Adsorption of Copper at Aqueous Illite Surfaces

Interaction between Illite and a Pseudomonas stutzeri-Heavy Oil Biodegradation Complex

Illite is a widely distributed clay mineral with huge reserves in Earth's crust, but its effect on heavy oil biodegradation is rarely reported. This study made an investigation of the interactions between illite and a Pseudomonas stutzeri-heavy oil complex (PstHO). Results showed that, although illite exerted a negative effect on P. stutzeri degrading heavy oil by inhibiting the biodegradation of 64 saturated hydrocarbons (SHs) and 50 aromatic hydrocarbons (AHs), it selectively stimulated the biodegradation of 45 AHs with a specific structure, and its biogenic kaolinization at room temperature (35 °C) and pressure (1 atm) was observed in PstHO for the first time. The finding points out for the first time that, in PstHO, illite may change the quasi-sequential of AHs biodegradation of heavy oil, as well as its kaolinization without clay intermediate.

Emerging applications of high-precision Cu isotopic analysis by MC-ICP-MS

As a component of many minerals and an essential trace element in most aerobic organisms, the transition metal element Cu is important for studying reduction-oxidation (redox) interactions and metal cycling in the total environment (lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and anthroposphere). The "fractionation" or relative partitioning of the naturally occurring "heavy" (⁶⁵Cu) and "light" (⁶³Cu) isotope between two coexisting phases in a system occurs according to bonding environment and/or as a result of a slight difference in the rate at which these isotopes take part in physical processes and chemical reactions (in absence of equilibrium). Due to this behaviour, Cu isotopic analysis can be used to study a range of geochemical and biological processes that cannot be elucidated with Cu concentrations alone. The shift between Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺ is accompanied by a large degree of Cu isotope fractionation, enabling the Cu isotope to be applied as a vector in mineral exploration, tracer of origin, transport, and fate of metal contaminants in the environment, biomonitor, and diagnostic/prognostic marker of disease, among other applications. In this contribution, we (1) discuss the analytical protocols that are currently available to perform Cu isotopic analysis, (2) provide a compilation of published δ⁶⁵Cu values for matrix reference materials, (3) review Cu isotope fractionation mechanisms, (4) highlight emerging applications of Cu isotopic analysis, and (5) discuss future research avenues.

Geochemical characterization and the assessment of trace element retention in sediments of the Reconquista River, Argentina

The mineralogical and geochemical characterization of sediments of the Reconquista River allows analyzing the geochemical partition of trace elements in one of the most polluted water courses of Argentina. The low dissolved oxygen and high ammonia contents, together with the high chemical oxygen demand, attest to the poor water quality. Ammonia, Cd and Cu content in surficial water exceeds the maximum guidelines for freshwater in Argentina. The recent sediments of the uppermost bed are enriched in organic matter (OM), sulfur, Zn, Cu and Pb. The enrichment factor is moderate, and the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) for Cu and Pb indicates uncontaminated to moderately contaminated sediments. The positive and significant correlation between As, Cr, Pb and Zn with the iron content suggests that their retention is controlled by the amount of iron oxy (hydr)oxides in the sediments, probably combined with the silt + clay abundance. In comparison with its tributary, the Las Catonas Stream, the Reconquista River, has less OM and trace elements in the sediments and more dissolved trace elements in the interstitial water. We interpret that OM is the main sorbent of the trace element. In the absence of OM, the iron oxy (hydr)oxides and the silt + clay fraction are a less efficient substitute. Consequently, the interstitial waters of the Reconquista River are enriched in these elements. Therefore, minor changes in the environmental conditions may generate significant release of hazardous trace elements from the sediments to the interstitial water and, in turn, to the surficial water of the river. As most of the big cities and the agricultural activities of Argentina are developed on the loessic substrate, the understanding of its interaction with polluted waters is crucial.

Interfacial electrochemical properties of natural Moroccan Ghassoul (stevensite) clay in aqueous suspension

A raw Moroccan clay locally named “Ghassoul” (Gh) was characterized using several techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer, Emmett and Teller method (BET), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and simultaneous Thermo-Gravimetric and Differential Thermal Analysis (TGA/DTA). These techniques indicate that the Gh consists essentially of steveniste, calcite, dolomite and quartz. The study of the interfacial electrochemical properties of Gh in different solutions of electrolyte salts (NaCl, CsCl, NaF, NaBr and LiCl) was carried out using the potentiometric and conductometric titrations It was shown that the Gh particles were stable in aqueous phase within the pH range (3–12) and the point of zero charge (PZC) was located at pH = 10.7. The adsorption sequence, carried out at various ionic strengths, showed that the adsorption mechanism onto the Gh particles is both electrostatic and specific at pH below the pH_pzc, while at a pH range greater than the pH_pzc the mechanism is electrostatic in nature. The total number of surface sites, determined using the graphical extrapolation method, was 11OH/nm². Ionization constants (pKint+ and pKint−) in the presence of various electrolytes have also been determined and their values are 10.08 and 12.38, respectively.

Cu(II) and Zn(II) adsorption capacity of three different clay liner materials

Sorption of Cu(II) and Zn(II) on three natural clays meeting the international requirements for use as liners was evaluated by means of batch tests. The purpose of this research was to determine the retention capacities of the clays for metal cations commonly present in urban solid waste leachates. The pH and ionic strength conditions were set at values frequently found in real leachates. The changes observed in the XRD patterns and FTIR spectra upon adsorption can be considered an evidence of clay-metal electrostatic interaction. The Langmuir model was found to best describe the sorption processes, offering maximum sorption capacities from 8.16 to 56.89 mg/g for Cu(II) and from 49.59 to 103.83 mg/g for Zn(II). All samples remove more Zn(II) than Cu(II), which may be related to the different geometry of the hydrated Cu(II) cation. The total amount of metal sorption was strongly influenced by the total specific surface area, the presence of carbonates and the smectite content of the clays. In addition to their known quality as physical barriers, the adsorbed amounts obtained indicate the suitability of the tested clays to contribute to the retardation of Cu(II) and Zn(II) transport through clay liners.

Retention of copper originating from different fungicides in contrasting soil types

This work described the retention of Cu from two different commonly used pesticides, the Bordeaux mixture (CuSO(4)+Ca(OH)(2)) and Cu-oxychloride (3Cu(OH)(2).CuCl(2)), and from Cu(NO(3))(2) in contrasting soil types (Leptosol, Chernozem, Cambisol). Thermodynamic modeling showed that Cu speciation was similar in all fungicide solutions. However, the retention of Cu differed with the fungicide used (maximum retention from the Bordeaux mixture) which indicates that different retention processes occurred in the studied soils. The suggested mechanisms include: specific and non-specific adsorption (especially on soil organic matter), precipitation of newly formed phases, such as CuO, Cu(OH)(2), Cu(2)(OH)(3)NO(3), CuCO(3)/Cu(2)(OH)(2)CO(3) and in the case of the Bordeaux mixture, precipitation of various Cu-hydroxysulfates. These phases were identified by the speciation model. The retention of fungicide-derived Cu in the studied soil types followed well the Freundlich isotherm and was directly controlled by the chemical form of Cu. This fact should be taken into account for both environmental and practical applications.

Removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution by adsorption on Chinese Quaternary loess: kinetics and equilibrium studies

This paper dealt with the characteristics of Cu(II) adsorption on Chinese Quaternary loess. The Cu(II) adsorption isotherm and kinetics fit the Langmuir model and pseudo-second order kinetics well, respectively, with a predicted adsorption capacity of 109 mg g(-1). The adsorption is ion exchange adsorption due to D-R model. Factors that are positively correlated with the adsorption capacity of loess include equilibrating time, pH, temperature, and solid-solution ratio. The adsorption of Cu(II) on loess involves 2-3 sequential diffusing steps into the micropores, and an endothermic and spontaneous process with predicted enthalpy, entropy, and Gibb's free energy changes of 7.64 kJ mol(-1), 81.21 J mol(-1)K(-1) and -14.94-17.37 kJ mol(-1), respectively. Moreover, the applicability of loess on industrial wastewater treatment was investigated and satisfactorily proved. Finally, FT-IR spectra shows the precipitation of copper carbonate and the complexation of Cu(II) with clay minerals at pH > 5.0 and pH > 2.67, respectively.

Selectivity sequences and sorption capacities of phosphatic clay and humus rich soil towards the heavy metals present in zinc mine tailing

Sorption efficacy of phosphatic clay and humus rich soil alone and on combination were tested towards heavy metals present in zinc mine tailing (Zawar Zinc Mine), Udaipur (India). Characterization of the zinc mine tailing sample indicated the presence of Pb, Cu, Zn and Mn in the concentration of 637, 186, 720 and 577microg(-1), respectively. For sorption efficacy, the zinc mine tailing soil were properly amended with phosphatic clay and humus rich soil separately and in combination and leachability study was performed by batch experiment at different pH range from 3 to 9. The data showed that the percent leachability of heavy metal in non-amended soil was 75-90%. After amendment with phosphatic clay percent leachability of heavy metals became 35-45%. Further, the addition of humus soil to phosphatic clay decreased the percent leachability up to 5-15% at all tested pH. Column leachability experiment was performed to evaluate the rate of leachability. The shape of cumulative curves of Pb, Cu, Zn and Mn showed an increase in its concavity in following order: Pb<Cu<Zn<Mn. The most common selectivity sequence calculated on the basis of distribution coefficient (K(d)) from the batch experiment was Pb>Cu>Zn>Mn. Further, Langmuir isotherms applied for the sorption studies indicated that phosphatic clay in the presence of humus soil had high affinity for Pb followed by Cu, Zn and Mn, with sorption capacities (b) 139.94, 97.02, 83.32 and 67.58microgg(-1), respectively.

Modelling the adsorption of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) onto Fithian illite

Illite samples from Fithian, IL were purified and saturated with Na(+) ions. The acid-base surface chemistry of the Na-saturated illite was studied by potentiometric titration experiments with 0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 M NaNO(3) solutions as the background electrolyte. Results showed that the titration curves obtained at different ionic strengths did not intersect in the studied pH range. The adsorption of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) onto illite was investigated as a function of pH and ionic strength by batch adsorption experiments. Two distinct mechanisms of metal adsorption were found from the experimental results: nonspecific ion-exchange reactions at lower pH values on the basal surfaces and 'frayed edges' and specific adsorption at higher pH values on the mineral edges. Ionic strength had a greater effect on the ion-exchange reactions. The binding constants for the five heavy metals onto illite were determined using the least-square fitting computer program FITEQL. Linear free energy relationships were found between the surface binding constants and the first hydrolysis constants of the metals.

Removal of copper on composite sewage sludge/industrial sludge-based adsorbents: The role of surface chemistry

Sewage sludge and industrial waste oil sludge were pyrolyzed in an inert atmosphere at 650 or 950 degrees C, either as single components or as 50:50 mixtures. Composite materials were used as adsorbents of copper ions from aqueous solution. The capacity for copper removal was comparable to that of commercial activated carbon. To relate the performance of materials to their properties, the surface features were characterized using adsorption of nitrogen, thermal analysis, XRF, potentiometric titration, and elemental analysis. The results indicated that a high copper removal capacity could be linked to basic surface pH and specific compounds present on the surface. The high removal ability of materials obtained at 650 degrees C is attributed to cation exchange reactions between calcium and magnesium in aluminosilicates, formed on their surface during heat treatment, and copper. On the other hand, the high degree of mineralization of the surface of the materials obtained at 950 degrees C promotes copper complexation and its surface precipitation as hydroxides or hydroxylcarbonate entities.

Immobilization of heavy metals in polluted soils by the addition of zeolitic material synthesized from coal fly ash

The use of zeolitic material synthesized from coal fly ash for the immobilization of pollutants in contaminated soils was investigated in experimental plots in the Guadiamar Valley (SW Spain). This area was affected by a pyrite slurry spill in April 1998. Although reclamation activities were completed in a few months, residual pyrite slurry mixed with soil accounted for relatively high leachable levels of trace elements such as Zn, Pb, As, Cu, Sb, Co, Tl and Cd. Phytoremediation strategies were adopted for the final recovery of the polluted soils. The immobilization of metals had previously been undertaken to avoid leaching processes and the consequent groundwater pollution. To this end, 1100 kg of high NaP1 (Na6[(AlO2)6(SiO2)10] .15H2O) zeolitic material was synthesized using fly ash from the Teruel power plant (NE Spain), in a 10 m3 reactor. This zeolitic material was manually applied using different doses (10000-25000 kg per hectare), into the 25 cm topsoil. Another plot (control) was maintained without zeolite. Sampling was carried out 1 and 2 years after the zeolite addition. The results show that the zeolitic material considerably decreases the leaching of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn. The sorption of metals in soil clay minerals (illite) proved to be the main cause contributing to the immobilization of these pollutants. This sorption could be a consequence of the rise in pH from 3.3 to 7.6 owing to the alkalinity of the zeolitic material added (caused by traces of free lime in the fly ash, or residual NaOH from synthesis).

Particle and surface characterization of a natural illite and study of its copper retention

Illite clays are known to have a strong affinity for metallic pollutants in the environment and can be applied as low-cost adsorbents for industrial waste treatment. A crucial factor in the development of such applications, however, is the understanding of the chemical, mineralogical, and colloidal properties of these clays. It is also important to understand the mechanisms involved in the surface adsorption of metals by these adsorbants. In order to study the retention of transition metals on illite clays, we have applied surface characterization techniques such as FPIA, SEM-EDX, XRD, N2 (77 K) adsorption, and FTIR. In addition to these experimental techniques, we have also employed a theoretical model that accounts for the chemistry of transition metal ions, and considers the global retention process to be the sum of several single retention processes. This model adequately fits the experimental data and allows for the speciation of metal retention on illite surfaces. Between pH values of 2.53 and 3.01 the only adsorption processes are the electrostatic sorption of [Cu(H2O)6]2+, and the surface complexation of [Cu(H2O)6]2+ and [Cu(OH)(H2O)5]+ ions. Surface complexation of [Cu(OH)(H2O)5]+ ions increases with pH, overcoming [Cu(H2O)6]2+ retention, and thus contributing to the surface precipitation of Cu(OH)2.

Effects of dissolved and complexed copper on heterotrophic bacterial production in San Diego bay

Bacterial abundance and production, free (uncomplexed) copper ion concentration, total dissolved copper concentration, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total suspended solids (TSS), and chlorophyll a were measured over the course of 1 year in a series of 27 sample "Boxes" established within San Diego Bay. Water was collected through a trace metal-clean system so that each Box's sample was a composite of all the surface water in that Box. Bacterial production, chlorophyll a, TSS, DOC, and dissolved copper all generally increased from Box 1 at the mouth of the Bay to Box 27 in the South or back Bay. Free copper ion concentration generally decreased from Box 1 to Box 27 presumably due to increasing complexation capacity within natural waters. Based on correlations between TSS, chlorophyll a, bacterial production or DOC and the ratio of dissolved to free Cu ion, both DOC and particulate (bacteria and algae) fractions were potentially responsible for copper complexation, each at different times of the year. CuCl2 was added to bacterial production assays from 0 to 10 microg L(-1) to assess acute copper toxicity to the natural microbial assemblage. Interestingly, copper toxicity appeared to increase with decreases in free copper from the mouth of the Bay to the back Bay. This contrasts the free-ion activity model in which higher complexation capacity should afford greater copper protection. When cell-specific growth rates were calculated, faster growing bacteria (i.e. toward the back Bay) appeared to be more susceptible to free copper toxicity. The protecting effect of natural dissolved organic material (DOM) concentrated by tangential flow ultrafiltration (>1 kDa), illite and kaolinite minerals, and glutathione (a metal chelator excreted by algae under copper stress) was assessed in bacterial production assays. Only DOM concentrate offered any significant protection to bacterial production under increased copper concentrations. Although the potential copper protecting agents were allowed to interact with added copper before natural bacteria were added to production assays, there may be a temporal dose-response relationship that accounts for higher toxicity in short production assays. Regardless, it appears that effective natural complexation of copper in the back portions of San Diego Bay limits exposure of native bacterial assemblages to free copper ion, resulting in higher bacterial production.

Trace element carriers in combined sewer during dry and wet weather: an electron microscope investigation

The nature of trace element carriers contained in sewage and combined sewer overflow (CSO) was investigated by TEM-EDX-Electron diffraction and SEM-EDX. During dry weather, chalcophile elements were found to accumulate in sewer sediments as early diagenetic sulfide phases. The sulfurization of some metal alloys was also evidenced. Other heavy metal carriers detected in sewage include metal alloys, some iron oxihydroxide phases and neoformed phosphate minerals such as anapaite. During rain events, the detailed characterization of individual mineral species allowed to differentiate the contributions from various specific sources. Metal plating particles, barite from automobile brake, or rare earth oxides from catalytic exhaust pipes, originate from road runoff, whereas PbSn alloys and lead carbonates are attributed to zinc-works from roofs and paint from building siding. Soil contribution can be traced by the presence of clay minerals, iron oxihydroxides, zircons and rare earth phosphates. However, the most abundant heavy metal carriers in CSO samples were the sulfide particles eroded from sewer sediments. The evolution of relative abundances of trace element carriers during a single storm event, suggests that the pollution due to the "first flush" effect principally results from the sewer stock of sulfides and previously deposited metal alloys, rather than from urban surface runoff.

Modeling Pb(II) adsorption onto sandy loam soil

The adsorption of Pb(II) onto hydrous sandy loam soil was investigated with batch equilibrium adsorption experiments. Results show that the amount of Pb(II) adsorbed increases with increasing pH and surface loading. It was demonstrated that the surface acidity of the soil could be determined using electrophoretic mobility measurements. The surface acidity constants, pK(a1)(int) and pK(a2)(int), were 1.57 and 3.43, respectively. A surface complex formation model (SCFM) was employed to describe the adsorption. The intrinsic stability constants, pK(i)(s), for the surface reaction between the Pb species and the ionized soil surface hydroxyl groups were determined from SCFM fitting. The adsorption free energy of Pb2+ and Pb(OH)+ ions ranges from -5.74 to -6.48 kcal/mol and from -9.68 to -10.00 kcal/mol, respectively, for surface loadings between 1.21 x 10(-5) and 2.41 x 10(-4) mol/g. The adsorption binding calculation indicated that the specific chemical interaction is the major mechanism responsible for the adsorption process.

Modeling the adsorption of Cd(II) onto Muloorina illite and related clay minerals

The adsorption of Cd(II) onto goethite, kaolinite, and illite was measured as a function of pH (adsorption edges) and concentration (adsorption isotherms) at 25 degrees C. As the pH was increased, adsorption onto goethite occurred mainly in the pH range 5.5-8, whereas adsorption onto kaolinite occurred in two stages, separated by a plateau in the pH region 5.5 to 7. Adsorption onto illite increased steadily as the pH was increased, with far less Cd(II) adsorbing onto illite than onto goethite or kaolinite per m(2) of mineral surface area. Potentiometric titrations of suspensions of each mineral, with and without Cd(II) present, were also completed. Results from all three types of experiments were modeled using an extended constant- capacitance surface complexation model. The reactions [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] best described Cd(II) adsorption onto goethite, while [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] best described Cd(II) adsorption onto kaolinite. A combination of the first, second, and fourth of these reactions best fitted the data for Cd(II) adsorption onto illite. In each case the model fitted all experimental data well. The results suggest that adsorption onto the variable charge (SOH) sites on illite more closely resembles adsorption onto goethite than onto kaolinite.

Cu(II) Sorption Mechanism on Montmorillonite: An Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Study

The mechanism of Cu(II) sorption on montmorillonite was studied with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The major sorbed species were successfully identified by EPR spectroscopy as they showed distinct signals due to their strength of binding and local structure. The EPR results together with macroscopic sorption data show that the sorption involves at least three different mechanisms. The dominant sorption mechanism changed with pH and Na(+) content in solution. In the acidic pH range, the sorption is independent of pH but is dependent on Na(+) concentration. Like free copper ions, the sorbed Cu(II) shows an isotropic absorption line. It is thought that the Cu(II) is ion-exchanged in the interlayer site and is capable of free tumbling motion despite electrostatic binding force. In the near neutral pH range, the sorption is strongly pH dependent and the sorbed Cu(II) shows no EPR signal. It is interpreted that the Cu(II) is sorbed by a surface complexation mechanism to form an inner-sphere surface complex. The EPR spectrum with a dipolar splitting pattern means that the dimeric Cu(II) surface species is the dominant sorbed species in the basic pH region where the Cu-Cu internuclear distance of the dimer is estimated to be approximately 3.3 Å. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

A Comparative Study of Surface Acid-Base Characteristics of Natural Illites from Different Origins

The acid-base characteristics of naturally occurring illites, collected from different locations, were investigated by potentiometric titrations. The experimental data were interpreted using the constant capacitance surface complexation model. Considerable release of Al and Si from illite samples and subsequent complexation or precipitation of hydroxyl aluminosilicates generated during the acidimetric forward titration and the alkalimetric back titration, respectively, were observed. Therefore, the acidimetric supernatant, rather than the neutral one, was regarded as the system blank for each illite suspension to yield the surface site concentrations. In order to describe the acid-base chemistry of aqueous illite surfaces, two surface proton-reaction models, introducing the corresponding reactions between the dissolved aluminum species and silicic acid, as well as a surface Al-Si complex on homogeneous illite surface sites, were proposed as follows: The K(f2) constant in Model II was obtained by simulating the complex formation between the dissolved aluminum species and silicic acid that occurred in acidimetric supernatant when the hydroxide was added. Additionally, the following cation exchange reaction was also considered for a special case, where a large amount of K(+) is released during the corresponding acidimetric titration, in which a high concentration of protons are consumed. Optimization results indicated that both models could provide a good description of the titration behavior for all aqueous illite systems in this study. The intrinsic acidity constants for the different illites were similar in Model I, showing some generalities in their acid-base properties. Model I may be considered as a simplification of Model II, evident in the similarities between the corresponding constants. In addition, the formation constant for surface Al-Si species (complexes or precipitates) is relatively stable in this study. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Potentiostatically Enhanced Complexation Model for the Determination of Isopotential Equilibrium Curves

A potentiostatically enhanced complexation model for open systems has been developed that describes the adsorption of heavy metal ions under different pH conditions and forcing electrostatic potentials. This model is based on the so-called complex formation models, and it assumes adsorption of only free ionic species, existence of one type of adsorption site, and limited adsorption site availability. The results show that potentially enhanced adsorption processes can be used for the adsorption of heavy metal ions at pH conditions where adsorption is weak, yet potentials are small enough to avoid reduction and plating, and also electrolysis of water. Moreover desorption can be achieved by turning off the applied potential or by reversing it, thereby avoiding the use of additional chemicals, e.g., a strong acid, to achieve regeneration. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.