Narrow Results

Ca-DTPA and Zn-DTPA were injected intraperitoneally into rats with a dose of 30 or 300 µmol/kg. The blood was collected from the tail vein just before the injection, 3, 6 and 24 hours after the injection. and centrifuged 10 separate the plasma. These plasma samples were analyzed by PIXE at Nishina Memorial Cyclotron Center.

Sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, copper and zinc were detected in the plasma. Ca-DTPA significantly lowered the concentration of zinc, while no significant changes were observed in the other metals. Zn-DTPA did not lower any metal concentrations, but a significant increase of plasma zinc was observed.

In conclusion, Ca-DTPA was confirmed to induce hypozincemia, which may be the cause of fetal injuries such as abortion, fetal death and malformation. Zn-DTPA was suggested not to induce any deficiencies of essential metals.

Ca-DTPA or Zn-DTPA was injected subcutaneously to pregnant mice once a day for 5 consecutive days from the 13th day to the 17th day of gestation. Maternal and fetal livers were collected 20 hours after the final injection of DTPA, and essential metal contents in the liver samples were determined by PIXE.

Both Ca-DTPA and Zn-DTPA don't affect any essential metals in the maternal liver, but Ca-DTPA decreases copper and zinc contents in the fetal liver to 2/3 and 1/2 of the control values, respectively. Although Zn-DTPA does not affect fetal zinc content, it decreases that of copper. It could not be determined whether DTPA affects fetal manganese content or not because the fetal liver contains no detectable amount of manganese.

The chapter deals with some important aspects of the relationship of lithium and nickel with the ecosystem, which consists mainly of soil, water, plants and air. Some aspects of lithium and nickel use in the energy industry are also mentioned. We begin by considering the fact that the metallic elements lithium and nickel, either alone or in the form of their chemical compounds, are currently considered potential energy materials whose applicability is increasing with the transition to the mass use of electricity and batteries for powering motor vehicles. Both lithium and nickel are commonly found in nature. Even in relatively low concentrations, their presence is very dangerous or even toxic to some animals and biological organisms. On the other hand, certain plants and animals are a natural part of ecosystems and are unable to survive with-out their presence because they are vital to them. This contradiction and its implications form the main content of this chapter. The most significant effects of lithium and nickel in the environment, particularly in soil, water and plant systems, are presented. The interconnectedness between soil, water and plants is shown in relation to each other. Some of the analytical methods used for the detection of lithium and nickel are also given. In addition, some specific results are presented, which are not intended to specify particular locations in the field, but rather to highlight the ability of researchers to monitor the presence of lithium and nickel in the environment and to create conditions for their removal and possible reuse.