EVALUATON OF MICROWAVE PLASMA TORCH FOR ATOMIC FLUORESCENCE SPECTROMETRY WITH AN ULTRASONIC NEBULIZATION SAMPLE INTRODUCTION SYSTEM

In this paper, a new MPT(microwave plasma torch) device has been used as a atomizer for atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Spme elements, such as Zn, Cd, Hg, Pb, As, Co, Mg, Cu, Ag, Mn, Fe have been investigated in detail.

Evaluation of Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry for Determination of Mercury Using a Low-Powered Argon Microwave Plasma Torch (MPT)

The Microwave-Induced Plasma (MIP) has received considerable attention during the past decade since theintroduction of the Becnakker Cavity. It has been commonly used as an atomization cell for atomic emission spectrometry (AES) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), and a great success was achieved for both techniques. More

Elemental and proximate analysis of coal by x-ray fluorescence assisted laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Although laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy(LIBS),as a fast on-line analysis technology,has great potential and competitiveness in the analysis of chemical composition and proximate analysis results of coal in thermal power plants,the measurement repeatability of LIBS needs to be further improved due to the difficulty in controlling the stability of the generated plasmas at present.In this paper,we propose a novel x-ray fluorescence(XRF) assisted LIBS method for high repeatability analysis of coal quality,which not only inherits the ability of LIBS to directly analyze organic elements such as C and H in coal,but also uses XRF to make up for the lack of stability of LIBS in determining other inorganic ash-forming elements.With the combination of elemental lines in LIBS and XRF spectra,the principal component analysis and the partial least squares are used to establish the prediction model and perform multi-elemental and proximate analysis of coal.Quantitative analysis results show that the relative standard deviation(RSD) of C is 0.15%,the RSDs of other elements are less than 4%,and the standard deviations of calorific value,ash content,sulfur content and volatile matter are 0.11 MJ kg,0.17%,0.79% and 0.41%respectively,indicating that the method has good repeatability in determination of coal quality.This work is helpful to accelerate the development of LIBS in the field of rapid measurement of coal entering the power plant and on-line monitoring of coal entering the furnace.

Interaction of Carbofuran and Bovine Serum Albumin by Spectrometry

[Objective]The aim was to study the interaction characteristic of bovine serum albumin （BSA） and carbofuran. [ Method]With synchronous fluorescence spectrometry adopted, the interaction of carbofuran and BSA in Tris-HCI buffer system （pH 7.40） was investigated. The binding constants at different temperatures were calculated and the interaction types between carbofuran and BSA were discussed. [ Result] Under normal physiological conditions, higher quenching effect of carbofuran on BSA was electrostatic interaction. The changes of different drug concentrations and temperature proved a static quenching of carbofuran with BSA. The binding constants （KSV） at 25 ℃, 37 ℃ and 50 ℃ were 1.17 × 10^4, 1.07 × 10^4 and 0. 99 × 10^4 L/mol respectively with ratio of carbofuran and BSA at 1 ： 1. [ Conclusion ] The research is of guiding significance for learning transport and metabolism of carbofuran at molecular level.

Investigation and Analysis of Soil Pollution of Heavy Metals(Hg,As) in Duanzhou District,Zhaoqing City

The soil heavy metals(Hg and As)in Duanzhou District of Zhaoqing City were determined by AFS200 T atomic fluorescence spectropho-tometer,and the soil environment in Duanzhou District was evaluated by several evaluation methods of soil heavy metal pollution,such as single factor index method,pollution load index method and Nemerow comprehensive pollution index method.Finally,according to the data and conclu-sions,the soil pollution situation in Duanzhou District of Zhaoqing was analyzed.The results will let more people pay attention to the changes of the environment and realize the harm of the environment,and the government can formulate a new plan conducive to the coordinated development of the environment and economy.

Chemical Characterization of Auriferous Ores from the Brazilian State of Paraiba

One of the most important problems facing the gold industry is that the placer and free milling gold ores are almost terminating. Hence, the use of refractory ores has been increased during the recent years. In general, gold refractory ores occurs in various types of deposits associated with a range of minerals. Among the refractory ores, the sulfide type is the most common. The methodology employed in the mining process depends on the mode of occurrence of the ore and on the particle size, shape and degree of purity of the auriferous species. We have undertaken a mineralogical investigation of a representative sample of a complex gold mining ore collected in the municipality of Princesa Isabel, Paraiba, Brazil, using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry, infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry and the Fire Assay. The results showed that the arsenic content of the ore was closely related to the gold content, and that the occurrence of “invisible gold” was associated primarily with pyrite and secondarily with arsenopyrite. The sulfur content of the ore was directly related to its refractoriness. It is concluded that gold mineralization in the study area is mainly of the gold-quartz-sulfide veins (lode gold), while the gold found in the mini-fractures of the deposits is probably associated with the hydrothermal processes that occurred in the region.

Spectroscopic Evaluation of Effects of Heat Treatments on the Structures and Emulsifying Properties of Caseins

The effects of heat treatment(heating temperature and pH) on the structures and emulsifying properties of caseins were systematically studied by spectroscopy.Heat treatment from 60to 100℃resulted in an increase in their fluorescence intensity,hydrodynamic diameter,turbidity and emulsifying activity index,but decreased the size polydispersity of caseins.In the pH range of 5.5to 7.0,the fluorescence intensity,hydrodynamic diameter,turbidity and emulsifying properties decreased with increased heating pH,but the size polydispersity of caseins increased with increased pH.The relationship between the surface fluorescence intensity and emulsifying activity was also investigated,revealing a correlation coefficient of 0.90.These results suggested that heat treatment could be used to modify the structures and emulsifying properties of caseins by appropriately selecting heating conditions.

Geochemical Characterization and Mineralogy of Babouri-Figuil Oil Shale,North-Cameroon

Organic geochemistry methods such as high temperature combustion, Rock-Eval pyrolysis and gas analysis were used to analyze oil shale from Babouri-Figuil Basin. Results show that the average content of organic matter is 36.25 %wt, while that of mineral matter is 63.75 %wt. The total organic carbon (TOC) is between 15.93 %wt and 26.82 %wt. The HI vs. Tmax diagram indicates an immature Type I kerogen. The average value of the oil potential (S2b) is 149.95 mg HC/g rock. The gases obtained by retort process are H2, CO2, CO and CnH2n, CnH2n+2. Finally, it emerges that, the organic matter of Babouri-Figuil shales was immature or has just reached the beginning of the oil window. The mineralogical study of Babouri-Figuil oil shale has been carried out by means of XRD (X-Ray Diffractometry) and XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry). The results show that mineral matrix contains silica, carbonates, sulphates, oxides and clay minerals. Besides, compounds contain metals and metalloids like Fe, In, Ca. The main oxides are SiO2 (majority), CaO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, SO3, and K2O.

C0818,a novel curcumin derivative,interacts with Hsp90 and inhibits Hsp90 ATPase activity

The aims of the present study were to estimate the affinity between 3,5-(E)-bis(3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzal)-4-piperidinone hydrochloride(C0818) and heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and to investigate the inhibitory effects of this compound on Hsp90 ATPase activity. Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to examine the affinity between varying concentrations of C0818 and Hsp90, N-Hsp90, MHsp90 and C-Hsp90. Fluorescence intensities were recorded in the range of 290–510 nm at 293, 303 and 310 K, respectively. A colorimetric assay for inorganic phosphate(based on the formation of a phosphomolybdate complex and the subsequent reaction with malachite green) were used to examine the inhibitory effects of C0818 on Hsp90 ATPase activity. The equilibrium dissociation constant K_D value of C0818 was found to be 23.41270.943 μmol/L. The interaction between C0818 and Hsp90 was driven mainly by electrostatic interactions. C0818 showed the strongest affinity with C-Hsp90. These results conclusively demonstrate the inhibitory activity of C0818 on the activity of Hsp90 ATPase.

Selenium speciation in flue desulfurization residues

Flue gas from coal combustion contains significant amounts of volatile selenium （Se）. The capture of Se in the flue gas desulfurization （FGD） scrubber unit has resulted in a generation of metal-laden residues. It is important to determine Se speciation to understand the environmental impact of its disposal. A simple method has been developed for selective inorganic Se（IV）, Se（VI） and organic Se determination in the liquid-phase FGD residues by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry （AFS）. It has been determined that Se（IV）, Se（VI） and organic Se can be accurately determined with detection limits （DL） of 0.05, 0.06 and 0.06 μg/L, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed method was evaluated by analyzing the certified reference material, NIST CRM 1632c, and also by analyzing spiked tap-water samples. Analysis indicates that the concentration of Se is high in FGD liquid residues and primarily exists in a reduced state as selenite （Se（IV））. The toxicity of Se（IV） is the strongest of all Se species. Flue gas desulfurization residues pose a serious environmental risk.

Effects of Protein on the Detection of Chlorobenzenes in Fish and Their Elimination by Modified QuEChERS Method

Molecular fluorescence spectrometry, resonance Rayleigh scattering and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy（GC-MS） were used to study the effect of pure fish serum albumin（FSA） as the model protein on the extraction of three chlorobenzenes（CBs： 1,3-DCB, 1,2-DCB and 1,2,4-TCB; DCB=dichlorobenzene; TCB=trichlorobenzene） in fish samples. The results show that there was a strong binding effect between CB and FSA. In an aqueous solution of 90%（volume fraction） acetone, a slow but full protein denaturation might take place, which would cause the unfolding of protein and the releasing of CBs. Based on these results, a QuEChERS（quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe） method was modified by replacing the traditional acetonitrile with acetone aqueous solution in the present work. This modified QuEChERS method was applied in the determination of CBs in fish samples. The spiked recoveries and the limits of detection were 80.4%--118.3% and 2.4--7.3 ng/g, respectively. This paper proposes a new strategy by slowing down the protein denaturation and releasing bound organic compounds to enhance the extraction efficiency of CBs in fish samples.

Field-scale spatial variability of soil calcium in a semi-arid region:Implications for soil erosion and site-specific management

Excess calcium(Ca)in soils of semi-arid and arid regions has negative effects on soil structure and chemical properties,which limits the crop root growth as well as the availability of soil water and nutrients.Quantifying the spatial variability of soil Ca contents may reveal factors influencing soil erosion and provide a basis for site-specific soil and crop management in semi-arid regions.This study sought to assess the spatial variability of soil Ca in relation to topography,hydraulic attributes,and soil types for precision soil and crop management in a 194-ha production field in the Southern High Plains of Texas,USA.Soils at four depth increments(0-2,0-15,15-30,and 30-60 cm)were sampled at 232 points in the spring of 2017.The Ca content of each sample was determined with a DP-6000 Delta Premium portable X-ray fluorescence(PXRF)spectrometer.Elevation data was obtained using a real-time kinematic GPS receiver with centimeter-level accuracy.A digital elevation model(DEM)was derived from the elevation data,and topographic and hydraulic attributes were generated from this DEM.A generalized least-squares model was then developed to assess the relationship between soil Ca contents of the four layers and the topographic and hydraulic attributes.Results showed that topographic attributes,especially slope and elevation,had a significant effect on soil Ca content at different depths(P<0.01).In addition,hydraulic attributes,especially flow length and sediment transport index(STI),had a significant effect on the spatial distribution of soil Ca.Spatial variability of soil Ca and its relationships with topographic and hydraulic attributes and soil types indicated that surface soil loss may occur due to water or wind erosion,especially on susceptible soils with high slopes.Therefore,this study suggests that the application of PXRF in assessing soil Ca content can potentially facilitate a new method for soil erosion evaluation in semi-arid lands.The results of this study provide valuable information for site-specific soil conservation and crop management.

Spatial distribution of heavy metals in the middle nile delta of Egypt

Heavy metal contamination in the El-Gharbia Governorate(District)of Egypt was identified by using remote sensing,Geographical Information Systems(GIS),and X-ray fluorescence(XRF)spectrometry as the main research tools.Digital Elevation Model(DEM),Landsat 8 and contour map images were used to map the landforms.Different physiographic units in the study area are represented by nine soil profiles.X-ray fluorescence spectrometry(XRF)was used for geochemical analysis of 33 soil samples.Vanadium(V),nickel(Ni),chromium(Cr),copper(Cu)and zinc(Zn)concentrations were measured and they all exceeded the average global concentrations identified by Wedepohl(1995).Ni and Cr concentrations exceeded recommended values in all soil profile horizons(Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines,2007),while Cu had a variable distribution.Zn concentrations are under recommended concentration limits in most soil samples.Contamination Factor,Pollution Load Index and Degree of Contamination indices were used to assess the environmental risks of heavy metal contamination from the soils.All analysed metals pose some potential hazard and pollution levels were particularly high near industrial and urban areas.