Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.
Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Wellington Campus, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Wellington 7655, South Africa.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 23;19(19):12054. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191912054.
Heavy metals are unbreakable, and most of them are poisonous to animals and people. Metals are particularly concerning among environmental contaminants since they are less apparent, have extensive effects on ecosystems, are poisonous, and bioaccumulate in ecosystems, biological tissues, and organs. Therefore, there is a need to use biological agents and phytoremediation processes such as enzymes because they have a high potential for effectively transforming and detoxifying polluting substances. They can convert pollutants at a detectable rate and are potentially suitable for restoring polluted environments. We investigated heavy metal concentrations in different soil samples collected in four sections in Alice and determined the enzyme activity levels present in the soil. The Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to check whether there was any relationship between heavy metal concentrations and enzyme activities in the soil. Samples were randomly collected in three weeks, and the microwave digestion method was used for sample treatment and preparation. Quantitation was achieved by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The enzyme assay through incubation method was implemented for discovering the four selected enzymes (urease, invertase, catalase, and phosphatase), and their activity levels were examined colorimetrically by colorimetry spectrophotometer. The ICP-MS results revealed 16 predominating elements, namely: Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sr, and Zn, and the presence of a non-mental, which is phosphorus (P), and a metalloid in the form of silicon (Si) in all soil samples. Significant differences in metal concentrations were observed among the collection sites. The Al, Fe, K, Mg, and Ca concentrations were above WHO's permissible limits. While Ba, Mn, Na, and P were in moderate concentration, Cu, Cr, Co, Zn, Sr, and Ni were in small amounts recorded mostly below the permissible values from WHO. Four soil enzyme activities were determined successfully (urease, invertase, phosphatase, and catalase). A negative non-significant correlation existed between urease, invertase, phosphatase enzyme activity, and the concentration levels of all selected metals (Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Cr, Sr, and Zn. In contrast, the content of catalase activity was associated non-significantly but positively with the range of selected heavy metals. This study suggests proper monitoring of residences' areas, which can provide detailed information on the impact of high heavy metal content on people's health. They are easily dispersed and can accumulate in large quantities in the soil. The necessary implementation of waste management programs will help the municipality adopt a strategy that will promote recycling programs and protect the residence health from this threat.
重金属是不可降解的，其中大部分对动物和人类都有毒。金属在环境污染物中尤为令人关注，因为它们不太明显，对生态系统有广泛的影响，有毒，并且在生态系统、生物组织和器官中生物积累。因此，需要使用生物制剂和植物修复过程，如酶，因为它们具有有效转化和解毒污染物的高潜力。它们可以以可检测的速度转化污染物，并且可能适合于修复受污染的环境。我们研究了在艾丽斯的四个区域采集的不同土壤样本中的重金属浓度，并确定了土壤中存在的酶活性水平。我们进行了皮尔逊相关性分析，以检查土壤中重金属浓度与酶活性之间是否存在任何关系。我们在三周内随机采集样本，并使用微波消解法处理和准备样本。通过电感耦合等离子体质谱法（ICP-MS）进行定量。通过孵育法进行酶测定，以发现四种选定的酶（脲酶、转化酶、过氧化氢酶和磷酸酶），并通过分光光度计比色法检查其活性水平。ICP-MS 结果显示 16 种主要元素，即：Al、Ba、Ca、Co、Cr、Cu、Fe、K、Mg、Mn、Na、Ni、Sr 和 Zn，以及非金属元素磷（P）和硅（Si）形式的类金属元素都存在于所有土壤样本中。收集点之间的金属浓度存在显著差异。Al、Fe、K、Mg 和 Ca 的浓度超过了世界卫生组织的允许限值。而 Ba、Mn、Na 和 P 的浓度适中，Cu、Cr、Co、Zn、Sr 和 Ni 的浓度则记录较少，主要低于世界卫生组织的允许值。成功确定了四种土壤酶活性（脲酶、转化酶、磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶）。脲酶、转化酶和磷酸酶的活性与所有选定金属（Al、Ba、Ca、Co、Cu、Fe、K、Mg、Mn、Na、Ni、Cr、Sr 和 Zn）的浓度水平之间存在负的非显著相关性。相比之下，过氧化氢酶活性与选定重金属的范围呈非显著但正相关。本研究建议对居民区进行适当监测，这可以提供有关高重金属含量对人体健康影响的详细信息。它们很容易分散，并可以在土壤中大量积累。必要时实施废物管理计划将有助于市政府采取一项战略，促进回收计划，并保护居民免受这一威胁。
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