On the excited electronic state dissociation of nitramine energetic materials and model systems

In order to elucidate the difference between nitramine energetic materials, such as RDX (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane), HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane), and CL-20 (2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane), and their nonenergetic model systems, including 1,4-dinitropiperazine, nitropiperidine, nitropyrrolidine, and dimethylnitramine, both nanosecond mass resolved excitation spectroscopy and femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy in the UV spectral region have been employed to investigate the mechanisms and dynamics of the excited electronic state photodissociation of these materials. The NO molecule is an initial decomposition product of all systems. The NO molecule from the decomposition of energetic materials displays cold rotational and hot vibrational spectral structures. Conversely, the NO molecule from the decomposition of model systems shows relatively hot rotational and cold vibrational spectra. In addition, the intensity of the NO ion signal from energetic materials is proportional to the number of nitramine functional groups in the molecule. Based upon experimental observations and theoretical calculations of the potential energy surface for these systems, we suggest that energetic materials dissociate from ground electronic states after internal conversion from their first excited states, and model systems dissociate from their first excited states. In both cases a nitro-nitrite isomerization is suggested to be part of the decomposition mechanism. Parent ions of dimethylnitramine and nitropyrrolidine are observed in femtosecond experiments. All the other molecules generate NO as a decomposition product even in the femtosecond time regime. The dynamics of the formation of the NO product is faster than 180 fs, which is equivalent to the time duration of our laser pulse.     

Cyclodextrin-assisted capillary electrophoresis for determination of the cyclic nitramine explosives RDX,HMX and CL-20 comparison with high-performance liquid chromatography

A sulfobutyl ether-beta-cyclodextrin-assisted electrokinetic chromatographic method was developed to rapidly resolve and detect the cyclic nitramine explosives 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaaza-isowurtzitane (CL-20), octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and their related degradation intermediates in environmental samples. Development of the electrophoretic method required the measurement of the aqueous solubility of CL-20 which was determined to be 3.59 +/- 0.74 mg/l at 25 degrees C (95% confidence interval, n=3). The performance of the method was then compared to results obtained from existing high-performance liquid chromatography methods including US Environmental Protection Agency method 8330.     

A systematic tandem mass spectrometric study of anion attachment for improved detection and acidity evaluation of nitrogen‐rich energetic compounds

The development of rapid, efficient, and reliable detection methods for the characterization of energetic compounds is of high importance to security forces concerned with terrorist threats. With a mass spectrometric approach, characteristic ions can be produced by attaching anions to analyte molecules in the negative ion mode of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). Under optimized conditions, formed anionic adducts can be detected with higher sensitivities as compared with the deprotonated molecules. Fundamental aspects pertaining to the formation of anionic adducts of 1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocane (HMX), 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazinane (RDX), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), nitroglycerin (NG), and 1,3,5‐trinitroso‐1,3,5‐triazinane energetic (R‐salt) compounds using various anions have been systematically studied by ESI‐MS and ESI tandem mass spectrometry (collision‐induced dissociation) experiments. Bracketing method results show that the gas‐phase acidities of PETN, RDX, and HMX fall between those of HF and acetic acid. Moreover, PETN and RDX are each less acidic than HMX in the gas phase. Nitroglycerin was found to be the most acidic among the nitrogen‐rich explosives studied. The ensemble of bracketing results allows the construction of the following ranking of gas‐phase acidities: PETN (1530‐1458 kJ/mol) > RDX (approximately 1458 kJ/mol) > HMX (approximately 1433 kJ/mol) > nitroglycerin (1427‐1327.8 kJ/mol).     

Neutral desorption using a sealed enclosure to sample explosives on human skin for rapid detection by EESI-MS

A novel air-tight neutral desorption enclosure has been fabricated to noninvasively sample low picograms of explosives 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazocine (HMX), triacetone triperoxide (TATP), and nitroglycerin (NG) from human skin using a neutral nitrogen gas beam. Without further sample pretreatment, the explosive mixtures collected from the skin surface were directly transported by a nitrogen carrier gas over a 4-m distance for sensitive detection and rapid identification by extractive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.     

Structures and energies of the tautomers of 1-nitroso-1,2,4-triazol-5-one-2-oxide: New triazol-5-one-n-oxides

Molecular orbital calculations at the DFT-B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ level are performed for the possible tautomers of 1-nitroso-1,2,4-triazol-5-one-2-oxide. We have examined the substitution effects of carbonyl, N-oxide, and nitroso groups by comparing the calculated geometries, relative energies, and electrostatic potentials of model molecules. The optimized structures, vibrational frequencies, and thermodynamic values for triazolone-N-oxides are obtained in the ground state. The results show that 1H, 4H tautomers are most stable. Detonation velocity and detonation pressure are evaluated by the Kamlet-Jacob equations based on the predicted density and the calculated heat of explosion. The explosive properties of the designed compounds seem to be promising compared with those of 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (D 8.75 km/s, P 34.70 GPa), octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetrnitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (D 9.10 km/s, P 39.3 GPa), and 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (D 9.20 km/s, P 42.0 GPa).     

Notes on the use of the vacuum stability test in the study of initiation reactivity of attractive cyclic nitramines in the C4 matrix

The zero-order reaction rates (specific rate constants) for isothermal decomposition at 120 °C of plastic bonded explosives (PBXs) were measured by means of the Czech vacuum stability test, STABIL. The PBXs are based on 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), β-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX), cis-1,3,4,6-tetranitro-octahydroimidazo-[4,5-d] imidazole (BCHMX), and ε-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (ε-HNIW, ε-CL-20) with 9 wt.% of the C4 type matrix, i.e., a matrix containing 25 wt.% of polyisobutylene, 59 wt.% of dioctyl sebacate and 16 wt.% of the oil HM46. Dependencies were found between the specific rate constants mentioned and the detonation velocities of the PBXs, and consequently between these constants and the impact of pure explosive fillers, i.e., RDX, β-HMX, ε-HNIW, RS-ε-HNIW, and BCHMX and, at the same time, the corresponding PBXs. The results obtained are compared with those from a recent analogous study of PBXs using an SBR (Formex P1) binder which could increase the PBXs’ reactivity in comparison with C4 matrix. These results also help to dispel a widely held view about HNIW being a relatively sensitive explosive.     

Note on the use of the vacuum stability test in the study of initiation reactivity of attractive cyclic nitramines in Formex P1 matrix

The zero-order reaction rates (specific rate constants) of isothermal decomposition at 120 °C of plastic bonded explosives (PBXs) were measured by means of the Czech vacuum stability test, STABIL. The PBXs are based on 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX), cis-1,3,4,6-tetranitro-octahydroimidazo-[4,5-d]imidazole (BCHMX), and ε 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (ε-HNIW, ε-CL-20) with 13 wt% of the Formex P1 type matrix, i.e., a matrix of the explosive with pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) bound by 13 wt% of a mixture of 25 wt% of styrene–butadiene rubber and 75 wt% of an oily material. Dependencies were found between the specific rate constants mentioned and the detonation velocities of PBXs, and consequently between these constants and the impact and electric spark sensitivities of pure explosive fillers, i.e., RDX, HMX, HNIW, BCHMX, and PETN. It is stated that the higher impact or electric spark sensitivity of their pure explosive fillers corresponds to the higher thermal reactivity of the given PBXs.     

Mass spectral fragmentation pathways in RDX and HMX. A mass analyzed ion kinetic energy spectrometric/collisional induced dissociation study

A collisional induced dissociation study of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5 triazacyclohexane (RDX) and 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacyclooctane (HMX) was carried out using mass analyzed kinetic energy spectrometry. High resolution mass spectra and mass analyzed ion kinetic energy/collisional induced dissociation spectra of RDX and HMX were recorded in the electron impact, chemical ionization and negative ion chemical ionization modes. Fragmentation pathways of the compounds investigated were determined in all three modes of ionization. It was found that a major part of the fragment ions in RDX and HMX originate from formation of the aduct ions [M+NO]⁺ and [M+NO₂]⁺ in electron impact and chemical ionization, and from [M+NO]^? and [M+NO₂]^? in negative chemical ionization, followed by dissociation.     

Investigation on the dissolution behavior of 2HNIW·HMX co-crystal prepared by a solvent/non-solvent method in N,N-dimethylformamide at T = (298.15–318.15) K

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - 2,4,6,8,10,12-Hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexazisowurtzitane (HNIW)·1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX) co-crystal in a 2:1 molar ratio was...     

Thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of Formex-bonded explosives containing different cyclic nitramines

Thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of Formex-bonded PBXs based on some attractive cyclic nitramines, such as 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX) and 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX). Actually, cis-1,3,4,6-tetranitrooctahy droimidazo-[4,5-d]imidazole (BCHMX) and 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10, 12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20), was investigated by means of nonisothermal thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that the mass loss rate of PBXs involved in this research depends greatly on heating rate and the residue of the decomposition of these PBXs decreases with the heating rate. The onset of the exotherms was noticed at 215.4, 278.7, 231.2 and 233.7 °C with the peak maximum at 235.1, 279.0, 231.2 and 233.7 °C for RDX-Formex, HMX-Formex, CL-20-Formex, and BCHMX-Formex, respectively. Their corresponding exothermic changes were 1788, 1237, 691, and 1583 J g^?1. It was also observed that the dependence on the heating rate for onset temperatures of HMX- and BCHMX-based PBXs was almost the same due to their similar molecular structure. In addition, based on nonisothermal TG data, the kinetic parameters for thermal decomposition of these PBXs were calculated by isoconversional methods. It was shown that the Formex base has great effects on the activation energy distribution of nitramines. It was further found that the kinetic compensation effects occurred during the thermal decomposition of nitramine-based PBXs, and they almost have the same compensation effects due to similar decomposition mechanism.     

Performance of a sheathless porous tip sprayer for capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry of intact proteins

The performance of a prototype porous tip sprayer for sheathless capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) of intact proteins was studied. Capillaries with a porous tip were inserted in a stainless steel needle filled with static conductive liquid and installed in a conventional electrospray ionization (ESI) source. Using a BGE of 100 mM acetic acid (pH 3.1) and a positively charged capillary coating, a highly reproducible and efficient separation of four model proteins (insulin, carbonic anhydrase II, ribonuclease A and lysozyme) was obtained. The protein mass spectra were of good quality allowing reliable mass determination of the proteins and some of their impurities. Sheath-liquid CE-MS using the same porous tip capillary and an isopropanol-water-acetic acid sheath liquid showed slightly lower to similar analyte responses. However, as noise levels increased with sheath-liquid CE-MS, detection limits were improved by a factor 6.5-20 with sheathless CE-MS. The analyte response in sheathless CE-MS could be enhanced using a nanoESI source and adding 5% isopropanol to the BGE, leading to improved detection limits by 50-fold to 140-fold as compared to sheath liquid interfacing using the same capillary - equivalent to sub-nM detection limits for three out of four proteins. Clearly, the sheathless porous tip sprayer provides high sensitivity CE-MS of intact proteins.     

Host-guest inclusion compound from nitramine crystals exposed to condensed carbon dioxide

HNIW or CL20 (2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane) is a nitramine, which is considered as the highest energetic molecular compound known to date, therefore, attracting increasing interest in propulsion applications. Additionally, CL20 is an interesting system for fundamental studies, exhibiting several polymorphs, which can behave as host lattices for trapping guest molecules. Herein, a new CL20 structure that contains inserted CO(2) molecules is reported. A combination of Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and thermal analyses (thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry and differential scanning calorimetry) was used to characterize this new material.     

Potentiometric microdetermination of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane and 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacyclooctane in several solvents

Pyridine, tetramethylguanidine, and hexamethylphosphoramide were evaluated as solvents for the microdetermination of two weakly acidic compounds of ordnance interest, 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX) and 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacyclooctane (HMX). The titrant was tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in methanol/ toluene. Endpoints were determined potentiometrically by a glass/modified calomel electrode system or by two polarized platinum electrodes.The largest potentiometric break was found in the very basic solvent tetramethylguanidine. Endpoint detection using two polarized platinum electrodes significantly enhanced the precision of the analysis.     

Fabric analysis by ambient mass spectrometry for explosives and drugs

Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is applied to the rapid, in-situ, direct qualitative and quantitative analysis of mixtures of explosives and drugs from a variety of fabrics, including cotton, silk, denim, polyester, rayon, spandex, leather and their blends. The compounds analyzed were explosives: trinitrohexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) and the drugs of abuse: heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Limits of detection are in the picogram range. DESI analyses were performed without sample preparation and carried out in the presence of common interfering chemical matrices, such as insect repellant, urine, and topical lotions. Spatial and depth profiling was investigated to examine the depth of penetration and lateral resolution. DESI was also used to examine cotton transfer swabs used for travel security sample collection in the screening process. High throughput quantitative analysis of fabric surfaces for targeted analytes is also reported.     

N‐Oxide 1,2,4,5‐Tetrazine‐Based High‐Performance Energetic Materials

One route to high density and high performance energetic materials based on 1,2,4,5‐tetrazine is the introduction of 2,4‐di‐N‐oxide functionalities. Based on several examples and through theoretical analysis, the strategy of regioselective introduction of these moieties into 1,2,4,5‐tetrazines has been developed. Using this methodology, various new tetrazine structures containing the N‐oxide functionality were synthesized and fully characterized using IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Hydrogen peroxide (50 %) was used very effectively in lieu of the usual 90 % peroxide in this system to generate N‐oxide tetrazine compounds successfully. Comparison of the experimental densities of N‐oxide 1,2,4,5‐tetrazine compounds with their 1,2,4,5‐tetrazine precursors shows that introducing the N‐oxide functionality is a highly effective and feasible method to enhance the density of these materials. The heats of formation for all compounds were calculated with Gaussian 03 (revision D.01) and these values were combined with measured densities to calculate detonation pressures (P) and velocities (ν_D) of these energetic materials (Explo 5.0 v. 6.01). The new oxygen‐containing tetrazines exhibit high density, good thermal stability, acceptable oxygen balance, positive heat of formation, and excellent detonation properties, which, in some cases, are superior to those of 1,3,5‐tritnitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5‐trinitrotriazacyclohexane (RDX), and octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine (HMX).     

Intermolecular Vibration Energy Transfer Process in Two CL-20-Based Cocrystals Theoretically Revealed by Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectra

Inspired by the recent cocrystallization and theory of energetic materials, we theoretically investigated the intermolecular vibrational energy transfer process and the non-covalent intermolecular interactions between explosive compounds. The intermolecular interactions between 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) and between 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX) and CL-20 were studied using calculated two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectra and the independent gradient model based on the Hirshfeld partition (IGMH) method, respectively. Based on the comparison of the theoretical infrared spectra and optimized geometries with experimental results, the theoretical models can effectively reproduce the experimental geometries. By analyzing cross-peaks in the 2D IR spectra of TNT/CL-20, the intermolecular vibrational energy transfer process between TNT and CL-20 was calculated, and the conclusion was made that the vibrational energy transfer process between CL-20 and TNTII (TNTIII) is relatively slower than between CL-20 and TNTI. As the vibration energy transfer is the bridge of the intermolecular interactions, the weak intermolecular interactions were visualized using the IGMH method, and the results demonstrate that the intermolecular non-covalent interactions of TNT/CL-20 include van der Waals (vdW) interactions and hydrogen bonds, while the intermolecular non-covalent interactions of HMX/CL-20 are mainly comprised of vdW interactions. Further, we determined that the intermolecular interaction can stabilize the trigger bond in TNT/CL-20 and HMX/CL-20 based on Mayer bond order density, and stronger intermolecular interactions generally indicate lower impact sensitivity of energetic materials. We believe that the results obtained in this work are important for a better understanding of the cocrystal mechanism and its application in the field of energetic materials.     

A simple sheathless CE-MS interface with a sub-micrometer electrical contact fracture for sensitive analysis of peptide and protein samples

Online coupling of capillary electrophoresis (CE) to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MS) has shown considerable potential, however, technical challenges have limited its use. In this study, we have developed a simple and sensitive sheathless CE-MS interface based on the novel concept of forming a sub-micrometer fracture directly in the capillary. The simple interface design allowed the generation of a stable ESI spray capable of ionization at low nanoliter flow-rates (45–90 nL/min) for high sensitivity MS analysis of challenging samples like those containing proteins and peptides. By analysis of a model peptide (leucine enkephalin), a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.045 pmol/μL (corresponding to 67 attomol in a sample volume of ∼15 nL) was obtained. The merit of the CE-MS approach was demonstrated by analysis of bovine serum albumin (BSA) tryptic peptides. A well-resolved separation profile was achieved and comparable sequence coverage was obtained by the CE-MS method (73%) compared to a representative UPLC-MS method (77%). The CE-MS interface was subsequently used to analyse a more complex sample of pharmaceutically relevant human proteins including insulin, tissue factor and α-synuclein. Efficient separation and protein ESI mass spectra of adequate quality could be achieved using only a small amount of sample (30 fmol). In addition, analysis of ubiquitin samples under both native and denatured conditions, indicate that the CE-MS setup can facilitate native MS applications to probe the conformational properties of proteins. Thus, the described CE-MS setup should be useful for a wide range of high-sensitivity applications in protein research.     

Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry of intact basic proteins using Polybrene-dextran sulfate-Polybrene-coated capillaries: System optimization and performance

A capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) method using sheath liquid electrospray ionization interfacing was studied and optimized for the analysis of intact basic proteins. To prevent protein adsorption, capillaries with a noncovalent positively charged coating were utilized. Capillaries were coated by subsequent rinsing with solutions of Polybrene, dextran sulfate and Polybrene. The coating proved to be fully compatible with MS detection, causing no background signals and ionization suppression. The composition of the sheath liquid and BGE was optimized using the model proteins α-chymotrypsinogen A, ribonuclease A, lysozyme and cytochrome c. A sheath liquid of isopropanol-water-acetic acid (75:25:0.1, v/v/v) at 2 μL min⁻¹ resulted in optimal signal intensities for most proteins, but caused dissociation of the heme group of cytochrome c. Optimum protein responses were obtained with a BGE of 50 mM acetic acid (pH 3.0), which allowed a baseline separation of the test protein mixture. Several minor impurities present in the mixture could be detected and provisionally identified using accurate mass and a protein modification database. The selectivity of the CE-MS system was investigated by the analysis of acetylated lysozyme. Eight highly related species, identified as non-acetylated lysozyme and lysozyme acetylated in various degrees, could be distinguished. The CE-MS system showed good reproducibility yielding interday (three weeks period) RSDs for migration time and peak area within 2% and 10%, respectively. With the CE-MS system, determination coefficients (R²) for protein concentration and peak area were higher than 0.996, whereas detection limits were between 11 and 19 nM.     

Computational studies on the structures and energies of the tautomers of 1-amino-3-nitrotriazol-5-one-2-oxide

Molecular orbital calculations at the DFT-B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ level were performed for the possible tautomers of 1-amino-3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one-2-oxide. We have examined the substitution effects of amino and nitro groups by comparing calculated geometries, relative energies, and electrostatic potentials of model molecules. The optimized structures, vibrational frequencies, and thermodynamic values for triazol-5-one-N-oxides were obtained in their ground state. The results show 1H, 4H tautomers to be most stable. Detonation velocity and detonation pressure were evaluated by the Kamlet and Jacob equations based on the predicted density and the calculated heat of explosion. Explosive properties appear to be promising compared with those of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (D = 8.75 km/s, P = 34.7 Gpa) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (D = 8.96 km/s, P = 35.96 Gpa), 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (D = 9.20 km/s, P = 42.0 Gpa) and octanitrocubane (D = 9.90 km/s, P = 48.45 GPa). The designed triazol-5-one-N-oxides satisfy the criteria of high energy density materials.     

Determination of drug residues in water by the combination of liquid chromatography or capillary electrophoresis with electrospray mass spectrometry

Methods for the determination of drug residues in water have been developed based on the combination of liquid chromatography (LC) or capillary electrophoresis (CE) with mass spectrometry (MS). For HPLC-MS two types of interfaces (pneumatically assisted electrospray ionization interface or an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interface, respectively) were employed and compared in terms of detection limits. 2 mM Ammonium acetate at pH 5.5 and a methanol gradient was used for the HPLC-MS allowing the separation of a number of drugs such as paracetamol, clofibric acid, penicillin V, naproxen, bezafibrate, carbamazepine, diclofenac, ibuprofen and mefenamic acid. A 20 mM ammonium acetate solution, pH 5.1 was employed for the separation of clofibric acid, naproxen, bezafibrate, diclofenac, ibuprofen and mefenamic acid by CE-MS. Sample pretreatment was performed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) for HPLC-MS or by a combination of liquid-liquid extraction and SPE for CE-MS. The applicability of both the HPLC-MS and CE-MS method was demonstrated for several river water samples.