested with nitric acid in microwave oven in closed Teflon bombs and underwent multielemental analysis for the content of macroelements by ICP-OES and for micro- and trace elements by ICP-MS. Reference ranges were determined and considered as the values between 10th and 90th percentile. It was assumed that the values of the extreme low and high 10% in the population reflected mineral imbalance. In the population, a group of females and males was distinguished, and also a group of women which tinted their hair was separated. This enabled to point out the differences in hair mineral content between genders and for tinted and non-tinted hair. Statistical significance of differences was found for several elements, for which separate reference values were elaborated. This concerned the following elements: Ba, Ca, Cu, K, La, Mg, Mn, Si, Sr and Ti. In the interpretation of the level of these elements it is necessary to take into consideration both sex and artificial coloring. Also ratios between elements were evaluated - between nutritive (Ca/Mg, Ca/P, Na/K, Zn/Cu) and nutritive vs. toxic (Zn/Cd, Zn/Pb). In this case the differences were detected only for Ca/P ratio. This shows that perhaps in the future, inter-element ratios rather than the absolute levels of elements would be considered for the interpretation of the results of mineral analysis of hair.

Inter-relationship between elements in human hair: the effect of gender.

The aim of the present work was to examine the inter-relationship between elements in human hair depending on gender. In the whole population, the following groups of correlated elements were identified: alkaline earth metals (Ba, Ca, Mg, Sr), major microelements (Cu, Mn, Si, Zn) and La, Ti. In the subpopulation of males, the (Ag, Al, As, Fe) group was additionally included, whereas in the group of females (Ag, Al, Fe, Zr) was included. The group of alkali metals (Li, Na, K) and P was particularly visible in the group of males. In the group of females correlations among (Al, Co, Fe, K, Ti) were stronger than in males. In both sexes correlations between Mo, B and V (in females additionally Bi was present) and Bi-Co were found. Only in hair of males (Cd, Fe, Mn) and (Cu, Na, P) were detected, and the group of (As, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Ti) was detected only in females.

The application of ICP-MS and ICP-OES in determination of micronutrients in wood ashes used as soil conditioners.

In the present paper, the elemental composition of wood ashes obtained by the combustion of wood in a fireplace was determined with the use of ICP-MS and ICP-OES techniques. Wood ashes may find a potential application as deacidifying agents and soil conditioners, since they contain calcium (in the form of CaCO(3) and CaO), potassium (in the form of K(2)SO(4) and K(2)CO(3)) and significant levels of micronutrients. However, if applied to soil, it is important to assess the bioavailability of particular elements to plants. This process can be simulated by proper extraction procedures. Various species of wood were combusted in a firestove in a single-family house. The ashes underwent multielemental analyses with ICP-MS Varian Ultra Mass 700 (Australia) and ICP-OES Vista-MPX from Varian (Australia) in order to determine the content of macro- and micronutrients as well as toxic elements. Ashes were also extracted with solutions of 0.1M NaNO(3) and water in order to simulate the process of elemental transfer from ash (used as soil conditioner) to soil solution and consequently to plants. Also, the environmental impact of ash supplementation to soil was assessed in these experiments. Soil was supplemented with 0-20% of ash. After elution, the eluent underwent multielemental analysis by ICP-MS and ICP-OES techniques to determine the content of macronutrients (P, K, Mg), micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Co, Mo, Zn, Cu and Ti) and toxic elements (Hg, Pb, As and Cd). It was shown that fireplace ashes can be applied for deacidification of homestead gardens. Ash may be described as a valuable soil conditioner with N:P:K formula 0:1:3. It is concluded therefore that in order to achieve full fertilization, additional supplementation with nitrogen fertilizer would be necessary.

Determination of uranium in wet phosphoric acid.

A method for quantitative determination of uranium in wet phosphoric acid containing 0.001-0.02% of uranium has been developed. After reduction with Fe or FeSO(4) . H(2)O, uranium(IV) is extracted with a kerosene solution of an equimolar mixture of mono- and dinonylphenylphosphoric acids. The uranium is stripped with an oxidizing medium consisting of 10M H(3)PO(4) containing NaClO(3). The uranium stripped is determined spectrophotometrically with Arsenazo III.

Determination of uranium in phosphogypsum

A method for determination of uranium in phosphogypsum is based on extraction of uranium from phosphoric acid in which hydration transformations of calcium sulphate hydrates have occurred. The uranium is extracted with a kerosene solution of a mixture of mono- and dinonylphenylphosphoric acids, then stripped with concentrated phosphoric acid, and determined spectrophotometrically with Arsenazo III.

Effect of sulphur added to phosphate rock on solubility and phytoavailability of phosphorus

Abstract For ground phosphate rock (GPR) to be applied as phosphorus fertilizer, the availability of phosphorus to plants needs to be improved. One possible way to achieve this is by adding sulphur, which will accelerate decomposition of phosphate in soil owing to the activation of microbiological processes. This study involved granulation of fertilizers composed of phosphate and sulphur mixed at 38:1 and 10:1 ratios and two analogous fertilizer variants but with added molasses as a source of organic carbon for sulphur bacteria. A small-scale industrial installation for production of multi-component fertilizers was used to make granular fertilizer by the compaction method. The granular fertilizers were then tested in an agricultural experiment. The fertilizer in which the phosphate to sulphur ratio was 10:1 produced better effects. Addition of molasses to the fertilizers did not improve their fertilizing capacity

Improvement of the solubility of rock phosphate by co-composting it with organic components

Abstract One possible way to improve the solubility of phosphate rock is by co-composting it with organic substances. Four variants of composts were made in a biomass composting bioreactor. Ground phosphate rock (GPR) and shredded barley straw, pine sawdust as well as beet pulp pellets were used as compost components. The four composts were different from one another in the type and amount of organic components. The composts were granulated in a pelleting press. Changes in the solubility of phosphorus were assessed via chemical analyses and P-recovery efficiency calculated from the data achieved in a pot experiment. Solubility of ground phosphate rock was increased resulting from co-composting with organic substances, which meant that bioavailability of phosphorus increased. All the tested composts were characterized by a higher ratio of ammonium citrate soluble phosphorus to total phosphorus than non-composted GPR. Co-composting GPR with all the tested organic components yielded better effects than composting it with straw alone. The four composts were characterized by a slow release of P, which justifies our expectation that they will produce residual effects in the years following their application.