To Örebro University

Conifer needles have been extensively studied worldwide, particularly in regions impacted by heavy metal pollution from traffic and industrial activities. These studies focus on evaluating the potential of pine needles as bioindicators of environmental contamination, due to their year-round presence. In addition to industrial pollution, shooting ranges are another significant source of heavy metal contamination.

Shooting ranges provide a controlled environment for firearm practice and training, yet the environmental impacts of these activities are often overlooked. The discharge of lead and other heavy metals from ammunition poses a serious threat to ecosystems and public health. Lead is a major contaminant, as bullets are typically composed of lead or contain lead-based components. When fired, these bullets release lead particles into the environment, contaminating soil and water. Over time, the accumulation of lead in the ecosystem can have harmful effects on plants, wildlife, and human health.

One such area of concern is the Munkatorp Shooting Range in Örebro, Sweden, which has been identified as a site of significant heavy metal pollution. Although there are plans for decontamination, no substantial actions have been taken to address the contamination so far. Within the designated area, four trees were selected for sampling: two Norway spruces (Picea abies) and two Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris). Needle samples were carefully collected and stored in plastic bags, then washed, dried, and ground into a fine powder for subsequent digestion and analysis. The metal content was quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after acidic digestion. The study focused not only on metals commonly associated with ammunition, specifically manganese, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, molybdenum, antimony, and lead, but also on essential elements for plants to better understand the environmental impact of the pollution in this area. Furthermore, the needles underwent analysis via Raman Spectroscopy to get information on the metabolic state of the plant material, which provides deeper inside on the soil conditions on the growing site of the conifers. The analysis of conifer needles revealed no significant contamination attributable to the shooting range. Instead, it highlighted species-specific variations in metal contents, but within the ranges reported in literature. Species-specific differences were also found using Raman Spectroscopy.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a very popular tropical drupe that can be consumed fresh or dried. It is rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, dietary fibre, and minerals, as well as biologically active substances, with a positive effect on health. However, it can also contain potentially toxic elements, which justifies the need of properly investigating this food product. Commercially available samples of dried mango, as well as the mesocarp and peel of fresh mango, were analysed. Prior to the multi-element analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), the microwave-assisted sample digestion method using various reagents and reagent mixtures was optimised, showing that a mixture of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide gave the best recoveries. The results obtained were processed by chemometric methods. The content of elements in the peel was higher than in the mesocarp. The macroelements Ca, K, Mg, and Na were found in the largest proportion, and the micronutrients present in significant quantities were Cu, Zn, and Mn (>3 mg/kg), while toxic elements, which according to the guidelines of The European Food Safety Authority) would represent a danger to human health, were not found in mass fractions above the permissible values.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale L.) is a widely used spice which beyond nutritional properties exhibit therapeutic properties. It is sold fresh or dried. In order to characterize this food more in detail, the content of 29 elements in ginger was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The either fresh or dry powdered products, were bought in (super)markets in Zagreb (Croatia) and Örebro (Sweden) in either loose form or packaged in plastic or glass. For analysis, all samples were dried and homogenised prior to digestion using nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The content of metals and metalloids, grouped according to their orbitals (“block”) and definitions as “toxic”, bioavailability, and Geochem, was assessed. Most abundant element found in all samples was K (2940 mg/kg – 50500 mg/kg), followed by Mg (1080 mg/kg – 3680 mg/kg), Ca (786 mg/kg – 2240 mg/kg), Mn (18.6 mg/kg – 789 mg/kg), Na (52 mg/kg – 987 mg/kg), Al (6.09 mg/kg – 1070 mg/kg), and Fe (32.1 mg/kg – 779 mg/kg). Metals founds in the earth-crust are correlated in the ginger products, which suggests similar uptake pattern. Statistical analysis showed that the origin of the samples as well processing method (drying, grinding) have an impact on the elemental pattern in ginger, whilst no correlation between packaging material (none, glass, plastic) and elemental contents in the products was found.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) often considered a weed is a highly versatile and beneficial plant that has been used in food, medicine, and as a natural remedy for centuries.

Soil pollution by potentially toxic elements is of concern since they may transfer to the edible parts of the food, especially when collecting wild plants from not cultivated, and thus not controlled soil. As examples, cadmium and lead are heavy metals that can accumulate in the body over time, leading to a range of adverse health outcomes.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) stipulated maximum mass fractions of certain metals in food stuff, e.g. 0.05 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg for cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), respectively. Cadmium is primarily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract when ingested through food. It is then distributed throughout the body, where it binds to proteins and accumulates in various tissues, particularly the kidneys, liver, and bones. Lead is absorbed into the body through the gastrointestinal tract and is distributed to the bloodstream, where it can accumulate in various tissues, including the bones, brain, and kidneys.

Dandelion and soil samples were collected at 19 different places in Croatia, divided into different parts (root, stem, leaf, flower); thus, generating a total of 95 samples. The plant parts were washed with diluted nitric acid, dried at 105 °C, and ground for homogenisation prior to acidic microwave assisted digestion. The quantification of selected potentially toxic elements in the clear digest solutions was carried out using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Soil samples were air-dried and pulverized using an agate mortar prior to digestion and analysis. All plant samples had Pb mass fractions above the maximum value, the results ranging from 0.116 mg/kg to 2.39 mg/kg for the flowers, 0.272 mg/kg to 13.9 mg/kg for the leaves, 0.217 mg/kg to 3.56 mg/kg for the stem, and from 0.745 mg/kg to 40.4 mg/kg for the roots. Regarding Cd, all values except for flower and stem in two plants and four flowers exceeded the maximum mass fraction. On the contrast only five soils samples exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limit of heavy metals in soil for Cd and only one for Pb.

The elevated levels of Cd and Pb in wild edible plants may pose a public health concern due to the exceedance of recommended limit values. In conclusion of this study, the present dandelion samples cannot be recommended for human consumption.

Pine needles from various species have long been utilized as bioindicators of air pollution. The accumulation of major and trace elements in these needles results from both dry and wet deposition of airborne pollutants, as well as the uptake of substances through plant roots. Environmental pollutants can be transported over long distances and reach remote areas. To investigate this, a mountainous region at the confluence of the Lower Inn Valley and Achental in Tyrol, Austria, was selected for sampling. Needles from mountain pines (Pinus mugo) were collected at three different sites at altitudes from 1400 meters to 2000 meters. Sampling covered needles of varying ages—young, one-year-old, two-year-old, and older—from five to ten trees at each site, pooling needles of the same age. Sampling was conducted annually every July from 2018 to 2024. For elemental analysis, dried samples underwent acidic digestion (either microwave assisted or by high pressure asher) followed by quadrupole and high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements. The metabolic state of the plant material was monitored in a fast and non-destructive way by Raman spectroscopy providing additional information on the growing conditions of the mountain pines. The highly sensitive differentiation in fingerprint region of the spectra allows the classification of differently grown pine needles. Rigorous quality assurance protocols were implemented to ensure the reliability of the analytical results and their comparability with previously published data. The findings revealed that altitude had a greater effect on the concentrations of macroelements than on potentially toxic elements. Like other pine species, age-related accumulation of certain elements was observed in the needles.

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) have steadily become a serious environmental problem, especially regarding brownfields chosen for reuse, e.g., as a residential area. “Norra Hamnstaden” in Lidköping (Sweden) has a long history of industrial activity, including porcelain production with the resultant industrial waste deposited close by resulting in elevated levels of metals used for porcelain glazes, especially lead. To estimate the bioavailability of twelve PTEs (As, Ba, Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, V, Zn), their uptake by birches (Betula pendula) as well as Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris) was investigated through analyzing their leaves. Sampling was carried out on five trees once per month in the period from May to August. Different uptake patterns were observed for birches and pines, for the latter even varying with age. The birch samples showed higher contents of nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, and lead compared to the reference trees. Also, the pine needles had elevated lead levels, although by a lower factor. Birch leaves revealed surprising patterns of elevated element bioaccumulation factors, with barium reaching up to eight, offering the possibility to limit analyses to plant material for risk assessments instead of soil analysis.

This study discusses the organic and inorganic composition of young inflorescence tissues of seven medical plants from the Prunus, Malus, and Chaenomeles families. These plants contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant and cytotoxic properties, and the study determined 29 elements, including essential and potentially harmful ones, established correlations with inorganic and organic compounds, as well as antioxidative and cytotoxic effects. The elemental patterns show that the plants contribute beneficial essential elements to the human diet. The levels of toxic elements in the plants are within safe limits set by the World Health Organization for medicinal herbs. The results confirmed genus- and species-specific uptake and accumulation. Positive correlations between d-block metals and alkaline earth metals in the inflorescences were found alongside statistically significant differences between analyte categories regarding macro-, micro- and trace elements and bioactive compounds. These correlations need to be considered when giving dietary recommendations or advice for uses as home-remedies.

Pine needles have been studied worldwide, particularly in areas affected by heavy metal pollution from traffic and industrial activities. These studies aim to assess the extent to which pine needles can serve as bio-monitors of environmental contamination, especially with heavy toxic metals and due to them being present all year round. Another type of contamination from heavy metals can arise, for example, from shooting ranges [1].

Shooting ranges play a crucial role in providing a controlled environment for firearm enthusiasts and professionals to practice their skills. However, the environmental consequences of shooting range activities often go unnoticed. The discharge of lead and other heavy metals poses a serious threat to ecosystems and public health. An old closed Shooting Range named Munkatorp Shooting Range, located in Sweden Örebro, has been looked at closely for causing heavy pollution specifically heavy metals. There are plans to decontaminate the area, but so far, it seems that no action has been taken. One of the most significant pollutants associated with shooting ranges is lead. The primary source of lead contamination is ammunition, as bullets are typically made of lead or contain lead components. When fired, these bullets release lead particles into the environment, contaminating the soil and water. Over time, the accumulation of lead in the ecosystem can have detrimental effects on plants, animals, and even human health [2].

Four sampling points were identified within the Munkatorp shooting range, and pine needle samples were collected for analysis. Before initiating the analysis, the needle samples underwent a thorough preparation procedure. Initially, the pine needle samples were washed with nitric acid solution, followed by drying in an oven until reaching a constant weight. The needles were then homogenized into a powder using a mortar and pestle. Triplicate preparations were made for each of the four distinct needle samples, and these preparations underwent a digestion method. The digestion method is an open digestion technique, wherein the samples were heated using a water bath. The solution used in this process consisted of nitric acid, MilliQ water, and hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide was added every hour to compensate for its consumption during the process. The samples were considered complete when all the pine needles had completely dissolved in the solution. The digestion solutions were then diluted with MilliQ water and finally filtered using a syringe with a 0.2 μm filter. The samples will then be analyzed using Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MPAES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This research investigates the efficiency of two elemental analysis techniques, Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MPAES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), for determining elemental composition in polluted pine plant material. This study focuses on optimizing analytical parameters for both methods and evaluating their respective capabilities in terms of sensitivity, precision, and accuracy. The results obtained from MPAES and ICP-MS are compared to assess the reliability of each technique in identifying and quantifying elements present in the samples.

[1] M. Zeiner et al., Molecules 26 (2021) 3318.[2] J. Bai, X. Zhao, Toxics 8 (2020) 32.

Mango (Mangifera indica, L.) je vrlo popularno tropsko citrusno voće koje se može konzumirati svježe ili kao suho voće. Bogat je esencijalnim nutrijentima poput vitamina, dijetalnih vlakana i minerala, te biološki aktivnim tvarima koje nemaju nutritivnu vrijednost, ali pozitivno utječu na zdravlje. Sušeni mango odličan je izvor esencijalnih elemenata, no isto tako može sadržavati i potencijalno toksične elemente [1], [2]. Analizirani su komercijalno dostupni uzorci sušenog manga te mezokart i kora svježeg manga koji su osušeni prije analize. Prije multielementne analize metodom spektrometrije masa uz induktivno spregnutu plazmu (ICP-MS) optimizirana je metoda priprave uzorka različitim reagensima u uređaju za mikrovalno potpomognutu razgradnju. Dobiveni rezultati obrađeni su kemometrijskim metodama. Uspoređen je sadržaj elemenata u kori i mezokartu svježeg manga. U najvećoj udjelu određeni su makroelementi Ca, K, Mg i Na koji su važni za čovjekovo zdravlje, a mikroelementi prisutni u značajnijim količinama su Cu, Zn te Mn (> 3 mg kg−1), dok toksični elementi nisu pronađeni u udjelima iznad dopuštenih koji bi prema smjernicama EFSA (eng. The European Food Safety Authority) predstavljale opasnost za ljudsko zdravlje [3].

[1] B. Mirza et al., Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 61 (2021) 2125-2151.[2] S. K. Chang et al., J. Funct. Foods 21 (2016) 113-132.[3] EFSA Panel on Nutrition, EFSA J. 20 (2022) e200102