Chemical Fractionations of Lead and Zinc in the Contaminated Soil Amended with the Blended Biochar/Apatite

Heavy metal contamination in agricultural land is an alarming issue in Vietnam. It is necessary to develop suitable remediation methods for environmental and farming purposes. The present study investigated the effectiveness of using peanut shell-derived biochar to remediate the two heavy metals Zn and Pb in laboratory soil assays following Tessier’s sequential extraction procedure. The concentration of heavy metals was analyzed using Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This study also compared the effectiveness of the blend of biochar and apatite applied and the mere biochar amendment on the chemical fractions of Pb and Zn in the contaminated agricultural soil. Results have shown that the investigated soil was extremely polluted by Pb (3047.8 mg kg⁻¹) and Zn (2034.3 mg kg⁻¹). In addition, the pH, organic carbon, and electrical conductivity values of amended soil samples increased with the increase in the amendment’s ratios. The distribution of heavy metals in soil samples was in the descending order of carbonate fraction (F2) > residue fraction (F5) > exchangeable fraction (F1) > Fe/Mn oxide fraction (F3) > organic fraction (F4) for Pb and F5 ≈ F2 > F1 > F3 > F4 for Zn. The peanut shell-derived biochar produced at 400 °C and 600 °C amended at a 10% ratio (PB4:10 and PB6:10) could significantly reduce the exchangeable fraction Zn from 424.82 mg kg⁻¹ to 277.69 mg kg⁻¹ and 302.89 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, and Pb from 495.77 mg kg⁻¹ to 234.55 mg kg⁻¹ and 275.15 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, and immobilize them in soil. Amending the biochar and apatite combination increased the soil pH, then produced a highly negative charge on the soil surface and facilitated Pb and Zn adsorption. This study shows that the amendment of biochar and biochar blended with apatite could stabilize Pb and Zn fractions, indicating the potential of these amendments to remediate Pb and Zn in contaminated soil.     

Electroanalytical procedure and sorption studies for imazaquin in different soils

The objective of the present work is to determine sorption coefficients of the herbicide imazaquin using the differential pulse polarography in the major soil classes occurring in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. This study contributes to the predictions of pesticide fate and transport mechanisms in the environment as well as its exposure and interactions with different soil materials. Imazaquin was analysed directly in soil samples (scan rate 2 mV s^–1, mercury drop size 0.37 mm, and pulse height 50 mV) and the detection limits varied from 42 to 58 g L^–1 for different soils. Imazaquin showed the K_F values varying from 0.8 (for the sandy soil) to 35.5 L kg^–1 (for the medium textured soil), with a significant dependence on the soil pH, organic matter content, and clay minerals. The study demonstrates the practical utilisation of the electroanalytical methodology to determine the imazaquin adsorption in soil and consequently assess the impact of this herbicide in the environment, especially for the evaluation of the potential risk of surface and groundwater contamination.     

Influence of Different Microplastic Forms on pH and Mobility of Cu2+ and Pb2+ in Soil

Microplastics, due to their surface properties, porosity and electrostatic interactions have a high affinity for cations sorption from the aqueous phase. As soil is a complex matrix, interactions between microplastics, soil constituents and heavy metals (HM) may modify the soil microenvironment for heavy metal mobilization/immobilization processes. In order to better understand the problem, three commonly found forms of microplastics in soil (fibers, fragments and microbeads) were mixed with Cu²⁺- or Pb²⁺-contaminated soil and incubated at 22 °C for 180 days. In soil samples pH and the content of water and acid exchangeable species of metals were analyzed. The results of this study showed that the presence of microplastics in HM-contaminated soil affected metal speciation, increasing the amount of easily exchangeable and potentially bioavailable forms of Cu²⁺ or Pb²⁺ in the tested soil. Soil pH also increased, confirming that microplastic particles affect soil properties relevant to the sorption/desorption process of metal cations. Overall, the smallest microplastic particles (≤1 mm), such as fibers or glitter microbeads, had a greater impact on the change in the sorption and desorption conditions of metals in tested soil than larger particles. The findings of our study show that microplastic form, shape and size should be considered as important factors that influence the soil properties and mobility of heavy metals in soil.     

Sorption of radiocesium on soils in the presence of electrolytes

The influence of background electrolytes (KCl, NH₄Cl, CTABr) in different concentrations on the sorption ability of radiocesium by measuring the distribution coefficient has been studied. Sorption isotherms of cesium for characterization of soil sorption ability were used. Sorption of cesium depends on its concentration and at least three different sorption sites are active in the sorption process. In the case of low cesium concentration, two very selective sites with high distribution coefficients are responsible for the sorption. With increasing cesium concentration in the aqueous phase, distribution coefficient is decreasing. Frayed edge sites of illite in soil and exchangeable potassium are probably responsible for nonlinear isotherms at low cesium concentrations. From sorption isotherms and determination of potassium by activation analysis, it was found that the capacity of very selective sites for different concentrations of background electrolyte was up to 7 mmol·kg^–1.     

Determination of131I,134Cs,137Cs in plants and cheese after Chernobyl accident in Roumania

Various samples from the south-east region of Roumania/greens, fodder, cheese/were analyzed for¹³¹I,¹³⁴Cs and¹³⁷Cs concentrations in May and July 1986 by -ray spectrometry. The concentrations are reported in nCi. kg^–1 wet weight. For greens, a considerable decrease was observed for¹³¹I/to 3.0–7.0 nCi. kg^–1/,¹³⁴Cs/to 0.5–2.0 nCi.kg^–1/ and¹³⁷Cs /to 1.0–4.0 nCi. kg^–1/ from the first half /5–15 May/ till the end of May 1986. For cheese, maximum values were measured between 5 and 15 May /sheep cottage cheese: 500–800 nCi.kg^–1 for¹³¹I, 25–50 nCi. kg^–1 for¹³⁴Cs, 40–80 nCi. kg^–1 for¹³⁷Cs/; at the beginning of July a considerable decrease /to 5–10 nCi. kg^–1 for¹³¹I, 1.2–2.0 nCi.kg^–1 for¹³⁴Cs, 2.2–3.0 nCi. kg^–1 for¹³⁷Cs/ was observed. In autumn 1986 a small increase up to 2.0–3.0 nCi. kg^–1 for¹³⁴Cs and 3.4–5.0 nCi. kg^–1 for¹³⁷Cs /in November/ was reported. The population's internal possible contamination was strongly limited by the authorities' severe control of the food-stuff.     

Influence of Organic Matter on the Sorption of Cefdinir,Memantine and Praziquantel on Different Soil and Sediment Samples

Pharmaceuticals are known for their great effects and applications in the treatment and suppression of various diseases in human and veterinary medicine. The development and modernization of science and technologies have led to a constant increase in the production and consumption of various classes of pharmaceuticals, so they pose a threat to the environment, which can be subjected to the sorption process on the solid phase. The efficiency of sorption is determined by various parameters, of which the physicochemical properties of the compound and the sorbent are very important. One of these parameters that determine pharmaceutical mobility in soil or sediment is the soil–water partition coefficient normalized to organic carbon (K_oc), whose determination was the purpose of this study. The influence of organic matter, suspended in an aqueous solution of pharmaceutical (more precisely: cefdinir, memantine, and praziquantel), was studied for five different types of soil and sediment samples from Croatia. The linear, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Raduskevich sorption isotherms were used to determine specific constants such as the partition coefficient K_d, which directly describes the strength of sorbate and sorbent binding. The linear model proved to be the best with the highest correlation coefficients, R² > 0.99. For all three pharmaceuticals, a positive correlation between sorption affinity described by K_d and K_oc and the amount of organic matter was demonstrated.     

Sorption of radionuclides on natural materials

Information about the sorption of radionuclides on natural materials used for cementation of liquid radioactive wastes (RAW) is important for predictions of migration rates of radionuclides in the products of fixation. Cementation process for conditioning liquid RAW uses, besides cement, materials which improve quality of products. In Czechoslovakia technology among these materials are clinoptilolite tuffit, mordenite tuff, tobermorite and fly ash. Liquid RAW issued from nuclear power plants contains the principal radionuclides⁶⁰Co,¹³⁴Cs and¹³⁷Cs, therefore, a sorption study of these radionuclides was carried out. pH of liquid RAW was 12.5–13.7 and salt content ca. 200 g·dm^–3. Results of sorption are given by distribution coefficients. The best results for cesium in those pH region and salt content had mordenite tuff D_Cs=100 dm³·kg^–1 and the worst results had fly ash D_Cs=4.1 dm³·kg^–1. The best results for cobalt in those solutions had tobermorite D_Co=38 dm³·kg^–1 and the worst results had fly ash D_Co=6.9 dm³·kg^–1.     

Effect of fulvic acid and ionic strength on the sorption of radiostrontium on Chinese calcareous soil and its solid components

Summary The sorption and desorption of radionuclide ⁹⁰Sr²⁺were investigated on untreated calcareous soil and two treated soils to remove organic matter and calcium carbonate using batch technique. The experiments were carried out at ambient condition, pH 7.8±0.1 and in the presence of 0.001M NaCl. Effects of fulvic acid and ionic strength on the sorption of ⁹⁰Sr²⁺on calcareous soil were also studied. It was found that the sorption isotherms are linear in the strontium concentration range used herein, and the sorption of ⁹⁰Sr²⁺on the calcareous soil can be described as a reversible sorption process and the sorption mechanism is mainly ion-exchange. The sorption is dependent on ionic strength, and fulvic acid enhances the sorption of ⁹⁰Sr²⁺on calcareous soil. Organic matter present in the calcareous soil is a significant trap of ⁹⁰Sr²⁺and is responsible for the sorption.     

An Ionic-Liquid-Imprinted Nanocomposite Adsorbent: Simulation,Kinetics and Thermodynamic Studies of Triclosan Endocrine Disturbing Water Contaminant Removal

The presence of triclosan in water is toxic to human beings, hazardous to the environment and creates side effects and problems because this is an endocrine-disturbing water pollutant. Therefore, there is a great need for the separation of this notorious water pollutant at an effective, economic and eco-friendly level. The interface sorption was achieved on synthesized ionic liquid-based nanocomposites. An N-methyl butyl imidazolium bromide ionic liquid copper oxide nanocomposite was prepared using green methods and characterized by using proper spectroscopic methods. The nanocomposite was used to remove triclosan in water with the best conditions of time 30 min, concentration 100 µg/L, pH 8.0, dose 1.0 g/L and temperature 25 °C, with 90.2 µg/g removal capacity. The results obeyed Langmuir, Temkin and D-Rs isotherms with a first-order kinetic and liquid-film-diffusion kinetic model. The positive entropy value was 0.47 kJ/mol K, while the negative value of enthalpy was −0.11 kJ/mol. The negative values of free energy were −53.18, −74.17 and −76.14 kJ/mol at 20, 25 and 30 °C. These values confirmed exothermic and spontaneous sorption of triclosan. The combined effects of 3D parameters were also discussed. The supramolecular model was developed by simulation and chemical studies and suggested electrovalent bonding between triclosan and N-methyl butyl imidazolium bromide ionic liquid. Finally, this method is assumed as valuable for the elimination of triclosan in water.     

Sorption of Th(IV) from aqueous solution to GMZ bentonite: effect of pH, ionic strength, fulvic acid and electrolyte ions

Bentonite has been studied extensively because of its strong sorption and complexation ability. In this study, GMZ bentonite (China) was studied as a potential sorbent for the removal of Th(IV) from aqueous solutions. The results indicate that the sorption of Th(IV) is strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength at pH <5, and is independent of ionic strength at pH >5. Outer-sphere surface complexation or ion exchange in inter-layer sites of the montmorillonite fraction of the GMZ bentonite may be the main sorption mechanism of Th(IV) onto GMZ bentonite at low pH values, whereas the sorption of Th(IV) at pH >5 is mainly dominated by inner-sphere surface complexation or surface precipitation. The presence of soil fulvic acid has a positive influence on the sorption of Th(IV) on GMZ bentonite at pH <5. The competition between Th(IV) with aqueous or surface adsorbed cation ions (e.g., herein Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) and surface functional groups of GMZ bentonite is important for Th(IV) sorption on GMZ bentonite. The results of high sorption of Th(IV) suggest that the GMZ bentonite is a suitable backfill material in nuclear waste management.     

The kinetics of the dissolution of monoclinic pyrrhotite in aqueous acidic solutions

Using the rotating disc method, the rates of dissolution of natural monoclinic pyrrhotite, FeS_1.14, in oxygen-free aqueous solutionsS([H⁺]=0.1, [Na⁺]=0.9, [ClO ₄ ^– ]=1.0 mol kg^–1) were determined. In the temperature range 40–90 °C the dissolution reaction occurs under kinetic control; the activation energy being 14±1 kcal mol^–1 (50±5 kJ mol^–1).

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Die Kinetik der Auflösung von monoklinem Pyrrhotin in sauren wäßrigen Lösungen

Zusammenfassung Die Auflösungsgeschwindigkeit von natürlichem monoklinen Pyrrhotin, FeS_1.14, wurde in sauerstofffreien LösungenS([H⁺]=0.1, [Na⁺]=0.9, [ClO ₄ ^– ]=1.0 mol kg^–1) mit Hilfe der Methode der rotierenden Scheibe bestimmt. Im Temperaturbereich von 40–90° erfolgt die Auflösungsreaktion kinetisch kontrolliert, wobei eine Aktivierungsenergie von 14±1 kcal mol^–1 (59±5 kJ mol^–1) gefunden wurde.

     

Sorption of Am<Superscript>3+</Superscript> cations on suspended silicate: Effects of pH,ionic strength,complexing anions,humic acid and metal ions

Sorption of tracer Am³⁺ to silicate particles was studied as a function of pcH (4 to 9) and of ionic strength [0.20M to 1.50M (NaClO₄)] at 298 K. The sorption increased with increased pcH from 4 to 6 above which saturation was observed. The insensitivity of Am³⁺ sorption to increased ionic strength indicates inner-sphere complexation with the surface silicate sites. The effects of different complexing anions such as carbonate, acetate, oxalate, phosphate, citrate, EDTA and humic acid, on Am³⁺ sorption were investigated. Synergistic enhancement in Am³⁺ sorption was observed in the presence of phosphate (4≤pcH≤7) and acetate (4≤pcH≤5) ligands at 0.20M NaClO₄. The presence of the other ligands inhibited Am³⁺ sorption in the order: EDTA > citrate > oxalate > carbonate. Am³⁺ sorption in the presence of HA (25.00 mg/l) increased in the pcH range of 4.0 to 5.5, then decreased. Increased ionic strength enhanced Am³⁺ sorption in the presence of 25.00 mg/l HA for 4≤pcH≤9. The sorption increased in the presence of a mixture of HA (25.00 mg/l) and phosphate (1.00·10⁻³M) as compared to that of HA (25.00 mg/l) alone. The presence of Fe³⁺ (1.00·10⁻⁴M) enhanced Am³⁺ sorption at pcH∼4 but suppressed it from pcH of 5 to 9; 1.00·10⁻⁴M of Ca²⁺ and of UO₂²⁺ ions had no effect on the sorption profile. On leave from Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai -400 085, India.     

Determination of naturally occurring uranium concentrations in seawater,sediment, and marine organisms in Japanese estuarine areas

For safety assessments of geological repositories of nuclear waste, understanding of uranium (U) fate in estuarine areas is important because U chemical behavior in the areas is expected to be complex. Environmental transfer parameters such as sediment–water distribution coefficients (K _d) and concentration ratios (CRs) for marine organisms are useful in mathematical models for the assessment. However, due to its low concentration in estuarine water, K _d and CF data for U are scarce. Thus we studied a rapid method for separation and concentration of U from estuarine water samples using NOBIAS-CHELATE PA1 resin columns followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for U measurement. Chemical recovery was about 100% at pH of 5.7 ± 0.1 from the water samples and alkali and alkaline earth metals were removed. The method was used to measure U concentrations in estuarine water samples collected at eight Japanese estuarine areas; they ranged from 0.1 to 3.8 μg L⁻¹. We also measured U concentrations in sediment and marine organism samples by ICP-MS after acid digestion. Using these values, we observed K _d (range: 39–284 L kg⁻¹) and CRs (0.86–52 L kg⁻¹ for macroalgae, 0.087–15 L kg⁻¹ for crustaceans, and 0.52–93 L kg⁻¹ for molluscs).     

Sorption and desorption of neptunium(V) on calcareous soil and its solid components: A comparative study

The sorption and desorption isotherms of untreated calcareous soil and three treated soils to remove CaCO₃, organic matter (OM) and both CaCO₃ and OM were determined and analyzed with the Freundlich equation at pH 7.8, moderate concentrations of NpO₂ ⁺ (~10^-5mol/l), in the presence of 0.01 mol/l CaCl₂ and under ambient aerobic conditions. The relative contribution of CaCO₃ and OM to the neptunium(V) sorption on calcareous soil and the sorption/desorption hysteresis is discussed. The effects of adding fulvic acid (FA) and carbonate in to the solution on the sorption of neptunium(V) on the soils were also studied. The sorption and desorption characteristics of NpO₂ ⁺, Zn²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Cs⁺ on the soils are compared.     

Use of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–UV and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Determination of the Imidacloprid Content of Honeybees, Pollen, Paper Filters, Grass, and Flowers

Imidacloprid is a new insecticide with a wide range of action. Because honeybees are very sensitive to this substance, two techniques (HPLC–UV and GC–MS) which enable its detection in several matrices of both animal and vegetable origin were used to monitor its possible presence in cultivated land. In the first method quantification of imidacloprid in honeybees was achieved by use of the external standard method; the detection limit was 50 mg kg^–1, the linear range 0.05–1 mg mL^–1, recovery 60–83%, and the imprecision (coefficient of variation) 8.6% for repeatability and 11.8% for reproducibility. Recovery from pollen was 71–98% in the range 0.05–0.5 mg kg^–1. The repeatability was 9.2–13.9%. Imidacloprid can often be found in the environment, not as a simple molecule but as a group of degradation products. The GC–MS method could be used to quantify all these species as oxidation products and to determine the initial quantity of imidacloprid by use of a conversion factor. The liquid chromatographic analysis could be used to detect, in a standard solution, 10 ng mL^–1 derivatized 6-chloronicotinic acid. The linearity was good (R=0.999) over a wide concentration range (10 g mL^–1–10 ng mL^–1). Several samples with different matrices (filter paper placed on an pneumatic corn seed drill, grass, flowers, honeybees, etc.) obtained during the sowing period for imidacloprid-treated corn were analyzed. The quantification limit (LOQ) was 0.005 mg kg^–1 for grass and flowers, 0.002 mg kg^–1 for honeybees, and 0.024 mg kg^–1 for paper filters.     

Sorption and desorption of radioiodine on calcareous soil and its solid components

The effect of different solid components of calcareous soil on the retention of I was investigated by a batch technique and selective extraction method, and the effect of -irradiation was also investigated. The sorption and desorption isotherms of I on the one untreated, three treated soils and the calcareous soil irradiated with -rays were determined at 30 °C, pH 8.1±0.2 and in the presence of 1.0×10^–4M or 0.67×10^–5M CaCl₂. It was found that the sorption-desorption hysteresis on the calcareous soil actually occurs on the same time scale, that iodine can be easily transported in the calcareous soil and that the exceptionally high contribution of organic matter to the iodine sorption is demonstrated.     

Standard potentials of the silver,silver bromide electrode and the thermodynamic properties of hydrobromic acid in 1,2-dimethoxyethane and its aqueous mixtures

The standard potentials of the silver, silver bromide electrode have been determined in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) and in nineteenDME + water solvents from the e.m.f. measurements of cells of the type Pt|H₂(g, 1 atm)|HBr (m), solvent|AgBr|Ag at intervals of 5°C from 5 to 45°C. The molality of HBr covered the range from 0.01 to 0.1 mol kg^–1. In solvents of highDME content, where the dielectric constant is small, it was necessary to correct for ion-pair formation. The temperature variation of the standard potential has been used to evaluate the standard thermodynamic functions for the cell reaction, and the standard quantities for the transfer of HBr from water to the respective solvents. The results have been discussed both in relation to the acid-base nature of the solvent mixtures and also their structural effects on the transfer process.

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Standardpotentiale der Silber, Silberbromid-Elektrode und thermodynamische Eigenschaften von H Br in 1,2-Dimethoxyethan und 1,2-Dimethoxyethan—Wasser-Mischungen

Zusammenfassung Die Standardpotentiale der Silber, Silberbromid-Elektrode wurden in 1,2-Dimethoxyethan (DME) und in 19 verschiedenenDME—Wasser-Gemischen aus EMK-Messungen der Zelle Pt|H₂(g,1 atm)|HBr (m), Lsgsm.|AgBr|Ag in Temperaturintervallen von 5°C zwischen 5 und 45°C bestimmt. Die Molalität von HBr deckte den Bereich von 0,01 bis 0,1 mol kg^–1. Bei Lösungen mit höheremDME-Gehalt — und damit niedrigen Dielektrizitätskonstanten —war es nötig, für die Bildung von Ionenpaaren eine Korrektur einzuführen. Über die Temperaturvariation wurden die thermodynamischen Größen für die Zellenreaktion und die Standardgrößen für den Transfer von HBr aus Wasser in das jeweilige Lösungsmittel bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse werden sowohl im Zusammenhang zur Säure-Base-Natur de Lösungsmittelmischungen als auch in bezug auf strukturelle Effekte im Transferprozeß diskutiert.

     

Molecular Docking and Dynamics Simulation of Natural Compounds from Betel Leaves (Piper betle L.) for Investigating the Potential Inhibition of Alpha-Amylase and Alpha-Glucosidase of Type 2 Diabetes

Piper betle L. is widely distributed and commonly used medicinally important herb. It can also be used as a medication for type 2 diabetes patients. In this study, compounds of P. betle were screened to investigate the inhibitory action of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase against type 2 diabetes through molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) analysis. The molecule apigenin-7-O-glucoside showed the highest binding affinity among 123 (one hundred twenty-three) tested compounds. This compound simultaneously bound with the two-target proteins alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, with high molecular mechanics-generalized born surface area (MM/GBSA) values (ΔG Bind = −45.02 kcal mol⁻¹ for alpha-amylase and −38.288 for alpha-glucosidase) compared with control inhibitor acarbose, which had binding affinities of −36.796 kcal mol⁻¹ for alpha-amylase and −29.622 kcal mol⁻¹ for alpha-glucosidase. The apigenin-7-O-glucoside was revealed to be the most stable molecule with the highest binding free energy through molecular dynamics simulation, indicating that it could compete with the inhibitors’ native ligand. Based on ADMET analysis, this phytochemical exhibited a wide range of physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and drug-like qualities and had no significant side effects, making them prospective drug candidates for type 2 diabetes. Additional in vitro, in vivo, and clinical investigations are needed to determine the precise efficacy of drugs.     

Effect of Iron Complex Source on MWWTP Effluent Treatment by Solar Photo-Fenton: Micropollutant Degradation,Toxicity Removal and Operating Costs

Benzophenone-3, fipronil and propylparaben are micropollutants that are potential threats to ecosystems and have been detected in aquatic environments. However, studies involving the investigation of new technologies aiming at their elimination from these matrices, such as advanced oxidation processes, remain scarce. In this study, different iron complexes (FeCit, FeEDTA, FeEDDS and FeNTA) were evaluated for the degradation of a mixture of these micropollutants (100 µg L⁻¹ each) spiked in municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWWTP) effluent at pH 6.9 by solar photo-Fenton. Operational parameters (iron and H₂O₂ concentration and Fe/L molar ratio) were optimized for each complex. Degradation efficiencies improved significantly by increasing the concentration of iron complexes (1:1 Fe/L) from 12.5 to 100 µmol L⁻¹ for FeEDDS, FeEDTA and FeNTA. The maximum degradation reached with FeCit for all iron concentrations was limited to 30%. Different Fe/L molar ratios were required to maximize the degradation efficiency for each ligand: 1:1 for FeNTA and FeEDTA, 1:3 for FeEDDS and 1:5 for FeCit. Considering the best Fe/L molar ratios, higher degradation rates were reached using 5.9 mmol L⁻¹ H₂O₂ for FeNTA and FeEDTA compared to 1.5 and 2.9 mmol L⁻¹ H₂O₂ for FeEDDS and FeCit, respectively. Acute toxicity to Canton S. strain D. melanogaster flies reduced significantly after treatment for all iron complexes, indicating the formation of low-toxicity by-products. FeNTA was considered the best iron complex source in terms of the kinetic constant (0.10 > 0.063 > 0.051 > 0.036 min⁻¹ for FeCit, FeNTA, FeEDTA and FeEDDS, respectively), organic carbon input and cost-benefit (USD 327 m⁻³ > USD 20 m⁻³ > USD 16 m⁻³ > USD 13 m⁻³ for FeEDDS, FeCit, FeEDTA and FeNTA, respectively) when compared to the other tested complexes.     

The sorption of Eu(III) on calcareous soil: effects of pH,ionic strength,temperature, foreign ions and humic acid

The sorption of Eu(III) on calcareous soil as a function of pH, humic acid (HA), temperature and foreign ions was investigated under ambient conditions. Eu(III) sorption on soil was strongly pH dependent in the observed pH range. The effect of ionic strength was significant at pH < 7, and not obvious at pH > 8. The type of salt cation used had no visible influence on Eu(III) uptake on soil, however at low pH values, the influence of anions was following the order: Cl⁻ ≈ NO₃ ⁻ > ClO₄ ⁻. In the presence of HA, the sorption edge obviously shifted about two pH units to the lower pH, whilst in range of pH 6–7, the sorption of Eu(III) decreased with increasing pH because a considerable amount of Eu(III) was present as humate complexes in aqueous phase, then increased again at pH > 11. The results indicated that the sorption of Eu(III) on soil mainly formed outer-sphere complexes and/or ion exchange below pH ~7; whereas inner-sphere complexes and precipitation of Eu(OH)₃(s) may play main role above pH ~8.