Radiation-chemical transformations of humic acid in aqueous solutions

The transformations of kinetically stable aqueous humic acid solutions saturated with Ar, N₂O, or air by the action of fast electrons at absorbed doses to 20 kGy were studied. In radiolytic and postradiation processes, humic acid was converted into insoluble compounds, whose precipitation accelerated with dose. The formation of insoluble compounds was enhanced in neutral and acidified solutions saturated with air and/or N₂O. As low-molecular-mass carboxylic acids that resulted from the radiolytic fragmentation of humic acid were accumulated in solution, the phase transformation weakened. The irradiated solutions were easy to purify by chemical coagulation.     

Sorption of phenol and radioactive cesium onto surfactant modified insolubilized humic acid

In this study, the sorption behavior of two important contaminants, phenol and radioactive cesium (¹³⁷Cs), onto surfactant modified insolubilized humic acid (SMIA) were investigated as a function of time, sorbate concentration utilizing the radiotracer method and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Phenol sorption process was well described by both Freundlich and Tempkin type isotherms, and cesium sorption was described by Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms. It was found that SMIA adsorbs both cations and phenolic substances. Kinetic studies indicated that adsorption behavior of phenol obey the pseudo second order rate law. FTIR spectroscopic technique was used to understand the structural changes during modification process with surfactants.     

Thermal stability of solid and aqueous solutions of humic acid

The effects of temperature on the stability of a soil humic acid were studied in the present work. Solid samples of Gohy-573 humic acid (HA) and dissolved ones in aqueous solution (pH 6.0, 0.1 mol L⁻¹ NaClO₄) were investigated in order to understand the impact of temperature on the chemical properties of the material. The methods applied to solid samples in the present investigation were thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), temperature-programmed desorption coupled with mass spectrometry (TPD-MS), and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transformed spectroscopy (in situ DRIFTS). Humic acid samples were studied in the 25-800 °C range, with focus on thermal/chemical processes up to 250 °C. The reversibility of the changes observed was investigated by cyclic changes to specified temperature ranges (40-110 °C). All measurements were conducted under inert-gas atmosphere in order to avoid samples combustion at increased temperatures. Aqueous solutions were analyzed by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy after storage at temperatures up to 95 °C, and storage times up to 1 week. For temperatures below 100 °C experiments on solid and aqueous samples have shown results which were consistent to each other. The amount of water desorbed is temperature dependent and up to 70 °C this process was totally reversible. Above 70 °C an irreversible loss of water was also observed, which according to UV-vis spectroscopy corresponds to water produced by condensation leading to more condensed polyaromatic structures. The water released up to 110 °C was about 7 wt% of the total mass of the dried humic acid, where less than 50% corresponded to reversibly adsorbed water. At higher temperatures (>110 °C), gradual decomposition resulting in the formation of carbon dioxide (110-240 °C), and carbon monoxide (140-240 °C) takes place. Hence, thermal treatment of Gohy-573 humic acid above 70 °C results in irreversible structural changes, that could affect chemical properties (e.g., complex formation) of the material.     

Photooxidation of 2'-deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate in aqueous solutions

Mass spectrometric and ultraviolet absorption spectral evidence are presented for the assignment of structures to three products detected in the reaction mixtures formed upon the photolysis of aqueous solutions of the nucleotide 2'-deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate (dGMP) with light of wavelengths >270 nm. The products for which structures are assigned are spiroiminodihydantoin 2'-deoxyribonucleotide (1), 2,2-diamino-4-([2-deoxy-5-monophosphate-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl]amino)-5-(2H)-oxazolone (oxazolone 2'-deoxyribonucleotide, 2) and 2-amino-5-([2-deoxy-5-monophosphate-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl]amino)-4H-imidazol-4-one (imidazolone 2'-deoxyribonucleotide, 3). These results, when combined with mechanistic data presented in an earlier communication, provide support for the proposal that the irradiation of dGMP with UVB light leads to the formation of singlet oxygen. The UV absorption spectral properties of the imidazolone make this product a reasonable candidate to rationalize the autosensitization of dGMP degradation reported in the earlier communication.     

The role of selected cations in the formation of pseudomicelles in aqueous humic acid

The fluorescence intensity enhancement of a pyrene probe in aqueous humic acid solutions was assessed in terms of added lanthanide and thorium cations. Among the trivalent ions it was found that size played a role, with the small Lu(3+) ion producing the greatest increase in pyrene emission. This was attributed to its superior ability to cause pseudomicellization in the humic acid polymer. Slow kinetic effects were observed, leading to substantial fluorescence enhancement over a period of 7 h. This was ascribed to a continuous aggregation process in aqueous humic acid, leading to ever more viscous microenvironments for the probe molecule.     

Enhanced adsorption of roxarsone onto humic acid modified goethite from aqueous solution

The adsorption of roxarsone (ROX) on the humic acid modified goethite (HA-α-FeOOH) was evaluated for several potential environmental factors. Results showed that 1) ROX had a higher adsorption capacity onto HA-α-FeOOH than unmodified α-FeOOH; 2) the adsorption of ROX increased with a decrease in pH; 3) the high ionic strength significantly inhibited the adsorption capacity of HA-α-FeOOH; and 4) a higher temperature yielded greater adsorption, since the process for ROX to be adsorbed by HA-α-FeOOH was a spontaneous endothermic reaction. The maximum adsorption capacity of ROX was found to be 80.71?mg?·?g^?1, when the temperature was 308?K. Meanwhile, the inhibitory effects of ionic strength and PO₄^3? on the adsorption of ROX onto HA-α-FeOOH were enhanced with an increase in concentration. In addition, the adsorption equilibrium data obeyed Langmuir isotherm model and the kinetic data were well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. From the infrared spectra of HA-α-FeOOH, it could be deduced that the ROX adsorption onto HA-α-FeOOH was achieved via the ion exchange between the arsenic acid and the carboxyl group on adsorbent, as well as the formation of As-O-Fe bond between Fe-O and arsenic acid ions.     

Adsorption of atrazine from aqueous electrolyte solutions on humic acid and silica

The adsorption of, the still widely used, herbicide atrazine on model soil components, such as humic acid and humic acid-silica gel mixtures, was investigated in a series of batch experiments, under different experimental conditions (ionic strength, temperature, and pH). The investigation aimed at obtaining an estimate of the contribution of each of the soil components on the adsorption of atrazine from aqueous solutions. The kinetics of atrazine adsorption on humic acid showed two steps: a fast step, of a few hours duration, and a second slow step, which continued for weeks. The kinetics of adsorption data gave a satisfactory fit to the Elovich equation. Τhe adsorption of atrazine on the test substrates was found to be reversible in all cases. The atrazine uptake data on the test substrates were fitted best with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The ionic strength of the atrazine aqueous solutions did affect the amount of the atrazine adsorbed on the test substrates, suggesting that electrostatic forces between atrazine molecules and soil play a significant role in the adsorption process. An increase of temperature resulted in a decrease of atrazine adsorption on humic acid at low atrazine equilibrium concentrations. However, for higher levels of equilibrium concentrations (≥3 mg/L) the amount of atrazine adsorbed onto the test substrate increased as temperature increased. The calculated isosteric enthalpies of adsorption ranged between slightly exothermic at low atrazine uptake and slightly endothermic at high atrazine uptake, all values being in the range of physisorption.     

Unrecognized role of humic acid as a reductant in accelerating fluoroquinolones oxidation by aqueous permanganate

A great concern has been raised regarding the issue of fluoroquinolones（FQs） in the environment. In this work, the transformation of FQs by commonly used oxidant permanganate(Mn（VII）) in the absence and presence of humic acid（HA）, ubiquitously existing in aquatic environments, was systematically investigated. Here, the catalytic role of in-situ formed MnO₂ on Mn（VII） oxidation of FQs depending on solution pH and co-existing substrates was firstly reported. It was interestingly found t...     

Conformational changes in humic acids in aqueous solutions

Conformational changes in humic acids in two different aqueous solutions (NaCl and NaOH) are studied by means of high resolution ultrasound spectrometry. The method is based on the measurement of parameters of ultrasonic waves propagating through the sample. The attenuation describes the decay of the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave with the distance travelled. The velocity is the speed of this wave and is related to the wavelength and the frequency of oscillation of the deformation. It is determined by the density and elasticity of the sample, which is strongly influenced by the molecular arrangement. The minimal velocity of ultrasound was observed at 1 g dm^?3 for lignitic humic acids and at 0.5 g dm^?3 for IHSS Leonardite standard. The values of compressibility as computed are almost constant up to humic acids?? content corresponding to the minimum velocity of ultrasound and then decrease with the increase in concentration. This shows that the organisation of particles in diluted and concentrated humic acids sols is different. The decrease in compressibility points to the formation of a more rigid structure, which could lead to the decrease in humic acids?? binding ability. It was confirmed that the method employed was very sensitive and could be utilised as an indicator of conformational changes in humic acids in solutions with varying concentrations.     

The aqueous phase nitration of phenol and benzoic acid studied through flow-gated capillary electrophoresis

The aqueous phase nitration of benzoic acid and phenol was investigated via on-line capillary electrophoresis (CE). The presence of nitrated benzoic acid and phenol was supported through appearance of corresponding molecular ion peaks in ESI-MS measurements, and speciation of the nitrated isomers is achieved via the on-line CE method. The nitrated isomers produced in both reactions were successfully separated in <4?min by addition of 15?mM β-cyclodextrin to the electrophoresis buffer. Sequential separations (on-line analysis) allowed the reaction kinetics to be described. For benzoic acid, reaction yields were low (2–3%) however, results suggest both 3- and 2-nitrobenzoic acid form in a 1–1.4 concentration ratio. In addition, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid also forms in significant quantity under our reaction conditions. For the nitration of phenol, the reaction occurred more rapidly with observed yields between ≈10–30% for individual isomers. The yield of 2-nitrophenol was higher than 4-nitrophenol by a ratio of ≈?1.7–2, but 3-nitrophenol was not detected. For both reactions, nitrated and hydroxylated aromatics were the major products and formation of higher molecular weight oligomers was not observed.     

腐殖酸自水溶液中吸附亚甲基蓝的热力学与机理研究

腐殖酸是自然界植物残体经腐解后的产物 ,为一种复杂的天然大分子有机质 ,分子内主要含有羰基、羧基、醇羟基、酚羟基等多种活性官能团 ,因此它具有弱酸性、亲水性、吸附性和络合性 ,能够与许多有机、无机物发生相互作用。腐殖酸能作为水处理过程中的吸附剂 ,研究它对水中各类污染物的吸附规律和机理是十分有意义的。赵振国等[1～ 3] 运用吸附过程的ΔＧ 、ΔＨ 、ΔＳ 等热力学函数的变化来探讨吸附机理 ,得出了一些有意义的结论。我们将这一方法应用到水溶液体系中 ,探讨在不同吸附条件下各吸附热力学函数的变化 ,以期对吸附过程有更进一…     

Size exclusion (radio) chromatography of aqueous humic acid solutions with cesium and strontium

The high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) and radiochromatography (HPSERC) was used for the identification of radiocesium and radiostrontium interaction with humic acid. It was found that the behavior of humic acid on size-exclusion chromatography is sensitive to the salt concentration and pH of the mobile phase. At lower ionic strength and in acidic region of pH, the Aldrich humic acid exhibited three main fraction within the ranges >760 kDa, 25–100 kDa and <5 kDa. Radiocesium was found in the low-molecular fractions (<1 kDa) of humic acids but radiostrontium interacts preferably with the fractions of humic acid of molecular weight within the range 2–5 kDa.     

Extraction of humic acids in two-phase aqueous polymeric systems

Extraction of humic acids isolated from various soils was studied in polyethylene glycol(NH₄)₂SO₄, polyethylene glycol-dextran, and polyethylene glycol-dextran sodium salt two-phase aqueous polymeric systems. It was shown that, in all systems, humic acids are extracted into the polyethylene glycolrich phase. It was studied how the composition of the extraction system, molecular weight of the polymer, and the sample nature affect the distribution ratios of humic acids.     

Radical formation during phenol oxidation in aqueous media

Kinetics of oxygen consumption, reaction product formation, and chemiluminescence during polyphenol oxidation by molecular oxygen in alkaline aqueous media with additions of l ‐ascorbic acid (AscH₂) and homocysteine (HCys) has been investigated. In these processes, AscH₂ and HCys have been shown to act as typical radical‐reaction inhibitors that can be used for determinations of the radical formation rates. The rates of radical formation during oxidation of hydroquinone (p‐QH₂), chlorohydroquinone (Cl‐QH₂), 2,5‐dichlorohydroquinone (2,5Cl‐QH₂), catechol (PK), 4‐methylcatechol (4CH₃‐PK), pyrogallol (PG), gallic acid (GK) have been estimated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 414–422, 2012     

Adsorption of humic acid from aqueous solutions on crosslinked chitosan-epichlorohydrin beads: kinetics and isotherm studies

The adsorption of humic acid on crosslinked chitosan-epichlorohydrin (chitosan-ECH) beads was investigated. Chitosan-ECH beads were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), surface area and pore size analyses, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Batch adsorption experiments were carried out and optimum humic acid adsorption on chitosan-ECH beads occurred at pH 6.0, agitation rate of 300 rpm and contact time of 50 min. Adsorption equilibrium isotherms were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich models. Freundlich model was found to show the best fit for experimental data while the maximum adsorption capacity determined from Langmuir model was 44.84 mg g(-1). The adsorption of humic acid on chitosan-ECH beads was best described with pseudo-first-order kinetic model. For desorption study, more than 60% of humic acid could be desorbed from the adsorbent using 1.0M HCl for 180 min.     

Radiolysis of phenol in aqueous solution at elevated temperatures

γ-Radiolysis and pulse radiolysis of phenol in aqueous solution up to supercritical condition have been carried out. G-values of phenol consumption and product formation have been determined. While dihydroxybenzenes were major products at room temperature, multi-ring compounds and benzene were formed above 300 °C. This indicates reaction mechanism was changed above 300 °C, where phenoxyl radical plays a predominant role. This is supported by the observation of phenoxyl radical in pulse radiolysis. In supercritical water, the G-values increased with decrease of density.     

Cell biosensor for detection of phenol in aqueous solutions

A microbial sensor for concentration measurement of phenol in aqueous solutions has been developed. Phenol-utilizing cellsPseudomonas putida GFS-8 immobilized in poly(vinyl)alcohol cryogel were used as a biological transducer. Relationships between phenol concentration in the activating medium and endogenic cell respiration have been established. Cell respiration and phenol concentration in the assay solution positively correlated at a phenol concentration range of 0.1–2.0 mg/L and were linearly dependent in the range of 0.1–1.0 mg/L. A Clark membrane electrode was the physiochemical transducer. The assay may be completed within 5 min. The cells oxidize phenol, pyrocatechol, mesityl oxide, aniline, and do not react with a number of xenobiotics, sugars, and alcohol. With the exception of aniline, most components found in waste waters from phenol production affect neither the assay process nor the ability of these cells to use phenol as exogenic respiratory substrate. The immobilized cells retained their ability to utilize phenol as an exogenic respiratory substrate for up to 1 mo.