Dual isotopic (δ15N-δ18O) characterization of saltpetre currently prevailing in Lao PDR and its global compilation: new insight into isotope fractionation during production processes

Saltpetre (KNO₃; potassium nitrate) is one of the major ingredients of gunpowder. Simplex saltpetre (total 126 samples) together with gunpowder (total 93 samples) commodities which are currently prevailing in local markets as used for wildlife hunting and rocket festivals (local name in Lao: Boun Ban Fai) were collected from throughout Lao PDR. Dual isotopic composition of nitrates (δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁸O) was analyzed by the microbial denitrification method. Binary plotting of the data was conducted to characterize the mode of formation. In Lao PDR, almost all the commodities were imported from neighbouring Thailand, and to a lesser extent from Israel. Binary plotting of δ¹⁵N vs. δ¹⁸O of nitrates shows their intrinsic origin manufactured by Haber-Bosch and subsequently Ostwald processes. We observed an inverse correlation (δ¹⁵N_nitrate: up to + 12 ‰; δ¹⁸O_nitrate: down to + 15 ‰), deviating from the reservoir values (free air) of δ¹⁵N (dinitrogen; up to 0 ‰) and δ¹⁸O (oxygen; +23.5 ‰), interpreted this as an indication of isotope fractionation during manufacture. The most plausible interpretation for this is the fractionation associated with formation of NO following NO₂ and finally NO₃ products. A nearly comparable inverse relationship is also observed for nitrates in pyrotechnics manufactured in China.

Uncommon chemical species in PM2.5 and PM10 and its potential use as industrial and vehicular markers for source apportionment studies

Chemical characterization of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ is important to identify potential compounds that induce biological responses that translate into cardio-respiratory health problems. This study shows the reliability of the use of crystalline phases, identified in samples from receptor sites, as source markers, helping researchers to infer the main sources of air pollution, even without the use of receptor models. PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ samples were collected at two sites in an urban industrialized region located at southeast of Brazil and analyzed by Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction to identify crystalline compounds. Results show 5 PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 species not previously reported in the literature. We propose reaction mechanisms for these species and identify specific sources for each crystalline phase found: BaTiO₃ was found in PM₁₀ receptor samples and proved to be a vehicular marker formed during brake action; maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃), pyracmonite [(NH₄)₃Fe(SO₄)₃], ammonium perchlorate (NH₃OHClO₄) and potassium ferrate (K₂Fe₂O₄) were found in PM_2.5 proved to be markers of industrial activities. The crystalline phases found in PM samples from receptor sites and the mechanisms of reactions showed the reliability of the use of crystalline phases as source markers in the identification of potential sources of air pollution without misinterpretation of the likely source.

Ultraviolet Absorption Cross Sections of KOH and KCl for Nonintrusive Species-Specific Quantitative Detection in Hot Flue Gases

An understanding of potassium chemistry in energy conversion processes supports the development of complex biomass utilization with high efficiency and low pollutant emissions. Potassium exists mainly as potassium hydroxide (KOH), potassium chloride (KCl), and atomic potassium (K) in combustion and related thermochemical processes. We report, for the first time, the measurement of the ultraviolet (UV) absorption cross sections of KOH and KCl at temperatures between 1300 K and 1800 K, using a newly developed method. Using the spectrally resolved UV absorption cross sections, the concentrations of KOH and KCl were measured simultaneously. In addition, we measured the concentrations of atomic K using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy, both at 404.4 and 769.9 nm. The 404.4 nm line was utilized to expand the measurement dynamic range to higher concentrations. A constant amount of KCl was seeded into premixed CH4/air flames with equivalence ratios varied from 0.67 to 1.32, and the concentrations of KOH, KCl, and atomic K in the hot flue gas were measured nonintrusively. The results indicate that these techniques can provide comprehensive data for quantitative understanding of the potassium chemistry in biomass combustion/gasification.

Characterization of drilling waste from shale gas exploration in Central and Eastern Poland

The purpose of this research was to determine and evaluate the chemical properties of drilling waste from five well sites in Central and Eastern Poland. It was found that spent drilling fluids can contain high values of nickel and mercury (270 and 8.77 mg kg^-1_, respectively) and can exceed the maximum permissible limits recommended by the EC regulations for safety of soils (75 mg kg^-1 for nickel and 1.5 mg kg^-1 for mercury). The heavy metal concentrations in the studied drill cuttings did not exceed the maximum permissible limits recommended by the EC regulation. Drilling wastes contain macroelements (e.g., calcium, magnesium, and potassium) as well as trace elements (e.g., copper, iron, zinc, and manganese) that are essential for the plant growth. It was stated that water extracts of drilling fluids and drill cuttings, according to anions presence, had not any specific constituents of concern based on FAO irrigation guidelines, the USEPA WQC, and toxicity values. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to understand the structure and texture of waste drilling fluid solids and drill cuttings. Analysis of the mineralogical character of drilling fluid solids revealed that they contained calcite, quartz, muscovite, sylvite, barite, dolomite, and orthoclase. Drill cuttings contained calcite quartz, muscovite, barite, dolomite, and barium chloride.

Enhancement of the sludge disintegration and nutrients release by a treatment with potassium ferrate combined with an ultrasonic process

Sludge disintegration by ultrasound is a promising sludge treatment method. In order to enhance the efficiency of the sludge reduction and hydrolysis, potassium ferrate (K₂FeO₄) (PF) was used. A novel method was developed to improve the sludge disintegration-sludge pretreatment by using PF in combination with an ultrasonic treatment (PF + ULT). After a short-term PF + ULT treatment, 17.23% of the volatile suspended solids (VSS) were reduced after a 900-min reaction time, which is 61.3% higher than the VSS reduction for the raw sludge. The supernatant soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD), total nitrogen (TN), volatile fatty acids (VFAs), soluble protein and polysaccharides increased by 522.5%, 1029.4%, 878.4%, 2996.6% and 801.9%, respectively. The constituent parts of the dissolved organic matter of the sludge products were released efficiently, which demonstrated the positive effect caused by the PF + ULT. The enhanced sludge disintegration process further alleviates environmental risk and offers a more efficient and convenient method for utilizing sludge.

Chemical application strategies to protect water quality

Management of turfgrass on golf courses and athletic fields often involves application of plant protection products to maintain or enhance turfgrass health and performance. However, the transport of fertilizer and pesticides with runoff to adjacent surface waters can enhance algal blooms, promote eutrophication and may have negative impacts on sensitive aquatic organisms and ecosystems. Thus, we evaluated the effectiveness of chemical application setbacks to reduce the off-site transport of chemicals with storm runoff. Experiments with water soluble tracer compounds confirmed an increase in application setback distance resulted in a significant increase in the volume of runoff measured before first off-site chemical detection, as well as a significant reduction in the total percentage of applied chemical transported with the storm runoff. For example, implementation of a 6.1 m application setback reduced the total percentage of an applied water soluble tracer by 43%, from 18.5% of applied to 10.5% of applied. Evaluation of chemographs revealed the efficacy of application setbacks could be observed with storms resulting in lesser (e.g. 100 L) and greater (e.g. > 300 L) quantities of runoff. Application setbacks offer turfgrass managers a mitigation approach that requires no additional resources or time inputs and may serve as an alternative practice when buffers are less appropriate for land management objectives or site conditions. Characterizing potential contamination of surface waters and developing strategies to safeguard water quality will help protect the environment and improve water resource security. This information is useful to grounds superintendents for designing chemical application strategies to maximize environmental stewardship. The data will also be useful to scientists and regulators working with chemical transport and risk models.

Physico-chemical characterization of playground sand dust, inhalable and bioaccessible fractions

Dust is a mixture of natural and anthropogenic particles originated from multiple sources, which can represent an hazard for human health. Playgrounds are a site of particularly concern, due to sand dust ingestion by toddlers and inhalation. In this study, 37 sands used in public playgrounds in the city of Barcelona were physico-chemically characterized also in relation to routine maintenance activities such as disinfection and sand renewal. The analyzed sands show a felsic mineralogy dominated by Na-feldspar, quartz, and, to a lesser extent, K-feldspar, with minor amounts of clay minerals, carbonates and hematite. Particle fractions below 10, 2.5 and 1 μm represent, on average, 0.65%, 0.17% and 0.07% of bulk volume, respectively, although, due to the human grinding, these initial fractions increased every year by a 18%, 5% and 2% respectively. Disinfection of sands effectively reduced only the NH₄⁺ concentration, among inorganic species. The average metal content was anthropogenically enriched, with respect to the upper continental crust, only for Sb and As. Both elements show high spatial variation indicating local sources such as road traffic for Sb (contributing mostly to the total concentration), and industry for As (also contributing with highly bioaccessible Sb, Cu and Zn). A clear inverse relationship between total concentrations of some elements and their leachable (Sb) and bioaccessible (Sb and Cr) fractions is observed. The most bioaccessible elements were Ca > Ni > Cu > Sr > Cd > Pb, all above the 25% of the total concentration. Bioaccessibility was higher for the carbonate-bearing particles and for the anthropic emitted metals (>50% of Ba, Cu, K, Pb and Zn).

Assessment of thyroid hormone levels and thyroid disorders: A case study from Gujranwala, Pakistan

This case study is conducted to investigate the thyroid hormone levels and relevant disorders including evaluation of dietary conditions in the rural area of Gujranwala and its surrounding districts. Thyroid disorders are clinically prevalent and their manifestation differs considerably with geographical variations. A randomized study of 177 subjects was carried out, with a questionnaire about their dietary habits/life style and acquisition of blood samples for thyroid hormone level assessment using radioimmunoassay technique. This study was permitted by the local ethics committee and an informed consent was obtained from the patients. Study of normally distributed population with p value less than <0.005 and mean age 32.67±13 years demonstrated that 37% female and 43% males were hyperthyroid with elevated levels of FT3and FT4. Amongst the diagnosed cases of hyperthyroidism 47% females and 33% of males were using Iodized salt with 50ug/ppm increased concentration of KIO3 in their diet without any prescription. Furthermore, 60% of diagnosed hypothyroid cases were having no iodine supplementation in their diet. Thyroid function problems are more common in females (N=137) than males (N=40) but the severity of this disease was found to be more pronounced in males as the TSH level (33.13±22.73) was twice that as compared to females (17.63±18.15). Despite a high prevalence of recognized thyroid disease in the population a considerable number of inhabitants have undiagnosed thyroid dysfunction. These findings necessities wider scale studies for the mapping of thyroid behavior and the contributing factors for this region with a population of more than 20 million.

Microbial Precipitation of Cr(III)-Hydroxide and Se(0) Nanoparticles During Anoxic Bioreduction of Cr(VI)- and Se(VI)-Contaminated Water

This study examined the microbial precipitations of Cr(III)-hydroxide and Se(0) nanoparticles during anoxic bioreductions of Cr(VI) and Se(VI) using metal-reducing bacteria enriched from groundwater. Metal-reducing bacteria enriched from groundwater at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) Underground Research Tunnel (KURT), Daejeon, S. Korea were used. Metal reduction and precipitation experiments with the metal-reducing bacteria were conducted using Cr(VI)- and Se(VI)-contaminated water and glucose as a carbon source under an anaerobic environment at room temperature. XRD, SEM-EDX, and TEM-EDX analyses were used to characterize the mineralogy, crystal structure, chemistry, shape, and size distribution of the precipitates. The metal-reducing bacteria reduced Cr(VI) of potassium chromate (K₂CrO₄) to Cr(III) of chromium hydroxide [Cr(OH)3], and Se(VI) of sodium selenate (Na₂SeO₄) to selenium Se(0), with changes of color and turbidity. XRD, SEM-EDX, and TEM-EDX analyses revealed that the chromium hydroxide [Cr(OH)₃] was formed extracellularly with nanoparticles of 20–30 nm in size, and elemental selenium Se(0) nanoparticles had a sphere shape of 50–250 nm in size. These results show that metal-reducing bacteria in groundwater can aid or accelerate precipitation of heavy metals such as Cr(VI) and Se(VI) via bioreduction processes under anoxic environments. These results may also be useful for the recovery of Cr and Se nanoparticles in natural environments.

Transport of sulfonamide antibiotics in crop fields during monsoon season

Previous studies have documented the occurrence of veterinary sulfonamide antibiotics in groundwater and rivers located far from pollution sources, although their transport and fate is relatively unknown. In mountainous agricultural fields, the transport behaviour can be influenced by climate, slope and physico-chemical properties of the sulfonamides. The objective of this research is to describe the transport behaviour of three sulfonamide antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole, sulfadimethoxine and sulfamethazine) in sloped agricultural fields located in the Haean catchment, South Korea. During dry and monsoon seasons, a solute transport experiment was conducted in two typical sandy loam agricultural fields after application of antibiotics and potassium bromide as conservative tracers. Field measurement and modelling revealed that frequency and amount of runoff generation indicate a relation between slope and rain intensity during monsoon season. Since the steepness of slope influenced partitioning of precipitation between runoff and subsurface flow, higher loss of sulfonamide antibiotics and bromide by runoff was observed at the steeper sloped field. Bromide on topsoil rapidly infiltrated at high infiltration rates. On the contrary, the sulfonamides were relatively retarded in the upper soil layer due to adsorption onto soil particles. Presence of furrows and ridges affected the distribution of sulfonamide antibiotics in the subsurface due to gradient from wetter furrows to drier ridges induced by topography. Modelling results with HydroGeoSphere matched with background studies that describe physico-chemical properties of the sulfonamides interaction between soil and the antibiotic group, solute transport through vadose zone and runoff generation by storm events.

Determination of Phosphorus and Potassium in Commercial Inorganic Fertilizers by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry: Single-Laboratory Validation, First Action 2015.18

A previously validated method for the determination of both citrate-EDTA-soluble P and K and acid-soluble P and K in commercial inorganic fertilizers by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry was submitted to the expert review panel (ERP) for fertilizers for consideration of First Action Official Method(SM) status. The ERP evaluated the single-laboratory validation results and recommended the method for First Action Official Method status and provided recommendations for achieving Final Action. Validation materials ranging from 4.4 to 52.4% P2O5 (1.7-22.7% P) and 3-62% K2O (2.5-51.1% K) were used for the validation. Recoveries from validation materials for citrate-soluble P and K ranged from 99.3 to 124.9% P and from 98.4 to 100.7% K. Recoveries from validation materials for acid-soluble "total" P and K ranged from 95.53 to 99.40% P and from 98.36 to 107.28% K. Values of r for citrate-soluble P and K, expressed as RSD, ranged from 0.28 to 1.30% for P and from 0.41 to 1.52% for K. Values of r for total P and K, expressed as RSD, ranged from 0.71 to 1.13% for P and from 0.39 to 1.18% for K. Based on the validation data, the ERP recommended the method (with alternatives for the citrate-soluble and the acid-soluble extractions) for First Action Official Method status and provided recommendations for achieving Final Action status.

Cationic polyelectrolyte induced separation of some inorganic contaminants and their mixture (zirconium silicate, kaolin, K-feldspar, zinc oxide) as well as of the paraffin oil from water

The flocculation efficiency of a cationic polyelectrolyte with quaternary ammonium salt groups in the backbone, namely PCA5 was evaluated on zirconium silicate (kreutzonit), kaolin, K- feldspar and zinc oxide (ZnO) suspensions prepared either with each pollutant or with their mixture. The effect of several parameters such as settling time, polymer dose and the pollutant type on the separation efficacy was evaluated and followed by optical density and zeta potential measurements. Except for ZnO, the interactions between PCA5 and suspended particles led to low residual turbidity values (around 4% for kreutzonit, 5% for kaolin and 8% for K-feldspar) as well as to the reduction of flocs settling time (from 1200 min to 30 min and 120 min in case of kaolinit and K-feldspar, respectively), that meant a high efficiency in their separation. The negative value of the zeta potential and flocs size measurements, at the optimum polymer dose, point to contribution from charge patch mechanism for the particles flocculation. A good efficiency of PCA5 in separation of paraffin oil (a minimum residual turbidity of 9.8%) has been also found.

Analysis of potassium iodate reduction in tissue homogenates using high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

Potassium iodate (KIO3) and potassium iodide (KI) are the major salt iodization agents used worldwide. Unlike iodide (I(-)), iodate (IO3(-)) should be reduced to I(-) before it can be effectively used by the thyroid. In this study, we developed a new method for analyzing IO3(-) and I(-) in tissue homogenates using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). We further applied the method to demonstrate the KIO3 reduction process by tissues in vitro. The effects of KIO3 on the total antioxidative activity (TAA) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) were also investigated here. Finally, we found that IO3(-) can be reduced to I(-) by tissue homogenates and IO3(-) irreversibly decreases the antioxidant capability of tissues. Our studies suggest that KIO3 might have a big effect on the redox balance of tissue and would further result in oxidative stress of organisms.

An on-line spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of thiourea in tap water, orange juice, and orange peel samples using multi-channel flow injection analysis

In this work, a flow injection analysis (FIA) method was introduced for the determination of trace amounts of thiourea in tap water. This method is based upon the inhibition effect of thiourea on the reaction between meta-cresol purple (MCP) and potassium bromate catalyzed by bromide ions in a sulfuric acid medium. In the presence of thiourea, an induction period appears in the reaction system, and as a result, the absorbance of MCP increases at 525 nm in the FIA manifold. The chemical and FIA variables are studied and optimized using the univariate and Simplex optimization methods. Under the optimum conditions, thiourea can be determined in the range of 0.100-13.0 μg mL(-1). The limit of detection (3σ) for thiourea was found to be 0.0310 μg mL(-1). The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for six replicate determinations of 0.500, 5.00, and 12.0 μg mL(-1) of thiourea were 4.0%, 1.8%, and 1.2%, respectively. The proposed method was also applied for the determination of thiourea in orange juice and orange peel samples with recoveries in the range of 98.0-101%. The analytical speed of the method was calculated to be about 120 sample per hour.

Radioactive fallout cesium in sewage sludge ash produced after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident

The radioactive fallout cesium (¹³⁷Cs) in the sewage sludge ashes (SSAs) produced in Japan after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident was tested. Five samples of SSAs produced in 2011 and 2012 were tested. Two of the samples contained ¹³⁷Cs (23 and 9.6 kBq/kg, respectively) above the radioactivity criterion (8 kBq of radioactive Cs/kg of solid) for controlled landfill disposal in Japan. The mineral components of SSA are roughly divided into two groups: an HCl-soluble phase mainly composed of phosphates and oxides; and silicates, including quartz, feldspar, and clay. Both phases contained ¹³⁷Cs. The majority (up to 90%) of ¹³⁷Cs was contained in the HCl-soluble phase. Among the HCl-soluble subphases, Fe-bearing phases that were probably iron oxides were mainly responsible for ¹³⁷Cs retention. No positive evidence was obtained that showed that phosphate-bearing phases, which were included most in SSAs along with the silicate phase, retained ¹³⁷Cs. Pre-pulverizing SSAs and heating them at 95 °C in a 6 M or a concentrated aqueous HCl was the most effective method of dissolving the HCl-soluble phase. The radioactivity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs in all the HCl-treatment residues were below the radioactivity criterion. This residue was mostly composed of silicates. After static leaching tests of the residue at 60 °C for 28 days, no ¹³⁷Cs was detected in simulated environmental water leachates (pure water and synthetic seawater), demonstrating that 137Cs in the residue is very stably immobilized in the silicates.

[Transition of Psychotropic Drugs in Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP) (Part 15). Transitions in the Standards and Test Methods of Potassium Bromide in JP I (1886) and JP X VI (2011), and Comparison between the USP and BP]

In mental clinics, bromide agents such as potassium bromide were often once used as therapeutic drugs to treat psychiatric disorders. They were also given as hypnotic, sedative and antiepileptic medicines. However, the appearance of new medicines has resulted in them not being used for these purposes in recent years. Potassium bromide is still continuously listed in today's JP and BP. This suggests that it maintains value as a basic medicine for treating mental disorders in the history of psychotropic medicines. However, regarding the standards and test methods for potassium bromide in the present JP, as a result of a comparison between the USP of the same age, BP and EP, a gap is seen, and this is very regrettable. The exchange of art and scientific information related to medical sciences with foreign countries is becoming more active today. Therefore, scholarly information overseas should be collected and reflected in the standards and test methods for potassium bromide adopted in the JP of Japan. The author believes that the standards and test methods comparable to those at the international level should introduced. On the other hand, potassium bromide was recetnly relisted by USP29 (2006) for the first time in approximately 50 years. Moreover, instrumental analysis was introduced as part of the test methods in BP2013; that is, an epoch-making revision was made in terms of test methods. It is assumed from this that there is a sign of new change regarding the existence of potassium bromide as hypnotic, sedative and antiepileptic medicines, and its utility value. It is believed that the sign of change in view of the utility value and pharmacological evaluation probably arose with the new clinical knowledge that potassium bromide was used to treat a baby seriously ill with myoclony epilepsy, as well as to treat a dog with epilepsy.

Effects of γ-ray irradiation on optical absorption and laser damage performance of KDP crystals containing arsenic impurities

The effects of γ-irradiation on potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals containing arsenic impurities are investigated with different optical diagnostics, including UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy, photo-thermal common-path interferometer and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The optical absorption spectra indicate that a new broad absorption band near 260 nm appears after γ-irradiation. It is found that the intensity of absorption band increases with the increasing irradiation dose and arsenic impurity concentration. The simulation of radiation defects show that this absorption is assigned to the formation of AsO₄⁴⁻ centers due to arsenic ions substituting for phosphorus ions. Laser-induced damage threshold test is conducted by using 355 nm nanosecond laser pulses. The correlations between arsenic impurity concentration and laser induced damage threshold are presented. The results indicate that the damage performance of the material decreases with the increasing arsenic impurity concentration. Possible mechanisms of the irradiation-induced defects formation under γ-irradiation of KDP crystals are discussed.

Microscale mapping of alteration conditions and potential biosignatures in basaltic-ultramafic rocks on early Earth and beyond

Subseafloor environments preserved in Archean greenstone belts provide an analogue for investigating potential subsurface habitats on Mars. The c. 3.5-3.4 Ga pillow lava metabasalts of the mid-Archean Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa, have been argued to contain the earliest evidence for microbial subseafloor life. This includes candidate trace fossils in the form of titanite microtextures, and sulfur isotopic signatures of pyrite preserved in metabasaltic glass of the c. 3.472 Ga Hooggenoeg Formation. It has been contended that similar microtextures in altered martian basalts may represent potential extraterrestrial biosignatures of microbe-fluid-rock interaction. But despite numerous studies describing these putative early traces of life, a detailed metamorphic characterization of the microtextures and their host alteration conditions in the ancient pillow lava metabasites is lacking. Here, we present a new nondestructive technique with which to study the in situ metamorphic alteration conditions associated with potential biosignatures in mafic-ultramafic rocks of the Hooggenoeg Formation. Our approach combines quantitative microscale compositional mapping by electron microprobe with inverse thermodynamic modeling to derive low-temperature chlorite crystallization conditions. We found that the titanite microtextures formed under subgreenschist to greenschist facies conditions. Two chlorite temperature groups were identified in the maps surrounding the titanite microtextures and record peak metamorphic conditions at 315 ± 40°C (XFe3+(chlorite) = 25-34%) and lower-temperature chlorite veins/microdomains at T = 210 ± 40°C (lower XFe3+(chlorite) = 40-45%). These results provide the first metamorphic constraints in textural context on the Barberton titanite microtextures and thereby improve our understanding of the local preservation conditions of these potential biosignatures. We suggest that this approach may prove to be an important tool in future studies to assess the biogenicity of these earliest candidate traces of life on Earth. Furthermore, we propose that this mapping approach could also be used to investigate altered mafic-ultramafic extraterrestrial samples containing candidate biosignatures.

The emerging role of titrimetry in late nineteenth-century industrial problem solving: the example of trace analysis for perchlorate in Chile saltpetre

Trace analysis is usually associated with high-sensitivity analysis instrumentation. It became fully established from the 1960s following consensus among different groups of practitioners over protocols, reference materials, sensitivity, and accuracy and precision. As a consequence, wet chemical methods have been relegated to a secondary role, contrasting with their tremendous historical significance in detecting, identifying, and estimating small amounts of material. This is particularly relevant to the state-of-the-science analytical determinations stimulated by the effect of minor components in commodities of commercial importance. Here, I select a single example: attempts made during the 1890s to determine the amount of potassium perchlorate (KCIO4) that occurs in Chile saltpetre (sodium nitrate). The application of titrimetry, particularly the adaptation of Volhard's method for chloride analysis, was crucial in the efforts to estimate perchlorate in the nitrate used for explosives and to track the impact of perchlorate concentrations on certain important agricultural crops.

In situ measurement technique for simultaneous detection of K, KCl, and KOH vapors released during combustion of solid biomass fuel in a single particle reactor

A quantitative and simultaneous measurement of K, KCl, and KOH vapors from a burning fuel sample combusted in a single particle reactor was performed using collinear photofragmentation and atomic absorption spectroscopy (CPFAAS) with a time resolution of 0.2 s. The previously presented CPFAAS technique was extended in this work to cover two consecutive fragmentation pulses for the photofragmentation of KCl and KOH. The spectral overlapping of the fragmentation spectra of KCl and KOH is discussed, and a linear equation system for the correction of the spectral interference is introduced. The detection limits for KCl, KOH, and K with the presented measurement arrangement and with 1 cm sample length were 0.5, 0.1, and 0.001 parts per million, respectively. The experimental setup was applied to analyze K, KCl, and KOH release from 10 mg spruce bark samples combusted at the temperatures of 850, 950, and 1050 °C with 10% of O2. The combustion experiments provided data on the form of K vapors and their release during different combustion phases and at different temperatures. The measured release histories agreed with earlier studies of K release. The simultaneous direct measurement of atomic K, KCl, and KOH will help in the impact of both the form of K in the biomass and fuel variables, such as particle size, on the release of K from biomass fuels.

Inclusions in topaz from miarolitic pegmatites of the Volodarsk-Volynski Massif (Ukraine)--a Raman spectroscopic study

The differently coloured (colourless, brown-pinkish and blue-pinkish) crystals of topaz from granitic pegmatites of Volodarsk-Volynsky Massif (VVM) have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman microspectroscopy (RS) methods. Topaz (287, 522, 855, 929 cm(-1)), goethite (390 cm(-1)), pyrite (377-379 cm(-1)), marcasite (397 and 331 cm(-1)) and monazite (460 and 970-1070 cm(-1)) were identified as mineral inclusions in analysed crystals. On the basis of RS spectra some of this inclusions contain also organic matter, represented by carbonaceous matter (D-band at ca. 1320-1340 cm(-1) and G-band at ca. 1590-1600 cm(-1)) and liquid simple hydrocarbons consisting of aliphatic and aromatic groups (1240, 1325 and 1420 cm(-1)). Other solid phases found the host topaz, i.e. quartz, orthoclase, very rare minerals (micas) as lepidolite, zinnwaldite and also beryl and rutile, were identified with SEM-EDS analyses. All these mineral inclusions have been formed by post-magmatic, fluid-induced processes, extended from pegmatite to hydrothermal stages of magma crystallization.

Tide- and rainfall-induced variations of physical and chemical parameters in a mangrove-depleted estuary of East Hainan (South China Sea)

The estuarine dynamics favoring the coexistence of mangroves, seagrass and corals at small river mouths are often poorly understood. We characterize the tidal, day/night and rainfall-induced short-term dynamics in salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), chlorophyll a (chl a), total suspended matter (TSM), water transparency, surface currents and dissolved nutrients (NO(x)(-), NH(4)(+), PO(4)(3)(-), Si(OH)(4)) of the Wenchang/Wenjiao Estuary (East Hainan, tropical China). Samples were taken at three fixed sites along the estuary during 24 h spring tide cycles in different seasons. Salinity, DO, water transparency and pH generally increased seawards while nutrients decreased. All parameters varied with the tidal cycle, partially in interaction with the diel cycle. Nutrients, chl a and TSM usually fluctuated inversely with water level. Stratification was strong. Inflowing bottom water was of higher salinity, DO and pH and lower temperature and nutrient concentrations than the surface water. Tidal mixing provided regular ventilation of the estuary and limited eutrophication effects of nutrients from aquaculture, agriculture and urban effluents. Under dry weather conditions, the brackish-water lagoon functioned as a sink of nutrients due to efficient uptake by phytoplankton. Presently, the runoff from common intense rains in the watershed affects the estuary with little time delay due to terrestrial deforestation, channelization and loss of mangrove area. The frequency, strength and duration of intermittent estuarization of the back-reef areas have likely increased in the past and deteriorate present seagrass and coral health.

[Compositional characteristics and roles of soil mineral substances in depressions between hills in karst region]

Based on the investigation and analysis of seven soil mineral substance variables, nine vegetation factors, four topographical factors, and ten soil physicochemical factors in the 200 m x 40 m dynamic monitoring plots in farmland, forest plantation, secondary forest, and primary forest in the depressions between hills in karst region, and by using traditional statistical analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and canonical correlation analysis (CCA), this paper studied the compositional characteristics and roles of soil mineral substances as well as the coupling relationships between the mineral substances and the vegetation, topography, and other soil properties. In the depressions, soil mineral substances were mainly composed of SiO2, Al2O3, K2O, and Fe2O3, whose contents were obviously lower than the mean background values of the soils in the world and in the zonal red soils at the same latitudes. The soil CaO and MgO contents were at medium level, while the soil MnO content was very low. The composition of soil mineral substances and their variation degrees varied with the ecosystems, and the soil development degree also varied. There was a positive correlation between vegetation origin and soil origin, suggesting the potential risk of rock desertification. Due to the high landscape heterogeneity of the four ecosystems, PCA didn't show good effect in lowering dimension. In all of the four ecosystems, soil mineral substances were the main affecting factors, and had very close relationships with vegetation, topography, and other soil properties. Especially for SiO2, CaO, and MnO, they mainly affected the vegetation species diversity and the soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and total potassium. This study indicated that soil mineral substances were the one of the factors limiting the soil fertility and vegetation growth in the depressions between hills in karst region. To effectively use the soil mineral resources and rationally apply mineral nutrients would have significances in the restoration and reconstruction of karst degraded ecosystems.

[Effect of different fertilizing levels on yields and efficiency components of Pinellia ternata from Sichuan]

OBJECTIVE

The effect of the different fertilizing levels on yields and main active components of Pinellia ternata from Sichuan was studied under the cultivated condition, in order to provide theoretical basis for the standardized cultivation.

METHOD

Using one of the wild populations of P. ternate from Sichuan as tested material, the experiment was performed with orthogonal designing methods L25 (5(3)). During growth and development period, agronomic traits such as number of sprouting, inflorescence and bulblets were counted. After harvesting, main chemical compositions, growth and proliferation rates were determined.

RESULT

In different fertilizing levels, the P. ternata from Sichuan showed the same growth rhythm, though there were significant difference (P < 0.05) among the average emergence rate,whereas extremely significant difference (P < 0.01) were detected among the average ratio of bolting, the average bulbils, individual growth rate, individual proliferation rate, beta-sitosterol and alkaloid content under different fertilizing levels. Nitrogenous fertilizer that affected the content of alkaloids and beta-sitosterol were extremely significant (P < 0.01), whereas phosphate and potassium fertilizer had no significant effect. The effect of fertilizer factor and inter effects on beta-sitosterol showed no significant effect, but have influence on other indexes.

CONCLUSION

The optimum fertilizer composition was 315 kg x hm(-2) of nitrogen, 225 kg x hm(-2) of P2O5 and 270 kg x hm(-2) of K2O.

[Forecast of collective radiation dose decrease of the population of Belarus as the result of optimization of moveable potassium contents in soils contaminated by 137Cs]

Results of study on an efficiency of potassium moveable content for decrease of a collective dose from 137Cs to the population of Belarus are presented. On the basis of the "cost-benefit" analysis it is shown, that expenses for decreasing averted collective dose due to increase of potassium contents on arable lands amounts to more than 80 thousand US dollars per 1 man.-Sv depending on density of soil contamination of rural districts by 137Cs. It is found that high effect (costs less than 40 thousand US dollars per 1 man.-Sv on hectare of arable land) on averted collective dose from 137Cs at cultivation of cereals can be expected at an optimization of mobile potassium contents in sod-podzolic loamy sand soils with density of 137Cs contamination more than 925 kBq/m2, sand soils--more than 1184, light loam soils--more than 629 kBq/m2.

Astrobiological considerations for the selection of the geological filters on the ExoMars PanCam instrument

The Panoramic Camera (PanCam) instrument will provide visible-near IR multispectral imaging of the ExoMars rover's surroundings to identify regions of interest within the nearby terrain. This multispectral capability is dependant upon the 12 preselected "geological" filters that are integrated into two wide-angle cameras. First devised by the Imager for Mars Pathfinder team to detect iron oxides, this baseline filter set has remained largely unchanged for subsequent missions (Mars Exploration Rovers, Beagle 2, Phoenix) despite the advancing knowledge of the mineralogical diversity on Mars. Therefore, the geological filters for the ExoMars PanCam will be redesigned to accommodate the astrobiology focus of ExoMars, where hydrated mineral terrains (evidence of past liquid water) will be priority targets. Here, we conduct an initial investigation into new filter wavelengths for the ExoMars PanCam and present results from tests performed on Mars analog rocks. Two new filter sets were devised: one with filters spaced every 50 nm ("F1-12") and another that utilizes a novel filter selection method based upon hydrated mineral reflectance spectra ("F2-12"). These new filter sets, along with the Beagle 2 filter set (currently the baseline for the ExoMars PanCam), were tested on their ability to identify hydrated minerals and biosignatures present in Mars analog rocks. The filter sets, with varying degrees of ability, detected the spectral features of minerals jarosite, opaline silica, alunite, nontronite, and siderite present in these rock samples. None of the filter sets, however, were able to detect fossilized biomat structures and small (<2 mm) mineralogical heterogeneities present in silica sinters. Both new filter sets outperformed the Beagle 2 filters, with F2-12 detecting the most spectral features produced by hydrated minerals and providing the best discrimination between samples. Future work involving more extensive testing on Mars analog samples that exhibit a wider range of mineralogies would be the next step in carefully evaluating the new filter sets.

Aqua regia extractable selenium concentrations of some Scottish topsoils measured by ICP-MS and the relationship with mineral and organic soil components

BACKGROUND

To provide information concerning the geographical distribution of selenium (Se) in the soils of Scotland, we analysed 47 arable soils selected on the basis of their parent rock, which were expected to have relatively high, low or unclassified Se concentrations. To investigate relationships between the actual minerals in the soils and the aqua regia extractable Se concentration of the soil, soil minerals were quantified by X-ray diffraction.

RESULTS

The aqua regia extractable Se concentrations of the soils were between 0.19 and 1.46 mg kg(-1). No simple correlation between the aqua regia extractable Se concentrations of the soil and the parent rock classification estimated by soil survey was evident. Partial least squares analysis revealed that the aqua regia extractable Se concentration of the soils was positively related to loss on ignition (LOI) or C concentration and negatively related to the K-feldspar concentration, with other minerals being less important.

CONCLUSION

The Se concentration of arable topsoils from Scotland is more related to LOI or carbon concentration, with parent material being less important.

[Effect of soil radiation pollution on the plant content of 137Cs and biogenic elements]

The paper presents the data of many years' studies of the effect of different soil radiation pollution levels on the plant accumulation of different types of 137Cs and potassium and phosphorus salts. With increased soil radiation levels, not only the plant content of 137Cs becomes higher, but that of potassium and phosphoric acid also changes. The amount of potassium is decreased in the topinambour and increased in the lentils, but only in its seeds; that of potassium and phosphoric acid is increased in all parts of rape.

Food multiphosphates-preparation and properties

Test results of the equilibrium between potassium mono- (ortho), di-, and triphosphates present in products of condensation of potassium orthophosphate mixtures, with regard to the molar ratio K/P, are discussed. Tests were performed within the molar ratio K/P range of 1.5 to 2.0. Qualitative determinations of changes in phase composition of products from thermal condensation at 450 degrees C, including changes in the K/P ratio within the tested range, were performed using the X-ray powder diffraction method. Qualitative analysis was performed using a combination of classical and HPLC methods. The range of K/P ratios was determined within which the main product obtained was pentapotassium triphosphate, which meets the criteria of the food industry.

[Determination of major elements in soil from cancer village by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry]

Many social problems arise from environmental pollution, cancer village is one of the many important problems caused by pollution. The authors selected a typical cancer village where 80-100 people died of cancer in the last five years, but there are only a total of 1 200 people in this village. The authors sampled soils from crops-planted areas and detected the major elements by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The results showed that the contents of SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na2O, K2O and P2O5 in soil of this village were 66.05%, 0.66%, 11.37%, 3.93%, 0.075%, 1.97%, 5.47%, 1.90%, 2.11% and 0.20% respectively; with the precision being +/- 0.20%, +/- 0.005%, +/- 0.10%, +/- 0.10%, +/- 0.005%, +/- 0.05%, +/- 0.04%, +/- 0.08%, +/- 0.02% and +/- 0.005% respectively, which showed that X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is a good method.

[Determination of major elements in superphosphate by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry]

Phosphate fertilizer is one of the most important fertilizers. The authors determined nine kinds of major elements in superphosphate, the most important phosphate fertilizer, by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The detection range of SiO2, Al2O3, TFe2O3, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na2O, K2O and P2O5 is 15.0%-90.0%, 0.20%-25.0%, 0.20%-25.0%, 0.01%-0.35%, 0.20%-40.0%, 0.10%-35.0%, 0.10%-7.50%, 0.05%-7.50% and 1.00%-100.00% respectively, and the precision of the method for SiO2, Al2O3, TFe2O3, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na2O, K2O and P2O5 range from 0.20% to 0.005%, so the method of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is a fast and effectual method for detecting the composition of phosphate fertilizer. The contents of the above elements showed (1) the detected superphosphate content is 18.101% of P2O5, which is accordant to the labeled level (> or = 16%); (2) the detected superphosphate contains much SiO2, TFe2O3, MgO, CaO and K2O, which are necessary for plant growth and the content of which is 16.954%, 1.495%, 1.580%, 21.428% and 1.585% respectively. These data showed that phosphate fertilizer sometimes can supply some trace elements for plants, but we should eliminate the interference effect of these elements when we research the role of phosphorus; (3) superphosphate contains 3.225% of Al2O3, so the authors should attention to the aluminium poison when superphosphate is used chronically.

Benthic denitrification and organic matter mineralization in intertidal flats of an enclosed coastal inlet, Ago Bay, Japan

Denitrification (as N(2) flux) and organic matter mineralization (as O(2) uptake) were simultaneously measured in the same set of core sediments from a natural sandy and a constructed muddy tidal flat of Ago Bay, Japan. Denitrification rates at both tidal flats fluctuated between ca. 2-20 micromol N(2)m(-2)h(-1) without showing a clear seasonal pattern, and appeared to be substrate limited as NO(3)(-) enrichment (final concentration ca. 225 microM) caused prompt and similar enhancements of ca. 10-folds. Organic matter mineralization rates were markedly higher at constructed muddy flat compared to those of natural sandy flat, especially in summer, and exhibited pronounced temperature dependent (p<0.01) seasonality for both tidal flats. O(2) uptake rates were generally ca. 2-3 order greater than respective denitrification rates indicating dominance of mineralization processes over N(2) losses.

A simple diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic determination of sulfur dioxide in ambient air using potassium tetrachloromercurate as the absorbing reagent

This paper presents development of a simple, rapid, and precise analytical method for determination of sulfur dioxide in ambient air by a gas to solid-phase conversion method. Sulfur dioxide is determined in the form of sulfite (SO3(2-)) because the absorbing reagent, potassium tetrachloromercurate (TCM), used in this method absorbs sulfur dioxide from the atmosphere in the form of sulfite. Determination of submicrogram levels of sulfur dioxide was based on the selection of a quantitative analytical peak at 495 cm(-1) among the 3 observed vibrational peaks for the dichlorosulfitomercurate complex formed after reaction of sulfur dioxide with TCM and measurement of absorbance using diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The limits of detection and quantification of the method were found to be 0.09 and 0.4 microg/g SO3(2-), respectively. The precision in terms of standard deviation and relative standard deviation (RSD) at a level of 2 microg SO3(2-)/10.1 g KBr for n = 10 was found to be 0.036 microg SO3(2-) and 1.8%, respectively. The RSD (n = 10) for determination of sulfur dioxide in ambient air was observed to be in the range of 2.7-4.2%. The method proposed is time saving and eliminates the slow and cumbersome steps of pH maintenance of the reaction mixture and color formation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommended West and Gaeke spectrophotometric method and other methods for quantitative determination of sulfur dioxide.

(39)K NMR of solid potassium salts at 21 T: effect of quadrupolar and chemical shift tensors

39K Solid State NMR spectra (static and magic angle spinning (MAS)) on a set of potassium salts measured at 21.14 T show that the chemical shift range for K(+) ions in diamagnetic salts is well in excess of 100 ppm contrary to previous assumptions that it was quite small. Inequivalent potassium sites in crystals can be resolved through differences in chemical shifts, with chemically similar sites showing differences of over 10 ppm. The quadrupolar coupling constants obtained from MAS and solid echo experiments on powders cover the range from zero for potassium in cubic environments in halides to over 3 MHz for the highly asymmetric sites in K2CO3. Although the quadrupolar effects generally dominate the 39K spectra, in several instances, we have observed subtle but significant contributions of chemical shift anisotropy with values up to 45 ppm, a first such observation. Careful analysis of static and MAS spectra allows the observation of the various chemical shift and quadrupole coupling tensor components as well as their relative orientations, thereby demonstrating that high-field 39K NMR spectroscopy in the solid state has a substantial sensitivity to the local environment with parameters that will be of considerable value in materials characterization and electronic structure studies.

A disposable on-chip phosphate sensor with planar cobalt microelectrodes on polymer substrate

Disposable microsensors on polymer substrates consisting of fully integrated on-chip planar cobalt (Co) microelectrodes, Ag/AgCl reference electrodes, and microfluidic channels have been designed, fabricated, and characterized for phosphate concentration measurement in aqueous solution. The planar Co microelectrode shows phosphate-selective potential response over the range from 10(-5) to 10(-2)M in acidic medium (pH 5.0) for both inorganic (KH(2)PO(4)) and organic (adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine 5'-diphosphates (ADP)) phosphate compounds. This microfabricated sensor also demonstrates significant reproducibility with a small repeated sensing deviation (i.e. relative standard deviation (R.S.D.)<1%) on a single chip and a small chip-to-chip deviation (i.e. R.S.D.<2.5%). Specifically, while keeping the high selectivity, sensitivity, and stability of a conventional bulk Co-wire electrode, the proposed phosphate sensor yields advantages such as ease of use, cost effectiveness, reduced analyte consumption, and ease of integrating into disposable polymer lab-on-a-chip devices. The capability to sense both inorganic and organic phosphate compounds makes this sensor applicable in diverse areas such as environmental monitoring, soil extract analysis, and clinical diagnostics.

Liquid chromatographic analysis of cinchona alkaloids in beverages

A method for the determination of Cinchona extract (whose main components are the alkaloids cinchonine, cinchonidine, quinidine, and quinine) in beverages by liquid chromatography was developed. A beverage with an alcohol content of more than 10% was loaded onto an OASIS HLB solid-phase extraction cartridge, after it was adjusted to pH 10 with 28% ammonium hydroxide. Other beverages were centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 5 min, and the supernatant was loaded onto the cartridge. The cartridge was washed with water followed by 15% methanol, and the Cinchona alkaloids were eluted with methanol. The Cinchona alkaloids in the eluate were chromatographed on an L-column ODS (4.6 mm id x 150 mm) with methanol and 20 mmol/L potassium dihydrogen phosphate (3 + 7) as the mobile phase. Cinchona alkaloids were monitored with an ultraviolet (UV) detector at 230 nm, and with a fluorescence detector at 405 nm for cinchonine and cinchonidine and 450 nm for quinidine and quinine (excitation at 235 nm). The calibration curves for Cinchona alkaloids with the UV detector showed good linearity in the range of 2-400 microg/mL. The detection limit of each Cinchona alkaloid, taken to be the concentration at which the absorption spectrum could be identified, was 2 microg/mL. The recovery of Cinchona alkaloids added at a level of 100 microg/g to various kinds of beverages was 87.6-96.5%, and the coefficients of variation were less than 3.3%. A number of beverage samples, some labeled to contain bitter substances, were analyzed by the proposed method. Quinine was detected in 2 samples of carbonated beverage.

Determination of magnesium in foods by single-sweep polarography

In KOH, the Mg(II)-bromopyrogallol red (BPR) complex produced a very sensitive polarographic wave at -1.30 V. The wave height was linear with the concentration of Mg(II) in the range of 0.05 to 2 microg/mL. The detection limit was 0.01 microg/mL. The electrochemical behavior of Mg(II)-BPR was studied by electrochemical and spectrophotometric methods. Experiments proved that the polarographic wave of Mg(II)-BPR was due to the reduction of BPR in the Mg(II)-BPR complex. The method, which was sensitive, selective, and simple to perform, was used to determine magnesium in foods, and the results were consistent with those obtained by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Examination of the jarosite-alunite precipitate addition in the raw meal for the production of sulfoaluminate cement clinker

The aim of the present research work was to investigate the possibility of adding a jarosite-alunite chemical precipitate, a waste product of a new hydrometallurgical process developed to treat economically low-grade nickel oxides ores, in the raw meal for the production of sulfoaluminate cement clinker. For that reason, two samples of raw meals were prepared, one contained 20% gypsum, as a reference sample ((SAC)Ref) and another with 11.31% jarosite-alunite precipitate ((SAC)J/A). Both raw meals were sintered at 1300 degrees C. The results of chemical and mineralogical analyses as well as the microscopic examination showed that the use of the jarosite-alunite precipitate did not affect the mineralogical characteristics of the so produced sulfoaluminate cement clinker and there was confirmed the formation of the sulfoaluminate phase (C4A3S), the most typical phase of this cement type. Furthermore, both clinkers were tested by determining the grindability, setting time, compressive strength and expansibility. The hydration products were examined by XRD analysis at 2, 7, 28 and 90 days. The results of the physico-mechanical tests showed that the addition of jarosite-alunite precipitate did not negatively affect the quality of the produced cement.

Doubling Calcium and Phosphate Concentrations in Neonatal Parenteral Nutrition Solutions Using Monobasic Potassium Phosphate

BACKGROUND

Premature infants require high intakes of Ca and P to mimic fetal accretion rates. With the current phosphate salt used, adequate amounts cannot be provided due to the precipitation of Ca and P in TPN solutions.

OBJECTIVE

To compare monobasic potassium phosphate (monobasic regimen) and monobasic plus dibasic potassium phosphate (dibasic regimen) on calcium phosphate solubility in 5 amino acid products, and to determine whether solubility differences observed in these products can be explained by buffering capacity.

METHODS

TPN solutions were prepared according to standard clinical practice. The following amino acid products were used at 3% concentrations: Primene, Vamin N, TrophAmine, Aminosyn-PF, and Travasol. Dextrose 10%, standard electrolytes, heparin, vitamins and trace elements were added. Calcium (as gluconate) and phosphate (as monobasic or dibasic regimen) were added in one-to-one molar ratios from 0-45 mmol/L. Solutions were inspected macroscopically and microscopically for precipitation under three conditions: immediately, 24 h after preparation at room temperature, and 3 h later in a 37 degrees C water bath. Buffering capacity was determined for each amino acid product by titrating with standardized 0.1 M NaOH.

RESULTS

Variations in Ca:P solubility and buffer capacity exist between amino acid solutions. With Primene and Vamin no macroscopic or microscopic precipitation was detected up to 45 mmol/L using monobasic regimen, compared to 25 mmol/L using dibasic regimen with Trophamine. Buffer capacity did not account for the solubility differences observed between the five amino acid products, which were related to the pH of the final solution.

CONCLUSIONS

These data will allow clinicians to double the current concentrations of calcium and phosphate in neonatal TPN solutions using monobasic regimen. Although this is particularly relevant to situations when fluid intake is restricted, the effect of the acid load needs to be investigated in extremely low birth weight infants.

A Simple and Sensitive Analytical Method for the Determination of Antimony in Environmental and Biological Samples

The results of a study and application of leucocrystal violet for the determination of antimony in parts per million levels is described here. The proposed method is based on the reaction of antimony(III) with acidified potassium iodate to liberate iodine. The liberated iodine selectively oxidizes leucocrystal violet to crystal violet dye. The formed dye shows maximum absorbance at 590 nm. The color system obeys Beer's law in the concentration range from 0.4 - 3.6 microg antimony per 25 ml of final solution. The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity were found to be 7.32 x 10(5) l mol(-1) cm(-1) and 0.0016 microg cm(-2), respectively. All variables were studied in order to optimize the reaction. The proposed method is satisfactorily applicable for the analysis of antimony in various environmental and biological samples. The method is simple, highly sensitive, accurate and reliable.

Progress towards a polymineral single-aliquot OSL dating procedure

Published single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) procedures for quartz use a 'cutheat' different from the pre-heat. In contrast, previous work has shown that the SAR procedure can be used to correct for sensitivity changes exhibited by feldspars if the cutheat is equal to the pre-heat. In this paper, a procedure that corrects for sensitivity changes in both quartz and feldspar is tested. The results indicate that for sedimentary quartz the cutheat can be equal to the pre-heat. Thus, it may be possible to develop one procedure to measure equivalent doses in a polymineral sample. We also tested several different optical stimulation methods. Using the infrared (IR)-stimulated signal from a post-IR blue-stimulated optically stimulated luminescence sequence extends the potential age range when using feldpathic materials. In addition, since the post-IR blue-stimulated signal from feldspar is much smaller than the blue-stimulated signal from quartz, the possibility exists of extracting a 'quartz signal' from a mixed mineral sample.

A system to irradiate and measure luminescence at low temperatures

We have developed a system to irradiate samples and record radioluminescence (RL), optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), and thermoluminescence (TL) at temperatures ranging from -150 degrees C to 200 degrees C. The system consists of a cryostat, an irradiation/stimulation unit fitted with an X-ray tube (40 kV Moxtek) and a quartz window for optical stimulation, and a detection unit that utilises a photomultiplier tube and an interchangeable filter pack. Experiments have been conducted with quartz and albite (a feldspar). TL and OSL experiments show that several optically sensitive trapping states are stable below -50 degrees C. In addition, an increase in OSL is seen as the OSL stimulation temperature is lowered below -50 degrees C, and an increase in RL is apparent as the temperature is lowered during irradiation. This indicates that not only are optically sensitive low temperature traps present but that luminescence becomes more efficient at low temperatures.

Interaction of potassium phosphonate fungicide in laterite soil

Potassium phosphonate is a fungicide widely used to control Phytophthora fungi species in many crops all over the world. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the interaction of potassium phosphonate with soil under varying pH and calcium level. Several reports available in literature indicate that the phosphonate in organic form adsorb strongly on almost all mineral surfaces and natural materials like soil and sediments. The present study conducted on laterite soil of Kerala using 2 mm sieved sample indicated that phosphonate obeys Freundlich adsorption isotherm. Though at lower concentrations, Langmuir model equally fits well, deviation was observed at higher concentrations. pH and calcium content of the soil had striking influence on the interaction of the chemical with the soil. The calcium source also appeared to influence the adsorption phenomenon. Since potassium phosphonate is extensively used to control Phytophthora fungi species in black pepper (Piper nigrum) plantations in India and liming is a standard practice followed as soil amendment in acid soils to increase the soil pH, this study may help to maintain good soil quality.

[Polarographic behavior and determination of glimepiride]

AIM

To establish a polarographic method of parallel catalytic hydrogen wave for determination of glimepiride.

METHODS

The catalytic wave of glimepiride in the presence of K2S2O8 was used to improve the analytical sensitivity. The rapid determination of glimepiride was done by linear single sweep polarography.

RESULTS

The catalytic hydrogen wave of glimepiride was measured at ca. -1.36 (vs SCE) in 0.09 mol x L(-1) Na2B4O7-KH2PO4 (pH 6.24 +/- 0.1) supporting electrolyte. When 1.0 x 10(-2) mol x L(-1) K2S2O8 was present, the current increased by 25 times, and the peak potentioal was unchanged, producing a more sensitive parallel catalytic hydrogen wave. The peak current of the parallel catalytic hydrogen wave was rectilinear to the glimepiride concentration in the range 1.0 x 10(-7) - 4.2 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) (r = 0.9990, n = 9). The detection limit was 5.0 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1).

CONCLUSION

The proposed method could be applied to the determination of glimepiride in pharmaceuticals without preliminary separation.

The fertilizer value of pig slurry. I. Values depending on the type of operation

151 samples of pig slurries were taken from 83 operations in the Castile-Leon region of Spain. Analysis of them enabled comparison of slurries coming from pig farming operations located in different Spanish and European regions. These operations were classified into three groups, namely maternity (64 samples), closed cycle (35 samples) and fattening (52 samples). For each sample 27 parameters were analysed. Data obtained from each kind of operation were compared. Finally, the fertilizer value of slurries was determined with regard to the relationship between their major elements, N/P2O5/K2O (1/0.6/0.4).

Investigations on the Solubility Behavior of Cyanophycin. Solubility of Cyanophycin in Solutions of Simple Inorganic Salts

On the basis of a previous report on the occurrence of water-soluble cyanophycin (CGP, cyanophycin granule polypeptide) in a recombinant strain of Escherichia coli expressing the cyanophycin synthetase (CphA) of Desulfitobacterium hafniense published by others, the conditions of its production were investigated in this study. Although the incubation temperature, aeration level, and NaCl concentration during cultivation had effects on the in vivo production of water-soluble CGP, it could be isolated as a major variant irrespective of the cultivation conditions. The occurrence of the soluble variant was also not dependent on the E. coli host or on the origin of cphA. Furthermore, it was shown that water-insoluble CGP can be in vitro solubilized to extents of up to about 80% (w/w) in solutions of different inorganic salts such as LiCl, NaCl, KCl, RbCl, KBr, MgCl(2), or CaCl(2). Evidence was obtained that the salt ions bind tightly to CGP. If the ions were not removed from the salt solution by dialysis or dilution, the CGP remained stable in solution. This method to solubilize water-insoluble CGP could also be applied to high concentrations of the polymer. CGP that remained insoluble after the first treatment could only marginally be solubilized in following treatments. The polydisperse CGP molecules were solubilized to the same extent over the whole molecular weight range with no preference of a particular molecular weight.

Quantifying the contribution of different sorption mechanisms for 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid sorption by several variable-charge soils

Previous research with phenolic, carboxylic, and urea type organic acids demonstrated that hydrophilic sorption was primarily due to anion exchange, which was linearly correlated to chemical acidity (pKa) and the soil anion exchange capacity. However, for dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), sorption by a kaolinitic soil was much higher than expected relative to all other organic acid-soil data. The enhanced sorption was hypothesized to involve calcium bridging of 2,4-D to hydrophilic domains. In this study, the mechanisms contributing to 2,4-D sorption by variable-charged soils were probed and quantified by measuring sorption from CaCl2, KCl, CaSO4, KH2PO4, and Ca(H2PO4)2 solutions. Linear sorption coefficients estimated for 2,4-D sorption from the different electrolytes decreased as follows: CaCl2 > KCl > CaSO4 > Ca(H2PO4)2 approximately equal to KH2PO4. Differences in 2,4-D sorption from CaCl2 and phosphate solutions were attributed to sorption by hydrophilic domains, which ranged between 46 and 94% across soils. Differences in 2,4-D sorption from CaCl2 and KCl were attributed specifically to Ca-bridging between 2,4-D's carboxyl group and the silanol edge on kaolinite and quartz and ranged from negligible to 40% depending on the soil mineral type. Differences in sorption from CaCl2 and CaSO4 was attributed to anion exchange, which ranged from 16 to 91%, followed the trends with pKa developed previously for other organic acids, and correlated well to the soil anion to cation exchange capacity ratio (AEC/CEC). The sum of anion exchange and Ca-bridging contributions agreed well with the sorption estimated to be from hydrophilic domains. All other sorption was attributed to hydrophobic processes, which correlated well to a linear free-energy relationship between pH-dependent organic carbon-normalized sorption coefficients and pH-dependent octanol-water partition coefficients developed for several other organic acids.