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Sara Prijic,
Lara Prosen,
Maja Cemazar, Janez Scancar,
Rok Romih,
Jaka Lavrencak,
Vladimir B Bregar,
Andrej Coer,
Mojca Krzan,
Andrej Znidarsic,
Gregor Sersa
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ABSTRACT: Cancer immuno-gene therapy is an introduction of nucleic acids encoding immunostimulatory proteins, such as cytokine interleukin 12 (IL-12), into somatic cells to stimulate an immune response against a tumor. Various methods can be used for the introduction of nucleic acids into cells; magnetofection involves binding of nucleic acids to magnetic nanoparticles with subsequent exposure to an external magnetic field. Here we show that surface modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with a combination of polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polyethylenimine (PEI) (SPIONs-PAA-PEI) proved to be safe and effective for magnetofection of cells and tumors in mice. Magnetofection of cells with plasmid DNA encoding reporter gene using SPIONs-PAA-PEI was superior in transfection efficiency to commercially available SPIONs. Magnetofection of murine mammary adenocarcinoma with plasmid DNA encoding IL-12 using SPIONs-PAA-PEI resulted in significant antitumor effect and could be further refined for cancer immuno-gene therapy.
Biomaterials 03/2012; 33(17):4379-91. · 7.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Copper dyshomeostasis has been suggested as an aetiological risk factor for some neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. However, the precise mechanism at the base of this involvement is still obscure. In this work, we show the effects of a copper-deficient diet in aged CD1 mice and the influence of such a diet on: a) the concentration of various metal ions (aluminium, copper, iron, calcium, zinc) in the main organs and in different brain areas; b) the alteration of metallothioneins I-II and tyrosine hydroxylase immunopositivity in the brain; c) behavioural tests (open field, pole, predatory aggression, and habituation/dishabituation smell tests). Our data suggested that the copper-deficiency was able to produce a sort of "domino effect" which altered the concentration of the other tested metal ions in the main organs as well as in the brain, without, however, significantly affecting the animal behaviour.
PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(10):e47063. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are used as delivery systems for different therapeutics including nucleic acids for magnetofection-mediated gene therapy. The aim of our study was to evaluate physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, cellular uptake and trafficking pathways of the custom-synthesized SPIONs for their potential use in magnetofection. Custom-synthesized SPIONs were tested for size, shape, crystalline composition and magnetic behavior using a transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer and magnetometer. SPIONs were dispersed in different aqueous media to obtain ferrofluids, which were tested for pH and stability using a pH meter and zetameter. Cytotoxicity was determined using the MTS and clonogenic assays. Cellular uptake and trafficking pathways were qualitatively evaluated by transmission electron microscopy and quantitatively by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. SPIONs were composed of an iron oxide core with a diameter of 8-9 nm, coated with a 2-nm-thick layer of silica. SPIONs, dispersed in 0.9% NaCl solution, resulted in a stable ferrofluid at physiological pH for several months. SPIONs were not cytotoxic in a broad range of concentrations and were readily internalized into different cells by endocytosis. Exposure to neodymium-iron-boron magnets significantly increased the cellular uptake of SPIONs, predominantly into malignant cells. The prepared SPIONs displayed adequate physicochemical and biomedical properties for potential use in magnetofection. Their cellular uptake was dependent on the cell type, and their accumulation within the cells was dependent on the duration of exposure to an external magnetic field.
Journal of Membrane Biology 07/2010; 236(1):167-79. · 1.81 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In our study, the ruthenium-based anticancer agent KP1339 was tested in combination with electroporation for its cytotoxic effect on CHO and SA-1 cell lines in vitro and on SA-1 murine tumour model in vivo. Cells were treated with different doses of KP1339 for 15 or 60 min with or without electroporation in vitro. Cell viability was measured with the MTS assay. In vivo, mice bearing SA-1 tumours were treated with different doses of KP1339 with or without electroporation. Tumour growth was measured at various time points after treatment. Intratumoural ruthenium content was analysed as a measure of KP1339 accumulation to correlate it with antitumour effectiveness. Our results show that electroporation does not potentiate the cytotoxicity of KP1339 in vitro, but significantly potentiates antitumour effectiveness in vivo. Electroporation enhanced ruthenium uptake immediately after treatment, consequently causing persistently higher intratumoural ruthenium content throughout the whole observation period (48 h). In addition, ruthenium content rose continuously in electroporated and intact tumours throughout the whole observation period. The observed antitumour effectiveness is the result of both the direct cytotoxicity of KP1339 and an antivascular effect of electroporation.
Anticancer research 06/2010; 30(6):2055-63. · 1.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The toxicity and bioaccumulation of organotin compounds (OTCs) led to the development of sensitive and selective analytical methods for their determination. In the past much attention was assigned to the study of OTCs in biological samples, water and sediments, coming mostly from marine environment. Little information about OTCs pollution of terrestrial ecosystems is available. In order to optimise the extraction method for simultaneous determination of butyl-, phenyl- and octyltin compounds in sewage sludge five different extractants (tetramethylammonium hydroxide, HCl in methanol, glacial acetic acid, mixture of acetic acid and methanol (3:1), and mixture of acetic acid, methanol and water (1:1:1)), the presence or not of a complexing agent (tropolone), and the use of different modes of extraction (mechanical stirring, microwave and ultrasonic assisted extraction) were tested. Extracted OTCs were derivatised with sodium tetraethylborate and determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer. Quantitative extraction of butyl-, phenyl- and octyltin compounds was obtained by the use of glacial acetic acid as extractant and mechanical stirring for 16h or sonication for 30 min. The limits of detection and quantification for OTCs investigated in sewage sludge were in the ng S ng(-1) range.
Talanta 03/2010; 80(5):1945-51. · 3.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Aluminium (Al) is associated with many clinical disorders in renal patients. Al accumulation in brain has also been related to the neurodegenerative processes in Alzheimer's disease. In order to better understand Al transport in the human body, it is necessary to identify and quantify chemical species in which Al is present in body fluids and tissues. Among a variety of biological samples, Al speciation was the most frequently investigated in human serum. Improvements were made in the development of analytical techniques for the determination of the amount and composition of high molecular mass Al (HMM-Al) and low molecular mass Al (LMM-Al) species in human serum. However, due to the complex chemistry of Al in serum, its low total concentration and the high risk of contamination, speciation of Al in biological samples is still a difficult task for analytical chemists. In this work, problems related to speciation of Al in human serum are critically discussed. An overview of the progress that was made by the use of different analytical procedures, in order to propose analytical protocols for reliable speciation of Al in serum at low ng mL(-1) concentration range, is presented.
Journal of inorganic biochemistry 09/2009; 103(11):1504-13. · 3.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Liquid chromatography combined with element specific detection is commonly applied in speciation analysis. In these analyses, to obtain reliable data chemical species should not be transformed. To preserve chemical species during the separation step, fast chromatographic procedures and mild separation conditions are required. Monolithic supports that enable rapid chromatographic separations have rarely been used in speciation analysis. Methacrylate-based anion- and cation-exchange monolithic supports offer separation of charged chemical species of elements and can be used as a complementary tool to particle-packed liquid chromatographic columns. The present paper presents an overview of successful applications of methacrylate-based monolithic supports in speciation of zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), and aluminium (Al) in environmental, occupational health, and biological samples. Measures of analytical performance of convective interaction media (CIM) monolithic chromatographic supports, namely selectivity, sensitivity, and time of analysis, are compared to those of particle-packed columns. The potential of CIM monolithic chromatography in speciation analysis is critically discussed. Direct comparison of the experimental data in speciation of elements by ion-exchange monolithic and fast protein liquid chromatography is reported for the first time. Finally, some recommendations are given for further investigations of the potential of monolithic chromatography and its implementations in different fields of element speciation analysis.
Journal of Separation Science 08/2009; 32(15-16):2495-503. · 2.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A new analytical procedure using separation support based on Convective Interaction Media (CIM) was developed for speciation of Al in human serum at normal concentration levels. The separation of proteins was performed on a weak anion exchange CIM diethylamine monolithic column. Isocratic elution with buffer A (0.05 M tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-hydrochloric acid + 0.03 M sodium hydrogen carbonate) was applied for 5 min, followed by linear gradient elution from 100% buffer A to 100% buffer B (buffer A + 1 M ammonium chloride) for the next 40 min. Separation of proteins was followed by UV detection at 278 nm. Separated Al species were detected online by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. It was experimentally proven that 91 +/- 7% of Al in human serum was eluted under the transferrin peak. Transferrin was identified on the basis of the retention volume and by ACQUITY ultraperformance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The problem of extraneous contamination with Al was successfully overcome by using efficient cleaning procedures of eluents and chromatographic supports. The efficient cleaning was of paramount importance to perform Al speciation at extremely low concentration levels. The repeatability of measurement tested for six consecutive separations of unspiked serum was +/-8.6%. The limits of detection and quantification (based on 3 and 10 s of the blank) were 0.15 and 0.49 ng mL(-1) Al bound to transferrin, respectively. This is the first report on quantitative and reliable speciation of Al in human serum at normal concentration levels.
Analytical Chemistry 06/2009; 81(12):4929-36. · 5.86 Impact Factor
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Muralidhar L Hegde,
P Bharathi,
Anitha Suram,
Chitra Venugopal,
Ramya Jagannathan,
Pankaj Poddar,
Pullabhatla Srinivas,
Kumar Sambamurti,
Kosagisharaf Jagannatha Rao, Janez Scancar,
Luigi Messori,
Luigi Zecca,
Paolo Zatta
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ABSTRACT: A close association between brain metal dishomeostasis and the onset and/or progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been clearly established in a number of studies, although the underlying biochemical mechanisms remain obscure. This observation renders chelation therapy an attractive pharmacological option for the treatment of this disease. However, a number of requirements must be fulfilled in order to adapt chelation therapy to AD so that the term "metal targeted strategies" seems now more appropriate. Indeed, brain metal redistribution rather than brain metal scavenging and removal is the major goal of this type of intervention. The most recent developments in metal targeted strategies for AD will be discussed using, as useful examples, clioquinol, curcumin, and epigallocatechin, and the future perspectives will also be outlined.
Journal of Alzheimer's disease: JAD 05/2009; 17(3):457-68. · 3.74 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Sediment pollution of the biggest Danube tributary, the Sava River, was investigated within the sixth framework European Union project "Sava River Basin: Sustainable Use, Management and Protection of Resources" (SARIB). The extent of pollution was estimated by determining the amount of inorganic and persistent organic pollutants in sediment samples at 20 selected sampling sites along the Sava River. For the purpose of clarity, the findings are presented and published separately (part I: selected elements and part II: persistent organic pollutants). This study presents an investigation into the presence of organic pollutants in the Sava River sediment. According to the Water Framework Directive, the following persistent organic pollutants were investigated: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), selected chlorinated pesticides and organotin compounds. The results reveal that PAHs were present in moderate concentrations (sum of 16 PAHs: up to 4,000 ng g(-1)) and their concentrations increased downstream. Concentrations of PCB were low (sum of seven indicator PCBs: below 4 ng g(-1)) and among the pesticides analyzed only p,p-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane was found in moderate concentrations at two sampling sites in Croatia (up to 3 ng g(-1)) and hexachlorobenzene was found in a high concentration in the city of Belgrade (91 ng g(-1)), although the use of these persistent pesticides has been banned for decades. Repeated sampling at the same location revealed point pollution near Belgrade. Among the organic pollutants surveyed, organotin compounds were not detected. Overall results reveal the presence of persistent organic pollutants in 20 of the Sava River sediments tested that is, in general, comparable or lower than the levels in the Danube River and other moderately polluted European rivers.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 04/2009; 163(1-4):277-93. · 1.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The Sava River is the biggest tributary to the Danube River. As a part of the 6th FW EU project, Sava River Basin: Sustainable Use, Management and Protection of Resources (SARIB), ecological status of sediments was investigated. In order to assess the geographical distribution in sediment contamination of the Sava River, inorganic and persistent organic pollutants were analyzed in sediments at 20 selected sampling sites along the Sava River from its spring to its outfall into the Danube River. For comparability of data to other river basins the sediment fraction below 63 microm was studied. Due to complexity of the work performed, the results are published separately ("Part I: Selected elements" and "Part II: Persistent organic pollutants"). In the present study, the extent of pollution was estimated by determination of the total element concentrations and by the identification of the most hazardous highly mobile element fractions and anthropogenic inputs of elements to sediments. To assess the mobile metal fraction extraction in 0.11 mol L(-1), acetic acid was performed (first step of the Community Bureau of Reference extraction procedure), while anthropogenic inputs of elements were estimated on the basis of normalization to aluminum (Al) concentration. According to the Water Framework Directive, the following elements were investigated in sediments: cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and mercury (Hg). Furthermore, copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), and phosphorous (P) were determined. The analyses of sediments demonstrated slightly elevated values for Hg, Cr, and Ni in industrially exposed sites (concentrations up to 0.6, 380, and 210 mg kg(-1), respectively). However, the latter two elements exist in sparingly soluble forms and therefore do not represent an environmental burden. P concentrations were found in elevated concentrations at agricultural areas and big cities (up to 1,000 mg kg(-1)).
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 04/2009; 163(1-4):263-75. · 1.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Electric arc filter dust (EAF dust) is a waste by-product which occurs in the production of steel. Instead of being disposed of, it can be used in cement composites for civil engineering, and for balances in washing machines. To estimate the environmental impact of the use of EAF dust in cement composites leachability tests based on diffusion were performed using water and salt water as leaching agents. Compact and ground cement composites, and cement composites with addition of 1.5% of EAF dust by mass were studied. The concentrations of total Cr and Cr(VI) were determined in leachates over a time period of 175 days. At the end of the experiment the concentrations of some other metals were also determined in leachates. The results indicated that Cr in leachates was present almost solely in its hexavalent form. No leaching of Cr(VI) was observed in aqueous leachates from compact cement composites and compact cement composites to which different quantities of EAF dust have been added. In ground cement composites and in ground cement composites with addition of EAF dust, Cr(VI) was leached with water in very low concentrations up to 5 microg L(-1). Cr(VI) concentrations were higher in salt water leachates. In compact and ground cement composites with addition of EAF dust Cr(VI) concentrations were 40 and 100 microg L(-1), respectively. It was experimentally found that addition of EAF dust had almost no influence on leaching of Cr(VI) from cement composites. Leaching of Cr(VI) originated primarily from cement. Leaching of other metals from composites investigated did not represent an environmental burden. From the physico-mechanical and environmental aspects EAF dust can be used as a component in cement mixtures.
Journal of hazardous materials 12/2008; 166(1):277-83. · 4.14 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: An investigation of the operating conditions of a pulsed flame photometric detection (PFPD) system for the determination of organotin compounds (OTCs) in sewage sludge is reported. During the analyses, some spectral interferences were observed. For their elimination detector parameters such as gate delay and gate width were investigated. In addition, the applicability of three different internal standards was evaluated. Under optimised analytical conditions (gate delay 3 ms, gate width 2 ms, tripropyltin as internal standard) limits of detection (LOD) were determined. The LOD for butyltins ranged between 8 and 16 ng Sn g(-1), for phenyltins around 8 ng Sn g(-1) and for octyltins between 5 and 10 ng Sn g(-1). Since there is no certified reference material (CRM) available for sewage sludge, the accuracy of the analytical procedure was checked by the analysis of CRM PACS-2 (marine sediment) and a spiked sludge sample. Good agreement between determined and certified values was obtained. Sewage sludge from a local wastewater treatment plant was analysed and the results compared with data from the literature.
Journal of Chromatography 05/2008; 1188(2):281-5. · 4.53 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The potential use of filter dust in asphalt composites for road construction was investigated. Filter dust contains high concentrations of metals, of which Cr(VI) and Pb are leached with water. Compact and ground asphalt composites with addition of 2% of filter dust by mass were studied. In order to evaluate their environmental impact, leachability tests were performed using water and salt water as leaching agents. The concentrations of Cr(VI) and Pb were determined in leachates over a time period of 182 days. The results indicated that Pb was not leached with leaching agents from asphalt composites. Cr(VI) was also not leached with leaching agents from compact asphalt composites. However, in ground asphalt composites, Cr(VI) was leached with water in concentrations up to 220 microg L(-1) and in salt water up to 150 microg L(-1). From the physico-mechanical and environmental aspects, filter dust can be used as a component in asphalt mixtures.
Waste Management 03/2008; 28(12):2667-74. · 2.43 Impact Factor
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Denise Drago,
Mikol Bettella,
Silvia Bolognin,
Laura Cendron, Janez Scancar,
Radmila Milacic,
Fernanda Ricchelli,
Angela Casini,
Luigi Messori,
Giuseppe Tognon,
Paolo Zatta
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ABSTRACT: The etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is far from being clearly understood. However, the involvement of metal ions as a potential key factor towards conformational modifications and aggregation of amyloid is widely recognized. The aim of the present study is to shed some light on the relationship between metal ions, amyloid conformation/aggregation, and their potential relationship with the conformational aspects of AD. We compare the effects of beta-amyloid(1-42) and its various metal complexes (beta-amyloid-Al, beta-amyloid-Zn, beta-amyloid-Cu, beta-amyloid-Fe) in human neuroblastoma cells in terms of cell viability, membrane structure properties, and cell morphology. No significant toxic effects were observed in neuroblastoma cells after 24h treatment both with beta-amyloid and beta-amyloid-metals (beta-amyloid-Zn, beta-amyloid-Cu, beta-amyloid-Fe); on the other hand, there was a marked reduction of cellular viability after treatment with beta-amyloid-Al complex. In addition, treatment with beta-amyloid-Al increased membrane fluidity much more than other beta-amyloid-metal complexes, whose contribution was negligible. Furthermore, the cellular morphology, as observed by electron microscopy, was deeply altered by beta-amyloid-Al. Importantly, beta-amyloid-Al toxicity is closely and significantly associated with a great difference in the structure/aggregation of this complex with respect to that of beta-amyloid alone and other beta-amyloid-metal complexes. In addition, beta-amyloid, as a consequence of Al binding, becomes strongly hydrophobic in character. These findings show a significant involvement of Al, compared to the other metal ions used in our experiments, in promoting a specific amyloid(1-42) aggregation, which is able to produce marked toxic effects on neuroblastoma cells, as clearly demonstrated for the first time in this study.
The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology 02/2008; 40(4):731-46. · 4.63 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Astroglia cells structurally and nutritionally support neurons in the central nervous system. They play an important role in guiding the construction of the nervous system and controlling the chemical and ionic environment of neurons. They also represent the major sites for accumulation and immobilisation of toxic metal ions most probably connected with metallothioneins. For this reason astroglia cells possess high cytosolic levels of metallothioneins I, II and III (MT-I,II,III). Our aim was to establish the inducibility and metal binding of MTs in two human astrocytoma cell lines, U87 MG (astrocytoma-glioblastoma, grade IV) and IPDDC-2A (astrocytoma, grade II), on exposure to cadmium chloride (1 microM). MTs were identified by molecular weight (size exclusion chromatography) and their metal content (Cd, Zn and Cu) to follow the interactions between metals. We showed that MTs are constitutively expressed in both human astrocytoma cell lines. In accordance with the higher malignancy grade of U87 MG, the amount of MTs was higher in U87 MG than in IPDDC-2A cells. After 24 hours of exposure to Cd their expression greatly increased in both cell lines and they were capable of immobilising almost all water soluble Cd. Induction of MTs in U87 MG cells was additionally followed up to 48 hours with exposure to different concentrations of CdCl(2) (1, 10 microM). Induction was a time dependent process throughout the period. Isoform III (identified by chromatographic separation of isoform III from I/II) was present at all exposure times, but only in traces with respect to the prevailing amounts of MT-I/II isoforms. So induction can be attributed to isoform I/II only.
BioMetals 11/2007; 20(5):781-92. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A new analytical procedure using anion-exchange separation support based on convective-interaction media (CIM) was developed for the speciation of Al in human serum. The separation of proteins was performed on a weak anion-exchange CIM diethylamine (DEAE) fast-monolithic disk. To prevent co-elution of low molecular mass (LMM) Al species with high molecular mass (HMM) Al compounds on CIM disk serum proteins were first separated from LMM-Al species by the use of size exclusion chromatography (SEC). For this purpose 1 mL of serum was injected onto SEC (Superdex 75 HR 10/30) column. Isocratic elution using 0.05 M TRIS-HCl+0.03 M NaHCO(3) was applied and separation of proteins was followed by UV detection at 278 nm. It was experimentally proven that proteins were eluted in 5.5 mL peak that was collected into a polyethylene cup. A 0.1 mL of the sample aliquot was then injected onto the CIM DEAE disk. The separation of serum proteins was obtained in 10 min by applying linear gradient elution from 100% buffer A (0.05 M TRIS-HCl+0.03 M NaHCO(3)) to 100% buffer B (A+1M NH(4)Cl) and followed by UV detection at 278 nm. Separated Al species were detected on-line by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Well-resolved protein peaks were obtained. It was experimentally proven that 90+/-3% of Al in spiked serum of renal patient was eluted under the transferrin peak. The proposed speciation procedure removes LMM-Al species and enables reliable determination of the concentration and composition of Al bound to proteins by CIM DEAE-ICP-MS when the concentration of Al in serum is higher than 5 ng mL(-1). In comparison to chromatographic columns CIM disks enable faster separation and simpler manipulation during cleaning procedure and coupling to ICP-MS.
Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry 10/2007; 101(9):1234-41. · 3.35 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Stress tolerance of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was examined after exposure to iron and chromium, which are essential minerals in low concentrations but can be toxic if present in high concentrations. Induction of possible cross-protection responses was performed with the yeast pre-treatment at the start of cultivation with low concentrations of Fe(III) or Cr(III) ions, which slightly inhibit the growth and the subsequent exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of Fe(III) or Cr(III) ions in the mid-exponential phase. No cross-protection was found if yeasts were pre-treated with 0.1 mM Cr(III) and subsequent exposure to 2.5 mM Fe(III) ions took place. If pre-treated with 0.1 mM Fe(III) Saccharomyces cerevisiae conferred protection to subsequent challenges with a sub-lethal concentration of 2.5 mM Cr(III) ions resulting in higher biomass formation and higher relative cell viability in comparison to cells without pre-treatment. It is shown for the first time that iron pre-treatment enhanced yeast condition against chromium related stress via cross-protection mechanism.
Journal of Basic Microbiology 09/2007; 47(4):301-8. · 1.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The extent of pollution with organotin compounds and Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr, Mn, V, Co and Al was investigated in sediments and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Slovenian costal area of the Northern Adriatic Sea. Sampling was performed in Marina Portoroz, Dockyard Izola, non exposed area of the Bay of Mesecev zaliv and in Mariculture Secovlje. Mussels were taken in the summer and winter time, while sediments were collected during the winter sampling. Organotin compounds were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and metals by flame or electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The accuracies of the analytical procedures were checked by the analysis of standard reference materials CRM 477 mussel tissue and PACS 2 marine sediment (organotin compounds) and SRM 2976 mussel tissue and CRM 320 river sediment (metals). Good agreements between certified and determined values were obtained. Normalization procedure to Al was applied to estimate the anthropogenic inputs of metals in sediments. The analyses of sediments demonstrated moderate pollution with organotin compounds in Marina Portoroz and in Dockyard Izola. Concentrations of tributyltin species were higher than those of dibutyltin and monobutyltin. In mussels substantial contamination with tributyltin was observed in Marina Porotroz and Dockyard Izola. The extent of pollution was higher in the winter time. The analysis of metals in sediments exhibited elevated concentrations in Marina Portoroz and Dockyard Izola. Data from the normalization procedure indicated the anthropogenic inputs of Cu, Zn and Cr in Marina Portoroz and Mn in Bay of Mesecev zaliv and Dockyard Izola. Mussels, as accumulators of pollutants, in general contained higher metal concentrations during winter time in Dockyard Izola.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 05/2007; 127(1-3):271-82. · 1.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Organotin compounds (OTCs) have been identified in a variety of environmental media (air, surface water, groundwater, soil and sediments). In the past, much attention was assigned to the study of the OTCs content in biological samples, water and sediments. Little information about OTCs in soil is available. In this work, a procedure for butyl and phenyltin determination in soils by headspace-solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) gas chromatography-pulsed flame photometric detection (GC-PFPD) was investigated. For SPME analysis, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating was applied. Peat soil rich in organic matter and with a high cation-exchange capacity (CEC), and clay soil low in organic matter and with a low CEC were analysed. The influence of these different soil matrices on HS-SPME analysis was evaluated by spiking of samples. In general, the recoveries for the two spiked soils exceeded 80%. The repeatability of the method was better than 10%. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were in the ng S ng(-1) range. The technique may be reliably applied for the determination of butyltins and monophenyltin in soils, while it shows some limitations for the analysis of di- and triphenyltin (TPhT).
Journal of Chromatography 12/2006; 1132(1-2):234-40. · 4.53 Impact Factor
