Spices and medicinal herbs is an important route for human exposure to toxic metals. This study determined total concentrations of heavy metals and risk assessment of ten types of herbs used in cooking, spices and medicinal plants available in local markets of Babylon province/Iraq. Concentrations of Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Co, As, Cd, Cr and Hg were estimated by ICP/Mass to identify toxic metals in the used portion of selected spices and medicinal plants. The average concentrations of these elements were within the limits allowed by the WHO. Culinary herbs and spices contained significantly Cu˃Ni˃Zn˃Pb˃Co˃As˃Cd˃Cr˃Hg. However, the concentrations of copper, zinc and nickel, respectively, were higher in all herbal samples. The study recorded the highest concentrations in the aerial parts of plants from the total elemental content of Thymus vulgaris leaves (109.4 μg·g-1). and barks of Cinnamomum verum was recorded (43 μg·g-1). Non-carcinogenic risks and estimated daily consumption of these herbs were assessed on the basis of the target hazard quotient (THQ) and Hazard Index (HI). THQ values for individual minerals were more than one indicating health risks for nickel (15.5) Mentha verticillata leaves, (12.3) for Matricaria chamomilla, other metals Cu, Co, Pb and Zn were recorded THQ˃1 which considered unsafe for human consumption. The mean Hazard Index (HI) for the nine metal elements is ˃1 for all plants except Zingiber officinale, indicating that there are non-carcinogenic risks from these nine elements. this study provides a scientific basis to guide the safe consumption of certain culinary herbs and spices, it suggest potential health concerns for consumers of these products on a daily basis over a prolonged life span.
This investigation of the biodiversity of copepods was carried out in the Hilla River. From January 2021 to December 2021, monthly samples of water and copepods were taken at three different locations in the river for this investigation. Water’s temperature, turbidity, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, total hardness, nitrate, and phosphate are some of the physical and chemical characteristics taken into account. A study was undertaken using biological indicators such the Shanon-Weiner index, Species Uniformity Index, and Species Richness Index. There were 24 copepod taxonomic units found. Copepoda had a maximum density of 1453 ind/m3 in April and a lowest density of 80 ind/m3 in February. The statistical study’ findings revealed a statistically significant positive association between density, all of pH, BOD5, Nitrate, and Phosphate, as well as a statistically significant negative correlation with each of dissolved oxygen and total hardness. The Shanon-Weiner index recorded its greatest value in May, 3.33 bits/ind, and its lowest value in December, 0.08 bits/ind. The greatest value of the Species Uniformity Index (E) was 0.99 in March, while the lowest values of 0.1 were reported in July. Species homogeneity index and each of Turbidity have a substantial negative association and a strong positive connection, respectively. The Species Richness Index reached its greatest point in April (6.13), while it reached its lowest point in January (1.46). According to the statistical study, there is a strong positive association between Index values and a strong negative correlation with overall hardness.
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