Unveiling the importance of reactant mass transfer in environmental catalysis: Taking catalytic chlorobenzene oxidation as an example

To date, investigations onto the regulation of reactants mass transfer has been paid much less attention in environmental catalysis. Herein, we demonstrated that by rationally designing the adsorption sites of multi-reactants, the pollutant destruction efficiency, product selectivity, reaction stability and secondary pollution have been all affected in the catalytic chlorobenzene oxidation (CBCO). Experimental results revealed that the co-adsorption of chlorobenzene (CB) and gaseous O₂ at the oxygen vacancies of CeO₂ led to remarkably high CO₂ generation, owning to their short mass transfer distance on the catalyst surface, while their separated adsorptions at Brönsted HZSM-5 and CeO₂ vacancies resulted in a much lower CO₂ generation, and produced significant polychlorinated byproducts in the off-gas. However, this separated adsorption model yielded superior long-term stability for the CeO₂/HZSM-5 catalyst, owning to the protection of CeO₂ oxygen vacancies from Cl poisoning by the preferential adsorption of CB on the Brönsted acidic sites. This work unveils that design of environmental catalysts needs to consider both of the catalyst intrinsic property and reactant mass transfer; investigations of the latter could pave a new way for the development of highly efficient catalysts towards environmental pollution control.     

Evolution of the international workshops on quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) in environmental toxicology†

This presentation will review the evolution of the workshops from a scientific and personal perspective. From their modest beginning in 1983, the workshops have developed into larger international meetings, regularly held every two years. Their initial focus on the aquatic sphere soon expanded to include properties and effects on atmospheric and terrestrial species, including man. Concurrent with this broadening of their scientific scope, the workshops have become an important forum for the early dissemination of all aspects of qualitative and quantitative structure-activity research in ecotoxicology and human health effects. Over the last few decades, the field of quantitative structure/activity relationships (QSARs) has quickly emerged as a major scientific method in understanding the properties and effects of chemicals on the environment and human health. From substances that only affect cell membranes to those that bind strongly to a specific enzyme, QSARs provides insight into the biological effects and chemical and physical properties of substances. QSARs are useful for delineating the quantitative changes in biological effects resulting from minor but systematic variations of the structure of a compound with a specific mode of action. In addition, more holistic approaches are being devised that result in our ability to predict the effects of structurally unrelated compounds with (potentially) different modes of action. Research in QSAR environmental toxicology has led to many improvements in the manufacturing, use, and disposal of chemicals. Furthermore, it has led to national policies and international agreements, from use restrictions or outright bans of compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mirex, and highly chlorinated pesticides (e.g. DDT, dieldrin) for the protection of avian predators, to alternatives for ozone-depleting compounds, to better waste treatment systems, to more powerful and specific acting drugs. Most of the recent advances in drug development could not have been achieved without the use of QSARs in one form or another. The pace of such developments is rapid and QSARs are the keystone to that progress. These workshops have contributed to this progress and will continue to do so in the future.     

Green ultra‐fast high‐performance liquid chromatographic method using a short narrow‐bore column packed with fully porous sub‐2 μm particles for the simultaneous determination of selected pharmaceuticals as surface water and wastewater pollutants

Fast separations are very desirable in laboratories that analyze large numbers of samples per day or those needing short turn‐around times. Traditional HPLC methods using conventional stationary phases and standard column dimensions require significant amounts of organic solvents and generate large volumes of waste. With growing awareness about the environment, the development of green technologies has been receiving increasing attention. In this work, a very fast green analytical method based on LC‐UV using a short narrow bore column packed with fully porous sub‐2 μm particles has been developed for simultaneous determination of nine pharmaceuticals in wastewater and surface water. The chromatographic separation was optimized in order to achieve short analysis time and good resolution for all analytes in a single run. All analytes could be separated in 1 min with good resolution. Sample preparation was executed by solid phase extraction using Oasis HLB cartridges. The method developed was validated based on parameters such as linearity, precision, accuracy, detection, and quantification limits. The recovery ranged from 70.9 to 92.5% with SDs not higher than 5.4%, except for acetaminophen and sulphanilamide. LODs ranged from 0.6–2.5 μg/L, while the LOQs were in the range 2–8 μg/L.     

Low‐density extraction solvent based solvent‐terminated dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for quantitative determination of ionizable pesticides in environmental waters

A rapid, efficient, and new solvent terminated dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction technique coupled with HPLC was developed for selective extraction and analysis of s‐triazine herbicides from environmental water samples. Important parameters influencing the extraction process including type and volume of extraction and disperser solvent, extraction time, sample pH, ionic strength, and extraction temperature were successfully optimized. Under the optimal conditions, there are excellent linear relationships between the analytical results and concentration in the range of 10–400 mg/L for atrazine, propazine, prometryn, and terbutryn. LOD and LOQ ranged from 0.60 to 2.33 μg/L and 2.0 to 7.7 μg/L, respectively. Performance of the analytical technique was evaluated by carrying out the repeatability and reproducibility analyses that were ranged from 2.86 to 5.66% and 4.64 to 5.89% for 100 μg/L of each target analyte, respectively. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of real water samples and acceptable relative recoveries over the range of 65.93–101.46%, with RSDs ≤ 8.80%, were obtained. The overall results have been compared with the literature values. Thus, the method developed could efficiently be used for selective extraction of the target analytes from complex matrices, particularly environmental waters.     

Differentiation and characterization of isotopically modified silver nanoparticles in aqueous media using asymmetric-flow field flow fractionation coupled to optical detection and mass spectrometry

The principal objective of this work was to develop and demonstrate a new methodology for silver nanoparticle (AgNP) detection and characterization based on asymmetric-flow field flow fractionation (A4F) coupled on-line to multiple detectors and using stable isotopes of Ag. This analytical approach opens the door to address many relevant scientific challenges concerning the transport and fate of nanomaterials in natural systems. We show that A4F must be optimized in order to effectively fractionate AgNPs and larger colloidal Ag particles. With the optimized method one can accurately determine the size, stability and optical properties of AgNPs and their agglomerates under variable conditions. In this investigation, we couple A4F to optical absorbance (UV–vis spectrometer) and scattering detectors (static and dynamic) and to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. With this combination of detection modes it is possible to determine the mass isotopic signature of AgNPs as a function of their size and optical properties, providing specificity necessary for tracing and differentiating labeled AgNPs from their naturally occurring or anthropogenic analogs. The methodology was then applied to standard estuarine sediment by doping the suspension with a known quantity of isotopically enriched ¹⁰⁹AgNPs stabilized by natural organic matter (standard humic and fulvic acids). The mass signature of the isotopically enriched AgNPs was recorded as a function of the measured particle size. We observed that AgNPs interact with different particulate components of the sediment, and also self-associate to form agglomerates in this model estuarine system. This work should have substantial ramifications for research concerning the environmental and biological fate of AgNPs.     

Extension and application of multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares to four-way quadrilinear data-obtained in the investigation of pollution patterns on Yamuna River,India—A case study

This study focuses on the development and extension of Multivariate Curve Resolution-Alternating Least Squares (MCR-ALS) to the analysis of four-way datasets. The proposed extension of the MCR-ALS method with non-negativity and the newly developed quadrilinear constraints can be exploited to summarize and manage huge multidimensional datasets and resolve their four way component profiles. In this study, its application is demonstrated by analyzing a four-way data set obtained in a long term environmental monitoring study (15 sampling sites × 9 variables × 12 months × 7 years) belonging to the Yamuna River, one of the most polluted rivers of India and the largest tributary of the Ganges river. MCR-ALS resolved pollution profiles described appropriately the major observed changes on pH, organic pollution, bacteriological pollution and temperature, along with their spatial and temporal distribution patterns for the studied stretch of Yamuna River. Results obtained by MCR-ALS have also been compared with those obtained by another multi-way method, PARAFAC. The methodology used in this study is completely general and it can be applied to other multi-way datasets.     

Determination of Hg(II) in Environmental Water Samples by Dispersive Liquid Phase Microextraction Combined with Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

In this study, a method of dispersive liquid phase microextraction combined with the flame atomic absorption spectrometry was proposed for the determination of trace Hg using diphenylthiocarbazone as chelating reagent. Several factors which have effect on the microextraction efficiency of Hg, such as pH, extraction and dispersive solvent type and their volume, concentration of the chelating agent, extraction time were investigated, and the optimized experimental conditions were established. After extraction, the enrichment factor was 68. The detection limit of the method was 45 ng mL^?1, and the relative standard deviation for eight determinations of 2 μg mL^?1 Hg was 1.7%. The results for the determination of Hg in environmental water samples (tap water, well water, mineral water and Caspian sea water) have demonstrated the applicability of the proposed method.     

Vertical distribution of mercury in the Krka river estuary

The concentrations of reactive and total mercury (in the UV-irradiated samples) were measured in unfiltered and acidified samples by atomic absorption. The samples were collected in the vertical profile on one selected station in the Krka river estuary (Croatia) during 1997–2000. The estuary is permanently stratified and characterized by the subsurface temperature maxima. The maximum concentrations of reactive and total mercury range from 0.9 to 3.3?ng?L^?1, and from 1.3 to 6.0?ng?L^?1, respectively. The vertical transport of mercury across the picnocline is enhanced under the influence of a north wind.     

The Use of Various Chromatographic Techniques for the Determination of Phenylurea Herbicides and Their Corresponding Anilines in Environmental Samples,II. Applications

Abstract

In earlier work, various strategies have been developed for the trace-level determination of phenylurea herbicides and the anilines which are their main degradation products. They include catalytic hydrolysis of the phenylureas on silica, liquid chromatographic fractionation of complex mixtures of herbicides and anilines, derivatization of anilines and herbicides with electron-capture-sensitive reagents, and final analysis by means of capillary gas chromatography. In the present paper, the application of these principles to trace-level analysis of surface water, soil and crop samples is demonstrated.     

Biotransformation of musk xylene in trout haemoglobin: dose–response and toxicokinetics of musk xylene metabolites haemoglobin adducts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Musk xylene (MX) is frequently used as a fragrance in commercial toiletries. Biotransformation of MX into 4-amino-MX (4-AMX) and 2-amino-MX (2-AMX) metabolites in rainbow trout haemoglobin (Hb) has been described. The dose–response relationship and toxicokinetics of the metabolites as adducts in the Hb were determined by gas chromatography (GC)–electron capture negative chemical ionization (NCI)–mass spectrometry (MS), and GC–electron ionization (EI)–MS/MS, using selected ion monitoring (SIM). The trout were subjected to a single exposure of 0.010, 0.030, 0.10, and/or 0.30?mg?MX/g of fish. Hb samples were collected from exposed and control fish, and analysed subsequent to exposure at intervals of 24, 72, and 168?h. Alkaline hydrolysis released 4-AMX and 2-AMX metabolites from the Hb, and the solutes were extracted into n-hexane. The extracts were preconcentrated and analysed. The presence of the metabolites in the Hb extracts was confirmed based on agreement of similar mass spectral features from NCI/MS and EI-MS/MS spectra, and retention times of the metabolites with standards. The NCI/MS results were used for dose–response and toxicokinetics measurements. For dose–response, the concentrations of adducts of the metabolites increased with dosage, and a maximum adduct formation was observed at 0.10?mg?g^?1, beyond which it decreased. The average concentrations of 4-AMX and 2-AMX at a dosage of 0.10?mg?g^?1 were 700 and 7.4?ng?g^?1, respectively. For toxicokinetics, the concentration of the metabolites in the Hb reached a maximum in the 3 day sample after administration of MX. Further elimination of the metabolites exhibited kinetics with a half-life estimated to be 1–2 days, assuming first-order kinetics. Quantitations were made based on an internal standard and a calibration plot. In control samples, non-hydrolysed Hb, and reagent blank extracts, the metabolites were not detected. The limits of detection for 4-AMX and 2-AMX in the Hb were approximately 1.7 and 1.4?µg?L^?1, respectively, based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 with NCI/MS.