Uranium and other trace elements’ distribution in Korean granite: implications for the influence of iron oxides on uranium migration

To understand trace radionuclide (uranium) migration occurring in rocks, a granitic batholith located at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) site was selected and investigated. The rock samples obtained from this site were examined using mineralogical methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The changes in the distribution pattern of uranium (U) and small amounts of trace elements, and the mineralogical textures affected by weathering, were examined. Based on the element distribution analyses, it was found that Fe²⁺ released from fresh biotite is oxidized in short geological time, forming amorphous iron oxides, such as ferrihydrite, around silicate minerals. In that case, the amorphous ferrihydrite does not show distinct adsorption for U. However, as it gradually crystallizes to goethite or hematite, the most U-rich phases were found to be associated with the secondary iron oxides having granular forms. This evidence suggests that the geological subsurface environment is favorable for the crystallized iron oxides to keep their structures more stable for a long time as compared with the amorphous phases. There is a possibility that the long residence of U which is in contact with the stable crystalline phases of iron may finally lead to the partial sequestration of U in their structure. Consequently, it seems that Fe-oxide crystallization can be a dominating mechanism for U uptake and controls long-term U transport in granites with low U contents.     

Bioaccumulation of lead and the influence of chelating agents in Catla catla fingerlings

Lead is a widespread element and one of the persistent and cumulative pollutants of the environment. The present study deals with the bioaccumulation of lead and the influence of chelating agents, meso 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), D-Penicillamine and CaNa₂EDTA in reducing the concentration of lead on the selected organs of Catla catla fingerlings for both acute and chronic exposures by using ICP-AES. It is inferred from the present findings that there was a correlation between environmental conditions and the heavy metal contents of the fish. The highest concentration of lead is found in kidney tissues and the lowest in muscle tissues. The accumulation pattern of lead in the selected organs of Catla catla is: kidney > liver > gill > brain > muscle. Also, it has been found that the treatment of chelating agents, DMSA, D-Penicillamine and CaNa₂EDTA reduces the concentration of lead significantly for both acute and chronic exposures. The results also show that DMSA is the most effective chelator of lead in reducing the body burden of C. catla fingerlings. The observed data further indicate that C. catla could be suitable for monitoring organisms to study the bioavailability of water-bound metals in freshwater habitats.     

Antioxidant action of several β‐adrenergic blockers and related compounds

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of several β‐adrenergic blockers and related compounds with respect to generation of reactive oxygen species, especially hydroxyl radicals. Measurements were done using a chemiluminescence technique and the Co(II)‐EDTA + H₂O₂ system as a source of active oxygen species.     

The human serum paraoxonase—Polymorphism and specificity

Human serum contains EDTA‐sensitive (Ca⁺⁺‐dependent) and EDTA‐stable (albumin) paraoxonases which hydrolyse paraoxon, 0,0‐diethyl,0–4‐nitrophenyl phosphate.

In Caucasians the EDTA‐sensitive enzyme shows a genetically determined polymorphism which is governed by two alleles. In typical Mongoloid or Negro populations this polymorphism is expressed to a lesser degree, and in a few samples (e.g. Aborigines) it cannot be observed at all. The distribution of the activity of the EDTA‐stable (albumin) paraoxonase is unimodal.

Many authors supposed that paraoxonase is an arylesterase (EC 3.1.1.2) which means that it is also able to hydrolyse phenylacetate or β‐naphthylacetate. New investigations have shown that the human serum fractions splitting paraoxon can be separated from those hydrolysing phenylacetate and related substrates.

The polymorphism of the EDTA‐sensitive human serum paraoxonase can be applied to investigations concerning specificity. From this it becomes evident that this enzyme is rather specific. Already slight changes of the paraoxon molecule lead to a decrease of activity. On the other hand the enzyme seems to hydrolyse also phosphonic acid esters and 4‐nitrophenylacetate in the same way like paraoxon (polymorphism).

There is a linkage relationship of paraoxonase with cystic fibrosis and DNA markers. According to these results the (EDTA‐sensitive) paraoxonase locus is on the human chromosome 7.

A high serum paraoxonase level actually protects serum cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) and has to be considered in biological monitoring of workers exposed to parathion.     

铁屑法处理含染料废水中铁屑表面化学研究

采用扫描电镜和X射线光电子能谱技术对铁屑法处理含染料废水中铁屑反应前后的表面进行了研究,结果表明：铁屑表面主要由Fe,C,O,S,Si以及其它构成铸铁的微量元素等组成．铁屑表面快速氧化是染料脱色的关键和前提步骤,铁屑表面铁的羟基氧化物增多是铁屑失活的重要原因．超声方法是铁屑再生方法之一,铸铁中的硫有助于染料脱色．     

Thermal treatment of plasma-synthesized goethite improves Fenton-like degradation of orange II dye

Various iron oxides are used for Fenton reactions to degrade organic pollutants. The degradation efficiency may be improved by transforming an iron oxide phase to another. Here, we report on the transformation of goethite into hematite by thermal treatment at 400 °C. The products were analyzed by X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and N₂-physisorption. The catalytic activities were measured for orange II bleaching at initial concentration of 25 mg L^?1, pH 3, catalyst concentration of 0.2 g L^?1; 5 mM H₂O₂, 30 °C. Results show that the synthesized goethite was successfully transformed into hematite, and the specific surface area of the material increased from 134 to 163 m² g^?1. The bleaching efficiency of the orange II dye reached 100 % for the hematite product, versus 78 % for goethite. Therefore, a moderate thermal treatment of a plasma-synthesized goethite improves the catalytic oxidation of organic pollutants.     

Remobilization of selected metal ions from Nile sediment (Egypt) according to sequential extraction and metal–EDTA complex

River sediments are basic components of our environment, providing nutrients for living organisms and serving as sinks for deleterious chemical species. The metal contents may be remobilized and released back into waters with changes in environmental conditions, thus affecting living organisms and human activities. This paper aims to determine the effect of a synthetic anthropogenic chelating agent (EDTA) as industrial discharges on the remobilization of several metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in River Nile sediments (at Aswan and Mansoura cities) under different concentrations and pH values, and to investigate the influence of metal–EDTA complexes on this remobilization. For these purposes, sequential extraction and experiments on the effect of pH and metal EDTA complex were carried out on the two representative sediment samples south and north of the River Nile in Egypt. The results of sequential extraction show that most of metal contents present in the residual form (Cu, 11.36–72.34%; Pb, 29.64–66.67%; and Zn, 43.76–50.09% at Aswan and Mansoura, respectively). Non-residual fractions which may be available for the remobilization by EDTA represented anthropogenic (industrial, agriculture, and domestic discharges) and lithiopogenic (metals bound to Fe and Mn oxides) sources. A clear increase was detected for Cu and Zn remobilization from the increase in EDTA concentrations, in contrast, Cd independent of the EDTA concentration and slight influence on Pb content. The remobilization of metals as a function of pH exhibited. The metals were greatly remobilized under the complexing action of EDTA, showing that some of these elements were adsorbed on the sediments. The remobilization rate of metals was dependent upon the added metal–EDTA complex (with the exchange rate being in the order Ca–EDTA>Zn–EDTA>Cd–EDTA>Cu–EDTA>Pb–EDTA), due to the stability constant of the metal–EDTA complex. The results of these experiments showed that heavy metals are greatly remobilized under the complexing action of EDTA when it is present in excess, so all precautions should be taken to prevent any wastewater containing EDTA or any chelating agents discharging directly or indirectly via the River Nile stream because most EDTA remains in the aquatic phase. The ability of this portion to remobilize metals from sediments should be taken into account.     

Speciation of heavy metals in suspended particulates in urban air†

An anayltical procedure based on a sequential extraction scheme is applied to samples of suspended particulates from an urban area of Barcelona. This area presents high levels of air pollution owing to automotive emissions and industrial activity.

The procedure allows the partitioning of particulate trace metals into four fractions: soluble and exchangeable, bound to carbonates and iron‐manganese oxides, bound to organic matter and residual. In this work, the chemical associations of Fe, Pb, Cu, Mn, Cr and Cd have been investigated.

In the analysed samples, only the cadmium is predominantly in the first fraction whereas the other metals are largely associated to carbonates and Fe‐Mn oxides.     

螯合剂和AM菌根对玉米吸收重金属及重金属化学形态的影响

通过温室根箱盆栽试验研究4种螯合剂EDTA、EDDS、AES和IDSA与AM菌根单一或联合对植物吸收重金属的影响,并通过改进的BCR三步法分析了玉米Zea mays L.菌根根际重金属的化学形态变化。AES和IDSA处理显著提高了玉米地上部重金属的吸收,对Cd、Cu的作用最为显著,Cd质量分数是对照的6.2倍和6.3倍,Cu质量分数是对照的21.8倍和7.7倍。AM＆amp;EDDS处理Cd的质量分数是EDDS处理的6.4倍,较单一AM处理增加了120.7%;AM＆amp;AES处理的Pb质量分数较之AES处理增加了71.5%,AM＆amp;IDSA较之IDSA处理亦增加了32.0%。AM＆amp;AES、AM＆amp;IDSA处理较之单一AM处理,Zn质量分数增加了134.1%和21.8%,Cu质量分数前者是后者的8.4倍和3.3倍,Pb质量分数前者是后者的11.9倍和8.7倍。添加螯合剂处理较之对照亦显著提高了玉米根部重金属的质量分数（P＆lt;0.05）,其中EDTA处理Pb质量分数是对照的5.0倍,AES和IDSA处理Cu质量分数增加了229.1%和131.0%。AM与螯合剂联合处理后,玉米根部Cd质量分数较之单一螯合剂处理降低,与地上部呈相反趋势;AM＆amp;EDDS处理较之EDDS处理,Zn质量分数增加了48.6%,AM＆amp;AES与AES处理对比亦增加了24.6%;AM＆amp;EDTA、AM＆amp;EDDS和AM＆amp;AES较之AM处理玉米根部Zn质量分数分别增加了70.0%、90.9%和51.3%,Cu质量分数前者是后者的2.6倍、1.8倍、4.0倍, Pb质量分数前者是后者的4.5倍、4.2倍和2.8倍。AM处理下根际土壤Zn、Cu、Pb结合态相对含量明显高于非根际。结果表明,新型螯合剂AES和IDSA对玉米地上部和根部重金属的吸收积累有较明显的促进作用;螯合剂和AM菌根联合提高了单一接种AM菌根或者添加螯合剂时玉米对重金属的吸收积累量,强化了植物提取的效果;AM菌根改变了根际土壤中重金属的形态,菌根的存在使得重金属的形态由松结合态向紧结合态转移,降低了重金属的生物有效性及过量重金属对宿主植物的毒害。     

Serum Iron Concentrations, Lipid Peroxidation and Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Turkish Iron Miners

The effects of iron exposure, on serum iron, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), a free radical scavenger, and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation parameter, were investigated in Turkish iron miners, office workers and healthy control subjects. Serum iron levels in both miner and office workers groups were higher than those of healthy controls (p < 0.05). There were higher mean values of plasma MDA levels in both iron miners and office workers compared to controls (p < 0.05). Serum SOD activity in the miner group was lower than that of controls (p < 0.05). These results suggested that elevated MDA levels in both miners and office workers were the result of an increased production and/or decreased catabolism of MDA in chronic iron exposure. These changes in MDA metabolism may be due to iron-induced lipid peroxidation in the blood and related body compartments.     

EDTA reduces lead accumulation in Symphytum officinale L. (comfrey) roots

The addition of EDTA in phytoextraction studies has been reported to increase heavy metal accumulation in above-ground parts or to have no negative impact on the overall (root/shoot) accumulation levels in terrestrial plants. At a purely quantitative level, this study assessed the phytoextraction potential of a previously untested high-biomass terrestrial plant, Symphytum officinale L. (comfrey), in the presence of Pb and EDTA. In this hydroponic-based study, we report a small increase in shoot accumulation of Pb with EDTA but, conversely, the presence of EDTA in the nutrient medium markedly reduced the overall quantity of Pb in the plant root by at least 80%. The loss does not appear to be explained by EDTA acting alone, increased transport of Pb to the shoots, or anionic charge repulsion of the [PbEDTA]^2? complex. The elusive action and negative effect of EDTA on Pb accumulation in S. officinale provides additional reasons towards a growing trend away from the use of EDTA as a chelating agent in phytoextraction.     

以ZrO2为载体的金属氧化物催化剂对NO还原性能的研究

研究了负载于氧化锆载体上的多种金属氧化物在富氧条件下,以丙烯为还原剂,选择性还原NO的活性,考察了CuO和Ag的负载量与活性关系,CuO和Ag单独负载与共同负载时的催化性能,以及氧气浓度对催化剂活性影响.结果表明:在CuO,MgO,La2O3 ,CoO,Fe2O3 ,MoO3和WO3等七种金属氧化物中,CuO活性最好,NO转化率为47.5%,加入活性组分银可明显提高催化剂的NO还原能力,转化率提高到61%.单独负载银时,催化剂活性较差,NO转化率仅为22.1%.在对氧气浓度的考察中,确定在0.4%NO,0.4?H6的反应气中,氧气的最佳含量为2%.     

Complete oxidation of methane on Co3O4-SnO2 catalysts

Co₃O₄-SnO₂ hybrid oxides were prepared by the coprecipitation method and were used to oxidate methane (CH₄) in presence of oxygen. The Co₃O₄-SnO₂ with a molar ratio of Co/(Co + Sn) at 0.75 exhibited the highest catalytic activity among all the Co₃O₄-SnO₂ hybrid oxides. Experimental results showed that the catalysts were considerably stable in the CH₄ combustion reaction, and were verified by X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). It was found that Co₃O₄ was the active species, and SnO₂ acted as a support or a promoting component in the Co₃O₄-SnO₂ hybrid oxides. The surface area was not a major factor that affected catalytic activity. The hydrogen temperatureprogrammed reduction (H₂-TPR) results demonstrated that the interaction between cobalt and tin oxides accelerated the mobility of oxygen species of Co₃O₄-SnO₂, leading to higher catalytic activity.     

土壤中氧化铁的有机还原溶解动力学

研究了土壤中的氧化铁被两种酚化合物还原而溶解的动力学，结果表明，在ｐＨ恒定和有机还原剂过量的情况下，氧化铁的还原溶解符合一级反应动力学方程，还原溶解速率大小与土壤中氧化铁的结晶形态有关．氧化锰的存在影响着氧化铁的还原溶解，在存在足够的还原剂的条件下，两者可同时还原．实验中求得黄壤和赤红壤中氧化铁的还原溶解反应对［Ｈ＋］的反应级数分别为０．１２６和０．１７４。土壤中氧化铁的还原溶解是一个受表面反应控制的过程，反应的速率控制步骤是表面的电子转移反应，磷酸根在土壤中的吸附占据了氧化铁表面的反应位，因而明显抑制还原溶解反应．     

Nanosized magnetite in low cost materials for remediation of water polluted with toxic metals,azo- and antraquinonic dyes

Nanosized magnetite has emerged as an adsorbent of pollutants in water remediation. Nanoadsorbents include magnetic iron oxide and its modifiers/stabilizers, such as carbon, silica, clay, organic moieties (polymers, aminoacids, and fatty acids) and other inorganic oxides. This review is focused on the recent developments on the synthesis and use of magnetic nanoparticles and nanocomposites in the treatment of contaminated water. The emphasis is on the influence of the iron oxide modifiers on some properties of interest such as size, BET area, and magnetization. The characteristics of these nanomaterials are related to their ability to eliminate heavy metal ions and dyes from wastewater. Comparative analysis of the actual literature was performed aiming to present the magnetic material, its preparation methodology and performance in the elimination of the selected pollutants. Vast information has been properly summarized according to the materials, their properties and preferential affinity for selected contaminants. The mechanisms governing nanomaterial’s formation as well as the interactions with heavy metals and dyes have been carefully analyzed and associated to their efficiency.     

Catalytic oxidation of o-chlorophenol over Co2XAl (X= Co,Mg, Ca,Ni) hydrotalcite-derived mixed oxide catalysts

• Superior catalytic activity observed for o-chlorophenol oxidation on Co₂MgAlO. • The reducibility, oxygen species and basicity influenced catalytic activity. • The organic by-products were generated in o-chlorophenol catalytic oxidation. A cobalt-based hydrotalcite-like compound was prepared using a constant-pH coprecipitation method. Cobalt-transition metal oxides (Co₂XAlO, X= Co, Mg, Ca and Ni) were investigated for the deep catalytic oxidation of o-chlorophenol as a typical heteroatom contaminant containing chlorine atoms. The partial substitution of Co by Mg, Ca or Ni in the mixed oxide can promote the catalytic oxidation of o-chlorophenol. The Co₂MgAlO catalyst presented the best catalytic activity, and could maintain 90% o-chlorophenol conversion at 167.1°C, compared only 27% conversion for the Co₃AlO catalyst. The results demonstrated that the high activity could be attributed to its increased low-temperature reducibility, rich active oxygen species and excellent oxygen mobility. In the existence of acid and base sites, catalysts with strong basicity also showed preferred activity. The organic by-products generated during the o-chlorophenol catalytic oxidation over Co₂MgAlO catalyst included carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, 2,4-dichlorophenol, and 2,6-dichloro-p-benzoquinon, et al. This work provides a facile method for the preparation of Co-based composite oxide catalysts, which represent promising candidates for typical chlorinated and oxygenated volatile organic compounds.     

蒽对二种海洋微藻抗氧化系统的影响

研究了多环芳烃（PAHs)－蒽对2种海洋微藻抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明，随着蒽浓度的增加，小新月菱形藻和亚心形扁藻的非酶性系统中的类胡萝卜素（CAR）和还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）含量下降，酶性系统中的超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性下降，当加入抗氧化剂GSH时，蒽对两种海洋微藻的伤害作得以缓解，说明，蒽使海洋微藻的抗氧化系统破坏，损及体内活性氧化作用，对微藻的膜系统产生伤害。图6参12     

低分子量有机酸对可变电荷土壤吸附铝的影响机制

通过吸附性铝的解吸实验研究了低分子量有机酸对三种可变电荷土壤(2种砖红壤和1种赤红壤)吸附铝的影响机制，结果表明，柠檬酸、苹果酸和酒石酸等带有3个及3个以上活性官能团的有机酸在低pH条件下可以通过形成土壤一有机酸一铝三元表面络合物和增加土壤的表面负电荷两种机制显著增加土壤对铝离子的吸附量，但以前一种影响机制为主。乳酸、水杨酸、草酸和丙二酸等带有2个活性官能团的有机酸仅通过改变土壤的表面负电荷影响铝的吸附。土壤氧化铁是土壤吸附有机酸的主要载体，当用化学方法将土壤中的氧化铁除去后，有机酸对铝吸附的影响变小。在pH5．0时有机酸主要通过形成可溶性有机铝络合物减小土壤对铝的吸附，但有机酸的存在增加了Al^3 在吸附性铝中所占的比例，导致铝的解吸率增加。土壤中大量氧化铁的存在使其即使在低pH下也能对铝离子发生专性吸附，导致吸附性铝的解吸率减小。     

Oxidative potential (OP) and mineralogy of iron ore particulate matter at the Gol-E-Gohar Mining and Industrial Facility (Iran)

Concentrations of total suspended particulate matter, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM_2.5), particulate matter <10 μm (PM₁₀), and fallout dust were measured at the Iranian Gol-E-Gohar Mining and Industrial Facility. Samples were characterized in terms of mineralogy, morphology, and oxidative potential. Results show that indoor samples exceeded the 24-h PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ mass concentration limits (35 and 150 µg m^?3, respectively) set by the US National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Calcite, magnetite, tremolite, pyrite, talc, and clay minerals such as kaolinite, vermiculite, and illite are the major phases of the iron ore PM. Accessory minerals are quartz, dolomite, hematite, actinolite, biotite, albite, nimite, laumontite, diopside, and muscovite. The scanning electron microscope structure of fibrous-elongated minerals revealed individual fibers in the range of 1.5 nm to 71.65 µm in length and 0.2 nm to 3.7 µm in diameter. The presence of minerals related to respiratory diseases, such as talc, crystalline silica, and needle-shaped minerals like amphibole asbestos (tremolite and actinolite), strongly suggests the need for detailed health-based studies in the region. The particulate samples show low to medium oxidative potential per unit of mass, in relation to an urban road side control, being more reactive with ascorbate than with glutathione or urate. However, the PM oxidative potential per volume of air is exceptionally high, confirming that the workers are exposed to a considerable oxidative environment. PM released by iron ore mining and processing activities should be considered a potential health risk to the mine workers and nearby employees, and strategies to combat the issue are suggested.     

Chromium steel from chromite ore processing residue ?? A valuable construction material from a waste

As species we humans generate excessive amounts of waste and hence for sustainability we should explore innovative ways to recover them. The primary objective of this study is to demonstrate an efficient and optimum way to recover chromium and iron from chromite ore processing residues (COPR) for the production of chrome steel and stainless steel. In Hudson County, New Jersey, there are more than two million tons of leftover COPR. Part of COPR was used as fill materials for construction sites, which spread the problem to a larger area. With high solubility along with their toxicity leached chromate from COPR is threatening the environment as well as human health. In this research, COPR was thermally treated to recover iron with chromium by applying techniques used in steel manufacturing. An extensive experimental program was performed using a Thermo-Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) and bench scale tests to thermally treat the processed chromium contaminated soils with carbon and sand at varying temperatures and under reducing environment. The optimum chemical composition of COPR and additives to be used in the melts were evaluated based upon the thermodynamic properties of the mixture to ensure good phase separation, least amounts of iron and chromium oxides in the slag and minimum variability of final product (steel or iron with chromium). The impact of other oxides on the steel making process was evaluated to minimize the adverse impact on the process. The research demonstrated the feasibility of recovering a valuable construction material (chrome steel) from a waste (COPR).