title: Combined microstructural and mineralogical phase characterization of gallstones in a patient-based study in SW Spain - Implications for environmental contamination in their formation.
abstract: This study explores the environmental impact of metal exposure on humans through detailed phase and structural characterization of gallstones from two environmentally contrasting populations in Huelva Province (SW Spain). A total of 42 gallstone samples, obtained after surgical intervention at the Riotinto Hospital, were studied by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformed Infra-Red spectroscopy (FTIR), FTIR-μ-ATR (Attenuated Total Reflection) coupled with an optical microscope, and by Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (ESEM-EDS), and subsequently classified according to their phase composition and structure. Additionally, the patients were enquired for their living habits in order to analyze the source of possible exposure to metal contamination. The gallstones were classified into pure, mixed and composite cholesterol stones, black and brown pigment stones, and carbonate stones. The patients from the study group residing in a region with acknowledged metal contamination of both natural and anthropogenic origin have a higher risk of metal exposure through contaminated soil, particle matter in the air, and consumption of local water and food products. According to our findings, the metal exposure is related to a higher tendency of forming black pigment stones in the study group in comparison to the control group residing in a natural park with nearly pristine environmental conditions. Moreover, the gallstones from the study group showed to contain more abundant metal components, such as Cu, Fe, Ni, and Zn, than those from the control group. To our knowledge this is the first study to examine the regional environmental impact of metal exposure on human gallstones.
authors: Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (IACT), CSIC-UGR, Avda. de las Palmeras 4, E-18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain. Electronic address: aparviainen@iact.ugr-csic.es.
authors: Annika
authors: A
authors: Parviainen
authors: Riotinto Hospital, Avda. La Esquila 5, E-21660 Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Spain. Electronic address: graugrau@gmail.com.
authors: Juan Manuel
authors: JM
authors: Suárez-Grau
authors: Department of Earth Sciences, University of Huelva, Campus 'El Carmen', E-21071 Huelva, Spain. Electronic address: rafael.perez@dgeo.uhu.es.
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Pérez-López
authors: Department of Earth Sciences, University of Huelva, Campus 'El Carmen', E-21071 Huelva, Spain. Electronic address: jmnieto@uhu.es.
authors: José Miguel
authors: JM
authors: Nieto
authors: Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (IACT), CSIC-UGR, Avda. de las Palmeras 4, E-18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain. Electronic address: carlos.garrido@csic.es.
authors: Carlos J
authors: CJ
authors: Garrido
authors: Riotinto Hospital, Avda. La Esquila 5, E-21660 Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Spain. Electronic address: gemarcc13@gmail.com.
authors: Gema
authors: G
authors: Cobo-Cárdenas
mesh_terms: D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D042882:Gallstones / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013030:Spain; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy
keywords: Environmental contamination; Gallstones; Human impact; Metal load