Characterization of anthropogenic sediment particles after a transboundary water pollution of river Tisza using synchrotron radiation

At the beginning of 2000, a major mining accident occurred in the Romanian part of the Tisza catchment area due to tailings dam failure releasing huge amounts of heavy metals to the river. Sediment samples were taken from the main riverbed at six sites in Hungary, on March 16, 2000. The objective of this work was to characterize the anthropogenic particles in river sediment previously selected by single-particle electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA). The trace element composition, heterogeneity and heavy metal speciation of individual particles was studied using synchrotron radiation-based microbeam X-ray emission and absorption methods. Particles were selected only from samples regarded as polluted sediment. White-beam micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) allowed the quantitative determination of heavy metals such as cadmium in individual particles. The maximum observed concentration of cadmium (>700 μg/g) indicates that this highly toxic heavy metal is concentrated in individual anthropogenic particles. Using the combination of micro X-ray absorption near-edge structure and target-transformation principle component analysis, quantitative chemical speciation of copper and zinc was feasible on individual sediment particles. Heavy metals in most of the particles released from the pollution site remained in the sulfide form resulting in a limited mobility of these metals. Based on the information obtained using microanalytical methods, the estimation of the environmental mobility of heavy metals connected to microparticles becomes possible.     

Comparison of sediment pollution in the rivers of the Hungarian Upper Tisza Region using non-destructive analytical techniques

The rivers in the Hungarian Upper Tisza Region are frequently polluted mainly due to mining activities in the catchment area. At the beginning of 2000, two major mining accidents occurred in the Romanian part of the catchment area due to the failure of a tailings dam releasing huge amounts of cyanide and heavy metals to the rivers. Surface sediment as well as water samples were collected at six sites in the years 2000–2003, from the northeast-Hungarian section of the Tisza, Szamos and Túr rivers. The sediment pollution of the rivers was compared based on measurements of bulk material and selected single particles, in order to relate the observed compositions and chemical states of metals to the possible sources and weathering of pollution. Non-destructive X-ray analytical methods were applied in order to obtain different kinds of information from the same samples or particles. In order to identify the pollution sources, their magnitude and fate, complementary analyses were carried out. Heterogeneous particulate samples were analyzed from a large geographical territory and a 4-year time period. Individual particles were analyzed only from the “hot” samples that showed elevated concentrations of heavy metals. Particles that were classified as anthropogenic were finally analyzed to identify trace concentrations and chemical states of heavy metals.     

Assessing sediment pollution from the Julian Adame-Alatorre dam by instrumental neutron activation analysis

The rapid industrial development in regions of Mexico during recent years has had the side effect of introducing toxic metals, fertilizers, and pesticides into the ecosystem. Sediment cores were collected from eight locations around the Julian Adame-Alatorre dam located in the Municipality of Villanueva in the State of Zacatecas, México. The cores were analyzed for 32 major, trace, and rare earth elements (As, La, Lu, Nd, Sm, U, Yb, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Zn, Zr, Al, Ba, Ca, Dy, K, Mn, Na, Ti, and V) in order to estimate the health risk. The samples were analyzed by instrument neutron activation analysis (INAA) using thermal neutron fluxes of 8 × 10¹³ and 5 × 10¹³ n cm⁻² s⁻¹ for short and long irradiations, respectively. The results of the contamination levels for elements such as As, Ba, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ta, V, and Zn were compared with the Mexican regulations and the guidelines of USEPA. Enrichment factors for quantified elements identified high As, Sb, Hf, and Cs contents using Fe as a crustal reference.     

XPS, SIMS and SNMS applied to a combined analysis of aerosol particles from a region of considerable air pollution in the upper Rhine valley

 The water acceptance of aerosol particle surfaces is a key factor for atmospheric hygiene as it initiates gravitational settling by water up-take. To examine the concurrent influences on the surface of real airborne particles concerning the deposition of hydrophobic organic material, six particle sampling campaigns were performed in polluted outdoor-air under different air conditions. The particles were examined with SNMS, SIMS, and XPS with special view of the chemical inventory of the surface region. The total elemental inventory obtained with SNMS shows carbon compounds in all particle size classes. Soot seems to govern the submicron particles while the coarse fraction contains soil dust or fly ash. Depth-resolved analysis shows organic carbon compounds to be surface-enriched and to dominate the composition of the topmost molecular layers of the particles independent of the collection time and particle sizes. However, chlorides and ammonium sulfate were also found at the surface which will always reduce the hydrophobicity of the surface caused by organic compounds. No correlation was discovered between the ozone or NO₂ concentration of the air and the type and quantity of the organic surface components. Received: 1 November 1996/Revised: 17 January 1997/Accepted: 22 January 1997     

Certified sediment reference materials for trace element analysis from the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ)

Two types of sediment reference material (NMIJ 7302-a and 7303-a) for trace elements analysis have been prepared and certified by the National Metrology Institute of Japan in the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (NMIJ/AIST). The original materials were collected from a bay near industrial activity in Kyushu (NMIJ CRM 7302-a; marine sediment) and from Lake Biwa (NMIJ CRM 7303-a; lake sediment). The sediment materials were air-dried, sieved, homogenized, packaged in 1000 glass bottles (60 g each), and radiation sterilized. Certification of these CRM for trace elements was conducted by NMIJ, where each element was determined by at least two independent analytical techniques. Isotope-dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) was applied for certification of all the elements except mono-nuclide elements such as As and Co. Other techniques such as ICP–MS with quadrupole mass spectrometry and sector-field mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES), and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), were also used. Certified values have been provided for 14 elements (Sb, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se, Ag, Sn, and Zn) in both CRM.     

利用X射线衍射法测定固相氯化法氯化聚乙烯的结晶度

本实验根据X射线衍射强度理论和聚合物两相模型概念,采用逐级近似的方法,利用X射线衍射技术,测得了固相氯化法CPR的结晶度。结果表明,当Cl%≤12.0%时,随着氯含量的增加,固相氯化法CPE的结晶度逐渐减小。     

The lanthanoid(II) halides: Still a veritable gold mine

The preparative and structural chemistry of the lanthanoid(II) halides is reviewed with emphasis on recent developments in preparatory procedures and phase studies. The chemistry of those systems where uncertainty remains is emphasized. Some recent results of lanthanoid(II) solution chemistry and of both mixed cation and mixed anion solid state ternary-phase chemistry are discussed.     

X-Ray crystal structure of the tris(acetato)dioxoosmate(VI) anion

X-ray crystallographic study of K[OsO₂(O₂CMe)₃]· 2MeCO₂H shows that the anion has cis dioxo, one chelate and two trans monodentate acetato groups.     

Quantifying heterogeneity and conformational dynamics from single molecule FRET of diffusing molecules: recurrence analysis of single particles (RASP)

Single molecule F?rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments are a versatile method for investigating the conformational distributions and dynamics of biological macromolecules. In a common type of experiment, the fluorescence bursts from individual molecules freely diffusing in solution are detected as they pass through the observation volume of a confocal microscope. Correlation analysis of the fluorescence bursts shows that under typical experimental conditions, for time scales up to several tens of milliseconds, the probability for a molecule to return to the confocal volume is greater than the probability of a new molecule being detected. Here we present RASP (recurrence analysis of single particles), a method that is based on this recurrence behavior and allows us to significantly extend the information that can be extracted from single molecule FRET experiments. The number and peak shapes of subpopulations within the sample can be identified essentially in a model-free way by constructing recurrence FRET efficiency histograms. These are obtained by first selecting photon bursts from a small transfer efficiency range (initial bursts), and then building the FRET efficiency histogram only from bursts detected within a short time (the recurrence interval) after the initial bursts. Systematic variation of the recurrence interval allows the kinetics of interconversion between subpopulations to be determined on time scales from ~50 μs up to ~100 ms from equilibrium measurements. We demonstrate the applicability of the method on measurements of several peptides and proteins with different degrees of conformational heterogeneity and folding dynamics. The concepts presented here can be extended to other observables available from single molecule fluorescence experiments.     

Radioisotope excited X-ray fluorescence analysis of Asellus Aquaticus (Crustacea: Isopoda) from Istanbul as an indicator of environmental metal pollution

Some metal contents of the freshwater isopod: Asellus aquaticus (Crustacea:Isopoda), collected from the pool of the botanical garden of Istanbul University(at the vicinity of old city center of Istanbul), were analysed, in orderto investigate urban metal pollution. The analysis of the homogenized sampleof isopods indicated that it contained K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Br,Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ba, Cd, Cs and Hg in different amounts. The results were comparedwith those of other isopods and various organisms.     

Removal of iron (III) oxide particles from a quartz plate by liquid flow

The detachment of submicron particles of iron (III) oxide from a quartz plate in aqueous solutions was investigated by using a well-defined flow of electro-osmosis in comparison with the ordinary flow of water without electrokinetic effect. A rectangular quartz cell was used for removal experiments. Zeta potentials of the particles and the plate were determined by electrophoresis and electro-osmosis, respectively. When the iron (III) oxide particles adhering to the quartz plate were removed by the electro-osmotic flow or the ordinary (Poiseuille) flow, the removal efficiency increased with increasing hydrodynamic force. The removal efficiency by electro-osmotic flow was almost the same as that by ordinary flow under the condition of the same magnitude of applied hydrodynamic force. The values of volume flow rate for the removal efficiency of 0.5 for the electro-osmotic flow was extremely small compared with that for the ordinary flow, showing the effectiveness of particle removal by electrokinetic effect of electro-osmosis. The kinetic analysis of the particle removal process showed that it was characterized by two different rate constants, the rate constant of the rapid process and that of the slow process. The rate constant of slow process increased with increasing electro-osmotic velocity. This shows that the electro-osmotic flow acts as a mechanical force to overcome the energy barrier in the removal process. The rate constant increased with increasing surfactant concentration and this trend became more noticeable as electro-osmotic velocity increased. It is concluded from this result that the effect of surfactant on particle removal is enhanced by the mechanical force in removal processes.     

Formation of uniform silver particles from bis (1,2-ethanediamine)silver(I) complex

Uniform spherical silver particles were produced by decomposing the bis(1,2-ethanediamine)silver(I) complex, by aging a solution of 1.0×10^–3 mole dm^–3 in silver (I) nitrate, 1.0 mole dm^–3 in 1,2-ethanediamine, and 2.5×10^–1 mole dm^–3 in nitric acid (basic solution) at 100°C for 42 min. The average modal diameter was estimated to be 0.52 m with a relative standard deviation of 0.10. A moderately oxygenrich layer, 40 Å thick, on the surface of the particles was detected by means of photoelectron surface microanalysis (XPS). The silver particles grew through a polynuclear-layer mechanism, as judged from the concentration change in soluble silver(I) species in the supernatant solution. The particles' point of zero charge (PZC) was estimated at pH 6.5 by potentiometric titration.     

X-Ray Study of the Electronic Structure of Copper(II) Acetylacetonate

The Cu(acac)₂ complex was investigated by X-ray emission and XANES spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation. Structural data for the complex were obtained in chloroform solution and C₂F matrix. The experimental spectra and their fitting on a single scale of binding energies point to possible relaxation effects. As shown by model quantum-chemical calculations, the structure and energy position of the LUMOs constructed from the vacant metal 4p, 5p AOs strongly depends on the nature of the nearest environment.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by L. N. Mazalov, S. V. Trubina, E. S. Fomin, I. M. Oglezneva, G. K. Parygina, N. V. Bausk, and I. K. Igumenov__________Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 45, No. 5, pp. 844–851, September–October, 2004.     

Characterization of Wallpaintings from the Caliphal Baths of Cordoba (Spain) by X-Ray Diffraction and Raman Microspectroscopy

Wallpainting fragments from the Caliphal Baths of Cordoba, Spain, were studied in this work for the first time. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman microspectroscopy allowed the chemical nature of the pigments used by the Arabic artists of the time to be identified. All pigments were applied over a gypsum priming layer. The white, red, and yellow colors used were obtained from gypsum, hematite, and goethite, respectively. Some pigments were prepared by mixing these materials. The analytical techniques used also allowed the mortar material to be identified. The results of this study may be useful to develop effective conservation strategies for archaeological remains.     

Thermal analysis of microscale aluminum particles coated with perfluorotetradecanoic (PFTD) acid

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Micron-diameter aluminum particles (μAl) are highly reactive when combined with a solid oxidizer. However, μAl powder is less...     

Characterization and identification of a "mystery" oil spill from Quebec (1999)

This paper describes a case study in which advanced chemical fingerprinting and data interpretation techniques were used to characterize the chemical compositions and determine the source of an unknown spilled oil from Quebec. On 28 February 1999, significant amounts of oil was reported on the river banks of St. Laurence River in front of a company named "Thermex" (in a town - Beauharnois, Quebec, about 50 km northwest of Montreal). The spilled oil was suspected to be released from a nearby factory. In response to this specific site investigation needs, a tiered analytical approach using GC-MS and GC-flame ionization detection was applied. A variety of diagnostic ratios of "source-specific marker" compounds, in particular isomers of biomarkers and alkylated series of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons within the same alkylation groups, were determined and analyzed. The hydrocarbon analysis results reveal the following: (1) the spilled oil is very "specific", and is significantly different from most crude oils in chemical composition; (2) the oil in samples come from the same source, however, the spill sample 2569 was identified to contain a small amount (approximately 10%) of diesel; (3) the spilled oil was relatively "fresh", its chemical composition has not undergone significant alteration yet; (4) the spilled oil showed unusually high concentration of the US Environmental Protection Agency priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The "Pyrogenic Index" values were determined to be as high as 0.11-0.13, significantly higher than crude oils (<0.010) and heavy Bunker type fuels (0.015-0.060). This indicates significant contribution of PAH composition from pyrogenic components; (5) biomarkers were also detected, but their concentrations were unusually low in comparison to most crude oils.     

X-Ray absorption spectroscopy: sensitive characterization of (model-) catalysts with the electron yield technique

Small chromium oxide particles (Cr₂O₃, CrO₂) supported on titanium dioxide and oxidized Ag(111) single crystals were investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the oxygen K-edge. The spectra were collected in the electron yield mode in order to increase the surface sensitivity. The shape of the sharp split White line (WL) in the O K-edges spectra depended strongly on the oxidation state of the chromium ions in the probed samples suggesting that the WL can be used as an indicator of different environments in the supported chromium oxide films. On the other hand, the O K-edges of the oxidized Ag(111) crystal indicated that the formation of the distinct oxygen species at the surface and in the near-surface region was accompanied by a different silver-to-oxygen covalent interaction. Received: 15 July 1997 / Revised: 22 December 1997 / Accepted: 29 December 1997     

Effect-directed analysis of endocrine-disrupting compounds in multi-contaminated sediment: identification of novel ligands of estrogen and pregnane X receptors

Effect-directed analysis (EDA)-based strategies have been increasingly used in order to identify the causative link between adverse (eco-)toxic effects and chemical contaminants. In this study, we report the development and use of an EDA approach to identify endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in a multi-contaminated river sediment. The battery of in vitro reporter cell-based bioassays, measuring estrogenic, (anti)androgenic, dioxin-like, and pregnane X receptor (PXR)-like activities, revealed multi-contamination profiles. To isolate active compounds of a wide polarity range, we established a multi-step fractionation procedure combining: (1) a primary fractionation step using normal phase-based solid-phase extraction (SPE), validated with a mixture of 12 non-polar to polar standard EDCs; (2) a secondary fractionation using reversed-phase-based high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) calibrated with 33 standard EDCs; and (3) a purification step using a recombinant estrogen receptor (ER) affinity column. In vitro SPE and HPLC profiles revealed that ER and PXR activities were mainly due to polar to mid-polar compounds, while dioxin-like and anti-androgenic activities were in the less polar fractions. The overall procedure allowed final isolation and identification of new environmental PXR (e.g., di-iso-octylphthalate) and ER (e.g., 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-α-methoxy-p-cresol) ligands by using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry with full-scan mode acquisition in mid-polar fractions. In vitro biological activity of these chemicals was further confirmed using commercial standards, with di-iso-octylphthalate identified for the first time as a potent hPXR environmental agonist.     

Stereochemistry from X-Ray Diffraction Studies of Three Palladium(II) Complexes with Terdentate Chelating Amines

X-ray crystal structure analysis of three Pd(II) complexes with cis-3,5-diaminopiperidine (DAPI) shows that the metal ion has a square planar coordination. The DAPI groups are trans in the protonated and mixed complexes. Most surprisingly, the unprotonated complex has a basket-like structure with the DAPI groups cis.