Dissolution of uranium oxides under alkaline oxidizing conditions

Bench scale experiments were conducted to determine the dissolution characteristics of UO₂, U₃O₈, and UO₃ in aqueous peroxide-containing carbonate solutions. The experimental parameters investigated included carbonate countercation (NH₄ ⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Rb⁺) and H₂O₂ concentration. The carbonate countercation had a dramatic influence on the dissolution behavior of UO₂ in 1 M carbonate solutions containing 0.1 M H₂O₂, with the most rapid dissolution occurring in (NH₄)₂CO₃ solution. The initial dissolution rate (y) of UO₂ in 1 M (NH₄)₂CO₃ increased linearly with peroxide concentration (x) ranging from 0.05 to 2 M according to: y = 2.41x + 1.14. The trend in initial dissolution rates for the three U oxides under study was UO₃ ≫ U₃O₈ > UO₂.     

无溶剂条件下离子液体催化香豆素衍生物的绿色合成(英文)

Brnsted acidic ionic liquids, namely 2-pyrrolidonium hydrogen sulfate, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidonium hydrogen sulfate, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidonium dihydrogen phosphate, (4-sulfobutyl)tris(4-sulfophenyl)phosphonium hydrogen sulfate, and triphenyl(propyl-3-sulfonyl)phosphonium toluenesulfonate, catalyzed efficient Pechmann condensation of phloroglucinol with β-keto ethyl/ methyl esters. 5,7-Dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin and 5,7-dihydroxy-4-phenylcoumarin were prepared in good to excellent yields under mild, ambient, and solvent-free conditions. Pyrano[2,3-h] coumarins were then prepared by one-pot three-component reactions of 5,7-dihydroxy-4-subsituted coumarin, malononitrile, and aldehydes in the presence of catalytic amounts of Br nsted basic ionic liquids, namely 2-hydroxyethylammonium formate, 3-hydroxypropanaminium acetate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide, pyrrolidinium formate, and pyrrolidinium acetate, under thermal solvent-free conditions. The catalysts are environmentally benign and can be easily prepared, stored, and recovered without significant loss of activity.     

Determination of uranium isotopes in environmental samples by alpha-spectrometry

A new and accurate method for the determination of uranium isotopes (²³⁸U, ²³⁴U and ²³⁵U) in environmental samples by alpha-spectrometry has been developed. Uranium is preconcentrated from filtered water samples by coprecipitation with iron(III) hydroxide at pH 9-10 using an ammonia solution and the precipitate is dissolved in HNO₃ and mineralized with H₂O₂ and HF; uranium in biological samples is ashed at 600 °C, leached with Na₂CO₃ solution and mineralised with HNO₃, HF and H₂O₂; uranium in soil samples is fused with Na₂CO₃ and Na₂O₂ at 600 °C and leached with HCl, HNO₃ and HF. The mineralized or leaching solution in 2M HNO₃ is passed through a Microthene-TOPO (tri-octyl-phosphine oxide) column; after washing, uranium is directly eluted into a cell with ammonium oxalate solution, electrodeposited on a stainless steel disk and measured by alpha-spectrometry. The lower limits of detection of the method is 0.37 Bq^.kg^-1 (soil) and 0.22 mBq^.l^-1 (water) for ²³⁸U and ²³⁴U and 0.038 Bq^.kg^-1 (soil) and 0.022 mBq^.l^-1 (water) for ²³⁵U if 0.5 g of soil and 1 litre of water are analyzed. Five reference materials supplied by the IAEA have been analyzed and reliable results are obtained. Sample analyses show that, the ²³⁸U, ²³⁴U and ²³⁵U concentrations are in the ranges of 0.30-103, 0.49-135 and 0.02-4.82 mBq^.l^-1 in waters, of 1.01-7.14, 0.85-7.69 and 0.04-0.32 Bq^.kg^-1 in mosses and lichens, and of 25.6-53.1, 26.4-53.8 and 1.18-2.48 Bq^.kg^-1 in sediments. The average uranium yields for waters, mosses, lichens and sediments are 74.5±9.0%, 80.5±8.3%, 77.8±4.9% and 89.4±9.7%, respectively.     

Impact of environmental conditions on the marine natural product bryostatin 1

Marine Natural Products (MNPs), such as bryostatin 1, are exposed to a range of physical and chemical conditions through the life cycle of the host organism. These include exposure to sunlight, oxidizing and reducing agents, cation binding, and adsorption to reactive metal oxide surfaces. Using Fourier Transform-Ion Cyclotron Resonance (FT-ICR), Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS), UV/Vis absorbance spectroscopy, and molecular modeling, we studied the impact of UV light, TiO2, I2, and reaction with FeCl3 on the structure of bryostatin 1. Our results demonstrate that natural conditions transform bryostatin to a number of structures, including one with a molar mass of 806 Da, which we have previously identified in the sediment collected from the Gulf of Mexico. To date, at least 20 different structures of bryostatin have been reported in the literature. This work suggests that these variations may be products of the chemical environment in which the bryozoa Bugula neritina resides and are not the result of genetic variations within Bugula.     

Behavior of uranium under various redox conditions in a shallow brackish lake

The behavior of uranium under various redox conditions was investigated in the brackish Obuchi lake surrounded by an uranium enrichment plant and facilities currently under construction for reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel in Rokkasho Village in northern Japan. Our investigation showed that uranium in water under oxic conditions can be explained by the simple mixing of freshwater and seawater, and the source of uranium in the lake is mainly seawater. The ratios of ²³⁸U/salinity under oxic conditions were approximately 0.09-0.12 g^.l^-1.psu^-1. However, the ratios of ²³⁸U/salinity in bottom layer water under anoxic condition in summer were lower (0.07-0.09 g^.l^-1.psu^-1) than those in seawater. ²³⁸U concentrations in pore water sampled under anoxic conditions were very low (0.05-0.06 g^.l^-1.psu^-1). Moreover, the relationships between the ²³⁸U/Al ratios and the Fe/Al ratios of particle substances were strongly correlated. This suggests that uranium in the bottom-layer water may be precipitated to an insoluble form in the anoxic state, and Fe is the major carrier of insoluble uranium.     

Aluminized polyborate-catalysed green and efficient synthesis of polyhydroquinolines under solvent-free conditions

Research on Chemical Intermediates - The present work reports a catalytic application of aluminized polyborate for the solvent-free one pot four-component green, efficient and cost-effective...     

Microfiltration for separation of green algae from water

Cross-flow microfiltration was used for separation of green algae, Chlorella sp., from freshwater. The transmembrane pressure (TMP) was adjusted at 40, 50 and 60 kPa, respectively. The cross-flow velocity was set at 0.43 m/s for laminar flow and 0.84 m/s for turbulent flow, respectively. The results showed that flux increased as TMP increased from 40 to 50 kPa. But drastic flux decline was observed when operating at TMP of 60 kPa. Raising cross-flow velocity increased the initial flux of MF under TMP of 60 kPa. Nevertheless, implementing turbulent cross-flow did not improve the drastic flux decline under the highest TMP. Preozonation increased the dissolved organic carbon, decreased algal viability and made the size of algal cells smaller. It also increased dissolved polysaccharide that derived from extracellular organic matter (EOM). Different effects of preozonation on flux behavior of MF were observed when utilizing hydrophobic and hydrophilic membrane. Generally speaking, preozonation improved performance of microfiltration by reducing cake compressibility and the biomass loading when both membranes were used. However, dissolved polysaccharide released during preozonation was adsorbed onto the hydrophobic membrane. Consequently, fouling resistance of the hydrophobic membrane became higher. These arguments were verified by classification of hydrodynamic resistances.     

On site photosynthetic performance of Atlantic green algae

Photosynthetic performance was measured on site in four common Atlantic green algae, Asparagopsis taxiforme, Valonia utricularia, Caulerpa racemosa and Codium taylori, in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. The photosynthetic quantum yield was determined with a portable PAM instrument and with a diving PAM in the water column. Solar radiation was measured continuously above and in the water column by means of two three-channel dosimeters, ELDONET (Real Time Computer, M?hrendorf, Germany), in the UV-A, UV-B and PAR ranges. The effective photosynthetic quantum yield was found to be affected by exposure to solar radiation in as short as 15 min but recovered in the shade in most species within several hours. Only A. taxiforme failed to recover completely, and a 30-min exposure caused severe photoinhibition from which the algae recovered only partially. While most of the effect was due to the PAR wavelength range, the UV, and especially the UV-B, range considerably enhanced photoinhibition. In all four species, a significant inhibition was found even at their growth sites in the water column, measured with the diving PAM, at high solar angles.     

Biosurfactant production under extreme environmental conditions by an efficient microbial consortium, ERCPPI-2

The biosurfactant production potential of a new microbial consortium of Enterobacter cloacae and Pseudomonas sp. (ERCPPI-2) which was isolated from heavy crude oil-contaminated soil in the south of Iran, has been investigated under extreme environmental conditions. The isolated consortium produces a biosurfactant mixture with excessive oil spreading and emulsification properties. This consortium was able to grow and produce biosurfactant at temperatures up to 70 °C, pressures up to 6000 psia, salinities up to 15% (w/v), and in the pH range 4-10. Besides, the optimum biosurfactant production conditions were found to be 40 °C and 7.0 for the temperature and pH value, respectively. These conditions gave the best biosurfactant production of 1.74 g/1 when the cells were grown on a minimal salt medium containing 1.0% (w/v) olive oil, 1.0% (w/v) sodium nitrate supplemented with 1.39% (w/v) K(2)HPO(4) at 40 °C and 150 rpm after 48 h of incubation. The ERCPPI-2 could reduce surface and interfacial tensions to 31.7 and 0.65 mN/m from the original values of 58.3 and 16.9 mN/m, respectively. The isolated consortium produced biosurfactant using heavy crude oil as the sole source of carbon and emulsified the available heavy crude oil up to E(24)=83.4%. The results of the core holder flooding tests at simulated reservoir conditions demonstrated that the oil recovery efficiency due to the injection of the cell-free biosurfactant solution was 27.2%, and the bacterium injection reduced the final residual oil saturations to below 3% at optimum conditions.     

Determination of uranium in environmental sample by nanosensor graphene quantum dots

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The unique properties of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) i.e. low toxicity, excellent water solubility, low cost, high photostability,...     

Accumulation and toxic effect of organometallic compounds on algae

This paper reports toxic effects and bioaccumulation factors of organometallic compounds, mainly organotin species, on algae. We selected two species of microalgae as test algae: one was Scenedesmus obliquus as a representative of fresh-water algae, the other Dunaliella salina and Dunaliella viridis, to represent commonly mixed algae which exist abundantly in Tianjin Harbor, People's Republic of China. For comparison, Chlorella vulgaris was also used in this study. The toxic effect of ten organometallic compounds on the freshwater alga, S. obliquus, was investigated. The ten compounds were (as chlorides) tributyltin (TBT); triphenyltin (TPT); trimethyltin (TMT); dibutyltin (DBT); diphenyltin (DPT); dimethyltin (DMT); trimethyl-lead acetate (TML); dimethyl-arsine (DMA) and two new mixed-alkyltin pesticides, dicyclohexylmethylitin acetate (Cy₂MTA) and dicyclohexylmethyltin isobutyrate (Cy₂MTB). The order of toxicity of these compounds in fresh-water algae, S. obliquus, was TBT>TPT>DBT> Cy₂MTA=TML> Cy₂MTB>DPT>TMT>DMA>DMT, according to 96 h EC₅₀ values attained. The ten toxicants were divided into three groups according to the sequence of their toxicities; (a) TBT, TPT; (b) DBT, Cy₂MTA, TML, Cy₂MTB; (c) DPT, TMT, DMA, DMT. In each group the EC₅₀ values of each compound were quite similar. The difference of EC₅₀ values between two vicinal groups was approximately one order of magnitude. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of TBT and TPT compared with water in the freshwater alga S. obliquus was >3.32 × 10⁵ and 1.14 × 10⁵, respectively. The BCF of the marine mixed algae was >3.48 × 10⁵. The marine microalga, Chlorella vulgaris, was adaptable to TBT at lower concentration. TBT at high concentration only inhibited the growth of S. obliquus, but it could cause chlorosis anddisintegration of D. salina and D. viridis. Resistance to toxicity of algae against TBT appears in order as follows: C. vulgaris>S. obliquus>D. salina and D. viridis. TBT was metabolized by algae to a less toxic product, DBT. The existence of algal cells accelerated the concentration reduction of TBT. The toxic mechanism of TBT was also studied.     

X射线荧光法测定天然铀产品中铀含量的不确定度评定

利用X射线荧光法测定天然铀产品中铀含量,对测定结果的不确定度进行评定.建立了数学模型,分析了不确定度来源,计算合成标准不确定度和扩展不确定度.结果表明,标准曲线拟合、测量重复性、天平称量和标准样品量值对测定结果影响较大,当样品中铀的质量分数为84.736％时,其扩展不确定度U=0.078％(k=2).     

Methyl methacrylate-methyl isopropenyl ketone copolymers: Degradation under environmental conditions

Reactivity ratios for the radical copolymerisation of the methylmethacrylate (MMA) (1)/methyl isopropenyl ketone (MIK) (2) system have been evaluated at 60°C as r₁=0·97; r₂=1·09. Copolymers with MIK contents from 0 to 15% have been prepared. Films were exposed to sunlight under environmental conditions at ground level and buried under-ground at a depth of 9 cm and their photo-degradation, as measured by chain scissions and mechanical properties, was followed with exposure time. For the specimens at ground level, a clear dependence of degradation on sunlight exposure time and MIK content is observed, similar to that observed under laboratory conditions, whether in film or in solution. Negligible degradation was observed over a 2-year period in the buried specimens. Laboratory biodegradation tests seem to indicate that attack by microorganisms starts at a polymer molecular weight of about 20 000.     

An efficient green synthesis of proline-based cyclic dipeptides under water-mediated catalyst-free conditions

l-Proline-based cyclic dipeptides were synthesized from N-Boc-protected dipeptide methyl esters under catalyst-free condition using water as a solvent. One-pot deprotection and cyclization have been used as the key steps, providing an efficient and environmentally friendly approach. Clean reaction conditions, easy isolation, and good yields of cyclic dipeptides are the salient features of the proposed methodology.     

Water-mediated,green, and efficient synthesis of bisquinolones under catalyst-free conditions

Water-mediated, green, and efficient synthesis involving condensation of 4-hydroxy-1-methylquinoline-2(1H)-one (3) with different aromatic and heterocyclic aldehydes (4a–n) leading to 3,3′-(arylmethylene)-bis-(4-hydroxy-1-methylquinolin-2(1H)-one) 5(a–n) under catalyst-free conditions is described. This reaction has an easy workup without using column chromatography and provides excellent yields of the products in shorter reaction times. It does not require any catalyst and uses water as the medium which is the greenest solvent. 3 required in this work was itself obtained by condensation of N-methylaniline (1) with malonic acid (2) in the presence of POCl₃ using a previously reported procedure.     

Determination of uranium isotopes in environmental samples

The determination of isotopes of uranium by alpha spectrometry in different environmental components (sediments, soil, water, plants and phosphogypsum) is presented and discussed in this paper. The alpha spectrometry is a very convenient and good technique for activity concentration of natural uranium isotopes (²³⁴U, ²³⁵U, ²³⁸U) in environmental samples and provides the most accurate determination of isotopic activity ratios between ²³⁴U and ²³⁸U. The analysis were provided information about possible sources of high concentrations of uranium in the examined sites determined by anthropogenic sources. The calculation of values ²³⁴U/²³⁸U in all analyzed samples was applied to identifying natural or anthropogenic uranium origin. Activity concentration of uranium isotopes in analyzed environmental samples shows that measurement of uranium levels is of great importance for environmental and safety assessment especially in contaminated areas (phosphogypsum waste heap).