The importance of microplastic (MPs) contamination in marine environments is reflected by increasing number of studies in fish species. Some even dedicated to the toxicological effects from the ...ingestion. Microplastics (MPs) and their trace metal composition were examined in the muscle and intestine of five commercially important fish species (i.e., Sufflamen fraenatus, Heniochus acuminatus, Atropus atropos, Pseudotriacanthus and Leiognathus brevirostris) from Thoothukudi at the Gulf of Mannar coast in south India. The abundance and morphology of MPs (size, shape, and texture) in muscle and intestinal were investigated by micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (μ-FT-IR) and atomic force microscope (AFM). ICP-OES was used to investigate the adsorption/leaching of trace metals in microplastics in order to assess health risk for adults and children. Particles of 100–250 μm and white color dominated, and the mean abundances (items/100 g) of total MPs were more in Pseudotriacanthus (muscle: 51.2; intestine: 50.1) compared to Heniochus acuminatus (muscle: 9.6; intestine: 15), Leiognathus brevirostris (muscle: 12; intestine: 13.2) and Atropus atropus (muscle: 15.2; intestine: 44.1). Polyethylene (35.3%), polypropylene (27.2%), polyamide (nylon) (22.2%) and fiber (15.3%) represented the MPs present in muscles, and polyamide (nylon) (30.2%), polyethylene (28.1%), polypropylene (25.9%), and fiber (15.8%) composed the intestine MPs. We estimated possible consumption of 121–456 items of MPs/week by adults and about 19–68 items of MPs/week by children by considering the sizes of safe meals. Zn, Cu, Mn and Cr in these fish species reflected influence of the sewage waste. However, the non-carcinogenic risk evaluated through EDI, THQ, HI, and CR did not suggest any immediate health problem for the consumers.
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•The present study measured MPs and metals at muscle and intestinal with 5 being excessive.•Fishes at the study area act as receptors of MPs and metals in risk exposure processes.•Human health risks were identified to be related to industrial and other plants.•Indexed risk consequences to children/adults of the region are evidenced in the study area.
•The benzimidazole and Zn2+ intercalated clay particles were provided.•Active corrosion protection properties of the modified clays were studied.•Self-healing properties were observed by clay ...particles modified with inhibitors.•Clay particles modified with BIA+ and Zn2+ cations showed the best performance.
The objective of this study is to develop and characterize the active protection properties of the benzimidazole (BIA) and zinc cations (Zn2+) intercalated sodium montmorillonite clay particles in an epoxy ester coating. The corrosion protection properties of the samples were studied by an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Results obtained revealed that the Na+ cations presented in the galleries of clay were successfully exchanged with BIA+ and Zn2+ cations. The active corrosion protection properties of the samples were demonstrated by EIS analysis. Promising self-healing and active protection properties were demonstrated by clay particles modified with both BIA+ and Zn2+ cations.
Preconcentration of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) in aqueous biphasic system tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) – H2O – (NH4)2SO4 followed by ICP-OES determination is reported for ...the first time. All metal ions extracted quantitatively with 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol. Nonwoven polypropylene collector was used to capture the extract and to assist phase separation. The concentrate was eluted with 0.3 mol L−1 nitric acid and introduced directly into ICP-OES sampling line. Detection limits for cadmium, cobalt, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc were 0.012, 0.2, 0.17, 0.11, 0.2, and 0.4 μg L−1, respectively; preconcentration factor was 150. The method accuracy was verified by the analysis of certified reference materials samples of waste waters and surface water, as well as the real samples of spring and well water. The use of oleophilic polypropylene collector allowed to handle small volume extract, attain high preconcentration factor and significantly decrease detection limits for ICP-OES determination of heavy metals.
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•Tetrabutylammonium bromide based aqueous biphasic system for extraction of metal ions with 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol.•Phase separation by filtering through nonwoven polypropylene collector.•Sensitive ICP-AES determination of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn after extraction.•Analysis of certified reference materials and real samples of spring and well water.
Lithium is an important component in the supply chain of vital technological industries. Therefore, it is critical to accurately analyze lithium's ability to fulfill demand for lithium consumption. ...The concentration of lithium in rivers, lakes, and seawater on Bangka Island was examined using ICP-OES. XRD and SEM-EDX were used to confirm the carrier minerals and rock morphology around the waters. The seawater showed the highest lithium level, averaging 0.28 ppm. Other essential elements, including boron and cobalt, had average levels of 2.90 ppm and 0.93 ppm, respectively. The results can be used to improve the effectiveness of initial exploration surveys.
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•Anomalous lithium distribution patterns in surface water might help with initial exploration and water pollution levels.•Encourage lithium prospecting technology for in-situ analysis.•Volcanoes assist humans by producing lithium-rich rocks..
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•SHS-based extraction was first combined with ICP-OES, showing good feasibility.•Problems associated with the coupling of solvent extraction and ICP-OES were overcome.•Triton X-114 ...was used to improve the extraction efficiency of SHSE.•Analytical performance of ICP-OES for detection of Pb was significantly improved.
In this work, switchable hydrophilicity solvent-based extraction (SHSE) was combined with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for the determination of trace lead (Pb) in environmental water and soil samples. During the phase transformation of SHSE, the organic phase appeared to capture the target analytes effectively. The resultant sample solution was heated to remove the organic phase, realizing the successful combination with ICP-OES. The sensitivity was obviously improved by adding non-ionic surfactant Triton X-114 (TX-114) and the sensitization factor of 3.8 was achieved. Under the optimal conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) and enhancement factor (EF) were 0.07 μg/L and 38, respectively. The established method was applied to analyze environmental samples and certified reference material with satisfactory results. The analytical results of environmental samples were in great agreement with those obtained by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The established method provides a promising, simple and sensitive approach for the determination of trace Pb in environmental samples.
A quasi-on-time system for analyzing electrode reaction products was developed by combining inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) with a hydrodynamic electrochemical ...technique. Numerical calculations and experiments showed that the shorter the distance of the withdrawing flow channel from the electrode end to the OES detector, the shorter the time response and the detection efficiency is 98.1%, which enables the transient determination of the generation rate for products. Application of the combined system with sufficient time resolution to the analysis of reaction species generated from a Cu electrode in a chloride-containing aqueous solution showed that the addition of benzotriazole (BTA) above a critical concentration of 10 mol m–3 is effective in inhibiting the dissolution of Cu. The development of the quasi-on-time system of analysis would enable application to a wide range of non-steady-state electrochemical reactions including corrosion.
An improved method for accurate and precise determination of metal to calcium ratio in mass limited calcium carbonate samples has been developed. We used an Agilent®5800 ICP‐OES for major element ...(Na/Mg/Sr to Ca) and an Agilent®8900 ICP‐QQQ‐MS for minor and trace element (Li/B/Na/Mg/Al/Mn/Fe/Zn/Sr/Cd/Ba/U to Ca) ratio determination. We report a long‐term precision of ≤1% (1σ) by repeat analysis, spread over ≥6 analytical sessions, of multiple external standards that spanned a large range of concentration. We quasi‐quantitatively eliminated potential matrix effect from high Ca by concentration matching samples and standards (∆Ca ≤ ±5%) during both ICP‐OES and ICP‐QQQ‐MS sessions. The ICP‐OES analyses were done on 200 μl of sample at 60 ppm Ca, consuming ∼30 μg of CaCO3 per analysis. Whereas trace element analyses by ICP‐QQQ‐MS required ∼150 μl of sample at 20 ppm Ca, consuming ∼7.5 µg of CaCO3 per analysis. Thus, the present method allows for high precision determination of TE/Ca in <40 μg of CaCO3. We present a comprehensive approach for optimization of ICP‐OES sensitivity and stability to select elemental (Ca/Na/Mg/Sr) wavelengths with minimal interferences, high sensitivity and linearity. For choice of Ca lines, we focused on the minimization of self‐matrix effect. For the ICP‐MS method, we improved reproducibility and precision by lowering Ca of analyte and preconditioning of cones. Furthermore, the present method allows for precise B/Ca determination sans the use of HF matrix. In summary, we present an easily adoptable method based on readily available instrumentation for determining element‐to‐calcium ratios that is suitable for analyzing mass‐limited carbonate samples.
Key Points
We present a user‐friendly approach for determining trace element to calcium ratios using readily accessible and easy to use instrumentation
This method requires an extremely small sample size, <40 μg of CaCO3, for determining trace elemental ratios with an excellent limit of detection
Our method is characterized by better than 1% accuracy and precision during determination of TE/Ca using both ICP‐OES and ICP‐QQQ‐MS
Mining, although relevant and indispensable for human socioeconomic development, is considered one of the most polluting anthropogenic activities. Water resources are the most vulnerable ...environmental compartment to the direct impacts of mining, especially in the semi-arid regions. In these regions, mining activity constitutes an important challenge in the management of water resources; since its impacts can be maximized by the adverse meteorological conditions. This study aimed to assess the level of contamination in water resources of three important mining areas in a semi-arid region, where approximately 70,000 people live. The concentrations of eleven heavy metals in sediment, surface and groundwater samples were determined by ICP OES. The results obtained for water samples indicated significant contamination by Cd, Pb, and U, based on the limits established by Brazilian and international regulatory legislation. In the case of sediment samples, higher concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, and V were observed. Pollution indices (PLI, CF and Igeo) revealed moderate to extreme contamination mainly along the Jacaré and Contas rivers. The Pearson correlation, Principal Component, and Hierarchical Cluster analyses were performed to identify patterns in the distribution of elements and common sources of pollution. The results suggested that the concentrations of Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and V were mainly related to mining activities and, to a lesser extent, natural sources. In the case of Cd and Pb, contamination may have an important contribution from fertilizers use, whereas Zn has a mixed source of both lithogenic and anthropogenic origin. On the other hand, the high concentrations of U, specifically in groundwater samples, were associated with geogenic causes. Although the potential ecological risk values indicated a low ecological risk; other sediment quality indices (TEL, PEL, ΣTU, and PEL-Q) revealed that there is 25% of the probability that the content of heavy metals in water resources near the mining areas induces adverse toxic effects on aquatic organisms.
•Heavy metal pollution in water resources of a semi-arid mining region was assessed.•High concentrations of Cd, Pb and U were detected in the waters resources.•A level of severe to extreme pollution was observed in two rivers in the region.•Mining and agriculture are the main sources of pollution of water resources.•The PERI index revealed potential long-term toxic effects for the aquatic ecosystem.
To investigate contamination level, origins and spatial distribution characteristics of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Hg, Ni, Cd, As, and Cr) in agricultural soils of Gaogang Town, a typical industrial ...transfer-undertaking region of the Pearl River Delta (PRD), China, a total of 162 surface soil samples were collected in August 2016 and determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Moreover, heavy metals contents were systematically analyzed by pollution index, enrichment factor, multivariate statistical approaches and geostatistical analysis. The results showed that the mean concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu and Hg were higher than the soil background values of Guangdong Province, and the relatively high values of pollution index and enrichment factor indicated that these elements (Cd, Pb, Zn and Hg) had cumulative trends in soil. All results of multivariate statistical approaches and geostatistical analysis showed that pollution were heavily distributed in areas of industries, river and dense road network. The eight heavy metals in agricultural soils of Gaogang Town came from three different sources. Arsenic, Cr, Cu and Ni arose mainly from parent materials. Agricultural practices and traffic activities were the main sources of Cd, Pb and Zn. Mercury mainly came from industrial practices.
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•Concentrations of heavy metals were measured in agricultural soil of Gaogang Town.•Sources of heavy metals were identified using EF, multivariate statistical and geostatistical methods.•Spatial distribution of heavy metals in agricultural soil was closely related with human activities.
