A green and simplified approach for the quantitative and sensitive analysis of heavy metal ions in sea and stream waters

Elimination of the matrix effect is a major challenge in developing a method for the quantification of heavy metals (HMs) in water samples. In this regard, the current research describes the simultaneous analyses of Cu(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) ions in water matrices through flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) after preconcentration with carrier element-free co-precipitation (CEFC) technique by the help of an organic co-precipitant, 3-{[5-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl]-methyl}-4-[2,4-(dichlorobenzylidene)amino]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione (CCMBATT). Based on our literature research, CCMBATT was employed for the first time in this study as an organic co-precipitant for the preconcentration of HMs. Factors such as solution pH, concentration of co-precipitant, sample volume, standing time, centrifugation rate, and time were thoroughly examined and optimized to achieve the highest efficiency in terms of HM recovery. The limits of detection (LODs) (with 10 number of tests) of 0.54, 0.34, and 1.95 μg L-1 and the relative standard deviations (RSD %) of 2.1, 3.3, and 3.0 were determined for Cu(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II) ions, respectively. Recovery results of HMs for the spiked samples were in the range of 92.8-101.0%, demonstrating the trueness of the method and its applicability to the water samples matrix.

Enhancement of adsorptive removal efficiency of an anionic dye from aqueous solutions using carboxylic acid-modified mulberry leaves: Artificial neural network modeling, isotherm, and kinetics evaluation

Natural mulberry leaves and carboxylic acid-modified mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves were used for the first time to scrutinize the effects of modification on the retention efficiency of an anionic dye (Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR)) from aqueous solutions to suggest an economical and promising adsorbent for the treatment of dye-contaminated water. The characterization of the adsorbents was accomplished through common techniques including SEM, FTIR, and pH_pzc determination. Several parameters studied in batch experiments pointed out that the initial pH of 2.0 and the contact time of 240 min were optimum conditions for all the developed RBBR uptake processes. An artificial neural network (ANN) model was applied to formulate a forecast model for the uptake efficiency of RBBR. The experimental data were assessed by different kinetic and isotherm models to explain the mechanism of the developed processes in more detail. Maximum monolayer adsorption capacities of natural mulberry leaves and acetic acid-, citric acid-, and oxalic acid-modified mulberry leaves were determined as 64.5, 95.2, 84.8, and 91.7 mg g^-1, respectively, by the Langmuir isotherm model. These results demonstrated that the modification with carboxylic acids significantly increases the anionic dye adsorption capacity of the mulberry leaves.

Insights into brewed tea waste as a green and low-priced adsorbent for solid-phase extraction of Cd(II) ions: isotherm, kinetic, and artificial neural network approach

In the present research, brewed tea waste (BTW) was utilized as a green, low-priced, and abundant adsorbent for separation/preconcentration of Cd(II) ions through solid-phase extraction method from water and foods for the first time. BTW was applied as a natural adsorbent, without using any chelating agent to bind Cd(II) ions or any chemical reagent for its modification. A three-layer artificial neural network model using backpropagation algorithm was utilized to explicate a prediction model for the extraction performance of Cd(II) ions by selecting the input parameters as solution pH, quantity of BTW, sample volume, eluent concentration and volume, and equilibrium time for desorption. The preconcentration factor, relative standard deviation, and detection limit were attained as 100, 3.03%, and 0.56 µg L−1, respectively. It was decided that the Langmuir isotherm model is acceptable to characterize the retention of Cd(II) ions on BTW. This result pointed out that the active binding sites on the BTW surface are homogeneously distributed. Adsorption capacity of BTW was achieved as 41.5 mg g−1 which is higher than several expensive and difficult-to-prepare adsorbents. Adsorption kinetics was elucidated by pseudo-second order kinetic model. After confirmed the accuracy of the method with spike/recovery studies, it was employed for Cd(II) determination in water (stream and sea water) and food (eggplant, lettuce, parsley, apple, and apricot) samples with high accuracy. The inferences of the study proved that the BTW offers a magnificent application prospect in the extraction of Cd(II) ions.

Preparation of melon peel biochar/CoFe2O4 as a new adsorbent for the separation and preconcentration of Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) ions by solid-phase extraction in water and vegetable samples

The present research describes the successful preparation of melon peel biochar modified with CoFe₂O₄ (MPBC/CoFe₂O₄) followed by its usage as a new sorbent to separate, preconcentrate, and determine the toxic heavy metal ions by magnetic solid-phase extraction. The metal ion desorption was performed by 0.1 M HCl solution with a volume of 5.0 mL. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was utilized for detection of the analyte levels. SEM-EDX, TEM, XRD, and FTIR techniques were carried out to illuminate the structure of MPBC/CoFe₂O₄. The fundamental variables affecting the adsorption and elution efficiencies of the analyte ions including solution pH, MPBC/CoFe₂O₄ amount, type and concentration of eluent, adsorption and desorption equilibrium time, and sample volume were optimized. The detection limits were calculated as 0.41, 1.82, and 3.16 µg L^-1 for Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ ions, respectively, with the relative standard deviation of lower than 4.2%. There were no substantial interference effects on the analyte ion recovery due to the presence of foreign ions at high levels. Five minutes of contact time was adequate to attain the adsorption equilibrium. The adsorption capacity of MPBC/CoFe₂O₄ was obtained as 106.4, 65.4, and 188.7 mg g^-1 for Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ ions, respectively, by utilizing Langmuir isotherm model. The pseudo-second order model is favorable to identify the adsorption kinetics. The method was validated by spike/recovery test, and then, it was successfully implemented to determine the aforementioned analyte levels in sea and stream water, pepper, black cabbage, eggplant, and tomato samples.

Cloud-Point Extraction of Rhodamine 6G by Using Triton X-100 as the Non-Ionic Surfactant

Cloud-point extraction (CPE) using the non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100 was used successfully to remove a highly toxic dye, rhodamine 6G (R6G), from water and wastewater. The effects of different analytical parameters such as pH, concentration of Triton X-100 (TX-100) and salts, equilibrium temperature, and incubation time on the efficiency of the extraction of R6G were studied in detail, and optimum conditions for dye extraction were obtained. Thermodynamic parameters including changes in Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy were also calculated, and these parameters indicated that the CPE of R6G was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic in the temperature range of 75–95°C. The equilibrium solubilization capacity of TX-100 was found to be 1.10 mmol/mol by using Langmuir isotherm models. No significant interference effects were observed in the presence of phenol and its derivatives, some acidic and basic dyes and most of the anions and cations. It was concluded that the CPE process described in this paper can be an alternative technique for removal of dyes and other pollutants from waters and wastewaters.

A Novel Method for Speciation of Chromium: Coprecipitation Without Carrier Element by Using a Triazole Derivative

A coprecipitation method has been established for speciation of chromium(III) and chromium(VI) in real samples. The procedure is based on the coprecipitation of Cr(III), by using a new organic coprecipitant, 3-phenyl-4-o-hydroxybenzylidenamino-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazole-5-one, without adding any carrier element. After reduction of Cr(VI) by concentrated H2SO4 and ethanol, the method was applied to the determination of total Cr. The level of Cr(VI) was calculated by the difference of total Cr and Cr(III) levels. For optimum recovery of Cr(III), different analytical factors such as pH, amount of coprecipitant, centrifugation rate and time, and effect of sample volume, were investigated. The influences of some anions, cations, and transition metals on the recoveries were also investigated, and no significant interferences were observed. The preconcentration factor was 100. The detection limit based on 3 times standard deviation () of the blank (n = 10) for Cr(III) was 0.50 g/L. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the method, certified reference materials (CRM-TMDW-500 Drinking Water and National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material 1573a Tomato Leaves) were analyzed, and the results obtained were in good agreement with certified values. The presented procedure was applied for Cr speciation in various solid and liquid samples with successful results.

Determination of Pb(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Co(II) ions by flame atomic absorption spectrometry in food and water samples after preconcentration by coprecipitation with Mo(VI)-diethyldithiocarbamate

A new, simple, and rapid separation and preconcentration procedure, for determination of Pb(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), and Co(II) ions in environmental real samples, has been developed. The method is based on the combination of coprecipitation of analyte ions by the aid of the Mo(VI)-diethyldithiocarbamate-(Mo(VI)-DDTC) precipitate and flame atomic absorption spectrometric determinations. The effects of experimental conditions like pH of the aqueous solution, amounts of DDTC and Mo(VI), standing time, centrifugation rate and time, sample volume, etc. and also the influences of some foreign ions were investigated in detail on the quantitative recoveries of the analyte ions. The preconcentration factors were found to be 150 for Pb(II), Zn(II) and Co(II), and 200 for Cd(II) ions. The detection limits were in the range of 0.1-2.2 μg L(-1) while the relative standard deviations were found to be lower than 5 % for the studied analyte ions. The accuracy of the method was checked by spiked/recovery tests and the analysis of certified reference material (CRM TMDW-500 Drinking Water). The procedure was successfully applied to seawater and stream water as liquid samples and baby food and dried eggplant as solid samples in order to determine the levels of Pb(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), and Co(II) ions.

Application of carrier element free coprecipitation (CEFC) method for determination of Co(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions in food and water samples

A simple and highly sensitive separation and preconcentration procedure, which has minimal impact on the environment, has been developed. The procedure is based on the carrier element free coprecipitation (CEFC) of Co(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) ions by using 2-{4-[2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]-3-(4-methylbenzyl)-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro- 1H-1,2,4-triazol-l-yl}-N'-(pyridin-2-yl methylidene)acetohydrazide (IMOTPA), as an organic coprecipitant. The levels of analyte ions were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The detection limits for Co(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions were found to be 0.40, 0.16 and 0.17 microg L(-1), respectively, and the relative standard deviations for the analyte ions were lower than 3.0%. Spike tests and certified reference material analyses were performed to validate the method. The method was successfully applied for the determination of Co(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions levels in sea and stream water as liquid samples and red pepper, black pepper, and peppermint as solid samples.

Adsorptive removal of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions by using Turkish illitic clay

The ability of Turkish illitic clay (TIC) in removal of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions has been examined in a batch adsorption process with respect to several experimental conditions including initial solution pH, contact time, initial metal ions concentration, temperature, ionic strength, and TIC concentration, etc. The characterization of TIC was performed by using FTIR, XRD and XRF techniques. The maximum uptake of Cd(II) (11.25 mg g(-1)) and Pb(II) (238.98 mg g(-1)) was observed when used 1.0 g L(-1) of TIC suspension, 50 mg L(-1) of initial Cd(II) and 250 mg L(-1) of initial Pb(II) concentration at initial pH 4.0 and contact time of 240 min at room temperature. The experimental data were analyzed by the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models. The monolayer adsorption capacity of TIC was found to be 13.09 mg g(-1) and 53.76 mg g(-1) for Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions, respectively. The kinetics of the adsorption was tested using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion models. The results showed that the adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions onto TIC proceeds according to the pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic parameters including the Gibbs free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH), and entropy (ΔS) changes indicated that the present adsorption process was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic in the temperature range of 5-40 °C.

Cloud-point extraction of rhodamine 6G by using Triton X-100 as the non-ionic surfactant

Cloud-point extraction (CPE) using the non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100 was used successfully to remove a highly toxic dye, rhodamine 6G (R6G), from water and wastewater. The effects of different analytical parameters such as pH, concentration of Triton X-100 (TX-100) and salts, equilibrium temperature, and incubation time on the efficiency of the extraction of R6G were studied in detail, and optimum conditions for dye extraction were obtained. Thermodynamic parameters including changes in Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy were also calculated, and these parameters indicated that the CPE of R6G was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic in the temperature range of 75-95 degrees C. The equilibrium solubilization capacity of TX-100 was found to be 1.10 mmol/mol by using Langmuir isotherm models. No significant interference effects were observed in the presence of phenol and its derivatives, some acidic and basic dyes and most of the anions and cations. It was concluded that the CPE process described in this paper can be an alternative technique for removal of dyes and other pollutants from waters and wastewaters.

Preconcentration, separation and spectrophotometric determination of aluminium(III) in water samples and dialysis concentrates at trace levels with 8-hydroxyquinoline-cobalt(II) coprecipitation system

A separation-preconcentration procedure was developed for the determination of trace amounts of aluminium in water samples and dialysis concentrates by UV-vis Spectrophotometry after coprecipitation using 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) as a chelating agent and Co(II) as a carrier element. This procedure is based on filtration of the solution containing precipitate on a cellulose nitrate membrane filter following aluminium(III) coprecipitation with Co/8-HQ and then the precipitates together with membrane filter were dissolved in concentrated nitric acid. The metal contents of the final solution were determined by UV-vis Spectrophotometry with Erio Chrome Cyanine-R standard method. Several parameters including pH of sample solution, amount of carrier element and reagent, standing time, sample volume for precipitation and the effects of diverse ions were examined. The enrichment factor was calculated as 50 and the detection limits, corresponding to three times the standard deviation of the blank (N: 10), was found to be 0.2 microg L(-1). The accuracy of the method was tested with standard reference material (CRM-TMDW-500) and spiked addition. Determination of aluminium(III) was carried out in sea water, river water, tap water and haemodialysis fluids samples. The recoveries were >95%. The relative standard deviations of determination were less than 6%.

Removal of phenol from aqueous solutions by adsorption onto organomodified Tirebolu bentonite: equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic study

A natural bentonite modified with a cationic surfactant, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), was used as an adsorbent for removal of phenol from aqueous solutions. The natural and modified bentonites (organobentonite) were characterized with some instrumental techniques (FTIR, XRD and SEM). Adsorption studies were performed in a batch system, and the effects of various experimental parameters such as solution pH, contact time, initial phenol concentration, organobentonite concentration, and temperature, etc. were evaluated upon the phenol adsorption onto organobentonite. Maximum phenol removal was observed at pH 9.0. Equilibrium was attained after contact of 1h only. The adsorption isotherms were described by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, and both model fitted well. The monolayer adsorption capacity of organobentonite was found to be 333 mg g(-1). Desorption of phenol from the loaded adsorbent was achieved by using 20% acetone solution. The kinetic studies indicated that the adsorption process was best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetics (R(2) > 0.99). Thermodynamic parameters including the Gibbs free energy (DeltaG degrees), enthalpy (DeltaH degrees), and entropy (DeltaS degrees) were also calculated. These parameters indicated that adsorption of phenol onto organobentonite was feasible, spontaneous and exothermic in the temperature range of 0-40 degrees C.

Removal of fluoride ions from aqueous solution by waste mud

The present study was carried out to assess the ability of original waste mud (o-WM) and different types of activated waste mud which are acid-activated (a-WM) and precipitated waste mud (p-WM), in order to remove excess of fluoride from aqueous solution by using batch technique. The p-WM exhibited greater performance than the others. Adsorption studies were conducted as a function of pH, contact time, initial fluoride concentration, adsorbent concentration, temperature, etc. Studies were also performed to understand the effect of some co-existing ions present in aqueous solutions. Adsorption process was found to be almost independent of pH for all types of waste mud. Among the kinetic models tested for p-WM, pseudo-second-order model fitted the kinetic data well with a perfect correlation coefficient value of 1.00. It was found that the adequate time for the adsorption equilibrium of fluoride was only 1h. Thermodynamic parameters including the Gibbs free energy (DeltaG degrees ), enthalpy (DeltaH degrees ), and entropy (DeltaS degrees ) revealed that adsorption of fluoride ions on the p-WM was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic in the temperature range of 0-40 degrees C. Experimental data showed a good fit with the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models. Results of this study demonstrated the effectiveness and feasibility of WM for removal of fluoride ions from aqueous solution.

Carrier element-free coprecipitation with 3-phenly-4-o-hydroxybenzylidenamino-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazole-5-one for separation/preconcentration of Cr(III), Fe(III), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions

A separation/preconcentration procedure, based on the coprecipitation of Cr(3+), Fe(3+), Pb(2+) and Zn(2+) ions using a new organic coprecipitant, 3-phenly-4-o-hydroxybenzylidenamino-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazole-5-one (POHBAT) without adding any carrier element has been developed. The method, thus, has been called carrier element-free coprecipitation (CEFC). The resultant concentrated elements were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometric determinations. The influences of some analytical parameters including pH of the solution, amount of the coprecipitant, standing time, centrifugation rate and time, sample volume and diverse ions were investigated on the quantitative recoveries of analyte ions. The validation of the present preconcentration procedure was performed by the analysis of two certified reference materials. The recoveries of understudy analytes were found in the range of 93-98%, while the detection limits were calculated in the range of 0.3-2.0 microg L(-1). The precision of the method evaluated as relative standard deviation (R.S.D.), was in the range of 3-7% depend on the analytes. The proposed method was successfully applied to environmental samples for the determination of the analytes.

Removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution by a waste mud from copper mine industry: equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic study

The objective of this study was to assess the adsorption potential of a waste mud (WM) for the removal of lead (Pb(II)) ions from aqueous solutions. The WM was activated with NaOH in order to increase its adsorption capacity. Adsorption studies were conducted in a batch system as a function of solution pH, contact time, initial Pb(II) concentration, activated-waste mud (a-WM) concentration, temperature, etc. Optimum pH was specified as 4.0. The adsorption kinetic studies indicated that the overall adsorption process was best described by pseudo-second-order kinetics. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of a-WM was obtained by using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and both models fitted well. Adsorption capacity for Pb(II) was found to be 24.4 mg g(-1) for 10 g L(-1) of a-WM concentration. Thermodynamic parameters including the Gibbs free energy (Delta G degrees), enthalpy (Delta H degrees), and entropy (DeltaS degrees) indicated that the adsorption of Pb(II) ions on the a-WM was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic, at temperature range of 0-40 degrees C. Desorption studies were carried out successfully with diluted HCl solutions. The results indicate that a-WM can be used as an effective and no-cost adsorbent for the treatment of industrial wastewaters contaminated with Pb(II) ions.

A novel method for speciation of chromium: coprecipitation without carrier element by using a triazole derivative

A coprecipitation method has been established for speciation of chromium(III) and chromium(VI) in real samples. The procedure is based on the coprecipitation of Cr(III), by using a new organic coprecipitant, 3-phenyl-4-o-hydroxybenzyl-idenamino-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazole-5-one, without adding any carrier element. After reduction of Cr(VI) by concentrated H2SO4 and ethanol, the method was applied to the determination of total Cr. The level of Cr(VI) was calculated by the difference of total Cr and Cr(III) levels. For optimum recovery of Cr(III), different analytical factors such as pH, amount of coprecipitant, centrifugation rate and time, and effect of sample volume, were investigated. The influences of some anions, cations, and transition metals on the recoveries were also investigated, and no significant interferences were observed. The preconcentration factor was 100. The detection limit based on 3 times standard deviation (sigma) of the blank (n = 10) for Cr(III) was 0.50 microg/L. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the method, certified reference materials (CRM-TMDW-500 Drinking Water and National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material 1573a Tomato Leaves) were analyzed, and the results obtained were in good agreement with certified values. The presented procedure was applied for Cr speciation in various solid and liquid samples with successful results.

Carrier element-free coprecipitation (CEFC) method for the separation, preconcentration and speciation of chromium using an isatin derivative

A new, simple, rapid and sensitive separation, preconcentration and speciation procedure for chromium in environmental liquid and solid samples has been established. The present speciation procedure for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) is based on combination of carrier element-free coprecipitation (CEFC) and flame atomic absorption spectrometric (FAAS) determinations. In this method a newly synthesized organic coprecipitant, 5-chloro-3-[4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylimino]indolin-2-one (CFMEPI), was used without adding any carrier element for coprecipitation of chromium(III). After reduction of chromium(VI) by concentrated H(2)SO(4) and ethanol, the procedure was applied for the determination of total chromium. Chromium(VI) was calculated as the difference between the amount of total chromium and chromium(III). The optimum conditions for coprecipitation and speciation processes were investigated on several commonly tested experimental parameters, such as pH of the solution, amount of coprecipitant, sample volume, etc. No considerable interference was observed from the other investigated anions and cations, which may be found in natural water samples. The preconcentration factor was found to be 40. The detection limit for chromium(III) corresponding to three times the standard deviation of the blank (N=10) was found 0.7 microg L(-1). The present procedure was successfully applied for speciation of chromium in several liquid and solid environmental samples. In order to support the accuracy of the method, the certified reference materials (CRM-TMDW-500 Drinking Water and CRM-SA-C Sandy Soil C) were analyzed, and standard APDC-MIBK liquid-liquid extraction method was performed. The results obtained were in good agreement with the certified values.