Can we discover truffle’s true identity?

This study used elemental and stable isotope composition to characterize Slovenian truffles and used multi-variate statistical analysis to classify truffles according to species and geographical origin. Despite the fact that the Slovenian truffles shared some similar characteristics with the samples originating from other countries, differences in the element concentrations suggest that respective truffle species may respond selectively to nutrients from a certain soil type under environmental and soil conditions. Cross-validation resulted in a 77% correct classification rate for determining the geographical origin and a 74% correct classification rate to discriminate between species. The critical parameters for geographical origin discriminations were Sr, Ba, V, Pb, Ni, Cr, Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios, while from stable isotopes δ18O and δ13C values are the most important. The key variables that distinguish T. magnatum from other species are the levels of V and Zn and δ15N values. Tuber aestivum can be separated based on the levels of Ni, Cr, Mn, Mg, As, and Cu. This preliminary study indicates the possibility to differentiate truffles according to their variety and geographical origin and suggests widening the scope to include stable strontium isotope

Determination of 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratio in olive oil and pomace using multicollector-ICPMS; analysis of pomace residues as a simpler approach for determination of 87Sr/86Sr ratio in olive oil with low Sr content

This study presents an analytical procedure for measuring the 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratio in olive oil and pomace using multicollector-inductively coupled mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS). The developed method combines liquid-liquid extraction with an acid solution and degradation of organic residues in the extract by dry ashing and oxidation by H2O2 and HNO3. The method enabled 87Sr/86Sr ratios to be obtained in olive oil with Sr content as low as 0.2 ng/g, with a precision of 54 ppm. The method’s validity was confirmed by an interlaboratory comparison using NIST SRM 2387, providing the first data on its elemental Sr (2380 ± 230 ng/g ; n = 10), and 87Sr/86Sr isotopic composition (0.70908 ± 0.00004 ; n = 14). The procedure was applied to olive oil and pomace samples, showing that they have an identical 87Sr/86Sr ratio, which was consistent with that determined in soils from the same orchards. The results thus revealed that Sr isotopic ratios of olive oil and pomace can both be used in geographical traceability studies of olive oil, which means that, instead of processing large volume of oil, characteristic 87Sr/86Sr signatures of olive oil can be more easily obtained by analyzing small quantities of pomace obtained by centrifuging the oil

Potentially toxic elements in the riparian soils of the Sava River

Purpose Riparian zone contamination is a growing problem for several European catchments due to high anthropogenic pressures. This study investigates As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the Sava River riparian zone, characterized by wide agricultural areas, various geological substrates, and different types of industrial pollution. The accumulation and mobility of these elements were studied because they are listed as priority substances in the Water Framework Directive and environmental objectives for surface waters. Materials and methods Sampling was performed during the sampling campaign of the EU 7th FW-funded GLOBAQUA project in September 2015 during a low-water event. Soil samples were collected along the Sava River at 12 selected sampling sites, from a depth of 0–30 cm, at a distance of 10–15 m from the river bank. The extent of pollution was estimated by determining total and readily soluble element concentrations in the soils. Potential ecological risk and the source of the selected elements in the soils was determined using the enrichment factor (EF), potential ecological risk index (RI), and statistical methods such as the principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regression analysis (MLRA). Results and discussion This study showed that concentrations of the selected elements increase along the Sava. In terms of origin, PCA and MLRA indicated that Cr and Ni in soils are predominantly lithogenic, while As, Cd, Pb, and Zn are both lithogenic and anthropogenic (ore deposits, industry, and agriculture). PCA singled out Cu since its origin in soil is most probably from specific point-source pollution. EF was generally minor to moderate for most of the examined elements, apart from Cu, for which the EF was significant at one sampling site. Overall ecological risk (RI) fell within the low-risk category for most sites, apart from Belgrade sampling site (BEO), where high total Cd content affected individual and overall ecological risk indicators, indicating Cd could represent a considerable ecological risk for the downstream riparian zone. Conclusions Purpose: Riparian zone contamination is a growing problem for several European catchments due to high anthropogenic pressures. This study investigates As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the Sava River riparian zone, characterized by wide agricultural areas, various geological substrates, and different types of industrial pollution. The accumulation and mobility of these elements were studied because they are listed as priority substances in the Water Framework Directive and environmental objectives for surface waters. Materials and methods: Sampling was performed during the sampling campaign of the EU 7th FW-funded GLOBAQUA project in September 2015 during a low-water event. Soil samples were collected along the Sava River at 12 selected sampling sites, from a depth of 0–30 cm, at a distance of 10–15 m from the river bank. The extent of pollution was estimated by determining total and readily soluble element concentrations in the soils. Potential ecological risk and the source of the selected elements in the soils was determined using the enrichment factor (EF), potential ecological risk index (RI), and statistical methods such as the principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regression analysis (MLRA). Results and discussion: This study showed that concentrations of the selected elements increase along the Sava. In terms of origin, PCA and MLRA indicated that Cr and Ni in soils are predominantly lithogenic, while As, Cd, Pb, and Zn are both lithogenic and anthropogenic (ore deposits, industry, and agriculture). PCA singled out Cu since its origin in soil is most probably from specific point-source pollution. EF was generally minor to moderate for most of the examined elements, apart from Cu, for which the EF was significant at one sampling site. Overall ecological risk (RI) fell within the low-risk category for most sites, apart from Belgrade sampling site (BEO), where high total Cd content affected individual and overall ecological risk indicators, indicating Cd could represent a considerable ecological risk for the downstream riparian zone. Conclusions: At downstream sites, there was a noticeable increase in PTE content, with Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn exceeding the proposed threshold values for European soils, indicating rising contamination in riparian soils. In terms of the ecological risk, only Cd could pose a potential ecological threat for the downstream riparian zone

Particle bound pollutants in rivers: Results from suspended sediment sampling in Globaqua River Basins

Transport of hydrophobic pollutants in rivers such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals is often facilitated by suspended sediment particles, which are typically mobilized during high discharge events. Suspended sediments thus represent a means of transport for particle related pollutants within river reaches and may represent a suitable proxy for average pollutant concentrations estimation in a river reach or catchment. In this study, multiple high discharge/turbidity events were sampled at high temporal resolution in the Globaqua River Basins Sava (Slovenia, Serbia), Adige (Italy), and Evrotas (Greece) and analysed for persistent organic pollutants such as PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) or PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and heavy metals. For comparison, river bed sediment samples were analysed as well. Further, results are compared to previous studies in contrasting catchments in Germany, Iran, Spain, and beyond. Overall results show that loadings of suspended sediments with pollutants are catchment-specific and relatively stable over time at a given location. For PAHs, loadings on suspended particles mainly correlate to urban pressures (potentially diluted by sediment mass fluxes) in the rivers, whereas metal concentrations mainly display a geogenic origin. By cross-comparison with known urban pressure/sediment yield relationships (e.g. for PAHs) or soil background values (for metals) anthropogenic impact – e.g. caused by industrial activities – may be identified. Sampling of suspended sediments gives much more reliable results compared to sediment grab samples which typically show a more heterogeneous contaminant distribution. Based on mean annual suspended sediment concentrations and distribution coefficients of pollutants the fraction of particle facilitated transport versus dissolved fluxes can be calculated

Following the Occurrence and Origin of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in the Sava River by Single Particle ICP-MS

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are widely produced and used NPs in different applications. To evaluate the risk from anthropogenic TiO2NPs, more information is needed on their occurrence in the environment. For the first time, this study reports the levels of TiO2NPs in waters and sediments at selected sampling sites along the Sava River using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in single particle mode (spICP-MS). The highest concentrations of TiO2NPs were determined in river water at Vrhovo (VRH), Jasenovac (JAS), and Slavonski Brod (SLB) sampling locations impacted by urban, agricultural, and/or industrial activities, suggesting that these NPs are likely of anthropogenic origin. The results further showed that hydrological conditions and sediment composition significantly influence the levels of TiO2NPs in river water at most locations. Moreover, the Ti/Al elemental concentration ratios of NPs in water and sediments at JAS were higher than the natural background ratios, further confirming their anthropogenic origin. The outcome of this study provides first information on the presence of (anthropogenic) TiO2NPs in different environmental compartments of the Sava River, contributing to more reliable risk assessments and better regulation of TiO2NPs emissions in the future

Characterization of Bottled Waters by Multielemental Analysis, Stable and Radiogenic Isotopes

Multi-elemental (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V, and Zn) and stable isotope (i.e., δ2H, δ18O, and δ13CDIC) analyses were performed on 13 (8 Slovenian and 5 imported) bottled mineral and spring waters from the Slovenian market. In addition, 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios were determined for the first time. In all analyzed bottled waters, the majority of elements were present although in low concentrations, and according to EU legislation, all were suitable for human consumption. Also, concentrations of major elements (Ca, Mg, Na, and K) were in general agreement with the values reported on the bottle labels, and any differences were the consequence of the natural variability of the water source used for bottling. The exception was one spring water, for which the source location changed, which was confirmed by the δ2H, δ18O, and δ13CDIC data. Two mineral waters had distinctive elemental compositions due to the particular geology of their recharge areas. The δ13CDIC was also investigated to decipher the carbonate contribution in the bottled waters. The results suggest that dissolution of carbonates and non-equilibrium carbonate dissolution by carbonic acid produced from soil zone CO2 are the predominant geochemical processes influencing the δ13CDIC values of bottled water

Potentially Toxic Elements and Pb Isotopes in Mine-Draining Meža River Catchment (NE Slovenia)

In the present study it was observed that Pb, Zn, Cd and As are still present at elevated concentrations in the environment of the upper Meža Valley. In particular, the concentrations of Pb indicate possible new sources have emerged. The main objective of this study was to determine the Pb isotope composition in both the water and the sediments (fractions < 0.150 and <0.063 mm) from the Meža River and its tributaries for the first time and then use them as identifiers of Pb pollution sources. In addition, by calculating the PEC-Q values, the potential hazard of the present concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd and As to the river environment was evaluated. The results showed elevated Pb and Zn concentrations in the water and sediments at the majority of sampling sites. In general, higher concentrations of Pb, Cd and As were determined in the <0.063 mm fraction, while Zn was higher in the <0.150 mm fraction. The isotope composition of Pb in both fractions differed slightly, indicating an additional Pb source

The fate of iron nanoparticles in environmental waters treated with nanoscale zero-valent iron, FeONPs and Fe3O4NPs

International audienceAmong the different nanoparticles (NPs) that are used in the remediation of contaminated environmental waters, iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) are the most frequently applied. However, if these FeNPs remain in the waters after the treatment, they can cause a hazard to the environment. In this work the time dependent size distribution of iron particles was investigated in Milli-Q water, forest spring water and landfill leachate after a variety of FeNP treatments. The efficiency of the metal removal by the FeNPs was also examined. The concentrations of the metals in the aqueous samples were determined before and after the nano-remediation by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The data revealed that the settling and removal of the FeNPs after the treatment of the waters was related to the sample characteristics and the ways of dispersing the NPs. When mixing was used for the dispersion, the nano zero-valent iron (nZVI), FeONPs and Fe3O4NPs settled quickly in the Milli-Q water, the forest spring water and the landfill leachate. Dispersion with tertramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) resulted in a slower settling of the iron aggregates. In the Milli-Q and forest spring waters treated with FeONPs and dispersed by TMAH, the nanosized iron remained in solution as long as 24 h after the treatment and could represent a potential threat in environmental waters with a low ionic strength. The removal of the metals strongly depended on the type of FeNPs, the chemical speciation of the elements and the sample matrix. If the FeNPs are contaminated by a particular metal, this contaminant could be, during the NPs treatment, released into the water that is being remediated. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd

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