Oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified with 2-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-4,5-diphenyl imidazole for solid phase extraction and preconcentration of some metal ions

In this work, a new procedure for the enrichment of the trace amount of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Pb²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions based on the utilization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) modified with 2-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-4,5-diphenyl imidazole as chelating agent prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry has been described. The influence of effective parameters including pH, amount of ligand and MWCNT, composition of eluent, and coexisting ions on recoveries of understudy metal ions was examined. At the optimum pH of 5.0, all metal ions were quantitatively sorbed onto the proposed solid phase and completely desorbed with 8?mL of 5.0?mol?L^?1 HNO₃. The detection limit of Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions was 1.7, 2.4, 2.3, 2.9, 2.8, and 1.4?µg?L^?1, while the preconcentration factor was 63 for Cu²⁺ and 94 for the other metal ions and relative standard deviations between 1.8 less than 3.0%. The proposed procedure was applied for the analysis of various samples.     

Assessment of potentially toxic elements in Swiss chard and sediments of Akaki River,Ethiopia

For the determination of 15 potentially toxic elements (V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Ag, Cd, Sn, Hg, and Pb) in plant and sediment samples of the Akaki River, Ethiopia, inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry, and a RA-915+ mercury analyzer were applied. Sediment and plant samples were mineralized using a closed-vessel microwave-assisted digestion system. The elemental concentrations varied considerably in plant and sediment samples. The minimum concentration was observed for known toxic elements (As, Hg, and Cd) while the highest concentration was observed for the elements of relatively low toxicity Zn, Mn, and Fe. The concentration of Cr, Fe, Pb, Zn, and As in Swiss chard surpassed the maximum permissible levels at specific sites. At some of the sites, the sediment quality guidelines are surpassed for Cu, Zn, and Pb.     

Biochemical and histological alterations induced by a formulation of dicofol in the embryonic liver of Gallus domesticus

In the present investigation, hepatotoxic effect of a commercially available insecticide formulation of dicofol (Colonel–S® 18.5% emulsified concentrate) was studied in the developing chick embryo. Fertilized eggs of Gallus domesticus were immersed in three different dose concentrations, i.e. 250, 500, and 1000 mg L^?1 of Colonel–S on “0” and fourth days of incubation for 60 min at 37 °C and incubated till embryonic day 16. Severe histopathological cellular lesions, such as extensive cell degeneration and necrosis with enlarged blood sinusoids, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and leucocyte infiltrations with congestion or dilation of central vein, appeared in dose-depended manner. Dicofol treatment also caused significant decrease in the levels of total protein, glycogen, and glutathione content and an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity of embryonic liver, whereas glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity showed mixed response.     

Determination of cobalt by air-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction

Abstract

A rapid and selective technique for extraction, preconcentration and determination of trace amounts of cobalt in water and pharmaceutical samples by air-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry is proposed. 1-Nitroso-2-naphthol is used as a complexing agent and 1-octanol as an extraction solvent. Parameters relevant for analytical effectivity, i.e. pH of sample solution, concentration of complexing agent, volume of extraction solvent, and number of extraction cycles are optimized using a Box–Behnken design. At optimum conditions, a dynamic linear range of 5–600?µg L^?1 is obtained, with a limit of detection of 1.2?µg L^?1. The method is used for determination of Co(II) in environmental water and pharmaceutical samples.     

Crystallization and X‐ray structure of 3,3’,4‐trichlorobiphenyl (PCB 35)∗

A method for the preparation of single crystals of PCB 35 suitable for single crystal X‐ray structure determination was developed. This method has already been proven suitable for 2,4'‐dichlorobiphenyl and may prove useful for other PCBs or related compounds. The crystals of PCB 35 are orthorhombic, spacegroup P2₁22₁ (a= 10.665(8), 6 = 3.825(3), c= 14.086(9) Å) and the structure was refined to R = 0.094 for 156 unique observed reflections and 43 parameters. Although the crystals were of poor quality, the structure determination unequivocally confirmed the substitution pattern of the biphenyl moiety by Cl atoms inferred previously from spectroscopic methods. The dihedral angle between the planes of the two phenyl rings is 33(2)°.     

Analyses of phenolic compounds occurring in olive oil mill wastewaters by GC–MS

Phenolic compounds in olive oil mill wastewaters were analysed by HRGC–MS after extracting the acidified solution with ethyl acetate and derivatization with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide. Both simple and complex phenols were detected with the latter being the most abundant. 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (catechol), p-hydroxyphenyl ethanol (tyrosol), 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl ethanol (hydroxytyrosol) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl ethanol (homovanillyl alcohol) predominated among the simple phenols using a gas chromatograph coupled with a mass selective detector.     

纳米零价铁对溶液中PCB77的降解及其影响因素

设计了以溶液初始pH值、3,3’,4,4’-四氯联苯(PCB77)初始浓度、纳米零价铁(Fe0)投加量、纳米零价硅(Si0)投加量、腐殖酸和环糊精浓度为影响因素的正交试验,研究纳米Fe0降解PCB77时各因素对反应体系中PCB77残留率、氢离子浓度及氧化还原电位变化的影响及其相互关系。结果表明,在溶液初始pH值为4.5,初始ρ(PCB77)为1 mg.L-1,纳米Fe0投加量为10 g.L-1,纳米Si0投加量为0,ρ(腐殖酸)为0.25 g.L-1,ρ(环糊精)为1 g.L-1时,反应2 h后,PCB77残留率最低,为35.2%。溶液初始pH值对反应体系中PCB77的残留率影响最大,纳米Fe0投加量次之;溶液初始pH值对反应体系中氢离子浓度变化影响最大,环糊精投加量次之;PCB77初始浓度对反应体系中氧化还原电位变化影响最大,纳米Fe0投加量次之。     

Public sector perspectives and policy implications for the Pitons Management Area World Heritage Site,St. Lucia

St. Lucia faces numerous challenges associated with striking a balance between its economic and conservation goals with respect to the Pitons Management Area (PMA) World Heritage Site. Among the various stakeholders, the public sector, which largely constitutes the administrative authorities representing the general public, plays an instrumental role in site management. They are primarily responsible for policy formulation as well as the provision of fiscal incentives and funds to assist in the maintenance of the site. Based on a qualitative inquiry approach, this study explored the perspectives of key persons among pertinent public and non-profit organizations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among local and national representatives from the public sector. Results revealed that the designation of the PMA as a World Heritage Site has presented both opportunities and challenges to the management of the site. Findings strongly indicate that the integrity and sustainability of the site is at stake due to a lack of commitment, coordination and political will in the public sector.     

水位对小叶章湿地CO2、CH4排放及土壤微生物活性的影响

湿地生态系统对全球碳平衡和气候变化起着极其重要的作用,而水位波动将影响湿地生物地球化学过程,导致温室气体通量变化,为了明确湿地生态系统温室气体通量以及土壤微生物活性对水位梯度的生态响应,通过野外盆栽培养试验,设T1:-5 cm,T2:0 cm,T3:5 cm,T4:10 cm 4种水位梯度,T1和T2模拟湿地非淹水的水分状况,T3和T4模拟淹水状况,研究了不同水位梯度下小叶章(Calamagrostis angustifolia)湿地CO2、CH4通量、土壤微生物量碳、氮及土壤酶活性的变化规律.结果表明:不同水位条件下,小叶章湿地系统CO2和CH4通量差异较大,-5 cm水位时小叶章湿地CO2通量为(643.35±61.89) mg·m-2·h -1,随着水位增加,CO2通量依次降低6.9%、12.1%、40.0%,且水位升高到10 cm时,小叶章湿地CO2排放量显著降低(P<0.05);而CH4通量则随水位增加呈显著增加趋势,通量变化为(1.52±0.12)~(5.34±0.61) mg·m-2·h-1;水位对微生物活性影响显著,非淹水条件下小叶章湿地土壤微生物量碳、氮含量以及土壤蔗糖酶、淀粉酶活性高于淹水土壤,且随着淹水位增加,微生物活性显著降低.