Abstract
Pollution of the environment with heavy metals can be a serious problem. In SouthAfrica, particularly, there are many sources of heavy metals, often due to smelter and mining activities. This has led to toxic metals in the environment that directly affect air, water and food. The presence of heavy metal residues in foodstuffs is potentially hazardous tohumansand animals. Heavy metals accumulate in certain organs, particularly in the liver and kidney. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of V, Cr, Mn,Sr, Cd, Pb andUin bovine organs and tissues obtained frompolluted areas of NorthWestProvince, SouthAfrica. Bovine liver, kidney, muscle, fat and bone samples were freeze-dried, homogenized and mineralized using a microwave-assisted digestion system. The levels were quantified using dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(DRC-ICP-MS).A bovine muscle (NIST-RM8414) and bovine liver, reference material (NIST-RM1577b), were also analyzed and results agreed with certified values. The study revealed accumulation of Sr in bone, Cd, Pb and U in kidney and bone, Mn in liver and, V and Cr in kidney tissues of cattle.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 159-164 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | South African Journal of Chemistry |
Volume | 65 |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Bovine meat
- DRC-ICP-MS
- Heavy metals
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry