Neutron activation analysis of asbestos from Canada

Concentrations of Al, Au, Br, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sb, Sc, Sm, Srm and V were determined in 6 samples of asbestos from Canada. They were equal to (in ppm): Al 1660–3430; Au 0.03–0.04; Br 3.1–11.7; Ce 1.7–4.8; Cl 116–331; Co 35–83; Cr 200–2060; Fe 29300–42200; K 125–867; La 0.28–1.03; Mg 24–25.9%; Mn 418–545; Na 364–1610; Sb 0.65–1.46; Sc 3.73–5.57; Sm 0.09–0.3; Sr 26.7–41.4; V 8.4–14.3. Five toxic elements were found in asbestos; Cr, Mn, Ni, Sb and V.     

Multielement measurements in Mexican cigarette tobacco

The concentration of 21 elements in cigarette tobacco in nine different brands manufactured and commercially available in Mexico has been determined using neutron activation analysis. The concentration range of the measured elements (in g g^–1) were: As, (four brands) <0.55–3.24; Ba, 64–251; Br, (four brands) 49–136; Ce, <0.3–1.7; Co, 0.29–0.55; Cr, <0.8–2.4; Cs, 0.091–0.40; Eu, <0.03; Fe, 420–680; Hf, <0.03–0.13; K, (four brands) 18300–40300; La, (four brands) <0.2–0.66; Na, (four brands) 309–566; Rb, 19–50; Sb, <0.7; Sc, 0.13–0.22; Se, <0.7; Sm, (four brands) 0.07–0.14; Sr, 227–472; Th, <0.1–0.17 and Zn, 14–56. The results are compared with the literature values for the concentration of the above elements in cigarette tobacco from other countries.     

Synthesis,electrochemical and magnetic properties of new macrocyclic copper(II) complexes derived from 2,6-diacetyl-4-4-methylphenol

A series of binuclear macrocyclic copper(II) complexes [Cu2Lm,n](ClO4)2·xH2O have been prepared in which the two copper(II) ions are placed in two geometrically distinct co-ordination environments. The macrocycles with two 2,6-bis(iminomethyl)-4-methylphenol entities combined through two different lateral chains, –(–CH2–)–m and –(–CH2–)–n (m = 2 or 3, n = 2 to 5) were synthesized by stepwise cyclization. Cyclic voltammetry shows the presence of two reduction couples: CuIICuII CuICuII and CuIICuI CuICuI. The comproportionation constants, Kcom, for the mixed valence CuICuII complexes have been determined electrochemically. The Kcom value increases in the order of the macrocycles: (L2,2)^2–<(L2,3)^2–<(L2,4)^2–<(L2,5)^2– and (L3,3)^2–<(L3,4)^2–<(L3,5)^2–. Cryomagnetic investigations (80–300K) reveal a moderately strong antiferromagnetic spin exchange between the copper(II) ions within each complex (J = –210 to –390 cm–1).     

Concentration of Cr,Fe, Co and Zn in some Nigerian food grains

Elemental analysis of some Nigerian grains for cobalt, zinc, iron, and chromium, was done by thermal NAA. The concentration of these essential trace elements were found as follows: rice /0.18–0.98 ppm Cr, 27–307 ppm Fe, 0.133–0.237 ppm Co, 12.4–17.8 ppm Zn/; soyabean /0.32–0.59 ppm Cr, 67–81 ppm Fe, 0.244–0.358 ppm Co, 42–45 ppm Zn/; maize /0.05–0.75 ppm Cr, 22.7–47.6 ppm Fe, 0.20–0.65 ppm Co, 15.8–33.4 ppm Zn/; ground-nut /0.22–2.02 ppm Cr, 27.2–34.8 ppm Fe, 0.08–1.73 ppm Co, 24.3–38.2 ppm Zn/. No pattern was established for the elemental concentration in the grain samples. The result obtained suggest that an average diet of these grains will provide an adequate concentration of these essential elements.     

Radioisotope excited EDXRF analysis of sediment core samples from the southern part of the Black Sea +

In all 43 sediment samples were collected as gravity cores in depthfrom 70 to 150 cm, from the 20 sampling sites of the continental slope ofthe southern part of the Black Sea, during 1978. The samples were quantitativelyanalyzed by radioisotope excited energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry(EDXRF) using fundamental parameter technique (FTP). The investigated sedimentsamples were the organic rich-mud components of the core samples, which wereknown as rich in metals. The metal concentration ranges were as follows: Ca(3.1–12.9%), Ti (1000–2000 µg/g), V (40–150 µg/g),Cr (30–200 µg/g), Mn (200–1500 µg/g), Ni (25–100µg/g), Cu (20–70 µg/g), Zn (20–50 µg/g), Br(15–670 µg/g), Rb (5–90 µg/g), Sr (80–700 µg/g),Y (10–20 µg/g), Mo (10–111 µg/g), Zr (20–190µg/g), Cd ( <1–5 µg/g), Sb ( <1–5 µg/g),I (10–430 µg/g), Ba (100–1650 µg/g), La (5–18µg/g), Ce (12–38 µg/g) and Nd (6–17 µg/g). Thesediment cores systematically collected in 1978 by Mineral Research and ExplorationInstitute of Turkey (MTA) are the oldest available sediment samples from theTurkish coastline of the Black Sea. Therefore, the results may be used asreferences for monitoring possible future metal pollution.     

Polarographic and voltammetric determination of trace amounts of 2-nitronaphthalene

The polarographic behaviour of 2-nitronaphthalene was investigated by DC tast polarography (DCTP) and differential pulse polarography (DPP), both at a dropping mercury electrode, and differential pulse voltammetry and adsorptive stripping voltammetry, both at a hanging mercury drop electrode. Optimum conditions have been found for the determination of 2-nitronaphthalene by the given methods in the concentration ranges of 2×10^–6–1×10^–4, 2×10^–7–1×10^–4, 1×10^–8–1×10^–4 and 2×10^–9–1×10^–8 M, respectively. Practical applicability of these techniques was demonstrated by the determination of 2-nitronaphthalene in drinking and river water after its preliminary separation and preconcentration using liquid–liquid and solid-phase extraction with limits of determination of 3×10^–10 M (drinking water) and 3×10^–9 M (river water).     

Hochschmelzende Systeme mit Hafniumkarbid und -nitrid

Zusammenfassung Auf Grund röntgenographischer Untersuchungen bilden die Systeme: HfN–TiN, –ZrN, –TiC, –ZrC, –HfC, –NbC, –TaC sowie HfC–TiN, –ZrN, –NbN lückenlose Mischreihen. VN und TaN lösen sich in großen mengen in HfN. Ebenso nimmt HfC sehr viel TaN in fester Lösung auf. Die homogenen Bereiche von ZrC_1–x und HfC_1–x werden ermittelt.Mit 7 Abbildungen     

Researches on 2, 1, 3-thia- and selenadiazole

4-Hydroxy-, 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-, 4-hydroxy-7-methylbenzo-2,1,3-thiadiazoles are polymorphous.4-Hydroxybenzo-2,1,3-thiadiazole (I), 4-hydroxy-5-methyl- and 4-hydroxy-7-methylbenzo-2, 1, 3-thiadiazoles (II and III) melt at 114–115°, 110–112°, 100–102° C, respectively, after recrystallization from water [2–4], but after recrystallization from petrol ether [5] they melt at 128–129°, 124–125°, and 119–120° C [5]. In this connection we recrystallized these phenols repeatedly from petrol ether after recrystallizing them from water, and their melting points rose as expected [5]. On the other hand, the compounds with melting points 128–129°, 124–125°, 119–120° C (ex petrol ether), after repeated crystallization from water melted at 114–115°, 110–112°, 100–102° C, respectively.For Part XXXVIII see [1].     

Neutron Activation Analysis of Bottom and Fly Oil Ash Leachates

Seven samples of oil fly and bottom ashes were leached with water using a Canadian standard test method for shake extraction of solid waste. The concentrations of 20 elements in the leachates were determined by the computerized systematic instrumental absolute neutron activation analysis. The ranges of concentrations (in ppm) found for the elements in the leachates were: Al (3–526), Ba (0.5–6), Ca (100–695), Cl (13–59), Co (1–6.3), Cr (0.2–6.6), Cs (0.03–0.4), Eu (0.003–0.01), Fe (28–690), K (42–464), La (0.3–49), Mg (214–3150), Mn (1.2–20), Na (88–4050), Sb (0.04–0.4), Sc (0.003–0.07), Sr (1.2–23), U (0.07–1), V (1.2–4540) and Zn (2.3–200). These findings were compared with the maximum concentrations allowed for these elements by Canadian regulations. The concentrations of Cr and U were found to be higher than their permissible limits on 7 occasions. The purpose of this study was to determine the background levels of different elements in oil ash leachates, in order to evaluate their potential impact on underground water.     

Analysis of High-Purity Volatile Compounds

The current status of the analysis of high-purity volatile substances is considered. Two types of impurities in high-purity volatile substances were distinguished: molecularly dissolved substances and suspended particles. The main factors that restrict the limiting capabilities of analytical techniques were revealed. The attained detection limits were 10^–8–10^–10% for metal impurities, 10^–4–10^–8% for organic substances, 10^–5–10^–9% for water, and 10^–5–10^–7 for permanent gases. Suspended particles of 0.04–0.003 m in size were determined by light scattering.     

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.     

Trace element determination in seawater by ICP-SFMS coupled with a microflow nebulization/desolvation system

Direct and simultaneous determination of Al, Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sb, U, V and Zn in diluted (1:10 v:v) seawater from the Antarctic Ocean and the Venice Lagoon at the ng mL^–1 and pg mL^–1 level has been performed by using an inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometer (ICP-SFMS). Samples were analysed by using a PFA microflow nebulizer coupled with a desolvation system or a PFA microflow nebulizer coupled with a Teflon spray chamber, respectively. Measurements were carried out at low (LR, m/m=300), medium (MR, m/m=3,000) and high (HR, m/m=7,500) resolutions depending on the studied isotope. To avoid contamination, sample pre-treatment was carried out in a clean laboratory equipped with a Class 100 vertical laminar flow hood. Concentration ranges (minimum–maximum in ng mL^–1) found in the Antarctic seawater samples (in depth profiles) were: Ag 0.0004–0.0018, As 0.69–1.32, Cd 0.031–0.096, Co 0.018–0.065, Cr 0.18–0.46, Cu 0.04–1.58, Fe 0.13–1.63, Mn 0.02–0.12, Mo 5.97–12.46, Pb 0.007–0.074, Sb 0.033–0.088, U 0.5–1.9, V 0.6–2.5 and Zn 0.16–0.80. Concentration ranges (min–max in ng mL^–1) found in the Venice Lagoon water samples (temporal profile from a benthic chamber experiment) were: Al 0.24–0.61, Ag 0.007–0.031, As 1.42–2.27, Cd 0.050–0.182, Co 0.440–1.461, Cr 0.15–0.34, Cu 0.81–2.46, Fe 0.25–1.66, Mn 11.6–31.7, Mo 6.50–10.6, Pb 0.047–0.225, Sb 0.240–0.492, U 1.7–3.3, V 1.3–2.8 and Zn 5.20–21.5. The detection limits range between 0.06 pg mL^–1 for Ag and U to 15 pg mL^–1 for Fe. In order to check the accuracy of the analytical procedure, measurements of the trace elements in a certified reference material (coastal Atlantic seawater, CASS-4-NRCC) were compared with the certified values. In addition, the results from the Antarctic and Venice Lagoon samples were compared with those obtained by using different analytical techniques.     

Voltammetric Determination of Sulfide Ions

Procedures were proposed for the voltammetric determination of S^2– at a mercury-film electrode. They are based on the oxidation of S^2– at –0.79 to –0.80 V and on the reduction of HgS, the product of the oxidation of S^2–, at –0.76 to –0.96 V in a 1 M NaOH solution. The anodic and cathodic currents are linear functions of S^2– concentration in the ranges from 1 × 10^–5 to 1 × 10^–4 M and from 2 × 10^–6 to 1 × 10^–4 M, respectively.     

Effect of using mixed ion-pairs on PVC-membrane electrodes for ephedrine

Mixed ion-pairs based on the use of ephedrinium (EPH)-TPB plus EPH-reineckate (II) and phenylephrine-TPB plus EPH-reineckate (III) were tried for use in plastic membranes. The results were compared to those of an EPH-reineckate (I) single ion-pair electrode. The Nernstian slopes were 50, 49 and 55 mV decade^–1 for membranes I, II and III, respectively. The linear concentration ranges were 10^–5–10^–1, 4.0 × 10^–5–10^–1 and 6.3 ×^–5–10^–1 M ephedrine. The detection limits were 4 ×^–6,10^–5 and 1.2 × 10^–5 M ephedrine for membranes I, II and III, respectively. The pH ranges were 4–9, 3–9 and 2–8 for I, II and III-membranes, respectively. Selectivity coefficient values for membrane II were better than those for membranes I and III. The effects of increasing KC1 concentration and temperature changes were explained for the three electrodes. The isothermal temperature coefficients were 0.00145, 0.0007 and 0.00055 V/ °C for electrodes I, II and III. Electrode III was applied for the determination of ephedrine in its pharmeaceutical preparations with an overall relative standard deviation range of 1.3–2.4% and an overall mean recovery value of 98.1%.     

Oxomolybdenum(VI) and (V) complexes with 6–methyl-4–hydroxypyrimidinyl hydrazones

Dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes [MoO2(L)H2O] and oxomolybdenum(V) complexes [Mo2O3(LH)2Cl2] (where LH2=hydrazones derived from 6–methyl-4–hydroxy-2–hydrazinopyrimidine with salicylaldehyde, 5–methyl-, 5–chloro-, 5–bromo-, 3–methoxy-salilcylaldehyde, or 2–hydroxy-1–naphthaldehyde) have been prepared and characterised by spectroscopic and physico-chemical methods. The MoVI complexes are diamagnetic octahedral structures, whilst the MoV complexes are paramagnetic and probably dimeric, via oxobridging.     

Lithium complexes and the kinetics of interactions of zinc ions with tetra(N-methyl-4–pyridyl)porphyrins in basic solution

The acidity of the free base (H2–P(X)) forms of the tetra- (N-methyl-4–(3 or 2)pyridyl)porphyrins were studied in basic solutions at 25 C, I=0.50. Equilibrium constants for both the H2– P(X)=P(X)2–+2H+ and the Li++ P(X)2–=Li- P(X)– reactions are reported. Log (KS) values for the Mn++P(4)2–=M- P(4)(n–2) reactions are 2.6 for Li+, 17.6 for Cd2+, 17.8 for Pb2+, 19.6 for (OH)2Hg, 25.9 for Zn2+ and 19.6 for the formation of Hg2–P(4)2+. Zn(OH)3– shows similar kinetic reactivity with both H2–P(4) and P(4)2– to form Zn- P(4) and HO-Zn- P(4)–,whileZn(OH)42– is unreactive with either species. For Zn2+, Zn(OH)+ and Zn(OH)3– with H2–P(4) the relative kinetic order for this tetrapositive macrocycle was ca. 1:300:20,000, while the trend Zn(OH)+>Zn2+>Zn(OH)3– is the usual pattern for peripherally negatively charged porphyrins.     

Determination of 19 elements in mineral waters by coprecipitation with PbS and by neutron activation analysis

Concentrations of Ag, Al, Ba, Br, Cl, Cu, I, In, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Sb, Sn, Sr, U, V and Zn were determined in 34 samples of mineral waters from Canada and from 9 other countries. The concentrations of elements which were frequently determined ranged (in ppb): Ag 0.1–6, Al 3–173, Cu 2–137, La 0.04–10, Mg 9–1140, Mn 0.1–99, Sb 1–50, V 0.01–2.6 and Zn 3–613.     

Effect of preparation pH on pore structure of silica gels

Surface characterization of silica gels prepared at different gelation pH from water glass and sulphuric acid were made by argon adsorption at 77 K using continuous volumetric method. While microporous silica gels prepared in the pH range of 1–3 had BET surface areas of 504–571 m² g^–1, total pore volumes of 0.26–0.31 cm³ g^–1 and micropore volumes of 0.16–0.23 cm³ g^–1, mesoporous silica gels prepared in the pH range of 3.36–0.65 had BET surface areas of 374–530 m² g^–1 and pore volumes of 0.61–0.79 cm³ g^–1.     

A study of the chemiluminescence behavior of myoglobin with luminol and its analytical applications

A chemiluminescence signal at 425 nm was observed when ferric state myoglobin was mixed with luminol in alkaline medium. Because the signal was remarkably enhanced in the presence of Fe(CN)₆ ^4–, analytical applications were investigated in a flow-injection system. The increase in chemiluminescence was linearly dependent on myoglobin concentration in the range 0.1 to 100 nmol L^–1, and the limit of detection was 0.04 nmol L^–1 with relative standard deviation 3.2% (3). It was also found that binding of Mb with the ligands CN^–, SCN^–, and F^– significantly inhibited the chemiluminescence reaction. The linear dynamic ranges for the ligands were 1.0–300.0, 0.1–3.0, and 0.5–100.0 nmol L^–1, and the limits of detection (S/N=3) 0.4, 0.04, and 0.2 nmol L^–1, for F^–, CN^–, and SCN^–, respectively. The relative standard deviations were 5.32%, 6.13%, and 3.38% for 0.1 nmol L^–1 CN^–, 0.5 nmol L^–1 SCN^–, and 1.0 nmol L^–1 F^–, respectively. At a flow rate of 2.0 mL min^–1 the assay could be accomplished in 1 min, including sampling and washing. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of myoglobin in human urine and F^– in water samples. A possible mechanism of chemiluminescence production by myoglobin and luminol is presented.     

Potential-Dependent Adsorption of Transferring Ions Having Asymmetric Charge Distribution at the 1,2-Dichloroethane|Water Interface and Its Ion-Transfer Kinetics Studied by AC-modulated Voltfluorometry

The kinetics of the transfer of Erythrosine B dianions (EB^2–) and Eosin Y dianions (EY^2–) across the 1,2-dichloroethane|water interface, studied using ac-modulated voltfluorometry, is compared with that of Rose Bengal dianions (RB^2–). All three exhibit anomalous phase angles, showing the transient adsorption of these ions at the interface. The apparent standard rate constants are 9.0 × 10^–3 and 1.3 × 10^–2 cm s^–1 for EY^2– and EB^2– at 25° (cp. 1.4 × 10^–2 cm s^–1 for RB^2–). The slight decrease in the rate in the order RB^2–, EB^2–, and EY^2– may be associated with the increasing polarity of the ions, which endows the ions with a stronger interaction with water, resulting in the slower rotational dynamics of the ions on crossing the interface.