Detection and quantitation of trace levels of low molecular weight halocarbons (LMHs) associated with commercial sodium humate

Examination of vapor above commercial sodium humate and above 10wt% aqueous humate solution by gas chromatography (GC) revealed the presence of chloroform and trichloroethylene. Further examination of the aqueous humate by the purge and trap procedure confirmed the association of chloroform and trichloroethylene with the humate. GC/mass spectrometry analyses of methylene chloride extract of the humate established the association of LMHs with the humate. Improved headspace capillary GC technique showed that the humate contained not only chloroform, trichloroethylene but several other LMHs in the range 190 to 4000ng·kg^‐1.     

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.     

Photoreduction of parathion ethyl †

Photodegradation of parathion ethyl in presence of unsaturated biomolecules takes place by sufficient reduction of the phenyl nitro group. Main products are N,0‐dialkenyl hydroxylamino, cis/trans azo, and azoxy derivatives of parathion.     

Heavy metals in coastal sediments in Guipuzcoa (Spain)∗

Surficial sediment samples were wet digested (HNO₃‐HCI‐HF) and analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The background values in the area, and the Pollution Index Load in the sampling points were calculated. Metal inputs of continental origin are specially important in Deva, Oria and Urola river mouths.     

Biotransformation rates of xenobiotic compounds in relation to enzymes activities: A critical review

Many biotransformation reactions and many activities of enzymes involved in the biotransformation of xenobiotics in fish have been described. Therefore, the prediction of biotransformation of (other) xenobiotics through literature data seems to be possible. However, very few data allow correlation of in vitro enzyme activities with in vivo biotransformation rates. This is mainly due to a lack of quantitative data. Suggestions are made for future research, which may help to relate enzyme activities and biotransformation in fish.     

Large plasmids governing multiple resistances to heavy metals: A genetic approach∗

Gram negative bacteria classified as Alcaligenes eutrophus and carrying large resistance plasmids (generally two) were found in various industrial sites highly contaminated by heavy metals (Zn⁺⁺, Cu⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺,...). These strains were detected by DNA hybridization with a probe made with a 9kb fragment (ccz⁺ fragment) encoding for resistances to Cd⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺ and Zn⁺⁺, and cloned from plasmid pMOL30. This plasmid was isolated from the representative strain A. eutrophus CH34 which harbours the plasmids pMOL30 (240 kb) and pMOL28 (165 kb). Phenotypes related to pMOL28 and pMOL30 include the tolerance to Cd⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺, Cr0₄ ⁼, Cu⁺⁺, Hg⁺⁺, Ni⁺⁺, Pb⁺⁺ and Zn⁺⁺. The described genetic properties of these plasmids refer to some cloned or mapped functions and to some plasmid rearrangements. Plasmid pMOL85 (250 kb) which is related to pMOL30 was also described. Its host (A. eutrophus DS185) was isolated from a zinc desert. pMOL85 can efficiently self transfer in plasmidfree derivatives.     

Characterization of airborne particulate matter in Thessaloniki,Greece

A receptor modeling approach has been applied to identify and apportion sources of airborne particulate matter in Thessaloniki, Greece. The absolute principal component analysis source apportionment technique used, provided quantitative information regarding both source particle characteristics and impacts. The analysis identified four major sources of heavy metals within total suspended particles (TSP) in the centre of the city: oil burning, pyrometallurgical non‐ferrous metal processes, motor vehicles and soil resuspension. Their contributions to TSP estimated by regression on absolute principal component scores (APCS) were 12%, 8%, 5% and 4%, respectively. A similar analysis conducted for a sampling site close to the industrial area identified five major sources: oil burning, industrial Cr source, soil resuspension, pyrometallurgical non‐ferrous metal processes and motor vehicles with contributions 20%, 15%, 9%, 8% and 4%, respectively.     

Effect of agrochemicals on earthworms

This review describes the toxic effects of agrochemicals on earthworms. Carbamates are described as extremely toxic to earthworms in comparison to organophosphorus insecticides. Some pesticides have drastic effect on the nervous system of the earthworm. Earthworm can accumulate heavy metals from the soil in higher levels than any other animal. Mercury is twenty times more toxic than chromium.     

ASD—ICP—MS联合快速测定土壤中部分金属元素

土壤环境质量例行监测正在全国展开,如何准确快速分析土壤中的金属含量成为当务之急。采用HNO3-HCl-HF—HClO4体系在全自动消解仪（ASD）上对土壤进行前处理,以50．0μg／L的铑作内标,电感耦合等离子体-质谱仪同时测定《土壤环境质量标准》的7种元素：Cd、As、Cu、Ph、Cr、Zn、Ni。各元素的方法检出限为0．003～0．40mg／kg,相对标准偏差小于6．0％,土壤标样的测定值与标准值吻合。该方法简便快捷、灵敏度高、重现性好,为大批量土壤重金属元素含量的快速测定提供了可靠地消解-分析方法。     

污泥基活性炭去除水中重金属离子效能与动力学研究

以城市污泥为主要原料制备了污泥基活性炭(SAC),考察了其对重金属离子的吸附去除效能和吸附动力学规律.并选择了2种商品活性炭(煤质炭,MAC和椰壳炭,YAC)作为对比,以初始浓度为50mg/L的Cu(II),Pb(II),Cd(II),Cr(VI)4种重金属离子为去除对象,分别进行了3种活性炭的表面理化性质分析及其对4种重金属离子的吸附试验.结果表明,SAC的比表面积和微孔容积仅为YAC和MAC的1/3~1/2,吸附速率也相对较慢,但其对Cu(II),Pb(II),Cr(VI),Cd(II)的平衡吸附量却远大于2种商品活性炭,分别为9.9,8.9,8.2,5.4mg/g,说明SAC表面的高酸性基团含量对重金属离子的吸附起到了关键作用;Langmuir与Freundlich吸附等温模型均能较好地拟合SAC对Cu(II)和Pb(II)的吸附,SAC对Cr(VI)的吸附过程更符合Langmuir模型,而SAC对于Cd(II)的吸附过程用Langmuir与Freundlich两个模型均不能较好地拟合,说明SAC表面缺少能够与Cd(II)发生反应的结合位点.