Investigations into the Circulation of Some Heavy Metals in the Organism (Mercury, Bismuth and Lead)

Abstract

THE investigations contained in this paper comprise a series of quantitative analyses, performed with the aid of two very sensitive analytical methods. These methods we owe, the one (Hg), to Dr Christiansen, the other (Bi and Pb), to Prof. G. Hevesy.The three metals in question show a great similarity in the organism, which makes it reasonable to subject them to a comparative examination.The experiments were almost all made on rabbits, and carried out in the' following way. The rabbit is placed in a cage which permits of the collecting of all the urine and faeces eliminated daily. The metal compound to be investigated is injected at short intervals, in different portions of the muscles of the animal's limbs. After 10-20 days the rabbit is killed under a narcotic by bleeding. The principal organs, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and intestines, together with a sample of the blood, are removed for examination.After this the portions of the muscle, where the injection has been performed, are excised in order to ascertain the amount of metal remaining. In some cases it was comparatively easy to find and excise the parts where the injection has taken place, which contain the unabsorbed remains of the metal. In other cases it was considerably more difficult. With bismuth hydroxide it was even necessary to add a little lamp-black to the oil suspension. The values arrived at must therefore be taken only as minimum values.The material to be analysed will be: (1) the daily eliminated amount of urine and of faeces; (2) parts of muscles containing the remaining deposits of the metal compounds injected; (3) the most important viscera; (4) in some cases the total remaining parts of the rabbit's body.The results arrived at are given below, partly in numbered columns, partly-to simplify the survey-in a series of diagrams. The following descriptions will serve to explain these latter.(1) The oblong rectangular columns show how much metal is contained in the amount of metal compound examined which is injected on the day

Oil Palm Biomass Sap-Rotten Rice as a Source to Remove Metal Ions and Generate Electricity as By-Products through Microbial Fuel Cell Technology

“…Te metals' high concentration impacts on organisms were identifed in the 19 th century and well explained in the 20 th century. Concerns about the metals' possible negative efects on humans and other living things were raised briefy [7][8][9]. Since then, techniques for accurately identifying heavy metals have been developed, and their distribution, occurrence, and eventual destiny have been monitored [10].…”