Determination of tributyltin oxide in coastal marine sediments and mussels by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

We have devised a new method for bis(tributyltin)oxide (TBTO) determination in marine sediments and mussels. This technique involves an n-hexane/methylene chloride mixture extraction and extract purification with a sodium hydroxide wash in order to eliminate interfering compounds. TBTO is then extracted again by nitric acid and converted into an inorganic tin species; the analysis has been effected using Zeeman graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The method detection limit for the matrices examined is 0.004 μg TBTO g^?1 (wet weight) and is sufficient for the analysis in real samples. The percentage recovery of TBTO from sediments and mussels samples is higher than 85% and 95% respectively. This method has been applied to TBTO level determination in sediments and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) sampled in the harbour area in Taranto, where mussel culture activities are much developed; the TBTO levels obtained in sediments and mussels were in the range 15-47 ng g^?1 (wet weight) and 11-30 ng g^?1 (wet weight) respectively. Such values are comparable with those found in other harbour areas in the Mediterranean Sea.     

Cooperativity of Catechols and Amines in High‐Performance Dry/Wet Adhesives

The outstanding adhesive performance of mussel byssal threads has inspired materials scientists over the past few decades. Exploiting the amino‐catechol synergy, polymeric pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) have now been synthesized by copolymerizing traditional PSA monomers, butyl acrylate and acrylic acid, with mussel‐inspired lysine‐ and aromatic‐rich monomers. The consequences of decoupling amino and catechol moieties from each other were compared (that is, incorporated as separate monomers) against a monomer architecture in which the catechol and amine were coupled together in a fixed orientation in the monomer side chain. Adhesion assays were used to probe performance at the molecular, microscopic, and macroscopic levels by a combination of AFM‐assisted force spectroscopy, peel and static shear adhesion. Coupling of catechols and amines in the same monomer side chain produced optimal cooperative effects in improving the macroscopic adhesion performance.     

Comparison of Derivatization Methods for the Determination of Butyl- and Phenyl-tin Compounds in Mussels by Gas Chromatography

Two different derivatization methods, alkylation with Grignard reagents, and ethylation with sodium tetraethylborate, were compared for the determination of organotin compounds, viz. tributyltin, dibutyltin, monobutyltin, triphenyltin, diphenyltin and monophenyltin, in mussel samples. Temperature, reaction time and concentration of Grignard reagents were optimized in the former method; in the latter the effect of pH, concentration of sodium tetraethylborate and reaction time were studied. In the derivatization with Grignard reagents hexyl, pentyl, propyl, ethyl and methyl were used as alkyl Grignard groups. A critical evaluation of the different derivatization methods is presented. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of Vanadium by Solid-Phase Spectrophotometry in a Continuous Flow System

Abstract

A flow analysis method based on direct absorptiometric measurement in solid phase of the violet complex formed between V(V) and 5-Bromosalicylhydroxamic acid has been developed. The measurement is continuously performed at 555 nm, while the coloured species is being concentrated on-line on the beads of an anion exchanger packed into a flow-through cell. The sensing solid phase is regenerated after each measurement achieving a sampling frequency ranged between 10 to 15 h^?1 depending on the working conditions. The sensitivity of the method depended on the sample volume injected, being the detection limit 0.024 and 0.014 μg mL^?1 for 2 and 5 mL, respectively. The method shows a good selectivity and has been applied to determination of V(V) in many different sample matrices namely mussel, oyster and toadstool tissues, petroleum crudes and water samples.     

Formaldehyde‐Free Wood Adhesives from Decayed Wood

Summary: Extensive studies using mussel adhesive protein as a formaldehyde‐free, strong, and water‐resistant adhesive model revealed that a combination of a polymer with catechol moieties and a polymer with amino groups could serve as a strong and water‐resistant wood adhesive. This study demonstrated that the treatment of abundant and readily available brown‐rot‐fungus‐decayed wood with NaBH₄ followed by mixing with polyethylenimine resulted in a formaldehyde‐free, strong, and water‐resistant wood adhesive.

Lignin is demethylated by brown‐rot fungi and then reduced using NaBH₄.     

Chromatographic and spectral behaviour and detection of hepatotoxic nodularin in fish, clam, mussel and mouse tissues using HPLC analysis

Summary High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied in the analysis of nodularin (NODLN), a potent, bioaccumulable hepatotoxin. The behaviour of NODLN in biological matrices and possibility to analyse biota samples for NODLN content was examined using a conventional HPLC/diode array detector method that uses C₁₈ solid-phase cartridge clean up. Tissues of European flounder, blue mussel (spiked and naturally contaminated), clam (exposed to NODLN in an aquariuml and mouse (subjected to i. p. administration of NODLN) were analysed. UV detection was 5 times more sensitive than electrochemical detection. Recovery of NODLN from spiked tissues was 59% for mussel, 53% for flounder, and 44–75% for mouse tissues. NODLN was detected in clams exposed with NODLN, but not in naturally contaminated mussels where NODLN conjugation occurs. Through the use of spectral processing, free NODLN was unambiguously identified from tissue samples. The HPLC method showed limits of quantification between 90 and 150 μg NODLN kg⁻¹ dw. The method proved applicable for routine tissue analysis and can be used in the monitoring of acutely toxic NODLN levels.     

Cooperativity of Catechols and Amines in High-Performance Dry/Wet Adhesives

The outstanding adhesive performance of mussel byssal threads has inspired materials scientists over the past few decades. Exploiting the amino-catechol synergy, polymeric pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) have now been synthesized by copolymerizing traditional PSA monomers, butyl acrylate and acrylic acid, with mussel-inspired lysine- and aromatic-rich monomers. The consequences of decoupling amino and catechol moieties from each other were compared (that is, incorporated as separate monomers) against a monomer architecture in which the catechol and amine were coupled together in a fixed orientation in the monomer side chain. Adhesion assays were used to probe performance at the molecular, microscopic, and macroscopic levels by a combination of AFM-assisted force spectroscopy, peel and static shear adhesion. Coupling of catechols and amines in the same monomer side chain produced optimal cooperative effects in improving the macroscopic adhesion performance.     

Bioaccumulation of alkyllead compounds from water and from contaminated sediments by mussels

The bioconcentration of alkyllead compounds from water and from contaminated sediments by freshwater mussels (Elliptio complanata) has been investigated. Higher levels of trimethyllead than triethyllead species are accumulated for the same exposure period. In-vivo transformation of the trialkyllead species by a series of dealkylation reactions giving dialkyllead and inorganic lead(II) species appears to take place. Rates of accumulation are higher for the more contaminated sediments.     

The biotransformation of monomethylarsonate and dimethylarsinate into arsenobetaine in seawater and mussels

Water-soluble ³H-labeled arsenic compounds were phenol-extracted from mussels (Mytilus edulis) and seawater after exposure to [³H]monomethylarsonate (MMAA) and [³H]dimethylarsinate (DMAA). Varying amounts of [³H] arsenobetaine were found in mussels and seawater, depending upon the experimental conditions. The results indicate that arsenobetaine is principally biosynthesized by microscopic organisms in the seawater and that it is bioaccumulated by mussels. Total arsenic concentrations in mussel flesh, byssal threads and shells were also determined, showing concentration increases in all three compartments.     

Mussel‐Inspired Materials: Self‐Healing through Coordination Chemistry

Improved understanding of the underwater attachment strategy of the blue mussels and other marine organisms has inspired researchers to find new routes to advanced materials. Mussels use polyphenols, such as the catechol‐containing amino acid 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), to attach to surfaces. Catechols and their analogues can undergo both oxidative covalent cross‐linking under alkaline conditions and take part in coordination chemistry. The former has resulted in the widespread use of polydopamine and related materials. The latter is emerging as a tool to make self‐healing materials due to the reversible nature of coordination bonds. We review how mussel‐inspired materials have been made with a focus on the less developed use of metal coordination and illustrate how this chemistry can be widely to make self‐healing materials.