Novel modified pectin for heavy metal adsorption

Modified pectin cross-linked with adipic acid, was synthesized and used for heavy metal removal from wastewater. SEM and FTIR were used to investigate its structure and morphology. The modified pectin had a rough, porous phase covered with carboxy groups, resulting a high adsorption capacity. And at the room temperature, the saturated loading capacity for Pb^2＋, Cu^2＋ and Zn^2＋ reached 1.82 retool/g, 1.794 mmol/g and 0.964 retool/g, respectively. The results proved its potential application to remove of the heavy metal.     

Track “core” effects in heavy ion radiolysis

By assuming that HO^.₂ radical production in water and H₂ production in benzene are 2 hit processes, and applying the concepts of track physics, we are able to obtain a parameteric fit to the yields of these reactions by heavy ion radiolysis from knowledge of the radial dose distribution about a heavy ion's path. We make no use of the concept of a track core, for no clearly definable track core appears in our calculations of the radial dose distribution. Instead we calculate an action cross section σ from the assumed 2 hit response to γ-rays. The cross section is calculated from two fitted parameters, E₀, the γ-ray dose at which there is an average of 1 hit per target, and the target radius a₀. From the cross section, the target radius and the stopping power we calculate the G value. While our model is not mechanistic, the assumed 2 hit process is consistent with hypotheses which have been offered as chemical models for these processes. Since a 2 hit process is more likely to take place in a high dose region, close to an ion's path, it may easily be attributed to a hypothetical track core in energy deposition, when indeed the response is a property of the detector.     

New complexes of heavy lanthanides with 4,4′-bipyridine and trichloroacetates

Novel mixed-ligand complexes with empirical formula Ln(4-bpy)₂(CCl₃COO)₃·nH₂O [where Ln(III)?=?Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu; 4-bpy?=?4,4??-bipyridine] were prepared and characterized by chemical and elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and conductivity measurements (in methanol, dimethylformamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide). X-ray powder diffraction patterns indicate that the complexes are small crystalline compounds. IR spectra of complexes show that all carboxylate groups and 4-bpy are engaged in coordination of lanthanide ions. The thermal behavior of complexes was studied by means of TG, DTG, DTA techniques in the solid state under nonisothermal conditions in air atmosphere. During heating, the complexes decompose via intermediate products to the oxide Ln₂O₃. The combined TG?CFTIR technique was employed to study the decomposition pathway of the Ho(III) and Tm(III) complexes in flowing argon atmosphere.     

Effect of swift heavy ion irradiation on ethylene–chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer

The swift heavy irradiation induced changes taking place in ethylene–chlorotrifluoroethylene (E–CTFE) copolymer films were investigated in correlation with the applied doses. Samples were irradiated in vacuum at room temperature by lithium (50 MeV), carbon (85 MeV), nickel (120 MeV) and silver (120 MeV) ions with the fluence in the range of 1×10¹¹–3×10¹² ions cm^?2. Structural and thermal properties of the irradiated as well as pristine E–CTFE films were studied using FTIR, UV–visible, TGA, DSC and XRD techniques. Swift heavy ion irradiation was found to induce changes in E–CTFE depending upon the applied doses.     

N-Dansyl-N′-ethylthiourea for the fluorometric detection of heavy metal ions

N-Dansyl-N-ethylthiourea (DET) forms fluorescent chelates with a large number of heavy metal ions. The influence of the pH-value on the luminescence of DET and its metal chelates was investigated. The addition of Cu(II) to DET causes a bathochromic shift of the emission maximum, which is linearly dependent on the Cu(II) concentration. Low detection limits and a wide linear range of detection are achieved by HPLC using RP 18 columns as stationary phase. Also presented are first measurements of fluorescence decay times of the ligand as well as some complexes.     

State-selected ion-molecule reactions: H+2(ν) + He → HeH+ + H and He + H+ + H

Total cross sections for production of HeH⁺ and H⁺ in the reaction of state-selected H⁺₂ (v = 0 to 6) with He at 3.1 eV c.m. collision energy are measured by means of the threshold-photoelectron/photoion coincidence method, using pulsed synchrotron radiation. Both reaction cross sections are observed to rise with vibrational energy. The H⁺/HeH⁺ branching ratio, which is determined directly, remains approximately constant at about 0.3 for v ⩽ 3 and rises gradually for higher levels to reach the value 1.3 for v = 6. For v ⩽ 3 both reactions involve hard-type collisions and result in large-angle scattering. In contrast, at higher v levels, the HeH⁺ becomes essentially forward scattered with respect to the incident He direction, but with a velocity greater than that expected from the spectator stripping model. The H⁺ products are backward scattered with respect to the incident H⁺₂ for v ⩽ 1 and receed faster from the He atom than the H products. This observation directly leads to the conclusion that collision-induced dissociation from v = 0 and 1 involves transitions to the first excited potential-energy surface.     

Quantification of heavy metals and health risk assessment in processed fruits’ products

Present study was intendant to assess heavy metals (HMs) concentration and associated health risk in processed fruits’ products sold in the local markets of North Pakistan. In total seven metals viz. cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were quantified in 345 samples of different brands categorized into eight groups (Sauces, Ketchup, Juices, Jams, canned fruits, tomato paste, marmalades and pickles). On the comparative basis, Fe was dominating with highest concentration in pickles, canned fruits and sauces at 143.3 ± 43.2, 83.64 ± 23.19 and 50.17 ± 15.1 mg/kg, respectively), followed by Cd in sauces (22.94 ± 6.91 mg/kg), Cr in juices (12.97 ± 3.91 mg/kg) and Pb in pickles (12.53 ± 3.77 mg/kg). Measured levels of these metals varied significantly and were relatively higher than their permissible limits. Univariate and multivariate analysis depicted strong association among Cr, Co, Pb and Fe and confirmed HMs contamination through natural and anthropogenic sources in processed foods. Health risk index (HRI) for Cd, Cr and Pb was greater than unity (<1.0), particularly in sauces, jams and canned fruits. Target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) of Cd, Cr and Pb were relatively high. But target cancer risk (TCR) assessment indicates that these metals were within the acceptable limit, except for Cd concentration in sauces, jams and canned fruits that may cause cancer to consumers.     

What have we learnt about heavy carbenes through laser flash photolysis studies?

Time resolved gas-phase kinetic studies have contributed a great deal of fundamental information about the reactions and reactivity of heavy carbenes (silylenes, germylenes and stannylenes) during the past two decades. In this article we trace the development of our understanding through the mechanistic themes of intermediate complexes, third body assisted associations, catalysed reactions, non-observed reactions and substituent effects. Ab initio (quantum chemical) calculations have substantially assisted mechanistic interpretation and are discussed where appropriate. Trends in reactivity are identified and some signposts to future studies are indicated. This review, although detailed, is not comprehensive.     

HPLC-spectrophotometric detection of trace heavy metals via ‘cascade’ separation and concentration

A cascade pre-concentration and separation system involving continuous solid-phase extraction and one-drop solvent concentration was developed to enable high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination of trace levels of Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Se(IV) and Cr(VI) ions in aqueous solution via complexation with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate. The metal complexes were almost completely adsorbed on the solid phase (octadecylsilyl packed column). Ethyl acetate (eluent) containing the metal complexes was then placed in a centrifuge tube, to which a microvolume of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was added. Successful pre-concentration of the metal complexes into the DMSO phase was accomplished by removing the ethyl acetate using a compact evaporator in a water bath (40°C); 1000-fold concentration was achieved within 45 min. A portion of the residual DMSO phase was then subjected to HPLC analysis. The proposed method has high reproducibility and high sensitivity with detection limits (3σ) for Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Se(IV) and Cr(VI) ions of 0.08, 0.11, 0.12, 0.44 and 0.20 µg/L, respectively. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) (n = 5) at Ni(II) 5.87 µg/L, Co(II) 5.89 µg/L, Cu(II) 6.35 µg/L, Se(IV) 7.90 µg/L and Cr(VI) 5.20 µg/L (1.0 × 10^?7 mol/L each) were 4.0%, 4.6%, 4.6%, 7.2% and 3.4%, respectively.     

Mean potential statistical theory of the H+ + D2 → HD + D+ reaction

The reactive collision process H(+) + D(2)(ν = 0, j = 0) → HD + D(+) is theoretically analyzed for collision energies ranging from threshold up to 1.3 eV. It is assumed that the reaction takes place via formation of a collision complex. In calculations, a statistical theory is used, based on a mean isotropic potential deduced from a full potential energy surface. Calculated integral cross sections, opacity functions, and rotational distributions of the HD products are compared with recent statistical and quantum mechanical calculations performed using a full potential energy surface. Satisfactory agreement between the results obtained using the two statistical methods is found, both of which however overestimate the existing quantum mechanical predictions. The effects due to the presence of identical particles are also discussed.     

Urease–glutamic dehydrogenase biosensor for screening heavy metals in water and soil samples

A screen-printed three-electrode amperometric biosensor based on urease and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen (NADH)–glutamic dehydrogenase system was developed and applied to the screening of heavy metals in environmental samples. The development of an amperometric sensor for the monitoring of urease activity was feasible by coupling the urea breakdown reaction catalysed by urease to the reductive ammination of ketoglutarate catalysed by glutamic dehydrogenase (GLDH). The ammonia provided by the urea conversion is required for the conversion of ketoglutarate to glutamate with the concomitant oxidation of the NADH cofactor. NADH oxidation is monitored amperometrically at 0.3 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) after urease immobilization onto the screen-printed three-electrode configuration. Immobilization of urease on the surface of screen-printed electrodes was performed by entrapment in alginate gel and adsorption on the electrode in a nafion film. Low sensitivity to inactivation by metals was recorded after urease entrapment in alginate gel with detection limits of 2.9 and 29.8 mg L^–1 for Hg(II) and Cu(II), respectively. The use of the negatively charged nafion film created a more concentrated environment of cations in proximity to the enzyme, thus enhancing the urease inhibition when compared to gel entrapment. The calculated detection limits were 63.6 and 55.3 g L^–1 for Hg(II) and Cu(II), respectively, and 4.3 mg L^–1 for Cd(II). A significant urease inactivation was recorded in the presence of trace amounts of metals (g L^–1) when the enzyme was used free in solution. Analysis of water and soil samples with the developed nafion-based sensor produced inhibition on urease activity according to their metal contents. The obtained results were in agreement with the standard methods employed for sample analysis. Nevertheless, the use of the amperometric assay (with free urease) proved more feasible for the screening of trace amounts of metals in polluted samples.     

M?ssbauer spectroscopy for heavy elements: a relativistic benchmark study of mercury

The electrostatic contribution to the M?ssbauer isomer shift of mercury for the series HgF _n (n?=?1,?2,?4) with respect to the neutral atom has been investigated in the framework of four- and two-component relativistic theory. Replacing the integration of the electron density over the nuclear volume by the contact density (that is, the electron density at the nucleus) leads to a 10% overestimation of the isomer shift. The systematic nature of this error suggests that it can be incorporated into a correction factor, thus justifying the use of the contact density for the calculation of the M?ssbauer isomer shift. The performance of a large selection of density functionals for the calculation of contact densities has been assessed by comparing with finite-field four-component relativistic coupled-cluster with single and double and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)] calculations. For the absolute contact density of the mercury atom, the Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations are in error by about 0.5%, a result that must be judged against the observation that the change in contact density along the series HgF _n (n?=?1,?2,?4), relevant for the isomer shift, is on the order of 50?ppm with respect to absolute densities. Contrary to previous studies of the ⁵⁷Fe isomer shift (F Neese, Inorg Chim Acta 332:181, 2002), for mercury, DFT is not able to reproduce the trends in the isomer shift provided by reference data, in our case CCSD(T) calculations, notably the non-monotonous decrease in the contact density along the series HgF _n (n?=?1,?2,?4). Projection analysis shows the expected reduction of the 6s _1/2 population at the mercury center with an increasing number of ligands, but also brings into light an opposing effect, namely the increasing polarization of the 6s _1/2 orbital due to increasing effective charge of the mercury atom, which explains the non-monotonous behavior of the contact density along the series. The same analysis shows increasing covalent contributions to bonding along the series with the effective charge of the mercury atom reaching a maximum of around +2 for HgF₄ at the DFT level, far from the formal charge +4 suggested by the oxidation state of this recently observed species. Whereas the geometries for the linear HgF₂ and square-planar HgF₄ molecules were taken from previous computational studies, we optimized the equilibrium distance of HgF at the four-component Fock-space CCSD/aug-cc-pVQZ level, giving spectroscopic constants r _e = 2.007 ? and ?? _e = 513.5?cm^?1.     

Soil bacteria sensitivity towards heavy metals – Experimental system optimisation using chemical speciation calculations

The ecotoxicological relevance of many laboratory studies on soil bacteria sensitivity towards heavy metals is limited because culture conditions are chosen which do not adequately represent field conditions. The influence of the composition of culture media on the speciation of copper in an oligotrophic model soil system has been investigated. The expected chemical speciation has been calculated to obtain information on the concentration of the bioavailable fraction and the totally dissolved copper. For control measurements of totally dissolved copper, vacuum filtration has been used. The results of the measurements are in a good agreement with the calculations. Therefore, the use of speciation calculations is postulated as a useful tool for the assessment of free metal concentrations at higher pH, where the concentrations of dissolved metals are too low to be measured by simple methods.     

Fabrication of carboxymethyl chitosan–hemicellulose resin for adsorptive removal of heavy metals from wastewater

Carboxymethyl chitosan–hemicellulose resin(CMCH) was synthesized by thermal cross-linking process and characterized by FTIR, TGA, and SEM. Subsequently, the adsorption properties of CMCH toward Ni(Ⅱ),Cd(Ⅱ), Cu(Ⅱ), Hg(Ⅱ), Mn(Ⅶ) and Cr(Ⅵ) were evaluated. Various factors affecting the uptake behavior such as pH, temperature, contact time and the initial concentration of the metal ions were investigated.The results showed that all adsorption processes fit the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isotherm equation. Significantly, the regeneration experiments showed CMCH can be used as a potentially recyclable and effective adsorbent for the removal and recovery of metal ions from wastewater.     

Speciation of heavy metals in environmental water by ion chromatography coupled to ICP–MS

Biogenic (e.g. phytochelatins, porphyrins, DOM) as well as anthropogenic (e.g. NTA, EDTA, phosphonates) chelators affect the mobility and cycling of heavy metals in environmental waters. Since such chelators can form strongly bound anionic heavy metal complexes that are stable and highly mobile, anion-exchange chromatography coupled to ICP-MS was investigated. A narrow bore HPLC system was connected to a micro concentric nebuliser for in-line sample introduction. A new chromatographic procedure based on a synthetic hydrophilic quaternary ammonium anion exchanger in combination with nitrate as a strong eluent anion, and gradient elution, provided high separation selectivity and a large analytical window. Low detection limits (nmol L(-1)) were achieved by on-column matrix removal and sample preconcentration. This allowed the method to be successfully applied to different environmental research areas. In ecotoxicological studies of heavy metal effects on algae low concentrations of metal EDTA complexes were determined in nutrient solutions without interference from high (buffer) salt concentrations. In groundwater, infiltrated by a polluted river, mobile metal EDTA species were observed. In river water of different pollution levels beside CuEDTA other anionic Cu-complexes were found in nmol L(-1) concentrations.     

Thermal investigation of heavy crude oil by simultaneous TG–DSC–FTIR and EDXRF

Present study investigates thermal behavior of two heavy crude oils with different °API values by simultaneous thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry–fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG–DSC–FTIR), and an evaluation of the chemical element levels present in the oils’ ashes was done by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. TG and DSC curves were obtained for two samples in nitrogen atmosphere. Among all inorganic components evaluated, the highest concentration in the two oils was SO₃. Thus this study may contribute to a better understanding of the thermal behavior of heavy crude oils and their composition.     

Ab Initio Study on the Reaction of La~+ + CH_4→La+-CH~2 + H_2

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Crystallographic study of YCo3+1−2xCo2+xPt4+xO3 and DyCo3+1−2xCo2+xPt4+xO3

The crystal structures of single crystals of YCo³⁺_.36Co²⁺_.32Pt⁴⁺_.32O₃ and DyCo³⁺_.36Co²⁺_.32Pt⁴⁺_.32O₃ have been examined at room temperature, and shown to be isostructural with GdFeO₃, which belongs to space group Pbnm. The overall expansion of octahedra caused by substitution of platinum enhances the distortion of rare-earth dodecahedra by moving 4 out of 12 oxygens further away from the rare-earth ions, as shown by the rotation of octahedra along the [110] axis. No order has been found for Co²⁺, Co³⁺, and Pt⁴⁺.     

Assessment of the determination of heavy metals in organic soil improvers by ICP–OES

Directive 86/278/EEC sets maximum levels of heavy metals in sewage sludge used in agriculture to regulate the risk of using these organic soil improvers. The assessment of the compliance of soil improvers with this legislation should be supported on measurements with adequately low uncertainty. This work presents a strategy for assessing the performance of the determination of aqua regia extractable Cu, Zn and Cr in organic soil improvers and urban sewage sludges following EN 13650 standard. The measurement procedure validation involves checking the adequacy of the linear weighted regression model for ICP–OES calibration, the determination of the limit of quantification, the assessment of measurement repeatability, intermediate precision and trueness, and the evaluation of the measurement uncertainty using the differential approach. Routine tests quality control, including the estimated measurement uncertainty, is checked through the analysis of control standards, equivalent to calibrators, and reference materials from proficiency tests. Since the estimated relative expanded uncertainty is smaller than the defined target value (40 %), measurements are fit for assessing compliance of the mass fraction of heavy metals in organic soil improvers with the council directive.     

Direct analysis of solid samples by GFAAS – determination of trace heavy metals in barytes

Solid sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (SS-GFAAS) has been used for the determination of traces of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni, V and As) in barytes over a wide concentration range, e.g. Cd from 0.023 to 27.0 μg/g and Pb from 1.54 to 3509 μg/g.The necessity of determining heavy metals in commercial barytes (naturally occurring barium sulfate), a mineral important to the oil industry because of its use in drilling muds, is discussed. The problems presented by the analysis of this difficult matrix are elegantly solved by using SS-GFAAS for the direct determination of heavy metals. A high-performance graphite furnace AAS with D₂-background correction system and a transversely heated graphite atomizer was used for the investigations. The spectrometer was combined with a mechanical sampling module and an ultramicrobalance. The transfer of solid samples (sample weights 0.031–0.686 mg) into the atomizer was carried out by using an optimized graphite platform as the sample carrier. Calibration curve techniques and standard addition methods were employed using external standards (CRMs). Problems associated with signal deformations like multiple peaks, tailing or shoulders are also discussed and possibilities to solve the problems are given. The influence of the homogeneity of solid samples on the precision and accuracy are shown in a real example. The results obtained by SS-GFAAS were compared with results by other methods like X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and flame AAS after aqua regia microwave extraction. This study has demonstrated that SS-GFAAS is a very powerful and easy-to-use method for quick and accurate analysis of barytes. Received: 9 November 1998 / Revised: 29 January 1999 / Accepted: 2 February 1999