Background: Recent research showing how dietary interventions substantially influence the potential presence of widespread and stable bacterial core phyla in the human colon has garnered a considerable amount of attention. Because the human gut can play a major role in host health, there is currently some interest in observing how diet influences human gut microbial composition and how changes in diet affect the potential for gut microbiota to transform mercury. This study aims to discover how different kinds of diet affect the nature and magnitude of microbial Hg transformations in the human gut environment. Methods: Fecal samples have been collected from 5 human male individuals at University of Ottawa and stored at -80ºC for further investigation. Using high throughput DNA amplicon sequencing targeting the 16s rRNA V4 region, we investigated the microbial community structure of the gut in 5 healthy male. Mercury biotransformations in the pooled fecal sample have been carried out using stable isotopes of mercury (198HgCl2 and Me199HgCl) and analysis was conducted by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results and conclusions: We were not able to detect any significant Hg methylation or MeHg demethylation. We suspect this is due to Enterobacteria dominating the microbial community structure after 96h; Although Enterobacteria are part of the typical microbiota of a healthy individual, they do not possess genes required for Hg methylation. As such, our microbial data support our chemical analyses. We were not able to identify whether a change in diet affected Hg transformations in the human gut environment.

This research relates Hg levels in the Common Loon (Gavia immer) to a variety of physical factors. Constructed within the framework of a GIS system, this model analyzes the spatial relationships and the influence of physical land cover factors as a function of distance from the individual loon territories. Thiessan polygons were used to generate the territory for each loon. Buffering of the thiessan polygons was done to establish the boundaries of the individual distance classes and to gather information on the percentage of individual land cover classes within each distance class. Information on precipitation was also gathered. Results from the regression analysis (R2 = 57.3% at the 150m distance class) performed on the variables suggest that the proximity of certain land use types such as cropland, shrub land, and wetlands influence the rates at which Hg is available within an individual territory. Within the 150m and 300m buffers, crop land, shrub land, and wetland exhibited the strongest relationship with the Hg levels in the common loon, with cropland exhibiting a negative relationship suggesting that the proximity of cultivated lands plays a role in decreasing the amount of available Hg in a territory. / Master of Science

A bacia hidrogrÃfica do Rio Jaguaribe, localizada no Estado do CearÃ, ocupa uma Ãrea de em torno de 80.000 km2, a sub-bacia do Baixo Jaguaribe tem Ãrea de drenagem de 6.875 km2, sendo esta correspondente a 4,64% do territÃrio cearense. A regiÃo estuarina do Rio Jaguaribe à dominada por florestas de manguezal que ocupam 215,5 ha, particularmente no canal de marà da Gamboa do Cumbe. Estando na regiÃo Ãrea implantada a maior Ãrea de produÃÃo de camarÃo em cativeiro do estado, ocupando 1.316 ha em viveiros cerca de 50% do total de todo o Estado do CearÃ. A quantificaÃÃo de mercÃrio (Hg), na Ãgua e em sedimento (superficial e testemunhos sedimentares) ao longo de toda a Gamboa do Cumbe mostrou valores variando de 6,3 a 32,1 ng/l (14,4  8,4), 1,1 a 23,5 ng/l (7,0  7,8), 3,2 a 15,0 ng/l (7,4  3,9), para o Hg total, dissolvido e particulado na Ãgua respectivamente. No sedimento as concentraÃÃes variaram de 1,6 a 10,3 ng/g (4,7  2,9) e 1,9 a 16,2 % (6,7  4,9) respectivamente para a concentraÃÃo de Hg e percentual de matÃria orgÃnica. A concentraÃÃo de Hg em peixes coletados na regiÃo variaram de 4,3 â 37,0 ng/g (9,9  9,0) em Sphoeroides testudineos e 9,7 a 66,1 ng/g (31,8  14,4) Cathorops spixii. Com a obtenÃÃo destes dados pÃde-se definir a Ãrea preferencial de deposiÃÃo e acumulaÃÃo de Hg e a forma dissolvida mostrou-se a predominante exportada. Aquacultura promove alteraÃÃes significativas das cargas de Hg nos Ãltimos anos baseado nos valores da concentraÃÃo de Hg nos perfis sedimentares. O Hg proveniente da aquicultura à 156,4 kg.ano-1, na sua maioria associados ao MPS sendo transportado para a regiÃo estuarina adjacente e depositado na Ãrea da Gamboa do Cumbe. / The Jaguaribe River basin, located in State CearÃ, occupies an area of about 80,000 km2, wher as the sub-basin of the Lower Jaguaribe River has a drainage area of 6,875 km2, equivalent to 4.64% of the stateâs area. The estuarine region of the Jaguaribe River is dominated by mangrove forests that occupy 215.5 ha, particularly in the tidal channel of the Gamboa do Cumbe. In this area it is located the largest area of shrimp production in captivity in the state, with 1,316 ha of pond area around 50% of the entire aquaculture area of the state of CearÃ. The quantification of mercury (Hg) in water and sediments (surface and sedimentary profile) along the Gamboa do Cumbe showed values ranging from 6.3 to 32.1 ng / l (14.4  8.4) , 1.1 to 23.5 ng / l (7.0  7.8), 3.2 to 15.0 ng / l (7.4  3.9), or total Hg, dissolved and particulate Hg respectively. In sediments concentrations ranged from 1.6 to 10.3 ng / g (4.7  2.9) and 1.9 to 16.2% (6.7  4.9) for Hg and organic matter respectively. The concentration of Hg in fish collected in the region ranged from 4.3 to 37.0 ng / g (9.9  9.0) in Testudines sphoeroides and from 9.7 to 66.1 ng / g (31.8  14 , 4) in Cathorops spixii. These data made possible to define the area of preferential deposition and accumulation of Hg and that the predominant form of Hg export is dissolved Hg. Aquaculture, seems to have promoted significant changes in Hg loads in recent years based on records of Hg concentration in sedimentary profiles. Hg of burden from aquaculture to the region is about 156.4 kg.ano-1, mostly associated with TSS transported of the adjacent estuarine region and is stored in the sediment of the deposition area of Gamboa do Cumbe.

Thesis (M. Sc. Agriculture (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The study was carried out to determine the concentration levels of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) in water, soil, witbuffels grass and meat of goats reared along the river banks of Middle Olifants (Mogalatsana village) and Mogalakwena (Papegaai village) rivers. The samples were collected from the river water, soils along the river banks, grass grown along the river banks and male Pedi goats reared in Mogalatsana and Papegaai villages. The samples were analysed for the selected heavy metals with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Data was analysed as in a complete randomised design. The results of selected heavy metals in water of both rivers ranged from 0.00 mg/litre of water (Ni and Cr) to 0.04 mg/litre of water (Hg). The concentration levels of selected heavy metals in water were similar (P>0.05) for Middle Olifants and Mogalakwena rivers. The concentration levels of selected heavy metals in the soils along the banks of Middle Olifants and Mogalakwena rivers ranged from 0.00 mg/kg DM soil (Hg and Cd) to 63.70 mg/kg DM soil (Cr). There were similar (P>0.05) concentration levels of selected heavy metals in the soils along the banks of Middle Olifants and Mogalakwena rivers. Heavy metal concentration levels in the witbuffels grass grown along the banks of Middle Olifants and Mogalakwena rivers ranged from 0.00 mg/kg DM of grass (Hg and Cd) to 5.05 mg/kg DM of grass (Zn). Similar (P>0.05) concentrations of selected heavy metals were observed in witbuffels grass grown along the banks of Middle Olifants and Mogalakwena rivers. However, the concentration levels of Zn, Pb and Cd in water from both sites were above internationally maximum permissible levels, indicating that the water from these rivers was not safe for drinking by humans and animals. The concentration levels of Ni and Pb in soils from both sites were above internationally recommended maximum permissible limits. Similarly, chromium concentration levels in witbuffels grass from both sites were above the recommended maximum permissible limits for livestock, indicating that the grass was not safe for consumption by livestock. It is recommended that further studies be conducted to ascertain these findings. Blood, liver, kidney and meat samples of yearling male Pedi goats grazing along the banks of Middle Olifants river (Mogalatsana village) had similar (P>0.05) Cr, Cd, Hg, Ni and Pb concentration levels, respectively. However, goat liver samples had higher (P<0.05) Zn concentrations than meat, kidney and blood samples. Samples of goat v meat contained higher (P<0.05) Zn concentrations than those of kidneys and blood. Similarly, goat kidney samples contained more (P<0.05) Zn than blood samples. Blood, liver, kidney and meat samples of Pedi goats grazing along the banks of Mogalakwena river (Papegaai village) contained similar (P>0.05) concentration levels of Cr, Cd, Hg, Ni and Pb, respectively. However, goat meat samples contained higher (P<0.05) Zn concentrations than liver, kidney and blood samples. Samples of goat liver contained higher (P<0.05) Zn concentration levels than kidney and blood samples. Similarly, goat kidney samples contained more (P<0.05) Zn than blood samples. Meat, blood, liver and kidney samples of male Pedi goats raised in Mogalatsana and Papegaai villages had similar (P>0.05) chromium, cadmium, mercury, nickel and lead concentrations, respectively. However, liver and kidney samples of goats from Mogalatsana village had higher (P<0.05) zinc levels than those from Papegaai village. Blood and meat samples of goats from Papegaai village had higher (P<0.05) zinc levels than those from Mogalatsana village. The concentration levels of Zn, Ni, Pb, Cr and Cd in the blood, liver, kidney and meat samples of male Pedi goats reared along the banks of Middle Olifants and Mogalakwena rivers were within the maximum permissible levels for human consumption. Mercury concentration levels in liver, kidney and meat samples of the goats were within the maximum permissible levels for human consumption. However, mercury concentration levels in the blood of goats grazing along the banks of Middle Olifants and Mogalakwena rivers were above the maximum permissible limit of 0.2 mg/litre of blood. It was concluded that meat, livers and kidneys of the goats were fit for human consumption. However, blood from these goats was not fit for human consumption.

The continuity of the menace of mercury (Hg) is due to the continuous production and use of Hg and Hg containing products. Toxicity is just an outfall of use and exposure. Anthropogenic activities such as coal combustion and artisanal and small-scale gold mining have led to increasing Hg contamination and is the major source of Hg pollution into the environment that needs to be remediated. This study aimed to assess the phytoextraction capability of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) under different fertiliser treatments in Hg-contaminated soil. The potted experiment in a controlled environment included control S. bicolor and three phytoremediation treatments, i.e., Hg only; the addition of 4:1 green compost and; the addition of 0.2% NPK fertiliser. There were conspicuous signs of Hg phytotoxicity in plants with Hg only, namely wilting, senescent, inhibition of growth, and photosynthesis. There was stunted growth, but healthy plants observed in the treatment with the addition of green compost towards the end (day 60) of exposure. However, S. bicolor grew well until the last day of exposure in the treatment with the addition of 0.2% NPK fertiliser. Thus, this treatment showed the most effective phytoextraction potential of S. bicolor in Hg-contaminated soil. The effectiveness of S. bicolor in reducing the level of mercury was best assessed in the Hg bioavailable concentration in the spiked soil in which the Hg + NPK treatment has the lowest (0.77 mg kg−1). That resulted in the highest uptake (84.31%) percentage of Hg concentration recorded in the treatment with the addition of 0.2% NPK fertiliser compared to the other two treatments. The results suggest that the proportion of phosphate in the NPK fertiliser used, plays a huge role in the phytoextraction of Hg in the contaminated soil by S. bicolor. The Translocation Factor (TF) and Bioconcentration Factor (BCF), although higher within Days 20 and 40, was greater than 1 at the end of the exposure period suggesting a high probability that Hg was significantly transferred to the aerial parts of the plants. This is regarded as typical hyperaccumulator plant species. While S. bicolor was able to reduce the level of Hg in all three treatments, Hg + NPK treatment gave overall best results in physiological growth, the uptake, and reducing the level of Hg bioavailable in the spiked soil in terms of the effectiveness of phytoremediation method. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)