SEGH was established in 1971 to provide a forum for scientists from various disciplines to work together in understanding the interaction between the geochemical environment and the health of plants, animals, and humans. We recognise the importance of interdisciplinary research. SEGH members represent expertise in a diverse range of scientific fields, such as biology, engineering, geology, hydrology, epidemiology, chemistry, medicine, nutrition, and toxicology.
Happy New Year!
Don't forget to renew subscriptions for 2012 - new tiered rates and on-line access to EGH in 2012. Access using assigned username and ID through log-in button in top bar (right hand side)
| February 2012
Dr Sarkar has carried out research on the changes in the ecological and pollution status of the Indian Sundarban mangrove wetlands, as a result of intense anthropological pressures affecting the biotic and abiotic compartments of this fragile ecosystem. continue reading...
| February 2012
The practice of deliberately eating earth, known as geophagy has been common in many cultures across the world. Unfortunately, very little scientific research is being conducted in this area and its impact on human health. continue reading...
| January 2012
Environmental Geochemistry and Health is now available to via on-line access to members (Full and Student). Log in through www.segh.net to access the Springer back catalogue of EGH. continue reading...
Members can keep in touch with their colleagues through short news and events articles of interest to the SEGH community.
Latest on-line papers from the SEGH journal: Environmental Geochemistry and Health
Environ Geochem Health. 2012 Feb 5;
Economides C, Liapi M, Makris KC
In addition to diet-based vectors of disease, the contribution of water-borne zoonotic agents to gastrointestinal illnesses may be significant, but this has yet to be investigated for Cyprus. Our main objective was to evaluate antibiotic resistance patterns of Salmonella and Escherichia coli in groundwater samples collected at confined animal feeding operations. This is the first report on the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella and E. coli strains in the groundwater of Cyprus. Most of Salmonella isolates belonged to the subgroup enterica, whereas none of the E. coli isolates expressed the verotoxin-encoding gene. Out of 27 isolated Salmonella strains, nearly half of them were resistant to at least one or more antibiotic, whereas the highest resistance was exhibited by sulphamethoxazole (85%), followed by streptomycin (39%), and tetracycline (31%). For the E. coli isolates, nearly a third of them showed resistance to at least one antibiotic, whereas the selection of antibiotic resistance was equal among sulphamethoxazole, tetracycline and streptomycin (20%). This study demonstrated that Salmonella and E. coli in groundwater could pose a public health risk via oral ingestion of contaminated water. Best management practices are needed for overexploited groundwater supplies of rural areas, minimizing human exposure to antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Environ Geochem Health. 2012 Jan 28;
Zhang B, Yang L, Wang W, Li Y, Li H
Environ Geochem Health. 2012 Jan 21;
Romic D, Romic M, Zovko M, Bakic H, Ondrasek G
Fertile soils in the River Neretva estuary were developed by fluvial sedimentation and deposition of the eroded soil material from the karst hills within the catchment. After extensive reclamation, two reclaimed land zones (fluvial terraces and lower-laying terraces) have been delineated, both used for agriculture. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate soil chemical and geochemical properties in reclaimed zones that differ mainly in topography, soil types and agricultural land use. The origin of the trace metals in the arable soils was studied using multivariate statistics, and interpolation maps of trace metals were produced using GIS and geostatistics. Soil trace metal concentrations do not exceed a threshold value established by the Croatian Government regulation, with exception of copper. Comparative analysis of the main soil properties and trace metal concentrations in the study area showed a pronounced spatial variation and differences between two reclaimed zones in soil organic matter content, bioavailable P and total concentrations of Cd and Cu. Factor analysis in the area of the lower-laying terraces showed grouping of bioavailable P and K, organic matter content and pH (negative loading) in the component associated mostly with the land use. In the area of the fluvial terraces, bioavailable P and total Cd were grouped in the same component that may be explained by the traditional small farm agriculture and overuse of mineral fertilizers. In the whole study area, processes of secondary salinization were determined, accompanied by the raised chloride and sodium concentration measured in the saturation soil extract.
