Examination of the modified monostandard method in neutron activation analysis

The reproducibility, the small scale as well as the large scale variability of¹³⁷Cs extracted sequentially from the soil by using a modified Tessier procedure was investigated at several grassland sites in Bavaria/Germany and in the Chemobyl area. Because undisturbed grassland soils are never homogeneous with respect to their soil properties, all sequential extractions at the German sites were carried out at each plot separately for different soil layers (e.g., 0–2, 2–5, 5–10, 10–15, 15–20 and 20–30 cm). The results show that the coefficients of variation (CV) for the reproducibility of the extraction procedure for¹³⁷Cs was (with some exceptions) around 10–20% for all fractions. For the small scale variability of¹³⁷Cs (samples within an area of 10×10m²) the values for theCV were (again with a few exceptions) in the same range. Compared to that, the large scale variability of extractable¹³⁷Cs (random soil samples within an area of 100×200 km²) was higher for all fractions, even though only moderately. The implications of these results with respect to a sampling design are discussed.     

Preconcentration and voltammetric determination of the herbicide metamitron with a silica-modified carbon paste electrode

A carbon paste electrode incorporating silica (Si-MCPE) was fabricated to accumulate Metamitron at the electrode surface. Several electroanalytical techniques were used to explore its reductive behaviour. The results indicate that the system is irreversible and fundamentally controlled by adsorption. The adsorptive stripping response has been evaluated with respect to accumulation time, deposition potential, scan rate, pH and other variables, using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) as redissolution techniques. In both cases a voltammetric peak is obtained, at –0.542 V (DPV) and –0.421 V (SWV) in Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 1.9). The detection limits were 3.66 × 10^–1 M and 4.22 × 10^–9 M for AdS-DPV and AdS-SWV, respectively. Under optimum conditions the Metamitron reduction peak gave two linear regions in the range from 4.0 × 10^–9 M to 8.0 × 10^–8 M by means of AdS-DPV, with a coefficient of variation of 2.19% (n = 10) for 1 × 10^–8 M herbicide solution. A method was developed for determination of Metamitron in soils, with a recovery of 98.8% and a coefficient of variation of 5.26% (0.01 g/g of soil).     

Homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction combined with gas chromatography-electron capture detector for the determination of three pesticide residues in soils

In this study, a new method was developed for analyzing malathion, cypermethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin from soil samples by using homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction (HLLE) and gas chromatography with electron capture detector (GC–ECD). Acetone was used as extraction solvent for the extraction of target pesticides from soil samples. When the extraction process was finished, the target analytes in the extraction solvent were rapidly transferred from the acetone extract to carbon tetrachloride, using HLLE. Under the optimum conditions, linearity was obtained in the range of 0.05–40 μg kg⁻¹ for malathion, 0.04–10 μg kg⁻¹ for lambda-cyhalothrin and 0.05–50 μg kg⁻¹ for cypermethrin, respectively. Coefficients of correlation (r²) ranged from 0.9993 to 0.9998. The repeatability was carried out by spiking soil samples at concentration levels of 2.5 μg kg⁻¹ for lambda-cyhalothrin, and 10 μg kg⁻¹ for malathion and cypermethrin, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) varied between 2.3 and 9.6% (n = 3). The limits of detection (LODs), based on signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 3, varied between 0.01 and 0.04 μg kg⁻¹. The relative recoveries of three pesticides from soil A1, A2 and A3 at spiking levels of 2.5, 5 and 10 μg kg⁻¹ were in the range of 82.20–91.60%, 88.90–110.5% and 77.10–98.50%, respectively. In conclusion, the proposed method can be successfully applied for the determination of target pesticide residues in real soil samples.     

Determination of subnanomolar concentrations of cobalt by adsorptive stripping voltammetry at a bismuth film electrode

Procedures for trace cobalt determinations by adsorptive stripping voltammetry at in situ and ex situ plated bismuth film electrodes are presented. These exploit the enhancement of the cobalt peak obtained by using the Co(II)–dimethylglyoxime–cetyltrimethylammonium bromide–piperazine-N,N-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid) system. The calibration graph for an accumulation time of 120 s was linear from 2 × 10^–10 to 2 × 10^–8 mol L^–1. The relative standard deviation from five determinations of cobalt at a concentration of 5 × 10^–9 mol L^–1 was 5.2%. The detection limit for an accumulation time of 300 s was 1.8 × 10^–11 mol L^–1. The proposed procedure was applied to cobalt determination in certified reference materials and in tap and river water samples.     

A novel nitrate-selective electrode based on precipitated nitron nitrate

Summary A nitrate-selective electrode based on precipitated nitron nitrate in an epoxy resin matrix has been prepared. The lower detection limit is 10^–5 M, the optimum pH range is 2.0–8.5, and the response time is 1 min. The electrode is selective in presence of CH₃COO^–, SO₄ ^2–, C₂O₄ ^2–, PO₄ ^3–, NO₂ ^–, Cl^– and Br^–, but I^– interferes. Results for nitrate in soil samples were in agreement with values obtained spectrophotometrically.

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Eine neue nitrat-spezifische Elektrode auf der Basis gefällten Nitronnitrats

Zusammenfassung Eine nitrat-spezifische Elektrode auf der Basis gefällten Nitronnitrats in einer Epoxyharz-Matrix wurde hergestellt. Die untere Nachweisgrenze ist 10^–5 M, das pH-Optimum liegt zwischen 2,0 und 8,5, die Reaktionszeit beträgt 1 Minute. Die Elektrode ist selektiv in Gegenwart von Acetat, Sulfat, Oxalat, Phosphat, Nitrit, Chlorid und Bromid; aber Jodid stört. Ergebnisse der Nitratbestimmung in Bodenproben stimmen mit spektrophotometrischen Resultaten überein.

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Presented at the 8th International Microchemical Symposium, Graz, August 25–30, 1980.     

Spectrophotometric determination of cationic and anionic surfactants with anionic dyes in the presence of nonionic surfactants,part II: Development of batch and flow injection methods

On the basis of the changes in absorption spectra of azo dyes on the addition of an organic onium ion, spectrophotometric methods for the determination of organic onium salts and anionic surfactants were developed, and applied to flow injection method. Propyl orange (PO^–) was used for the determination of organic onium ions. Pairs of PO^– and Zeph⁺ (tetradecyldimethyl-benzylammonium ion) or PO^– and nC₁₈TMA⁺ (n-octadecyltrimethylammonium ion) were used for the determination of anionic surfactants. The determination range of organic onium ions were (0–3) × 10^–5 M by a batch method and were (0–2) × 10^–5 M by a flow injection method. The determination ranges of anionic surfactants were (0–2) × 10^–5 M by the batch method, and were (0–5) × 10^–5 M by the flow injection method, and the detection limit corresponding toS/N = 3 was 3 × 10^–7 M by the flow injection method. By the proposed flow injection method, anionic surfactants in water samples were determined.     

Combined Effects of Heavy Metal Ions on Bacteria and the Determination of Heavy Metals by Bioassay

In the framework of the development of bioassay, a procedure was developed for studying the combined effects of heavy metal ions on bacteria. The bacterium Bacillus subtilis niger was proposed as an analytical indicator. A universal calculation system was developed that allows one to obtain and analyze functional models of toxicity and the combined effects of toxicants. Models for the action of Zn²⁺–Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺–Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺–Cu²⁺–Cd²⁺, and Zn²⁺–Cu²⁺–Cd²⁺–Hg²⁺ mixtures on Bacillus subtilis niger were obtained and studied, and are discussed for the first time. The effect of the type of the nutrient medium on the character and structure of the combined effects was studied. The resulting models were applied to the determination of concentrations of heavy metal ions in mixtures.     

Determination of thallium in the presence of large excess of lead by anodic stripping voltammetry

The paper is concerned with the determination of traces of thallium, as T1(I), in the presence of very large amounts of lead, by d.c. anodic stripping voltammetry, by adding both a complexing agent and anionic surfactant. The supporting complexing agent was 0.1M solution of EDTA (pH 4.4). The influence of the several surfactants on the signals of lead and thallium was investigated.In 0.1M EDTA at pH 4.4 at the absence of a surfactant, lead does not interfere at concentrations below 10^–4 M. When the electrolyte contains also an anionic surfactant, lead can be tolerated at concentrations up to 2 × 10^–3–6 × 10^–3 M (depending on the type of the surfactant), and the height of the thallium peak remains unaffected. This makes the determination of 10^–8 M T1(I) possible when the molar excess of lead is 2–6 × 10⁵ fold. The method has been tested by determining the thallium content of soil extracts.     

Modeling of iron adsorption on HTTA-loaded polyurethane foam using Freundlich,Langmuir and D-R isotherm expressions

The sorption of Fe(III) at low pH range from 1 to 4.5 on open cell polyether type HTTA-loaded polyurethane foam has been carried out using batch technique. The optimum shaking time for 2.5· 10^–4M solution of Fe(III) was found to be 30 minutes. The concept of macropore and micropore nature of polyurethane foam sorbent offers unique advantages of adsorption. Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms are followed at low concentration range from 1·10^–4 to 3·10^–4M solution of Fe(III). The Freundlich constant (1/n=0.46±0.013 andK=9.16±1.39 mg·g^–1) and Langmuir isotherm constants(M=21.78 mg·g^–1 andb=88.41±9.731·g^–1) were established. The sorption mean free energyE=12.22±0.09 kJ·mol^–1 and loading capacityC _m =145.21±6.1 mg·g^–1 were evaluated using Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm, which suggested that the adsorption mechanism was chemisorption.     

Microsphaerins A–D, four novel benzophenone dimers with activity against MRSA from the fungus Microsphaeropsis sp.

Bioassay-guided isolation using an MRSA whole cell assay yielded four novel benzophenone dimers, microsphaerins A–D (1–4), from two Singapore isolates of the soil anamorph Microsphaeropsis sp. The structures of 1–4 were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and the structures of 1 and 4 were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analyses.     

A new ionic strength adjustor for nitrate analysis in waters,soils and plants using ion-selective electrode

A new ionic strength adjustor, ISA (ISA-Pb) composed of 0.02M Pb(CH₃COO)₂–0.01M PbO–0.02M CH₃COOK–0.01M NH₂SO₃H, was tested for the rapid nitrate analysis of waters, soil and plant extracts by means of ion-selective electrode (ISE). It was found that nitrate can be determined accurately and precisely within the concentration range of 5 × 10^–2 M to 2 × 10^–6 M. The proposed ISA-Pb, with a pH of 6.8, controlled the interferences of Cl^–, HCO ₃ ^– , NO ₂ ^– , and organic anions effectively, and gave results comparable to those obtained by the commonly used ISA with Ag₂SO₄ (ISA-Ag) and to well established chemical methods as well. ISA-Pb is much cheaper than ISA-Ag, and can therefore economically replace the latter when ISE is used for nitrate determination.Part of the senior author's doctorate thesis     

Electrodeposition of Lu on W and Al electrodes: Electrochemical formation of Lu–Al alloys and oxoacidity reactions of Lu(III) in the eutectic LiCl–KCl

The electrodeposition of lutetium on inert electrodes and the formation of lutetium–aluminium alloys were investigated in the eutectic LiCl–KCl in the temperature range 673–823 K. On a tungsten electrode, the electroreduction of Lu(III) proceeds in a single step and electrocrystalization plays an important role. Experimental current–time transients are in good agreement with theoretical models based on either instantaneous or progressive nucleation with three dimensional growth of the nuclei, depending on the working temperature. The diffusion coefficient of Lu(III) was determined by chronopotentiometry by applying the Sand equation. The activation energy for diffusion was found to be 31.5 ± 1.3 kJ mol⁻¹. Al₃Lu and mixtures of Al₃Lu and Al₂Lu, characterized by XRD analysis and SEM, were obtained from the LiCl–KCl melt containing Lu(III) by potentiostatic electrolysis using an Al electrode. The activity of Lu and the standard Gibbs energies of formation for Al₃Lu were estimated from open-circuit chronopotentiometric measurements. The E–pO²⁻(potential–oxoacidity) diagram for Lu–O stable compounds in LiCl–KCl at 723 K has been constructed by combining theoretical and experimental data. In this way, the apparent standard potential for the Lu(III)/Lu system has been determined by potentiometry. Potentiometric titrations of Lu(III) solutions with oxide donors, using a yttria stabilized zirconia membrane electrode “YSZME” as a pO²⁻ indicator electrode, have shown the stability of LuOCl and Lu₂O₃ in the melt and their solubility products have been determined at 723 K.     

Preparation and characterization of a codeine responsive electrode

Summary The behaviour of codeine reineckate and codeine tetraphenylborate membrane electrodes has been observed with a respectiveNernstian response of 58 and 56 mV/decade for 9.3×10^–5–1.3×10^–3 M codeine sulfate solutions. The workingpH ranges were 5–8 and 4–8, respectively. The selectivity towards sugars, amines, amino acids, cations, and some pharmaceutical compounds was found to be satisfactory. The isothermal temperature coefficient was 0.0014 V/°C. The electrodes were applied successfully for the determination of codeine in some pharmaceutical dosage forms with a relative standard deviation range of 0.16–0.30% and an average recovery of 98.6±0.6%.

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Herstellung und Charakterisierung einer codeinselektiven Elektrode

Zusammenfassung Das Verhalten von Codeinreineckat- und Codeintetraphenylboratmembranelektroden in 9.3×10^–5–1.3×10^–3 M Codeinsulfatlösungen wurde untersucht (Nernstscher Response: 58 bzw. 56 mV/Dekade). Der verwendetepH-Bereich für die beiden Elektroden war 5–8 bzw. 4–8. Ihre Selektivität gegenüber Zuckern, Aminen, Aminosäuren, Kationen und einigen pharmazeutisch aktiven Verbindungen ist zufriedenstellend. Der isotherme Temperaturkoeffizient beträgt 0.0014V/°C. Die Elektroden wurden erfolgreich zur Bestimmung von Codein in einigen pharmazeutischen Präparaten eingesetzt (relative Standardabweichung: 0.16–0.30%).

     

A novel dynamic approach for automatic microsampling and continuous monitoring of metal ion release from soils exploiting a dedicated flow-through microdialyser

In this paper, a novel concept is presented for automatic microsampling and continuous monitoring of metal ions in soils with minimum disturbance of the sampling site. It involves a hollow-fiber microdialyser that is implanted in the soil body as a miniaturized sensing device. The idea behind microdialysis in this application is to mimic the function of a passive sampler to predict the actual, rather than potential, mobility and bioavailability of metal traces. Although almost quantitative dialysis recoveries were obtained for lead ( 98%) from aqueous model solutions with sufficiently long capillaries (l 30 mm, 200 m i.d.) at perfusion rates of 2.0 L min^–1, the resistance of an inert soil matrix was found to reduce metal uptake by 30%. Preliminary investigation of the potential of the microdialysis analyser for risk assessment of soil pollution, and for metal partitioning studies, were performed by implanting the dedicated probe in a laboratory-made soil column and hyphenating it with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS), so that minute, well-defined volumes of clean microdialysates were injected on-line into the graphite furnace. A noteworthy feature of the implanted microdialysis-based device is the capability to follow the kinetics of metal release under simulated natural scenarios or anthropogenic actions. An ancillary flow set-up was arranged in such a way that a continuous flow of leaching solution — mild extractant (10^–2 mol L^–1 CaCl₂), acidic solution (10^–3 mol L^–1 HNO₃), or chelating agent (10^–4 or 10^–2 mol L^–1 EDTA) — was maintained through the soil body, while the concentration trends of inorganic (un-bound) metal species at the soil-liquid interface could be monitored at near real-time. Hence, relevant qualitative and quantitative information about the various mobile fractions is obtained, and metal-soil phase associations can also be elucidated. Finally, stimulus-response schemes adapted from neurochemical applications and pharmacokinetic studies are to be extended to soil research as an alternative means of local monitoring of extraction processes after induction of a chemical change in the outer boundary of the permselective dialysis membrane.     

The Association Constants of H<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">+</Emphasis></Superscript> and Ca<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">2 +</Emphasis></Superscript> with 2-Keto-D-Gluconate in Aqueous Solutions

2-Keto-D-gluconate (kG) is naturally produced in soils, sediments and rock faces through the microbial oxidation of glucose. Studies have qualitatively shown kG to enhance the dissolution of soil minerals. However, quantitative information, such as the log K values for the formation of metal–kG complexes, are not available. This paper presents the results of potentiometric titration studies that employ H⁺ and Ca²⁺ ion selective electrodes (ISEs) to determine the conditional ion association constants (log Q values) for the protonation and deprotonation of kG and the formation of Ca–kG complexes. The experimentally-determined log Q values were then converted to the corresponding ion association constants (the zero ionic strength condition; log K values) by employing a modified Davies equation for charged species and the Setchenów equation for neutral species. The log K values were determined by potentiometric titrations at constant kG concentration, varied ionic strengths, 25 or 22 ^∘C, and in the absence of CO₂. The computer model GEOCHEM-PC was used to determine the aqueous speciation of ions other than kG and the computer model FITEQL was used to estimate conditional log Q values for reactions in the various chemical models. Based on our evaluations, equilibrium constants for the following reactions were determined: H⁺+ kG^– ⇌ HkG⁰, log K_a1 = (3.00 ± 0.06), kG^–⇌ H_–1kG^2–+ H⁺, log K_a–1 = –(11.97 ± 0.41), and Ca²⁺+ kG^–⇌ CakG⁺, log K₁₀₁ = (1.74 ± 0.04).     

Determination of129I and127I in environmental samples by neutron activation analysis (NAA) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

In order to assess the levels and behavior of¹²⁹I (half-life: 1.6×10⁷ y) and¹²⁷I (stable) in the environment, we have developed analytical procedures involving neutron activation analysis (NAA). Environmental samples collected around Tokaimura, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, have been analyzed using this method. Ranges of¹²⁹I and¹²⁷I concentrations in surface soil were 0.9–180 mBq kg^–1 and 1–60 mg kg^–1, respectively. Higher¹²⁹I concentrations were found in soil samples collected from coniferous forests, suggesting a contribution from tree canopies in the deposition of this nuclide. Most of the¹²⁹I in soil, was found to be retained in the first 10 cm. The¹²⁹I/¹²⁷I ratios in wheat fields were lower than those in rice paddy fields.A soil sample collected by IAEA from an area contaminated by the Chemobyl accident was also determined. The¹²⁹I concentration and the¹²⁹I/¹²⁷I ratio were 1.6 mBq kg^–1 and 1.7×10^–7, respectively. The¹²⁹I level in this sample was higher than the values obtained in areas far from nuclear facilities in Japan. It was suggested that the analysis of¹²⁹I in soils in the Chernobyl area may be useful in evaluating the¹³¹I levels at the time of the accident.Analyses of¹²⁹I and¹²⁷I by ICP-MS in water samples were also made. The analytical speed of this method was very high, i.e., 3 minutes for a sample. However, there is a sensitivity limitation for¹²⁹I detection due to interference from¹²⁹Xe with the¹²⁹I peak. The detection limits for¹²⁹I and¹²⁷I in water samples were about 0.5 mBq ml^–1 and 0.1 ng ml^–1, respectively.     

Comparison of mild extraction procedures for determination of plant-available arsenic compounds in soil

In this work three mild extraction agents for determination of plant-available fractions of elements in soil were evaluated for arsenic speciation in soil samples. Pepper (Capsicum annum, L.) var. California Wonder was cultivated in pots, and aqueous solutions of arsenite, arsenate, methylarsonic acid, and dimethylarsinic acid, at a concentration of 15 mg As kg^–1 soil, were added at the beginning of the experiment. Control pots (untreated) were also included. Deionized water, 0.01 mol L^–1 CaCl₂, and 0.05 mol L^–1 (NH₄)₂SO₄ were used to extract the plant-available fraction of the arsenic compounds in soil samples collected during the vegetation period of the plants. Whereas in control samples the extractable arsenic fraction did not exceed 1% of total arsenic content, soil amendment by arsenic compounds resulted in extraction of larger amounts, which varied between 1.4 and 8.1% of total arsenic content, depending on soil treatment and on the extracting agent applied. Among arsenic compounds determined by HPLC–ICPMS arsenate was predominant, followed by small amounts of arsenite, methylarsonic acid, and dimethylarsinic acid, depending on the individual soil treatment. In all the experiments in which methylarsonic acid was added to the soil methylarsonous acid was detected in the extracts, suggesting that the soil bacteria are capable of reducing methylarsonic acid before a further methylation occurs. No significant differences were observed between analytical data obtained by using different extraction procedures.     

Determination of total thallium in soils by atomic emission spectrography using a two-jet arc plasmatron

A procedure is proposed for the direct determination of total thallium in solid soil samples by atomic emission spectrography with spectral excitation in an two-jet argon-arc plasmatron. The conditions for spectrum excitation and registration have been optimized. The analytical possibilities of the two zones in the plasma jet, before and after the jet confluence, were compared using the determination of thallium in soils as an example. Reference samples were artificial mixtures prepared on the basis of real soils. The accuracy of the results was estimated using the t-test in the analysis of samples with the known analyte concentrations. The experimentally found detection limit is 0.3–0.5 mg/kg. The relative standard deviation at an insignificant systematic error is 12–15% (n = 20; P = 0.95).Translated from Zhurnal Analiticheskoi Khimii, Vol. 60, No. 2, 2005, pp. 165–170.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Cherevko, Polyakova.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with corrections to the author names and book review format.     

Indirect determination of chloride and sulfate ions in alcohol fuel by capillary electrophoresis

A capillary zone electrophoresis method using indirect UV detection for the analysis of chloride and sulfate in alcohol fuel samples was developed. The anions were analyzed in less than 3 min using an electrolyte containing 10 mmol l^–1 chromate and 0.75 mmol l^–1 hexamethonium bromide (HMB) as electroosmotic flow modifier. Coefficients of variation were better than 0.6% for migration time (n=10) and between 2.05 and 2.82% for peak area repeatabilities. Analytical curves of peak area versus concentration in the range of 0.065–0.65 mg kg^–1 for chloride and 0.25–4.0 mg kg^–1 for sulfate were linear with coefficients of correlation higher than 0.9996. The limits of detection for sulfate and chloride were 0.033 and 0.041 mg kg^–1, respectively. Recovery values ranged from 85 to 103%. The method was successfully applied for the quantification of sulfate and chloride in five alcohol fuel samples. The concentration of sulfate varied from 0.45 to 3.12 mg kg^–1. Chloride concentrations were below the methods LOD.     

Effect of using mixed ion-pairs on PVC-membrane electrodes for ephedrine

Mixed ion-pairs based on the use of ephedrinium (EPH)-TPB plus EPH-reineckate (II) and phenylephrine-TPB plus EPH-reineckate (III) were tried for use in plastic membranes. The results were compared to those of an EPH-reineckate (I) single ion-pair electrode. The Nernstian slopes were 50, 49 and 55 mV decade^–1 for membranes I, II and III, respectively. The linear concentration ranges were 10^–5–10^–1, 4.0 × 10^–5–10^–1 and 6.3 ×^–5–10^–1 M ephedrine. The detection limits were 4 ×^–6,10^–5 and 1.2 × 10^–5 M ephedrine for membranes I, II and III, respectively. The pH ranges were 4–9, 3–9 and 2–8 for I, II and III-membranes, respectively. Selectivity coefficient values for membrane II were better than those for membranes I and III. The effects of increasing KC1 concentration and temperature changes were explained for the three electrodes. The isothermal temperature coefficients were 0.00145, 0.0007 and 0.00055 V/ °C for electrodes I, II and III. Electrode III was applied for the determination of ephedrine in its pharmeaceutical preparations with an overall relative standard deviation range of 1.3–2.4% and an overall mean recovery value of 98.1%.