X-Ray analysis of aqueous concentrates using organic glassy specimens

A simple and accessible method for the production of glassy specimens from aqueous concentrates based on saccharose is proposed. During the process of such a specimen preparation an additional concentration of impurities takes place. These saccharose specimens were used for the X-ray fluorescence determination of Se in waste water with crystallization preconcentration.     

Saccharose effects on surface association of phenol derivatives with porous graphitic carbon

In this paper, the effect of saccharose on the association of phenol derivatives on both the porous graphitic carbon (PGC) surface and the C18 stationary phase and for two methanol fractions (v/v) in the mobile phase is described. A novel approach based on an extended Langmuir distribution isotherms was used. The results demonstrated that: (i) the saccharose can be adsorbed on the PGC surface; (ii) the phenol derivatives can be associated with saccharose adsorbed on the PGC surface; and (iii) the saccharose do not interact with the C18 stationary phase. This was confirmed by the thermodynamic data and the Wyman equation parameters.     

Determination of copper, lead, cadmium, zinc, and iron in calcium fluoride and other fluoride-containing samples by means of direct solid sampling GF-AAS

Direct solid sampling graphite furnace AAS (SS-GF-AAS) provides an advantageous alternative to the conventional AAS which requires wet digestion of the samples. This method is suitable for trace element determination in calcium fluoride and other fluoride-containing samples. Matrix effects were studied by using calibration standards, certified reference materials with different matrices and by means of three-dimensional calibration. 3D calibration is suitable for selection of calibration samples for more reliable analyses. Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Fe were determined by means of calibration with variation of sample weight using certified reference materials and suitable fluoride-containing calibration samples. Received: 25 July 1997 / Revised: 15 December 1997 / Accepted: 20 December 1997     

Determination of copper, lead, cadmium, zinc, and iron in calcium fluoride and other fluoride-containing samples by means of direct solid sampling GF-AAS

Direct solid sampling graphite furnace AAS (SS-GF-AAS) provides an advantageous alternative to the conventional AAS which requires wet digestion of the samples. This method is suitable for trace element determination in calcium fluoride and other fluoride-containing samples. Matrix effects were studied by using calibration standards, certified reference materials with different matrices and by means of three-dimensional calibration. 3D calibration is suitable for selection of calibration samples for more reliable analyses. Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Fe were determined by means of calibration with variation of sample weight using certified reference materials and suitable fluoride-containing calibration samples. Received: 25 July 1997 / Revised: 15 December 1997 / Accepted: 20 December 1997     

On atomization of uranium in plutonium matrix using ETA-AAS

Atomization processes for uranium in aqueous media and in the presence of a plutonium matrix have been studied and a chemical mechanism is proposed. These studies have been utilized for the determination of uranium in plutonium by Electrothermal Atomization- Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (ETA-AAS) within the constraints of its stable carbide forming tendency and complexity caused by formation of plutonium suboxide at high temperatures. In spite of these limitations the analytical range obtained for determination of uranium is 2.5–100 ng with a sample aliquot of 5 μL containing 5 mg/mL plutonium concentration. The precision of the method is evaluated as 9% RSD. Received: 9 September 1997 / Revised: 29 December 1997 / Accepted: 31 December 1997     

O/W Moisturizing Emulsions with Saccharose Palmitate and Saccharose Stearate

The ability of two saccharose esters, saccharose palmitate (SMP) and saccharose stearate (SMS), to form lamellar structure in oil/water/glyceryl stearate mixtures was investigated through ternary phase diagrams. Three different oils have been tested: fluid paraffin, C12‐15 alkylbenzoate, and cetearyl octanoate. On the basis of the phase behaviors several emulsions with liquid crystalline structure were obtained and then characterized. Furthermore the most stable ones were added with a moisturizing active, lauryl pyrrolidone (LP), or sodium‐D,Lpyroglutamate (PCA). After the addition, the stability of the emulsions was assessed: It was observed that PCA‐containing emulsions resulted as less stable compared to LP‐containing ones.     

Membranes for chemical sensors selective to doubly charged anions

The main results concerning selective properties for carbonate, sulfate and phosphate polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membranes based on neutral carriers and anion-exchangers are discussed. It is shown that for the investigated systems selectivity depends on the concentration ratio between anion-exchanger and neutral carrier. The shape of the curves (selectivity vs. neutral carrier concentration) corresponds to a mathematical model described earlier and determines the stoichiometry of the complexes of the anions with neutral carrier. The incorporation of anionic sites inside the anion-selective membrane, e.g., carbonate-selective, leads to an increase of carbonate selectivity in presence of lipophilic anions of the internal solution. Received: 28 July 1997 / Revised: 11 December 1997 / Accepted: 20 December 1997     

Determination of H2O2 and organic peroxides by high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column UV irradiation, derivatization and fluorescence detection

A method for the determination of hydrogen peroxide and several organic peroxides by high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column UV irradiation, derivatization and fluorescence detection is described. By means of post-column UV irradiation in the presence of water organic peroxides are converted into hydrogen peroxide and organic hydroperoxides, which react rapidly with the post-column derivatization agent p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (PHPAA) under catalysis of horseradish peroxidase to yield the fluorescent PHPAA dimer that is detected at excitation and emission wavelengths of 285 and 400 nm, respectively. The detection limit for hydrogen peroxide is 14 ng/mL, for organic peroxides between 34 ng/mL and 5 μg/mL. No interference by other compounds was observed when their concentrations were below 10 mg/mL except ethers and phenols. Received: 6 August 1997 / Revised: 11 December 1997 / Accepted: 15 December 1997     

Determination of H2O2 and organic peroxides by high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column UV irradiation, derivatization and fluorescence detection

A method for the determination of hydrogen peroxide and several organic peroxides by high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column UV irradiation, derivatization and fluorescence detection is described. By means of post-column UV irradiation in the presence of water organic peroxides are converted into hydrogen peroxide and organic hydroperoxides, which react rapidly with the post-column derivatization agent p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (PHPAA) under catalysis of horseradish peroxidase to yield the fluorescent PHPAA dimer that is detected at excitation and emission wavelengths of 285 and 400 nm, respectively. The detection limit for hydrogen peroxide is 14 ng/mL, for organic peroxides between 34 ng/mL and 5 μg/mL. No interference by other compounds was observed when their concentrations were below 10 mg/mL except ethers and phenols. Received: 6 August 1997 / Revised: 11 December 1997 / Accepted: 15 December 1997     

Study of ion chromatographic behavior of inorganic and organic antimony species by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) detection

An on-line method for the analysis of Sb(III), Sb(V) and trimethylstiboxide (TMSbO) is presented. The separation is performed using ion chromatography (IC) on a strong anion-exchange column with phthalic acid plus 2% acteone at pH 5 as mobile phase. The chromatographic system is coupled to an ICP-MS as detector. The influence of different complexing agents on the chromatographic behavior of the antimony species is studied. Rather stable complexes of Sb(III) seem to be formed with citrate and tartrate under the experimental conditions. TMSbO forms a dianionic species with citrate in contrast to the otherwise monoanionic complex. Received: 31 Juli 1997 / Revised: 8 December 1997 / Accepted: 11 December 1997     

New HPLC methods for analysing α-and β-emitters as part of destructive testing of low- and intermediate-level waste

Low- and intermediate-level waste is frequently supercompacted or solidified in cement for final disposal. In waste characterisation matrix problems arise in analysing the drum content by chromatographic methods. The cations from the cement occupy the capacity of the column and no separation of the analytes takes place. By a selective complexation the analytes get separated from the matrix. The analytes Pb, Ni, Co and Se are bound by sodiumdiethyldithiocarbamate (NaDDTC) as complexes on a precolumn and subsequently separated on a reversed-phase column. Detection is performed by a UV/VIS spectral range detector and a liquid scintillation detector (Pb-210, Ni-63, Co-60) in series. Received: 15 July 1997 / Revised: 19 December 1997 / Accepted: 23 December 1997     

Molecular biology of nickel carcinogenesis

The molecular mechanisms of nickel carcinogenesis are discussed and reviewed with emphasis on work done in my laboratory. The most important determinant of nickel carcinogenesis is the ability of the nickel ion to reach relevant targets for carcinogenesis, which involves chromatin and depends on the ability of the nickel compound to enter cells. The mechanisms that regulate the phagocytosis and intracellular dissolution of the highly carcinogenic particulate nickel compounds are discussed, as is the ability of these nickel compounds to enhance the DNA methylation pattern and turn off the expression of critical tumor suppressor genes. These findings show these nickel compounds to be a somewhat unique class of carcinogens. Received: 1 August 1997 / Revised: 3 December 1997 / Accepted: 11 December 1997     

Fluorination assisted slurry electrothermal vaporization in ICP-AES for the direct analysis of silicon dioxide powder

The performance of palladium as permanent chemical modifier electroplated on the surface of a graphite tube for the preconcentration of antimony hydride was examined and compared with thermally formed Pd-coatings. The application of Pd-electroplated tubes allows to perform at least 75 determination cycles without any significant change in the efficiency of hydride collection. This is an advantage over the thermally formed palladium coating which must be obtained individually before each measurement. After the optimization of the system parameters a concentration detection limit of 48 ng/L and an absolute detection limit of 71 pg for a 1.48 mL sample were obtained. The procedure was applied to the determination of antimony at a concentration level of 0.2 μg/L in a tap water sample. Received: 13 October 1997 / Revised: 8 December 1997 / Accepted: 11 December 1997     

Flow-through stripping chronopotentiometry for the monitoring of mercury in waste waters

A simple method for the determination of total mercury in waste waters is described. It makes use of a flow system incorporating a wall-jet cell equipped with a gold working electrode. The untreated sample is mixed on-line with the acidic carrier electrolyte which contains potassium permanganate and transforms the various species of mercury, especially elementary Hg, to Hg(II). The pre-treated solution enters the cell where mercury is deposited on the gold electrode. In the next step the deposit is stripped at constant current and the time corresponding to the dissolution of the deposit is obtained from the chronopotentiometric signal. The method enables it to determine and monitor Hg in the concentration range of 1 to 1000 μg/L in 5 min intervals. Received: 20 October 1997 / Revised: 23 December 1997 / Accepted: 30 December 1997     

Flow-through stripping chronopotentiometry for the monitoring of mercury in waste waters

A simple method for the determination of total mercury in waste waters is described. It makes use of a flow system incorporating a wall-jet cell equipped with a gold working electrode. The untreated sample is mixed on-line with the acidic carrier electrolyte which contains potassium permanganate and transforms the various species of mercury, especially elementary Hg, to Hg(II). The pre-treated solution enters the cell where mercury is deposited on the gold electrode. In the next step the deposit is stripped at constant current and the time corresponding to the dissolution of the deposit is obtained from the chronopotentiometric signal. The method enables it to determine and monitor Hg in the concentration range of 1 to 1000 μg/L in 5 min intervals. Received: 20 October 1997 / Revised: 23 December 1997 / Accepted: 30 December 1997     

Determination of titanium and zirconium wear debris in blood serum by means of HNO3/HF pressurized digestion using ICP – optical emission spectrometry

A ‘one bottle’ method to determine particulate debris of titanium and zirconium in blood serum was developed. Inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to simultaneously detect both elements at concentrations above 50 ng/mL. Pressurized digestion by means of nitric and hydrofluoric acid in PTFE^TM-containers in a specific time-heat-pressure protocol apparatus was applied to assure complete solvation of particles including oxides. Total decomposition of the matrix was achieved and reasonable detection limits were accomplished. The amount of remaining carbon did not cause any matrix problems during measurement. Received: 10 October 1997 / Revised: 5 December 1997 / Accepted: 9 December 1997     

Voltammetric stripping analysis of metal concentrates with polymers soluble in aqueous solutions

The conditions were worked out for the simultaneous stripping voltammetric determination of components of the ternary Pb(II)-Cu(II)-Cd(II) and binary Ag(I)-Cu(II) systems at a carbon-paste electrode in 2% aqueous solutions of the water soluble polymer polyethyleneimine (PEI) and its thiourea-containing derivative (TU-PEI). Water-soluble polymers are shown to reduce the mutual effects of the components of the binary and ternary system at the electrode surface. The different complex stability of Ag(I), Pb(II) or Cd(II) and Cu(II) with PEI and TU-PEI allows Ag(I), Pb(II) and Cd(II) to be determined in the presence of a large excess of Cu(II). Received: 17 July 1997 / Revised: 1 December 1997 / Accepted: 3 December 1997     

Trace element analysis of geological glasses by laser plasma ionization mass spectrometry (LIMS): A comparison with other multielement and microanalytical methods

Laser plasma ionization mass spectrometry (LIMS) is used in our laboratory as an in-situ microanalytical method for the investigation of solids, especially of rocks and minerals. To demonstrate the accuracy of this method we have analyzed homogeneous geological glass samples. The results are compared with data obtained from other analytical techniques. The performance of the LIMS method for geochemical investigations is discussed. Received: 2 December 1996 / Revised: 21 February 1997 / Accepted: 26 February 1997     

Kinetic evaluation of polyol production by three-phase catalytic hydrogenation of saccharides

Kinetic evaluations were accomplished in a discontinuous three-phase reactor for saccharose, glucose and fructose hydrogenations at 373, 393 and 413 K, and 24 atm. Selectivities attained values in the order of 99.05%. Langmuir-Hinshelwood models based on heterogeneous mechanisms were proposed and the optimization and kinetic quantification of the process were performed.This revised version was published online in December 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Determination of mineral balances in sheep offered feed with added cadmium and zinc

The optimum conditions for microwave digestion of herbage and faeces to determine mineral concentrations were obtained by varying sample mass, reagent and heating programme, and it was confirmed that the resulting element concentrations were the same as for certified reference material. The effects of feeding cadmium to sheep at a level that is typical of polluted regions (1 mg/kg) for ten days were investigated, as well as the possible amelioration of cadmium effects by adding 30 mg/kg Zn to the diet. Cadmium in the feed increased the cadmium balance and produced several mineral disturbances, in particular a reduction in sodium balance which is typical of renal tubular disorders. Including zinc in the diet as well as cadmium reduced the cadmium balance to a level similar to that of sheep that did not receive cadmium or zinc, which suggests that the zinc status is critical in determining whether cadmium in feed increases the cadmium balance in sheep. Received: 1 August 1997 / Revised: 8 December 1997 / Accepted: 10 December 1997