An upper bound to bond electric dipole moments

An upper bound can be set to the dipole moment of the X-H bond (with X+H^– polarity) for symmetrical molecules of XH₄ and XH₃ type from the experimental values of the g factor and bond length. The following upper bounds have been found to the bond dipole moments: CH₄ (C+H^–<0.902 D, SiH₄, (Si+H^–)<4.21 D, GeH₄+ (Ge+H^–)<3.59 D, NH₃ (N+H^–)<0, PH₃ (P+H^–)<2.74 D. These results enable one to rule out certain published data on the dipole moment of the C-H bond in methane as certainly incorrect. In the case of the ammonia molecule, the possibility of N+H^– polarity is ruled out.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khitniya, No. 3, pp. 346–350, May–June, 1985.     

Enrichment of sea-salt aerosols in short-lived222Rn daughter products-role of marine Fe/III/ hydroxide colloid

The interaction of short-lived Rn-daughter products /SLDP/, viz.²¹⁴Pb and²¹⁴Bi dissolved in sea-water with Fe/III/ hydroxide colloids followed by flotation of combined Fe-SLDP particles at the sea-air interface subsequently generating marine aerosols enriched in²¹⁴Bi and²¹⁴Pb have been studied under laboratory conditions. Rate constants for attachment of²¹⁴Bi and²¹⁴Pb to dispersed Fe/III/ colloids in the sea water are found to be 3.7×10^–4 min^–1 litre [g/Fe/]^–1 and 2.4×10^–4 min^–1 litre [g/Fe/]^–1, resp., /20°C/ over the concentration range of iron /III/ from 8 to 120 g liter^–1. The suggested mechanism of colloid flotation and aerosol generation might be responsible for some peculiarities of SLDP distribution in the lower marine atmosphere.     

ET-AAS in the Analysis of high-purity mercury

ET-AAS is investigated for the analysis of high purity mercury. Two possibilities are proposed: ET-AAS determination of trace analytes in the presence of high mercury concentrations or after matrix separation by reduction. The ET-AAS analysis of high-purity mercury under optimal instrumental parameters permits fast and reproducible determination of 0.03 gg^–1 Al, Cd and Mn; 0.05 gg^–1 Cu, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni and Pb and 0.2 gg^–1 V. Preliminary mercury matrix reductive separation with ascorbic acid allows determination of 0.005 gg^–1 Cd, 0.02 gg^–1 Cu, Cr and Mn, 0.03 g g^–1 Co, Ni and Pb, 0.05 g g^–1 Al and Fe and 0.1 gg^–1 V, but the reproducibility is lower. The main advantage of the second procedure is that it avoids laboratory and instrument pollution with toxic mercury.     

Assessment of the essential element and heavy metal content of edible fish muscle

The aim of this work was to determine the concentrations of some essential and toxic elements in the muscle of ten species of commercial fish consumed in Portugal. We combined two different techniques for determination of the elements—energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) was used to quantify K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Se, Rb, and Sr and flame atomic-absorption spectrometry for analysis of Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, Hg, and Pb. The latter technique was used because of its higher sensitivity, because these elements were not detected by EDXRF. The results obtained show a similar pattern for the trace elements. K and Ca are present at the highest concentrations in all the samples studied, from 0.6–1.3% and from 0.04–0.08%, respectively, followed by Zn, Fe, Sr, Se, and Rb. Sr is present at higher concentrations than Rb in all the species studied except meagre. Concentrations of the elements in octopus do not follow this pattern—Fe is present at a higher concentration than Zn. Low concentrations of Cr (0.66–1.5 g g^–1), Ni (0.11–0.24 g g^–1), Cd (0.01–0.08 g g^–1), Hg (0.49–2.74 g g^–1), and Pb (0.02–0.06 g g^–1) were observed in all the samples analysed. The concentration of Hg was highest in Helicolenus dactylopterus—5.4 g g^–1 in one sample.     

Determination of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb in natural waters, alkali and alkaline earth salts by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after preconcentration by column solid phase extraction

Methods are described for the determination of trace and ultra trace amounts of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb in natural waters, alkali and alkaline earth salts. Separation and preconcentration of trace metals is achieved by a column solid phase extraction procedure using silica gel modified with derivatives of dithiocarbamates — Na-DDTC (sodium diethyldithio-carbamate and HMDTC (ammonium hexamethylene-dithiocarbamate) as column packing material. The influence of the sorbent preparation procedure on the degree of sorption of the trace analytes is examined for different pH values of the sample solution. Isobutylmethyl ketone (IBMK) is proposed as an effective eluent for quantitative elution of retained metal ions. Optimal instrumental parameters for ETAAS determination of preconcentrated elements in organic eluate are presented. Practical application of sorbents in analysis of natural waters and alkali and alkaline earth salts is demonstrated. Proposed preconcentration procedure combined with ETAAS determination of trace analytes allows the determination of 0.04 g l^–1 Cd, 0.1 g l^–1 Cr, Cu, and Mn and 0.3 g l^–1 Co, Fe, Ni and Pb in natural waters and 1.10^–7% Cd, 3.10^–7% Cr and Mn, 7.10^–7% Co, Ni and Pb and 2.10^–6% Cu and Fe in alkali and alkaline earth salts.     

Determination of pentachlorophenol residues in wine and corks by solvent extraction methodology and specific gas chromatography detection

Summary A gas chromatographic methodology with selective detection is presented for the analysis in wines and corks of pentachlorophenol residues, which are suspected to be the most likely precursors of some off-flavours described in several wine samples. After derivatisation, pentachlorophenol acetate residues were monitored by electrolytic conductivity detection and/or mass spectrometric detection in the selective ion mode at m/z 264 and 266. Recoveries varied from 80 to 96% for wine samples fortified with 5 to 100 g l^–1 and from 83 to 91% for corks (fortified at 25 to 100 g kg^–1). The proposed methodology allowed for a determination limit of g l^–1 for wine and 10 g kg^–1 for corks.     

Adsorption behaviour of some metal complexes with ferron on Zeo-Karb-226: An atomic absorption spectrophotometric (AAS) study

Summary The adsorption behaviour of ten metal complexes Cr(III), Cr(VI), Mn(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) with ferron on Zeo-Karb-226 in the H⁺ form was investigated at eight different pH-values in order to develop a preconcentration technique for trace amounts of these elements in aqueous solution. The concentrations of the remaining unadsorbed metal ions were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Under the present experimental conditions, Cr(III) and Pb(II) can be quantitatively determined within the pH range 4–8, while for Cd(II), the optimum pH-range is 7–11. But at pH 11, more than 95% of Cu(II) and Co(II) can be extracted from aqueous solution. The suitability of the technique has been evaluated by analyzing cadmium in simulated water samples. The results indicate that as low as 5 g 1^–1 of CD can be recovered with more than 96% efficiency from 11 of simulated water solution.

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Adsorptionsverhalten einiger Metallkomplexe mit Ferron an Zeokarb-226: eine AAS-Untersuchung

Zusammenfassung Das Adsorptionsverhalten der Komplexe von Cr(III), Cr(VI), Mn(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) und Pb(II) mit Ferron an Zeokarb-226 in der H⁺-Form wurde bei acht verschiedenen pH-Werten untersucht, um eine Anreicherungsmethode für Spuren dieser Elemente zu entwickeln. Die Konzentrationen der verbliebenen nicht adsorbierten Metallionen wurden mit Hilfe der AAS bestimmt. Cr(III) und Pb(II) können im pH-Bereich 4–8 quantitativ erfaßt werden, während der optimale Bereich für Cd(II) bei pH 7–11 liegt. Bei pH 11 werden jedoch mehr als 95% Cu(II) und Co(II) aus der wäßrigen Lösung extrahiert. Der Nutzen des Verfahrens wurde durch Bestimmung von Cd(II) in simulierten Wasserproben erwiesen. Noch 5 g/l Cd können zu mehr als 96% aus 11 Wasserprobe wiedergefunden werden.

     

Sample introduction assisted by compressed air in flame furnace AAS: a simple and sensitive method for the determination of traces of toxic elements

The power of detection of flame AAS for the toxic elements Cd, Hg, Pb and Tl can be improved by 1–2 orders of magnitude by using flame furnace AAS. In flame-furnace AAS, liquid samples are introduced directly into a nickel tube located in the flame, in the simplest case through a ceramic thermospray capillary. Transportation of the samples is achieved by using compressed air only. Comparatively low detection limits are achieved by both beam injection flame furnace (BIFF-AAS) and thermospray flame furnace AAS (TS-FF-AAS). For TS-FF-AAS, a pressure of less than 20 kPa (<80 in. water) is required. The TS-FF-AAS technique is very simple, robust and cheap. The detection limits were 0.2–0.4 g L^–1 (Cd), 40–100 g L^–1 (Hg), 5–9 g L^–1 (Pb) and 4–14 g L^–1 (Tl), respectively, depending on the method, flow rate and sample volume used. Pb and Cd were found at concentrations of 0.1–2 and 0.005–0.3 g g^–1, respectively, in samples of various spices.Dedicated to the memory of Wilhelm Fresenius.     

GC/MSD detection of the metabolic residues of metolachlor in tomato fruit

Summary A gas chromatograph/mass selective detector method is presented for the analysis of the major metabolic residues of metolachlor by acid hydrolysis of tomato fruit. The two major hydrolysis products, CGA-37913 (2-[2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl]amino-1-propanol) and derivatised CGA-49751 (4-[2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl]-2-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-morpholinone) were monitored in the selective ion mode atm/z 162 andm/z 160, respectively. Recoveries from 87 to 96% were obtained for tomato fortified at 50 to 200g kg^–1. The proposed method of analysis will allow for a detection limit of 11 g kg^–1 for CGA-37913 and 12 g kg^–1 for the derivatised CGA-49751.     

Trace analysis of mercury by a radiochemical displacement method using cobalt(III) diethyldithiocarbamate

A radiochemical displacement method was utilized for the determination of traces of mercury in water taking advantage of its ability to displace cobalt from cobalt(III) diethyldithiocarbamate tagged with⁶⁰Co. The method is found to be applicable in the concentration range of 50–200 g/ml mercury. The interfernces from various cations like Fe(III), Co(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ag(I) ions were studied.     

Die Bestimmung von 800 bis 30μg Blei(II) durch potentiometrische Titration mit Molybdat

Zusammenfassung Die Bestimmung von 800 bis 30g Pb(II) durch potentiometrische Titration mit Molybdat unter Verwendung einer bleispezifischen Elektrode wurde untersucht. Unter geeigneten Bedingungen sind mit 4·10^–3 M Molybdat 800 bis 300g Pb(II) in wäßriger Lösung mit einer Genauigkeit von ±0,57% bzw. 0,45% und einer Reproduzierbarkeit von ±0,43% bzw. ±0,30% (Standardabweichung=0,25% bzw. 0,17%) je nach Titrationsart automatisch bzw. manuell bestimmbar.Zur Bestimmung von Pb(II)-Mengen <300g ist eine 2·10^–3 M Molybdatlösung zu verwenden. 300 bis 100g Pb(II) sind in wäßriger Lösung mit zufriedenstellenden Resultaten bestimmbar, jedoch verbessert eine Titration in 40% igem Ethanol nicht nur die Genauigkeit in diesem Bereich, sondern erlaubt auch noch 30g Pb(II) mit einer Genauigkeit von ±1% und einer Reproduzierbarkeit von ±2% (Standardabweichung aus 20 Titrationen von 100g Pb(II)= 0,60%) zu bestimmen.Die Titration von 300–800g Pb(II) in wäßriger Lösung und von 30–300g Pb(II) in 40% igem Ethanol läßt sich auch in 0,1M NaNO_3– 0,1M NaClO_4– Lösung durchführen und ermöglicht somit auch zuverlässige Bleibestimmungen in organischen Verbindungen nach Mineralisierung mit HNO₃–HClO₄–H₂O₂.

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The determination of 800 to 30 g lead(II) by potentiometric titration with molybdate

Summary The determination of 800 to 30g Pb(II) by potentiometric titration with molybdate by using a lead(II)-selective electrode was investigated. Under suitable conditions, 800 to 300g Pb(II) in aqueous solution by automatic or manual titration with 4·10^–3 M molybdate can be determined with an accuracy of ±0.57% and ±0.45% and a precision of ±0.43% and 0.30% (standard deviation=0.25% and 0.17%, resp.).For determining amounts of Pb(II) below 300g, a 2·10^–3 M molybdate solution has to be used. Although 300 to 100g Pb(II) are determinable again in water with satisfactory results, the titration in 40% ethanol is however more reliable: in this medium, amounts of 300 to 30g Pb(II) can be determined with an accuracy of ±1% and a precision of ±2% (standard deviation from 20 titrations of 100g Pb(II)=0.60%).The titration of 300–800g Pb(II) in water and of 30–300g Pb(II) in 40% ethanol is also possible in 0.1M NaNO_3– and 0.1M NaClO_1– medium and can be used in the lead determination in organic compounds after mineralization with HNO₃-HClO₄-H₂O₂.

     

Accurate determination of sulfur in gasoline and related fuel samples using isotope dilution ICP–MS with direct sample injection and microwave-assisted digestion

Inductively coupled plasma isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (ICP–IDMS) with direct injection of isotope-diluted samples into the plasma, using a direct injection high-efficiency nebulizer (DIHEN), was applied for accurate sulfur determinations in sulfur-free premium gasoline, gas oil, diesel fuel, and heating oil. For direct injection a micro-emulsion consisting of the corresponding organic sample and an aqueous ³⁴S-enriched spike solution with additions of tetrahydronaphthalene and Triton X-100, was prepared. The ICP–MS parameters were optimized with respect to high sulfur ion intensities, low mass-bias values, and high precision of ³²S/³⁴S ratio measurements. For validation of the DIHEN–ICP–IDMS method two certified gas oil reference materials (BCR 107 and BCR 672) were analyzed. For comparison a wet-chemical ICP–IDMS method was applied with microwave-assisted digestion using decomposition of samples in a closed quartz vessel inserted into a normal microwave system. The results from both ICP–IDMS methods agree well with the certified values of the reference materials and also with each other for analyses of other samples. However, the standard deviation of DIHEN–ICP–IDMS was about a factor of two higher (5–6% RSD at concentration levels above 100 g g^–1) compared with those of wet-chemical ICP–IDMS, mainly due to inhomogeneities of the micro-emulsion, which causes additional plasma instabilities. Detection limits of 4 and 18 g g^–1 were obtained for ICP–IDMS in connection with microwave-assisted digestion and DIHEN–ICP–IDMS, respectively, with a sulfur background of the used Milli-Q water as the main limiting factor for both methods.This paper was presented as a poster at the 2004 winter conference on plasma spectrochemistry, Fort Lauderdale, January 5–10, 2004     

Direct determination of arsenic in sea water by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry using D2 and Zeeman background correction

Arsenic in sea water was determined directly by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) using palladium nitrate as chemical modifier, at an optimum concentration of 15 mg l^–1. Deuterium and Zeeman effect background correction were compared and gave detection limits of 0.6 and 0.8 g l^–1, respectively. Precisions between 8 and 2%, for both correctors, were obtained with an injection volume of 40 l. The accuracy obtained with different reference materials: CRM-403 (1.461 g kg^–1), NASS-4 (1.26 ±0.09 gl^–1) and IAEA/W-4 (24–31 g l^–1) was studied for large injection volumes for both background correction systems. Interferences by chloride, sodium, potassium, calcium and silicon were removed by Zeeman correction, whereas deuterium correction was much less effective and was insufficiently accurate for sea water samples.     

Ceramic glaze analysis by simultaneous in-beam PGAA and XRFS

Twenty-one ready-to-use hobby glazes, of which 18 were labeled safe for food containers (SFFC), were analyzed for Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Gd, Hf, K, Mn, Na, Pb, Si, Sm, Sr, Ti, Zn, and Zr by neutron capture prompt -ray activation analysis (PGAA). Simultaneously, Pb was also determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS) using Pb K X-rays induced by the -ray component of the neutron beam. The XRFS limits of detection were 200–400 g Pb·g^–1 (dry weight), a factor of 100 better than those for PGAA. Pb concentrations (by dry weight; with weight losses ranging from 28 to 49% after air-drying) found were 0.16–27.2% in the SFFC glazes and 0.86–32% in the other glazes. The SFFC glazes contained from <0.6 to 202 g Cd·g^–1, and Co, Cr, and Cu (elements which may enhance Pb leaching from fired glazes) were found in concentrations up to 1.2, 2.7, and 5.6%, respectively. Method accuracy was demonstrated with the analysis of soil, fly ash, and glass standard reference materials.     

Accurate determination of lead in wines by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Summary The capability of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Pb determinations in wine samples is studied. An evaluation is made of the signal behaviour in aqueous ethanolic medium. The effect of preliminary sample preparation on signal suppression or enhancement is investigated in conjunction with the ability of internal standardization to correct for it. As a result, an accurate and precise method of analysis is described in which the sample preparation is limited to a 10-fold dilution and external calibration is applied for quantitation. A detection limit of 0.2 g 1^–1 Pb in wine is achieved. The Pb content of ten different wines was found to range around 40 g 1^–1 with extreme values of 1.63 and 58.8 g 1^–1.     

Heavy metals in selected soils of the semi-arid region of Nigeria

Eight soil profiles developed on crystalline basement complex rocks in the semi-arid region of Nigeria were analyzed for total contents of cesium (Cs), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), hafnium (Hf), iron (Fe), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), scandium (Sc), thorium (Th), uranium (U) and ytterbium (Yb). The contents range from 50.3–95.4 Cs, 16.1–58.1 Cr, 0.6–9.0 Co, 9.0–34.8 g g^–1 Hf, 0.31–3.69% Fe, 17.2–60.7 La, 60.4–90.6 Lu, 2.6–12.6 Sc, 8.3–21.5 Th, 4.7–9.2 U and 3.6–92 g g^–1, Yb. Their corresponding means were 68.4, 35.1, 4.0, 19.9 g g^–1, 1.70%, 37.1, 79.4, 6.5, 14.7, 6.7 and 5.0 g g^–1. In general, total Cs, Co, Fe, La, U and Yb increased with further increase with depth. On the other hand, Lu, Sc and Th showed no distinct vertical distribution within the profiles. All eleven elements were correlated with the amounts of clay present in the soils, the correlation being stronger for Cs, Th, Yb, Cr and Lu.     

Determination of suspended particulates matter of major significance to human health using nuclear techniques in kenya

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis of aerosol samples in Nairobi is presented. Results show that elemental concentrations are of the order of 10^–4 to 10^–6 g/m³ for most elements analyzed. The total suspended particulate (TSP) matter was between 30–80 g/m³ for the entire sampling period between December 1993 to October 1994. Levels of lead (Pb) are below WHO guidelines. However, the obtained bromine (Br) to Pb ratio: 0.3–0.51, shows the origin of Pb to be from vehicular emissions. This ratio was particularly high during the months of April to July 1994 which were also found to be very active in terms of weather parameters.     

Determination of ochratoxin A in Portuguese rice samples by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A sensitive and accurate analytical method for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in rice, based on extraction with phosphate-buffered saline/methanol, an immunoaffinity column (IAC) for clean-up, and high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD), is described. The limit of quantification of the proposed method was 0.05 g kg^–1. Recovery of OTA from rice samples spiked at 0.05 g kg^–1 was 92%, with a within-day RSD of 5.4%. The proposed method was applied to 42 rice samples from Portugal and the presence of OTA was found in six samples at concentrations ranging from 0.09 to 3.52 g kg^–1. The identification of OTA was confirmed by methyl ester derivatization and then HPLC analysis. The daily intake of OTA by the Portuguese population was also estimated.     

Application of laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) to investigate trace metal spatial distributions in human tooth enamel and dentine growth layers and pulp

Human tooth enamel provides a nearly permanent and chronological record of an individuals nutritional status and anthropogenic trace metal exposure during development; it might thus provide an excellent bio archive. We investigated the micro-spatial distribution of trace metals (Cu, Fe, Mg, Sr, Pb, and Zn) in 196×339 m² raster pattern areas (6.6×10⁴ m²) in a deciduous tooth using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS). Ablated areas include prenatal and postnatal enamel, the neonatal line, the dentine–enamel junction (DEJ), dentine, and the dentine–pulp junction. Topographic variations in the surface elemental distribution of lead, zinc, strontium, and iron intensities in a deciduous tooth revealed heterogeneous distribution within and among regions. ⁴³Ca normalized elemental intensities showed the following order: Sr>Mg>>Zn>Pb>Fe>Cu. Elevated zinc and lead levels were present in the dental pulp region and at the neonatal line. This study demonstrates the ability of LA–ICP–MS to provide unique elemental distribution information in micro spatial areas of dental hard tissues. Elemental distribution plots could be useful in decoding nutrition and pollution information embedded in their bio apatite structure.Presented in part at the 2002 Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, Scottsdale, AZ, January 6–12, 2002. The poster was selected as an outstanding poster presentation.     

Thallium determination in reference materials by Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry (IDMS) using thermal ionization

Summary Using Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry (IDMS) with thermal ionization, thallium concentrations were determined in reference materials from NIST and BCR, from other sources, and reference materials from the German Environmental Specimen Bank. ²⁰³Tl spike solution is applied for the isotope dilution technique. Thallium concentrations in the investigated materials range from 2.67 g Tl·kg^–1 to 963 g Tl·kg^–1 with a relative standard deviation from 0.14 to 10%. The detection limit was 0.1 ng thallium for this work.