Crystallization behavior of predominantly syndiotactic poly(β-hydroxybutyrate)

Predominantly syndiotactic poly(-hydroxybutyrate), syn-PHB, of variable syndioregularity (syndyad fractions 0.59, 0.62, 0.64, and 0.71) and molecular weight was prepared by the dibutyltin dimethoxide catalyzed ring opening of racemic-butyrolactone (BL). The crystallization behavior of the syn-PHB polymers was investigated by DSC and X-ray diffraction analyses. DSC of films after melting and annealing showed at least one, and often two distinct melting transitions occuring over a broad (often 40°C) temperature range. These results indicate that syn-PHB chain segments of variable syndioregularity form crystalline regions with very different thermodynamic stabilities. Maximum degrees of crystallinity for melt annealed 0.64- and 0.71-syn-PHB was observed at an annealing temperature (T _c ) of 30°C. AtT _c values at 45°C and higher, crystallization of relatively lower syndioregular chain segments was apparently excluded to variable degrees dependent onT _c and sample syndiotactic dyad content. After crystallization of syn-PHB samples at elevated temperatures, ambient temperature annealing resulted in an observed lower temperature melting transition at 50°C. This result showed little to no dependence on syn-PHB syndio-regularity andT _c . Both solution precipitated 0.62-syn-PHB and 0.71-syn-PHB have WAXS patterns with poorly resolved crystalline reflections superimposed on amorphous haloes indicating low levels of crystallinity (17% and 25%, respectively) and poorly formed crystals. Isothermal crystallization monitored by DSC showed that the syn- and natural origin PHB showed fastest crystallization rates at temperatures between 50°C and 70°C and 60°C and 90°C, respectively. From the dependence of the higher melting transition onT _c it was determined that the equilibrium melting temperatures for 0.62-syn-PHB (M _n =83,700 g/mol) and a 0.64-syn-PHB (M _n =11,900 g/mol) were 157 and 154°C, respectively. An Avrami analysis of syn-PHB yielded results similar to that found for natural origin PHB indicating that crystal growth occurs by a two-dimensional mechanism.Guest Editor: Dr. Graham Swift, Rohm & Haas.     

Prenatal diagnosis of autosomal recessive osteopetrosis,infantile type,by X-ray evaluation

Prenatal diagnosis for infantile osteopetrosis was attempted during the third pregnancy of a first-cousin marriage whose family history revealed an affected previous child. At the 25th week of pregnancy, fetal X-ray evaluation revealed marked sclerosis of osteopetrotic bone and metaphyseal splaying and clubbing of both femurs. The pregnancy was terminated and repeated X-rays and histopathological examination of fetal bone (femur) confirmed the diagnosis.     

北京城区可吸入颗粒物(PM10)的矿物学研究

使用X射线衍射技术(XRD)和扫描电镜技术(SEM/EDX)对北京PM10中的矿物组分进行了分析.结果表明,北京PM10中的矿物组分存在明显的季节变化规律,春季PM10中的矿物组成种类最多;秋季PM10中的矿物种类最少;在夏季PM10中,矿物的种类有所减少,却有新的物种出现,如NH4Cl、K(NH4)Ca(SO4)2?H2O、As2O3?SO3等.粘土矿物是北京PM10中含量最高的矿物,石英的含量次之,其他依次为方解石、石膏、长石、白云石以及其他矿物颗粒;北京PM10中还存在一定数量的复合颗粒,颗粒表面常有S、Cl元素的存在.     

Fate of pharmaceuticals--photodegradation by simulated solar UV-light

The fate of pharmaceuticals in surface waters under solar irradiation was investigated. Photodegradation of pharmaceuticals caused by sun irradiation may be of major significance in the natural elimination process. Based on a data compilation from the literature, the lipid lowering agent metabolite clofibric acid, the iodinated X-ray contrast media iomeprol, which contribute to the adsorbable organic halogen compounds, and the antiepileptic drug carbamazepine were selected. The irradiation experiments were carried out in batch experiments with simulated UV–sunlight. The photodegradation of the pharmaceuticals showed a pseudo-first-order kinetics. The objective of this investigation was to demonstrate that the extent of photoinduced degradation of pharmaceuticals can vary significantly for the different pharmaceuticals and it strongly depends on the water constituents present in solution. The influences of different initial pharmaceutical concentrations, the presence of other pharmaceuticals like carbamazepine or clofibric acid and the presence of natural organic matter on the photochemical degradation rate of pharmaceuticals in aqueous solutions were investigated. Analyses of the pharmaceuticals and their photodegradation products were carried out by high performance liquid chromatography with diode-array and fluorescence detection.     

Trace metal levels in freshwater fish, sediment and water

The trace metal concentrations in water, sediment and aquatic organisms, such as fish, could indicate the level and tendency of the pollution. This is important not only for the protection of the environment, but for evaluation of the quality of fish meat either captured from natural waters or cultured in fishponds. The total trace metal concentrations in samples of fish from different regions of Hungary and from different species have been determined by using an X-ray fluorescence technique (EDXRF). Water, sediment and fish samples from fishpond systems with different feeding and stocking has also been analyzed. In the case of zinc contents, differences have been traced between the cultured and wild common carp. In the case of common carp reared under different feeding conditions, differences were also observed in the zinc concentration. The retention of the trace metals in the fish has been studied by measuring the levels in sediment, water and feed. The different retention can be explained by the different availability of zinc in the applied feeds, which can be related to the presence of different metal species in the feeds.     

重构土壤垂直剖面重金属Cd赋存形态及影响因素

针对矿业废弃地高背景值-历史矿业源相叠加区下土壤重金属Cd污染问题,以西南地区某历史硫磺矿业废弃地重构土壤为研究对象,采集剖面土壤共30个样品,分析测试土壤样品中镉(Cd)、铬(Cr)、镍(Ni)、砷(As)和汞(Hg),利用电镜扫描-能谱分析(SEM-EDS)和重金属形态连续提取的BCR方法,分析不同土层厚度下Cd的赋存形式,运用风险评价编码法(RAC)和次生相与原生相分布比值法(RSP)对其进行有效性评价,以及对不同理化性质下Cd各形态的变化规律进行了初步探讨.结果表明,研究区5种重金属中Cd全量的富集系数最高,达4以上;通过形貌特征可以发现,样品中存在较多的次棱角状、棱角状颗粒,不同深度下的能谱特征显示结果相似,均含有Cd、Fe、S和As等元素,Cd元素是以类质同象形式存在;对Cd进行潜在风险评价,RAC结果显示为中等风险及以下,RSP结果主要为重度污染;重金属全量是影响Cd各形态含量分布的最主要因素,其次pH、有机质和CEC,对垂直深度的土壤Cd赋存形态也表现出不同程度的影响.该研究结果可为进一步了解Cd在剖面土壤的活性、迁移规律、生物毒性和赋存形式提供科学依据.     

Endogenous formation of hydrogen cyanide during distillation for the determination of total cyanide

This paper describes how organic compounds and nitrogen compounds induce the formation of hydrogen cyanide during the distillation process. Hydrogen cyanide formation was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. The formation scheme for hydrogen cyanide from organic compounds is proposed.     

铅蓄电池企业废气中铅及其化合物便携式XRF检测方法

在企业污染源现场实现污染物排放浓度水平的快速判定和超标风险筛查,对生态环境管理部门提高执法效率、企业提高环境管理水平意义重大。铅是一种对人体危害极大的有毒重金属,目前缺少含铅废气中铅及其化合物的便携式直读检测设备和检测方法。探索性地将X射线荧光光谱(XRF)法应用于铅蓄电池企业含铅废气中铅及其化合物的便携式快速、直读检测。研究结果表明,基于XRF的面密度法适用于铅蓄电池企业含铅废气处理设施后铅及其化合物的快速、直读检测,相对国标方法具有快速、直读、对样品无损、便于复测等特点,可用于铅及其化合物排放浓度水平的快速判定和超标风险筛查。     

Heavy metals in Jamaican surface soils

A regional survey of Jamaican surface soils has been conducted in which more than 200 samples were collected at a sample density of 1 per 64 km² across the island and analysed for total concentrations of 31 elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The aim of the survey was to begin the construction of a high-precision geochemical database to provide information on elemental levels in soils for application to environmental studies, agriculture, and human and animal health. Results on the regional scale are presented for As, Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb. Although Jamaican surface soils are enriched in several heavy metals compared with world soil means and crustal abundances, lead is of particular importance at this stage because of its occurrence in residential areas. Except for Cu, the distribution maps of these elements are highly correlated with bauxite which in Jamaica is associated with white limestone geology and residualterra rossa soils.     

Influence of the organic complex concentration on adsorption of herbicide in organic modified montmorillonite

This study was undertaken to determine the impact of the organic complex concentration on the adsorption of herbicide (acetochlor) at the surface of the organic modified montmorillonite. In this work, natural montmorillonite from Bogovina (Boljevac municipality, Serbia) was used for organic modification. Cation-exchange capacity of this montmorillonite was determined using a methylene blue method (86 mmol/100 g of clay). Montmorillonite has been modified first with NaCl and then with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA-bromide) organic complex. Saturation of cation exchange capacity (CEC) was 50%, 100%, and 150%. Changes in the properties of the inorganic and organic montmorillonite have been examined using the X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and batch equilibrium method. Montmorillonite modified with HDTMA-bromide demonstrated higher uptake of the herbicide, compared to the inorganic montmorillonite. Comparing the values Freundlich coefficients in batch equilibrium method, it can be seen that the adsorption of acetochlor decreased in the series: 0.5 CEC HM > 1 CEC HM > 1.5 CEC HM > NaM.