A new procedure for the speciation of mercury in water based on the transformation of mercury (II) and methylmercury (II) into stable acetylides followed by HPLC analysis

Conversion of mercury(II) and methylmercury(II) species dissolved in water into di(phenylethynyl)mercury and methyl(phenylethynyl) mercury takes place in satisfactory yield under alkaline conditions by stirring the aqueous solution with phenylacetylene at room temperature. Mercury speciation is simply obtained by HPLC analysis of the two organometallic species. The presence of heavy metals such as copper(II), zinc(II), cadmium(II) and lead(II) in concentrations 10000 times higher than mercury is tolerated, while little interference is displayed by humic acids and cysteine. Seawater samples can also be analysed following a properly adapted procedure.     

Mercury species immobilized on sulphydryl cotton: A new candidate reference material for mercury speciation

A batch of sulphydryl cotton microcolumns was prepared and charged with a mixed Hg standard solution (methyl-, ethyl- and inorganic Hg, 10 g l^–1 as Hg, 3 ml) and stored at 4 °C in a light-tight box. At regular time intervals over a 4 month period microcolumns were removed and Hg species were quantified by gas chromatography microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry (after elution, extraction and derivatization steps). It was found that analyte recoveries for methyl- and inorganic Hg were quantitative over the 4 month period while ethyl-Hg species appeared to be stable for up to 2 months.     

地球化学模拟在高放废物地质处置中的应用与发展

随着核能事业的发展,高放废物的处理和处置问题日益突出.其中,研究高放废物在环境介质中的吸附、扩散和迁移行为是获取放射性核素对周围环境和人群健康影响的基础参数的最重要和最直接的途径.近年来,人们利用已有的实验数据及核素的基础热力学和动力学数据,附以相应的数学模型,建立了一些地球化学模拟软件,用于分析核素在地质介质中可能发生的连续性和长期性变化.目前,国内外常用的地球化学模拟软件有十多种.本文从热力学平衡计算原理、种态分布计算方法和表面配位模型假设等几个方面对地球化学模拟软件进行了简要介绍,对近年来地球化学模拟软件在核素种态分布计算和表面配位模型模拟两方面的应用进行了举例分析,并以Ca-U-CO3配合物为例,说明完备的热力学数据对地球化学模拟软件发展的重要性,以期促进我国地球化学模型的应用和发展.     

The use of Nafion-coated thin mercury film electrodes for the determination of the dissolved copper speciation in estuarine water

Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) using a Nafion-coated thin mercury film electrode (NCTMFE) was implemented to determine the dissolved copper speciation in saline estuarine waters containing high concentrations of dissolved organic matter (DOM). The study used model ligands and estuarine water from San Francisco Bay, California, USA to demonstrate that the NCTMFE is more effective at distinguishing between electrochemically inert and labile copper species when compared to the conventional thin mercury film electrode (TMFE). Copper titration results verify that the NCTMFE better deals with high concentrations of DOM by creating a size-exclusion barrier that prevents DOM from interacting with the mercury electrode when performing copper speciation measurements. Pseudovoltammograms were used to illustrate that copper complexes found in natural waters were more apt to be electrochemically inert at the NCTMFE relative to the TMFE when subjected to high negative overpotentials. Copper speciation results using the NCTMFE from samples collected in San Francisco Bay estimated that >99.9% of all copper was bound to strong copper-binding ligands. These L₁-class ligands exceeded the concentration of total dissolved copper in all samples tested and control the equilibrium of ambient [Cu²⁺] in the San Francisco Bay estuary.     

A new specific polymeric material for mercury speciation: Application to environmental and food samples

A new polymeric material (Patent: P201400535) highly specific for mercury is presented. Its great capability to pre-concentrate and selectively elute inorganic mercury and methylmercury are the main figures of merit. The polymer can be reused several times. To our knowledge, this is the only polymer proposed in the literature for direct inorganic mercury and methylmercury speciation without need of chromatography or quantification by difference. The polymer formation is based on the reaction of a vinyl derivative of 8-hydroxiquinoline as monomer, and 2-(Methacryloylamino) ethyl 2-Methyl Acrylate (NOBE) as co-monomer. Random radical polymerization by the precipitation method was carried out using Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator. The polymer was characterized by SEM and FTIR. Adsorption binding isotherms were evaluated using Langmuir and Freundlich models, showing high adsorption capacity for both inorganic and organic mercury species. The polymer was employed to sequentially determine inorganic mercury and methylmercury, using a solid phase extraction (SPE) scheme. Cross reactivity of several ions, as well as matrix effects from a high saline matrix like seawater was irrelevant as the retained fractions mostly eluted during the washing step. The procedure was first validated by analyzing a certified reference material (BCR 464) and finally applied to commercial fish samples. The speciation proposed procedure is cheap, fast, and easy to use and minimizes reagents waste.     

The solubility of CaMoO4(c) and an aqueous thermodynamic model for Ca2+-MoO 4 2 -ion-interactions

The solubility of powellite [CaMoO₄(c)] was studied in aqueous Na₂MoO₄, CaCl₂ and Ca(NO₃)₂ solutions ranging in concentrations from 1×10^–4M to 1.0M and over equilibration times extending to 36 days. Our experimental data were interpreted using the aqueous ion-interaction model of Pitzer and coworkers. The Ca²⁺–MoO ₄ ^2– ion-interactions were found to be analogous to Ca²⁺–SO ₄ ^2– . The use of Ca²⁺–MoO ₄ ^2– ion-interactions parameters (⁽⁰⁾=0.2, ⁽¹⁾ = 3.1973 and ⁽²⁾) and a logK _sp of –7.93 gave excellent predictions of all of the experimental data. Commonion ternary interaction parameters such as MoO ₄ ^2– –Cl^– or MoO ₄ ^2– –NO ₃ ^– were not required.     

Fractionation studies of mercury in soils and sediments: A review of the chemical reagents used for mercury extraction

Mercury in contaminated soils and sediments could be extracted by various chemical reagents in order to determine the different mercury species and partitions, providing useful information of toxicology, bioavailability and biogeochemical reactivity. Unfortunately, at present, neither specific extractants nor standard protocols exist for the isolation of particular mercury species. Although there has been considerable research focused on reagents for extracting mercury species, there is still little consensus. Thus, workers are advised to select the most appropriate reagent based on the nature of their sample, and to take all possible steps to validate the analyses performed. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to review the current reagents used for determining total mercury and its speciation as well as fractionation such as methylmercury, ethylmercury, elemental mercury, mercury sulphide and organically bound mercury by supposed selective (one reagent) and sequential (several reagents) extractions. The gathering information presented here bring to light the need for standard protocol for which the used chemical reagents should take into account the particular chemistry of mercury associated with specific properties of soil and sediment. Beside this required scheme, appropriate reference materials are also demanded.     

Determination of mercury in polluted soils surrounding a chlor-alkali plant: Direct speciation by X-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques and preliminary geochemical characterisation of the area

Soil samples collected in the surroundings of a chlor-alkali plant in the Netherlands were characterised by synchrotron-based techniques and conventional analytical procedures, in order to evaluate the environmental impact of Hg emissions and other heavy metals present in these locations. Analysis of total metal content by inductively coupled plasma-optical spectroscopy (ICP-OES) revealed a heterogeneous contamination of Hg, with concentrations ranging from 4.3 to 1150 μg g⁻¹. In addition, significant concentrations of Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn and principally Fe were also identified within the studied samples. Direct determination of mercury species by X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) showed inorganic Hg compounds to prevail in all soils, being Cinnabar (HgS_red) and Corderoite (Hg₃S₂Cl₂) the main species. Nevertheless, more soluble mercury compounds, such as HgO and HgSO₄, have been also identified in significant proportion (from 6 to 20% of total mercury content), indicating a potential risk of mercury mobilisation. On the other hand, the application of sequential extraction schemes (SES) revealed large portions of weakly available Hg extracted in the residual fraction, while Hg associated to the exchangeable phase amounts as much as 19% of total Hg, thus, supporting the results obtained by XANES.Finally, synchrotron-based micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) was applied to identify qualitative trends on elemental associations in sample particles through a systematic mapping of its surface. In this concern, results show a well-defined correlation between Hg and Cu/Ni in the analysed particles. On the other hand, an absence of correlation between Hg and several other elements (Fe, Ti, Ca, Zn, Mn and S) was also observed. These effects have been attributed to chemical and physical interactions of mercury species on both enriched particles and sample matrices.     

Adsorption of cobalt species on the interface, which is developed between aqueous solution and metal oxides used for the preparation of supported catalysts: a critical review

In the present review article, we present the efforts done so far for elucidating the mechanism of adsorption of the Co(II) species, mainly Co(H₂O)₆²⁺, on the interfacial region developed between metal oxide particles, used as catalytic supports, and aqueous electrolytic solutions. Specifically, we present: (i) the principal modes of deposition of the transition metal ionic species (TMIS) on the surface of oxidic supports related with the various methodologies used for the preparation of the supported catalysts; (ii) the state of the art concerning the general aspects of the adsorption mechanisms of the TMIS on the aforementioned interfacial region; and (iii) the works reported so far dealing with the adsorption of the Co(II) species on the surface of γ-Al₂O₃ (γ-alumina), -Al₂O₃ (-alumina), TiO₂ (rutile), and SiO₂ (silica).

It was concluded that the mechanism of adsorption depends on two main factors: on the Co(II) surface concentration and on the nature of the support surface. It seems that, generally, the mechanism changes progressively along the Co(II) surface concentration from the deposition of monodentate–mononuclear inner sphere complexes, weakly evidenced in too low values of the Co(II) surface concentration, to multidentate, multinuclear inner sphere surface complexes at relatively low Co(II) surface concentrations, and then into surface Co(OH)₂-like, eventually mixed precipitates, at relatively high Co(II) surface concentrations but at pH values lower than those required for bulk precipitation. In all cases, Co(II) forms surface species with Co(II) in octahedral symmetry.

However, the exact Co(II) surface concentration values, in which the abovementioned two transitions (concerning the deposited phase) take place, depends on the kind of the support. Thus, SiO₂ favors the formation of the Co(OH)₂-like precipitates even at relatively low Co(II) surface concentrations. In contrast, TiO₂ favors the formation of mononuclear or oligonuclear surface complexes. Finally, alumina, which exhibits the maximum adsorption capacity, favors the formation of highly defected Co(OH)₂-like precipitates, probably mixed Co–Al precipitates.

The exact local structure of the inner sphere Co(II) surface complexes, formed by exchanging the H₂O ligands with surface oxygens, has been already approached but only for the surface planes of the -Al₂O₃ and rutile monocrystals. This structure remains up to now rather unclear for the polycrystalline oxides used as catalytic supports.     

The modes of complexation of benzimidazole with aqueous β-cyclodextrin explored by phase solubility, potentiometric titration, 1H-NMR and molecular modeling studies

The results of rigorous modeling of phase solubility diagrams, pH solubility profiles and potentiometric titrations revealed the following for benzimidazole (BZ) and BZ/β-CD complexation in aqueous solution: (a) the pK _a value of BZ estimated at 5.66 ± 0.08 was reduced to 5.33 ± 0.06 in the presence of 15 mM β-CD at 25 °C, thus indicating inclusion complex formation; (b) BZ forms soluble 1:1 and 2:1 BZ/β-CD complexes with complex formation constants K ₁₁ = 104 ± 8 M⁻¹ and K ₂₁ = 16 ± 6 M⁻¹; (c) protonated BZ forms only 1:1 complex with K ₁₁ = 42 ± 12 M⁻¹; (d) ¹H-NMR studies in D₂O showed significant upfield chemical shift displacements for inner cavity β-CD protons indicating inclusion complex formation, while (e) Molecular modeling of BZ-β-CD interactions in water clearly indicated complete inclusion of one BZ molecule into the β-CD cavity.     

The 6,6‐Dicyanopentafulvene Core: A Template for the Design of Electron‐Acceptor Compounds

The electron‐accepting ability of 6,6‐dicyanopentafulvenes (DCFs) can be varied extensively through substitution on the five‐membered ring. The reduction potentials for a set of 2,3,4,5‐tetraphenyl‐substituted DCFs, with varying substituents at the para‐position of the phenyl rings, strongly correlate with their Hammett σ_p‐parameters. By combining cyclic voltammetry with DFT calculations ((U)B3LYP/6‐311+G(d)), using the conductor‐like polarizable continuum model (CPCM) for implicit solvation, the absolute reduction potentials of a set of twenty DCFs were reproduced with a mean absolute deviation of 0.10 eV and a maximum deviation of 0.19 eV. Our experimentally investigated DCFs have reduction potentials within 3.67–4.41 eV, however, the computations reveal that DCFs with experimental reduction potentials as high as 5.3 eV could be achieved, higher than that of F₄‐TCNQ (5.02 eV). Thus, the DCF core is a template that allows variation in the reduction potentials by about 1.6 eV.     

Theoretical evaluation of sensitivity and thermal stability for high explosives based on quantum chemistry methods: A brief review

Over the past 20 years, a number of scientists have conducted numerous fundamental investigations based on quantum chemistry theory into various mechanistic processes that seems to contribute to the sensitivity of energetic materials. A large number of theoretical methods that have been used to predict their mechanical and spark sensitivity are summarized in this article, in which the advantages and disadvantages of these methods, together with their scope of use are clarified. In addition, the theoretical models for thermal stability of explosives are briefly introduced as a supplement. It has been concluded that the current ability to predict sensitivity is merely based on a series of empirical rules, such as simple oxygen balance, molecular properties, and the ratios of C and H to oxygen for different classes of explosive compounds. These are valid only for organic classes of explosives, though some special models have been proposed for inorganic explosives, such as azides. An exact standard for sensitivity should be established experimentally by some new techniques for both energetic compounds and their mixtures. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

HPLC-AAS hybrid technique for studying the speciation of trace metals (Al,Fe, Si,Hg) in biological fluids: A review of applications,recent experiences and perspectives

A method developed using the combination of HPLC and AAS enabling both qualitative and quantitative study of the protein binding and speciation of trace metals in biological fluids at clinical relevant levels is reviewed. The whole system was made metal-free by using polymer-based columns, column holders and tubing and by the insertion of a silica-based scavenger column placed immediately before the injection valve to selectively retain any trace of aluminum and iron originating from buffer solutions and recipients. ETAAS instrumental conditions were carefully selected to eliminate interferences secondary to the salt gradient elution. Particular attention was paid to the choice of HPLC columns. Protein recoveries varied between 95 and 105% and trace metal recoveries were close to 100%. Intra-assay and inter-assay CVs of the HPLC/AAS hybrid technique were below 10%. Because of its high sensitivity, the method can be used at clinically relevant concentrations and was applied successfully to study (i) the interaction between iron and aluminum for binding to transferrin, (ii) the influence of citrate on the transferrin binding of aluminum, (iii) the speciation of silicon in the serum of dialysis patients and (iv) the toxicity of mercury compounds in cell cultures.     

The reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer process and the strength and limitations of modeling: Comment on “the magnitude of the fragmentation rate coefficient”

There is appreciable uncertainty concerning the magnitude of the fragmentation rate coefficient of the intermediate radical in reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations. A large proportion of the experimental and theoretical evidence suggests that it is a stable species with a lifetime longer than 0.0001 s. This is particularly the case when the intermediate macro‐RAFT radical is stabilized by a phenyl group attached to the radical center or has a poor leaving group. Although the occurrence to some extent of irreversible termination reactions cannot be excluded, we argue that such reactions are more likely to be a result of slow fragmentation of the intermediate macro‐RAFT radical. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2828–2832, 2003     

A Simple and Effective Model for Modeling of Convective Drying of Sewage Sludge: The Reaction Engineering Approach (REA)

Sludge drying is an essential step to reduce the cost of waste treatment but design of sewage sludge dryer is still relatively complicated since the drying kinetics is influenced signficantly by shrinkage, cracking and skin formation which occur during drying. In this study, the REA (reaction engineering approach) is implemented for the first time to model the convective drying of sewage sludge, a highly shrinkable material. The equilibrium activation energy (ΔEv,b) is evaluated according to the corresponding drying air humidity and temperature. This is combined with the relative activation energy (ΔEv/ΔEv,b), generated from one accurate drying run to produce the activation energy, which describes the internal behavior of the samples during drying. A good agreement between experimental and predicted data is observed. The REA is shown to perform comparable or even better than the classical diffusion-based model. It can be said that the REA can model the convective drying of sewage sludge well. The REA can be implemented for further applications including design and evaluation of sludge dryer.     

Butane‐1‐sulfonic acid immobilized on magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles: A novel and heterogeneous catalyst for the one‐pot synthesis of barbituric acid and pyrano[2,3‐d] pyrimidine derivatives in aqueous media

Butane‐1‐sulfonic acid immobilized on magnetic Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐Sultone) was easily prepared via direct ring opening of 1,4‐butanesultone with nanomagnetic Fe₃O₄@SiO₂. The prepared reagent was characterized and used for the efficient promotion of the synthesis of barbituric acid and pyrano[2,3‐d] pyrimidine derivatives. All reactions were performed under mild and completely heterogeneous reaction conditions affording products in good to high yields. The catalyst is easily isolated from the reaction mixture by magnetic decantation and can be reused at least eight times without significant loss in activity.