Simultaneous separation of tin and bismuth from water and sea water by flotation with thionalide

Summary A method is described for the simultaneous flotation of low g l^–1 levels of tin and bismuth in water and sea water. Tin(IV) and bismuth(III) in a 1000 ml sample is coprecipitated with thionalide at pH 2–3. The precipitate is floated with the aid of a surfactant and small nitrogen bubbles, then dissolved in acetone and digested with nitric and perchloric acids for hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Recoveries of tin and bismuth at the levels of 20 g added to water and sea water were more than 88%.     

Anion-exchange separation and spectrophotometric determination of cobalt in sea water

Summary Traces of cobalt in sea water have been preconcentrated by anion-exchange from acidified sea water in the presence of thiocyanate. Cobalt adsorbed on the resin column is stripped by elution with 2 M perchloric acid. Accompanying iron is removed subsequently by anion-exchange from 6 M hydrochloric acid medium. Cobalt in the eluate is determined spectrophotometrically with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol in the presence of EDTA and potassium cyanide. The anion-exchange — PAR method allows to determine cobalt very selectively in sea as well as non-saline waters on a 2 l sample basis. The method gives a coefficient of variation of ca. 10% at a cobalt level of 0.1–0.2 g per liter.

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Spektralphotometrische Bestimmung von Kobalt in Meerwasser nach Abtrennung durch Anionenaustausch

Zusammenfassung Kobaltspuren in Meerwasser wurden angereichert durch Behandlung des angesÄuerten Wassers mit einem stark basischen Anionenaustauscher in Gegenwart von Thiocyanat. Adsorbiertes Kobalt wird mit 2 M PerchlorsÄure abgelöst. Eisen wird anschlie\end durch Anionenaustausch aus 6 M salzsaurer Lösung entfernt. Kobalt wird im Eluat spektralphotometrisch mit 4-(2-Pyridylazo)resorcin in Gegenwart von ÄDTA und KCN bestimmt. Das Verfahren gestattet eine selektive Kobaltbestimmung in Meerund Sü\wasser bei Verwendung von 2 l-Proben. Der Variationskoeffizient betrÄgt etwa 10% bei 0,1–0,2 g Co/l.

     

The separation of selenium from sea water by adsorption colloid flotation

Adsorption colloid flotation can be applied successfully to the separation of selenium as SeO₃^2- from sea water. Separation is achieved in 5 min. The modified catalytic method of West and Ramakrishna is used to determine the selenium. The recovery of selenium based on spiked sea-water samples is 100 ± 10%. Standard addition analysis of near-shore Oahu sea water showed a value of 0.40 ± 0.12 μg l^-1.     

Capillary electrophoretic separation of inorganic sulfur-sulfide, polysulfides, and sulfur-oxygen species

A CE protocol was developed for the identification and separation of inorganic polysulfides simultaneously with other inorganic sulfur-bearing species coexisting in aqueous hydrosulfide/sulfur solutions. The electrophoretic separation of thiosulfate, sulfate, hydrosulfide, sulfite, tetrathionate, and polysulfides was achieved at pH values between 8.2 and 12.2. The peaks attributed to the polysulfide species were strongly sensitive to pH. CE analysis of hydrosulfide/sulfur solutions at different pH values permitted possible identification of two forms of polysulfides: S4(2-) and S3(2-). Upon exposure to air at ambient temperature, thiosulfate was the main oxidation product of hydrosulfide/sulfur solutions mainly in the first 60 min, when hydrosulfide was rapidly consumed. Analysis of the oxidation reaction products provided retrospectively tentative evidence that the peaks separated and identified as tri- and tetrasulfide may be ascribed to polysulfides.     

Determination of five trace elements in sea water after separation by anion-exchange chromatography

Summary A preconcentration technique involving anion-exchange in a thiocyanate medium has been developed for the determination of traces of vanadium, cobalt, copper, zinc, and cadmium in sea water. A conventional, small column containing a strongly basic anionexchange resin Amberlite CG 400 in the thiocyanate form allows the five trace metals to be concentrated from a 11 of sea water sample adjusted to 0.1M in thiocyanate and 0.1M in hydrochloric acid. Sorbed metals can be recovered simultaneously by elution with 140 ml of 2M perchloric acid. A stepwise elution technique is also developed, which permits removal of vanadium-copper-cobalt as a group, zinc, and cadmium to improve the selectivity of the separation. A simple scheme of separation for vanadium, copper, and cobalt is given, so that spectrophotometric determinations of these metals even with nonselective reagents may be feasible. Results are quoted on the preconcentration and subsequent spectrophotometric determination of the five metals in brine and sea waters.     

Determination of carotenoids in two algae species from the saline water of Kapulukaya reservoir by HPLC

The local algae species, Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus regularis, from a highly saline water body of Kapulukaya Reservoir were isolated to analyze their carotenoid composition and content using HPLC method. The gradient solvent system of methanol–acetonitrile–water (84:14:2, v/v/v) and methylene chloride (100%), used to resolve a range of carotenoids from the saponified cells, proved an acceptable separation as inferred from the retention factor (k) ranging between 0.75 and 7.76 and the separation factor (α) values greater than 1. Resolution peaks assigned to carotenoids, 21 for C. vulgaris extracts and 22 for S. regularis extracts, were reached within the duration time of 45?min. Main carotenoids identified either tentatively or positively were all-trans-lutein, 9- or 9′-cis-lutein, 13- or 13′-cis-lutein, cis-lutein, All-trans-α-carotene, 9- or 9′-cis-α-carotene, All-trans-β-carotene, 9- or 9′-cis-β-carotene in the species except for all-trans-β-cryptoxanthin found only in S. regularis. Auroxanthin, neochrome, neoxanthin, and cis-neoxanthin were identified as epoxy-containing compounds. Quantitatively, C. vulgaris was distinguished to have greater amount of lutein and cis-isomers (2.74?mg/g), 77.89% while S. regularis was predominated by β-carotene and cis isomers as major component, being 80.72% (5.76?mg/g) in total carotenoids (TC). In terms of total carotenoids, the species were considered to be efficient sources for further practical applications.     

Determination of barium in sea water by cation- exchange separation and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A method is described for the routine determination of barium in sea water by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Barium is separated from the main sea- water cations by collection on a cation-exchange resin. The barrium is extracted into nitric acid from a portion of the resin for injection into the pyrolytically-coated graphite furnace. The method is satifactory for the low μg l^?1 levels of barium present in ocean water, with recoveries ?99% and a relative standard deviation of <5%.     

Capillary zone electrophoretic separation of neutral species of chloro-s-triazines in the presence of cationic surfactant monomers

Chloro-s-triazines are difficult to separate by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), due to their low pKa values. However, these analytes can be effectively separated by CZE in the presence of cationic surfactant monomers, such as tetradecylammonium bromide (TTAB) and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). The separation mechanism based on a 1:1 binding of analytes to cationic surfactant monomers is proposed. The binding constants of chloro-s-triazines to cationic surfactant monomers are estimated. The results show that the strength of the interactions of these analytes with TTAB monomers is considerably strong, whereas that of the corresponding analyte with DTAB monomers is about 12- to 14-fold weaker. A linear correlation of binding constants with log P(ow) (the logarithm of the partition coefficient of analytes between 1-octanol and aqueous phases) indicates that the migration order of these chloro-s-triazines depends primarily on their hydrophobicity. Moreover, the skewed peaks of chloro-s-triazines observed may reveal the occurrence of adsolubilization of these analytes in the adsorbed cationic surfactant layer on the capillary surface.     

Combined anion-exchange separation and spectrophotometric determination of traces of titanium in sea water

Summary Traces of titanium in sea water have been preconcentrated by anion-exchange from acidified samples in the presence of thiocyanate. Titanium adsorbs strongly on a column of Amberlite CG 400 (SCN^–) and can be stripped easily by elution with 2 M hydrochloric acid — 1.5% hydrogen peroxide solution. Titanium in the effluent is determined spectrophotometrically with diantipyrylmethane as colour reagent. The combined method allows to determine traces of titanium very selectively and sensitively in sea water as well as non-saline water on a 41 sample basis. The method yields a coefficient of variation of 7% at a titanium level of 0.4 g per l.

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Kombinierte Anionenaustauscher-Trennung und spektralphotometrische Bestimmung von Titanspuren in Meerwasser

Zusammenfassung Titanspuren wurden in Gegenwart von Thiocyanat durch Anionenaustausch aus der angesäuerten Probe angereichert. Titan wird an Amberlite CG 400 (SCN^–) stark adsorbiert und kann durch Elution mit 2M HCl — 1,5% H₂O₂ leicht abgelöst werden. Im Eluat wird es spektralphotometrisch mit Diantipyrylmethan bestimmt. Die kombinierte Methode gestattet eine selektive und empfindliche Bestimmung in einer 41-Probe von Meer- oder auch Süßwasser. Für einen Gehalt von 0,4 g Ti/l beträgt der Variationskoeffizient 7%.

     

The separation of mercury from sea water by adsorption colloid flotation and analysis by flameless atomic absorption

Adsorption colloid flotation has been found capable of separating ionic mercury from sea water quantitatively at levels as low as 0.02 μg l^?1 with use of a cadmium sulfide collector and octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride as the surfactant. The mercury in 25 samples can be separated in 2 h. Following the separation the mercury was analyzed by flameless atomic absorption. Recovery of mercury from 0.5 l samples spiked with 0.010 μg of inorganic mercury gave sol|0.014 ± 0.002 μg/0.5 l. Black Point, Oahu near-shore sea water was found to contain mercury in the range 0.038–0.078 μg l^?1 with no measurable organic mercury fraction. Sea-water samples collected at an open ocean station analyzed for total mercury revealed the highest mercury concentrations above 200 meters. Mercury concentrations in general showed a decreasing trend with increase in depth.     

Heavy metal determinations in algae and clams and their possible employment for assessing the sea water quality criteria

An empirical criterion for a possible classification of sea water quality is proposed. It is based on the knowledge of metal content in algae (Ulva Rigida) and clams (Tapes Philippinarum), two species present in marine ecosystems. The elements considered are Hg, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn. The analytical technique employed is Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DPASV) in the case of Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, while the determination of mercury is obtained by the Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (CV-AAS) technique with SnCl2 as reducing agent. The analytical procedure has been verified on three standard reference materials: Sea Water BCR-CRM 403, Ulva Lactuca BCR-CRM 279 and Mussel Tissue BCR-CRM 278. For all the elements, in addition to detection limits, accuracy and precision are given: the former, expressed as relative error (e), and the latter, expressed as relative standard deviation (Sr), were in all cases lower than 6%.     

Electrochemical speciation of organotin compounds in water and sediments. Application to sea water after ion-exchange separation

For the quantitative speciation of tributyltin, Bu₃Sn⁺ (TBT), in the presence of dibutyltin, Bu₂Sn²⁺ (DBT), monobutyltin, BuSn³⁺ (MBT), triphenyltin, Ph₃Sn⁺ (TPT), and inorganic tin in water samples and sediments, an accurate, reproducible, simple and rapid electrochemical method was developed. After extraction of the organotin compounds with dichloromethane, TBT could be selectively determined as species by alternating current polarography directly in the organic phase without any derivatisation. The successful application of this technique could be proved by the results obtained by intercomparison exercises on TBT in water samples and sediments, organized by the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR). For the application of this technique to sea water samples a preliminary ion exchange separation of TBT from the major components of sea water was performed, achieving a detection limit for TBT in the ppt range.     

Separation of rare-earth fission product elements from106Ru and137Cs by chloride sublimation

The possibility has been investigated of separating rare-earth fission fragment elements from¹⁰⁶Ru and¹³⁷Cs by high-temperature sublimation (950°C) of chlorides, with their subsequent gas adsorption separation in a quartz tube under a temperature gradient in a flow of the carrier-gas Ar+SOCl₂. The temperature corresponding to the maxima of the element precipitation zones are: 630–660°C (¹⁴⁴Ce), 770–780°C (0.7–6 μg¹⁴⁰La+La), 920°C (1.5 mg Ce or La), 420–450°C (¹⁰⁶Ru), 280–300°C (¹³⁷Cs). The coefficients of element separation have been calculated. For the separation of indicator amounts of rare-earth elements and¹⁰⁶Ru and¹³⁷Cs, fractional sublimation of the chlorides of the latter at 650°C has been used. Rate constants and effective activation energies of the overall processes of chlorination-sublimation of the elements have been determined.     

Determination of the electrophoretic mobility of bacteria and their separation by capillary zone electrophoresis

Conditions for the determination of electrophoretic mobilities of bacteria by capillary electrophoresis (CE) were explored. Most precise values are obtained using fused silica capillaries of 1–3 m length (0.25 mm inner diameter), a background buffer with an ionic strength of 0.0015 mol/L and a pH value of 7–10 at a field strength of 120 V/cm. Capillary electrophoretic separation of three different bacteria populations on the basis of their mobility differences could be realized. Electrophoretic band widths of all bacteria populations investigated are relatively large compared to molecule bands. It finds its explanation in the different distribution of surface charge density to cross-sectional area of each single cell of a population.     

Determination of the electrophoretic mobility of bacteria and their separation by capillary zone electrophoresis

Conditions for the determination of electrophoretic mobilities of bacteria by capillary electrophoresis (CE) were explored. Most precise values are obtained using fused silica capillaries of 1–3 m length (0.25 mm inner diameter), a background buffer with an ionic strength of 0.0015 mol/L and a pH value of 7–10 at a field strength of 120 V/cm. Capillary electrophoretic separation of three different bacteria populations on the basis of their mobility differences could be realized. Electrophoretic band widths of all bacteria populations investigated are relatively large compared to molecule bands. It finds its explanation in the different distribution of surface charge density to cross-sectional area of each single cell of a population. Received: 30 January 1997 / Revised: 15 May 1997 / Accepted: 22 May 1997