Correction to: Characterization of MX-80 bentonite and its sorption of radionickel in the presence of humic and fulvic acids

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The original publication of the article includes mistakes on instrument types of FTIR and XRD characterization in Page 702. The corrected...     

Modeling of radionickel sorption on MX-80 bentonite as a function of pH and ionic strength

MX-80 bentonite was detected using acid-based titration, XRD and FTIR in detail. The sorption behavior of 63Ni(Ⅱ) from aqueous solution to MX-80 bentonite was investigated as a function of solid content, ionic strength and pH by using batch technique. The experimental data of 63Ni(Ⅱ) sorption on MX-80 bentonite was obtained using the diffuse layer model (DLM) with the aid of FITEQL 3.1 program. The results indicated that the sorption of 63Ni(Ⅱ) on MX-80 bentonite was mainly dominated by surface complexation...     

Influence of contact time, pH, soil humic/fulvic acids, ionic strength and temperature on sorption of U(VI) onto MX-80 bentonite

The sorption of U(VI) from aqueous solution on MX-80 bentonite was studied as a function of contact time, pH, ionic strength, solid contents, humic acid (HA), fulvic acid (FA) and temperature under ambient conditions using batch technique. The results indicate that sorption of U(VI) on MX-80 bentonite is strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength. The removal of U(VI) to MX-80 bentonite is rather quick and the kinetic sorption data is simulated well by a pseudo-second-order rate equation. The presence of HA enhances the sorption of U(VI) on MX-80 bentonite obviously, but the influence of FA on U(VI) sorption is not obvious. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH ⁰, ΔS ⁰, and ΔG ⁰) for the sorption of U(VI) calculated from temperature dependent sorption suggest that the sorption reaction is endothermic and spontaneous.     

Characterization of humic and fulvic acids from Gorleben groundwater

Summary The humic material extracted from one of the Gorleben groundwaters is separated into humic and fulvic acids, and characterized, together with a commercial humic acid from Aldrich Co., for their chemical composition, size distribution, proton exchange capacity and spectroscopic characteristics. The results are compared with one another and with the literature data of other humic acids. The humic acid is fractionated by gel permeation chromatography into different size groups and the fractions are subjected to IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The high molecular weight fractions (>70000 Dalton) are poor in carboxylic groups, whereas the major fractions (approx. 10000 Dalton) contain organic acids of large molecular entities.     

Cloud-point preconcentration of fulvic and humic acids

The cloud-point extraction technique was used for preconcentration of fulvic and humic acids. The effect of the acidity of solution, the equilibration temperature and time, the amount of added surfactant (Triton X-100) and the time of centrifugation on the recovery were examined. The recoveries of fulvic and humic acids achieved under optimised conditions were 82% and 96%, respectively.     

Hydration of humic and fulvic acids studied by DSC

Qualitative and quantitative aspects of hydration of four humic acids (HA) and three fulvic acids (FA) originating from different sources were investigated. DSC experiments at subambient temperatures were carried out in order to monitor differences in ice behavior originating from freezable water surrounding humic molecules. It was found that kinetic effects play a significant role in hydration processes of both HA and FA. In fact, the hydration took part over 21?days which was detected as a progressive decrease in ice melting enthalpy. Simultaneously, the peak shapes and positions changed indicating structural changes in the physical structure of the humic substances. In case of FA, the dependency of melting enthalpy on water concentration showed a linear trend resembling a complete hydration previously observed for water-soluble hydrophilic polymers. In contrast, the melting enthalpy of some HA increased in a step-like way with increasing water content, suggesting preservation of original hydrophobic scaffold during the hydration. The differences between the rather young FA and the rather old HA lead to the conclusion that water can play a significant role in processes of humification. We assume that separation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains and thus increase in nanoscale heterogeneity represents an important physical contribution to the overall humification process. It was also demonstrated that the higher content of oxygen in humic molecules is not the only indicator of higher water holding capacity. Instead the porosity of humic matrix seems to contribute as additional parameter into these processes.     

Sorption of europium on a MX-80 bentonite sample: experimental and modelling results

The EDXRF technique offers simultaneous detection and determination of multiple trace elements in F₃ generation seed of Cicer arietinum L. plant, developed from irradiated group of 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 kGy and 0.20 kGy using ⁶⁰Co gamma source (0.12 kGy/h). The accumulations of elements in edible seeds were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) in different absorbed dose. Out of 14 elementals (S, Cl, K, P, Ca, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr and Cd), the accumulations of K, P, Ca, S, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cd, Rb, Sr and Cl were increased in seed with in the dose range of 0.15–0.20 kGy, except V and Co. Also, the yielding potentials of seeds were increased with in the dose range of 0.15–0.20 kGy.     

Screening of humic and fulvic acids in estuarine sediments by near-infrared spectrometry

Diffuse reflectance near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) combined with partial least squares (PLS) data treatment has been employed for the rapid and nondestructive determination of sedimentary humic substances. Forty one samples of surface estuarine sediments, taken during distinct seasonal periods from different locations across Ria de Arousa (northwest of Spain), were scanned at wavelengths from 833 to 2,976 nm (12,000 to 3,360 cm⁻¹). Twenty four samples were randomly selected, from previous hierarchical cluster analysis of their NIR spectra, for the calibration set, and the 17 remaining samples were assigned to the validation set. NIR spectra of calibration samples were correlated to measured values of humic acids (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs), which ranged from 1.53 to 28.17 mg/g and from 0.37 to 2.45 mg/g, respectively, using PLS regression and multiplicative scattering correction on the raw and first-derivative NIR spectra, respectively. Low root mean square error of prediction values of 4.3 mg HA/g sediment and 0.25 mg FA/g sediment were obtained. Good residual prediction deviation values of 1.16 and 1.2 were obtained for HA and FA, respectively, allowing the PLS models built to be considered as appropriate tools for screening purposes. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Interaction of humic and fulvic acids with Th(IV)

The binding of Th(IV) to three humic and two fulvic acids has been studied using a solvent extraction technique. The results are interpreted to indicate the formation of two types of thorium binding sites in the humic polymer containing one or two carboxylate groups. High complex stability is observed and thorium humate binding constants increase with increasing ionization of the humic (fulvic) acid polyelectrolyte. The results are interpreted using a modified Born equation for electrostatic interaction. Thermodynamic results indicate that the great stability of these complexes is derived from a very favorable complexation entropy.     

Effect of pH,foreign ions and temperature on radionickel sorption onto bentonite from Inner Mongolia,China

The development of nuclear power releases large amounts of radionuclides into the natural environment. Herein, the sorption of radionuclide ⁶³Ni on bentonite from Gaomiaozi county (Inner Mongolia, China) at different experimental conditions such as pH, contact time, ionic strength, foreign cations and anions, and temperatures were investigated by using batch technique. The results indicated that the sorption of ⁶³Ni on the bentonite was quickly at first contact time and then increased slowly with increasing contact time. The sorption of ⁶³Ni was strongly dependent on ionic strength at low pH values and independent of ionic strength at high pH values. The sorption of ⁶³Ni on bentonite was mainly dominated by outer-sphere surface complexation or ion exchange at low pH values, whereas inner-sphere surface complexation was the main sorption mechanism at high pH values. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and D–R models were applied to simulate the sorption isotherms of ⁶³Ni at three different temperatures, and the thermodynamic parameters (i.e., ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG°) calculated from the temperature-dependent sorption isotherms indicated that the sorption of ⁶³Ni on bentonite was an endothermic and spontaneous process. Experimental results indicate that the bentonite is a suitable material for the preconcentration and solidification of ⁶³Ni from large volume of solutions in radionickel pollution cleanup.     

Sorption of Th(IV) on MX-80 bentonite: effect of pH and modeling

MX-80 bentonite was characterized by XRD and FTIR in detail. The sorption of Th(IV) on MX-80 bentonite was studied as a function of pH and ionic strength in the presence and absence of humic acid/fulvic acid. The results indicate that the sorption of Th(IV) on MX-80 bentonite increases from 0 to 95% at pH range of 0–4, and then maintains high level with increasing pH values. The sorption of Th(IV) on bentonite decreases with increasing ionic strength. The diffusion layer model (DLM) is applied to simulate the sorption of Th(IV) with the aid of FITEQL 3.1 mode. The species of Th(IV) adsorbed on bare MX-80 bentonite are consisted of “strong” species o \textYOHTh^{4 +} \equiv {\text{YOHTh}}^{4 + } at low pH and “weak” species o \textXOTh(OH)₃ \equiv {\text{XOTh(OH)}}_{3} at pH > 4. On HA bound MX-80 bentonite, the species of Th(IV) adsorbed on HA-bentonite hybrids are mainly consisted of o \textYOThL₃ \equiv {\text{YOThL}}_{3} and o \textXOThL₁ \equiv {\text{XOThL}}_{1} at pH < 4, and o \textXOTh(OH)₃ \equiv {\text{XOTh(OH)}}_{3} at pH > 4. Similar species of Th(IV) adsorbed on FA bound MX-80 bentonite are observed as on FA bound MX-80 bentonite. The sorption isotherm is simulated by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) models, respectively. The sorption mechanism of Th(IV) on MX-80 bentonite is discussed in detail.     

Concentration of humic and fulvic acids in large aqueous samples by continuous-flow coprecipitation-flotation

Summary Humic and fulvic acids are quantitatively coprecipitated in a stream (0.5l/min) of sample solution with indium hydroxide at pH 8 and continuously floated with the aid of sodium dodecyl sulphate and numerous tiny nitrogen bubbles. The precipitate and foam on the surface of the solution are collected by suction and the latter is ruptured with ethanol. By these procedures the original sample volume is reduced to less than 1/100. After dissolving the precipitate in 2 mol/l hydrochloric acid, the solution (pH 0.5) is introduced onto the pulverized XAD-2 resin to collect humic and fulvic acids, leaving indium ions in the solution. The humic substances are desorbed with 0.1 mol/l sodium hydroxide solution. The recoveries of humic and fulvic acids are ca. 95% for coprecipitation-flotation, >90% for sorption and 80–90% for desorption.     

Characterization of groundwater humic and fulvic acids of different origin by GPC with UV/Vis and fluorescence detection

Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was applied for recognizing the origin of groundwater humic and fulvic acids. GPC was performed with Fraktogel TSK HW-50 in 0.1 M NaCl, pH 8.5 (0.05 M phosphate buffer), 1 mM EDTA, with 10% by volume methanol added. Humic substances from groundwaters and sediments of four different aquifer systems in Germany were isolated, purified and characterized. Both UV/Vis and fluorescence detection were applied. UV/Vis detection was found to be more powerful in identifying differences between the various humic and fulvic acids. The four aquifer systems investigated (“Gorleben”, “Fuhrberg”, “Franconian Albvorland” and “Munich”) differed from one another with respect to hydrological and geochemical conditions. The results showed that the GPC-elution behavior reflects the geochemical environment and origin (source material and generation process) of aquatic humic and fulvic acids.     

Characterization of groundwater humic and fulvic acids of different origin by GPC with UV/Vis and fluorescence detection

Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was applied for recognizing the origin of groundwater humic and fulvic acids. GPC was performed with Fraktogel TSK HW-50 in 0.1 M NaCl, pH 8.5 (0.05 M phosphate buffer), 1 mM EDTA, with 10% by volume methanol added. Humic substances from groundwaters and sediments of four different aquifer systems in Germany were isolated, purified and characterized. Both UV/Vis and fluorescence detection were applied. UV/Vis detection was found to be more powerful in identifying differences between the various humic and fulvic acids. The four aquifer systems investigated (“Gorleben”, “Fuhrberg”, “Franconian Albvorland” and “Munich”) differed from one another with respect to hydrological and geochemical conditions. The results showed that the GPC-elution behavior reflects the geochemical environment and origin (source material and generation process) of aquatic humic and fulvic acids. Received: 17 November 1998 / Revised: 18 March 1999 / Accepted 23 March 1999     

The study of 137Cs and 90Sr sorption by natural and modified aluminosilicates in presence of humic acids

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The effect of humic acids (HA) on 137Cs and 90Sr uptake by natural and modified aluminosilicates was studied under the conditions of radioactively...     

Electrochemical reduction of oxygen in the presence of humic acids

The effect of the nature of humic acids (HAs), their modification by mechanochemical methods, and the pH of the medium on the electrochemical reduction of oxygen is determined. The mechanical activation of caustobioliths, regardless of their nature, is shown to increase the role of quinone moieties in the composition of HAs, thus promoting the initiation of the electrochemical reduction of O₂ in a basic medium. The conclusion is drawn that this changes not only the ratio of redox-active moieties in HAs, which determine the total antioxidant activity, but also their character.     

Assessing the trihalomethane formation potential of aquatic fulvic and humic acids fractionated using thin-layer chromatography

The significance of this research is the application of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to fractionate well-characterized aquatic humic materials coupled with the novel evaluation of the trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) of the fractionated materials. Disinfection by-products such as trihalomethanes (THMs) form when natural water is treated by chlorination. Nordic Aquatic and Suwannee River fulvic and humic acids, obtained from the International Humic Substances Society, were prepared at pH 6 and 9 and fractionated on silica gel plates using a mobile phase consisting of methanol and ethyl acetate (2:1, v:v). Based on retention factor (R(f)) values, three common fractions were identified in all substances examined. Additionally, other fractions were noted that were characteristic of specific humic substances. Each of the three primary fractions derived from Nordic Aquatic fulvic acid at pH 6 demonstrated the potential to contribute to formation of THMs. This research provides data to support the hypothesis that differences in the chemical structure and composition of natural organic matter (NOM) significantly affect the potential to react with chlorine to form THMs.