Determination of trace elements in seawater by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with and without a preconcentration step

The determination of the trace metals Cd, Pb and Cu in seawater by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETA-AAS) has been investigated. A combination of the platform with mixed palladium nitrate-magnesium nitrate as matrix modifier and Zeeman background correction allows Cd an Pb to be determined by aqueous standard calibration in appropriately diluted seawater samples. Copper can be determined in undiluted seawater samples without chemical modification using a standard additions method. Detection limits (3) of 2.97,5.27 and 1.1 gl^–1 are obtained for Cd, Pb and Cu respectively. A Kelex-100 impregnated silica C18 material (Kelex 100-C18) has been tried and has proved to be effective as a column packing for extraction/preconcentration of these metals from seawater. Using the column extraction method, the sensitivity of the graphite furnace technique is enhanced 50-fold using a 10 l injection volume. Thus, the determination of the studied three metals in seawater at the ng.l^–1 level could be achieved.     

Comparative study of magnesium nitrate,palladium nitrate and reduced palladium for the direct determination of mercury in sea water by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry

A comparative study of different chemical modifiers in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for the direct determination of mercury in sea water samples, in synthetic sea water sample of high (72.8%) and low 34.2%) salinity and in aqueous solutions, was carried out. The use of reduced palladium produces better results. The mixture of palladium nitrate and ascorbic acid, gives the best limit of detection (1.9 gl^–1). The use of reduced palladium and magnesium nitrate produced excellent recoveries (close to 100%) in the whole salinity range for all mercury concentration tested. The use of palladium nitrate alone or combined with magnesium nitrate gave good recoveries with respect to a real sea water sample for low salinities. The interference from the major components of sea water were completely removed by using reduced palladium and magnesium nitrate modifiers. Thus, a single calibration curve with synthetic sea water may be applied to the analysis of sea water samples of widely differing salinities.     

Simultaneous determination of neodymium and erbium in rare earth mixture with 5,7-dibromo-8-hydroxyquinoline and TX-100 by third-derivative spectrophotometry

The absorption spectra of 4f electron transitions of the complexes of neodymium and erbium with 5,7-dibromo-8-hydroxyquinoline in the presence of octylphenol poly(ethyleneglycol)ether have been studied by normal and third-derivative spectrophotometry. The proposed method is free of interference of other rare earths. The calibration graphs were linear up to 18 g/ml of neodymium and 21 g/ml of erbium (in the final solution). The derivative molar absorptivities are 395 l.mol^–1.cm^–1 for neodymium and 3421.mol^–1.cm^–1 for erbium. The corresponding values of Sandell's sensitivity were 0.36 and 0.49 g.cm^–1, respectively. The relative standard deviations evaluated from ten independent determinations of 2.5 g/ml of neodymium and erbium are 1.5 and 3.8% for neodymium and 1.8 and 4.1% for erbium in absence and presence of 70 g of lanthanum, respectively. The detection limits (signal to noise ratio=2) are 0.23 g/ml for neodymium and 0.30 g/ml for erbium. The method has been used for the determination of neodymium and erbium in mixed rare earths with satisfactory results.     

Comparison of different chemical modifiers for the direct determination of arsenic in sea water by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A comparative study of different chemical modifiers for the direct determination of arsenic in real and in synthetic sea water samples of high (72.8) and low (34.2) salinity was carried out. The use of lanthanum chloride and magnesium nitrate (LOD=3.0 gl^-1) offers good recoveries for low salinities, while for high salinities an enhancement higher than 200% was obtained, rendering this method unsuitable for sea water samples. The use of silver nitrate (LOD=2.0 gl^-1) produces unfavourable analytical recoveries, around 150 and 300% for synthetic sea water of low and high salinity. Zirconium oxychloride (LOD=1.8 gl^-1) and palladium nitrate alone or combined with magnesium nitrate and reducing agents (LOD=1.1–1.3 gl^-1) produce analytical recoveries close to 100% for all arsenic concentration tried over all salinities; thus, a single calibration curve using aqueous standard solutions may be applied to the analysis of sea water samples over all salinities. Finally, the addition of reducing agents and magnesium nitrate to palladium does not improve the sensitivity.     

Reaction of the Hexa-1,3,5-triyne Me3SiC≡CC≡CC≡CSiMe3 with Ru4(CO)13(μ 3-PPh): Parallels with the Chemistry of Alkynes and Diynes

Reaction of Ru₄(CO)₁₃(₃-PPh) (1) with the 1,3,5-hexatriyne Me₃SiCCCCC CSiMe₃ under mild thermal conditions affords initially Ru₄(CO)₁₀(-CO)₂{₄-¹,¹,²-P(Ph)C(CCSiMe₃)C(CCSiMe₃) (2), via the facile formation of a P–C bond in a manner similar to that demonstrated previously with alkynes and diynes. The 62-CVE cluster 2 readily decarbonylates to give crystallographically characterised Ru₄(CO)₁₀(-CO)(₄-PPh){₄-¹,¹,²,²-Me₃SiCCC₂CCSiMe₃} (3). Attempts to further incorporate the pendant alkyne moieties in 3 into the Ru₄ coordination environment were partially successful with Ru₄(CO)₁₀(₄-PPh)(₄-¹,¹,³,³-RC₄R') (4, R/R'=SiMe₃/CCSiMe₃) being formed as a minor product together with the unusual toluene coordinated species Ru₄(CO)₇(⁶-C₆H₅Me)(₄-PPh)(₄-¹,¹,³,³-Me₃SiC₄CCSiMe₄) (5). Cluster 3 reacts with an excess of Me₃SiCCCCCCSiMe₃ to give the open chain cluster Ru₄(CO)₉(₃-PPh){₄-²,²,⁴,⁴,-C₄(CCSiMe₃)(SiMe₃)C₄(CCSiMe₃)₃} (6).     

Electrochemical and Photochemical Conversion of [Ru3Ir(μ 3-H)(CO)13] into [Ru3Ir(μ-H)3(CO)12]

Electrochemical and photochemical properties of the tetrahedral cluster [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₃] were studied in order to prove whether the previously established thermal conversion of this cluster into the hydrogenated derivative [Ru₃Ir(-H)₃(CO)₁₂] also occurs by means of redox or photochemical activation. Two-electron reduction of [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₃] results in the loss of CO and concomitant formation of the dianion [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₂]^2–. The latter reduction product is stable in CH₂Cl₂ at low temperatures but becomes partly protonated above 283K into the anion [Ru₃Ir(-H)₂(CO)₁₂]^– by traces of water. The dianion [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₂]^2– is also the product of the electrochemical reduction of [Ru₃Ir(-H)₃(CO)₁₂] accompanied by the loss of H₂. Stepwise deprotonation of [Ru₃Ir(-H)₃(CO)₁₂] with Et₄NOH yields [Ru₃Ir(-H)₂(CO)₁₂]^– and [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₂]^2–. Reverse protonation of the anionic clusters can be achieved, e.g., with trifluoromethylsulfonic acid. Thus, the electrochemical conversion of [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₃] into [Ru₃Ir(-H)₃(CO)₁₂] is feasible, demanding separate two-electron reduction and protonation steps. Irradiation into the visible absorption band of [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₃] in hexane does not induce any significant photochemical conversion. Irradiation of this cluster in the presence of CO with _irr>340nm, however, triggers its efficient photofragmentation into reactive unsaturated ruthenium and iridium carbonyl fragments. These fragments are either stabilised by dissolved CO or undergo reclusterification to give homonuclear clusters. Most importantly, in H₂-saturated hexane, [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₃] converts selectively into the [Ru₃Ir(-H)₃(CO)₁₂] photoproduct. This conversion is particularly efficient at _irr >340nm.     

Stripping voltammetric determination of trace amounts of mercury using a carbon paste electrode modified with 2-mercapto-4(3H)-quinazolinone

A carbon paste electrode modified with 2-mercapto-4(3H)-quinazolinone was used for the voltammetric determination of mercury(II). Mercury was preconcentrated onto the surface of the modified electrode only by the complexing effect of the modifier without application of potential (i.e. in open-circuit conditions). After exchange of the medium, the accumulated amount of mercury(II) was determined by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The response depended on the concentration of mercury in the bulk solution, preconcentration time, and other parameters. The detection limit was 0.1 g 1^–1 Hg(II) for a preconcentration time of 15 min. Preconcentration for suitable times yielded a linear calibration graph from 0.5 to 6000 g 1^–1 Hg(II). For multiple determinations (5 runs), the relative standard deviation was 5% for a concentration of 100 g 1^–1 Hg(II). The proposed procedure was used to determine trace mercury in plant and sewage sludge samples with good results.On leave from Hainan University, Hainan Peoples Republic of China     

Determination of cadmium in slurries of marine sediment samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using palladium and phosphate as chemical modifiers

A method for the determination of cadmium in slurries of marine sediment using palladium and phosphate as chemical modifier has been optimized. To stabilize the marine sediment slurry, Triton X-100 at 0.1% was used. To obtain a complete pyrolysis of the slurry sample two mineralization steps were used, the first at 480 °C and the second at 600 °C and 700 °C for phosphate and palladium, respectively. The precision and accuracy of the method have been studied by analyzing the Reference Material PACS-1 (marine sediment) of National Research Council Canada. The detection limits (LOD) were 11.9 g kg^–1 for phosphate and 42.0 g kg^–1 when palladium was used. These methods have been applied to the determination of cadmium in marine sediment samples from the Galicia coast and the results of both methods were compared; no significant differences were found between the two procedures.     

14N, 17O, 103Rh NMR Studies of Rh(III) State in Diluted Nitric Acid Solutions

The state of rhodium(III) in nitric acid solutions diluted with 3M HNO₃ or water was studied by ¹⁴N, ¹⁷O, and ¹⁰³Rh NMR methods. The ¹⁰³Rh NMR chemical shifts significantly depend on the ionic background of the solution. Concentrated nitric acid solutions (c _Rh = 0.5–1 mol/l) diluted 100 to 200 times retain the polynuclear Rh(III) forms with double (-NO₃, -OH) bridges. The predominant form in the diluted solutions is a dimer.     

Use of Silica Gel Chemically Modified with Mercapto Groups for the Extraction, Preconcentration, and Spectroscopic Determination of Palladium

Silica gel chemically modified with mercaptopropyl groups is proposed for the extraction and preconcentration of palladium. This silica gel extracts palladium(II) at an acidity from 6M HCl to pH 4 with distribution ratios at a level of n× 10⁴ g/cm³. Hyphenated procedures for the adsorption–photometric determination of palladium with detection limits of 0.1 g/0.1 g of the adsorbent have been developed. The procedure includes the adsorption preconcentration of palladium, elution by hot (50 ± 5°C) 8% thiourea in 1M HCl, and atomic absorption determination of palladium in the eluate (detection limit is 0.05 g/mL). The procedures were applied to the determination of palladium in standard reference samples of copper–nickel ore and copper concentrate.     

A new platinum-osmium alkyne complex from the reaction of Pt2Os4(CO)18 with PhC ≡ CPh: The synthesis,characterization, and crystal structure of Pt2Os4(CO)8 (μ3-PhC2Ph)3(μ4-PhC2Ph)

The new platinum-osmium alkyne cluster complex Pt₂Os₄(CO)₈(₃-PhC₂Ph)₃ ( ₄-PhC₂Ph),2, was obtained from the reaction of Pt₂Os₄(CO)₁₈,1b, with PhC₂Ph and was characterized by IR.¹H NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The cluster of compound2 consists of an osmium capped Pt₂Os₃ square pyramid. It aLso contains three triply bridging and one quadruply bridging diphenylacetylene ligands. Crystal data for2: space group PI,a = 12.530(2) Å,b = 21.565(4) Å,c = 11.284(2) Å, = 100.31(2), = 111.89(1), = 76.78(2),Z = 2, 3879 reflections,R = 0.032.     

Separation of linear gramicidins using carbon dioxide-containing mobile phases

Packed-column supercritical-fluid chromatography (pSFC) is presented as a novel method for separating and analyzing gramicidin samples. By use of methanol-modified carbon dioxide as a mobile phase the pentadecapeptides gramicidin A (gA), gramicidin B (gB), and gramicidin C (gC) are readily separated and eluted from a PRP-1 poly(styrene–divinylbenzene) column. Although optimum separation conditions are typically achieved near a column temperature of 40°C, a column pressure of 11 MPa, and 30% methanol modifier, pressure and modifier gradients around these values are also found to improve the overall separation time. Measurements indicate that the mobile phase solubility of gramicidin under these conditions is 5.0±0.4 g mL^–1. Collection of individual peaks during chromatography achieved analytical-scale isolation of 2 g refined gC from 20 g injected gramicidin D. Further, supercritical-fluid extraction of 200 g gramicidin D from a Chromosorb 102 support packed into the vessel produced 57 g gA in 90% purity. The results establish that carbon dioxide-based mobile phases can be successfully used for the separation of individual gramicidin species.     

Reactions of dodecacarbonyltriruthenium with α,β-unsaturated ketones. Crystal and molecular structures of two reaction products

The thermal reactions of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with RCOCH=CHPh (R=Me, p-MeC₆H₄) in hydrocarbon solvents lead to the formation of a series of complexes, several of which have been isolated as individual compounds by chromatography. The dinuclear complex Ru₂(-H)(CO)₆(-MeCOCH=CPh) and the tetranuclear complex Ru₄(-H)(-CO)(CO)₇(p-MeC ₆H₄ COCH=CPh)(-p-MeC₆H₄COCH=CPh)(₄-p-MeC₆H₃COCH=CHPh) are characterized by an X-ray structural study. The structures of other reaction products are discussed on the basis of spectral data. The reactions are accompanied by reduction of the starting enones to the corresponding unsaturated ketones.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1285–1293, July, 1993.     

Redox Properties of Trinuclear Osmium Carbonylhydride Clusters with Unsaturated Ligands

Schemes of redox transformations were proposed for osmium carbonylhydride clusters: trinuclear (-H)Os₃(-CR = CHR')(CO)_{1 0} (R = R' = H, Ph; R = H, R' = Ph), (-H)₂Os₃(₃-L)(CO)₉ (L = C = CHPh, CHCPh), tetranuclear CpMnOs₃ (-CH = CHPh)(-H)(-CO)(CO)_{1 1}, and trinuclear Os₃(₃-C = CHPh)(CO)₉. Two-electron reduction of the trinuclear clusters results in elimination of the unsaturated ligand with preservation of the metal framework.     

A simple separation of bismuth radionuclides in a carrier-free form from lead thick targets

A simple preparation of radionuclides of bismuth from lead thick targets bombarded by deuterons or protons consists in precipitation of solid lead nitrate in nitric acid /a minimum radiobismuth yield 98%/, coprecipitation of bismuth with lanthanum hydroxide and chromatographic isolation of carrier-free bismuth on a cation exchanger. The total yield of radiobismuth separation was not less than 85%. On bombardment with 20 MeV deuterons the yield is 20 Ci²⁰⁵Bi/Ah and 200 Ci²⁰⁶Bi/Ah. Mass distribution coefficients for bismuth were determined on the cation exchanger OSTION LG KS 0803 in dependence on the concentration of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid.     

Photometric determination of palladium with chrome azurol S

Summary Chrome Azurol S permits a simple colorimetric determination of palladium with a sensitivity of 0.4g/cm² (practical) or 0.04g/cm² (Sandell), respectively. Conditions and interferences are described in detail.

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Zusammenfassung Palladium läßt sich mit Hilfe von Chromazurol S auf einfache Weise kolorimetrisch bestimmen. Die praktische Empfindlichkeit der Methode beträgt 0,4g/cm² bzw. 0,04g/cm² nachSandell. Die Arbeitsbedingungen und die durch Fremdionen verursachten Störungen werden angegeben.

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Résumé Le chromazurol S permet un dosage colorimétrique simple du palladium, avec une sensibilité de 0,4g/cm² (en pratique) ou 0,04g/cm² (Sandell) respectivement. On décrit en détail les conditions opératoires et les interférences.

     

Evaluation of blood lead levels in Danes for the period 1976–1987

Summary Blood lead was measured in 504 men and 548 women in 1976 living in the Glostrup area, Denmark. The subjects were first seen in 1976 at age 40, and in 1981, 5 years later as 45 years old. 451 men and 410 women were reexamined. Finally 151 men, at age 51 were included in this study. The median blood lead levels averaged 130 and 90 g/ l in 1976 and 90 and 60 g/l in 1981 in male and female, respectively. In 1987 the median blood lead level of the male subjects was 71 g/l.By use of quality control samples, long term storage control and statistical methods a decrease in the median blood lead level of 45% was estimated for the male subjects for the period 1976–1987, probably due to a parallel decline in atmospheric lead pollution and decrease of occupational lead exposure.

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Auswertung des Bleiblutspiegels von Dänen für die Zeit 1976–1987

     

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.     

Determination of traces of silver in human scalp hair slurries by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and rapid method for the determination of traces of silver in human hair by slurry sampling and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was optimized. Hair pulverization and the particle size reduction were achieved using a vibrational zirconia mill ball for 20 min. Palladium nitrate, magnesium nitrate and palladium-magnesium nitrate were investigated as chemical modifiers to thermally stabilize silver. Glycerol was used as wetting agent to stabilize the hair slurries. A limit of detection of 21.6 g kg^–1 was obtained for the use of palladium nitrate as best chemical modifier. The repeatibility of the overall procedure (slurry preparation and atomic absorption spectrometric determination) corresponding to eleven measurements was 14.3%. Matrix effect was significant and so, the standard addition method was used to determine silver in hair samples from healthy people. The levels found varied between 0.10 and 1.62 mg kg^–1.     

Simultaneous determination of copper,mercury and lead by first-order derivative spectrophotometry using dithizone as reagent

A first-order derivative spectrophotometric method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of copper, mercury and lead at g/L levels using dithizone as reagent. The procedure involves the simultaneous extraction of these elements by dithizone in chloroform from weakly alkaline solutions. Linear calibration curves were obtained in the ranges 0.5–10 (Cu), 1–10 (Hg) and 1–10 (Pb) g present in 40 ml of aqueous phase with detection limits of 5 g/L (Cu) and 20 g/L (Hg and Pb). The R.S.D.s for 100 g/L of copper, mercury and lead were 2.5, 2.6 and 3.1% respectively, for 5 determinations. The method is applicable for the determination of copper and lead in marine sediment samples with good precision and accuracy.