Removal and recovery of uranyl ion using various microorganisms

The adsorption of uranyl ion by microorganisms was examined. Among the 76 strains of 69 species tested (23 bacteria, 20 actinomycetes, 18 fungi, and 15 yeasts), high uranyl ion adsorption ability was exhibited by strains of the bacteria, Arthrobacter nicotianae, Bacillus subtilis, and Micrococcus luteus. A. nicotianae cells, which showed the best performance, could adsorb about 698 mg uranyl ion (2.58 mmol) per gram dry wt. of microbial cells. The adsorption of uranyl ion was rapid, selective, and mostly dependent on physico-chemical binding to the cell components. As well as uranyl ion, A. nicotianae could adsorb thorium ion with high efficiency. Cells immobilized with polyacrylamide gel could be used during repeated adsorption-desorption cycles.     

Removal of estrogenic pollutants from contaminated water using molecularly imprinted polymers

A synthetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sorbent for estrogenic compounds was prepared using a noncovalent imprinting technique. MIP microspheres sized from 1 to 2 microm were synthesized in acetonitrile by using alpha-estradiol as the template, acrylamide as the functional monomer, and trimethylpropanol trimethacrylate as the cross-linker. When compared with the nonimprinted polymer (NIP), the MIP showed outstanding affinity toward alpha-estradiol in aqueous solution with a binding site capacity (B(max)) of 380 nmol mg(-1) MIP, imprinting effect of 35, and a dissociation constant (Kd) of 38 microM. The MIP exhibited significant binding affinity toward other related estrogenic compounds such as beta-estradiol, diethylstilbestrol, estriol, and estrone, suggesting that this material may be appropriate for treating a complex mixture of estrogenic pollutants. The feasibility of removing estrogenic compounds from environmental water by the MIP was demonstrated using lake water spiked with alpha-estradiol. In addition, the MIP reusability without any deterioration in performance was demonstrated for at least five repeated cycles.     

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer extraction of chloramphenicol from honey

A rapid and selective method was successfully developed using magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) as sorbent for the extraction of chloramphenicol from honey samples. The extraction process was carried out in a single step by blending and stirring the sample, extraction solvent and polymers. When the extraction was completed, the MMIPs adsorbing the analyte were separated from the sample matrix by an external magnet. The analyte eluted from the MMIPs by methanol under ultrasound assisted was analysed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were evaluated for achieving optimal recovery and reducing non-specific interactions. Under optimal conditions, the detection limit of CAP was 0.047 ng g⁻¹. The relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-day ranging from 4.1% to 5.3% and from 2.9% to 7.1% were obtained, respectively. The method was applied to determine CAP in six honey samples. The recoveries of CAP in these samples from 84.3% to 90.9% were obtained.     

Removal of bromate from drinking water using the ion exchange membrane bioreactor concept

Bromate is a disinfection byproduct with carcinogenic properties that has to be removed from drinking water to concentrations below 10 or 25 microg/L. This work evaluates the applicability of the ion exchange membrane bioreactor (IEMB) concept for the removal of bromate from drinking water, in situations where nitrate is also present in concentrations up to 3 orders of magnitude higher than bromate. The batch results obtained show that the biological reduction of bromate was slow and only occurring after the complete reduction of nitrate. The specific bromate reduction rates varied from 0.027 +/- 0.01 mg BrO3(-)/g(cell dry weight) x h to 0.090 mg BrO3(-)/ g(cell dry weight) x h for the studied concentrations. On the other hand, transport studies, using anion exchange membranes showed that Donnan dialysis could efficiently remove bromate from polluted waters. Therefore, the use of a dense, nonporous membrane in the IEMB system, isolates the water stream from the biological compartment, allowing for the uncoupling of the water production rate from the biological reduction rate. The IEMB system was used for the treatment of a polluted water stream containing 200 microg/L of BrO3(-) and 60 mg/L of NO3(-). The concentrations of both ions in the treated water were reduced below the recommended levels. No bromate accumulation was observed in the biocompartment of the IEMB, suggesting its complete reduction in the biofilm formed on the membrane surface contacting the biocompartment. Therefore, the IEMB has proven to be a technology able to solve specific problems associated with the removal of bromate from water streams, since it efficiently removes bromate from drinking water even in the presence of nitrate, a known competitor of bromate biological reduction, without secondary contamination of the treated water by cells or excess of carbon source.     

Selective solid-phase extraction using molecular imprinted polymer for the analysis of diethylstilbestrol

A simple imprinted amino-functionalized silica gel material was synthesized by combining a surface molecular imprinting technique with a sol–gel process for solid-phase extraction–high performance liquid chromatography (SPE–HPLC) determination of diethylstilbestrol (DES). Activated silica gel was used as the supporter and non-imprinted silica sorbent was synthesized without the addition of DES using the same procedure as that of DES-imprinted silica sorbent. Compared with non-imprinted polymer particles, the prepared DES-imprinted silica sorbent showed high adsorption capacity, significant selectivity, good site accessibility and fast binding kinetics for DES. The maximum static adsorption capacity of the DES-imprinted and non-imprinted silica sorbent for DES was 62.58 mg g⁻¹ and 19.89 mg g⁻¹, respectively. The relatively selective factor value of this DES-imprinted silica sorbent was 61.7 at the level of 50 mg L⁻¹. And the uptake kinetics was fairly rapid so that the adsorbent equilibrium was achieved within 10 min. Furthermore, the DES-imprinted polymers were used as the sorbent in solid-phase extraction to determine DES in fish samples. The MIP–SPE–HPLC method showed higher selectivity and good recoveries higher than 87.5% (R.S.D. 11.6%).     

Convenient solid phase extraction of cephalosporins in milk using a molecularly imprinted polymer

In this paper, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for cephalosporin molecules (cephalexin (CFL) and cephapirin (CFP)), was prepared by non covalent molecular imprinting approach and applied to solid phase extraction (SPE). For MIP synthesis, a tributylammonium cefadroxil salt (TBA-CFD) was used as template with methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as monomer and cross-linker, respectively, in acetone-methanol 92/8 (v/v) mixture. The selectivity of MIP versus non imprinted polymer (NIP) was confirmed for CFL, CFD and CFP in standard solutions as well as in milk samples. The efficiency of the synthesized MIP was evaluated by means of the application of the proposed MIP-SPE procedure to spiked milk samples previous to the HPLC method for the detection of cephalosporins. The MIP-SPE recoveries were higher than 60% for the three target analytes in spiked milk.     

改性壳聚糖为载体制备喹乙醇分子印迹聚合物及其表征

以交联化壳聚糖微球为表面载体,水和乙腈为混合溶剂,将模板分子（喹乙醇）,功能单体（丙烯酰胺）及交联剂（N,N’-亚甲基双丙烯酰胺）采用表面分子印迹与溶胶-凝胶法合成喹乙醇分子印迹聚合物（MIP）。并对新型水相分子印迹聚合进行红外光谱、扫描电镜、吸附动力学实验、吸附平衡实验、选择性实验的表征。实验结果表明:以壳聚糖为载体的分子印迹聚合物对喹乙醇的吸附容量为10.14mg·g-1,对喹烯酮的印迹效率因子为2.29,乙酰甲喹的印迹效率因子为2.22。以壳聚糖为载体的分子印迹聚合物具有较高识别选择能力,对喹乙醇具有快速吸附效果。      

Electrochemical hydrodehalogenation of 2,4-dibromophenolin paraffin oil using a solid polymer electrolyte reactor

A new technology for remediation of halogenated organics-oil systems, which can cause serious environmental problems, has been demonstrated using the electrochemical hydrodehalogenation of 2,4-dibromophenol (DBP) in paraffin oil in a solid polymer electrolyte reactor. The reactor has been evaluated in terms of cathode materials and structure and the ratio of the cathode surface area to the solution volume. A cathode of titanium minimesh with a palladium electrocatalyst produced by electrodeposition was particularly effective. Current efficiencies of up to 85% and percentage of DBP removal of up to 62%, space-time yields of up to 7.6 kg DBP m(-3) h(-1), and energy consumption as low as 1.6 kW h (kg of DBP)(-1) were achieved. The reactor showed stable operation for periods of up to 170 h. The results demonstrated that electroreduction could be an alternative technology to electrooxidation forthe treatment of wastes and toxic halogenated compounds, making the process simpler in comparison to electrooxidation.     

Removal of alpha-picoline, beta-picoline, and gamma-picoline from synthetic wastewater using low cost activated carbons derived from coconut shell fibers

In the present study the ability of activated carbons developed from coconut shell fibers to remove alpha-picoline, beta-picoline, and gamma-picoline from aqueous solution in the broad range of concentrations (1-100 mg/L) is investigated. The derived carbons are designated as FAC (activated carbon derived from coconut shell fibers without any treatment) and ATFAC (activated carbon derived from acid treated coconut shell fibers). Systematic equilibrium and kinetic adsorption studies at different pH, temperatures, particle size, and solid-to-liquid ratio were carried out to determine various parameters necessary to establish the fixed bed reactors. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied and the data are not fitted well by the Freundlich and Langmuir equations, but the Langmuir model has an edge over Freundlich model. The monolayer adsorption capacity (Q0) as calculated using Langmuir adsorption isotherm of the activated carbons viz., FAC and ATFAC is found to increase with an increase in temperature confirming the endothermic process. The ATFAC has a higher sorption capacity than FAC. Overall the adsorption of alpha-picoline, beta-picoline, and y-picoline on FAC and ATFAC follow the order FACalpha-picoline < ATFACalpha-picoline < FAC gamma-picoline < ATFACbeta-picoline < FACbeta picoline < ATFAC gamma-picoline. The adsorption of alpha-,beta-, and gamma-picoline followed the pseudosecond-order rate kinetics. On the basis of these studies, various parameters such as effective diffusion coefficients, activation energy, and entropy of activation were evaluated to establish the mechanisms. It was concluded that the adsorption occurred through particle diffusion at low temperatures viz., 10 degrees C and 25 degrees C (except alpha-picoline where it was film diffusion), while at 40 degrees C it occurred through film diffusion. Similarly at concentrations of 25 and 50 mg/L the adsorption was particle diffusion controlled (except for alpha-picoline where it was film diffusion), while at > 50 mg/L it was film diffusion controlled.     

Determination of 14 aminoglycosides by LC-MS/MS using molecularly imprinted polymer solid phase extraction for clean-up

An LC-MS/MS method for screening 14 aminoglycosides in foodstuffs of animal origin is presented. Its scope includes raw materials and processed ingredients but also finished products composed of milk, meat, fish, egg or fat. Aminoglycosides are extracted in an acidic aqueous solution, which is first recovered after centrifugation, then diluted with a basic buffer and finally purified by molecularly imprinted polymer-solid phase extraction (MIP-SPE). Analytes are detected within 8 min by ion-pair reversed phase LC-MS/MS. Due to the large range of foodstuffs involved, the variability of matrix effects led to significant MS signal variations. This was circumvented by systematically extracting each sample twice, i.e. ‘unspiked’ and ‘spiked’ at the screening target concentration of 50 µg kg^?1. The method was validated according to the European Community Reference Laboratories Residues Guidelines giving false-negative and false-positive rates ≤3% for all compounds. Ruggedness of the method was further demonstrated in quality control operations by a second laboratory. The 14 aminoglycosides in water-based standard solutions were stable for up to 6 months when stored at either ?80°C, ?20°C or at 4°C storage temperatures.     

Solid-phase extraction for selective determination of bisphenol A in drinks and fruits by dummy surface molecularly imprinted polymer with direct synthetic method

A reliable and selective method was developed for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA) in drinks and fruit using dummy surface molecularly imprinted polymer (DSMIP) as a solid-phase extraction (SPE)-enrichment and separation sorbent coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), whose structure is similar to BPA, was selected as a dummy template molecule. DSMIP has a higher selectivity for BPA than surface non-imprinted polymer (SNIP) when used as sorbents for SPE. Potential factors affecting the extraction efficiency, including conditioning, sample loading, washing and elution, and the breakthrough volume were optimised. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the recoveries of BPA in drinks and fruit were in the range from 98% to 105% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 7%, and a limit of detection (LOD) of 3 ng ml^?1. The developed extraction protocol eliminated the effect of template leakage on quantitative analysis and could be applied to the trace determination of BPA in complicated functional samples.     

Selective trace analysis of sulfonylurea herbicides in water and soil samples based on solid-phase extraction using a molecularly imprinted polymer

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized using the herbicide metsulfuron-methyl (MSM) as a template, 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid as a functional monomer, divinylbenzene as a cross-linker, and dichloromethane as a porogen. This polymer was used as a solid-phase extraction material for the quantitative enrichment of five sulfonylureas (nicosulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, metsulfuron-methyl, sulfometuron-methyl, and chlorsulfuron) in natural water and soil samples and off-line coupled to a reversed-phase HPLC/diode array detection (HPLC/DAD). Washing solvent was optimized in terms of kind and volume for removing the matrix constituents nonspecifically adsorbed on the MIP. It has been shown that the nonspecific binding ability of the sulfonylureas to the polymer largely increased along with increasing the concentration of Ca2+ ions in the water sample, whereas complexation of divalent ions with EDTA eliminated this interference completely. The stability of MIP was tested by consecutive percolation of water sample, and it was shown that the performance of the MIP did not vary even after 200 enrichment and desorption cycles. Recoveries of the five sulfonylureas extracted from 1 L of tap water and surface water samples such as river water and rainwater at a 50 ng/L spike level were not lower than 96%. The recoveries of sulfonylureas extracted from 10-g soil sample at the 50 microg/kg level were in the range of 71-139%. Depending on the particular compound, the limit of detection varied from 2 to 14 ng/L in water and from 5 to 12 microg/kg in soil samples. The MIP was also compared with a commercially available C-18 column and an immunoaffinity support with encapsulated polyclonal anti-MSM antibodies in sol-gel glass.     

Continuous production of sialyllactose from colominic acid using a membrane reactor

Continuous production of sialyllactose, as a typical sialylsaccharide, was examined using a membrane reactor. The synthesis of sialyllactose through the transfer reaction catalyzed by neuraminidase, has been reported to be a suitable process for industrial production, but it still has drawbacks such as a low yield, high enzyme cost, and hydrolysis by the enzyme of sialyllactose formed. We attempted to solve these problems by utilizing an appropriate membrane reactor system. We first investigated the effects of various reaction conditions on sialyllactose productivity, and found that the productivity was independent of the enzyme concentration and reaction temperature but dependent on the substrate and buffer concentrations and the hydraulic retention time (HRT). We then selected a suitable membrane that allowed sialyllactose to permeate but rejected the substrate and enzyme. Finally, we constructed a membrane reactor system with a cut-off molecular weight of 3000 and applied it to continuous sialyllactose production from colominic acid at an HRT of 80 min. Using substrate concentration of 25 g/l the system performed with a high level of productivity and gave a good yield, while maintaining high transfer ratio of 4-5% over a 160-h test period.     

Removal of cadmium and zinc from aqueous solutions using red mud

Red mud, an aluminum industry waste, has been converted into an inexpensive and efficient adsorbent. The product obtained has been characterized and utilized in batch and column operations for the removal of cadmium and zinc from aqueous solutions over a wide range of initial metal ion concentrations (1.78 x 10(-5) to 1.78 x 10(-3) M for Cd2+ and 3.06 x 10(-5) to 3.06 x 10(-3) M for Zn2+; contact time, 24 h) adsorbent dose (5-20 g/L), and pH (1.0-6.0). The removal of Cd2+ and Zn2+ was almost complete at low concentrations, while it was 60-65% at higher concentrations at optimum pH's of 4.0 and 5.0, respectively, with 10 g/L of adsorbent in an 8-10 h equilibration time. The adsorption decreased with increase in temperature. Kinetic studies have been used to describe the mechanism of adsorption. Chemical regeneration of the columns has been achieved with 1% HNO3.     

Removal of methylene blue from aqueous media using activated carbon web

Activated carbon web is prepared by controlled pyrolysis of acrylic fibrous waste under the layer of charcoal using physical activation in high-temperature furnace. The carbonization was carried out at 1200 °C under different heating rate (i.e. 150 to 450 °C h^?1) with different holding time (i.e. 0 to 60 min) to decide optimum pyrolysis parameters. The heating rate of 300 °C h^?1 with no holding time revealed higher specific surface area of 280 m² g^?1. The prepared activated carbon web was later employed as adsorbent for removal of methylene blue from aqueous media. The effect of initial dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, stirring speed, and pH of solution was studied. The obtained results were later compared with adsorption isotherms (i.e. Langmuir and Freundlich). The Freundlich model was found to fit closely with results due to heterogeneous adsorption of dye molecules. Finally, virgin activated carbon and dye adsorbed activated carbon were tested for desorption behavior using differential scanning calorimetry and thermo gravimetric analysis. The significant reduction in desorption enthalpy from 172.46 to 52.43 J g^?1 is attributed to less adsorption energies of dye molecules on the surface of activated carbon due to nonhomogeneous distribution of active sites.     

Removal of natural steroid hormones from wastewater using membrane contactor processes

Growing demands for potable water have strained water resources and increased interest in wastewater reclamation for potable reuse. This interest has brought increased attention to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) as emerging water contaminants. The effect of EDCs, and in particular natural steroid hormones, on humans is of heightened interest in the study of wastewater reuse in advanced life support systems (e.g., space missions) because they are excreted in urine and have high endocrine-disrupting potencies. Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) and forward osmosis (FO) are being investigated for wastewater treatment in space. Retention of two natural steroid hormones, estrone and 17beta-estradiol, by these two processes was evaluated in the current investigation. DCMD provided greater than 99.5% hormone rejection; DCMD also provided constant flux, greater than 99.9% urea and ammonia rejection, and high water recovery. FO provided from 77 to 99% hormone rejection depending on experiment duration and feed solution chemistry.     

Removal of arsenic from synthetic acid mine drainage by electrochemical pH adjustment and coprecipitation with iron hydroxide

Acid mine drainage (AMD), which is caused by the biological oxidation of sulfidic materials, frequently contains arsenic in the form of arsenite, As(III), and/or arsenate, As(V), along with much higher concentrations of dissolved iron. The present work is directed toward the removal of arsenic from synthetic AMD by raising the pH of the solution by electrochemical reduction of H+ to elemental hydrogen and coprecipitation of arsenic with iron(III) hydroxide, following aeration of the catholyte. Electrolysis was carried out at constant current using two-compartment cells separated with a cation exchange membrane. Four different AMD model systems were studied: Fe(III)/As(V), Fe(III)/As(III), Fe(II)/As(V), and Fe(II)/As(III) with the initial concentrations for Fe(III) 260 mg/L, Fe(II) 300 mg/L, As(V), and As(III) 8 mg/L. Essentially quantitative removal of arsenic and iron was achieved in all four systems, and the results were independent of whether the pH was adjusted electrochemically or by the addition of NaOH. Current efficiencies were approximately 85% when the pH of the effluent was 4-7. Residual concentrations of arsenic were close to the drinking water standard proposed by the World Health Organization (10 microg/L), far below the mine waste effluent standard (500 microg/L).     

Removal of hexavalent chromium from wastewater using a new composite chitosan biosorbent

A new composite chitosan biosorbent was prepared by coating chitosan, a glucosamine biopolymer, onto ceramic alumina. The composite bioadsorbent was characterized by high-temperature pyrolysis, porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Batch isothermal equilibrium and continuous column adsorption experiments were conducted at 25 degrees C to evaluate the biosorbent for the removal of hexavalent chromium from synthetic as well as field samples obtained from chrome plating facilities. The effect of pH, sulfate, and chloride ion on adsorption was also investigated. The biosorbent loaded with Cr(VI) was regenerated using 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution. A comparison of the results of the present investigation with those reported in the literature showed that chitosan coated on alumina exhibits greater adsorption capacity for chromium(VI). Further, experimental equilibrium data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms, and values of the parameters of the isotherms are reported. The ultimate capacity obtained from the Langmuir model is 153.85 mg/g chitosan.     

Removal of ionic dyes from water by solvent extraction using reverse micelles

Several methods (e.g., UV/H2O2 oxidation, adsorption, flocculation-precipitation) are normally employed to remove dye from water. A new technique based on liquid/liquid extraction using reverse micelles is proposed whereby recovery of solvent and reuse of dye is possible. Experiments were conducted by mixing a known quantity of dye in aqueous phase and solvent-containing surfactants in a simple mixer. The separation of solvent phase, containing encapsulated dye in reverse micelles, from aqueous phase due to gravity results in separation of dye from water. The removal of different ionic dyes (e.g., eosin yellow, methylene blue, malachite green, methyl orange, orange G) from aqueous phase in the presence of different cationic and anionic surfactants [e.g., sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, and cetyl pyridinium chloride] in different solvents (e.g., amyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, methyl benzoate, and isooctane) were studied by conducting experiments. The percentage removal of dye from aqueous phase increases with the decrease in dye concentration or with the increase in surfactants concentration. Furthermore, the percentage COD removal of dye is increased with the increase in surfactant concentration. The nature of solvent has minimal effect on percentage removal of dye. The ratio of solventto aqueous phase volume required for the removal of dye decreases with the increase in surfactant concentration. It is possible to back-extract dye into aqueous phase and recover solvent by using counterionic surfactants. The separation of aqueous phase from the aqueous-phase solvent dispersion is faster for amyl alcohol as compared to benzyl alcohol and methyl benzoate. A theoretical model based on ion-exchange reaction between surfactants and dye is used to analyze the experimental data.