Spatial and Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in a Sheep-Based Food System: Implications for Human Health

Florin-Ioan Fechete ¹, Maria Popescu ², Sorin-Marian Mârza ¹

¹Clinical Sciences Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
²Equine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
³Preclinic Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
⁴Clinical and Paraclinical Sciences Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
⁵Plastic Surgery Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
⁶Plastic Surgery Clinic, Spitalul Clinic de Recuperare, 46-50 Viilor Street, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
⁷Research Laboratory Regarding Exploitation of Land Improvement, Land Reclamation Systems and Irrigation of Horticultural Crops, Advanced Horticultural Research Institute of Transylvania, Faculty of Horticulture and Business in Rural Development, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
⁸Department of Environmental Engineering and Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
⁹Bioflux SRL, 54 Ceahlău Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400488 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
¹⁰Doctoral School of Engineering, University of Oradea, 1 Universității Street, 410087 Oradea, Romania.
¹¹Viticulture and Oenology Department, Advanced Horticultural Research Institute of Transylvania, Faculty of Horticulture and Business in Rural Development, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
¹²Laboratory of Chromatography, Advanced Horticultural Research Institute of Transylvania, Faculty of Horticulture and Business for Rural Development, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

⁰Clinical Sciences Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Toxics +

|

October 25, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Heavy metal contamination in Baia Mare soils impacts sheep food chains. Elevated copper, zinc, lead, and cadmium levels pose risks, with cadmium efficiently transferring to dairy products, necessitating monitoring and mitigation.

Area Of Science

Environmental Science
Agricultural Science
Toxicology

Background

Heavy metal soil contamination poses significant environmental and health risks.
Agricultural ecosystems are vulnerable to heavy metal accumulation through various pathways.
Sheep farming can be a pathway for heavy metal transfer to human food sources.

Purpose Of The Study

To assess heavy metal bioaccumulation and spatial distribution in a sheep food chain.
To evaluate the transfer of nickel, cadmium, zinc, lead, and copper from soil to dairy products.
To identify potential risks to public health from contaminated food products.

Main Methods

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for metal analysis.
Bioconcentration factor (BCF) calculation to assess trophic transfer.
Spatial analysis of metal concentrations in soil, grass, sheep serum, and dairy products.

Main Results

Copper and zinc concentrations exceeded permissible limits, especially near mining sites.
Elevated lead and cadmium levels were found in industrial areas.
Cadmium showed efficient transfer to milk and cheese, indicating a potential human health risk.

Conclusions

Soil contamination significantly impacts the sheep food chain in the Baia Mare region.
Continuous monitoring and risk assessment are crucial for public health protection.
Mitigation strategies are needed to address heavy metal transfer into the food supply.

Keywords:

environmental monitoring food safety risk assessment sheep husbandry trace elements

Related Concept Videos

The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements

Overview

Elements are the smallest units of matter that cannot be broken down further by chemical processes. There are 118 known elements, but not all of these are naturally-occurring, and fewer still are essential for life. Living matter is composed primarily of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, with smaller amounts of other elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Other elements are also necessary for life but only in trace amounts.

The Periodic Table Provides...