Selenium speciation in soil extracts using LC-ICP-MS

Selenium (Se) speciation in soil affects its bioavailability to crops. An analytical procedure for the determination of inorganic Se species (selenite and selenate) in soil extracts by anion-exchange liquid chromatography (LC) with ICP-MS detection has been developed, with 10-fold higher sensitivity than existing HGAAS-based soil Se measurements. A comparison of phosphate extraction solutions on agricultural soils amended with 20?µg?kg^–1 selenate or selenite was carried out, and a 0.016?M?KH₂PO₄ extraction solution is recommended. Recovery of selenate was >91%; however, selenite recovery ranged between 18.5% and 46.1%, due to rapid binding to the soil. Soil preparation did not have a significant (p?>?0.05) effect on the extractability of the selenate or selenite amendments. The stability of Se species in the phosphate extracts was variable, depending on temperature and storage time. Therefore, immediate (<1?h) analysis of the soil extracts is preferable. The method developed was applied to the determination of extractable Se from six arable soils in the UK. Extractable Se levels in these soils ranged between 6 and 13?µg?kg^–1 consisting of selenite and some soluble organic Se.     

Sulfur speciation in two typical soil samples using X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy and chemical fractionation

Sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy and chemical sequential extraction was respectively used to study the speciation of sulfur in two sulfur-rich soils samples. Sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy analysis obtained a variety of spectra. Spectral fitting of the X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra utilizing a large set of model compounds showed great differences between these two sulfur-rich soil samples. It was found that both of the soil samples had high sulfur content (8.40 and 11.57?g?kg^?1, respectively). Chemical extraction results suggested that sulfur mainly existed as organic in the ancient paddy soil (7.37?g?kg^?1) and more reduced sulfur was identified in it. X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy also got similar results. These organic forms of sulfur existed in organic matter across a range of oxidation states. There was high proportion of oxidized sulfur in the sulfuric acid plant that mainly existed as sulfate.     

科研开发成果累累，工程应用效果显著

概述宁波大学地基处理中心自成立以来紧密结合宁波市工程建设中的需要，在地基处理、桩基工程质量检测等方面开展的科研开发工作，和取得的成果，这些成果在工程中的应用已取得了良好的经济和社会效益。     

A perturbation boundary integral equation method for analysis of interaction between foundation and nonlinear rock and soil medium

A scheme is developed for analysing the interaction between a foundation and a nonlinear rock and soil medium, in which the foundation is considered as a linear elastic body and a typical boundary integral equation method (BIEM) is employed. On the basis of taking the nonlinear properties of the medium into account, a perturbation BIEM is developed. The fundamental equations for the nonlinear coupling analysis are formulated, and typical problems are solved and discussed by the present method.     

Preparation, characterization and biological activity of Schiff base compounds derived from 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxaldehyde and Jeffamines ED

Polyethers with 8-hydroxyquinolin-2-yl end groups (HOQCHN-POE-NCHQOH) were prepared by reaction between polyethers having amino end groups (Jeffamines ED^®) and 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxaldehyde. The HOQCHN-POE-NCHQOH polymers were characterized by size-exclusion chromatography, UV, IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The complexation between HOQCHN-POE-NCHQOH and Fe³⁺ was studied by UV, IR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The UV-irradiation of the complexes caused photodegradation of the polyether chains. It was shown that HOQCHN-POE-NCHQOH had high efficacy on remedying iron-deficient maize plants and exhibited very low-antibacterial activity towards non-pathogenic soil bacteria (B. subtilis).     

Asymptotic infiltration into a soil which contains cracks or holes but whose surface is otherwise impermeable

An asymptotic, one-dimensional Green-Ampt model is derived for infiltration into a soil whose surface is impermeable except for regularly spaced vertical cracks, and infiltration into a cylindrical soil column whose top surface is also impermeable except for a central hole. The model is valid at times when the wetting front has become horizontal and corresponds to one-dimensional infiltration initiated from a plane lying above or below the soil surface, depending on the crack spacing/depth ratio (or column radius/hole depth ratio). When applicable, asymptotic Green-Ampt solutions are shown to agree well, in selected cases, with corresponding finite difference solutions of the saturated-unsaturated flow equations.     

Changes in fungal and bacterial populations in soil treated with two triorganotin(IV) compounds

The effects of two triorganotin(IV) compounds, diphenylbutyltin bromide (Ph₂BuSnBr) and triphenyltin chloride·triphenylphosphine oxide (Ph₃SnCl·Ph₃PO), on soil bacterial and fungal populations were compared with that of Thiram and the commercial triorganotin fungicide ‘Brestan’ (triphenyltin acetate, Ph₃SnOAc). Soil fungal populations were reduced most by Thiram, then by Ph₃SnCl·Ph₃PO, Ph₂BuSnBr and Ph₃SnOAc, in that order. Following the application of the compounds, there was a marked increase in the bacterial population in soil, the increase being greatest with Thiram and least with Ph₃SnCl·Ph₃PO. The triorganotin(IV) compounds were less harmful to soil fungi than Thiram. In Thiram-treated soil, recolonization was slower than in soil treated with the triorganotin(IV) compounds. More species of fungi were tolerant to and persisted after application of the triorganotin(IV) compounds compared with Thiram. Among the fungi that were tolerant to the triorganotin(IV) compounds were cellulolytic species such as Trichoderma.     

ANISOTROPY OF MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY AND ORIGIN OF THE CHINESE LOESS AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE TO THE QUATERNARY RESEARCH*

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility is used in the present study to reveal thedepositional fabric on the original (windblown) loess and secondary (redeposited) loess. The two kinds of sediments mentioned above can be distinguished in terms of their susceptibility anisotropy, e.g. anisotropy degree, magnetic foliation and lineation parameters. On this basis the magnetic fabric of the Pliocene red soil underlaying the loess is studied, and compared with the results of a typical residue-deposited red clay in South China. Considering its geological features, the red soil in Xifeng is regarded probably as aeolian in origin also.     

Effect of six triorganotin(IV) compounds on nitrification and ammonification in soil

The effects of six triorganotin(IV) compounds and of Thiram on nitrification and ammonification in soil were investigated. Low concentrations of up to 50 μg g^?1 of the triorganotin(IV) compounds enhanced nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃^?-N) production in soil. Except for diphenylbutyltin bromide, which inhibited nitrification at 250 μg g^?1, the other triorganotin(IV) compounds were inhibitory at concentrations of 100 μg g^?1 to less than 250 μg g^?1. At 10 μg g^?1, only triphenyltin acetate was less inhibitory towards nitrification compared with Thiram. At 250 μg g^?1, Thiram exerted a strongly persistent inhibitory effect towards nitrification. The NO₃^?-N level recorded 28 days after application was only 0.10 μg g^?1 soil. With the triorganotin compounds NO₃^?-N levels of 7.05–12.06 μg g^?1 soil were recorded 28 days following their application. The deleterious effects of the triorganotin(IV) compounds were less persistent and recovery of nitrification was evident seven days after application. Low concentrations of Thiram and triorganotin(IV) compounds inhibited ammonification, whereas higher concentrations enhanced ammonification. Complete inhibition of ammonification was attained 21–28 days after application of Thiram at 50 μg g^?1. On the other hand, with the triorganotin(IV) compounds, except for diphenylbutyltin bromide at 10–50 μg g^?1, ammonification persisted at all concentrations 28 days after application.     

Studies of the naturally occurring biomethylation of selenium and the determination of the products

A systematic study of the biomethylation of selenium and the determination of the methylated species indicates preliminarily that selenium is susceptible to natural biomethylation under certain environmental conditions. Detectable levels of methylated selenium species, including dimethyl selenide [(CH₃)₂Se], dimethyl diselenide [(CH₃)₂Se₂] and dimethylselenone [(CH₃)₂SeO₂] have been detected by gas chromatography – graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GC – GF AA) from a variety of environmental samples. Findings of naturally methylated selenium species from both soil samples and related air samples suggest that there may exist a localized cycle of selenium between ground soil and the ambient air. Factors that influence the sensitivity and accuracy for the determination of alkyl selenide compounds by GC – GF AA have also been investigated. Flashlike injection mode and addition of about 10% of hydrogen gas to the argon carrier gas provide for highly sensitive detection. Reproducible determination can be obtained with a precision of about 6% and the detection limits are 0.3 ng Se m^?3.