Determination of Kinetic Parameters in the Biosorption of Cr (VI) on Immobilized <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus cereus</Emphasis> M<Superscript>1</Superscript><Subscript>16</Subscript> in a Continuous Packed Bed Column Reactor

Due to technological advancement, environment suffers from untreated toxic heavy metal bearing effluent coming from different industries. Chromium (VI) is one of those heavy metals having adverse impact on ecological balance, human, and plant health because of its carcinogenic properties. Biosorption is presented as an alternative to traditional technologies which are costly and inefficient for treatment of industrial wastes containing low amount of heavy metals. In this study, bioremediation of Cr (VI) ions by immobilized Bacillus cereus M¹ ₁₆ was investigated in a laboratory scale packed bed up-flow column reactor. The effect of important parameters, such as the inlet flow rate, influent concentration, and effective bed height, has been studied. External mass transfer, surface adsorption, and intrabead mass transfer were also studied to conclude the rate limiting step for removal of Cr (VI) and to determine the process parameters which are important for biosorption optimization. The external mass transfer coefficient was calculated at different flow rates (6.51 × 10⁻² to 7.58 × 10⁻² cm/min). Using the model, the surface adsorption rate constant (k _ad) and the intrabead mass transfer coefficient (k _i) were predicted as 0.0267 × 10⁻³ and 0.7465 × 10⁻³ l/g/min, respectively. Both are much lower than the external mass transfer coefficient (k _e). The surface adsorption phenomenon is acting as the rate-limiting step due to its high resistance for removal of Cr (VI).     

Determination of total Sb,Se, Te,and Bi and evaluation of their inorganic species in garlic by hydride-generation–atomic-fluorescence spectrometry

A sensitive and simple analytical method has been developed for determination of Sb(III), Sb(V), Se(IV), Se(VI), Te(IV), Te(VI), and Bi(III) in garlic samples by using hydride-generation–atomic-fluorescence spectrometry (HG–AFS). The method is based on a single extraction of the inorganic species by sonication at room temperature with 1 mol L⁻¹ H₂SO₄ and washing of the solid phase with 0.1% (w/v) EDTA, followed by measurement of the corresponding hydrides generated under two different experimental conditions directly and after a pre-reduction step. The limit of detection of the method was 0.7 ng g⁻¹ for Sb(III), 1.0 ng g⁻¹ for Sb(V), 1.3 ng g⁻¹ for Se(IV), 1.0 ng g⁻¹ for Se(VI), 1.1 ng g⁻¹ for Te(IV), 0.5 ng g⁻¹ for Te(VI), and 0.9 ng g⁻¹ for Bi(III), in all cases expressed in terms of sample dry weight.     

Formation of excited uranyl in oxidation of tetravalent uranium with oxygen in HClO<Subscript>4</Subscript> aqueous solutions: IV. Enhancement of the chemiluminescent reaction in the presence of Fe<Superscript>2+</Superscript>

Experimental data that support the hypothesis on the determining role of ^•OH radicals in the emergence of luminescence during the oxidation of U(IV) with atmospheric oxygen in aqueous HClO₄ solutions have been obtained using the H₂O₂-FeSO₄ system as a source of OH radicals. It has been found that brighter chemiluminescence (CL) is observed in the presence of 10⁻⁵ mol/l Fe²⁺ in a 5 × 10⁻⁴ mol/l U(IV) solution in 0.1 mol/l HClO₄ compared with the FeSO₄-free solution. The CL yield in the presence of Fe²⁺ (η_CL = 3.9 × 10⁻⁸) is 2.8 times that in the solution without iron (η_CL = 1.4 × 10⁻⁸). These results can be regarded as a further piece of evidence for the idea that the elementary event of the formation of a CL emitter—electronically excited uranyl ion *(UO₂²⁺)—in radical chain U(IV) oxidation reactions is electron transfer from the uranoyl ion (UO₂⁺) to the oxidant, the ^•OH radical. Thus, one of the main prerequisites for light emission during U(IV) oxidation reactions is a high generation efficiency of ^•OH radicals and their easy access to the uranoyl UO₂⁺ ion.     

Solubility of Eu<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> and sorption of Eu(III) onto TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in the presence of Se(IV)

Metal ions sorption can be significantly affected by the presence of other sorbates, especially of complexing ligands. In this study, the effect of Se(IV) on Eu(III) sorption onto TiO₂ at different pH and Eu(III) concentration was investigated. Se(IV) was found to enhance Eu(III) sorption as a function of Se(IV) concentration. Constant capacitance model was successfully used to interpret the sorption experimental data. The solubility product of Eu₂(SeO₃)₃ at ambient temperature was investigated to highlight the sorption mechanism of ternary sorption system. The pK _sp value of Eu₂(SeO₃)₃ was found to be 31.51 ± 0.95.     

Simultaneous speciation of arsenic (As(III), MMA, DMA, and As(V)) and selenium (Se(IV), Se(VI), and SeCN−) in petroleum refinery aqueous streams

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to an ICP-MS with an octapole reaction system (ORS) has been used to carry out quantitative speciation of selenium (Se) and arsenic (As) in the stream waters of a refining process. The argon dimers interfering with the ⁷⁸Se and ⁸⁰Se isotopes were suppressed by pressurizing the octapole chamber with 3.1 mL min⁻¹ H₂ and 0.5 mL min⁻¹ He. Four arsenic species arsenite—As(III), arsenate (As(V)), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA)—and three inorganic Se species—selenite Se(IV), selenate Se(VI), and selenocyanate (SeCN⁻)—were separated in a single run by ion chromatography (IC) using gradient elution with 100 mmol L⁻¹ NH₄NO₃, pH 8.5, adjusted by addition of NH₃, as eluent. Repeatabilities of peak position and of peak area evaluation were better than 1% and about 3%, respectively. Detection limits (as 3σ of the baseline noise) were 81, 56, and 75 ng L⁻¹ for Se(IV), Se(VI), and SeCN⁻, respectively, and 22, 19, 25, and 16 ng L⁻¹ for As(III), As(V), MMA, and DMA, respectively. Calibration curve R ² values ranged between 0.996 and 0.999 for the arsenic and selenium species. Column recovery for ion chromatography was calculated to be 97 ± 6% for combined arsenic species and 98 ± 3% for combined selenium species. Because certified reference materials for As and Se speciation studies are still not commercially available, in order to check accuracy and precision the method was applied to certified reference materials, BCR 714, BCR 1714, and BCR 715 and to two different refinery samples—inlet and outlet wastewater. The method was successfully used to study the quantitative speciation of selenium and arsenic in petroleum refinery wastewaters.     

Selenite and Selenate Speciation in Natural Waters: Interaction with Divalent Metal Ions

Selenium is a trace element of environmental relevance. Studies on its solution chemistry are scarce and were mostly carried out under experimental conditions of little relevance to environmental research. Thus, we have performed new studies of selenium speciation in solutions of low ionic strength, in contrast to those prevailing in the literature data. In this work, potentiometric titrations (at 20.0 °C, and I=0.15 mol⋅L⁻¹ NaClO₄) were carried out for systems containing Se(VI) or Se(IV) oxyanions and divalent metal ions (Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb). Ion pairs such as [M(SeO₄)] and [M(HSeO₄)₂], or [M(HSeO₃)]⁺ and [M(SeO₃)], exist in solutions. The data reported here provide the basis for determining selenium speciation in natural aquatic systems, on which the bioavailability and toxicity of this element depends.     

The processes involved in the Se electrodeposition and dissolution on Au electrode: the H<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se formation

The processes involved in the Se electrodeposition, mainly the one related to the formation of H₂Se species on Au electrode in perchloric acid solutions, have been investigated through cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), rotating ring-disc electrode (RRDE), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. In the experiments performed with the EQCM, with the potential sweep in the negative direction, the responses for the mass variation were divided in three well-defined potential regions: A (from 1.55 to 0.35 V), B (from 0.35 to −0.37 V), and C (from −0.37 to −0.49 V). It was verified that the following processes can occur, respectively: the species (AuO)₂H₂SeO₃ was desorbed during the AuO reduction, the reduction of Se(IV) to Se(0), and the formation of H₂Se. When the potential was swept in the positive direction, the responses for the mass variation were divided in four well-defined potential regions: D (from −0.49 to 0.66 V), E (from 0.66 to 0.99 V), F (from 0.99 to 1.26 V), and G (from 1.26 to 1.55 V), and the described processes in these regions were, respectively: the Se deposition and adsorption of water molecules and/or perchlorate ions, the Se dissolution, the Se incorporating mass in the form of HO–Se, and the Au oxidation (all potentials are referred to the Ag/AgCl electrode). Making use of the RRDE, using the collection technique, the formation of H₂Se species during the Se electrodeposition was investigated. Therefore, it was confirmed that this species is formed on the disc electrode between −0.3 and −0.55 V vs the Ag/AgCl potential range (collecting the oxidized compound onto the ring electrode). AFM images also indicated that the surface topography of the Se-massive deposit on Au is different from the images registered after the formation of H₂Se species, confirming the cathodic stripping of Se.     

Pivalates with the M<Superscript>II</Superscript><Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> cubane core (M = Co,Ni): synthesis,structure, magnetic properties,and solid-state thermolysis

Methods were developed for the controlled thermal synthesis of high-spin cubane-like pivalates {M^II ₄(μ₃−OR)₄} (M = Co or Ni; R = H or Me) starting from mono-and polynuclear complexes. The solid-state thermal decomposition of the known pivalate clusters [M^II ₄(μ₃−OMe)₄−(μ₂−OOCBu^t)₂(η²−OOCBu^t)₂(MeOH)₄] and the new clusters [M₄^II(μ₃)−OH₄(η¹−OOCBu^t)₃−(μ−(NH₂)₂C₆H₂Me₂)₃(η¹−(NH₂)₂C₆H₂Me₂)₃]⁺(OOCBu^t)− (M = Co or Ni) was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. The thermolysis of cubane-like CoII and NiII pivalates is a destructive process. The phase composition of the decomposition products is determined by the nature of coordinated ligands and the structural features of the metal core.     

Determination of ultra-trace amounts of inorganic selenium species in natural water by ion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry coupled with nano-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> solid phase extraction

This work presents a nano-Al₂O₃ solid phase extraction technique for the determination of ultra-trace amounts of inorganic selenium species in aqueous systems using ion chromatography inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (IC-ICP-MS). In this experiment, the inorganic selenium species were successfully extracted on a nano-Al₂O₃ solid phase column and then quantitative eluted with a 100 mmol L⁻¹ NaOH solution. Extraction conditions such as solvent identity, solvent concentration, solvent volume, solvent pH and salt addition were optimized. Under the optimum extraction conditions (elute solvent: 100 mmol L⁻¹ NaOH, solvent volume: 4 mL, pH: 7.0), low detection limits (Se (IV): 6 ng L⁻¹, Se (VI): 11 ng L⁻¹; RSD<5.0%) and good linear range (0.5–100 ng mL⁻¹, R² > 0.999) were obtained for all of the analytes. Good spiked recoveries over the range of 80–98% were obtained by applying the proposed method on real environmental water samples. These results indicated that this method is very sensitive and reliable when monitoring trace levels of inorganic selenium species in aqueous samples.      

Solubility and hydrolysis of lutetium at different [Lu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>]<Subscript>initial</Subscript>

Solubility product (Lu(OH)_3(s)⇆Lu³⁺+3OH⁻) and first hydrolysis (Lu³⁺+H₂O⇆Lu(OH)²⁺+H⁺) constants were determined for an initial lutetium concentration range from 3.72·10⁻⁵ mol·dm⁻³ to 2.09·10⁻³ mol·dm⁻³. Measurements were made in 2 mol·dm⁻³ NaClO₄ ionic strength, under CO₂-free conditions and temperature was controlled at 303 K. Solubility diagrams (pLu_aq vs. pC _H) were determined by means of a radiochemical method using ¹⁷⁷Lu. The pC _H for the beginning of precipitation and solubility product constant were determined from these diagrams and both the first hydrolysis and solubility product constants were calculated by fitting the diagrams to the solubility equation. The pC _H values of precipitation increases inversely to [Lu³⁺]_initial and the values for the first hydrolysis and solubility product constants were log₁₀ β* _Lu,H = −7.92±0.07 and log₁₀ K*_sp,Lu(OH)3 = −23.37±0.14. Individual solubility values for pC _H range between the beginning of precipitation and 8.5 were S _Lu3+ = 3.5·10⁻⁷ mol·dm⁻³, S _Lu(OH)2+ = 6.2·10⁻⁷ mol·dm⁻³, and then total solubility was 9.7·10⁻⁷ mol·dm⁻³.     

Sorption behavior of Am<Superscript>3+</Superscript> on suspended pyrite

Sorption behavior of ²⁴¹Am (~10⁻⁹ M) on naturally occurring mineral pyrite (particle size: ≤70 μm) has been studied under varying conditions of pH (2–11), and ionic strength (0.01–1.0 M (NaClO₄)). The effects of humic acid (2 mg/L), other complexing anions (1 × 10⁻⁴ M CO₃ ²⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, C₂O₄ ²⁻ and PO₄ ³⁻), di- and trivalent metal ions (1 × 10⁻³ M Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Nd³⁺) on sorption behavior of Am³⁺ at a fixed ionic strength (I = 0.10 M (NaClO₄)) have been studied. The sorption of ²⁴¹Am on pyrite increased with pH from 2.8 (84%) to 8.1 (97%). The sorption of ²⁴¹Am decreased with ionic strength at low pH values (2 ≤ pH ≤ 4), but was insensitive in the pH range of 4–10, suggesting the formation of outer-sphere complexes on pyrite surface at lower pH, and inner-sphere complexes at higher pH values. The sorption of ²⁴¹Am increased in the presence of (i) humic acid (5 < pH < 7.5), and (ii) C₂O₄ ²⁻ (2 < pH < 3). By contrast, other complexing anions such as (carbonate, phosphate, and sulphate) showed negligible influence on ²⁴¹Am sorption. The presence of Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ ions showed marginal effect on the sorption profile of ²⁴¹Am; while the presence of Nd³⁺ ion suppressed its sorption significantly under the conditions of present study. The sorption of ²⁴¹Am on pyrite decreased with increased temperature indicating an exothermic process.     

Effects of La<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> on outward potassium channels in Vicia guard cells

Effects of La³⁺ and Eu³⁺ on outward potassium channels (K_out⁺) in Vicia guard cells have been studied by patch clamping technique. Extracellular La³⁺ inhibited K_out⁺ currents with a half-inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) of 81 μmol·L⁻¹. Interestingly, intracellular La³⁺ activated K_out⁺ currents at a free concentration of 1.13 × 10⁻¹⁴ mol·L⁻¹, and inhibited K_out⁺ currents at a free concentration of 5.86 × 10⁻¹⁴ mol·L⁻¹. Extracellular Eu³⁺ also activated K_out⁺ currents at concentrations of 10 μmol·L⁻¹ and 50 μmol·L⁻¹, and inhibited K_out⁺ currents at concentrations of more than 1 mmol·L⁻¹. The effects of La³⁺ and Eu³⁺ on K_out⁺ currents may contribute to regulation of the plant water status, which may be one of the mechanisms of the biological effect of rare earth elements.     

PuPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>(cr,hyd.) Solubility Product and Pu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Complexes with Phosphate and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid

To determine the solubility product of PuPO₄(cr, hyd.) and the complexation constants of Pu(III) with phosphate and EDTA, the solubility of PuPO₄(cr, hyd.) was investigated as a function of: (1) time and pH (varied from 1.0 to 12.0), and at a fixed 0.00032 mol⋅L⁻¹ phosphate concentration; (2) NaH₂PO₄ concentrations varying from 0.0001 mol⋅L⁻¹ to 1.0 mol⋅L⁻¹ and at a fixed pH of 2.5; (3) time and pH (varied from 1.3 to 13.0) at fixed concentrations of 0.00032 mol⋅L⁻¹ phosphate and 0.0004 mol⋅L⁻¹ or 0.002 mol⋅L⁻¹ Na₂H₂EDTA; and (4) Na₂H₂EDTA concentrations varying from 0.00005 mol⋅L⁻¹ to 0.0256 mol⋅L⁻¹ at a fixed 0.00032 mol⋅L⁻¹ phosphate concentration and at pH values of approximately 3.5, 10.6, and 12.6. A combination of solvent extraction and spectrophotometric techniques confirmed that the use of hydroquinone and Na₂S₂O₄ helped maintain the Pu as Pu(III). The solubility data were interpreted using the Pitzer and SIT models, and both provided similar values for the solubility product of PuPO₄(cr, hyd.) and for the formation constant of PuEDTA⁻. The log ₁₀ of the solubility product of PuPO₄(cr, hyd.) [PuPO₄(cr, hyd.) \rightleftarrows\rightleftarrows Pu³⁺+PO₄^3-\mathrm{Pu}^{3+}+\mathrm{PO}_{4}^{3-}] was determined to be −(24.42±0.38). Pitzer modeling showed that phosphate interactions with Pu³⁺ were extremely weak and did not require any phosphate complexes [e.g., PuPO₄(aq), PuH₂PO₄²⁺\mathrm{PuH}_{2}\mathrm{PO}_{4}^{2+}, Pu(H₂PO₄)₂⁺\mathrm{Pu(H}_{2}\mathrm{PO}_{4})_{2}^{+}, Pu(H₂PO₄)₃(aq), and Pu(H₂PO₄)₄^-\mathrm{Pu(H}_{2}\mathrm{PO}_{4})_{4}^{-}] as proposed in existing literature, to explain the experimental solubility data. SIT modeling, however, required the inclusion of PuH₂PO₄²⁺\mathrm{PuH}_{2}\mathrm{PO}_{4}^{2+} to explain the data in high NaH₂PO₄ concentrations; this illustrates the differences one can expect when using these two different chemical models to interpret the data. Of the Pu(III)-EDTA species, only PuEDTA⁻ was needed to interpret the experimental data over a large range of pH values (1.3–12.9) and EDTA concentrations (0.00005–0.256 mol⋅L⁻¹). Calculations based on density functional theory support the existence of PuEDTA⁻ (with prospective stoichiometry as Pu(OH₂)₃EDTA⁻) as the chemically and structurally stable species. The log ₁₀ value of the complexation constant for the formation of PuEDTA⁻ [ Pu³⁺+EDTA^4-\rightleftarrows PuEDTA^-\mathrm{Pu}^{3+}+\mathrm{EDTA}^{4-}\rightleftarrows \mathrm{PuEDTA}^{-}] determined in this study is −20.15±0.59. The data also showed that PuHEDTA(aq), Pu(EDTA)₄^5-\mathrm{Pu(EDTA)}_{4}^{5-}, Pu(EDTA)(HEDTA)⁴⁻, Pu(EDTA)(H₂EDTA)³⁻, and Pu(EDTA)(H₃EDTA)²⁻, although reported in the literature, have no region of dominance in the experimental range of variables investigated in this study.     

Comparative study of Cl<Superscript>−</Superscript>, Br<Superscript>−</Superscript>, and I<Superscript>−</Superscript> ion adsorption from N-methylformamide at Ga-, (In-Ga)-, and (Tl-Ga)-electrodes

Adsorption of Cl⁻, Br⁻, and I⁻ (Hal⁻) ions from their 0.1 M solutions in N-methylformamide, a solvent with the highest permittivity (182.4 at 25°C), at liquid Ga-, (In-Ga)-, and (Tl-Ga)-electrodes with refreshable surface was studied by the measuring of differential capacitance and by using an open-circuit jet electrode. It is shown that the adsorption parameters and the surface activity series depend significantly on the metal nature. For the (In-Ga)- and (Tl-Ga)-electrodes, like for Hg-electrode, the halogenide-ion surface activity increases in the following series: Cl⁻ < Br⁻ < I⁻; for the Ga-electrode, it varies in the opposite sequence: I⁻ < Br⁻ < Cl⁻. By example of the Ga-electrode in N-methylformamide, it is shown for the first time that the phenomenon of the surface activity series reversal can be observed not only in aprotic solvents but also in protonic ones. The data obtained in N-methylformamide is compared with that obtained in dimethyl formamide and acetonitrile. The halogenide-ion adsorption at the Ga-, (In-Ga)-, and (Tl-Ga)-electrodes decreases in the series N-methylformamide < dimethyl formamide < acetonitrile. The results in aggregate are explained in terms of the Andersen-Bockris model. The data obtained in N-methylformamide, dimethyl formamide, and acetonitrile evidence the increase of ΔG _M-Hal ⁻in the series (Tl-Ga) < (In-Ga) < Ga, that is, with the increasing of the metal work function. This points out the donor-acceptor nature of the metal-halogenide-ion interaction, in which the halogenide-ions are donors of electron pair with respect to the metals.     

Use of INAA to study the effect of selenium on uranium accumulation in cells of saccharomyces cerevisiae

Differences in the effects of seleno-cystine (CySe)₂ and inorganic Se(IV) and Se(VI) compounds on uranium(VI) uptake by yeast cells, Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been studied. The Se, U, Zn and Co levels of the yeast cells were measured by neutron activation analysis. An increase in the concentration of U cells within the first 2 hours of incubation was produced by the presence of SeO₂ (2·10^–4–5·10^–4M) and (CySe)₂ (1·10^–4M) in the yeast medium. Moreover, the highest SeO₂ concentration (5·10^–4M) and (CySe)₂ more efficiently enhanced the U content of the cells than SeO₂ at the low concentration end (2·10^–4M). However, the effect of SeO₂ and (CySe)₂ on U uptake diminishes with incubation time (from 2 to 48 hours). Se(VI) [as (NH₄)₂SeO₄] leads to a marked decrease in the content of uranium in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (an antagonistic interaction). As expected, uranium uptake by the yeast influence the retention of selenium in the cells. Uranium significantly increased the uptake yield of Se by Saccharomyces cerevisiae when the yeast was incubated in the medium containing (CySe)₂. Furthermore, during the initial 24 hours of the incubation an increase of the Se content of the cells in the presence of U was observed when Se(VI) was in the culture medium. Selenium and uranium dosages affected the Zn and Co contents of cells.     

Ionic mobility in heptafluorozirconantes with a mixed cationic sublattice as probed by <Superscript>1</Superscript>H and <Superscript>19</Superscript>F NMR

The ionic mobility in heptafluorozirconates (NH₄)_2.7Rb_0.3ZrF₇ and (NH₄)_2.75Cs_0.25ZrF₇ has been studied by ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR in the temperature range 150–430 K. The types of ion motion were determined and their activation energies were estimated. A phase transition results in a modification in which diffusion in the ammonium sublattice and orientational disorder of ZrF₇³⁻ anions are observed. Owing to diffusion of ammonium ions, the compounds have relatively high ionic conductivity (σ ≥ 5 × 10⁻⁵ S/cm at 420 K).     

Solvothermal Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Properties of New [Mn(<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">dien</Emphasis>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Complexes

Summary.  The two new compounds Mn(dien)₂[MoS₄] (1) and Mn(dien)₂[Mo₂O₂S₆] (2) (dien = diethylenetriamine) were prepared under solvothermal conditions. Both compounds were obtained as phase-pure products. The structures consist of new [Mn(dien)₂]²⁺ cations and isolated tetrahedral [MoS₄]²⁻ (1) or [Mo₂O₂S₆]²⁻ (2) anions. Between the anions and the cations, hydrogen bonding is observed. Compound 1 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I (a = 10.219(2), c = 9.259(2) ?, Z = 2), whereas 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (a = 8.703(2), b = 18.390(4), c = 14.603(3) ?, β = 103.18(3)°, Z = 4). The thermal behaviour of the thiomolybdates was investigated using difference thermoanalysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry (TG). Both compounds decompose under argon with a single endothermic signal in the DTA curve (peak maximum: 252 (1) and 242°C (2)). Received November 5, 2001. Accepted December 27, 2001     

Atmospheric deposition fluxes of <Superscript>7</Superscript>Be, <Superscript>210</Superscript>Pb and <Superscript>210</Superscript>Po at Xiamen,China

The atmospheric deposition fluxes of ⁷Be, ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po at Xiamen were measured. The samples were collected from March 2004 to April 2005 and the sampling period was one month. The ⁷Be and ²¹⁰Pb activity were measured using HPGe γ-spectrometer after concentration using Fe(OH)₃ co-precipitation method. The ²¹⁰Po was counted with an α-spectrometer after the sample was digested and spontaneous plated onto a silver planchet. At Xiamen, the atmospheric deposition fluxes of ⁷Be varied between 0.11 and 2.93 Bq·m⁻²·d⁻¹ and the average was 1.64 Bq·m⁻²·d⁻¹; ²¹⁰Pb fluxes varied between 0.04 and 0.85 Bq·m⁻²·d⁻¹, and the average was 0.51 Bq·m⁻²·d⁻¹; ²¹⁰Po fluxes varied between 0.002 and 0.133 Bq·m⁻²·d⁻¹, and the average was 0.061 Bq·m⁻²·d⁻¹. There were positive correlations between the deposition fluxes of ⁷Be, ²¹⁰Pb or ²¹⁰Po and the amount of precipitation. The residence time of aerosols varied between 6.0 and 54.0 days with a mean of 27.1 days, which were calculated by ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb fluxes ratios.     

Synthesis of pyridyl derivatives for the future functionalization of biomolecules labeled with the fac-[<Superscript>188</Superscript>Re(CO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Superscript>+</Superscript> precursor

In this paper, we investigated three ligand systems, symmetric and asymmetric pyridyl-containing tridentate ligands (L¹NH₂ = (bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-amino)-ethylamine, L²H = (bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-amino)-acetic acid, L³NH₂ = [(6-amino-hexyl)-pyridyl-2-methyl-amino]-acetic acid) as bifunctional chelating agents for labeling biomolecules. These ligands reacted with the precursor fac-[¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ and yielded the radioactive complexes fac-[¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃L] (L = three ligands), which were identified by RP-HPLC. The corresponding stable rhenium tricarbonyl complexes (1–3) were allowed for macroscopic identification of the radiochemical compounds. ¹⁸⁸Re tricarbonyl complexes, with log P _o/w values ranging from −1.36 to −0.32, were obtained with yields of ≥90% using ligand concentrations within the 10⁻⁶−10⁻⁴M range. Challenge studies with cysteine and histidine revealed the high stability properties of these radioactive complexes, and biodistribution studies in normal mice indicated a fast rate of blood clearance and high rate of total radioactivity excretion, primarily through the renal-urinary pathway. In summary, these asymmetric and symmetric pyridyl-containing tridentate ligands are potent bifunctional chelators for the future biomolecules labeling of fac-[¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺.     

Bioaccumulation and biosorption of stable strontium and <Superscript>90</Superscript>Sr by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oscillatoria homogenea</Emphasis> cyanobacterium

The ability of living filamentous cells of the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria homogenea to separate stable strontium and ⁹⁰Sr from aqueous solution is demonstrated in this study. On a basis of filamentous cell biovolume, the removal were 43.78 nM·ml·(mm³)⁻¹ and 3129.48 mBq·ml·(mm³)⁻¹ after 240 hour incubation. The optimum pH for strontium uptake is 9±0.3. The increasing biovolume of the blue-green alga elevates sorption. In the liquid culture containing 21.2 mm³·ml⁻¹ filamentous cells and 1000 nM·ml⁻¹ initial strontium concentration, the maximum strontium removal was 455.34 nM·ml·(mm³)⁻¹. At 1200 Lux illumination, the maximum removal value was 58.62 nM·ml·(mm³)⁻¹, and at the initial strontium concentration of 6590 nM·ml⁻¹, 235.40 nM·ml·(mm³)⁻¹ removal was observed. The experimental data fitted to Langmuir isotherm and the model parameters and correlation coefficient (R ²) were q _max = 7.143 μg·(mm³)⁻¹, b = 0.003 and 0.99, respectively.