Influence of chloride ions,pH and humic substances on complexation of cadmium(II) and copper(II)

An influence of chloride ions, pH and humic substances concentration on complexation of cadmium(II)and copper(II) ions with humic acids was studied by means of inversion-voltamperometry using the method of experimental design. Equations establishing dependences of concentrations of humate complexes of cadmium(II) and copper(II) on concentrations of chloride and humic substances and pH values too were derived.     

Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) extraction of copper(II) and iron(III) associated with humic substances in water

Summary The extraction behaviour of copper(II) and iron(III) was studied in the presence of humic substances (humic and fulvic acids) by using DDTC and chloroform. Copper-humic complexes were nearly completely extracted over the pH range 3–9, indicating that DDTC reacted with copper more strongly than humic substances. Iron-humic substances, mainly existing as hydrated iron(III) oxide covered with humic substances, were not extracted quantitatively (recovery <70%), though hydrated iron(III) oxide itself was extracted with greater than 93% yields at pH 5–9. For complete extraction of the humic species, ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) was useful, because it allowed extraction from slightly acidic solutions where the binding of iron-humic substances became weak.     

A solid-phase extraction procedure for the clean-up of thiram from aqueous solutions containing high concentrations of humic substances

A simple solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure with an octadecyl bonded phase silica (C₁₈) was developed for clean-up of the fungicide thiram from aqueous solutions containing high concentrations of humic substances, for future studies of thiram adsorption onto solid humic substances or soils. Suspensions of humic acids and soil, in aqueous 0.01 M CaCl₂ solution, were prepared and used as samples. These extracts were spiked with thiram and immediately applied to a C₁₈-SPE cartridge. Thiram was eluted with chloroform and its concentration measured by spectrophotometry at 283 nm. Non-spiked aqueous extracts (blanks) and a control sample of thiram in 0.01 M CaCl₂ aqueous solution were also prepared and submitted to the same SPE procedure. The results show that humic substances are extensively retained by the C₁₈ cartridge but are not eluted with CHCl₃. Recoveries of 100-104% were obtained for thiram in the presence of humic substances. The SPE procedure described in this work is an efficient clean-up step to remove the interference of humic substances absorbance and to be coupled to any spectrophotometric or HPLC-UV method, usually used for thiram analysis in food extracts.     

Comparative study of copper(II) interactions with monomeric ligands and synthetic or natural organic materials from potentiometric data

Potentiometric measurements were used to characterize the complexing properties of (a) a mixture of five monomeric ligands, (b) a synthetic humic-like substance and (c) fulvic acids extracted from soils, with copper (II). In order to compare the binding strengths involved, the same mathematical treatments of the data were used for all measurements. Calculations of the total ligand concentration with the Gran function give underestimated values for the multiligand mixture because of the known presence in the mixture of functional groups with pK^H ; 11 which > cannot be titrated and are revealed only by complexation phenomena. The acid-base properties of the humic substances are better described with a continuous model than with the descrete Henderson-Hasselbach model, because of the inability to distinguish properly between equivalent and independent types of functional groups. In the presence of copper (II), the formation functions show that a mixture of different kinds of complexes with different stability constants is probably formed. Extra protons released during the titration of the various copper (II) systems with alkali are attributed to untitrated functional groups with extremely low protonation constants in the case of the multiligand mixture, but ambiguity remains with the humic substances because their chemical structure is not known. Comparison of binding strengths can be made in terms of global conditional stability constants, by taking into account the three parameters, pH, concentrations of metal and of ligand. It is shown that the mechanisms of complexation are different for monomers and for polymers.     

Use of disposable clean-up columns for selective removal of humic substances prior to measurements with a nitrate ion-selective electrode

Measurements of nitrate in natural waters with a nitrate ion-selective electrode are seriously affected by the presence of humic substances. These can be removed quantitatively by a clean-up procedure with cheap disposable adsorption columns packed with chemically-bonded alkylamino silica. The method is applied to natural water samples with high contents of humic substances. The nitrate concentrations found were in good agreement with determination by ion chromatography.     

Characterisation of humic substances using atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry combined with size-exclusion chromatography

Humic substances were analysed by atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) and electrospray ionisation (ESI) mass spectrometry in positive and negative modes. Using APCI the average m/z range of humic substances was reduced 5-fold compared to ESI. High-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry revealed the formation of multiply charged molecules in the ESI mode. Moreover, it was possible to obtain daughter ion mass spectra of humic substances by nanospray tandem mass spectrometry. The size-exclusion chromatography elution profile of humic substances was highly influenced by the pH of the analyte solution. By contrast, the pH had no significant influence on the observed mass spectra of humic substances.     

Association of Am with humic substances isolated from river waters with different water quality

The association properties of Am with aquatic humic substances in a 0.01M NaClO₄ solution at pH 6-8 were studied on the basis of molecular size distribution. Ten humic substances isolated from river water with different water quality (pH 3.9-8.0 and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration of 2-40 mg/l) were used for comparing their effects on the association of Am. The molecular size distribution of Am in the presence of humic substances from an uncolored river water (DOC 2 mg/l) was different from that at the experimental systems using humic substances from brownish and high DOC (14-40 mg/l) river waters.     

Complexation of cadmium and copper by fluvial humic matter and effects on their toxicity

The effects of humic acids and fulvic acids isolated from the River Arno (Italy) on the bioavailability and toxicity of cadmium and copper were assessed in relation to changes in their speciation. Measurements of the complexing capacity of solutions containing these organic ligands were carried out by a titration procedure followed by DPASV and toxicity tests were carried out using lysosomes isolated from rat liver. The complexing capacity of the physiological medium containing about 13 mg/L of humic acids, expressed as ligand concentrations, was 0.30 and 0.072 micromol/L for cadmium and copper respectively; the corresponding conditional stability constants were 4.2 x 10(11) and 1.3 x 10(8) (mol/L)-1. The complexing capacities of the solution containing the same amount of fulvic acids were 0.33 and 0.164 micromol/L for cadmium and copper respectively, the conditional stability constants were 3.2 x 10(11) and 2.4 x 10(7) (mol/L)-1. The humic acids reduced the toxicity of cadmium by about 5 times: the EC50 changed from 4.4 to 20.4 micromol/L. The dose effect curve of copper presented a bi-sigmoid trend and two EC50 values can be determined: The EC50(1) in the presence of humic acids changed from 2.0 to 3.1 micromol/L, while the EC50(2) increased from 22.3 to 45.3 micromol/L. The fulvic acids reduced the cadmium toxicity by about the same amount as humic acids, from 4.4 to 18.6 micromol/L, but they had no effect on copper toxicity. Analysing the chemical speciation of cadmium and copper in the presence of humic components and under toxicity test conditions we can say that the appreciable decrease of EC50 is not related to changes in their speciation; we can hypothesize that this is due to different processes, as well as to blocking of the lysosomal membrane. On the basis of the shape of the dose-effect curves obtained for cadmium and copper respectively, we can say that the toxic effects of the two metals are different and we can hypothesize that copper could exercise its toxic activity by inhibiting the ATP-driven proton pump and the function of the Cl- selective channel.     

NMR diffusion analysis of surfactant-humic substance interactions

Surfactants can be introduced into the environment through wastewater or by direct contamination. Understanding the fate and transport of surfactants in the environment is important in assessing their role as pollutants. Humic substances are complex heterogeneous mixtures of decomposition products of natural organic materials. They are environmentally important because they are known to solubilize and transport organic pollutants. Therefore humic substances are likely to affect the environmental fate of surfactants. Diffusion coefficients measured with pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy are used in this study to examine the intermolecular interactions of the surfactants sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in the presence of various humic substances. These results indicate that humic substances enhance the aggregation of SDS prior to micellization with a more pronounced effect observed for the more hydrophobic humic materials. The positively charged surfactant CTAB forms stable ion pairs with the humic substances.     

Determinations of humic substances and other dissolved organic matter and their effects on the increase of COD in Lake Biwa.

Humic substances and other dissolved organic matter (DOM) in Lake Biwa and the surrounding rivers were investigated to elucidate their origins and behavior. An annual increase in chemical oxygen demand (COD) has been observed in the northern basin of Lake Biwa since 1985. The concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the northern and southern basins of Lake Biwa were 1.7-2.4 mgC/l and 1.9-2.6 mgC/l, respectively. The DOC concentrations tended to be high in summer and low in winter, and the seasonal changes in the concentrations of humic substances were small. The humic substances content of DOM was considered to be comparatively small because the ratio of the concentration of humic substances to DOC was in the range of 0.14-0.32. From the results of the fractionation of DOM in lake waters, it was estimated that hydrophobic acids, such as humic substances and hydrophilic acids, were about 25% and 45%, respectively. The main origin of hydrophobic acids in Lake Biwa may be humic substances from soils around the rivers that flow into Lake Biwa, while hydrophilic acids may be due to the inner production by phytoplankton. Therefore, the increase of COD in the northern basin of Lake Biwa may be attributed to the contributions of not only humic substances but also hydrophilic acids.     

邻苯三酚红修饰碳糊电极吸附伏安法测定痕量铜

报道了采用邻苯三酚红修饰碳糊电极测定痕量铜的方法。通过在邻苯二甲酸氢钾 -氢氧化钠 (p H4.5)介质中富集 ,Cu2 +和邻苯三酚红形成络合物富集于电极表面 ,然后转换到 0 .0 50 mol· L-1的 H3PO4 中 ,经阴极还原后再进行阳极溶出伏安法测定。Cu2 +浓度在 1 .6× 1 0 -9～ 2 .8× 1 0 -7mol·L-1范围内与二次导数峰电流呈线性关系 ,检出限达 8× 1 0 -10 mol·L-1。同时 ,对电极反应机理进行了探讨。应用于合金样的测定 ,取得满意的结果。     

Molecular size distribution of Pu in the presence of humic substances in river and groundwaters

The association properties of Pu with aquatic humic substances in a 0.01M NaClO₄ solution at pH 6–8 were studied on the basis of molecular size distribution. Seven humic substances were isolated from river water and groundwaters using XAD extraction technique. They were used for comparing their effects on the association of Pu. In the presence of humic acid, the dominant molecular size of Pu was 100–30 kDa. In the presence of fulvic acid, Pu exhibited three dominant molecular sizes: 30–10 kDa, 30–5 kDa, and less than 5 kDa. The association of Pu-humus complexes might be controlled by the molecular size distribution of humic substances and characteristics of their respective size fractions.     

A simple method for quantifying the humic content of commercial products

A method based on an analytical technique, initially developed for quantifying aquatic refractory organic matter (often called humics), has been applied to commercial samples claiming to contain humic-type substances. At present, no method exists for quantifying the humic content on this type of sample. The analytical method is based on measuring the peak current obtained by adsorptive stripping voltammetry of the complex formed by refractory organic matter in the presence of trace amounts of Mo(VI). The quantification procedure requires the response obtained for the unknown sample to be compared with the response obtained with International Humic Substance Society (IHSS) reference humic substances. A very simple procedure that enables the humic content of any sample to be expressed as IHSS standard equivalents is described in detail. The method is highly selective, reproducible and suitable for routine analysis.     

Capillary electrophoretic separation of humic substances using hydroxyethyl cellulose as a buffer additive and its application to characterization of humic substances in a river water sample

We have developed a concise tool for the investigation of the transition of humic substances in environmental water. The separation of water-soluble humic substances was achieved rapidly and effectively by capillary electrophoresis using a polyacrylamide-coated capillary and a phosphate electrophoretic buffer solution (pH 7.0) containing hydroxyethyl cellulose. The separation mechanism was assessed using the ultrafiltration technique. The effect of the complexation of humic substances with metal ions was studied by using the proposed method. When Fe(III) ions or EDTA was added to the sample solution of fulvic acid, a distinct change in the electropherogram pattern based on the conformational change of fulvic acid was observed. The successful application of the proposed method to the characterization of humic substances in a river water sample was also demonstrated. Figure Addition of Fe(III) ions or EDTA to a solution containing fulvic acid (FA) results in a distinct change in the electropherogram pattern, which reflects the conformational change of FA: this forms the basis for the characterization of humic substances in river water samples     

Optimization of ionization conditions for analysis of humic substances from natural waters using Electrospray Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FTICR MS)

An approach to optimizing conditions of acquiring Electrospray Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance mass spectra (ESI FTICR MS) was suggested. This method was employed to study the influence of cone voltage and the composition of the solution on peak intensity in ESI FTICR mass spectra of natural water humic substances. A presence of water in methanol solution was shown to reduce signal intensity significantly. The highest integral intensity of peaks selected was reached on 110 mg/l sample solution in acetonitrile and cone voltage 3.0 kV. The number of peaks to which molecular formulas were assigned, including doubly-charged peaks, was increased using these conditions.     

Determination of the pesticides considered as endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) by solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography with electron capture and mass spectrometric detection

An SPE method followed by GC-electron capture detection (ECD) with confirmation by MS for the trace determination of four pesticides considered as endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in natural waters and sediments has been developed. Target analytes, fenarimol, fenvalerate, pendimethalin, and vinclozolin, belong to different chemical groups and are used mainly in agriculture. In the present study, analysis employs an offline SPE step for the extraction of the target analytes from natural waters. Sonication and subsequent SPE clean-up was used for extraction and purification of the sediment samples which were finally treated with activated copper powder. The type of SPE disk, eluents as well as solution parameters including pH value, and concentrations of salts and humic substances were examined for the efficiency of the method. The recoveries of all pesticides were in relatively high levels, ranging from 75 to 97% for waters and 71 to 84% for sediment samples. Both methods were applied to real water and sediment samples and the presence of the tested compounds was investigated.     

Removal of humic substances from aqueous solutions with a photocatalytic membrane reactor

The process of extraction of humic substances from aqueous solutions in a photocatalytic membrane reactor is studied. It is established that, under optimum conditions, humic substances are removed almost completely. The effect of different grades and concentrations of the catalyst (TiO₂), the oxidant, UV irradiation time, and the pH value of the solution on the degree of purification is investigated. The possibility of using sunlight as the source of radiation in the process of photocatalytic purification is shown.     

Spurenanalyse von huminstoffen im trinkwasser: The d.c. polarographic determination of traces of humic substances in potable waters

(The d.c. polarographic determination of traces of humic substances in potable waters) The inhibiting effect of a tri-n-butylphosphate layer adsorbed at the mercury drop on the polarographic wave of copper(II) is reduced by humic substances. This effect can be utilized to determine humic substances in the range 0.05–1 mg l^-1. The standard substance used was isolated from peaty water. Humic and fulvic acids are not differentiated but amino acids, peptides and polyhydroxy compounds do not interfere.     

Effect of Organic Substances on the Results of Anodic Stripping Voltammetry Detection of Metal Ions in Aqueous Media

Abstract

The d.c. anodic stripping voltammetry method has been used to investigate the effect of organic substances simulating the composition of natural waters on the results of determination of concentration levels of copper, lead and cadmium. The response, sensitivity and concentration (the latter determined by the standard additions method) have been used as sources of information. In the presence of enzymes, fulvic acids, humic acids and polyethylene glycol all these three parameters change in the case of determination of copper and lead, making the results unreliable. The determination of cadmium concentration is not hampered by the said organic substances.     

Application of Differential UV Spectroscopy to the Determination of Lignin Substances in Polluted Water

The absorption spectra of Bjorkman lignin, lignin sulfate, lignosulfonates, and humic substances in neutral and alkaline media are considered. It was found that the difference spectra of lignins (an alkaline solution with reference to a neutral solution) exhibited several intense bands, whereas humic substances exhibited equal shifts of the spectra over the entire spectral range. This distinctive property of the difference spectra of lignin substances, as compared to the spectra of humic substances, can be used for determining lignins in polluted water.