The inner filter effects and their correction in fluorescence spectra of salt marsh humic matter

The inner filter effects in synchronous fluorescence spectra (Δλ = 60 nm) of sedimentary humic substances from a salt marsh were studied. Accordingly to their type and the influence of plant colonization, these humic substances have different spectral features and the inner filter effects act in a different manner. The fluorescence spectra of the humic substances from sediments with colonizing plants have a protein like band (λ_exc = 280 nm) which is strongly affected by primary and secondary inner filter effects. These effects were also observed for the bands situated at longer wavelengths, i.e., at λ_exc = 350 nm and λ_ex = 454 nm for the fulvic acids (FA) and humic acids (HA), respectively. However, they are more important for the band at 280 nm, causing spectral distortions which can be clearly seen when the spectra of solutions 40 mg L⁻¹ of different samples (Dissolved Organic Carbon – DOC ∼ 20 mg L⁻¹) are compared with and without correction of the inner filter effects. The importance of the spectral distortions caused by inner filter effects has been demonstrated in solutions containing a mixture of model compounds which represent the fluorophores detected in the spectra of sedimentary humic samples. The effectiveness of the mathematical correction of the inner filter effects in the spectra of those solutions and of solutions of sedimentary humic substances was studied. It was observed that inner filter effects in the sedimentary humic substances spectra can be mathematically corrected, allowing to obtain a linear relationship between the fluorescence intensity and humic substances concentration and preventing distortions at concentrations as high as 50 mg L⁻¹ which otherwise would obscure the protein like band.     

Determinations of humic substances and other dissolved organic matter and their effects on the increase of COD in Lake Biwa.

Humic substances and other dissolved organic matter (DOM) in Lake Biwa and the surrounding rivers were investigated to elucidate their origins and behavior. An annual increase in chemical oxygen demand (COD) has been observed in the northern basin of Lake Biwa since 1985. The concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the northern and southern basins of Lake Biwa were 1.7-2.4 mgC/l and 1.9-2.6 mgC/l, respectively. The DOC concentrations tended to be high in summer and low in winter, and the seasonal changes in the concentrations of humic substances were small. The humic substances content of DOM was considered to be comparatively small because the ratio of the concentration of humic substances to DOC was in the range of 0.14-0.32. From the results of the fractionation of DOM in lake waters, it was estimated that hydrophobic acids, such as humic substances and hydrophilic acids, were about 25% and 45%, respectively. The main origin of hydrophobic acids in Lake Biwa may be humic substances from soils around the rivers that flow into Lake Biwa, while hydrophilic acids may be due to the inner production by phytoplankton. Therefore, the increase of COD in the northern basin of Lake Biwa may be attributed to the contributions of not only humic substances but also hydrophilic acids.     

Physiological changes in barley plants under combined toxicity of aluminum, copper and cadmium

Crop production on acid soil is markedly reduced, further, a multiple heavy metal pollution except Al on acid soil is detected in many areas. The present study was undertaken to assess the toxicities of Al, Cd, and Cu separately and in combinations, three heavy metals very often coexisting on acid soil, and to identify their interactions in two kinds of barley seedlings differing in Al tolerance. The plant growth, metals accumulations, total soluble protein and sugar contents, MDA contents and the activities of SOD and POD were estimated in roots and leaves after 5-week supply of the heavy metals excess in the nutrient solution. The results indicated that the stress treatments including low pH (pH 4.5) alone all adversely affected plant growth and disturbed the cell metabolism seriously. The development of toxic symptoms corresponded to a high accumulation of Al, Cd, Cu and to a poor increase in soluble sugar contents but to a high increase in MDA contents, to the decrease in soluble protein contents and to the much elevated SOD and POD activities in both roots and leaves. In addition, binary metal combinations of Al + Cd and Al + Cu both produced the synergistic response for the growth of barley seedlings, in particular for Shang 70-119, while, ternary metal combination of Al + Cu + Cd produced different interactions in two kinds of genotypes, thus, the significant synergistic response was seen in Shang 70-119, but the antagonistic response was detected in Gebeina. The different responses to ternary metal combination of two genotypes may result from the different metal bioaccumulation patterns, hence, the existence of Cd and Cu promoted Al accumulation in Shang 70-119 but inhibited Al accumulation in Gebeina.     

Complexation of europium and uranium by humic acids analyzed by capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Investigations of the mobility of radioactive and nonradioactive substances in the environment are important tasks for the development of a future disposal in deep geological formations. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) can play an important role in the mobilization of metal ions due to complexation. In this study, we investigate the complexation behavior of humic acid (HA) as a model substance for DOM and its influence on the migration of europium as homologue for the actinide americium and uranium as the principal component of nuclear fuel. As speciation technique, capillary electrophoresis (CE) was hyphenated with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). For the study, 0.5 mg·L?1 of the metals and 25 mg·L?1 of (purified Aldrich) HA and an aqueous solution sodium-perchlorate with an ionic strength of 10 mM at pH 5 were used. CE-ICP-MS clearly shows the different speciation of the triple positively charged europium and the double positively charged uranyl cation with HA.     

Colloid model of copper superequivalent sorption by humic compounds

It is experimentally proven that copper superequivalent sorption by humic compounds is accompanied by macrocoordination, that is, the binding of copper ions by humic compounds without participation of functional groups. Moreover, the content of macrocoordinated ions is at least twofold higher than the exchange capacity of humic acids. A model comprising micro- and macrocoordination stages is proposed for the formation of copper humic complexes.     

Influence of chloride ions,pH and humic substances on complexation of cadmium(II) and copper(II)

An influence of chloride ions, pH and humic substances concentration on complexation of cadmium(II)and copper(II) ions with humic acids was studied by means of inversion-voltamperometry using the method of experimental design. Equations establishing dependences of concentrations of humate complexes of cadmium(II) and copper(II) on concentrations of chloride and humic substances and pH values too were derived.     

Complexation of americium(III) with humic acid by cation exchange and solvent extraction

Complexation of Am(III) with humic acid was studied at various pHs in 0.1M NaClO₄. The stability constants of the Am(III)—humate complexes were determined by a cation-exchange method. The values of log₁ and log₂ increased slightly with increases of pH from 4 to 6 and were found to be 6.9 and 11.6, respectively, at a pH of 5. Markedly larger values than these were obtained by a solvent extraction method. This discrepancy was also revealed by summarizing data from several literature sources. It is very likely that this can be ascribed to decreases in either humic acid and/or the extractant from the extraction system due to humate interactions at the aqueous-organic interface.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Partition and determination of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in marine suspended particulate matter

A method for the determination of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the total and acetic acid (25%) soluble fraction of suspended particulate matter collected on Nuclepore membranes is described. The acetic acid leaching was carried out in a modified Millipore vacuum filtration apparatus. The total sample and the acetic insoluble fraction were decomposed in teflon bombs with HF/aqua regia. Flame or graphite furnace AAS was used for metal determinations. Sequential acetic acid extractions (3) show that on the average 76.4-92.0% of the metals are removed with the first extraction. Cadmium is potentially most easily available to biota with 90.4% of the total metal concentration located in the acetic acid soluble fraction.     

Sorption of copper by suspended particulate matter

The sorption of copper by suspended particulate matter from river water was investigated as a function of pH and solids concentration. Water was collected from the Delaware River and particulate matter was concentrated using Tangential-Flow Filtration (TFF). The adsorption of copper increased with increasing pH until pH 9.0. A decrease in copper adsorption was found for higher pH values. The adsorption of copper was greater for the samples with added copper than for the suspension for which no metal was added. An increase of copper adsorption proportional to particulate matter concentration was also observed. At both pH 6.0 and 7.0, there was a decrease in the adsorption of copper with increasing copper concentration.     

Complexation of aryldiazonium ions by polyethylene glycols and their ethers

Complexation constants for interactions of $\text{p-tert}$-butylbenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate with polyethylene glycols and their mono- and dimethyl ethers in 1,2-dichloroethane are reported. For polyethylene glycols of molecular weights 1000 and 1500 and their dimethyl ethers complexation constants with the aryldiazonium ion are 12–18% of that for the crown ether 18-crown-6.     

Amperometric determination of copper, cadmium and nickel and their binary mixtures with methyldithiobiuret

Summary Copper, cadmium and nickel have been estimated amperometrically in ammoniacal ammonium tartrate and potassium nitrate (pH 8.0–9.5) using methyldithiobiuret as the titrant. The advantage of the oxidation potential of the reagent have been put to a practical use in these determinations. Furthermore, by the combined use of the cathodic current of a reducible ion (Cu²⁺) and the anodic current of the reagent simultaneous determination of the two components of binary mixtures (e.g., copper-cadmium and copper-nickel) in a single operation has also been achieved. The process is rapid and yields reproducible results within the limits of experimental errors.

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Amperometrische Bestimmung von Kupfer, Cadmium und Nickel sowie ihren binären Gemischen mit Hilfe von Methyldithiobiuret

Zusammenfassung Die Bestimmung wird in ammoniakalischer Ammoniumtartrat- und Kaliumnitratlösung (pH 8,0–9,5) durchgeführt. Dabei wird das Oxydationspotential des Reagenses ausgenutzt. Durch Messung des kathodischen Stromes des reduzierbaren Ions (Cu²⁺) und des anodischen Stromes des Reagenses konnten die Bestandteile binärer Mischungen (z.B. Cu/Cd, Cu/Ni) gleichzeitig bestimmt werden. Das Verfahren ist schnell und liefert gut reproduzierbare Ergebnisse.

     

The determination of trace amounts of zinc, cadmium, lead and copper in airborne particulate matter by anodic stripping voltammetry

The application of anodic stripping voltammetry, with a hanging mercury drop electrode, to the determination of zinc, cadmium, lead and copper in airborne particulate matter collected by filtration is discussed. This procedure allows for the destruction of the filter material followed by the complete dissolution (including silicates) of the collected particulate matter. A low-temperature ashing process is described and the recovery of cadmium in this procedure is studied. Analytical data obtained by anodic stripping and atomic absorption for zinc, cadmium, lead and copper are compared.     

Complexation studies with lanthanides and humic acid analyzed by ultrafiltration and capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

For the long-term storage of radioactive waste, detailed information about geo-chemical behavior of radioactive and toxic metal ions under environmental conditions is necessary. Humic acid (HA) can play an important role in the immobilisation or mobilisation of metal ions due to complexation and colloid formation. Therefore, we investigate the complexation behavior of HA and its influence on the migration or retardation of selected lanthanides (europium and gadolinium as homologues of the actinides americium and curium). Two independent speciation techniques, ultrafiltration and capillary electrophoresis coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CE-ICP-MS) have been compared for the study of Eu and Gd interaction with (purified Aldrich) HA. The degree of complexation of Eu and Gd in 25 mg l(-1) Aldrich HA solutions was determined with a broad range of metal loading (Eu and Gd total concentration between 10(-6) and 10(-4) mol l(-1)), ionic strength of 10 mM (NaClO4) and different pH-values. From the CE-ICP-MS electropherograms, additional information on the charge of the Eu species was obtained by the use of 1-bromopropane as neutral marker. To detect HA in the ICP-MS and separate between HA complexed and non complexed metal ions in the CE-ICP-MS, we have halogenated the HA with iodine as ICP-MS marker.     

Complexation of copper(I) by thiourea in acidic aqueous solution

The interaction of copper(II) and copper(I) with thiourea(Tu) has been investigated by UV and visible spectrophotometry. Over the range of concentrations of copper(I) and Tu(0.1–20)×10^–3 mol-dm^–3 in acid aqueous solutions there are two complexes, CuTu₂ ⁺ (log ₂=11.1) and the other has the ratio Cu/Tu=1/1 with the likely composition Cu₂Tu₂ ²⁺ with log ₂₂=18.5. By the determination of copper(0) solubility in acid thiourea solution and potentiometric measurements it was shown that the potential of the copper electrode is that of a non-equilibrium (corrosive) electrode.     

Atmospheric corrosion of copper and silver influenced by particulate matter

The atmospheric corrosion of copper and silver influenced by graphite and alumina as particulate matter (PM) in an environment containing 200 μg m^?3 SO₂ + 150 μg m^?3 NO₂ at 85% RH and 25 °C was analyzed. Different proportions of PM mixture conditions were used, and the corrosion rate was followed using gravimetric analysis. Results of linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and coulometric reduction (CR) indicated that larger corrosion rates were obtained in the presence of deposited PM. Under present exposure conditions, copper corrosion rate was larger than silver corrosion rate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows the presence of cuprite (Cu₂O) and brochantite (Cu₄SO₄(OH)₆) in the case of copper and achantite (Ag₂S) in the case of silver.     

Nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with humic acid anions and their derivatives

Complexation of Ni(II) and Cu(II) in aqueous solutions with anions of humic acids, extracted from naturally oxidized coal, and with their hydroxymethyl derivatives is studied spectrophotometrically and potentiometrically. The complexation stoichiometry and the stability constants of the complexes are determined.     

Determination of copper,cadmium and zinc by atomic absorption spectroscopy

A procedure for the direct determination of zinc, cadmium and copper in air and water has been developed. The possible interference effects of numerous anions and cations have been investigated. Few interferences were found, and these were eliminated by the addition of EDTA. The sensitivities found were 2 p.p.b. for cadmium, 8 p.p.b. for copper and 2 p.p.b. for zinc.     

Studies of skeletal cadmium assay and toxicity

Flameless Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry was found to be a sensitive (2·10^–12 g detection limit), accurate but destructive method for cadmium assay in bone biopsy samples (about 30 mg dry weight). The inductively coupled plasma emission technique was poorer in sensitivity (1.2·10^–9 g) and is also a destructive method. Activation Analysis is still less sensitive (2·10^–8 g detection limit) but a nondestructive one. Cadmium was found to accumulate in bone of rats fed, for 5 weeks, 0, 50, and 100 mg Cd/l in drinking water and the bone concentrations were 0.16, 1.09, and 2.6 mg Cd/kg bone (dry wt). Histological examination of the bones showed that cadmium induced increased osteoid surface in the bone with no evidence of accompanying kidney damage. This suggests a primary effect of cadmium on bone rather than secondary effect due to kidney damage.     

Complexation of copper ions with histidine-containing tripeptides immobilized on solid surfaces

Short oligopeptides that complex with metal ions with high affinity and high specificity are of interest to the design of chemical sensors. In this study, we compare the complexation properties of two copper-selective tripeptides, Gly-Gly-His and His-Gly-Gly, either in aqueous solutions or immobilized on solid surfaces. Our results show that the copper complex formed by Gly-Gly-His is more stable than the complex formed by His-Gly-Gly in aqueous solutions, because the position of histidine (His) in the Gly-Gly-His permits the formation of a tetragonal copper complex with a high stability. However, when the tripeptides are immobilized on aldehyde-decorated silicon wafer surfaces under a reaction condition that gives rise to near maximum surface densities of tripeptides, both immobilized Gly-Gly-His and His-Gly-Gly experience strong steric hindrance on the over-crowded surfaces. The surface crowding effect causes less complexation with copper ions than that in aqueous solutions. To ensure a proper surface density on the surface for complexation with copper ions, a so-called two-dimensional (2D) metal-ion imprinting technique is employed to avoid the surface crowdedness. By immobilizing Gly-Gly-His in the presence of copper ions, we create a tripeptide-functionalized surface that exhibits high complexation capability for copper ions. We attribute the higher copper complexation capability to the proper intermolecular distances obtained from the ion-imprinting procedure that gives the copper-tripeptide complex a preferential tetragonal geometry. Our results show that the amounts of copper complexed to a copper-imprinted surface functionalized with Gly-Gly-His are 62% higher than those of a nonimprinted surface.