Biosorption of Copper and Cadmium in Packed Bed Columns with Live Immobilized Fungal Biomass of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phanerochaete chrysosporium</Emphasis>

Biosorption of copper (II) and cadmium (II) by live Phanerochaete chrysosporium immobilized by growing onto polyurethane foam material in individual packed bed columns over two successive cycles of sorption–desorption were investigated in this study. Initial pH and concentrations of the metals in their respective solutions were set optimum to each of those: 4.6 and 35 mg·l⁻¹ in case of copper and 5.3 and 11 mg·l⁻¹ for cadmium. The breakthrough curves obtained for the two metals during sorption in both the cycles exhibited a constant pattern at various bed depths in the columns. The maximum yield of the columns in removing these metals were found to be, respectively, 57% and 43% for copper and cadmium indicating that copper biosorption by the immobilized fungus in its column was better than for cadmium. Recovery values of the sorbed copper and cadmium metals from the respective loaded columns by using 0.1 N HCl as eluant was observed to be quite high at more than 65% and 75%, respectively, at the end of desorption in both the cycles. Breakthrough models of bed-depth service time, Adams–Bohart, Wolborska, and Clark were fitted to the experimental data on sorption of copper and cadmium in the columns, and only the Clark model could fit the sorption performance of the columns well over the entire range of ratios of concentrations of effluent to influent, i.e., C/C ₀ for both copper and cadmium biosorption. The kinetic coefficients of mass transfer and other suitable parameters in the system were determined by applying the experimental data at C/C ₀ ratios lower than 0.5 to the other three models.     

Synthesis of amberlite XAD-2-PC resin for preconcentration and determination of trace elements in food samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A new chelating sorbent has been developed using Amberlite XAD-2 resin anchored with pyrocatechol through –N=C– group. This sorbent, characterised by elemental analysis and infrared (IR) spectra, was used as packing for the minicolumn in an on-line system preconcentration system for cadmium, cobalt, copper and nickel determination. Metal ions were sorbed in the minicolumn, from which it could be eluted directly to the nebulizer–burner system of the flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS). Elution of all metals from minicolumn can be made with 0.50 mol L^− 1 HCl or HNO₃. The enrichment factors obtained were 16 (Cd), 24 (Co), 15 (Cu) and 19 (Ni), for 60 s preconcentration time, and 39 (Cd), 69 (Co), 36 (Cu) and 41 (Ni), if used 180 s preconcentration time. Under the optimum conditions, the proposed procedure allowed the determination of cadmium, cobalt, copper and nickel with detection limits of 0.31, 0.32, 0.39 and 1.64 μg L^− 1, respectively, when used preconcentration periods of 180 s. The accuracy of the developed procedure was sufficient and evaluated by the analysis of the certified reference materials NIST 1515 apple leaves and NIST 1570a spinach leaves. The method was applied to the analysis of food samples (spinach, black tea and rice flour).     

Direct determination of cadmium and copper in seawater using a transversely heated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer with Zeeman-effect background corrector

Methods for the direct determination of copper and cadmium in seawater were described using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (GFAAS) equipped with a transversely heated graphite atomizer (THGA) and a longitudinal Zeeman effect background corrector. Ammonium nitrate was used as the chemical modifier to determine copper. The mixture of di-ammonium hydrogen phosphate and ammonium nitrate was used as the chemical modifier to determine cadmium. The matrix interference was removed completely so that a simple calibration curve method could be applied. This work is the first one with the capability of determining cadmium in unpolluted seawater directly with GFAAS using calibration curve based on simple aqueous standards. The accuracy of the methods was confirmed by analysis of three kinds of certified reference saline waters. The detection limits (LODs), with injection of a 20-mul aliquot of seawater sample, were 0.06 mug l(-1) for copper and 0.005 mug l(-1) for cadmium.     

Determination of Nickel after Online Sorbent Preconcentration by FI-FAAS Using Dimethylglyoxime as a Complexing Agent

Dimethylglyoxime (DMG) has been tested as a complexing agent for the determination of nickel after online preconcentration on RP-C₁₈ in a microcolumn using flow injection coupled with a flame atomic absorption spectrometry system (FI-FAAS). The Ni–DMG complexes formed online can be adsorbed on the C₁₈ sorbent. Various parameters affecting the online Ni–DMG complex formation and its subsequent adsorption in the microcolumn as well as its elution into the nebulizer of the FAAS were optimized. A 10⁻³ mol/L solution of DMG in 4% ethanol was mixed online with an aqueous sample solution acidified to 0.1% (v/v) nitric acid and flowed for 30 s through the microcolumn. The adsorbed Ni–DMG complex in the microcolumn was eluted with ethanol containing 1% HNO₃ into the nebulizer of the FAAS in 10 s. A good precision (RSD = 1.7%, n = 14), high enrichment factor (21), and high sample throughput (90 h⁻¹) with detection limit (3ς) 3 μg/L were obtained. The method was applied to standard reference materials, i.e., NBS-362, NBS-364 (special low-alloy steel), and mussel (GBW 08571), for the determination of nickel and the results were in good agreement with certified values. Nickel recovery from seawater and high-purity magnesium oxide in the range 98–100% can be obtained by this method.     

Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Determination and On-line Preconcentration of Palladium

Palladium was determined in pharmaceuticals by direct graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) method. The detection limit was 0.1 μg/g in 5% solution; the recovery of 0.5–2.0 μg/g Pd spike was close to 100%. The flow injection GFAAS method was worked out using oxime and iminodiacetic acid ethyl cellulose (IDAEC) microcolumns for preconcentration of Pd in aqueous and 50% methanol solutions. The optimal pH range for preconcentration was 2–5. At 20-fold enrichment the detection limits for Pd were 0.39 μg/liter for oxime cellulose and 0.42 μg/liter for IDAEC.     

Flow Injection Semi-online Sorbent Extraction Preconcentration for Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A micro-flow injection sorbent extraction preconcentration system was combined with a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. The combination results in an integrated system for the determination of trace amounts of heavy metals. Silica bonded with octadecyl functional groups (C₁₈) was used as a sorbent in a 15-μL conical microcolumn. The metals to be determined were preconcentrated as diethyl dithiocarbamate chelates onto the column for 60 s and then rinsed with deionized water and eluted with 40 μL of ethanol. Compared with direct injection of 40 μL of aqueous sample solution, enrichment factors of 30, 32, and 29 and detection limits (3ς) of 7.8, 12.8, and 3.9 ng/L for cobalt, nickel, and lead, respectively, were obtained with 60-s sample loading at 3.0 mL/min for sorbent extraction, 40 μL of eluate injection, and peak area measurement. The results obtained for trace amounts of cobalt, nickel, and lead in reference materials showed that there were no significant differences between the certified and determined values.     

Determination of Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy or Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry after On-line Preconcentration and Solvent Extraction by Flow Injection System

The concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in natural and sea waters are too low to be directly determined with by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Specific sample preparations are requested that make possible the determination of these analytes by preconcentration or extraction. These techniques are affected by severe problems of sample contamination. In this work Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) or by atomic absorption spectrometry, in fresh and seawater samples, after on-line preconcentration and following solvent elution with a flow injection system. Bonded silica with octadecyl functional group C₁₈, packed in a microcolumn of 100-μl capacity, was used to collect diethyldithiocarbamate complexes of the heavy metals in aqueous solutions. The metals are complexed with a chelating agent, adsorbed on the C₁₈column, and eluted with methanol directly in the flow injection system. The methanolic stream can be addressed to FAAS for direct determination of Cu, Ni, and Zn, or collected in a vial for successive analysis by GFAAS. The eluted samples can be also dried in a vacuum container and restored to a little volume with concentrated HNO₃and Milli-Q water for analysis by ICP-MS or GFAAS.     

A spot test for the detection of periodate

Perrhenate is quantitatively extracted into methyl isobutyl ketone from aqueous solutions containing copper(II), azide and an excess of 2,2'-bipyridine. Measurement of the extracted copper either by spectrophotometry or by atomic absorption spectrometry, allows the determination of perrhenate in the ranges 16–40 μg ml⁻¹ or 3–16 μg ml⁻¹ in the final dilution, respectively. The procedure is highly selective, being applicable in the presence of a large concentration of molybdate and a considerable number of foreign ions. The extracted species corresponds to the formula CuN₃(bipy)₂ ReO₄.     

The atomic absorption determination of antimony,arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, lead, and tin in iron, copper,and zinc alloys with the graphite furnace

Antimony, arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, lead, and tin can be determined in metallurgical samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry at levels of 0.005 wt%, but lower concentrations frequently necessitate preconcentration. The graphite furnace allows determination of these elements at concentrations 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than is possible with flame techniques. All six elements have detection limits at or below 1μg g⁻¹ in a variety of alloys. Calibration for antimony and load was done with standards containing the principal component of the alloy as a synthetic matrix. Bismuth, cadmium, and tin could be determined accurately only by the standard addition method. Arsenic could be determined in iron alloys with synthetic standards, but standard additions were required for copper alloys.     

Slurry procedures for the determination of cadmium and lead in cereal-based products using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Simple and rapid methods for the determination of cadmium and lead in biscuits, bread and cereal-based products using the slurry-ETAAS approach are discussed. Suspensions were prepared in a 20% v/v ethanol medium. Phosphate was used as a chemical modifier for lead determination. For cadmium determination both palladium and a copper plus ammonia mixture were used. In both cases platform atomization was used and calibration was performed using aqueous standards. Results for two reference materials confirmed the reliability of the procedures. Relative standard deviations were in the range of 2.5–6.5% for cadmium and 4.5–14% for lead. Detection limits were, respectively, 0.5 and 8 ng/g.     

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.     

Flow injection on-line preconcentration coupled to hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry for ultra-trace amounts of cadmium determination in seawater

A simple flow injection on line separation and preconcentration system coupled to hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) was developed for ultra-trace cadmium determination in seawater. With the sample pH kept at 3.0, the preconcentration of cadmium on the inner walls of the knotted reactor was carried out based on the retention of cadmium complex with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoylpyrazol-5-one. A 0.2 mol L⁻¹ HCl was introduced to elute the retained analyte complex and merge with KBH₄ solution for HG-AFS detection. Under the optimal experimental conditions, an enhancement factor of 12 was obtained with a sample consumption of 12.0 mL. The limit of detection was 3.2 ng L⁻¹ with a sample frequency of 24 h⁻¹. The developed method was validated by the analysis of cadmium in certified reference materials, and was applied to the determination of cadmium in four seawater samples with R.S.D. of around 10%. Correspondence: Hong Wu, Department of Chemistry, Xuzhou Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, P.R. China     

Use of modified rice husks as a natural solid adsorbent of trace metals: characterisation and development of an on-line preconcentration system for cadmium and lead determination by FAAS

The use of rice husks as an alternative adsorbent in an on-line preconcentration system for Cd (II) and Pb (II) determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is described. The potential of rice husks as a natural adsorbent was evaluated as a material modified with 0.75 mol l⁻¹ NaOH solution and in the unmodified form. For this task, several techniques such as spectroscopy and thermogravimetry were used for elucidation of possible functional groups responsible for the uptake of Cd (II) and Pb (II). Furthermore, based on adsorption studies and adsorption isotherms applied to the Langmüir model, it was possible to verify that modified rice husks present a higher adsorption capacity for both metals. After establishing this material as a promising natural adsorbent, it was used for on-line preconcentration of Cd (II) and Pb (II) metals. The multivariate optimisation of chemical and flow variables was performed by using a full factorial design (2⁴) including the following factors: preconcentration time, preconcentration flow rate, concentration and volume of eluent. The optimum pH values used for on-line preconcentration were taken from prior univariate experiments. Under optimised conditions for Cd (II) determination (4 min of preconcentration at a 6 ml min⁻¹ preconcentration flow rate, in which comprises 24 ml of preconcentration volume, 200 μl elution volume and 1.0 mol l⁻¹ HNO₃ solution as eluent), the system achieved a detection limit of 1.14 μg l⁻¹ and an enrichment factor of 72.4. Similar conditions were used for Pb (II) determination (4 min of preconcentration, 6 ml min⁻¹ preconcentration flow rate, 300 μl elution volume and 1.0 mol l⁻¹ HNO₃ solution as eluent) from which a detection limit of 14.1 μg l⁻¹ and enrichment factor of 46.0 were achieved. Also, rice husks have been shown to be a homogeneous and stable adsorbent in which more than 100 preconcentration/elution cycles provide a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 6.0% on the analytical signal. The satisfactory accuracy of the method developed was obtained by using spiked water samples (mineral water and lake water) and spiked red wine samples. These values were confirmed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The certified reference material [pig kidney (CRM 186)] and the reference material [beech leaves (CRM 100)] were also used.     

Use of Nb(2)O(5)-SiO(2) in an automated on-line preconcentration system for determination of copper and cadmium by FAAS

A procedure for the determination of trace level of copper(II) and cadmium(II) by FAAS using an on-line preconcentration system has been proposed. In this system, copper and cadmium ions were adsorbed onto a minicolumn packed with silica gel modified with niobium(V) oxide (Nb₂O₅-SiO₂), followed by nitric acid elution in reverse mode and determination on-line by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) without interference of the matrix. Chemical and flow variables as well as concomitant ions were studied in the developed procedure. The enrichment factor for copper(II) and cadmium(II) was 34.2 and 33.0, respectively, using a preconcentration time of 2 min. The limit of detection for copper(II) and cadmium(II) was 0.4, and 0.1 μg l⁻¹, respectively. The precision of the method, evaluated as the relative standard deviation in solutions containing 15 μg l⁻¹ of copper and 10 μg l⁻¹ of cadmium, by analyzing a series of seven replicates, was 1.8 and 1.6%, respectively. The accuracy was assessed through recovery experiments of certified material and water samples.     

Electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry with stabilized aqueous standards for the determination of cadmium in whole blood

The use of aqueous calibration graphs obtained by addition of a mixture of (NH₄₂HPO₄ and Mg(NO₃)₂ was used in order to determine cadmium in blood samples diluted only with Triton X-100, using atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization using a L'vov platform and peak-height evaluation. The addition of this mixture to the aqueous standards results in a thermal behaviour of aqueous cadmium similar to that shown by cadmium in a blood matrix. Several reference materials were analysed for cadmium by the proposed method. The results indicate that the accurate determination of blood cadmium is possible.     

The determination of trace amounts of heavy metals in waters by a flow-injection system including ion-exchange preconcentration and flame atomic absorption spectrometric detection

The flow-injection system combines on-line ion-exchange preconcentration with atomic absorption spectrometry (a.a.s.) for the determination of traces (μg l^?1) of heavy metals in water samples. Miniature columns packed with 60–100 mesh chelating resin (122) with a salicylic acid functional group are used for preconcentration. A multifunctional rotary sampling valve which incorporated two parallel sampling columns allows sampling, exchange, elution and a.a.s. to be achieved sequentially. The increases in sensitivity for nickel, copper, lead and cadmium were 20–28-fold at a sampling rate of 40 h^?1 with 5-ml samples. Relative standard deviations were 1.5–4.1%. The recoveries of these four metals added to tap, sea and polluted waters were generally satisfactory, except for cadmium in polluted water. The effects of column diameter and elution flow rates on sensitivity are discussed. Possible interferences are described.     

Nonaqueous electrochromatography on continuous bed columns of sol–gel bonded large-pore C18 material: separation of retinyl esters

A nonaqueous electrochromatographic reversed-phase separation method for retinyl esters using continuous bed columns has been developed. The packing material 7 μm Nucleosil 4000 Å C₁₈ was sol–gel bonded in 180 μm I.D. capillaries. The mobile phase used was 2.5 mM lithium acetate in N,N-dimethylformamide–acetonitrile–methanol (2+7+1, v/v). At 350 V/cm and 30°C, this mobile phase composition gave rise to an electroosmotic flow of 1 mm/s. No Joule heating nor bubble formation were observed even at 625 V/cm (17 μA). With a 36 cm L_eff column complete separation of the commercially available and synthesized standards (all-trans-retinyl acetate, palmitate, heptadecanoate, stearate, oleoate, and linoleoate) was obtained within 10 min. The within-day and between-day variations of retention times of all-trans-retinyl palmitate were <0.3% relative standard deviation (RSD) (n=3) and <2% RSD (n=6), respectively. The within-day and between-day variations of peak areas were both <2% (both n=3). The columns were used for more than 1 month without degradation. Liver extracts from arctic seal were analyzed.     

Use of packed-fiber solid-phase extraction for sample clean-up and preconcentration of vitamin B_(12) before determination

A rapid and simple preconcentration step applying packed-fiber solid-phase extraction columns has been investigated to vitamin B_(12).The extraction performance of the new method was investigated preliminarily on vitamin functional drink.The analysis used a reversed-phase C_(18) column,with a photo-diode array detector at 220 nm.The samples were preconcentrated with packed-fiber solid-phase extraction columns.Good linearity was observed in vitamin functional drink.The repeatability of extraction performa...     

Preconcentration and Separation of Copper(II) by 3-Aminopropylpolysiloxane Immobilized Ligand System

Porous solid insoluble polysiloxane-immobilized ligand system bearing propylamine of the general formula P-(CH₂)₃-NH₂ (where P represents [Si–O]_n siloxane network) was prepared and evaluated for the separation and preconcentration of copper(II) from aqueous solution. The ligand system retained Cu(II) effectively when used as a metal ion extractant. The ligand system also showed high selectivity to separate copper(II) from a mixture of metal ions (Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II)) when used as chromatographic stationary phase. The optimum pH appeared to be pH = 5.5 using acetate buffer as an eluent. Thermal analysis showed that the ligand system is very stable at relatively high temperatures.     

Column Preconcentration of Aluminum and Copper(II) in Alloys, Biological Samples, and Environmental Samples with Alizarin Red S and Cetyltrimethylammonium-Perchlorate Adsorbent Supported on Naphthalene Using Spectrometry

A column method has been established for the preconcentration of aluminum and copper(II) with Alizarin Red S and a cetyltrimethylammonium-perchlorate ion pair supported on naphthalene, using a simple glass-tipped tube. Aluminum and copper(II) react with Alizarin Red S to form water-soluble colored chelate anions. These chelate anions form water-insoluble ternary complexes with the adsorbent on the inactive surface of naphthalene packed into a column. They are quantitatively retained in the pH ranges of 4.7-5.2 for aluminum and 5.0-10.0 for copper. The solid mass is dissolved out from the column with 5 ml of dimethylformamide (DMF) for aluminum and 5 ml of ethanol for copper and the absorbance was measured with a spectrometer at 525 nm for aluminum and at 529 nm for copper. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration ranges of 0.25-5.0 μg of aluminum in 5 ml of DMF solution and 0.50-12.0 μg of copper in 5 ml of ethanol solution. The molar absorptivities and Sandell′s sensitivities were respectively calculated to be 2.8 × 10⁴ liter · mol⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ and 9.62 × 10⁻⁴ μg · cm⁻² for aluminum and 2.5 × 10⁴ liter · mol⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ and 2.5 × 10⁻³ μg · cm⁻² for copper. Seven replicate determinations of sample solutions containing 2.5 μg of aluminum and 6.0 μg of copper gave mean absorbances of 0.520 and 0.480 with relative standard deviations of 1.67 and 0.33%, respectively. Interference due to various foreign ions has been studied and the method has been applied to the determination of aluminum in standard alloys, tea leaves, vehicle particulates, copper in coal fly ash, and commercial salt samples.