Reductive transformation of birnessite by aqueous Mn(II)

Reaction of aqueous Mn(II) with hexagonal birnessite at pH 7.5 causes reductive transformation of birnessite into feitknechtite (β-Mn(III)OOH) and manganite (γ-Mn(III)OOH) through interfacial electron transfer from adsorbed Mn(II) to structural Mn(IV) atoms and arrangement of product Mn(III) into MnOOH, summarized by Mn(II) + Mn(IV)O(2) + 2 H(2)O → 2 Mn(III)OOH + 2 H(+). Feitknechtite is the initial transformation product, and subsequently converted into the more stable manganite polymorph during ongoing reaction with Mn(II). Feitknechtite production is observed at Mn(II) concentrations 2 orders of magnitude below thermodynamic thresholds, reflecting uncertainty in thermodynamic data of Mn-oxide minerals and/or specific interactions between Mn(II) and birnessite surface sites facilitating electron exchange. Under oxic conditions, feitknechtite formation through surface-catalyzed oxidation of Mn(II) by O(2) leads to additional Mn(II) removal from solution relative to anoxic systems. These results indicate that Mn(II) may be an important moderator of the reductive arm of Mn-oxide redox cycling, and suggest a controlling role of Mn(II) in regulating the solubility and speciation of phyllomanganate-reactive metal pollutants including Co, Ni, As, and Cr in geochemical environments.     

As(III) oxidation by active chlorine and subsequent removal of As(V) by Al13 polymer coagulation using a novel dual function reagent

An electrochemically prepared water treatment reagent containing a high concentration of Al(13) polymer and active chlorine (PACC) showed promising potential for the removal of As(III) due to the combined function of oxidation and coagulation. The results indicated that PACC was effective for As(III) removal through oxidation by the active chlorine and subsequent removal of As(V) by coagulation with the Al(13) polymer. The As(III) was oxidized to As(V) by active chlorine in PACC, with a stoichiometric rate of 0.99 mg Cl(2)/mg As(III). The Al(13) polymer was the most active Al species responsible for As(V) removal in PACC. To meet As drinking water standards the stoichiometric weight ratio of Cl(2)/Al within PACC was 0.09 for the treatment of As(III). Considering the process of As(III) oxidation and As(V) coagulation together, the optimal pH conditions for the removal of As by PACC was within the neutral range, which facilitated the reaction of As(III) with active chlorine and favored the formation of Al hydroxide flocs. The presence of humic acid reduced the As(III) removal efficiency of PACC due to its negative influence on subsequent As(V) coagulation, and disinfection byproduct yields were very low in the presence of insufficient or stoichiometric active chlorine.     

Oxidation of pentachlorophenol in manganese oxide suspensions under controlled Eh and pH environments

Abiotic oxidation of pentachlorophenol (PCP) by manganese(IV) oxide (MnO2) was examined in orderto understand the physiochemical environment(s) where PCP oxidation occurs. An Eh-pH potentiostat was used to simulate natural groundwater environments where MnO2 (0.025 g L(-1)) and PCP (0.020 g L(-1)) suspensions were incubated from Eh -300 to 300 mV and pH 4.5 to 7.0. The pH-Eh region where maximum PCP sorption occurred corresponded to the same region where the greatest concentrations of soluble Mn(II) where measured (Eh > -100 mV and pH <5.0). Reduced Mn species [Mn(II,III)] released by reductive dissolution were readsorbed and restricted further abiotic oxidation of PCP by the MnO2 surface. A greater transformation of PCP to primarily tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (p-chloranil) and smaller amounts of lesser chlorinated phenols occurred under increasing pH and Eh conditions.     

Enhanced dechlorination of chlorinated methanes and ethenes by chloride green rust in the presence of copper(II)

The enhanced removal of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), tetrachloroethene (C2Cl4), and trichloroethene (C2HCl3) by chloride green rust (GR(Cl)) in the presence of copper ions was investigated. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the crystallization and chemical speciation, respectively, of the secondary mineral phases produced in the GR(Cl)-Cu(II) system. The addition of Cu(II) to GR(Cl) suspensions resulted in enhanced dechlorination of the chlorinated hydrocarbons examined in this study. The degradation reactions followed pseudo-first-order kinetics and the pseudo-first-order rate constant (k(obs)) for CCl4 (20 microM) removal by GR(CI) at pH 7.2 was 0.0808 h(-1). Addition of 0.5 mM Cu(II) completely dechlorinated CCl4 within 35 min, and the k(obs) was 84 times greater than that in the absence of Cu(II). Chloroform (CHCl3), the major chlorinated product in CCl4 dechlorination, accumulated at a concentration up to 13 microM in the GR(Cl) system alone, but was completely dechlorinated within 9 h in the GR(Cl)-Cu(II) suspension. Also, rapid removal of C2Cl4 and C2HCl3 by GR(Cl) was observed when Cu(II) was added. The k(obs) values for the removal of chlorinated ethenes were 4.7-7 times higher than that obtained in the absence of Cu(II). In addition, the k(obs) for PCE removal increased linearly with respect to Cu(II) concentrations in the range from 0.1 to 1.0 mM. Addition of Cu(II) at a concentration higher than 1.0 mM decreased the k(obs) for the removal of both C2Cl4 and C2HCl3 due to the decrease in structural Fe(II) concentration in GR(Cl) and the changes in redox potentials and pH values. Moreover, the highest removal efficiency and rate of C2Cl4 was obtained at near-neutral pH when Cu(II) was added into the GR(Cl) suspension. XPS and XRPD results showed that the Fe(II) in the GR(Cl) suspension could reduce Cu(II) to both Cu(I) and metallic Cu. These findings are relevant to the better understanding of the role of abiotic removal of chlorinated hydrocarbons during remediation and/or natural attenuation in iron-reducing environments.     

Degradation of chlorpyrifos in aqueous chlorine solutions: pathways, kinetics, and modeling

Chlorpyrifos (CP) was used as a model compound to develop experimental methods and prototype modeling tools to forecast the fate of organophosphate (OP) pesticides under drinking water treatment conditions. CP was found to rapidly oxidize to chlorpyrifos oxon (CPO) in the presence of free chlorine. The primary oxidant is hypochlorous acid (HOCl), kr = 1.72 (+/-0.68) x 10(6) M(-1)h(-1). Thus, oxidation is more rapid at lower pH (i.e., below the pKa of HOCl at 7.5). At elevated pH, both CP and CPO are susceptible to alkaline hydrolysis and degrade to 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP), a stable end product. Furthermore, hydrolysis of both CP and CPO to TCP was shown to be accelerated in the presence of free chlorine by OCl-, kOCl,CP = 990 (+/-200) M(-1)h(-1) and kOCl,CPO = 1340 (+/-110) M(-1)h(-1). These observations regarding oxidation and hydrolysis are relevant to common drinking water disinfection processes. In this work, intrinsic rate coefficients for these processes were determined, and a simple mechanistic model was developed that accurately predicts the temporal concentrations of CP, CPO, and TCP as a function of pH, chlorine dose, and CP concentration.     

Pu(V)O2+ adsorption and reduction by synthetic hematite and goethite

Changes in aqueous- and solid-phase plutonium oxidation state were monitored over time in hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) and goethite (alpha-FeOOH) suspensions containing 239Pu(V)-amended 0.01 M NaCl. Solid-phase oxidation state distribution was quantified by leaching plutonium into the aqueous phase and applying an ultrafiltration/solvent extraction technique. The technique was verified using oxidation state analogues of plutonium and sediment-free controls of known Pu oxidation state. Batch kinetic experiments were conducted at hematite and goethite concentrations between 10 and 500 m2 L(-1) in the pH range of 3-8. Surface-mediated reduction of Pu(V) was observed for both minerals at pH values of 4.5 and greater. At pH 3 no adsorption of Pu(V) was observed on either goethite or hematite; consequently, no reduction was observed. For hematite, adsorption of Pu(V) was the rate-limiting step in the adsorption/reduction process. In the pH range of 5-8, the overall removal of Pu(V) from the system (solid and aqueous phases) was found to be approximately second order with respect to hematite concentration and of order -0.39 with respect to the hydrogen ion concentration. The overall reaction rate constant (k(rxn)), including both adsorption and reduction of Pu(V), was 1.75+/-2.05 x 10(-10) (m(-2) L)(-2.08) (mol(-1) L)(-0.39) (s(-1)). In contrast to hematite, Pu(V) adsorption to goethite occurred rapidly relative to reduction. At a given pH,the reduction rate was approximately independent of the goethite concentration, although the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) had only a slight effect on the overall reaction rate. For goethite, the overall reaction rates at pH 5 and pH 8 were 6.0 x 10(-5) and 1.5 x 10(-4) s(-1), respectively. For hematite, the reaction rate increased by 3 orders of magnitude across the same pH range.     

Effect of oxide formation mechanisms on lead adsorption by biogenic manganese (hydr)oxides, iron (hydr)oxides, and their mixtures

The effects of iron and manganese (hydr)oxide formation processes on the trace metal adsorption properties of these metal (hydr)oxides and their mixtures was investigated by measuring lead adsorption by iron and manganese (hydr)oxides prepared by a variety of methods. Amorphous iron (hydr)oxide formed by fast precipitation at pH 7.5 exhibited greater Pb adsorption (gamma(max) = 50 mmol of Pb/mol of Fe at pH 6.0) than iron (hydr)oxide formed by slow, diffusion-controlled oxidation of Fe(II) at pH 4.5-7.0 or goethite. Biogenic manganese(III/IV) (hydr)oxide prepared by enzymatic oxidation of Mn(II) by the bacterium Leptothrix discophora SS-1 adsorbed five times more Pb (per mole of Mn) than an abiotic manganese (hydr)oxide prepared by oxidation of Mn(II) with permanganate, and 500-5000 times more Pb than pyrolusite oxides (betaMnO2). X-ray crystallography indicated that biogenic manganese (hydr)oxide and iron (hydr)oxide were predominantly amorphous or poorly crystalline and their X-ray diffraction patterns were not significantly affected by the presence of the other (hydr)oxide during formation. When iron and manganese (hydr)oxides were mixed after formation, or for Mn biologically oxidized with iron(III) (hydr)oxide present, observed Pb adsorption was similar to that expected for the mixture based on Langmuir parameters for the individual (hydr)oxides. These results indicate that interactions in iron/manganese (hydr)oxide mixtures related to the formation process and sequence of formation such as site masking, alterations in specific surface area, or changes in crystalline structure either did not occur or had a negligible effect on Pb adsorption by the mixtures.     

Oxidative transformation of triclosan and chlorophene by manganese oxides

The antibacterial agents triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol) and chlorophene (4-chloro-2-(phenylmethyl)phenol) show similar susceptibility to rapid oxidation by manganese oxides (delta-MnO2 and MnOOH) yielding Mn(II) ions. Both the initial reaction rate and adsorption of triclosan to oxide surfaces increase as pH decreases. The reactions are first-order with respect to the antibacterial agent and MnO2. The apparent reaction orders to H+ were determined to be 0.46 +/- 0.03 and 0.50 +/- 0.03 for triclosan and chlorophene, respectively. Dissolved metal ions (Mn(II), Zn(II), and Ca(II)) and natural organic matter decrease the reaction rate by competitively adsorbing and reacting with MnO2. Product identification indicates that triclosan and chlorophene oxidation occurs at their phenol moieties and yields primarily coupling and p-(hydro)quinone products. A trace amount of 2,4-dichlorophenol is also produced in triclosan oxidation, suggesting bond-breaking of the ether linkage. The experimental results support the mechanism that after formation of a surface precursor complex of the antibacterial agent and the surface-bound Mn(IV), triclosan and chlorophene are oxidized to phenoxy radicals followed by radical coupling and further oxidation to form the end products. Compared to several structurally related substituted phenols (i.e., 2-methyl-4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 3-chlorophenol, and phenol), triclosan and chlorophene exhibit comparable or higher reactivities toward oxidation by manganese oxides. The higher reactivities are likely affected by factors including electronic and steric effects of substituents and compound hydrophobicity. Once released into the environment, partitioning of triclosan and chlorophene to soils and sediments is expected because of their relatively hydrophobic nature. Results of this study indicate that manganese oxides in soils will facilitate transformation of these antibacterial agents.     

Characterization and reactivity of MnO(x) supported on mesoporous zirconia for herbicide 2,4-D mineralization with ozone

Manganese oxide was supported on mesoporous zirconia (MnO(x)/ MZIW) by wet impregnation, drying, water washing, and calcinations with manganese acetate tetrahydrate as the metal precursor for the first time and was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FTIR), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), temperature-programmed oxygen desorption (O2-TPD), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS) measurements. The catalyst was found to be highly effective for the mineralization of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) aqueous solution with ozone. The characterization studies showed that nonstoichiometrically MnO(x) was highly dispersed on mesoporous zirconia by the strong interaction of the [Mn(H2O)6]2+ complex with surface hydroxyls of the support. Moreover, the multivalence oxidation states of MnO(x) enhanced the electron transfer, causing the higher catalytic reactivity. On the basis of all information obtained under different experimental conditions, MnO(x)/MZIW enhanced the mineralization of 2,4-D by the formation of *OH radicals resulting from the catalytic decomposition of ozone.     

Formation of lead(IV) oxides from lead(II) compounds

Lead(IV) oxide (PbO(2)) is a corrosion product that can develop on lead pipes used for drinking water supply, and its stability can control lead concentrations in tap water. A set of batch experiments were performed to determine the extent of PbO(2) formation as a function of time, pH, the presence of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and free chlorine concentration. Experiments were conducted with four lead(II) compounds that are precursors of PbO(2) formation: dissolved lead(II) chloride, massicot (β-PbO), cerussite (PbCO(3)), and hydrocerussite (Pb(3)(OH)(2)(CO(3))(2)). While PbO(2) formed in the presence and absence of DIC, the presence of DIC accelerated PbO(2) formation and affected the identity of the PbO(2) (scrutinyite vs plattnerite) product. For some conditions, intermediate solids formed that affected the identity of the PbO(2) produced. When no intermediate solids formed, hydrocerussite led to the formation of pure scrutinyite, and lead(II) chloride and massicot led to mixtures of scrutinyite and plattnerite. Based on the experimental results, a conceptual model of lead(IV) oxide formation pathways was proposed.     

Mechanisms of arsenate adsorption by highly-ordered nano-structured silicate media impregnated with metal oxides

The highly ordered mesoporous silica media, SBA-15, was synthesized and incorporated with iron, aluminum, and zinc oxides using an incipientwetness impregnation technique. Adsorption capacities and kinetics of metal-impregnated SBA-15 were compared with activated alumina which is widely used for arsenic removal. Media impregnated with 10% of aluminum by weight (designated to Al10SBA-15) had 1.9-2.7 times greater arsenate adsorption capacities in a wide range of initial arsenate concentrations and a 15 times greater initial sorption rate at pH 7.2 than activated alumina. By employing one- and two-site models, surface complexation modeling was conducted to investigate the relationship between the aluminum oxidation states in different media and adsorption behaviors shown by adsorption isotherms and kinetics since the oxidation phase of aluminum incorporated onto the surface of SBA-15 was Al-O, which has a lower oxidation state than activated alumina (Al2O3). Surface complexation modeling results for arsenate adsorption edges conducted with different pH indicated thatthe monodentate complex (SAsO(4)2-) was dominant in Al10SBA-15, while bidentate complexes (XHAsO4 and XAsO4-) were dominant in activated alumina at pH 7.2, respectively. In kinetic studies at pH 7.2 + 0.02, Al10SBA-15 had only a fast-rate step of initial adsorption, while activated alumina had fast- and slow-rate steps of arsenate adsorption. Therefore, it can be inferred that the monodentate arsenate complex, predominant in Al10SBA-15, leads to faster adsorption rates than bidentate arsenate complexes favored with activated alumina. An arsenate adsorption behavior and arsenate surface complexation were thought to be well explained by aluminum oxidation states and surface structural properties of media.     

Oxidation of phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals by potassium permanganate in synthetic and real waters

In this study, five selected environmentally relevant phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), estrone, 17β-estradiol, estriol, 17α-ethinylestradiol, and 4-n-nonylphenol, were shown to exhibit similarly appreciable reactivity toward potassium permanganate [Mn(VII)] with a second-order rate constant at near neutral pH comparable to those of ferrate(VI) and chlorine but much lower than that of ozone. In comparison with these oxidants, however, Mn(VII) was much more effective for the oxidative removal of these EDCs in real waters, mainly due to the relatively high stability of Mn(VII) therein. Mn(VII) concentrations at low micromolar range were determined by an ABTS [2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid diammonium] spectrophotometric method based on the stoichiometric reaction of Mn(VII) with ABTS [Mn(VII) + 5ABTS → Mn(II) + 5ABTS(?+)] forming a stable green radical cation (ABTS(?+)). Identification of oxidation products suggested the initial attack of Mn(VII) at the hydroxyl group in the aromatic ring of EDCs, leading to a series of quinone-like and ring-opening products. The background matrices of real waters as well as selected model ligands including phosphate, pyrophosphate, NTA, and humic acid were found to accelerate the oxidation dynamics of these EDCs by Mn(VII). This was explained by the effect of in situ formed dissolved Mn(III), which could readily oxidize these EDCs but would disproportionate spontaneously without stabilizing agents.     

Arsenic(III) oxidation and arsenic(V) adsorption reactions on synthetic birnessite

The oxidation of arsenite (As(III)) by manganese oxide is an important reaction in both the natural cycling of As and the development of remediation technology for lowering the concentration of dissolved As(III) in drinking water. This study used both a conventional stirred reaction apparatus and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy to investigate the reactions of As(III) and As(V) with synthetic birnessite (MnO2). Stirred reactor experiments indicate that As(III) is oxidized by MnO2 followed by the adsorption of the As(V) reaction product on the MnO2 solid phase. The As(V)-Mn interatomic distance determined by EXAFS analysis for both As(III)- and As(V)-treated MnO2 was 3.22 A, giving evidence for the formation of As(V) adsorption complexes on MnO2 crystallite surfaces. The most likely As(V)-MnO2 complex is a bidentate binuclear corner sharing (bridged) complex occurring at MnO2 crystallite edges and interlayer domains. In the As(III)-treated MnO2 systems, reductive dissolution of the MnO2 solid during the oxidation of As(III) caused an increase in the adsorption of As(V) when compared with As(V)-treated MnO2. This suggested that As(III) oxidation caused a surface alteration, creating fresh reaction sites for As(V) on MnO2 surfaces.     

Effects of pH, chloride, and bicarbonate on Cu(I) oxidation kinetics at circumneutral pH

The oxidation kinetics of nanomolar concentrations of Cu(I) in NaCl solutions have been investigated over the pH range 6.5-8.0. The overall apparent oxidation rate constant was strongly affected by chloride, moderately by bicarbonate, and to a lesser extent by pH. In the absence of bicarbonate, an equilibrium-based speciation model indicated that Cu(+) and CuClOH(-) were the most kinetically reactive species, while the contribution of other Cu(I) species to the overall oxidation rate was minor. A kinetic model based on recognized key redox reactions for these two species further indicated that oxidation of Cu(I) by oxygen and superoxide were important reactions at all pH values and chloride concentrations considered, but back reduction of Cu(II) by superoxide only became important at relatively low chloride concentrations. Bicarbonate concentrations from 2 to 5 mM substantially accelerated Cu(I) oxidation. Kinetic analysis over a range of bicarbonate concentrations revealed that this was due to formation of CuCO(3)(-), which reacts relatively rapidly with oxygen, and not due to inhibition of the back reduction of Cu(II) by formation of Cu(II)-carbonate complexes. We conclude that the simultaneous oxygenation of Cu(+), CuClOH(-), and CuCO(3)(-) is the rate-limiting step in the overall oxidation of Cu(I) under these conditions.     

Transformation of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) by permanganate

The chemical oxidant permanganate (MnO(4)(-)) has been shown to effectively transform hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) at both the laboratory and field scales. We treated RDX with MnO(4)(-) with the objective of quantifying the effects of pH and temperature on destruction kinetics and determining reaction rates. A nitrogen mass balance and the distribution of reaction products were used to provide insight into reaction mechanisms. Kinetic experiments (at pH ～ 7, 25 °C) verified that RDX-MnO(4)(-) reaction was first-order with respect to MnO(4)(-) and initial RDX concentration (second-order rate: 4.2 × 10(-5) M(-1) s(-1)). Batch experiments showed that choice of quenching agents (MnSO(4), MnCO(3), and H(2)O(2)) influenced sample pH and product distribution. When MnCO(3) was used as a quenching agent, the pH of the RDX-MnO(4)(-) solution was relatively unchanged and N(2)O and NO(3)(-) constituted 94% of the N-containing products after 80% of the RDX was transformed. On the basis of the preponderance of N(2)O produced under neutral pH (molar ratio N(2)O/NO(3) ～ 5:1), no strong pH effect on RDX-MnO(4)(-) reaction rates, a lower activation energy than the hydrolysis pathway, and previous literature on MnO(4)(-) oxidation of amines, we propose that RDX-MnO(4)(-) reaction involves direct oxidation of the methylene group (hydride abstraction), followed by hydrolysis of the resulting imides, and decarboxylation of the resulting carboxylic acids to form N(2)O, CO(2), and H(2)O.     

Modeling the kinetics of ferrous iron oxidation by monochloramine

The maintenance of disinfectants in distribution systems is necessary to ensure drinking water safety. Reactions with oxidizable species can however lead to undesirable disinfectant losses. Previous work has shown that the presence of Fe(II) can cause monochloramine loss in distribution system waters. This paper further examines these reactions and presents a reaction mechanism and kinetic model. The mechanism includes both aqueous-phase reactions and surface-catalyzed reactions involving the iron oxide product. In addition, it considers competitive reactions involving the amidogen radical that lead to a nonelementary stoichiometry. Using the method of initial rates, the aqueous-phase reactions were found to have first-order dependencies on Fe(II), NH2Cl, and OH- and a rate coefficient (kNH2Cl,soln) of 3.10 (+/-0.560) x 10(9) M(-2) min(-1). The surface-mediated reactions were modeled by assuming the formation of two surface species: >FeOFe+ and >FeOFeOH. Using numerical techniques, combined rate coefficients for the surface-mediated processes were determined to be 0.56 M(-3) min(-1) and 3.5 x 10(-18) M(-4) min(-1), respectively. The model was then used to examine monochloramine and Fe(II) stability under conditions similar to those observed in distribution systems. Our findings suggest the potential utility of monochloramine as an oxidant for Fe(III) removal in drinking water treatment.     

Oxidation of cysteine and glutathione by soluble polymeric MnO2

The kinetics of reduction of soluble polymeric MnO2 by cysteine and glutathione has been studied in the pH range of 4.0-9.0. The concentration of thiols was varied between 1 and 2 mM, while the MnO2 concentration was varied between 2 and 12 microM. In this pH range, the reaction products were identified as Mn(II) and the corresponding disulfides (cystine and glutathione disulfide). Cysteic or cysteine sulfonic acid was formed only when pH < 2. Experimental data indicate that the rate law over the pH range of 4-9 is first-order in both MnO2 and thiol concentration. Eyring plots for both thiols reacting with MnO2 indicate that the reaction is associative (deltaS(double dagger) approximately -160 J mol(-1) K(-1)) and proceeds via an inner-sphere redox process. The reaction proceeds via the formation of two different inner-sphere complexes [triple bond]Mn(IV)SR- and [triple bond]Mn(IV)SR and their further reaction to products. Both surface species are linked to each other via acid-base equilibria, and the rate constant decreases as pH increases. The presence of two ligand surface species is determined using surface complexation modeling. A reaction mechanism in agreement with the experimental results is proposed.     

Uptake of fluoride from aqueous solution on nano-sized hydroxyapatite: examination of a fluoridated surface layer

Hydroxyapatite (Ca(10)(PO(4))(6)(OH)(2), HAP), both as a synthetic material and as a constituent of bone char, can serve as an effective and relatively inexpensive filter material for fluoride (F(-)) removal from drinking water in low-income countries. Fluoride uptake on HAP can occur through different mechanisms, which are, in principle, influenced by solution composition. Suspensions of HAP (2 g L(-1)) were equilibrated under controlled pH conditions (pH 6.5, 7.3, 9.5) at 25 °C for 28 d after the addition of different F(-) concentrations (0.5-7.0 mM). The reacted HAP solids were examined with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Nano Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (NanoSIMS). Fluoride uptake on HAP was dependent on pH, with the highest capacity at pH 6.5; the lowest uptake was found at pH 9.5. Under all experimental conditions, the thermodynamically stable mineral phase was fluorapatite, (Ca(10)(PO(4))(6)F(2), FAP). Fluoride uptake capacity was quantified on the basis of FTIR and XPS analysis, which was consistent with F(-) uptake from solution. The results of XPS and NanoSIMS analyses indicate that a fluoridated surface layer with a thickness of several nanometers is formed on nanosized HAP.     

Sorption of arsenate and arsenite on RuO2 x xH2O: a spectroscopic and macroscopic study

The sorption reactions of arsenate (As(V)) and arsenite (As(III)) on RuO2 x xH2O were examined using macroscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Constant solid:solution isotherms were constructed from batch sorption experiments and sorption kinetics assessed at pH 7. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) was employed to elucidate the solid-state speciation of sorbed As. At all pH values studied (pH 4-8), RuO2 x xH2O showed a high affinity for As regardless of the initial As species present. Sorption was higher at all pH values when the initial As species was As(III). Oxidation of As(III) (250 mg/L solution) to As(V) was virtually complete (98-100%) within 5 s. XANES results showed the presence of only As(V) on the RuO2 x xH2O regardless of the initial As oxidation state. There was no change in the As oxidation state on the solid phase for 4 weeks in both oxic and anoxic environments. It is speculated that changes in the RuO2 x xH2O structure, due to oxidation reactions, caused the higher total As sorption capacity when As(III) was the initial species. The As sorption capacity of RuO2 x xH2O is greater than that of other metal oxides reviewed in this study. The ability of RuO2 x xH2O to rapidly oxidize As(III) is much greater than other oxides, such as MnO2.     

Multi-element determination in some foods and beverages using silica gel modified with 1-phenylthiosemicarbazide

ABSTRACT

1-Phenylthiosemicarbazide bonded modified silica gel (PTC-SG) was synthesised and characterised by FTIR, SEM and elemental analysis for a novel separation/preconcentration of multiple elements based on solid phase extraction. The analytical parameters including pH of solutions, amounts of PTC-SG, flow rates of sample, eluent type and sample volume were optimised. The adsorption capacities of PTC-SG were found to be 7.9, 6.4, 6.3, 8.3, 7.2, 8.9 and 6.6 mg/g for Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Co(II), Cr(III), Ni(II) and Mn(II), respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) was calculated as 3x the standard deviation(s) of the reagent blank (k = 3, N = 21) and the LOD values were obtained to be 0.98 µg L^?1 (Cu), 0.65 µg L^?1 (Cd), 0.57 µg L^?1 (Pb), 1.12 µg L^?1 (Co), 1.82 µL^?1 (Cr), 1.67 µg L^?1 (Ni) and 0.55 µg L^?1 (Mn). Certified reference materials were used to test the validation of the present method. The new solid phase extraction method was successfully applied to determination of the amount of multiple elements in food and beverage samples.