Adsorption and removal of oxo-anions of arsenic and selenium on the zirconium(IV) loaded polymer resin functionalized with diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N'-polyacetic acid

A polymer adsorbent in which a Zr(IV)-edta complex analogue is immobilized has been prepared and applied to the removal of oxo-anions of As(III), As(V) and Se(IV). Effective retention of these anions has been demonstrated with the proposed polymer complex system. The adsorption mechanism of oxo-anions onto the Zr(IV)-chelated polymer complex has been investigated using Zr(IV)-edta as the model compound. The formation of mixed complexes with oxo-anions has been exemplified by the isolation of the carbonato complex K2[Zr(CO3)edta].3H2O, the structure of which has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. NMR study suggests that oxo-anions that form weak or moderate conjugate acids, including those of As(III), As(V) and Se(IV), can form mixed complexes with Zr(IV)-edta using the unsaturated coordination site. However, oxo-anions of strong conjugate acids did not show any appreciable interaction with this complex. According to these observations, retention of oxo-anions on the Zr(IV)-chelated polymer complex has been interpreted by a ligand substitution reaction. The adsorption characteristics of As(III), As(V) and Se(IV) on the Zr(IV)-loaded resin have been examined with respect to the equilibrium adsorption, percentage extraction and the effect of co-existing ions. The adsorption and desorption cycles of the oxo-anions have been demonstrated using a column packed with the proposed resin without any loss of column performance, which indicates the possibility for repeated use.     

GIS-based source identification and apportionment of diffuse water pollution: perfluorinated compound pollution in the Tokyo Bay basin

To efficiently reduce perfluorinated compound (PFC) pollution, it is important to have an understanding of PFC sources and their contribution to the pollution. In this study, source identification of diffuse water pollution by PFCs was conducted using a GIS-based approach. Major components of the source identification were collection of the monitoring data and preparation of the corresponding geographic information that was extracted from a constructed GIS database. The spatially distributed pollution factors were then explored by multiple linear regression analysis, after which they were visually expressed using GIS. Among the 35 PFC homologues measured in a survey of the Tokyo Bay basin, 18 homologues were analyzed. Pollution by perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was explained well by the percentage of arterial traffic area in the basin, and the 84% variance of the measured PFOS concentration was explained by two geographic variables, arterial traffic area and population. Source apportionment between point and nonpoint sources was conducted based on the results of the analysis. The contribution of PFOS from nonpoint sources was comparable to that from point sources in several major rivers flowing into Tokyo Bay. Source identification and apportionment using the GIS-based approach was shown to be effective, especially for ubiquitous types of pollution, such as PFC pollution.     

Novel enzymatic activity of cell free extract from thermophilic Geobacillus sp. UZO 3 catalyzes reductive cleavage of diaryl ether bonds of 2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

We characterized the ability of the cell free extract from polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins degrading bacterium Geobacillus sp. UZO 3 to reduce even highly chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins such as octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins in incineration fly ash. The degradation of 2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,7-DCDD) as a model dioxin catalyzed by the cell free extract from this strain implicates that the ether bonds of 2,7-DCDD molecule undergo reductive cleavage, since 4′,5-dichloro-2-hydroxydiphenyl ether and 4-chlorophenol were detected as intermediate products of 2,7-DCDD degradation.     

Investigation of environmental contamination of mono-isopropylnaphthalene, di-isopropylnaphthalene and tri-isopropylnaphthalene in Hyogo in Japan

Di-isopropylnaphthalene (DIPN) has highly persistent and bioaccumulative properties, and a large amount of DIPN is used as a PCB substitute in Japan. However, DIPN in the environment has not been thoroughly investigated. In addition, mono-isopropylnaphthalene (MIPN) and tri-isopropylnaphthalene (TIPN), which are the homologues of DIPN, have similar properties to DIPN. In this study, simultaneous analytical methods for MIPN, DIPN, and TIPN for air, environmental water, sediment, and biological samples were developed, and the resultant contamination caused by each in the environment was investigated. DIPN was detected at 1.1?±?0.38?ng/m³ in air and between <?1.9 and 9.8?ng/L in river water, but MIPN and TIPN were not. In Lateolabrax japonicas (Japanese sea perch), TIPN was detected from only females at between 0.65 and 1.4?ng/g-wet. DIPN was detected from all perches at between 1.2 and 3.4?ng/g-wet. DIPN and TIPN isomer fingerprints in females were different from those in the reference standard stock solution ones. In sediments, MIPN, DIPN, and TIPN were detected at between <?0.16 and 8.6?ng/g-dry, between <?1.1 and 4400?ng/g-dry, and between <?0.83 and 500?ng/g-dry, respectively. The contamination trend of DIPN in the sediments was similar to that of PCBs.     

Evaluating of arsenic(V) removal from water by weak-base anion exchange adsorbents

Arsenic contamination of groundwater has been called the largest mass poisoning calamity in human history and creates severe health problems. The effective adsorbents are imperative in response to the widespread removal of toxic arsenic exposure through drinking water. Evaluation of arsenic(V) removal from water by weak-base anion exchange adsorbents was studied in this paper, aiming at the determination of the effects of pH, competing anions, and feed flow rates to improvement on remediation. Two types of weak-base adsorbents were used to evaluate arsenic(V) removal efficiency both in batch and column approaches. Anion selectivity was determined by both adsorbents in batch method as equilibrium As(V) adsorption capacities. Column studies were performed in fixed-bed experiments using both adsorbent packed columns, and kinetic performance was dependent on the feed flow rate and competing anions. The weak-base adsorbents clarified that these are selective to arsenic(V) over competition of chloride, nitrate, and sulfate anions. The solution pH played an important role in arsenic(V) removal, and a higher pH can cause lower adsorption capacities. A low concentration level of arsenic(V) was also removed by these adsorbents even at a high flow rate of 250–350 h^?1. Adsorbed arsenic(V) was quantitatively eluted with 1 M HCl acid and regenerated into hydrochloride form simultaneously for the next adsorption operation after rinsing with water. The weak-base anion exchange adsorbents are to be an effective means to remove arsenic(V) from drinking water. The fast adsorption rate and the excellent adsorption capacity in the neutral pH range will render this removal technique attractive in practical use in chemical industry.     

Load of Heavy Metals in the Airborne Dust Particulates of an Urban City of Central India

The geographical and temporal distribution patterns of airborne dust particulates have been studied in different representative areas of Raipur City. Dust fall samples from different sites were collected and some selected toxic metals namely Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sb and Pb in them were determined by AAS. Total annual flux of 11.7, 541.4, 2751.0, 14.2, 9.8, 90.9, 17.6, and 17.7 kg km(-2) y(-1) were measured for Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sb, and Pb respectively. The occurrence of metal concentration were generally in the order industrial > heavy traffic > commercial > residential area in Raipur city. The results of analysis show the existence of toxic metal concentration in the order Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb approximately Sb > Ni > Cr > Cu in Raipur city. These large levels of metal pollutants have also been correlated with some meteorological parameters like temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity, and strong positive correlations have been observed.     

Degradation of Reactive Yellow 86 with photo-Fenton process driven by solar light

The decolorization of Reactive Yellow 86(RY 86),one of reactive azo dyes,was investigated in the presence of Fenton reagent under solar light irradiation.The decolorization rate was strongly influenced by pH,initial concentrations of H 2 O 2 and Fe(II),and so on.An initial concentration of 40 mg/L was decolored more than 90% after 20 min under optimum conditions.The activation energy of the solar photo-Fenton reaction was 1.50 kJ/mol for RY 86 in the temperature range of 10-60°C.In the kinetic study,the rate constant of RY 86 with OH· radicals could be estimated to be 1.7 × 10 10 L/(mol·sec).The decolorization efficiency of RY 86 under solar light irradiation was comparable to the artificial light irradiation.The decrease of TOC as a result of mineralization of RY 86 was observed during photo-Fenton process.The rate of RY 86 mineralization was about 83% under UV irradiation after 24 hr.The formation of chloride,sulfate,nitrate and ammonium ions as end-products was observed during the photocatalytic process.The decomposition of RY 86 gave two kinds of intermediate products.The degradation mechanism of RY 86 was proposed on the base of the identified intermediates.     

Nitrate levels in fresh vegetables and berries from central Japan

Nitrate concentrations in 326 recent vegetables and berries sold in Niigata, located in central Japan, were investigated. Maximum nitrate concentrations of 6600 mg kg^?1 were detected in samples of komatsuna (Brassica campestris var. perviridis) and mizuna (B. campestris L.). Mean concentrations ranged from 4 mg kg^?1(blueberry) to 3500 mg kg^?1 (mizuna). Concentrations in spinach ranged from 10 to 6000 mg kg^?1 (mean 1500 mg kg^?1). Nitrate intake from spinach and Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus) were estimated to be 0.7 and 0.8 mg kg^?1 day^?1, respectively. These values are equivalent to 19% and 23% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI). Nitrate intake at the 90th percentile was estimated to be 1.3 mg kg^?1 day^?1 (35% of the ADI) from spinach and 1.6 mg kg^?1 day^?1 (43% of the ADI) from Japanese radish.     

Environmental fate of pesticides used in Australian viticulture V. Behaviour of atrazine in the soils of the south Australian Riverland

The transport of the s‐triazine herbicide, atrazine, through the red, calcareous earth soils of the South Australian Riverland was investigated. Small, undisturbed soil cores were extracted from the inter‐row topsoil of a vineyard adjacent to the River Murray, approximately 10 km south‐west of Overland Corner, South Australia. The vines were grown in a deep (1–4 m) reddish brown, strongly alkaline, sandy loam with a low organic carbon content (<2%). Atrazine concentrations in the leachate were dependent on application rate and soil type. High application rates on subsoil gave high rates of leaching for a longer time compared to the same application rate on topsoil and/or lower application rates on either topsoil or subsoil. Overall, 37–65% of the applied atrazine was detected in the leachate from subsoil cores, 14–25% in topsoil core leachates. Small amounts of atrazine (< 10% of applied dose) were found only in the top 2 cm of the core profiles. The results suggest that this herbicide is somewhat mobile in such strongly alkaline, sandy loam soils and that the irrigated soils of this region are likely to be prone to leaching of atrazine, and therefore that groundwater supplies in this area may be at risk of contamination through use of triazine herbicides.     

Application of High-Volume Fly Ash Concrete to Marine Structures

A new material with high content of fly ash named ‘Ashcrete’ has been developed. to examine the applicability of Ashcrete to marine structures, strength characteristics, resistance to sea water attack, and safety in the marine environment have been studied. the following results have been obtained:

1) the strength characteristics of high-volume fly ash concrete depend upon the type and proportions of chemical activators as well as curing conditions.

2) Ashcrete using sodium chloride (NaCI) as a chemical activator shows high initial strength and good strength development with age.

3) Ashcrete containing NaCI activator shows good resistance to sea water from the viewpoint of its strength characteristics, volume changes and microstructurcs.

4) Since 1980 many types of large-scale artificial reefs made of Ashcrete have been installed in the sea. As a result of long-term studies and underwater observations, the Japanese Government has demonstrated the durability of the material, safety in the marine environment and attractiveness to fish.

5) It is therefore proposed that Ashcrete might be used in constructing large-scale sea mounts in deep water for the purpose of generating upwelling.