Novel electroanalytical techniques for pollution analysis

Summary Two new analytical techniques are described. The so-called injection technique operates on evaluating a dynamic concentration signal as a result of following the concentration change in a certain part of a flow-through channel after injecting a sample or reagent at a small volume into the current of an appropriate solution flowing at a constant rate.The second technique, the programmed coulometric titration technique, also uses the flow-through channel principle; that means this novel technique allows the more precise titrimetric way of analysis in flowing solutions. In the case of both techniques potentiometric and voltammetric detectors were involved. Several examples proved the multifold advantages of these techniques for environmental analysis.

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Neue elektroanalytische Verfahren für die Umweltanalyse

Zusammenfassung Zwei neue Methoden werden beschrieben. Die sog. Injektionstechnik wertet ein dynamisches Konzentrationssignal aus, das sich aus der Änderung in einem Durchflußkanal ergibt, wenn Probe oder Reagens in kleinen Volumina in einen konstant fließenden Flüssigstrom injiziert werden. Das zweite Verfahren, die programmierte coulometrische Titration, erlaubt die Anwendung der genaueren titrimetrischen Technik auf fließende Lösungen. Bei beiden Methoden werden potentiometrische und voltammetrische Detektoren verwendet. Mehrere Beispiele zeigen die vielfachen Vorteile dieser Verfahren bei der Anwendung auf die Analyse von Umweltmaterial.

Presented at the 6th Annual Symposium on Recent Advances in the Analytical Chemistry of Pollutants, April 21–23, 1976; Vienna, Austria     

Reconocimiento de nicotina en una hebrita de tabaco

Summary Adaption of theLuís method for the detection of nicotine to microscale, usingEmich's capillary technic proved successful, attaining identification limit of 0,03g.Applying a sub-micro steam distillation effect, the nicotine in a speck of tobacco (1 mm² and less) could still be detected by using the above reaction.Extension of the above procedure to mixtures of nicotine with substances not volatile with steam, inorganic (halides) as well as organic compounds (other alkaloids, acids, etc.) proved to be successful, even when the nicotine is present in proportions of only 1 part in 1000.

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Zusammenfassung Die Anwendung der Kapillartechnik vonEmich zum Nachweis von Nikotin nachLuís war erfolgreich und zeigte eine Erfassungsgrenze von 0,03g.Bei Anwendung einer Ultramikrodampfdestillation kann das Nikotin nach obiger Methode noch in Spuren von Tabak (1 mm² und weniger) nachgewiesen werden.Die Reaktion ist auch positiv bei Gemischen von Nikotin mit anderen, mit Wasserdampf nicht flüchtigen sowohl anorganischen (Halogenide) als auch organischen Substanzen (andere Alkaloide, Säuren etc.), selbst dann noch, wenn das Nikotin bloß im Verhältnis von 11000 vorhanden ist.

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Résumé La technique capillaire d'Emich a été utilisée avec succès pour identifier la nicotine suivant le procédé deLuís; la limite de sensibilité est alors de 0,03g. La mise en oeuvre d'un ultramicroentraînement à la vapeur permet en outre, par application de la précédente méthode, d'identifier la nicotine dans des traces de tabac (moins de 1 mm²). La réaction est également positive en présence d'autres substances non entraînables par la vapeur d'eau, qu'elles soient minérales (halogénures) ou organiques (autres alcaloïdes, acides, etc. ...) même si la proportion de nicotine n'est que de l'ordre de grandeur de 1/1000.

     

Assessment of drinking water radioactivity content by liquid scintillation counting: set up of high sensitivity and emergency procedures

In our institute, different procedures have been developed to measure the radioactivity content of drinking water both in normal and in emergency situations, such as those arising from accidental and terrorist events. A single radiometric technique, namely low level liquid scintillation counting (LSC), has been used. In emergency situations a gross activity screening is carried out without any sample treatment by a single and quick liquid scintillation counting. Alpha and beta activities can be measured in more than one hundred samples per day with sensitivities of a few Bq/L. Higher sensitivity gross alpha and beta, uranium and radium measurements can be performed on water samples after specific sample treatments. The sequential method proposed is designed in such a way that the same water sample can be used in all the stages, with slight modifications. This sequential procedure was applied in a survey of the Lombardia district. At first tap waters of the 13 largest towns were examined, then a more detailed monitoring was carried out in the surroundings of Milano and Lodi towns. The high sensitivity method for the determination of uranium isotopes was used to check the presence of depleted uranium in Lake Garda. Reduced equipment requirements and relative readiness of radiochemical procedures make LSC an attractive technique which can also be applied by laboratories lacking specific radiochemistry facilities and experience.     

Excess molar enthalpy of binary mixtures of hexane+ethyl benzene, <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-xylene, <Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-xylene and <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-xylene at 298.15 K

Summary This paper reports excess molar enthalpies of the binary systems hexane+ethyl benzene, hexane+o-xylene, hexane+m-xylene and hexane+p-xylene at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure, over the whole composition range. The data was measured directly using a Calvet microcalorimeter. The excess magnitude was correlated to a Redlich-Kister type equation for each mixture. Also, we will discuss the results for the four mixtures studied here and by comparison with the same binary systems but containing propyl propanoate as first component. Finally, we will correlate our results with the Nitta-Chao and the three UNIFAC theoretical approximations.     

Discontinuous-flow potentiometric determination of chloride in a large-volume wall-jet cell using an ion-selective electrode based on a silver chloride film chemically deposited on a silver iodide support

A robust and sensitive chloride ion-selective electrode can be prepared by modifying the surface of an iodide-selective electrode using the chemical reaction with mercuric chloride in an oxidizing medium containing excess chloride. A thin film of silver chloride is thus formed ensuring a rapid and reproducible response to chloride. The analytical parameters of this electrode are similar to those of commercial silver chloride ion-selective electrodes, but its electrical impedance and signal noise are substantially lower and the response somewhat faster. Its sensitivity toward surfactants is somewhat suppressed. The electrode was used for discontinuous flow potentiometric (DFP) determinations in a large-volume wall-jet cell in which the electrode surface can be continuously reactivated by a cleaning solution contained in the cell. The method was applied to determination of chloride in ground waters from an industrial waste dumping site. The limit of determination is low 9 mug Cl(-)/l (2.6 x 10(-7)M), the precision good (the relative standard deviation varies from 0.6 to 3.0% for chloride contents from 2.90 to 0.15 mg/l, respectively) and the method correlates satisfactorily with the results of an indirect AAS determination of chloride. The sample throughput is high-90 measurements can be carried out per hour, corresponding to 30-40 determinations per hour.     

Qualitative and quantitative sensitivity in flame photometry

Concepts of sensitivity in flame photometry are discussed. A distinction is made between sensitivity itself, concentration limits and dilution limits applied to qualitative and quantitative analysis by flame photometry. Sensitivity values, as well as the concentration limits, are considered from two different aspects: as a function of the slope of calibration curves-percentual values-and as a function of fluctutions-fluctuational values. The concepts are applied to the two main branches of flame photometry, emission and absorption.     

Bestimmung von Ascorbinsäure auf Grund ihrer in einem Landolt-System ausgeübten reduzierenden Wirkung

Zusammenfassung Im Bromat-Jodid-Ascorbinsäure-System hängt die Zeit, die bis zur Jodausscheidung vergeht, von der Konzentration der Ascorbinsäure ab. Unter entsprechenden Versuchsbedingungen ist die Reaktionszeit proportional der Ascorbinsäurekonzentration. Danach kann die Ascorbinsäure sowohl mit Hilfe der Simultankomparationsmethode, als auch chronometrisch bestimmt werden. Die Genauigkeit ist ± 3% im Bereich von 5 bis 300g/5 ml. Die Grenzen der Bestimmung sind 1g bzw. 1000g Ascorbinsäure in 5 ml.

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Determination of ascorbic acid on the basis of its reducing action in a landolt system

Summary In the bromate-iodide-ascorbic acid system, the time that elapses until the iodine appears is dependent on the concentration of the ascorbic acid. Under appropriate experimental conditions, the reaction time is proportional to the ascorbic acid concentration. Accordingly, the ascorbic acid may be determined with the aid not only of the simultaneous comparison method but also chronometrically. The precision is ± 3% in the 5–300g/5 ml range. The limits of the determination are 1g and 1000g ascorbic acid in 5 ml respectively.

     

Effect of the specific activity of the tracer on rat luteinizing hormone radioimmunoassay

Rat luteinizing hormone /LH/ was labelled with¹²⁵I by the Chloramine T method.¹²⁵I-LH, used as tracer in radioimmunoassay, was separated from the labelling reaction mixture by gel filtration. By using the proper protein/radioiodine ratio in the labelling reaction mixture the specific activity of¹²⁵I-LH was adjusted to 2.5–20.5 MBq g^–1. The influence of the specific activity on the assay parameters as well as on the tracer stability was investigated.     

Rapid determination of PAHs in soil samples by HPLC with fluorimetric detection following sonication extraction

A rapid method for the determination of PAHs in soil samples based on their extraction with methylene chloride by sonication and subsequent separation by HPLC with fluorimetric detection is proposed. A Hypersil Green PAH column was used with a gradient of acetonitrile/water as the mobile phase, together with a program of nine excitation and emission wavelength pairs. Recoveries were in the range 70-98%, except for acenaphthene and naphthalene, at concentration levels 1.08-442 microg/kg with relative standard deviations in the range 2-15% (n = 4). Total PAHs found in soil samples were in the range 15-282 microg/kg. The results were compared with those obtained by applying the 3540 EPA method for two samples.     

Natural radioactivity of building materials

Experiments were designed to measure trace uranium concentration and the rate of radon exhalation from masonry structural materials, both bare and surface finished and coated. LR115 cellulose nitrate track detectors were used to record the alpha emission from structural material surface. Fission track, neutron activation and fluorometric analysis methods were used to determine the uranium content. Most types of paints studied will reduce alpha contribution and radon emanation from building materials.