Trace Elements Interaction in Eggs from Brahmanapalli Asbestos Mining Area, Andhra Pradesh, south India

Abstract

Trace element analysis of the eggs of the hen in chrysotile asbestos mining area of Bramhanapalli, Pulivendla mandal, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh was carried out on ash weight and dry weight basis to determine their indicator characteristics and its significance in applied environmental geochemistry. Trace element analysis of these samples was carried out for Mn, Ni, Co, Cr, Al Mg, Fe, Ba, Sr, Cu, Pb, and Zn. It is observed that different elements show their presence or absence on both ash weight and/or dry weight bases in eggs. All individual parts of raw and boiled egg samples show high concentration of Mg, Fe, and Al on ash weight than dry weight. Mg occupies first position in the sequence in all parts of the raw eggs both on ash weight and dry weight. The enrichment of Mg concentration in eggs may be due to the presence of asbestos mineral in the study area. Hence the backyard poultry eggs may ideally be used as tools for their possible application in mineral exploration. There are wide variations for Coefficient of Apparent Organic Binding (CAOB) for the elements and also observed that there is no systematic order of elements in case of CAOB. This study reveals that the eggs of backyard poultry may be extremely useful in biogeochemical exploration related to geochemistry, in reconnaissance surveys, and also to study the levels of environmental pollution of an area.