Evaluation of Four Anthropogenic Activity Impacts on Heavy Metal Quality of the Kumba River in the South West Region of Cameroon

Anthropogenic activities have contributed to pollution of water bodies through deposition of diverse pollutants amongst which are heavy metals. These pollutants, which at times are above the maximum concentration levels recommended, are detrimental to the quality of the water, soil and crops (plant) with subsequent human health risks. The objective of the work was to evaluate the impacts of human-based activities on the heavy metal properties of surface water with focus on the Kumba River basin. Field observations, interviews, field measurements and laboratory analyses of different water samples enabled us to collect the different data. The results show four main human-based activities within the river basin (agriculture, livestock production, domestic waste disposal and carwash activities) that pollute surface water. Approximately 20.61 tons of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural activities, 156.48 tons of animal wastes, 2517.5 tons of domestic wastes and 1.52 tons of detergent from carwash activities were deposited into the river each year. A highly significant difference at 1% was observed between the upstream and downstream heavy metal loads in four of the five heavy metals tested except for copper that was not significant. Lead concentrations were highest in all the activities with an average of 2.4 mg∙L−1 representing 57.81%, followed by zinc with 1.596 mg∙L−1 (38.45%) and manganese with 0.155 mg∙L−1 (3.74%) for the different anthropogenic activities thus indicating that these activities highly lead to pollution of the Kumba River water. The level of zinc and manganese was significantly influenced at ρ 005 by anthropogenic activities though generally the variations were in the order: carwash (3.196 mg∙L−1) < domestic waste disposal (3.347 mg∙L−1) < agriculture (4.172 mg∙L−1) < livestock (4.886 mg∙L−1) respectively and leading to a total of 14.04 tons of heavy metal pollutants deposited each day.

Revealing the correlation between adsorption energy and activation energy to predict the catalytic activity of metal oxides for HMX using DFT

Traditional selection of combustion catalysis is time-consuming and labor-intensive.Theoretical calculation is expected to resolve this problem.The adsorption energy of HMX and O atoms on 13 metal oxides was calculated using DMol3,since HMX and O are key substances in decomposition process.And the relationship between the adsorption energy of HMX,O on metal oxides(TiO_(2),Al_(2)O_(3),PbO,CuO,Fe_(2)O_(3),Co_(3)O_(4),Bi_(2)O_(3),NiO)and experimental T30 values(time required for the decomposition depth of HMX to reach 30%)was depicted as volcano plot.Thus,the T30 values of other metal oxides was predicted based on their adsorption energy on volcano plot and validated by previous experimental data.Further,the adsorption energy of HMX on ZrO_(2)and MnO_(2)was predicted based on the linear relationship between surface energy and adsorption energy,and T30 values were estimated based on volcano plot.The apparent activation energy data of HMX/MgO,HMX/SnO_(2),HMX/ZrO_(2),and HMX/MnO_(2)obtained from DSC experiments are basically consistent with our predicted T30 values,indicating that it is feasible to predict the catalytic activity based on the adsorption calculation,and it is expected that these simple structural properties can predict adsorption energy to reduce the large quantities of computation and experiment cost.

Balancing sub‐reaction activity to boost electrocatalytic urea synthesis using a metal‐free electrocatalyst

Electrocatalytic urea synthesis via coupling of nitrate with CO_(2)is considered as a promising alternative to the industrial urea synthetic process.However,the requirement of sub-reaction(NO_(3)RR and CO_(2)RR)activities for efficient urea synthesis is not clear and the related reaction mechanisms remain obscure.Here,the construction,breaking,and rebuilding of the sub-reaction activity balance would be accompanied by the corresponding regulation in urea synthesis,and the balance of sub-reaction activities was proven to play a vital role in efficient urea synthesis.With rational design,a urea yield rate of 610.6 mg h−1 gcat.−1 was realized on the N-doped carbon electrocatalyst,superior to that of noble-metal electrocatalysts.Based on the operando SRFTIR measurements,we proposed that urea synthesis arises from the coupling of^(*)NO and^(*)CO to generate the key intermediate of^(*)OCNO.This work provides new insights and guidelines into urea synthesis from the aspect of activity balance.

Activation of Transition Metal(Fe,Co and Ni)-Oxide Nanoclusters by Nitrogen Defects in Carbon Nanotube for Selective CO_(2) Reduction Reaction

The electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR),which can produce value-added chemical feedstocks,is a proton-coupled-electron process with sluggish kinetics.Thus,highly efficient,cheap catalysts are urgently required.Transition metal oxides such as CoO_(x),FeO_(x),and NiO_(x)are low-cost,low toxicity,and abundant materials for a wide range of electrochemical reactions,but are almost inert for CO_(2)RR.Here,we report for the first time that nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes(N-CNT)have a surprising activation effect on the activity and selectivity of transition metal-oxide(MO_(x)where M=Fe,Ni,and Co)nanoclusters for CO_(2)RR.MO_(x)supported on N-CNT,MO_(x)/N-CNT,achieves a CO yield of 2.6–2.8 mmol cm−2 min−1 at an overpotential of−0.55 V,which is two orders of magnitude higher than MO_(x)supported on acid treated CNTs(MO_(x)/O-CNT)and four times higher than pristine N-CNT.The faraday efficiency for electrochemical CO_(2)-to-CO conversion is as high as 90.3%at overpotential of 0.44 V.Both in-situ XAS measurements and DFT calculations disclose that MO_(x)nanoclusters can be hydrated in CO_(2)saturated KHCO_(3),and the N defects of N-CNT effectively stabilize these metal hydroxyl species under carbon dioxide reduction reaction conditions,which can split the water molecules and provide local protons to inhibit the poisoning of active sites under carbon dioxide reduction reaction conditions.

Microstructure and properties of the joints of ZrO2 ceramic/ stainless steel brazed in vacuum with AgCuTi active filler metal

The ZrO2 ceranfic was successfully jointed to stainless steel by vacuum brazing with active filler metal. The AgCuTi active filler metal was used and the joining was performed at a temperature of 850 ℃ for 10 rain. The microstructures of the joints were characterized by metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS）. Metallographic microscopy analysis shows that the morphology of the cross section was a sandwich structure and the TiO is observed in the surface of ZrO2/ stainless steel. The diffusion and enrichment of the elements are the key roles in the brazing of ZrO2 ceramic and stainless steel. The formation of TiCu compounds inhibited the further diffusion of titanium into stainless steel or the ZrO2 ceramic to form TiO compound. In the experimental conditions, the average tensile strength is 80MPa for the joint of ZrO2 ceramic / AgCuTi/ stainless steel systems. A complete joint is formed between the ZrO2 ceramic and stainless steel with the leakage rate at the degree of 10 ^-12 Pa · m^3/s.

Doping-induced metal–N active sites and bandgap engineering in graphitic carbon nitride for enhancing photocatalytic H_(2 )evolution performance

Durable and inexpensive graphitic carbon nitride(g-C_(3)N_(4))demonstrates great potential for achieving efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reduction(HER).To further improve its activity,g-C_(3)N_(4)was subjected to atomic-level structural engineering by doping with transition metals(M=Fe,Co,or Ni),which simultaneously induced the formation of metal-N active sites in the g-C_(3)N_(4)framework and modulated the bandgap of g-C_(3)N_(4).Experiments and density functional theory calculations further verified that the as-formed metal-N bonds in M-doped g-C_(3)N_(4)acted as an"electron transfer bridge",where the migration of photo-generated electrons along the bridge enhanced the efficiency of separation of the photogenerated charges,and the optimized bandgap of g-C_(3)N_(4)afforded stronger reduction ability and wider light absorption.As a result,doping with either Fe,Co,or Ni had a positive effect on the HER activity,where Co-doped g-C_(3)N_(4)exhibited the highest performance.The findings illustrate that this atomic-level structural engineering could efficiently improve the HER activity and inspire the design of powerful photocatalysts.

Atomically Adjustable Rhodium Catalyst Synthesis with Outstanding Mass Activity via Surface-Li mi ted Cation Exchange

Rh has been widely studied as a catalyst for the promising hydrazine oxidation reaction that can replace oxygen evolution reactions for boosting hydrogen production from hydrazine-containing wastewater.Despite Rh being expensive,only a few studies have examined its electrocatalytic mass activity.Herein,surface-limited cation exchange and electrochemical activation processes are designed to remarkably enhance the mass activity of Rh.Rh atoms were readily replaced at the Ni sites on the surface of NiOOH electrodes by cation exchange,and the resulting RhOOH compounds were activated by the electrochemical reduction process.The cation exchange-derived Rh catalysts exhibited particle sizes not exceeding 2 nm without agglomeration,indicating a decrease in the number of inactive inner Rh atoms.Consequently,an improved mass activity of 30 A mg_(Rh)^(-1)was achieved at 0.4 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode.Furthermore,the two-electrode system employing the same CE-derived Rh electrodes achieved overall hydrazine splitting over 36 h at a stable low voltage.The proposed surface-limited CE process is an effective method for reducing inactive atoms of expensive noble metal catalysts.

Molecular Dynamics, Diffusion Coefficients and Activation Energy of the Electrolyte (Anode) in Lithium (Li and Li+), Sodium (Na and Na+) and Potassium (K and K+)

This work is a simulation modelling with the LAMMPS calculation code of an electrode based on alkali metals (lithium, sodium and potassium) using the MEAM potential. For different multiplicities, two models were studied;with and without gap. In this work, we present the structural, physical and chemical properties of the lithium, sodium and potassium electrodes. For the structural properties, the cohesive energy and the mesh parameters were calculated, revealing that, whatever the chemical element selected, the compact hexagonal hcp structure is the most stable, followed by the face-centred cubic CFC structure, and finally the BCC structure. The most stable structure is lithium, with a cohesion energy of -6570 eV, and the lowest bcc-hcp transition energy of -0.553 eV/atom, followed by sodium. For physical properties, kinetic and potential energies were calculated for each of the sectioned chemical elements, with lithium achieving the highest value. Finally, for the chemical properties, we studied the diffusion coefficient and the activation energy. Only potassium followed an opposite order to the other two, with the quantities with lacunae being greater than those without lacunae, whatever the multiplicity. The order of magnitude of the diffusion coefficients is given by the relationship DLi > DNa > Dk for the multiplicity 6*6*6, while for the activation energy the order is reversed.

Catalysis of Active Carbon Supporting Transition Metal Oxides for Pyrotechnical Reagent with Potassium Perchlorate

In order to improve the pyrotechnical reagent with potassium perchlorate,composite catalyst of active carbon supporting transition metal oxides （TMO）,Fe2O3 and CuO,were prepared and added into pyrotechnical reagent with potassium perchlorate.Accelerating rate calorimeter （ARC） was used to study the catalysis of pyrotechnical reagent which is consisted of potassium perchlorate and composite catalyst.Composite catalyst of both Fe2O3 and CuO supported by active carbon can catalyze pyrotechnical reagent with potassium perchlorate.Furthermore,it can lower the apparent activation energy and accelerate the reaction with a smaller quantity than that with Fe2O3 and CuO.The maximal reaction rate of pyrotechnical reagent with potassium perchlorate mixed with Fe2O3/active carbon and CuO/active carbon is 8.31 min-1 and 9.13 min-1,which is 1.74 times and 1.91 times of pyrotechnical reagent mixed with no catalyst;time to maximal rate was 18.99 min and 1.96 min respectively,which is lower than pyrotechnical reagent mixed with no catalyst by 86.46% and 98.67% ;the apparent activation energy is 368.10 kJ·mol-1 and 325.29 kJ·mol-1,which is lower than pyrotechnical reagent mixed with no catalyst by 31.89% and 39.81% respectively.

Synthesis of β-aminoesters and α-selenoesters via Active Metal Bismuth Produced by Sm/BiCl_3 System in Aqueous Media

Active metal bismuth is produced in situ via Sin/BiCl_3, system in aqueous media. Promoted by this active species. β-aminoesters and α-selenoesters are synthesized via reaction of α-bromoesters with 1 -(α-aminoalkyl ) benzotriazole and diselenides in moderate to good yields.

Visible-Light-Active Noble-Metal Photocatalysts for Water Disinfection: A Review

The sanitary and environmental challenges posed by an ever growing economically and geographically diverse human population include the need for sustainable, inexpensive, scalable, and decentralized water treatment technologies that can supplement or replace conventional treatment methods. These challenges can be met by semiconductor photocatalysis, especially if the process is driven by visible light energy. Visible-light active (VLA) photocatalysis, as opposed to traditional energy-intensive and chemically driven disinfection methods such as ozonation, UV irradiation and chlorination, has the potential for achieving high disinfection efficiency with low energy consumption and no harmful by-products. This technology generates in-situ reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as H2O2, and?, without the need for chemicals addition. In turn, ROS are capable of penetrating cell walls and membranes of microorganisms, effectively inactivating them. Although multiple types of VLA photocatalysts have been used experimentally for disinfection of water, noble-metal-based photocatalysts have gained the most interest due to their surface plasma resonance (SPR) effect, which acts synergistically to increase the disinfection potential of the photocatalytic process. This paper is a review of the different types of noble-metal-based VLA photocatalysts used for water disinfection in different experimental settings, their synthesis procedures and disinfection mechanisms. It also discusses innovative approaches to overcome a major hurdle in photocatalysis, that is, the rapid recombination of the electron and hole pair, by including specific dopants into the structure of the photocatalyst.

Quantum chemical aided molecular design of ionic liquids as green electrolytes for electrodeposition of active metals

Quantum chemical calculation was used to estimate the reduction potentials of 25 organic cations and the oxidation potentials of 11 anions.This information was used to select promising cations and anions for the preparation of ionic liquids as green electrolytes for electrodeposition of active metals.The reasonable linear correlations between the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO)energies and the reduction potentials of cations,and the linear relationships between the oxidation potentials and the highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO)energies of anions were obtained.The orders of electrochemical stability for cations and anions being obtained agree well with the experimental measurements.The suitable ionic liquids with sufficiently wide electrochemical windows for electrodeposition of active metals are suggested to be[Emim]NTf2,[Bmim]NTf2,[Bmim]BF4, [Bmim]PF6,[Bmim]CTf3,[Emim]BF4,[Emim]PF6,[Emim]CTf3..

Effects of Exogenous Amylases and Metal Ions on the Amylase Specific Activities and Starch Degradation of the Upper Leaves of ‘KRK_(26)' during Flue-curing

Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exoge-nous amylases and Ca2＋, Mn2＋ and K＋ on the amylase specific activities and starch degradation of the upper leaves of ＇KRK26＇ planted in Yunnan Province during flue-curing. [Method] The amylase specific activities and starch degradation of the leaves were determined by using spectrophotometry. [Result] The 8 U/g exogenous α-amy-lase could improve the specific activity of the leaf α-amylase at yel owing and color-fixing stages, but could not at stem-drying stage, and similarly, the 80 U/g exoge-nous β-amylase could improved the specific activity of the leaf β-amylase at the yel owing stage and the early period of color-fixing stage. The leaf starch could be enhanced to degrade by the exogenous α- or β-amylases and the enhancing effect of the former was stronger than that of the later. 1.50 mg/ml Ca2＋ improved the specific activity of the leaf （α＋β）-amylase mainly due to its enhancing effect on the leaf α-amylase, and increased the starch degradation. 4 mmol/L Mn2＋ inhibited the leaf α-amylase from yel owing to the early period of color-fixing and the β- and （α＋β）-amylases from the yel owing to the later period of color-fixing, but enhanced the leafα-amylase from the later period of color-fixing to the later period of stem-drying and the β- and （α＋β）-amylases at the later period of stem-drying. Meanwhile, Mn2＋ ham-pered the starch degradation during yel owing, but promoted it from the early period of color-fixing to stem-drying. 1 mg/ml K＋ enhanced the leaf α-, β- and （α＋β）-amy-lases during the yel owing stage, but lowered them from the early period of color-fix-ing to the later period of stem-drying, and always inhibited the leaf starch degrada-tion. [Conclusion] The exogenous α-, β- amylases and Ca2＋ of suitable concentra-tions could be used to treat the tobacco leaves before flue-curing to improve the leaf starch degradation during the curing.

Effect of Metal Ions on Protease Activities in the Intestines and Hepatopancreas of Red-white Ornamental Carp (Cyprinus carpio L)

[Objective] The aim of this study was to study effects of metal ions on the protease activities in digestive tissues and gland of red-white ornamental carp（Cyprinus carpio L）.[Method] Effects of four kinds of metal ions （K＋,Na＋,Mg2＋ and Ca2＋） on protease activities in hepatopancreas,foregut,midgut,hindgut of red-white ornamental carp were studied by enzyme analysis method.[Result] Effects of four kinds of metal ions on protease activities of red-white ornamental carp were different in the range of experimental concentration from 25 mmol/L to 150 mmol/L.K＋ could promote protease activities in hepatopancreas and hindgut at different levels.Especially,K＋ had the promoting effect at low-concentration level,but the inhibitory effect at high-concentration level in midgut and the inhibitory effect in foregut.Na＋ had the promoting effect on protease activities in hepatopancreas,foregut and hindgut at different levels,but the inhibitory effect in midgut.Mg2＋ and Ca2＋ had the inhibitory effect on protease activities in intestinal and hepatopancreas at different levels.[Conclusion] This study provides basic data and theoretical foundation for researches on the digestive physiology of red-white ornamental carp or the development and optimization of compound feed.

Heavy metal availability and impact on activity of soil microorganisms along a Cu/Zn contamination gradient

All the regulations that define a maximum concentration of metals in the receiving soil are based on total soil metal concentration. However, the potential toxicity of a heavy metal in the soil depends on its speciation and availability. We studied the effects of heavy metal speciation and availability on soil microorganism activities along a Cu/Zn contamination gradient. Microbial biomass and enzyme activity of soil contaminated with both Cu and Zn were investigated. The results showed that microbial biomass was negatively affected by the elevated metal levels. The microbial biomass-C （Cmic）/organic C （Corg） ratio was closely correlated to heavy metal stress. There were negative correlations between soil microbial biomass, phosphatase activity and NH4NO3 extractable heavy metals. The soil microorganism activity could be predicted using empirical models with the availability of Cu and Zn. We observed that 72% of the variation in phosphatase activity could be explained by the NH4NO3-extractable and total heavy metal concentration. By considering different monitoring approaches and different viewpoints, this set of methods applied in this study seemed sensitive to site differences and contributed to a better understanding of the effects of heavy metals on the size and activity of microorganisms in soils. The data presented demonstrate the relationship between heavy metals availability and heavy metal toxicity to soil microorganism along a contamination gradient.

Immobilization study of biosorption of heavy metal ions onto activated sludge

Activated sludge was immobilized into Ca-alginate beads via entrapment, and biosorption of three heavy metal ions, copper(Ⅱ), zinc(Ⅱ), and chromimum(Ⅱ), from aqueous solution in the concentration range of 10\_100 mg/L was studied by using both entrapped activated sludge and inactivated free biomass at pH≤5. A biphasic metal adsorption pattern was observed in all immobilized biomass experiments. The biosorption of metal ions by the biosorbents increased with the initial concentration increased in the medium. The adsorption rate of immobilized pre-treated activated sludge(PAS) was much lower than that of free PAS due to the increase in mass transfer resistance resulting from the polymeric matrix. Biosorption equilibrium of beads was established in about 20 h and the adsorbed heavy metal ions did not change further with time. No significant effect of temperature was observed in the test for free biomass while immobilized PAS appeared to be strong temperature dependent in the test range of 10 and 40℃. Besides, the content of activated sludge in the calcium alginate bead has an influence on the uptake of heavy metals. The sorption equilibrium was well modeled by Langmuir isotherm, implying monomolecular adsorption mechanism. Carboxyl group in cell wall played an important role in surface adsorption of heavy metal ions on PAS.

The catalytic activity of transition metal oxide nanoparticles on thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

The catalytic proficiency of three MONs for AP thermal decomposition was studied in this work.A chemical co-precipitation method was used for synthesis of MONs(CuZnO,CoZnO,and NiZnO)and their characterization carried out by utilizing XRD,FTIR,and SEM.The TGA/DSC technique was employed for the investigation of the catalytic proficiency of MONs on the AP.The DSC data were used for measuring activation energy of catalyzed AP by using Ozawa,Kissinger,and Starink method.The MONs were much sensitive for AP decomposition,and the performance of AP decomposition was further improved.Among all the MONs,the CuZnO exhibits higher catalytic action than others and decomposition temperature of AP is descending around 117℃ by CuZnO.The reduction in the activation energy was noticed after the incorporation of MONs in AP.

Characterization of Metal Oxide-modified Walnut-shell Activated Carbon and Its Application for Phosphine Adsorption: Equilibrium, Regeneration, and Mechanism Studies

We prepared a kind of metal oxide-modified walnut-shell activated carbon(MWAC) by KOH chemical activation method and used for PH_3 adsorption removal. Meanwhile, the PH_3 adsorption equilibrium was investigated experimentally and fitted by the Toth equation, and the isosteric heat of PH_3 adsorption was calculated by the Clausius-Clapeyron Equation. The exhausted MWAC was regenerated by water washing and air drying. Moreover, the properties of five different samples were characterized by N_2 adsorption isotherm, SEM/EDS, XPS, and FTIR. The results showed that the maximum PH_3 equilibrium adsorption capacity was 595.56 mg/g. The MWAC had an energetically heterogeneous surface due to values of isosteric heat of adsorption ranging from 43 to 90 kJ/mol. The regeneration method provided an effective way for both adsorption species recycling and exhausted carbon regeneration. The high removal efficiency and big equilibrium adsorption capacity for PH_3 adsorption on the MWAC were related to its large surface area and high oxidation activity in PH_3 adsorption-oxidation to H_3 PO_4 and P_2 O_5. Furthermore, a possible PH_3 adsorption mechanism was proposed.

Electrocatalytic activity of non-precious metal catalyst Co-N/C toward oxygen reduction reaction

Metallic cobalt was deposited on acetylene black to synthesize a composite Co/C by chemical reduction method.A platinumfree electrocatalyst Co-N/C（800） for oxygen reduction reaction（ORR） was synthesized by mixing the composite Co/C with urea and heat-treating at 800℃.The results from linear sweep voltammograms indicated that the Co-N/C（800） is active to ORR.Theβ-Co and cobalt oxides are not the active site of the catalyst Co-N/C.However,the existence of cobalt facilitated the modification of nitrogen to carbon black and led to the formation of active site of catalyst Co-N/C（800）.