A Multivariate Approach to Evaluate Biomass Production,Biochemical Composition and Stress Compounds of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirulina platensis</Emphasis> Cultivated in Wastewater

The study was performed to investigate the effects of using cow effluent for the cultivation of Spirulina platensis on its biomass production and cell physiology. S. platensis was cultivated in three different cow effluents (CE) used as cultivation medium during 15 days. CE was prepared using dry cow manures, and it was further modified with supplement of NaNO₃ (CEN) and NaNO₃ + NaCl (CENS). High nitrate value stimulated chlorophyll-a and total protein content of the cyanobacterium and also biomass production in standards medium (SM) and CEN media. Total carbohydrate content of S. platensis grown in CE media was found to be higher (p < 0.05) than that of SM. Productions of biomass and biochemical compounds by the cyanobacterium grown on the CE and SM media were evaluated by using multivariate approach. Conductivity, oxidation reduction potential (ORP), salinity, pH, and TDS played important role (p < 0.01) in the biochemical composition. As an effective explanatory factor, ORP had a significant positive correlation with H₂O₂, whereas negatively correlated with chlorophyll-α, biomass production, filament length, and proline. Canonical correspondence analysis proposed that biochemical compounds of S. platensis were not only affected by salinity and nutrition of media but also by pH and ORP. The present study indicated that CEN as a low cost model medium had high potential for the production of biomass by S. platensis with high protein content.     

Application of Physicochemical Treatment Allows Reutilization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arthrospira platensis</Emphasis> Exhausted Medium

Since cultivations of Arthrospira platensis have a high water demand, it is necessary to develop treatment methods for reusing the exhausted medium that may prevent environmental problems and obtaining useful biomass. The exhausted Schlösser medium obtained from A. platensis batch cultivation in bench-scale mini-tanks was treated by varying concentrations of different coagulants, ferric chloride (6, 10, and 14 mg L^?1) or ferric sulfate (15, 25, and 35 mg L^?1) and powdered activated carbon (PAC, 30 and 50 mg L^?1). Such treated effluent was restored with NaNO₃ and reused in new cultivations of A. platensis performed in Erlenmeyer flasks. Reusing media through the cultivation of A. platensis showed satisfactory results, particularly in the medium treated with ferric chloride and PAC. The maximum cell concentration obtained in the flasks was 1093 mg L^?1, which corresponded to the medium treated with ferric chloride (6 mg L^?1) and PAC (30 mg L^?1). This cellular growth was higher than in the medium treated with ferric sulfate and PAC, in which values of maximum cell concentration did not exceed 796 mg L^?1. The cultures in the media after treatment did not modify the biomass composition. Thus, combined coagulation/adsorption processes, commonly used in water treatment processes, can be efficient and viable for treating exhausted medium of A. platensis, allowing the production of such biomass with the reduction of production cost and saving water.     

Crystal Structure,Spectroscopic and Magnetic Properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trans</Emphasis>-Difluoro-(1,4,8,11-Tetraazaundecane)Chromium(III) Aquatrichlorozincate

A new complex salt trans-[CrF₂(2,3,2-tet)][ZnCl₃(H₂O)] (2,3,2-tet is 1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecane), is prepared and its structure is determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction using synchrotron data at 100 K. The complex crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c of the monoclinic system with two mononuclear formula units in a cell with dimensions a = 5.6360(11) Å, b = 17.120(3) Å, c = 17.020(3) Å, and β = 94.38(3)°. The chromium(III) ion is coordinated by four N atoms of the 2,3,2-tet ligand in the equatorial plane and two F atoms in a trans axial arrangement, displaying a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. The mean Cr–N(2,3,2-tet) and Cr–F bond distances are 2.0772(11) Å and 1.8930(8) Å, respectively. The crystal packing is stabilized by hydrogen bonding interactions between N–H groups of the 2,3,2-tet, O–H groups of the anion, the F atom, and the Cl atom of the anion. The FT-infrared, UV-visible spectra, and magnetic properties are also described.     

Determination of phytoextraction potential of plant species for toxic elements in soils of abandoned sulphide-mining areas

This study has determined contamination levels in soils and plants from the São Domingos mining area, Portugal, by k ₀-INAA. Total concentrations of As, Sb, Cr, Hg, Cu, Zn and Fe in soils were very high, exceeding the maximum limits in Portuguese legislation. Concentrations of toxic elements like As, Sb and Zn were highest in roots of Erica andevalensis, Juncus acutus, Agrostis castellana and Nicotiana glauca. Additionally, As, Br, Cr, Fe, Sb and Zn in all organs of most plants were above toxicity levels. Those species that accumulated relatively high concentrations of toxic elements in roots (and tops) may be cultivated for phytostabilisation of similar areas.     

Resonant photoemission and absorption spectroscopy study of the Cr<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ti<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Se<Subscript>2</Subscript> electronic structure

Solid solutions of 1T-Cr _x Ti_1?x Se₂ (x = 0?0.83) were synthesized for the first time. To study the electronic structure of Cr _x Ti_1?x Se₂ monocrystals, photoemission spectra of core levels, resonance spectra of valence bands, and absorption spectra of Ti and Cr were obtained. Titanium and chromium atoms were found to have the oxidation state 4+ and 3+, which is supported by atomic multiplet calculations for Ti and Cr in the octahedral environment. According to calculation of the local density of chromium electronic states, the Cr3d electrons are spin-polarized, and the density of chromium states is of half-metal nature. The calculation agrees well with the experimental data.     

Atomic concentration of hydrogen in tetra- and hexaamine heteroligand chromium(III) complexes with cyclic tetraamines

Based on the revealed dependence of the atomic concentration of hydrogen (N_H) on the composition and structure of tetra- and hexaamine heteroligand chromium(III) complexes with cyclic tetraamines, routes to new materials with high N_H for preparing effective composites for protection from neutron radiation were suggested.     

Complexes of some tervalent metals with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-alkyl(benzyl)nitrozohydroxylamine derivatives

Twenty two new complexes of some tervalent metals (aluminum, chromium, iron, and lanthanides) with nitrozohydroxylamine N-alkyl(benzyl) derivatives ML₃^m · nH₂O, (m = 1?5) were synthesized and isolated in a crystalline state. The crystal and molecular structures of the iron(III) complex with N-(2-fluorobenzyl)-N-nitrozohydroxylamine were determined by X-ray diffraction. An octahedral coordination of the central ion and a bidentate chelating coordination of the organic ligand were established. The spectral criteria of coordination of nitrozohydroxylamine alkyl(benzyl) derivatives were determined, and the complexation processes in solutions were studied.     

Azidokomplexe in nichtwäßrigen Lösungsmitteln, 3. Mitt.: Ti(III), V(III) und Cr(III) in Acetonitril,Propandiol-1,2-carbonat und Trimethylphosphat

Ions of Ti(III), V(III) and Cr(III) seem to be converted to the following azido complexes in acetonitrile, propanediol-1,2-carbonate and trimethylphosphate: [Ti(N₃)₂]⁺ (inTMP), Ti(N₃)₃ (probably distorted octahedral inAN, PDC andTMP, low solubility inTMP), [Ti(N₃)₄]^? (probably tetragonal inAN, probably octahedral inTMP), [Ti(N₃)₆ ^3? (probably distorted octahedral inAN andPDC); [V(N₃)]²⁺ (inAN, PDC andTMP), V(N₃)₃ (octahedral inAN, PDC andTMP, low solubility inTMP), [V(N₃)₄]^? (inPDC), [V(N₃)₆]^3? (octahedral inAN andPDC); [Cr(N₃)]²⁺ (inTMP), [Cr(N₃)₂]⁺ (octahedral inAN andPDC), Cr(N₃)₃ (octahedral inAN, PDC andTMP), [Cr(N₃)₆]^3? (octahedral inAN andPDC).     

Chromium(III) and indium(III) 3,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-semiquinolate complexes as redox mediators of hydrogen sulfide oxidation in reactions with cycloalkanes

The electrochemical oxidation of the chromium(III) and indium(III) complexes with 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-semiquinolate leading to the formation of active monocationic species is studied by cyclic voltammetry. The reactions of the latter with hydrogen sulfide generate the radical cation of H₂S, whose fragmentation affords the proton and thiyl radical. These complexes are proposed for the first time as redox mediators for the one-pot thiolation of inert cycloalkanes C₆–C₈, which decreases the activation energy of hydrogen sulfide compared to that for direct electrochemical oxidation. The major products of cycloalkane functionalization involving H₂S are thiols and organic di- and trisulfides. The yield of the synthesized compounds depends on the type of the mediator: the chromium(III) complex exhibits the highest efficiency in the electrocatalytic transformations.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of [Cr(NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl][PdBr<Subscript>4</Subscript>]

A new binary complex salt — chloropentaamminechromium(III) tetrabromopalladate(II) [Cr(NH₃)₅Cl][PdBr₄] — has been synthesized. The compound was characterized by elemental, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray phase analysis. The salt is isostructural with the previously investigated compounds [M(NH₃)₅Cl][PtCl₄] (M = Ir, Rh, Ru, Co, Cr) and [CM(NH₃)₅Cl][PdBr₄] (M = Ir, Rh, Co). Crystallographic data: space group Pnma, a = 17.068(2) Å, b = 8.315(12) Å, c = 9.653(14) Å; V = 1370.0(3) ų, Z = 4, d _calc = 2.903 g/cm³.     

Solution Thermodynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis><Superscript>/</Superscript>-Ethylenebis-(salicylideneiminato)-diaquochromium(III) Chloride in Aqueous Dimethylsulphoxide

The densities, viscosities and refractive indices of N,N ^/-ethylene-bis(salicylideneiminato)-diaquochromium(III) chloride, [Cr(salen)(H₂O)₂]Cl, in aqueous dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) with different mass fractions (w ₂ = 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80 and 1.00) of DMSO were determined at 298.15, 308.15 and 318.15 K under atmospheric pressure. From measured densities, viscosities and refractive indices the apparent molar volumes (V _φ ), standard partial molar volume (V _φ ⁰ ), the slope (S _V ^* ), standard isobaric partial molar expansibility (φ _E ⁰ ) and its temperature dependence (?φ _E ⁰ /?T) _p , the viscosity B-coefficient, its temperature dependence (?B/?T), solvation number (S _n ) and apparent molar refractivity (R _D ^φ ), etc., were calculated and discussed on the basis of ion–ion and ion–solvent interactions. These results revealed that the solutions are characterized by ion–solvent interactions rather than by ion–ion interactions and the complex behaves as a long range structure maker. Thermodynamics of viscous flow was discussed in terms of transition state theory.     

Heavy Metal Resistances and Chromium Removal of a Novel Cr(VI)-Reducing Pseudomonad Strain Isolated from Circulating Cooling Water of Iron and Steel Plant

Three bacterial isolates, GT2, GT3, and GT7, were isolated from the sludge and water of a circulating cooling system of iron and steel plant by screening on Cr(VI)-containing plates. Three isolates were characterized as the members of the genus Pseudomonas on the basis of phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA sequence analysis. All isolates were capable of resisting multiple antibiotics and heavy metals. GT7 was most resistant to Cr(VI), with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 6.5 mmol L^?1. GT7 displayed varied rates of Cr(VI) reduction in M2 broth, which was dependent on pH, initial Cr(VI) concentration, and inoculating dose. Total chromium analysis revealed that GT7 could remove a part of chromium from the media, and the maximum rate of chromium removal was up to 40.8 %. The Cr(VI) reductase activity of GT7 was mainly associated with the soluble fraction of cell-free extracts and reached optimum at pH 6.0～8.0. The reductase activity was apparently enhanced by external electron donors and Cu(II), whereas it was seriously inhibited by Hg(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II). The reductase showed a K _m of 74 μmol L^?1 of Cr(VI) and a V _max of 0.86 μmol of Cr(VI) min^?1 mg^?1 of protein. The results suggested that GT7 could be a promising candidate for in situ bioremediation of Cr(VI).     

Comparative study of Cr(III) adsorption by carbon nanotubes and active carbons

The adsorption of trivalent chromium ions from aqueous solutions on the surface of carbon materials, namely, multiwall carbon nanotubes (NTs) and two samples of active carbon, is studied depending on pH and adsorbate concentration in the system. Isotherms of Cr(III) adsorption by the aforementioned materials are obtained. It is shown that chromium ions are predominantly bound by surface carboxyl groups. The adsorption of chromium ions reduces the electrokinetic potential of NTs and, at chromium concentrations C _Cr(III) > 10^–5 M, leads to the reversal of the surface charge. The adsorption value decreases in the series NT > Merck carbon > Norit carbon, in contrast to an increase in the adsorbate affinity to the adsorbent in this series, as determined from the slope of the initial section of the Langmuir isotherms. Small amounts of chromium ions sorbed at low concentrations in solution (C _Cr(III) ≤ 10^–5 M) are comparable with the concentration of hydrogen ions displaced from the surface, thus making it possible to suppose the existence of an ionexchange adsorption mechanism. As the concentration of Cr(III) increases, the equivalent displacement of H⁺ is violated, thereby indicating the development of other adsorption mechanisms (complexation).     

XPS spectra of vanadium-doped disulfides CuCrS<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The charged state of atoms in layered cation-substituted disulfides CuCr_1?x V _x S₂ (x = 0?0.4) was studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The study was performed with polycrystalline powder and ceramic samples of chromium-copper disulfides. CuCr_1?x V _x S₂ samples were shown to comprise differently charged atoms of chromium, copper and vanadium, the charged state of which varies with the concentration of vanadium cations (x).     

Mononuclear cobalt (III) complexes with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-salicylidene-2-hydroxy-5-bromobenzylamine and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-salicylidene-2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzylamine

Cobalt (III) complexes with N-salicylidene-2-hydroxy-5-bromobenzylamine (H₂sbba) and N-salicylidene-2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzylamine (H₂scba), [n-(C₄H₉)₄N][Co(sbba)₂] (I) and [n-(C₄H₉)₄N][Co(scba)₂] (II), were synthesized. The crystal structure of II was determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method at 90 K confirming its crystallization in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 11.729(2) Å, b = 16.901(3) Å, c = 21.483(4) Å, β = 98.840(4)°, V = 4208.2(14) ų, D_x = 1.295 g cm^?3, and Z = 4. The R1 [I > 2σ(I)] and wR2 (all data) values of 0.0664 and 0.1920, respectively, for all 9521 independent reflections. The compound is composed of a tetra(n-butyl)ammonium cation and an octahedral cobalt(III) complex anion with two scba^2? ligands in a meridional fashion. The electronic spectral features of I and II are consistent with the octahedral cobalt(III) ion with an N₂O₄ donor set.     

Extraction of lanthanum and gadolinium(III) at the cloud point using <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-sulfonatocalyx[<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>]arenes as chelating agents

The extraction of gadolinium(III) and lanthanum(III) ions at the cloud point is studied in Triton X100 micellar solutions in a wide range of pH. In the absence of chelating agents, lanthanum(III) and gadolinium(III) ions are unselectively extracted at pH > 6. It is shown that the use of p-sulfonatothiacalyx[6(8)]arenes as chelating agents noticeably enhances the degree of extraction at pH 2–6. The composition and stability of lanthanum-p-sulfonatothiacalyx[n]arene complexes (n = 4, 6, 8) are estimated in a wide range of pH by pH-potentiometry. The degree of Gd³⁺ and La³⁺ ions extraction, which is performed at the cloud points employing calyxarene macrocycles of different sizes, is depended on the acidity of a medium.     

Synthesis,structure, and physicochemical properties of the Cr(<Emphasis Type="Italic">iso</Emphasis>-Bu<Subscript>2</Subscript>PS<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> chelate compound

A paramagnetic (μ_ef = 3.86 BM) complex Cr(i-Bu₂PS₂)₃ (I) has been synthesized. Single crystals I were grown, and the crystal structure of the compound was determined from X-ray diffraction data (X8 APEX diffractometer, MoK _α radiation, 4516 F _hkl , R = 0.0604). Monoclinic crystals, space group P2₁/n, unit cell parameters a = 14.2665(5) Å, b = 11.4400(4) Å, c = 23.1299(8) Å, β = 90.245(1)°, V = 3775.0(2) ų, Z = 4, d _calc = 1.196 g/cm³. The structure is based on discrete mononuclear molecules. The coordination polyhedron of the Cr atom is a distorted S₆ octahedron formed from the S atoms of three cyclic bidentate ligands — i-Bu₂PS ₂ ⁻ ions. Electron spectroscopy data correspond to the octahedral structure of the CrS₆ chromophore. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2007 by E. A. Sankova, L. A. Glinskaya, T. E. Kokina, R. F. Klevstova, and S. V. Larionov __________ Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 374–378, March–April, 2007.     

Physicochemical studies on bioactive Cr(III) coordination compounds with esters of hydrazine carboxylic acid as hetero donor ligands

Reaction between hydrazine derivative ligands (HrzE) or (HrzB) and chromium salt in 1:2 (metal:ligand) molar ratio yielded monometallic trivalent coordination compounds with general formula [Cr(HrzE)₂X₂]X and [Cr(HrzB)₂X₂]X, where (HrzE) = hydrazine carboxylic acid ethyl ester, (HrzB) = hydrazine carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, and X = Cl^?, Br^? or F^?. Elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, magnetic moment measurements, and various spectroscopic techniques, viz. infrared, ultraviolet–visible, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, were applied to illustrate the structure and composition of the coordination compounds. Analytic and conductivity results were consistent with 1:1 electrolytic behavior and the proposed formulas of the coordination compounds. Electronic absorption data and magnetic moment parameters indicated octahedral geometry surrounding the metal ion in the coordination compounds. The in vitro antimicrobial behavior of the ligands and coordination compounds was screened using four bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi) and two fungal strains (Candida parapsilosis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The results indicated improved activity of the coordination compounds compared with the free ligands against the studied bacteria and fungi.     

Chlorokomplexe von Ti(III), V(III) und Cr(III) in Propandiol-1,2-carbonat und Trimethylphosphat

Addition of chloride ions to the hexasolvated ions of Ti(III), V(III) and Cr(III) in propandiol-1,2-carbonate (PDC) and trimethylphosphate (TMP) may lead to the following complexes: [TiCl]²⁺ (inPDC), [TiCl₂]⁺ (inTMP), TiCl₃ (inPDC andTMP, low solubility inTMP), [TiCl₄]^? (inPDC andTMP?), [TiCl₆]^3? (inPDC); [VCl]²⁺ (inPDC andTMP), VCl₃ (inPDC andTMP, low solubility inTMP), [VCl₄]^? (inPDC); [CrCl]²⁺ (inTMP), [CrCl₂]⁺ (inPDC), CrCl₃ (inPDC andTMP), [CrCl₄]^? (inPDC).