Separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of several metals in magnesium metal and nitrate, with activated carbon as a collector

A method is described for the preconcentration and determination of traces of Hg, Ag, Cu, Fe, In, Mn, Pb, and Zn present as impurities in magnesium metal (1 g) and nitrate (100 g). After the metal sample has been dissolved in nitric acid (or the salt in water) and the pH adjusted to 8.1-9 (except for preconcentration of Hg, when pH 3 is used), the solution is filtered through a 2-cm paper coated with 50 mg of activated carbon. The trace metals are quantitatively adsorbed on the activated carbon and separated from the matrix. The rest of the procedure has already been described. The detection limits for the analysis of 1 g of Mg and 100 g of Mg(NO(3))(2).6H(2)O are 0.03-1.3 ppm and 0.00031-0.013 ppm respectively, for all the trace metals except Hg. The limit is 0.00001(4) ppm for Hg in 100 g of Mg(NO(3))(2).6H(2)O. The coefficient of variation is 4-33%, depending on the trace metal.     

Quantitative separation of gallium from zinc, copper, indium, iron(III) and other elements by cation-exchange chromatography in hydrobromic acid-acetone medium

Gallium can be separated from Zn, Cu(II), In, Cd, Pb(II), Bi(III), Au(III), Pt(IV), Pd(II), Tl(III), Sn(IV) and Fe(III) by elution of these elements with 0.50M hydrobromic acid in 80% acetone medium, from a column of AG50W-X4 cation-exchange resin. Gallium is retained and can be eluted with 3M hydrochloric acid. Separations are sharp and quantitative except for iron(III) which shows extensive tailing. With 0.20M hydrobromic acid in 80% acetone as eluting agent, all the species above except iron(III) and copper(II) can be separated from gallium with very large separation factors. Only a 1-g resin column and small elution volumes are required to separate trace amounts and up to 0.5 mmole of gallium from more than 1 g of zinc or the other elements. Hg(II), Rh(III), Ir(IV), Se(IV), Ge(IV), As(III) and Sb(III) have not been investigated, but should be separated together with zinc according to their known distribution coefficients. Relevant elution curves, results for the analysis of synthetic mixtures and for amounts of some elements remaining in the gallium fraction are presented.     

Preconcentration of traces of silver and bismuth from cobalt and nickel and their nitrates, with activated carbon

A method is described for the preconcentration of trace metals Ag and Bi, present as impurities in high-purity cobalt and nickel metals and their nitrates. After the metal samples have been dissolved in nitric acid (or the salts in water) the trace elements are complexed with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC). The sample solution is then filtered through a 2-cm filter paper coated with 50 mg of activated carbon, whereby the complexed trace metals are adsorbed on the activated carbon and separated from the matrix. The trace elements are dissolved off with nitric acid and determined by flame atomic-absorption spectrometry (AAS). The detection limits for the analysis of 10 g of metal samples and 50 g of the nitrate samples were 0.002-0.035 ppm Ag and 0.04 ppm Bi for the metal samples, and 0.0003-0.0004 ppm Ag and 0.004-0.005 ppm Bi for the nitrate samples. The coefficient of variation, in general, is 10-25% for Ag and 33% for Bi.     

Adsorption kinetics of zinc in multicomponent ionic systems

Using commercial activated carbon as an adsorbent, the kinetics of adsorption of zinc from multicomponent ionic systems having cadmium and mercury has been studied and reported. The variables investigated have been the chemical nature, ionic strength, and pH of the adsorptive (Zn2+) solution. The adsorption of Zn2+ is speeded up by the presence of Cd2+ and Hg2+ ions provided that the concentration of these two ions is high as compared to the concentration of Zn2+. When the ionic strength of the solution in relative terms is high (i.e., > 3 x 10(-4) M), however, the adsorption of Zn2+ decelerates. Also, the adsorption process is greatly accelerated at pH 12, whereas at pH 2 it does not occur at all.     

XAFS analysis of coprecipitation of zinc by sulfide ions in an acidic solution

The fluorescence XAFS (X–ray absorption fine structure) technique using synchrotron radiation was applied to characterize zinc in the Hg–Zn, Cd–Zn, and Bi–Zn coprecipitates, and to elucidate the reaction mechanism of the coprecipitation of zinc from a strong acidic solution. Hg L_II–, Cd K–, and Bi L_III–edge XAFS spectra suggested that the respective host materials of the coprecipitates listed above are metacinnabar (HgS), greenockite (CdS), and bismuthinite (Bi₂S₃) and that existence of zinc has not affected the local structure of the host metal sulfides in each system. On the other hand, the Zn K–edge XAFS spectra of each coprecipitate indicated that the chemical forms of zinc compounds are controlled by the crystal structure of the host sulfides.The shapes of the Zn K–XAFS spectra of the Hg–Zn and Cd–Zn coprecipitates showed a strong resemblance to those of crystalline standards ZnS, wurtzite and spharelite. It was suggested that the two coprecipitated phases (HgS, ZnS) and (CdS, ZnS) may form a solid solution in the Hg–Zn and Cd–Zn coprecipitates. The local structure around the zinc(II) ion in the Bi–Zn coprecipitate is the same as that around hexaaqua–zinc(II) ions, and adsorption of soluble ions or mechanical occlusion from the mother liquor is regarded as a driving force of coprecipitation in the Bi–Zn system.     

Regional distribution of manganese,iron, copper,and zinc in the rat brain during development

Manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) concentrations were determined in the brain regions of normal 1-, 3-, 5-, 7-, 14-, 21-, 42-, 77-, and 147-day-old Wistar rats using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and their maps were illustrated in color to visually compare the distribution of the elements at various stages of the growth process. Sagittal slices (1-mm thickness) sectioned at the level of the substantia nigra were divided into 18 regions, and the small slice samples were digested in microwave-assisted closed vessels for ICP-MS measurement. Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations increased region-specifically with age, and their distributional maps showed some characteristics. These findings are discussed in terms of needs for these trace elements in the normal brain. Among new findings about their brain distribution, it is especially noteworthy that higher concentrations of Mn, Fe, and Zn were observed in the substantia nigra compared with those in neighboring regions. The mapping method in this work is expected to open up possibilities for screening of the in vivo element–element interrelationships among these essential elements.     

Elemental composition of drinking water supplies in three states in Southeastern Nigeria

The levels of some trace elements; Co, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb, Fe, Hg, Se, As, Ni and minor elements; Na, K, Ca and Mg were determined in public drinking water supplies (public taps and groundwaters) in three states in Southeastern Nigeria using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The mean levels of most of the trace elements in the groundwater samples were below the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water quality limits, the only exception being Hg whose mean value of 3.69 μg/l exceeded the WHO limit of 1.0 μg/l. Violations of the WHO limits were also observed for Fe, Zn, Se and Pb in some of the groundwater samples. In the public tap samples only Hg violated the WHO limit.     

Dietary intake of 25 elements by man estimated by neutron activation analysis

The trace element content of the total daily diet (food and beverages) of each of 4 adult males was determined over a period of one week. A method of radiochemical neutron activation analysis is briefly described which enables the determination of up to 31 elements in biological samples. Of the 25 elements determined in the diet 12 are essential elements (Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Na, Se, Zn) while 6 (As, Ba, Br, Cd, Hg, Sb) are classified as toxic. The average concentrations of the toxic trace elements As, Cd and Hg of the diet are below the provisional tolerable dietary intakes recommended by WHO/FAO. The contents of Cl, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Na and Zn are adequate to the proposed nutritional requirements.     

Determination of trace amounts of nickel, manganese, cobalt, and zinc in environmental samples after separation and preconcentration by use of polyacrylic acid/alumina sorbent

Manganese, nickel, cobalt, and zinc are elements that appear together in many real samples. In this work, a simple, rapid, and sensitive method has been used for the simultaneous separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of these elements using water-soluble polyacrylic acid on alumina as a sorbent in a glass column system. A solution containing Mn, Ni, Co, and Zn was passed through the column at pH 7, and desorption was carried with 5.0 mL of 0.03 M nitric acid. Linearity was maintained between 0.25-5.0 x 10(3), 0.04-6.0 x 10(3), 0.10-8.0 x 10(3), and 0.028-1.0 x 10(3) ng/mL for Ni, Mn, Co, and Zn, respectively, in the original solution. Eight replicate determinations of a mixture containing 1.0 microg/mL of each of the elements in the final solution gave relative standard deviations of 1.4, 1.5, 2.4, and 1.2% for Ni, Mn, Co, and Zn, respectively. The sorption capacities for Mn (mg/g sorbent) obtained were 16.0 for Mn, 9.0 for Ni, 12.0 for Co, and 10.0 for Zn. By using 5.0 mL elution solution, preconcentration factors of 400, 500, 700, and 460 could be obtained for Ni, Mn, Zn, and Co, respectively.     

Enrichment and determination of zinc by high-speed countercurrent chromatography.

The capability of high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) has been investigated for enrichment and determination of metal ions at trace levels. Separation of selected divalent metal ions was performed using a small coiled column. A hexane solution of 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (EHPA) was employed as the stationary phase. Loaded divalent metal ions such as Ni, Co, Cu, and Zn were chromatographically eluted in the order of increasing extractability by passing a mobile phase buffered at a desired pH. Individual metal ions showed good linearity between concentrations and chromatographic peak areas of the absorbance, as detected by postcolumn reaction with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR). Metal ions enriched into the stationary phase from a sample solution were separated into individual metal ions. The trace quantity of zinc in natural mineral water was determined by enrichment separation through an HSCCC column.     

Colon tissue concentrations of copper, iron, selenium, and zinc in colorectal carcinoma patients

Concentration of four trace elements (copper, zinc, iron, and selenium) was determined in colon tissue from twenty-three patients with colorectal cancer. The tissue samples were dried and dissolved using microwave-assisted digestion technique. The content of trace elements was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. No significant differences between Zn levels in normal and cancerous tissues were observed. However, the levels of Cu, Fe, and Se were significantly higher in cancerous tissues than in the control samples. The results obtained sing microwave-assisted technique were compared to those obtained via alkaline digestion with tetramethylammonium hydroxide. Both techniques were used for the digestion of certified reference material of pork liver. Very good agreement with the certified values of Cu, Fe, and Zn in the reference material was achieved using alkaline digestion procedure. This technique seems to be an efficient alternative to decomposition of biological samples.     

Determination of the complex stability of zinc with carbonic anhydrase in sea-water.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is inactive unless associated with zinc, with possible substitution by cobalt. In this work, the complexation of zinc by CA was determined in sea-water using cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) with ligand competition. The zinc was found to be released from the CA over a period of 3 h when equilibrated with a competing complexing ligand and the complex was re-formed with the CA when zinc was added. A value of 8.90+/-0.27 was found for logK'ZnCA where K'ZnCA is the conditional stability constant for the complex of Zn2+ with CA in pH 8 sea-water. A value for the molecular weight of CA was calculated from its equivalent ligand concentration (in nM) obtained by titrations with zinc at various CA concentrations (1-4 mg l(-1)). The value found (34740 g mol(-1)) for the molecular weight is consistent with values found previously by other methods (29000-31000 g mol(-1)) confirming that the stoichiometry of the complex between zinc and CA is 1:1. This work confirms that the zinc-CA complex is reversible and that the interaction between zinc and CA can be determined using CSV with ligand competition.     

Quantitative imaging of zinc, copper and lead in three distinct regions of the human brain by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to determine the distribution of the trace elements zinc, copper and lead in insular, central and hippocampal areas of thin tissue sections (thickness 20microm) through an entire human brain hemisphere. For the investigation of the tissue samples, a commercial laser ablation system was coupled to a double-focusing sector field ICP-MS. The regions of interest of healthy brain tissue (thickness 20microm) were scanned (raster area approximately 200mm(2)) with a focused laser beam (wavelength 266nm, diameter of laser crater 200microm and laser power density 3x10(9)Wcm(-2)). The ion intensities of (64)Zn(+), (63)Cu(+) and (208)Pb(+) were measured by LA-ICP-MS within the ablated area. For quantification purposes, matrix-matched laboratory standards were prepared by means of dosing of each analyte to the pieces of brain tissue. The mass spectrometric analysis yielded inhomogeneous and largely reciprocal distributions of Zn and Cu in the selected areas of investigated brain samples. The highest concentrations of Zn and Cu with the most distinct distribution pattern were found in the hippocampus (up to 15microg g(-1)). In contrast to zinc and copper, for lead, a more homogeneous distribution throughout all regions examined was found at a low concentration (in the ngg(-1) range) level within the analytical range of LA-ICP-MS.     

Determination of zinc in plant samples by isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Determination of zinc involved spiking with (68)Zn enriched solution, digestion by HNO(3)+H(2)O(2) in microwave decomposition unit, off-line separation of zinc on Chelex-100 column and measurement of ((64)Zn+(66)Zn)/(68)Zn isotope ratio on ICP-MS spectrometer with a quadrupole mass filter. After optimization of standard operation procedure (details are given) the method was validated. LOD was found to be 0.3 mug g(-1) for the procedure without zinc separation and 3.6 mug g(-1) for the procedure involving zinc separation, respectively. The accuracy of results was proved by analyses of several CRM and a primary solution of zinc, the concentration of which was verified by gravimetry and complexometric titration. Barium is the only element causing serious interferences and it must be removed from samples. The uncertainty budget is given together with the scheme of combined uncertainty calculation. The main uncertainty components are contamination during zinc separation and uncertainty of isotopic composition of natural zinc.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel cross-linking complex of beta-cyclodextrin-o-vanillin benzoylhydrazone and its selective spectrofluorimetric determination of trace amounts of zinc

A novel host inclusion complex of beta-cyclodextrin-o-vanillin benzoylhydrazone (beta-CDP-OVBH) was prepared and characterized by IR and 1H-NMR spectra. A highly selective and sensitive fluorescent determination of trace amounts of zinc was proposed based on the reaction between Zn(2+) and beta-CDP-OVBH in sodium hydroxide-ammonium acetate buffer medium of pH 8.3. The molar ratio of beta-CDP-OVBH to Zn(2+) was 1:1.The maximum excitation and emission wavelengths were 396 and 486 nm, respectively. The linear range of this method was 2.5-500 microg l(-1) with a detection limit of 0.60 microg l(-1). The effect of interferences in the determination of zinc was investigated, the results showed that the host reagent had a quite high identifying capacity on Zn(2+). This method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of Zn(2+) in tea and human hairs.     

Complexation of the vulcanization accelerator tetramethylthiuram disulfide and related molecules with zinc compounds including zinc oxide clusters (Zn4O4)

Zinc chemicals are used as activators in the vulcanization of organic polymers with sulfur to produce elastic rubbers. In this work, the reactions of Zn(2+), ZnMe(2), Zn(OMe)(2), Zn(OOCMe)(2), and the heterocubane cluster Zn(4)O(4) with the vulcanization accelerator tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD) and with the related radicals and anions Me(2)NCS(2)(*), Me(2)NCS(3)(*), Me(2)NCS(2)(-), and Me(2)NCS(3)(-) have been studied by quantum chemical methods at the MP2/6-31+G(2df,p)//B3LYP/6-31+G* level of theory. More than 35 zinc complexes have been structurally characterized and the energies of formation from their components calculated for the first time. The binding energy of TMTD as a bidendate ligand increases in the order ZnMe(2)相似文献   

Simultaneous flow-injection determination of aluminium and zinc using LED photometric detection

A flow photometer with a multi-LED detector was applied to the simultaneous determination of aluminium and zinc with microcomputer control of photometric measurements and data processing. Xylenol Orange is the photometric reagent and the reaction is carried out in acetate buffer. Calibration graphs are linear for both metals in the concentration ranges 0.2–25 μg ml^?1 (Al) and 0.2–30 μg ml^?1 (Zn). Both elements can be determined for Al to Zn ratios varying from 0.01 to 100 with r.s.d. 1.1 and 1.4%, respectively. The method developed was applied to the determination of Al and Zn in alloys.     

Atomic absorption spectrometric determination of chromium, copper, lead, mercury, and zinc in sediments collected in Bayou d'Inde, southwestern Louisiana

The concentrations of the metals chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and zinc (Zn) were determined in sediment cores taken from Bayou d'Inde in southwestern Louisiana. Previous studies had reported elevated concentrations of these trace metals in sediments along this waterway. The current study, conducted more than a decade later, was designed to determine if these metals had migrated from the areas of highest concentrations. Concentrations as high as 400 mg/kg for Cr, 1100 mg/kg for Cu, 10 mg/kg for Hg, and 600 mg/kg for Pb and Zn were found. Areas of high concentrations of metals were isolated within a distance of about 1 km from the most highly contaminated areas in the bayou. Low concentrations of metals were found at the mouth of the bayou. Estimated sedimentation rates of 0.67-1.2 cm/yr were based on the burial of the sediments originally studied. The concentrations of the metals studied remained high and were also highly localized, both spatially and temporally.     

Short irradiation instrumental neutron activation analysis of essential and trace elements in curry leaves (Murraya Koenigii) and their organic constituents by GC-MS

Summary Fourteen samples of fresh curry leaves (Murraya Koenigii) were collected from 13 states of India and analyzed for 6 minor (Ca, Cl, K, Mg, Na and P) and 14 trace (Br, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hg, Mn, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se Th and Zn) elements by 2-minute irradiation in a reactor followed by high resolution g-ray spectrometry. Peach Leaves (SRM-1547) and Mixed Polish Herbs (MPH-2) were used as comparator standards. Phosphorus was determined by counting the b-activity from ³²P using an end-window GM counter. Most elements were found to vary in a wide range depending on their origin of location, e.g., Na (104-455 mg/g), K (10.3-30.3 mg/g), Ca (9.44-28.3 mg/g), Mg (1.14-7.19 mg/g), P (0.43-1.69 mg/g), Mn (24.8-63.0 mg/g), Fe (72.5-195 mg/g), Se (40.1-131 ng/g) and Zn (7.90-70.5 mg/g). Variation in the elemental concentrations of the same species of different origin may be attributed to ecological and geographical variations. Further, column and thin layer chromatography were used for separating three organic constituents from the ethanolic extract; 3-methylthiopropanenitrile; 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, mono (2-ethylhexyl ester) and 1-penten-3-ol and characterized by IR and GC-MS. Inorganic elements may be present as complexes with the organic compounds.