In vitro effects of metal ions on lipid peroxidation induced by alcohol in mice liver homogenate

The study is aimed to estimate the effect of different heavy metals such as Hg2+, Cd2+, Mn2+, Cr3+, Ni2+, Se2O3(2-), As2O3 water solution and combined effects of Hg2+, Mn2+, Cr3+ on lipid peroxidation in mice liver homogenate in vitro. Lipid peroxidation was determined as thiobarbituric acid-reacting materials (TBA). We select five different concentrations of selected ions for experiments. Correlations used to identify the concentration of ions associated with lipid peroxidation. The rate of lipid peroxide formation in mice liver homogenate increased with the gradual addition of alcohol. When alcohol dose was up to 0.5 ml, the rate of lipid peroxide formation was greatest. At tested concentrations, the effects of metal ions on lipid peroxidation induced by alcohol were classified into three groups, and are as follows: (1) simulative, Hg2+. (2) inhibitory, Mn2+, Cr3+, Ni2+, Se2O3(2-). (3) ambiguous, Cd2+, As2O3 water solution. When Hg2+, Mn2+ and Cr3+ were added to the mice liver homogenate with alcohol at the same time, Hg2+, Mn2+ were the main agents for the rate of alcohol induced lipid peroxidation. The simulative effect of Hg2+ on lipid peroxidation induced by alcohol indicate that alcohol-drinkers will have further health risk when they are exposed in polluted regions than others, and Mn2+, Cr3+, Ni2+, Se2O3(2-) may act as free radical scavengers and preventive remedy for alcoholism in part. Furthermore, analysis of combined effect of Hg2+Mn2+ and Cr3+ provide us a new way to estimate the combined effect of multi-materials.     

Drought stress induced changes in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in genus Avena

Seven species of genus Avena viz., Avena sativa, Avena strigosa, Avena brevis, Avena vaviloviana, Avena abyssinica, Avena marocana and Avena sterilis were used to study the impact of drought stress on lipid peroxidation and other antioxidant enzymes. Maximum increase in the catalase activity was recorded in A. vaviloviana (129.97%) followed by A. sativa (122.82%) and A. brevis (83.38%) at vegetative stage; however at flowering stage the maximum increase was reported in A. sativa (25.62%) followed by A. sterilis (20.46%) and A. brevis (18.53%). At vegetative stage drought, maximum increase in peroxidase activity was recorded in A. sativa (122.82%) followed by A. brevis (83.38%) and A. sterilis (49.78%). Flowering stage drought, showed maximum increase in A. Sativa (27.09%) followed by A. marocana (23.50%) and A. sterilis (20.46%). A. sativa and A. sterilis showed stress tolerance at both the stages by accumulating higher percentage of peroxidase followed by A. brevis at vegetative and A. marocana at flowering stage. Level of lipid peroxidation in terms of Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was increased in the leaves when plants were subjected to moisture stress. The rate of increase in lipid peroxidation occurs irrespective of stage however; maximum increase was recorded in A. strigosa at both the stages. Avena species which showed high level of MDA content, indicates more lipid peroxidation and more membrane permeability and are comparatively more susceptible for water stress than those which produce less Malondialdehyde (MDA) content at higher magnitude of water stress such species have better capability for moisture stress tolerance.     

铝对豌豆根边缘细胞存活率和粘胶层厚度的影响

根边缘细胞（Root border cells）是从根冠游离并聚集在根尖周围的一群特殊细胞，铝毒的作用部位正是根尖，因此推测边缘细胞在铝毒反应中起着重要作用。作者研究了不同铝浓度（0、50、100、250、500μmol／L AlCl3（含0．1mmol／L CaCl2，pH4．5）与离体豌豆（Pisum Sativum）根边缘细胞共培养1h、2h、4h、6h、8h、24h后根边缘细胞存活率、粘胶层厚度及细胞数量的变化，以揭示铝毒胁迫边缘细胞的响应。结果为：随着处理时间的延长，边缘细胞的存活率明艰下降；在0～100μmol／L铝浓度范围，边缘细胞存活率有随铝浓度升高而降低的趋势；8h及24h边缘细胞存活率为铝浓度500μmol／L时显著高于0、50、100和250μmol／L时，6h边缘细胞存活率为250和500μmol／L铝浓度时显著高于0、50、100μmol／L AlCl3时。随处理时间延长，边缘细胞数量降低，铝浓度100，250和500μmol／L时边缘细胞数量低于0和50μmol／L时，且铝浓度越高，细胞数量越少；随处卵时间延长和铝浓度升高，粘胶层相对面积增加，铝浓度500和250μmol／L时粘胶层相对面积增加尤为明湿。通过与pH7．01水溶液及pH4．50水溶液中粘胶层变化的比较，发现粘胶层在铝处理8h后出现一个峰值，可能是粘胶物质的诱导合成和分泌。研究结果表明，铝毒对根边缘细胞具有致死效应，这种致死效应在一定浓度范围符合剂量依数性关系，高浓度时则边缘细胞存活率反而升高，这与根边缘细胞对铝毒作出的适应性响应——粘胶层的增厚和细胞降解增强有关。粘胶层起着保护和减轻边缘细胞铝毒的作用。     

Protective role of Ginkgo biloba on petroleum wastewater-induced toxicity in Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae) root tip cells

The Melet is one of Turkey's economically important rivers. Most of the petroleum plants are located at fairly nearby of the river This situation is considered as main source of heavy metal pollution in the river. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective role of Ginkgo biloba (GB) on cytotoxicity induced by petroleum wastewater in Vicia faba root tip cells. For this aim, we used the germination percentage, root length, weight gain and micronucleus (MN) frequency as indicators of cytotoxicity. Additionally to the cytological analysis, lipid peroxidation analyses were also performed in V. faba roots. Heavy metal concentrations in wastewater were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The V. faba seeds were divided into six groups. They were treated with petroleum wastewater and 10, 20 and 30 microM doses of GB. As a result, the mean concentrations of heavy metals in wastewater were observed in the order: Pb > A > Ni > Cr > Fe > Cu > Zn > Cd. The highest germination percentage was observed in the seeds of the control and positive control groups (in proportion as 98 and 96%, respectively). Wastewater treatment caused a significant decrease in the germination percentage of Group III (in proportion as 44%). The highest root length and weight gain were observed in the seeds of the control and positive control groups at the end of the experimental period. The least root length and weight gain were observed in the seeds of Group III treated with wastewater alone. In the control group, the final weights of all the seeds increased about 4.08 g according to initial weight. The root lengths of the control seeds were measured as 6.80 cm at the end of the experimental period. The final weights of the seeds exposed to wastewater alone increased about 0.90 g according to initial weight. Besides, there was a significantly increase in the MDA levels of the roots exposed to wastewater. Heavy metals in wastewater significantly affected the MDA production indicating lipid peroxidation. But, GB-treatment caused amelioration in indices of the germination percentage, root length, weight gain, MN frequency and lipid peroxidation when compared with group III. Each dose of GB provided protection against wastewater toxicity and its strongest protective effect observed at dose of 30 microM. In vivo results showed that GB is a potential protector against toxicity induced by petroleum wastewater and its protective role is dose-dependent.     

Antioxidant enzymatic activities and lipid peroxidation in liver and ovary of zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to deltamethrin

Deltamethrin (DM) is being used as a substitute for organochlorines and organophosphates in pest control because of its low environmental persistence and toxicity. But it has become an environmental contaminant as it has been used widely. In this study, we investigated the effect of DM (technical grade) on the antioxidant system of adult zebrafish. For this, six-month-old fish were exposed to 2, 4 and 6?μg/L of DM for 96?h. The tissues selected were liver and ovary. Our data showed that exposure to DM increases CAT (catalase), SOD (superoxide dismutase), GPx (glutathione peroxidase, antioxidant enzymes), LPO (lipid peroxidation, non-enzymatic antioxidant) and GST (glutathione S-transferase, detoxifying enzyme) in liver and ovary. Increased GST could detoxify the toxicant; still there could be enough DM to cause oxidative stress. It appears from our study that zebrafish used compensatory mechanisms in eliminating reactive oxygen species. These data will be useful as oxidative stress is being used as a biomarker for aquatic pollution.     

Toxic effects of dietary of Al3+ ions in tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) and protective effect of Zn2+ ion

The lethal effects of aluminum ion (Al³⁺) in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) raised in concrete tanks were investigated. Tilapias were fed daily with commercial feed enriched with known concentrations of Al³⁺ and analyzed by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). The concentrations of Al³⁺ in feces, water, muscle tissue, viscera, and heads were determined every 3 months for a period of 365 days. The Tilapia head was the most affected tissue by Al³⁺. In general, Al³⁺ bioaccumulation reached the lethal dose (LD₅₀) after 335 days of experiment as follows: 34.9?mg?kg^?1 (muscle tissue), 88.2?mg?kg^?1 (viscera), and 126.9?mg?kg^?1 (head without gills). After determining Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ca²⁺ by absorption spectrometry, a decrease in the Ca²⁺ concentration was noted in the head during the experimental period. These observations were associated with the occurrence of a decalcification in the bone tissue in the presence of Al³⁺. In contrast, it was found that Zn²⁺ ions may act as a protective agent against Al³⁺-induced contamination.     

Local and systemic induced responses to cabbage root fly larvae (Delia radicum) in Brassica nigra and B. oleracea

Summary. Feeding by belowground herbivores may induce systemic changes in shoot defence levels that affect the performance of above ground herbivores and higher trophic levels. In this paper two wild Brassica species, B. nigra and B. oleracea were experimentally infested with 10 larvae of the cabbage root fly, Delia radicum. Plant dry masses and glucosinolate levels in shoots, main roots, and fine roots were determined at 3, 7, 12 and 14 days after infestation and compared to those of control plants. The systemic response in the leaves differed between plant species. In B. nigra shoot glucosinolate levels in D. radicum infested plants steadily increased with time until they were almost twice those of controls 14 days after infestation. B. oleracea plants infested with D. radicum did not show significant changes in shoot glucosinolate levels within 14 days, which may be due to the unexpected poorer performance of D. radicum on this species. Both plant species showed a local increase in indole glucosinolates in the main roots, which are the preferred feeding site of D. radicum larvae. B. oleracea plants however showed a stronger (1.9 – 4.7 times) increase in indole glucosinolate levels than B. nigra (1.5 – 2.6 times). The increase in indole glucosinolates in B. nigra main roots, was counterbalanced by a significant decrease in aromatic glucosinolate levels. These differences in local responses to D. radicum feeding between the two species may have contributed to the slower growth rates of the larvae on B. oleracea. D. radicum feeding did not result in altered glucosinolate levels in the fine roots in either plant species. The differences in glucosinolate induction patterns between the summer annual B. nigra and the perennial B. oleracea are discussed in the light of their different life histories.     

Stimulation of root formation in Posidonia oceanica cuttings by application of auxins (NAA and IBA)

At the present, the long period (from 3 up to 12 months) to form roots from rhizome cuttings of Posidonia oceanica is the major cause of transplant failure. To promote earlier rooting, the effects of different concentrations (5 and 10 mg/l) of two auxins, namely indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and α-naphtalen aetic acid (NAA), and the time of collection on rooting of plagiotropic and orthotropic cuttings of P. oceanica were tested. Rooting, survival and growth of cuttings were assessed 1 month after planting in a mesocosm. Results demonstrated that the use of auxin was essential to achieve root initiation within the observation period. Irrespective of plant source and collection time, IBA and NAA (5 mg/l) treatments increased the rooting capacity in cuttings. The highest rooting success (i.e. percentage of the survived cuttings that rooted) obtained was 33%. Results also revealed that the survival rate and percentages of cuttings with leaf growth and emergence of new leaves on their terminal shoot were influenced by the collection time × plant source interaction, but were unaffected by the auxin treatment. Orthotropic cuttings taken in November and February showed the highest survival rate (100%). No differences in survival among months were detected for plagiotropic cuttings. In May and July, more plagiotropic cuttings survived (80±7 and 75±6%) compared to orthotropic cuttings (58±7 and 51±4%). Overall, more plagiotropic cuttings showed leaf elongation compared to orthotropic ones, but the inverse was observed in November. A higher percentage of cuttings with emergence of new leaves was observed in the plagiotropic type as compared to the orthotropic one, and in general February and November were the best months for leaf production (28±4 and 38±7%). Finally, the percentage of cuttings that had changed leaf growth orientation (from orthotropic to plagiotropic) was significantly higher in November (63±13%) compared to the other months and tended to be higher in cuttings treated with the auxins compared to controls. These preliminary findings indicate that exposure to IBA or NAA (5 mg/l) was effective in stimulating rooting in P. oceanica without inhibiting plant growth. Therefore, this simple pre-planting practice should be beneficial in restoration attempts. Based on the trend observed, rhizomes should be prepared preferably in late autumn–winter and then planted into restoration stands to achieve a prompt rooting response and the best survival rate. Clearly, future work is needed to maximize the rooting success of cuttings.     

Protective role of L-ascorbic acid against cypermethrin-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in Wistar rats

Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used for pest control in agriculture and as an acaricide in man and animals. This study was undertaken with the objective to investigate the propensity of cypermethrin to induce oxidative stress in rats following repetitive dermal exposure and its possible attenuation by L-ascorbic acid. Results obtained showed that cypermethrin significantly (p < 0.05) increased malonaldehyde levels, activity of catalase in rat erythrocytes and plasma protein levels. Whereas, activities of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the cypermethrin exposed rats as compared to the control. Supplementation of L-ascorbic acid in cypermethrin-exposed rats decreased lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes, total plasma protein and catalase activity significantly (p < 0.05) compared to non-cypermethrin-exposed group. However, L-ascorbic acid did not alleviate the negative effects of cypermethrin on the activities of SOD and GSH. This study revealed that the presence of L-ascorbic acid diminishes the adverse effects of cypermethrin on some oxidative stress parameters.     

环介导恒温扩增技术快速检测短凯伦藻

短凯伦藻(Karenia brevis)是一种有毒赤潮微藻,所产生的短藻毒素对海洋生物乃至人类都有毒害作用,为加强对短凯伦藻赤潮的监控,建立了稳定的短凯伦藻环介导恒温扩增(LAMP)鉴定体系,在此基础上进行了特异性和灵敏性验证.特异性实验结果显示只有短凯伦藻或者含短凯伦藻的模板呈现阳性反应,其他微藻为阴性反应,从而验证了该LAMP方法的特异性;同时,对短凯伦藻的基因组DNA进行一系列10倍稀释作为敏感度实验的模板,并与常规PCR做了对比,结果表明:短凯伦藻的LAMP方法最低检测限度为50 pg,敏感度比常规PCR高10倍.LAMP产物鉴定不需要常规的胶电泳过程,直接采用肉眼观察的方法,在含有短凯伦藻的阳性反应管中会出现白色混浊,加入SYBRòGreen I染料呈现绿色,而未含有短凯伦藻的阴性管为澄清,染色后仍为原来的橙色.因此,该方法操作简便、特异性强、灵敏度高而成本低,在赤潮原因种检测监控方面具有良好的应用前景.     

Uptake and genotoxicity of micromolar concentrations of cobalt chloride in mammalian cells

Literature data concerning the genotoxicity of cobalt salts have been conflicting. To establish appropriate incubation conditions, we conducted a series of uptake studies, before genotoxicity was determined by DNA strand break induction in HeLa cells and mutagenicity in V79 Chinese hamster cells. Co(II) is taken up by HeLa cells in a concentration‐dependent manner and is accumulated inside the cell. The uptake is preceded by a fast association step to the outer membrane, with no saturation up to 24 h. DNA strand breaks as determined by nucleoid sedimentation are induced at concentrations as low as 50μMCoCl₂. The induction is time‐dependent, showing the highest number of breaks after 4h incubation with no further increase up to 24h. CoCl₂ is mutagenic at the HPRT‐locus, enhancing the spontaneous mutation frequency 4.2‐fold at 100μ?. Besides direct interactions with DNA, the mutagenicity of CoCl₂ could also be due to a decrease in the Fidelity of DNA polymerisation.     

Determination of Au(III) and Pd(II) ions by flame atomic absorption spectrometry in some environmental samples after solid phase extraction

A simple and sensitive solid phase extraction method was developed for simultaneous separation and preconcentration of gold and palladium ions with N-(4-methylphenyl)-2-{[(4-phenyl-5-pyridine-4-yl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio]acetyl}hydrazine carbo thioamide complex on Amberlite XAD-1180 resin before their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Some analytical parameters such as HNO₃ concentration of the sample solution, amount of complexing agent, sample volume, eluent type and volume, effects of foreign ions and adsorption capacity of the resin were investigated for quantitative recovery of gold and palladium ions. The effects of some anions and cations were also examined. Under optimum conditions, the detection limits for gold and palladium ions were found to be 0.29 and 0.19 μg L^?1, respectively. The preconcentration factor for gold and palladium was 250. After being validated by standard addition and analysis of standard reference material, the procedure was successfully applied to the analysis of sea and stream water, anodic slime, gold ore, soil and electronic waste.     

Comparative adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions on chestnut shell in aqueous system

In this study, high capacity Chestnut shell, a waste product from the chestnut sugar production industry, was successfully applied to remove Pb (II) and Cd (II) ions from aqueous solutions. Maximum adsorption capacities were found as 541.25?mg/g and 75.86?mg/g for Pb(II), and Cd(II) respectively. Several important parameters influencing the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions such as contact time, pH, temperature and effect of metal concentration were investigated systematically by batch experiments. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were used to describe adsorption isotherms and constants. The thermodynamic parameters, such as standard free energy (ΔG°), standard enthalpy (ΔH°), and standard entropy (ΔS°), of the adsorption process were calculated. The adsorbents were characterised by scanning electron microscopy. It has been observed from the experimental results that in case of both Cd (II) and Pb (II), pseudo 2nd order kinetic model. From the results, Chestnut Shell are considered as an effective, low cost and environmental friendly adsorbent for the removal of Pb (II) and Cd (II) from wastewater.     

土壤干旱胁迫对Larrea tridentata叶片膜脂过氧化和保护酶活性的影响

Larrea tridentata是一种亚热带沙漠中常绿的含树脂的灌木,有很高的生态价值和药用价值。在不同土壤干旱胁迫条件下,测量了L.tridentata叶片具有生物学活性物质的含量变化。结果表明,随着土壤水分胁迫的加重,L.tridentata保护酶活性与MDA含量的整体趋势都是先升高,在土壤水势达到-2.415 MPa时,有所下降。L.tridentata体内重要的渗透调节物质脯氨酸的质量分数总体成上升趋势。可见,保护酶及渗透调节对L.tridentata提高自身的抗旱性有重要作用。     

Determination trace amounts of copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese ions in water samples after simultaneous separation and preconcentration

In the present article, a simple, rapid, sensitive and economical method has been developed for the simultaneous separation and preconcentration of the trace amounts of copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese in water samples by using modified XAD-4 resins. The sorption was quantitative in the pH range 6.0–9.0, whereas quantitative desorption occurred instantaneously with 5.0 mL of 2 M HNO₃, and selected elements have been determined by using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Dynamic ranges were 0.04–3.5, 0.1–6.0, 0.04–4.5 and 0.04–4.0 μg/mL for copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese, respectively. The detection limits were 9.2, 28.6, 12.3 and 5.7 ng/mL for Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Mn(II), respectively. The effects of the experimental parameters, including the sample pH, eluent type, interference ions and breakthrough volume, were studied for separation and preconcentration of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) ions. Determination of these ions in standard samples confirmed that the proposed method has good accuracy. The proposed method was used for the determination of these ions in water samples.     

溶液pH和吸附离子对水相中δ-MnO2氧化Cr(Ⅲ)的影响研究

实验室研究了溶解氧、介质pH及表面吸附离子(PO43–、Cd2 、Pb2 )种类等对人工合成的氧化锰(δ-MnO2)在水相中对Cr(Ⅲ)的氧化作用。结果表明:当悬浮液中ρ(MnO2)/ρ(Cr)为10/1时,氧化锰对Cr(Ⅲ)的氧化量达最大;pH值的升高降低Cr(Ⅵ)→Cr(Ⅲ)氧化还原电位以及增强Mn2 催化作用可以增强溶解氧对Cr(Ⅲ)的氧化能力。溶液pH的提高导致Cr(Ⅲ)的水解程度增强而生成Cr(OH)3沉淀和吸附离子后氧化锰表面位点的减少,可以提高Cr(Ⅲ)稳定性。因此,土壤和沉积物δ-MnO2在水相中氧化Cr(Ⅲ)的能力与溶液化学性质密切相关,且在Pb污染下显著降低。     

西安市春季大气细粒子的质量浓度及其水溶性组分的特征

为了探讨西安市春季大气细粒污染物的污染水平及水溶性组分的特征及来源,2005年3—5月对西安大气PM2.5进行了观测,并应用离子色谱对其中的水溶性组分进行了分析。结果显示,西安市春季大气PM2.5的质量浓度为159.9μg·m-3。分析的11种阴阳离子(Na 、NH4 、K 、Mg2 、Ca2 、F-、Cl-、Br-、NO2-、NO3-和SO42-)质量浓度占PM2.5的30%,表明水溶性组分是大气细粒子的主要组成之一。NH4 、SO42-和NO3-为水溶性离子的主要组分,其平均质量浓度分别为6.6、20.1和7.6μg·m-3,在总水溶性离子中的百分比分别为12.4%、47.4%和16.9%,SO42-和NO3-质量浓度与能见度有较好的负相关性,表明细粒子中二次气溶胶组分对能见度有显著的影响。阴阳离子的平衡和pH值的测定结果显示,西安市大气细粒子污染物为弱酸性。离子间的相关性分析揭示水溶性离子在颗粒物中主要结合方式为(NH4)2SO4、NH4HSO4、NH4NO3、KHSO4和K2SO4。Mg2 和Ca2 的相关性也较好,其摩尔比率为0.07,小于中国北方沙漠和黄土的平均值(0.15),揭示二次扬尘和建筑扬尘等过程对Ca2 的质量浓度影响较大。计算的NO3-/SO42-质量浓度比值的均值为0.38,说明固定排放源(燃煤)对细粒子中水溶性组分的贡献大于移动排放源(机动车)。     

Protective effect of kombucha mushroom (KM) tea on phenol-induced cytotoxicity in albino mice

The present study was carried out to evaluate the protective role of kombucha mushroom (KM) tea on cytotoxicity induced by phenol (PHE) in mice. We used weight gain and micronucleus (MN) frequency as indicators of cytotoxicity and supported these parameters with pathological findings. The animals were randomly divided into seven groups: (Group I) only tap water (Group II) 1000 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea, (Group III) 35 mg kg(-1) body wt. PHE (Group IV) 35 mg kg(-1) body wt. PHE + 250 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea (Group V) 35 mg kg(-1) b. wt PHE + 500 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea (Group VI) 35 mg kg(-1) b. wt PHE + 750 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea, (Group VII) 35 mg kg(-1) b. wt PHE + 1000 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea, for 20 consecutive days by oral gavage. The results indicated that all KM-tea supplemented mice showed a lower MN frequency than erythrocytes in only PHE-treated group. There was an observable regression on account of lesions in tissues of mice supplemented with different doses of KM-tea in histopathological observations. In conclusion, the KM-tea supplementation decreases cytotoxicity induced by PHE and its protective role is dose-dependent.     

Removal of Cu（ll） ions from aqueous solution by activated carbon impregnated with humic acid

Humic acid （HA） was impregnated onto powdered activated carbon to improve its Cu（II） adsorption capability. The optimum pH value for Cu（II） removal was 6. The maximum adsorption capacity of HAimpregnated activated carbon was up to 5.98mg.g-1, which is five times the capacity of virgin activated carbon. The adsorption processes were rapid and accompanied by changes in pH. In using a linear method, it was determined that the equilibrium experimental data were better represented by the Langmuir isotherm than by the Freundlich isotherm. Surface charges and surface functional groups were studied through zeta potential and FTIR measurements to explain the mechanism behind the humicacid modification that enhanced the Cu（II） adsorption capacity of activated carbon.