Degradation of Reactive Yellow 86 with photo-Fenton process driven by solar light.

The decolorization of Reactive Yellow 86 (RY 86), one of reactive azo dyes, was investigated in the presence of Fenton reagent under solar light irradiation. The decolorization rate was strongly influenced by pH, initial concentrations of H2O2 and Fe(II), and so on. An initial concentration of 40 mg/L was decolored more than 90% after 20 min under optimum conditions. The activation energy of the solar photo-Fenton reaction was 1.50 kJ/mol for RY 86 in the temperature range of 10-60 degrees C. In the kinetic study, the rate constant of RY 86 with OH. radicals could be estimated to be 1.7 x 10(10) L/(mol.sec). The decolorization efficiency of RY 86 under solar light irradiation was comparable to the artificial light irradiation. The decrease of TOC as a result of mineralization of RY 86 was observed during photo-Fenton process. The rate of RY 86 mineralization was about 83% under UV irradiation after 24 hr. The formation of chloride, sulfate, nitrate and ammonium ions as end-products was observed during the photocatalytic process. The decomposition of RY 86 gave two kinds of intermediate products. The degradation mechanism of RY 86 was proposed on the base of the identified intermediates.

Degradation of fenitrothion by ultrasound/ferrioxalate/UV system.

The sonochemical photodegradation of fenitrothion, which is one of phosphorothiate insecticides, was carried out in the presence of Fe(III) and oxalate. The degradation rate was strongly influenced by initial concentrations of Fe(III) and oxalate. An initial fenitrothion concentration of 10 mg L(-1) was completely degraded after 30 min at pH 6 under the optimum conditions. Therefore, the photo-Fenton reaction combined with sonication in the presence of oxalate was available around neutral pH. The decrease of TOC as a result of mineralization of fenitrothion was observed during ultrasound (US)/ferrioxalate/UV process. In addition, the formations of nitrite and sulfate ions as end-products were observed during this degradation system. The decomposition of fenitrothion gave two kinds of intermediate products. The degradation mechanism of fenitrothion was proposed on the base of the evidence of the identified intermediates. Based on these results, US/ferrioxalate/UV system could be useful technology for the treatment of wastewater containing fenitrothion.

Photocatalytic degradation of diuron in aqueous solution by platinized TiO2.

The photocatalytic degradation of diuron, which is one of phenylurea herbicides, was carried out in the presence of platinized TiO(2) photocatalyst. Platinization was found to increase the rate of diuron degradation. When 0.2wt.% of platinum was deposited onto the surface of TiO(2), an initial diuron concentration of 10 mg L(-1) was completely degraded after 20 min. Furthermore, the first-order rate constant for diuron degradation by Pt-TiO(2) was ca. 4 times higher than P-25 TiO(2). In addition, the photocatalytic activity of Pt-TiO(2) was appeared under visible light. The decrease of TOC as a result of mineralization of diuron was observed during the photocatalytic process. The degree of diuron mineralization was about 97% under UV irradiation after 8h. The formations of chloride, nitrate and ammonium ions as end-products were observed during the photocatalytic system. The decomposition of diuron gave four kinds of intermediate products. The degradation mechanism of diuron was proposed on the base of the evidence of the identified intermediates. Based on these results, the photocatalytic reaction by Pt-TiO(2) could be useful technology for the treatment of wastewater containing diuron.

Water purification with sintered porous materials fabricated at 400 degrees C from sea bottom sediments.

A sintering technology for preparing porous materials from sea bottom sediments was developed for use in water purification. The purpose of the present study was to develop methods for converting the sea bottom sediments dredged from Ago Bay into value-added recycled products. The sintered products fabricated at 400 degrees C were found to be very effective adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals.

Removal of thiobencarb in aqueous solution by zero valent iron.

A cost-effective method with zero valent iron (ZVI) powder was developed for the purification of thiobencarb (TB)-contaminated water. The removal treatment was performed in the batch system. A sample solution of 10 ml containing 10 microg ml(-1) of TB could be almost completely treated by 100mg of ZVI at 25 degrees C for 12h of treatment time. Since the formation of chloride ion in the aqueous solution during the treatment of TB was observed, the removal of TB with ZVI may contain two processes: reduction (degradation) and adsorption. Because the present treatment for TB is simple, easy handling and cheap, the developed technology with ZVI can contribute to the treatment of agricultural wastewaters.

Sonochemical degradation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins in aqueous solution with Fe(III)/UV system.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TeCDD) was rapidly decreased by sonication in aqueous solution. The degradation efficiency was strongly influenced by ultrasonic power and reaction temperature. An initial 2,3,7,8-TeCDD concentration of 20 ng l(-1) was completely degraded within 60 min under sonochemical conditions using a 20 kHz frequency with a 150 W ultrasound power. The activation energy is 21.9 kJ/mol in the temperature range of 10-40 degrees C, suggesting a diffusion-controlled reaction. To increase the efficiency of 2,3,7,8-TeCDD treatment, degradation system combined ultrasound with Fe(III) (2 x 10(-4)mol l(-1)) and UV irradiation. Both UV and Fe(III) induced Fenton, Fenton-like and photo-Fenton reactions, leading to additional OH radicals and rapid 2,3,7,8-TeCDD removal.

Degradation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins in aqueous solution by Fe(II)/H2O2/UV system.

The photodegradation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), which include tetra- to octa-CDDs (TeCDD, PeCDD, HxCDD, HpCDD and OCDD), was carried out in the presence of Fe(II) and H2O2 mixed reagent. The degradation efficiency was strongly influenced by UV irradiation, and the initial concentrations of H2O2 and Fe(II). An initial TeCDD concentration of 10 ng l(-1) was completely degraded within 20 min under the optimum conditions. All PCDDs tested were successfully degraded by Fe(II)/H2O2/UV treatment and complete degradation of TeCDD, PeCDD and HxCDD was achieved within 120 min. PCDD photodegradation rates decreased with the number of chlorine atoms. The degradation process of TeCDD by this system seems to be initiated by an oxidative reaction (OH* radical attack) because less chlorinated DDs as intermediate products were not detected. From the Frontier electron density calculation, the first OH* radical attack positions on TeCDD were found to be four C atoms neighboring two O atoms. The decomposition of TeCDD gave 4,5-dichlorocatechol as an intermediate product. A TeCDD degradation scheme was proposed based on the identified intermediate and the values of Frontier electron density. Based on these results, Fe(II)/H2O2/UV system could be useful technology for the treatment of wastewater containing persistent pollutants such as dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Determination of atrazine and simazine in water samples by high-performance liquid chromatography after preconcentration with heat-treated diatomaceous earth.

A sensitive and selective column adsorption method is proposed for the preconcentration and determination of atrazine and simazine. Atrazine and simazine were preconcentrated on heat-treated diatomaceous earth as an adsorbent and then determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Several parameters on the recoveries of the analytes were investigated. The experimental results showed that it was possible to obtain quantitative analysis when the solution pH was 2 using 100 mL of validation solution containing 1.5 microg of triazines and 5 mL of ethanol as an eluent. Recoveries of atrazine and simazine were 95.7+/-4.2% and 75.0+/-1.9% with a relative standard deviation for seven determinations of 4.7% and 2.7% under optimum conditions. The maximum preconcentration factor was 100 for triazines when 500 mL of sample solution volume was used. The linear ranges of calibration curves for atrazine and simazine were 1-150 ng mL(-1) and 1-300 ng mL(-1), respectively, with correlation coefficients of 0.999 and the detection limits (3Signal-to-Noise) were 0.24 ng mL(-1) and 0.21 ng mL(-1) for atrazine and simazine. The capacity of the adsorbent was also examined and found to be 0.8 mg g(-1) and 1.3 mg g(-1) for atrazine and simazine, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of triazines in river water and tap water samples with high precision and accuracy.

Determination of simazine in water samples by HPLC after preconcentration with diatomaceous earth.

A sensitive and selective batch adsorption method is proposed for the preconcentration and determination of simazine. Simazine was preconcentrated on diatomaceous earth as an adsorbent and then determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Several parameters on the recovery of the analyte were investigated. The experimental results showed that it was possible to obtain quantitative analysis when the solution pH was 2 using 100mL of validation solution containing 1.5mug of simazine and 5mL of ethanol as an eluent. Recovery of simazine was 89.0 +/- 1.6% with a relative standard deviation for seven determinations of 1.5% under optimum conditions. The maximum preconcentration factor was 100 for simazine when 500mL of sample solution volume was used. The linear range of calibration curve was 1-200ngmL(-1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.996 and the detection limit (3S/N) was 0.3ngmL(-1). The capacity of the adsorbent was also examined and found to be 1.1mgg(-1) for simazine. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of simazine in river water with high precision and accuracy.

Slurry sampling techniques for the determination of lead in Bangladeshi fish samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with a metal tube atomizer.

Ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with a metal tube atomizer has been applied to the determination of lead in Bangladeshi fish samples. The slurry sampling conditions, such as slurry stabilizing agent, slurry concentration, pyrolysis temperature for the slurried fish samples, particle size and ultrasonic agitation time, were optimized for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with the Mo tube atomizer. Thiourea was used as the chemical modifier for the interference of matrix elements. The detection limit was 53 fg (3S/N). The determined amount of lead in Bangladeshi fish samples was consistent with those measured in the dissolved acid-digested samples. The advantages of the proposed methods are easy calibration, simplicity, low cost and rapid analysis.

Determination of silver in environmental samples by tungsten wire preconcentration method-electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

A preconcentration method for silver in environmental waters involving adsorption on a tungsten wire, followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with a tungsten tube atomizer is described. The optimal immersing time was 90s. The best pH for the adsorption of silver was 3. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limit for silver by the tungsten wire preconcentration method was 5.0ngl(-1) (3S/N) and the relative standard deviation was 8.2%. The effects of large amounts of concomitants on the preconcentration of silver were evaluated. Even though 10(3)- to 10(4)-fold excess of matrix elements existed in water, the silver response was not significantly affected by the matrix elements. The method with preconcentration on a tungsten wire was applied to the determination of silver in waters and proved to be sensitive, simple, and convenient. This adsorption method can be utilized in in situ sampling of ultra-trace silver in environmental samples (waters). Furthermore, after sampling it is easy to carry and store the tungsten wire without contamination for a long time.

Separation of zinc compounds by sequential metal vapor elution analysis with atomic absorption detection.

The separation of zinc compounds, containing zinc chloride, nitrate, and sulfate, at low concentrations by sequential metal vapor elution analysis (SMVEA) with argon carrier gas was reported. A molybdenum column, inserted with a tungsten wire, was developed for the separation of zinc compounds by SMVEA. The optimum separation conditions were a vaporization temperature of 1370K, a column temperature of 1350K, and a carrier gas flow rate of 2.5mLmin(-1). Under the optimized experimental conditions, the zinc compounds could be roughly separated by SMVEA, although a part of peak profiles overlapped. The number of theoretical plates was 36 for ZnCl(2), 62 for Zn(NO(3))(2), and 80 for ZnSO(4) in the SMVEA column. The present SMVEA system may be able to be applied widely to various analytical instruments.

Removal of heavy metals in rinsing wastewater from plating factory by adsorption with economical viable materials.

The removal of heavy metals from plating factory wastewater with economical materials was investigated by the column method. Montmorillonite, kaolin, tobermorite, magnetite, silica gel and alumina were used as the economical adsorbents to wastewater containing Cd(II), Cr(VI), Cu(II) and Pb(II). This removal method of heavy metals proved highly effective as removal efficiency tended to increase with increasing pH and decrease with increasing metal concentration. The removal percentages by adsorption onto montmorillonite, tobermorite, magnetite, and silica gel showed high values for all metals. From the results for the heat of adsorption, the adsorption process in the present study might be chemisorption. The proposed method was successfully applied to the removal of Cd(II), Cr(VI) and Cu(II) in rinsing wastewater from plating factory in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Since the economical adsorbents used can be obtained commercially because they are easily synthesized, the wastewater treatment system developed is rapid, simple and cheap for the removal of heavy metals.

Removal of organic polyelectrolytes and their metal complexes by adsorption onto xonotlite.

Natural organic polyelectrolytes (humic and fulvic acids) and their metal complexes were removed by adsorption onto xonotlite. The removal percentages of humic and fulvic acids by xonotlite were approximately 80% and 30%, respectively. Humic acid removal from solution by adsorption onto xonotlite took place more readily than fulvic acid removal. The molecular weight distributions of the humic substances remaining in solution after adsorption with the xonotlite were measured with size exclusion chromatography. A comparison of molecular weight distributions demonstrated conclusively that large molecular weight components were adsorbed preferentially, indicating that adsorption efficiency depends on the number of functional groups of humic substances. Furthermore, the surface topography of the adsorbent was observed before and after adsorption by scanning electron microscopy. The calculated heat of adsorption was of 330 kJ mol(-1) which was evaluated from the Clapeyron-Clausius equation. Therefore, the adsorption type can be considered chemical. Since xonotlite can be easily synthesized and obtained at low cost, the adsorption method of humic and fulvic acids is superior to their precipitation.

Preconcentration of trace silver with yeast for river water analysis.

A new preconcentration method with yeast is presented. The method was evaluated for the determination of trace silver in river waters by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). A suitable cultivation bed for preconcentration of silver was 1.75 mg ml-1 2-ammonium hydrogen phosphate. The optimal cultivation time and temperature were 2 h and 25 degrees C. Under optimal conditions, silver in aqueous sample was concentrated to 6.9-fold by yeast. The detection limit was 4.6 pg ml-1 (3S/N) for silver in river water. The yeast preconcentration method was applied to the determination of silver in river waters. The recovery of spiked silver was in the range of 89 to 110%. By the preconcentration, it was found that ultra trace silver in river waters could be determined without interferences of matrix elements, after only the cultivation and with no chemical treatment.

Determination of manganese in herbal medicine samples by slurry-sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with a metal tube atomizer.

An ultrasonic slurry-sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with a molybdenum tube atomizer has been developed for the determination of manganese in herbal medicine samples. Ten percent glycerol solution was used as the slurry medium. The optimum pyrolysis temperature was 400 degrees C. The detection limit was 69 fg (3xS/N). Matrix element interference was checked and it was found that glycerol as a chemical modifier eliminated the interference. The amounts of manganese in herbal medicines determined by the proposed method are in good accordance with those measured in dissolved acid-digested samples. The method enables rapid calibration, and simple and rapid analysis of manganese in herbal medicine samples at low cost.