Historical variations of Bera Lake (Malaysia) sediments geochemistry using radioisotopes and sediment quality indices

The Bera Lake basin is a lacustrine mire system and the largest natural lake in Peninsular Malaysia. Three cores were collected from the lake sediments in order to assess sediment quality and ecological risks for aquatic life and human health. An index analysis approach (C _f , C _d , E _r , and IR) and fallout ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs radioisotopes were applied to assess the impacts of environmental evolutionary changes. Sediment chronology was determined using the Constant Rate of Supply model with the resultant ages verified by ¹³⁷Cs horizons. Although the general contamination factors indicate low risk conditions in Bera Lake the risks associated with individual layers ranged from moderate to considerable. Five deforestation phases can be identified in the dated sediment cores with distinct variations in heavy metal influxes since 1972. These phases are in excellent agreement with the dates of land clearance and development projects undertaken over the past four decades. This study has highlighted the capability of contamination factors and chronological methods in environmental evolutionary studies where catchments have experienced extensive land use changes. The destiny of heavy metal influxes into a lake can also be revealed using this methodology.     

Synthesis and oxidation of (E)-1,2-diphenyl-2-(arylimino) ethanol derivatives

The compounds (E)-1,2-diphenyl-2-(phenylimino)ethanol, (E)-1,2-diphenyl-2-(p-tolylimino)ethanol, and (E)-2-((4-chlorophenyl)imino)-1,2-diphenylethanol) were synthesized by reaction of a p-substituted aniline with benzoin then oxidized with chromium trioxide–triethylamine in chloroform to give (E)-1,2-diphenyl-2-(phenylimino)ethanone, (E)-1,2-diphenyl-2-(p-tolylimino)ethanone, and (E)-2-((4-chlorophenyl)imino)-1,2-diphenylethanone in very high yield. The products were characterized by IR and NMR spectral analysis.     

Copper Adsorption on Chitosan-Derived Schiff Bases

The adsorption of Cu(II) ions onto the chitosan derived Schiff bases obtained from the condensation of chitosan with salicyaldehyde (polymer I), 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (polymer II) and with 4-(diethylamino) salicyaldehyde (polymer III) in aqueous solutions was investigated. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of contact time, pH, and polymer mass. The amount of metal-ion uptake of the polymers was determined by using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and the highest Cu(II) ions uptake was achieved at pH 7.0 and by using sodium perchlorate as an ionic strength adjuster for polymers I, II, and III. The isothermal behavior and the kinetics of adsorption of Cu(II) ions on these polymers with respect to the initial mass of the polymer and temperature were also investigated; adsorption isothermal equilibrium data could be clearly explained by the Langmuir equation. The experimental data of the adsorption equilibrium from Cu(II) solution correlates well with the Langmuir isotherm equation.     

Thermal and sorption behavior of polyacrylonitrile supported hydrous titanium dioxide

Summary Modification of the physico-chemical properties of hydrous titanium dioxide (TiO₂) was conducted by using binding polyacrylonitrile (PAN) for the preparation of larger size particles having higher granular strength. The thermal behavior of the obtained composite has been studied by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA). Sorption behavior of the TiO₂-PAN composite for removal of some hazardous radionuclides has been studied at different conditions such as, pH, contact time, ion concentrations and reaction temperature as well as the drying temperature. The effects of interfering ions as well as some complexing agents on the distribution ratio of the sorption process have been determined. As a result of the obtained data the optimum conditions for the removal of the studied radionuclides were recommended.     

Divergent Behavior in the Chemistry of Metal-Bis(dithiolene) Complexes Appended with Peripheral Aliphatic Butyl Chains

Metal-bis(dithiolene) complexes derived from Ni(II), Co(II), Pd(II), Pt(II) and Au(III), bearing butyl aliphatic chains have been synthesized, and fully characterized by a variety of spectroscopic techniques including NMR, UV-vis, IR, HRMS, CV, and X-ray diffraction studies. This comparative study made possible to establish that the Co(II) species appear to be dimeric in the solid state as well as in solution. On the other hand, the coordination complexes based on Ni(II), Pd(II), Pt(II) and Au(III), feature a monomeric structure in both solution and solid state. These metal-bis(dithiolene) complexes are remarkably stable in solution and, in stark contrast to precedents in the literature, they retain their square planar geometry even in presence of pyridine derivatives reported for their apical binding on metal-bis(dithiolene) complexes.     

Thermodynamic aspects of sorption of Fe2+ onto unbleached Kraft fibres

The sorption of Fe(2+) onto unbleached kraft fibre was investigated at different conditions such as pH, temperature, and concentrations. The sorption, which increased with concentration and temperature, followed the Langmuir isotherm. Thermodynamically, the process was spontaneous and endothermic. It was found that the precipitation of Fe(2+) was highly dependent on pH and reached 100% when pH exceeded approximately 8.