Supercritical water decomposition of polyethylene samples for the determination of their trace cadmium content.

A novel pretreatment method has been developed for determination of toxic metals in plastic materials by their decomposition under supercritical water conditions. Particularly, quantitative analysis of cadmium in polyethylene has been demonstrated using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry combined with supercritical water treatment. All the cadmium in a polyethylene sample was obtained as an aqueous solution by the treatment with supercritical water containing 12.4% of hydrogen peroxide at 673 K. Although a complete recovery of the aqueous solution from the reactors has not yet been attained, we verified that the present method was effective and promising for quantitative analysis of trace amounts of hazardous metals in plastic materials.     

Purification of Wastewater Using a Highly Porous Metal-Organic Framework and Graphene-like Materials—A Preliminary Study

ABSTRACT

Water contamination by toxic metals through the discharge of industrial wastewater is a worldwide environmental problem. Heavy metals are currently regarded as important pollutants, becoming a severe public health problem. The adsorption from aqueous solutions of trace metals using metal-organic framework, graphene oxide, or partially reduced graphene oxide was characterized by batch measurements. The choice of these materials was made based on their high surface areas, controlled porosities, and the ability to vary the surface hydrophilicity. These materials were prepared by modified standard protocols to meet project requirements. The adsorption potential of these materials was characterized for several metals.     

Porous monolithic materials for extraction and preconcentration of pollutants from environmental waters

This review presents the strengths and weaknesses of monolithic materials for the enrichment of inorganic and organic contaminants in environmental waters. We describe the most common materials (silica, organic, and hybrid organic silica) and strategies for constructing monoliths in different moulds and shapes (tubes, cartridges, stir bars, fibers) published since 2015. The functionalization of the pore surfaces enhances their affinity towards different classes of pollutants. For instance, the incorporation of chelating groups enables the enrichment of potentially toxic metals and semi-metals in aquatic environments before the analyses by spectrometric techniques. Monolithic materials for extracting emerging pollutants, diverse classes of herbicides, and fungicides were proposed recently. Incorporation of carbon-based and magnetic nanoparticles, metal-organic frameworks, and ionic liquids enhanced their adsorption capacity by either increasing the surface area or providing multiple retention mechanisms. Monoliths with molecular recognition properties for highly selective extractions have been synthesized, including boronic functionalities and molecularly imprinted cavities. The final part describes the hybrid organic silica monoliths, emphasizing metal ions and speciation analysis hyphenated with ICP-MS. In the outlook section, we point to some fields we believe monoliths will benefit, such as their 3-D technologies preparation. We also pointed their potential applicability in portable chromatographic systems, restricted access materials, and enhanced use to preconcentrate viruses from aquatic environments.     

核酸适配体-荧光传感技术在重金属检测领域的应用

重金属污染环境后难以自然降解或无害化,进入有机体后有较强的生物蓄积性,会对环境安全和人类健康造成巨大威胁;此外,有些高毒重金属离子还可作为蓄意投毒、威胁恐吓的恐怖剂.因此,对环境中的重金属离子实现快速、现场检测尤为重要.传统仪器检测方法前处理复杂、成本高、操作需要专业人员,现场应用受限.近年来随着技术的发展和新材料的应...     

Determination of chemical species of selected trace elements in fly ash

Complex analytical methods have been developed for determining the chemical composition of fly ashes. Samples were collected at coal-fired power plants and municipal waste incinerators. Morphological investigations and single particle analysis were performed by SEM/EDAX method. A survey of mineralogical phases was made by X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectrometry. Solvent-leaching experiments were carried out for the information on the mobility of metal pollutants under real environmental conditions. Copper, Ni, Co, Cr, Pb and Cd have been studied, and of the toxic metals, Cd has been found in exchangeable forms in a great amount. Mobile species of toxic metals may have an impact on the quality of receiving waters or on organisms in soils.     

Recent applications of atomic spectroscopy coupled with magnetic solid-phase extraction techniques for heavy metal determination in environmental samples: A review

Atomic spectroscopy is the most popular approach to determine the presence of heavy metals in the environment. Heavy metals are potentially toxic and have various negative effects on many living organisms, including humans. With the rapid increase in the variety of industries and human activities, large amounts of heavy metals are released into the atmosphere, water, and soil. Heavy metal analysis of environmental samples is very important for determining the exposure limits. Environmental samples are highly complex matrices, and various sample preparation techniques have been developed for the extraction of heavy metals from them, including magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE). The use of MSPE in heavy metal analysis has recently gained significant attention owing to a number of advantages. MSPE technique overcomes main issues such as phase separation, handling, and column packing. The use of magnetic adsorbents in sample preparation has grown over the past few years, making MSPE a promising technique for sample preparation. The objective of this review article is to provide the latest applications of MSPE coupled with atomic spectroscopy for heavy metal determination in environmental samples. In addition, new magnetic adsorbents and their analytical merits are emphasized.     

等离子体金属纳米结构在SERS传感及可穿戴应力传感中的应用

等离子体金属(金、银)纳米结构因其特有的理化性能,被广泛应用于表面增强拉曼散射(Surface-enhanced Raman scattering,SERS)传感及可穿戴应力传感领域.其中,SERS是一种应用贵金属纳米材料增强拉曼散射信号的检测技术,该技术灵敏度高、特异性强,已被广泛用于生物医学、环境监测、食品药品检测...     

A decade of heterogeneous photocatalysis in our laboratory: Pure and applied studies in energy production and environmental detoxification

Heterogeneous Photocatalysis (HP) has been examined and explored as a potentially viable alternative technology to classical “best” technologies in both environmental detoxification and in energy production. Both fundamental and applied investigations have been pursued over the last decade (1983–1993). This novel technology employs illuminated semiconductor materials as photocatalysts such as CdS and TiO2 to produce both reducing and highly oxidizing species on the particle surface, poised to unleash redox reactions in aqueous media some of which are not possible by normal chemical means. Our laboratory has been involved in this area and has made a significant contribution in (i) demonstrating the generality of the techniques to mineralize a large variety of environmental organics to carbon dioxide together with disposing of trace and toxic metals from aqueous media, and in (ii) understanding the events taking place initially when the light photons interact with the photocatalysts and later when the mineralization process proceeds to its pathological conclusion(s). In this paper we briefly review some of the salient features of our work in Heterogeneous Photocatalysis over the last decade.     

Biological and environmental reference materials in CENAM

Since 1994, when the NIST/NOAA Quality Assurance Program in Chemical Measurements was discussed in Queretaro, CENAM, the National Measurement Institute (NMI) of Mexico, has become involved in the development of reference materials. In the field of biological and environmental reference materials, in particular, the NORAMET collaboration program with NIST and NRC, and the North-American Environmental Cooperation signed among three free-trade treaty organizations, have greatly helped the development of the materials metrology program in the newly established CENAM. This paper describes some particularly significant efforts of CENAM in the development of biological and environmental reference materials, on the basis of inter-comparison studies organized with local and governmental environmental agencies of Mexico. In the field of water pollution CENAM has developed a practical proficiency testing (PT) scheme for field laboratories, as a part of registration by local government in the metropolitan area, according to the Mexican Ecological Regulation. The results from these eight PTs in the last 5 years have demonstrated that this scheme has helped ensure the reliability of analytical capability of more than 50 field laboratories in three states, Mexico, D.F., and the States of Mexico and Queretaro. Similar experience has been obtained for more than 70 service units of stack emission measurements in the three states in 1998 and 1999, as a result of the design of a PT scheme for reference gas mixtures. This PT scheme has been accomplished successfully by 30 analytical laboratories who provide monitoring services and perform research on toxic substances (Hg, methylmercury, PCB, etc.) in Mexico. To support these activities, reference samples have been produced through the NIST SRMs, and efforts have been made to increase CENAM's capability in the preparation of primary reference materials in spectrometric solutions and gas mixtures. Collaboration among NMIs has also successfully overcome the inability of CENAM to prepare biological tissue for mercury assessment and marine sediments for analysis of trace metals. The importance of international collaboration is stressed not only in the NORAMET region but also in the SIM, to provide help for each other and achieve mutual recognition among member countries of the region.     

Metal-free, NHPI catalyzed oxidative cleavage of C-C double bond using molecular oxygen as oxidant

A metal-free N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) catalyzed aerobic oxidative cleavage of olefins has been developed. Molecular oxygen is used as the oxidant and reagent for this oxygenation reaction. This methodology has prevented the use of toxic metals or overstoichiometric amounts of traditional oxidants, showing good economical and environmental advantages. Based on the experimental observations, a plausible mechanism is proposed.     

流动注射分析在环境水质重金属检测中的应用进展

重金属具有毒性大、不易被代谢、易被生物富集并有生物放大效应等特点,不但污染水环境,也严重威胁人类和水生生物的存在。近年来各类水环境中重金属污染日趋加剧,重金属的检测及处理方法有多种,而流动注射分析技术以其自动化程度高、分析速度快、精密度高、分析成本低等优点在水环境监测方面占有重要地位。介绍了流动注射在重金属检测方面的应用。     

Biosorbents for hexavalent chromium elimination from industrial and municipal effluents

The presence of hexavalent chromium in wastewater is a potential hazard to aquatic animals and humans. There are various mechanisms proposed, kinetic models used and adsorption isotherms employed for the efficient removal of hexavalent chromium from industrial and municipal wastewaters using biosorbents. Biosorption of heavy metals is a most promising technology involved in the removal of toxic metals from industrial waste streams and natural waters. Metal removal treatment systems using microorganisms are cheap because of the low cost of sorbent materials used and may represent a practical replacement to conventional processes. The present review discusses hexavalent chromium biosorption properties of algae, bacteria, fungi, and agricultural products, as well as adsorption properties of non-living substances. Cell walls are responsible for biosorption of dead biomaterial; compositions of cell walls are discussed. Chemical modification of biosorbents, optimization of biosorption parameters, mixtures of different biosorbents and the study of biosorption mechanisms are the main keys to transfer the biosorption process from lab to industry.     

Recent advances in the determination of the platinum group elements and gold

Accurate determinations of the platinum group elements (PGEs) and gold, known as the precious metals, have always been difficult tasks. The metals are often present at trace levels in sample types of complex composition. This situation has improved recently due to developments of instrumental methods and their applications to analyses of the precious metals in a variety of matrices. Attention has been given to determinations of traces of precious metals in biological, clinical and environmental samples. Foremost in importance is inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) which has provided a sensitive means of simultaneous determination of traces of PGEs and gold. Important extensions and improvements in atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), nuclear and electrochemical methods have been reported also. More research on sample treatments, especially fire assays, applied to PGEs has been carried out. Chlorination has proven to be a viable alternative to fire assays for preconcentration of PGEs and gold in analyses of geological materials. In addition, the recent availability of some additional reference materials will be of great assistance in research work on precious metals.     

Photoluminescent materials for highly toxic metals sensing: From downconversion to upconversion

Highly toxic metals (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Cr⁶⁺) in environment waters greatly threaten the health of human beings and ecosystem. Photoluminescent sensing has been considered as an effective technology for metals monitoring in environment medium. In this paper, photoluminescent materials for the sensing of highly toxic metal ions (HTMs) were reviewed. These materials were categorized as downconversion materials and upconversion nanomaterials, according to the mechanism of photon conversion. Downconversion materials generally include organic probes, quantum dots, and Au or Ag nanomaterials. Together with upconversion nanomaterials, they are introduced in terms of textures and modification methods. The working mechanisms were introduced emphatically as well as their advantages and disadvantages for HTMs sensing. In Section 4, the conclusion and perspectives of photoluminescent sensing materials are summarized, and it is expected that this review will be helpful for the understanding and fundamental studies of photoluminescent materials for the detection of HTMs.     

Benefits of high resolution IC-ICP-MS for the routine analysis of inorganic and organic arsenic species in food products of marine and terrestrial origin

A recently developed and validated method for simultaneous determination of 17 inorganic and organic arsenic compounds in marine biota has been successfully applied to routine analysis of different food products, including fish, shellfish, edible algae, rice, and other types of grain. During one year, approximately 250 food samples were analyzed, mostly fish and rice. Long-term stability and robustness of the system was observed and reproducible results for certified reference materials were ensured by means of control charts. The separation was performed by ion-pair chromatography on an anion-exchange column to separate anionic, neutral, and cationic arsenic species in one chromatographic run. Hyphenation to ICP–MS allowed element-specific and sensitive detection of the different arsenic species with a detection limit as low as 8 ng As L^–1 in the sample extract, which is equivalent to 2 ng As g^–1 in the original sample. Special emphasis was laid on the analysis of marine algae and rice samples. These food types can contain elevated levels of the very toxic inorganic arsenic species (up to 90% in rice) and therefore are the focus of interest in the food industry. In marine algae, inorganic arsenic was mainly present as arsenate whereas in rice arsenite predominated.     

Removal,recovery and enrichment of metals from aqueous solutions using carbon nanotubes

Environmental pollution caused by toxic metals (heavy metals, radioactive metals, etc.) is one of the major global issues, thus removal of toxic metals from contaminated water seems to be particularly important. On the other hand, the recovery and enrichment of metals, especially noble metals, from waste water is also crucial. To address these issues, nanotechnology plays an essential role in environmental monitoring and pollution control. To remove metals from contaminated water, or enrich metals from waste water, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and their composites have attracted great attention due to their excellent adsorption performance. The removal efficiency for metal ions by CNTs was observed aroud 10–80 %, which could be improved to approach 100 % by selectively functionalizing CNTs with organic ligands. Herein, we review the applications of CNTs in treatment of toxic metal-containing wastewater for environmental monitoring and metals recovery. Due to their higher sensitivity and selectivity towards the enrichment of metals or detection of toxic metal pollution of the environment, and the latest research progress of using CNT composites for metal treatment is also discussed.     

Proteomics of metal transport and metal-associated diseases

Proteomics technology has the potential to identify groups of proteins that have similar biological function. However, few attempts have been made to identify and characterize metal-binding proteins by using proteomics strategies. Many transition metals are essential to sustain life. Copper, iron, and zinc are the most abundant transition metals relevant to biological systems. In addition to their important biological functions, metals can also catalyze the formation of damaging free radical species. Hence, their intracellular transport is tightly regulated. Despite recent insights into the intracellular transport of copper and other metals, our overall understanding of intracellular metal metabolism remains incomplete and it is likely that many metal-binding proteins remain undiscovered. Furthermore, the protein targets for metals during metal-associated disease states or during exposure to toxic levels of environmental metals are yet to be unravelled. A proteomics strategy for the analysis of metal-transporting or metal-binding proteins has the potential to uncover how a large number of proteins function in normal or metal-associated diseased states. Here we discuss the principal aspects of metal metabolism, and the recent developments in the area of the proteomics of metal transport.     

羟基聚合铝晶体研究进展

羟基聚合铝的研究在环境化学中具有重要作用。自然条件下存在的无机单核铝本身具有毒性,而多核铝是比单核铝更毒的铝形态,它们很容易进入人体和植物产生毒害作用。因此,水解聚合铝形态研究一直是环境化学、地球化学和材料催化等众多研究领域的前沿热点课题。本文综述了在新环境材料开发中羟基聚合铝晶体研究的进展,对已获得表征的典型羟基聚合铝的结构特点进行了对比与评述,讨论了不同羟基聚合铝晶体的科学意义和应用价值。     

Simultaneous Determination of Seven Toxic Trace and/or Ultratrace Metals in Environmental Plants by Differential Pulse Voltammetry Without Change of Solution and Electrode

Abstract

A simple and reliable procedure simultaneously to determine seven trace and/or ultratrace toxic metals in a single sample of environmental plants has been presented. The procedure is based on the simultaneous determination of Cu, Pb and Cd by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry, of Zn and Mn by differential pulse voltammetry and of Ni and Co by differential pulse adsorption voltammetry at the hanging mercury drop electrode. The details of sampling, washing and drying of samples and the approach of digestion and preparation of samples for voltammetric determination have been investigated. The method has been applied to determination of the seven metals in grass and hucerne from different environments.