Comparative toxicity of a zinc salt, zinc powder and zinc oxide to Eisenia fetida, Enchytraeus albidus and Folsomia candida

The pore water zinc concentration and the calcium chloride extracted zinc fraction are higher in the soils spiked with a zinc salt (ZnCl2) compared to soils spiked with zinc oxide or zinc powder. Based on total zinc concentrations in the soil, the acute toxicity of zinc salt to the compost worm Eisenia fetida, the potworm Enchytraeus albidus and the springtail Folsomia candida was lower compared to zinc oxide and zinc powder. However, when expressed on the basis of pore water concentrations or calcium chloride extracted fractions, acute toxicity was higher for zinc salt, which indicated that dermal uptake via the pore water is not the only route of uptake. Chronic toxicity of zinc salt, zinc oxide and zinc powder was similar when based on total concentrations in the soil which again indicates that the pore water route of uptake is not the only route of exposure but that oral uptake is also important.     

利用高炉瓦斯泥中的锌制备活性氧化锌的研究

利用高炉炼铁瓦斯泥中的锌,采用火法富集和湿法浸取制取活性氧化锌。考察了温度、时间对火法富集产品中氧化锌含量和原料瓦斯泥中锌挥发率的影响,确定了富集工艺的最佳条件为:在氮气氛围下,温度从常温以10℃/min升温至1 000℃并且在1 000℃下保持1 h,得到的富集产品中氧化锌含量82.24%;瓦斯泥中锌挥发率97%。同时考察了温度、氨水用量、碳酸氢铵用量和液固比等因素对氧化锌浸取率的影响。确定的最佳工艺条件为:浸取温度40℃,氨水用量为理论量的2倍,碳酸氢铵用量为理论量的2倍,液固比4∶1,浸取时间2 h,氧化锌浸取率达99.9%。湿法制得的活性前驱体碱式碳酸锌,经煅烧得到纯度为98.4%的活性氧化锌产品,氧化锌的总回收率达95.3%。     

锌、铁等离子对氧化锌烟气脱硫工艺中亚硫酸锌氧化的影响

在氧化锌法脱除烟气SO2工艺中,脱硫产物亚硫酸锌的氧化是实现锌、硫资源回收的关键环节。在pH为4～5,25℃等条件下,考察了锌、铁、镉离子对亚硫酸锌氧化过程的影响。结果发现,铁离子对亚硫酸锌氧化过程有较强的催化作用,锌离子有一定的催化作用,而低浓度的镉离子几乎不影响氧化过程。进一步的研究表明,锌、铁离子的独自催化氧化速率对各自的浓度均为0．5级响应,但在混合状态下,锌离子对铁离子的催化过程有抑制作用。     

Morphologies of zinc oxide particles and their effects on photocatalysis

ZnO powders with different morphologies were synthesized by alkali precipitation, organo-zinc hydrolysis, and spray pyrolysis. Acetaldehyde decomposition was used as a probe reaction to evaluate the photocatalysis of these ZnO powders. We investigated the relationship between photocatalytic activity and crystallinity, surface area, or morphology. Results indicate that the photocatalytic activity of ZnO powder depends on crystallinity rather than surface area for the same original ZnO powders prepared by equal conditions other than the difference in calcination temperature. However, no direct relationship between photocatalytic activity and crystallinity or surface area was found for the differently original ZnO powders prepared by different methods, or the same method with different conditions. Instead, we find that the particle morphology significantly affects its photocatalysis.     

Evaluation of growth and biochemical indicators of Salvinia natans exposed to zinc oxide nanoparticles and zinc accumulation in plants

The adverse effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with an average diameter of 25 nm on the aquatic plant Salvinia natans (L.) All. were determined. Growth, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, peroxidase activity, and chlorophyll content of the plants were measured after 7 days of exposure to different concentrations of ZnO NPs (1 to 50 mg L^?1). The particle distribution in the culture medium (without plants) during the first 24 h was determined using a Nanotrac 250 particle analyzer. We also investigated the zinc accumulation in leaves and roots of the plant after 7 days of exposure. Exposure to 50 mg L^?1 ZnO NPs significantly increased SOD and CAT activities (P?<?0.05) and significantly depressed photosynthetic pigments (P?<?0.05). However, plant growth was not significantly affected (P?>?0.05). NPs completely precipitated at the bottom of the container at 8 h except for the portions of dissolution and aggregation on the roots. ZnO NPs at a concentration of 50 mg L^?1 can adversely affect S. natans, and their stress is affected by their aggregation and dissolution.     

Differential growth,nutrition, physiology,and gene expression in Melissa officinalis mediated by zinc oxide and elemental selenium nanoparticles

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Regarding the rapid progress in the production and consumption of nanobased products, this research considered the behavior of Melissa officinalis...     

锌、铁等离子对氧化锌烟气脱硫工艺中亚硫酸锌氧化的影响简

在氧化锌法脱除烟气SO₂工艺中,脱硫产物亚硫酸锌的氧化是实现锌、硫资源回收的关键环节。在pH为4~5,25℃等条件下,考察了锌、铁、镉离子对亚硫酸锌氧化过程的影响。结果发现,铁离子对亚硫酸锌氧化过程有较强的催化作用,锌离子有一定的催化作用,而低浓度的镉离子几乎不影响氧化过程。进一步的研究表明,锌、铁离子的独自催化氧化速率对各自的浓度均为0.5级响应,但在混合状态下,锌离子对铁离子的催化过程有抑制作用。     

Molecular cloning, characterization of CAT, and eco-toxicological effects of dietary zinc oxide on antioxidant enzymes in Eisenia fetida

The full-length cDNA of catalase (EfCAT) from Eisenia fetida was cloned (GenBank accession no. JN617999). Sequence characterization revealed that EfCAT protein sequence contained proximal heme-ligand signature sequence (³⁵¹RLFSYSDTH³⁵⁹), two glycosylation sites (N₁₄₅ and N₄₃₆), the proximal active site signature (⁶¹FDRERIPERVVHAKGAGA⁷⁸), and 12 amino acids (N₁₄₅, H₁₉₁, F₁₉₅, S₁₉₈, R₂₀₀, N₂₁₀, Y₂₁₂, K₂₃₄, I₂₉₉, W₃₀₀, Q₃₀₂, and Y₃₅₅), which were identified as putative residues involved in NADPH binding. These conserved motifs and catalase signature sequences were essential for the structure and function of EfCAT. The present study also investigated the effect of the veterinary food additive zinc oxide on antioxidant processes in E. fetida, at different concentrations and exposure durations. A significant increase (by 106.0 % compared to controls) in CAT activity at 500 mg/kg was registered at day 15. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity at 500 mg/kg increased to the maximum value (by 44.0 %) measured at day 15. There was a significant increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity for all concentrations after 5 days. The results showed that dietary Zn (500 mg/kg) causes oxidative damage to earthworms. At early stages of earthworms exposed to ZnO, GPx is the main enzyme to impair the oxidative status; while at later stages the enzymes CAT and SOD were the main indicators of oxidative stress. The antioxidant enzymatic variations may be an adaptive response of earthworms to survive in contaminated soils.     

Speciation and pulmonary effects of acidic SOx formed on the surface of ultrafine zinc oxide aerosols

Ultrafine metal oxides and SO₂ react during coal combustion or smelting operations to form primary emissions coated with an acidic SO_x layer. A ZnO-SO₂-H₂O (mixed 500°C) system generates such particles to provide greatly needed information on both quantitative composition of the surface layer and its effects on the lung. Total S on the particles is related to ZnO concentration and is predominantly S^VI. As a surface layer, 20 μg m⁻³ H₂SO₄ decreases pulmonary diffusing capacity in guinea pigs after four daily 3-h exposures and produces bronchial hypersensitivity following a single 1-h exposure. That 200 μg m⁻³ H₂SO₄ aerosols of equivalent particle size are needed to produce the same degree of bronchial hypersensitivity emphasizes the importance of the surface layer.     

Ameliorative effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles against potassium bromate-mediated toxicity in Swiss albino rats

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Potassium bromate (PB) is a commonly used food additive, a prominent water disinfection by-product, and a class IIB carcinogen. It exerts a various...     

Formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from a refinery process for zinc oxide used in feed additives: a source of dioxin contamination in Chilean pork

The Republic of Korea found dioxin at concentrations exceeding the Korean maximum residue limit (MRL) in pork (2 pg TEQ g⁻¹ fat) imported from Chile in June 2008. Korea and Chile collaborated and investigated to find out the sources of contamination. An isotope dilution method and high resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HR-GC/MS) were used for the analysis of PCDD/Fs. PCDD/Fs were found from 2.17 to 36.7 pg TEQ g⁻¹ fat from Chilean pork. 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF, 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF, 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF, and 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF were found as the major congeners in pork samples. 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF showed the highest concentration and contributed about 30% among the congeners in most of the samples. 2,3,7,8-TCDD, 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD, OCDD, 2,3,7,8-TCDF, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF, 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF, and OCDF were not detected or exist at background levels in the less contaminated samples. Remarkably high concentrations of PCDD/Fs were found in samples of zinc oxide (17 147 pg TEQ g⁻¹), zinc oxide based premix (6673 pg TEQ g⁻¹), and the residue crust (800 pg TEQ g⁻¹) in a mixing chamber in the feed mill. From the results of various investigations, this case concluded that zinc oxide in the feed was the major source of the dioxin contamination in pork. The dioxins were formed from a metal refinery process to collect zinc oxide.     

Protective effect of Zingerone against mouse testicular damage induced by zinc oxide nanoparticles

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Zingerone (Zing) on zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZNP)-induced spermatogenesis defects in...     

Composite tin and zinc oxide nanocrystalline particles for enhanced charge separation in sensitized degradation of dyes

Composite ZnO/SnO2 catalyst has been studied for the sensitized degradation of dyes e.g. Eosin Y (2', 4', 5', 7'-tetrabromofluorescein disodium salt) in relation to efficient charge separation properties of the catalyst. Improved photocatalytic activity was observed in the case of ZnO/SnO2 composite catalyst compared to the catalytic activity of ZnO, SnO2 or TiO2 powder. The suppression of charge recombination in the composite ZnO/SnO2 catalyst led to higher catalytic activity for the degradation of Eosin Y. Degradation of Eosin follows concomitant formation of CO2 and formation of CO2 followed a pseudo-first-order rate. Photoelectrochemical cells constructed using SnO2, ZnO, ZnO/SnO2 sensitized with Eosin Y showed V(oc) of 175, 306, 512 mV/cm2 and I(sc) of 50, 70, 200 microA/cm2 respectively. A higher irreversible degradation of Eosin Y and higher V(oc) observed on composite ZnO/SnO2 than ZnO and SnO2 separately can be considered as a proof of enhanced charge separation of ZnO/SnO2 catalyst. Eosin Y showed a higher emission decreases on ZnO/SnO2 composite than on individual ZnO, SnO2 or TiO2 indicating dominance of the charge injection process. Photoinjected electrons are tunneled from ZnO to SnO2 particles accumulating injected electrons in the conduction bands allowing wider separation of excited carriers.     

Evaluation of PCDD/Fs characterization in animal feed and feed additives

Safety control of feed and feed additives is necessary to have safe food of animal origin. Based on media reports, nine incidents regarding dioxins and/or PCBs contaminations occurred worldwide during the last decade. Korea is a country which imports feed and feed additives. In this study, various kinds of feed and feed additives were analyzed to monitor the contamination level of dioxins. The level of PCDD/Fs in fish oil was the highest with a concentration of 23.33ngkg(-1), which is equivalent to a toxicological concentration of 4.68ngWHO-TEQ/kg. Feed from animals origin such as chicken meal, animal fat, fish meal, fish oil, and shell powder showed relatively higher concentrations of PCDD/Fs. Feed from plants origin, minerals, and additives ranged from non-detects for bit pulp and ethoxyquin to 8.28ngkg(-1) for dl-methionine. From a toxicological point of view, the highest concentration in vitamins was 0.08ngWHO-TEQ/kg among the feed additives. 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF was the dominant congener in samples of fish oil, fish meal, and shell powder. Animal fat showed that the pattern of PCDD/Fs depends on the sources of contamination. A sample of animal fat showed 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF and the other sample showed 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD as a primary congener. Generally, low levels of PCDDs were detected in feed additives. Patterns of PCDD/Fs in choline chloride were different with that in choline chloride from an incident in Europe in 2000.     

热镀锌厂酸洗废水及锌灰中锌回收

分别采用蒸酸法、氨络合法和硫化沉淀法分离回收热镀锌厂酸洗废水及锌灰中锌铁。分别考察了酸洗废水中盐酸的逸出特性和氨浸法回收蒸馏渣中锌的效果;利用酸洗废水的酸度浸取锌灰中的锌并用氨络合法分离酸浸出液中锌铁;利用硫化物不同溶度积选择性沉淀酸浸出液中的锌,考察了Na2S加入量、曝气时间、反应溶液pH和反应时间的影响。研究结果表明硫酸的加入能提高盐酸的蒸发率但效果不明显,氨络合法难于有效分离锌铁,但硫化物沉淀法可较好地分离锌铁,铁回收率可达97．12％,锌沉淀率达到99．99％,所得沉淀物中ZnS纯度为68．51％。     

Non-enhanced phytoextraction of cadmium,zinc, and lead by high-yielding crops

Heavy metal soil contamination from mining and smelting has been reported in several regions around the world, and phytoextraction, using plants to accumulate risk elements in aboveground harvestable organs, is a useful method of substantially reducing this contamination. In our 3-year experiment, we tested the hypothesis that phytoextraction can be successful in local soil conditions without external fertilizer input. The phytoextraction efficiency of 15 high-yielding crop species was assessed in a field experiment performed at the Litavka River alluvium in the P?íbram region of Czechia. This area is heavily polluted by Cd, Zn, and Pb from smelter installations which also polluted the river water and flood sediments. Heavy metal concentrations were analyzed in the herbaceous plants’ aboveground and belowground biomass and in woody plants’ leaves and branches. The highest Cd and Zn mean concentrations in the aboveground biomass were recorded in Salix x fragilis L. (10.14 and 343 mg kg^?1 in twigs and 16.74 and 1188 mg kg^?1 in leaves, respectively). The heavy metal content in woody plants was significantly higher in leaves than in twigs. In addition, Malva verticillata L. had the highest Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations in herbaceous species (6.26, 12.44, and 207 mg kg^?1, respectively). The calculated heavy metal removal capacities in this study proved high phytoextraction efficiency in woody species; especially for Salix × fragilis L. In other tested plants, Sorghum bicolor L., Helianthus tuberosus L., Miscanthus sinensis Andersson, and Phalaris arundinacea L. species are also recommended for phytoextraction.     

Chemical fractionation of copper, lead and zinc in ombrotrophic peat

Measurement of operationally defined chemical fractions in ombrotrophic peat samples provides information not obtained by total metal extractions. Examination of such sequential data permits interpretation of process dynamics. Results for copper, lead and zinc chemical fractionation of peat profiles from Ringinglow Bog, near Sheffield, Great Britain, are reported and discussed. Lead and zinc share similar patterns of partitioning. A considerable proportion of these records is in a form predisposed to transformation and mobilisation. In contrast, much of the copper is comparatively immobile, it being associated with the more chemically intractable fractions. The results suggest that peat copper deposition records may be used for reconstruction of pollution history. The use of lead and zinc records for these purposes is problematic.