50 Hz alternating extremely low frequency magnetic fields affect excitability,firing and action potential shape through interaction with ionic channels in snail neurones

In spite of growing concern about the influence of magnetic fields on biological systems, the interaction between extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF magnetic fields) and biological structures at the cellular level remains obscure. The aim of this study was to investigate if 50 Hz magnetic fields could have an effect on the neuronal excitability and firing responses. Under Current-Clamp condition, exposure to 50 Hz ELF magnetic fields at 2 mT or 0.8 mT intensities resulted in an increase in the peak amplitude of action potential and after hyperpolaization potential in a time dependent manner. Both magnetic field intensities decreased also the firing frequency and the duration of action potential. Taken together, these data suggest that 50 Hz ELF magnetic fields at 2 mT or 0.8 mT intensities may change the electrophysiological behavior of neuronal cells and underlying ion channel currents.     

磁种-磁滤技术处理污染河水的试验研究

采用磁种-磁滤技术处理广州市两条河涌的污染水,考察了磁种投加量、混凝剂用量、磁场强度和磁滤速度对出水浊度的影响,并确定了最佳试验条件。结果表明,该工艺对TP、SS和浊度的去除效果较好,去除率分别为96．2％、92．4％和93．9％,对CODCr有一定的去除效果,去除率为68．2％,但对NH4^ -N的去除效果较差,去除率仅为25％。     

微生物磁效应及其强化废/污水生物处理的研究进展

介绍了微生物磁效应的现象、原理及其在强化废/污水生物处理过程应用的研究进展,包括磁场对微生物运动、微生物生长、微生物酶活力以及对活性污泥法或生物接触氧化法处理废/污水过程的影响。提出生物亲和亲水磁性填料以及磁粉的合理运用,可能是实现微生物磁效应在废/污水生物处理中应用的有效途径。     

Exposure to electromagnetic fields in the magnetic resonance imaging environment in South Africa

Occupational exposure to radiofrequency (RF) and static magnetic fields at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suites is of continuing concern to personnel who routinely work in this environment. Questions regarding the levels of occupational RF and static field exposure have increased with the increasing demand for anesthetics to be administered in this environment. The present study was thus designed towards addressing the above-mentioned problem by gaining information regarding exposure levels of clinical personnel at MRI units in South Africa. Three 1.5 MRI units in Bloemfontein, South Africa were utilized to evaluate the exposure of clinical personnel to the electromagnetic fields present in the MRI environment over a period of time and during different clinical MRI procedures. Three rounds of measurements of RF fields in the MRI environment were done. All the three measurement rounds were focused on the low frequencies, 5 Hz–32 kHz, as well as on the high frequencies, 300 kHz–40 GHz. First round measurements were done to establish the background of the RF fields in and around the magnet room during an MRI examination. Second round RF field measurements were done at a specific location, 1 m away from the bore on the right-hand side of the bed, in the MRI room. The third round measurements were of the same format as the second round, but the specific location was against the magnet bore. Two pieces of Narda Safety Test Solution instruments, the EFA-300 and EMR-300, were used to measure the electromagnetic and magnetic exposure fields generated from the MRI scanners. Results of the measurements indicate that the electromagnetic fields measured during different clinical procedures do not exceed the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (2000) guidelines in these units. Results from round two and three showed that the RF and gradient exposure 1 m and up against the bore entrance does not exceed these guidelines (rms average over 6 min). Ongoing new developments in MRI scanning create the need for continuously monitoring exposure of patients and workers to the EMF fields in the MRI environment.     

Management of hazardous road derived respirable particulates using magnetic properties of tree leaves

The magnetic properties of tree leaves along with their ecological, economical and aesthetic importance can be used to control road derived respirable particulates. Isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM₃₀₀ mT) of three different tree leaves viz. Mango (Mangifera indica), Sisso (Dalbergia sisso) and Banyan (Ficus benghalensis) were determined and IRM₃₀₀ mT normalized for the leaf area. The normalized 2-D magnetization of leaves as shown by results is dominantly controlled by leaf morphology and traffic density. F. benghalensis (Banyan) leaf has highest 2-D magnetization and D. sisso (Sisso) leaf having least 2-D magnetization suggesting greater ability of F. benghalensis (Banyan) tree leaves to reduce magnetic particulates. The particle size of the magnetic grains falls in the category of PM2.5, a particle size hazardous to human health due to its capacity to be inhaled deeply into the lungs.     

Magnetic susceptibility measurements as proxy method to monitor soil pollution: development of experimental protocols for field surveys

In the framework of the development of new methods for measuring and monitoring soil pollution, this paper deals with the use of magnetic methodologies to monitor the heavy metals presence in soils. In particular it shows a procedure for collecting magnetic susceptibility measurements in order to interpret them as proxy variable for monitoring heavy metals in soils. Magnetic measurements are carried out using a magnetic susceptibility meter with two different probes for in situ field surveys. The experimental procedure is divided in two parts. In the first part we carry out laboratory tests aimed to evaluate, for both the probes, the effective investigation depth for soil, the measurement reproducibility under different conditions, and the influence of water content. We complete this part comparing in situ measurements obtained by means of two probes with different characteristics. In the second part we carry out tests to evaluate the relationships between heavy metal levels and magnetic susceptibility values of soil samples. We investigate the variability of the magnetic susceptibility measurements contaminating different soil samples with well known concentration of heavy metals. Moreover we study the correlation between magnetic susceptibility values and metal concentrations, determined by means of AAS, in soil samples collected during a field survey. Results suggest that a careful check of the experimental procedure play a crucial role for using magnetic susceptibility measurements for heavy metals in situ monitoring. This is very helpful both for improving the quality of data and for making simpler data interpretation.     

水滑石及其焙烧产物对阴离子染料酸性蓝-80的吸附

研究了水滑石(HT)及其焙烧产物(HTC)对阴离子染料酸性蓝-80的吸附特征.结果表明,在常见染料废水浓度范围内,HTC的吸附量和吸附速率都明显大于HT,HTC的吸附等温线和动力学分别符合Langmuir等温方程和粒间扩散模型.HTC对阴离子染料的去除受无机阴离子(Cl-, SO2-4 和CO2-3)的影响较小,阴离子表面活性剂十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)的存在能明显降低酸性蓝-80的吸附量.吸附量随温度的升高明显下降.     

Applications of magnetic nanoparticles in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of environmental pollutants

Environmental pollution, a major problem worldwide, poses considerable threat to human health and ecological environment. Efficient and reliable detection technologies, which focus on the appearance of emerging environmental and trace pollutants, are urgently needed. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS) has become an attractive analytical tool for sensing trace targets in environmental field because of its inherent molecular fingerprint specificity and high sensitivity. In this review, we focused on the recent developments in the integration of magnetic nanoparticles(MNPs) with SERS for facilitating sensitive detection of environmental pollutants. An overview and classification of different types of MNPs for SERS detection were initially provided, enabling us to categorize the huge amount of literature that was available in the interdisciplinary research field of MNPs based SERS technology. Then, the basic working principles and applications of MNPs in SERS detection were presented. Subsequently, the detection technologies integrating MNPs with SERS that eventually were used for the detection of various environmental pollutions were reviewed. Finally, the advantages of MNP-basedSERS detection technology for environmental pollutants were concluded, and the current challenges and future outlook of this technology in practical applications were highlighted. The application of the MNPsbasedSERS techniques for environmental analysis will be significantly advanced with the great progresses of the nanotechnologies, optics, and materials.     

Reuse of Fenton sludge as an iron source for NiFe2O4 synthesis and its application in the Fenton-based process

The potentially hazardous iron-containing sludge from the Fenton process requires proper treatment and disposal, which often results in high treatment cost. In this study, a novel method for the reuse of Fenton sludge as an iron source for the synthesis of nickel ferrite particles(NiFe_2O_4) is proposed. Through a co-precipitation method followed by sintering at 800°C, magnetic NiFe_2O_4 particles were successfully synthesized, which was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electronic microscopy(SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. The synthesized NiFe_2O_4 could be used as an efficient catalyst in the heterogeneous Fenton process. In phenol degradation with H_2O_2 or NiFe_2O_4 alone, the phenol removal efficiencies within the reaction time of 330 min were as low as 5.9% ± 0.1% and 13.5% ±0.4%, respectively. However, in the presence of both NiFe_2O_4 and H_2O_2, phenol removal efficiency as high as 95% ± 3.4% could be achieved, indicating the excellent catalytic performance of NiFe_2O_4 in the heterogeneous Fenton process. Notably, a rapid electron exchange between_Ni II and_Fe III ions in the NiFe_2O_4 structure could be beneficial for the Fenton reaction. In addition, the magnetic catalyst was relatively stable, highly active and recoverable, and has potential applications in the Fenton process for organic pollutant removal.     

Synthesis, characterization and application of Lagerstroemia speciosa embedded magnetic nanoparticle for Cr(VI) adsorption from aqueous solution

Lagerstroemia speciosa bark (LB) embedded magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ salt solution with ammonia and LB for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution. The native LB, magnetic nanoparticle (MNP), L. speciosa embedded magnetic nanoparticle (MNPLB) and Cr(VI) adsorbed MNPLB particles were characterized by SEM–EDX, TEM, BET-surface area, FT-IR, XRD and TGA methods. TEM analysis confirmed nearly spherical shape of MNP with an average diameter of 8.76 nm and the surface modification did not result in the phase change of MNP as established by XRD analysis, while led to the formation of secondary particles of MNPLB with diameter of 18.54 nm. Characterization results revealed covalent binding between the hydroxyl group of MNP and carboxyl group of LB particles and further confirmed its physico-chemical nature favorable for Cr(VI) adsorption. The Cr(VI) adsorption on to MNPLB particle as an adsorbent was tested under different contact time, initial Cr(VI) concentration, adsorbent dose, initial pH, temperature and agitation speed. The results of the equilibrium and kinetics of adsorption were well described by Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order model, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters suggest spontaneous and endothermic nature of Cr(VI) adsorption onto MNPLB. The maximum adsorption capacity for MNPLB was calculated to be 434.78 mg/g and these particles even after Cr(VI) adsorption were collected effortlessly from the aqueous solution by a magnet. The desorption of Cr(VI)-adsorbed MNPLB was found to be more than 93.72% with spent MNPLB depicting eleven successive adsorption–desorption cycles.