An AuNPs/Mesoporous NiO/Nickel Foam Nanocomposite as a Miniaturized Electrode for Heavy Metal Detection in Groundwater

Heavy metals,notably Pb2+and Cu^(2+),are some of the most persistent contaminants found in groundwater.Frequent monitoring of these metals,which relies on efficient,sensitive,cost-effective,and reliable methods,is a necessity.We present a nanocomposite-based miniaturized electrode for the concurrent measurement of Pb2+and Cu^(2+)by exploiting the electroanalytical technique of square wave voltammetry.We also propose a facile in situ hydrothermal calcination method to directly grow binder-free mesoporous Ni O on a three-dimensional nickel foam,which is then electrochemically seeded with gold nanoparticles(Au NPs).The meticulous design of a low-barrier Ohmic contact between mesoporous Ni O and Au NPs facilitates target-mediated nanochannel-confined electron transfer within mesoporous Ni O.As a result,the heavy metals Pb2+(0.020 mg.L^(-1)detection limit;2.0–16.0 mg.L^(-1)detection range)and Cu^(2+)(0.013 mg.L^(-1)detection limit;0.4–12.8 mg.L^(-1)detection range)can be detected simultaneously with high precision.Furthermore,other heavy metal ions and common interfering ions found in groundwater showed negligible impacts on the electrode’s performance,and the recovery rate of groundwater samples varied between 96.3%±2.1%and 109.4%±0.6%.The compactness,flexible shape,low power consumption,and ability to remotely operate our electrode pave the way for onsite detection of heavy metals in groundwater,thereby demonstrating the potential to revolutionize the field of environmental monitoring.

Effects of heavy metal ions Cu^(2+)/Pb^(2+)/Zn^(2+)on kinetic rate constants of struvite crystallization

Struvite(MAP)crystallization technology is widely used to treat ammonia nitrogen in waste effluents of its simple operation and good removal efficiency.However,the presence of heavy metal ions in the waste effluents causes problems such as slow crystallization rate and small crystal size,limiting the recovery rate and economic value of the MAP.The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of concentrations of three heavy metal ions(Cu^(2+),Zn^(2+),and Pb^(2+))on the crystal morphology,crystal size,average growth rate,and crystallization kinetics of MAP.A relationship was established between the kinetic rate constant Ktcalculated by the chemical gradient model and the concentrations of heavy metal ions.The results showed that low concentrations of heavy metal ions in the solution created pits on the MAP surface,and high level of heavy metal ions generated flocs on the MAP surface,which were composed of metal hydroxides,thus inhibiting crystal growth.The crystal size,average growth rate,MAP crystallization rate,and kinetic rate constant Ktdecreased with the increase in heavy metal ion concentration.Moreover,the Ktdemonstrated a linear relationship with the heavy metal concentration ln(C/C~*),which provided a reference for the optimization of the MAP crystallization process in the presence of heavy metal ions.

Characteristics and mechanism of Ni^(2+)and Cd^(2+)adsorption by recovered perlite from agar extraction residue

Ni^(2+)and Cd^(2+)in wastewater accumulated through the ecological chain and could jeopardize human health.Adsorption of Ni^(2+)and Cd^(2+)from wastewater using recovered perlite was an important way to solve the problem of resource utilization of solid waste from agar production.Our previous study confirmed that recovered perlite from agar extraction residue had better pore size and specific surface area than commercial perlite.However,the adsorption efficiency and adsorption mechanism of recovered perlite were the main factors limiting its adsorption application.The adsorption process of Ni^(2+)and Cd^(2+)by recovered perlite in aqueous solution was described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation,and the relevant adsorption mechanism was mainly chemisorption.Compared with commercial perlite,the adsorption removal rate of Ni^(2+)and Cd^(2+)by enzymatic recovered perlite could reach 92.9%and 89.2%,respectively,and were improved by 12.63%and 13.03%.Langmuir isothermal adsorption model could better describe the isothermal adsorption process of recovered perlite on heavy metal Ni^(2+)and Cd^(2+),and the relevant adsorption mechanism was mainly monolayer adsorption.The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)results indicated that the decrease of Si—O Si^(2+)hydroxyl coordination bond and the increase of C—Si bond might make the binding effect of recovered perlite with heavy metals stronger.The competitive adsorption of Ni^(2+)and Cd^(2+)by recovered perlite was still dominated by chemisorption and monolayer adsorption.This study was expected to provide a theoretical basis and technical support for the removal of Ni^(2+)and Cd^(2+)from wastewater using recovered perlite from seaweed residue.

Identification of DNA Damage Caused by Heavy Metal Ions with Small Molecular DNA

[Objective] The aim was to establish a convenient and effective method to evaluate the toxicity of heavy metal ions by using small molecular DNA. [Method] pUC18 DNA which had exposed to the four heavy metal ions of Hg2＋, Cr6＋, Pb2＋, Cd2＋ was used to study the bioactivity of DNA; simultaneously, gel electrophoresis and hyperchromic effect were employed to detect the mechanism of DNA damage. [Result] The bioactivity of the exposed DNA was decreased and the influence degree was Hg2＋Cr6＋Pb2＋Cd2＋; the gel electrophoresis and hyperchromic effect proved that the main reason leading to reduce the bioactivity was DNA cross link, in the order pf Hg2＋Cr6＋Pb2＋Cd2＋. [Conclusion] The study indicated that pUC18 DNA could be used to assay the damage of DNA causing by heavy mental ions, which may be a potential, simple and effective tool to evaluate toxicity of heavy metal ions to DNA.

Adsorption properties of a novel 3D graphene/MgO composite for heavy metal ions

A novel three-dimension(3D)graphene/MgO composite was synthesized through self-assembly and embedding MgO nanoparticle in reduced graphene in situ.Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR)spectroscopy,thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscope(TEM),powder X-raydiffraction(XRD)and X-rayphotoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)were employed to characterize the prepared 3D graphene/MgO composite.The adsorption performance of some metal ions on 3D graphene/MgO was investigated.The results showed that the adsorption capacity was greater than 3D graphene and the maximum adsorption capacity at 25℃was found to be 358.96 mg/g,388.4 mg/g and 169.8 mg/g for Pb^2+,Cd^2+and Cu^2+,respectively.The adsorption kinetic conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the adsorption isotherm was well described by Langmuir model.The thermodynamic constants revealed that the sorption process was endothermic and spontaneous in nature.Based on the results of the removal of heavy metal ions from metal smelting wastewater,it can be concluded that the prepared 3D graphene/MgO composite is an effective and potential adsorbent.

Enhancement of removal efficiency of heavy metal ions by polyaniline deposition on electrospun polyacrylonitrile membranes

This paper describes the preparation of a membrane of polyacrylonitrile(PAN)and its corresponding membrane coated with polyaniline(PANI)for the adsorption of heavy metal ions.Scanning electron microscopy micrographs revealed that all the membranes exhibited nanofibrous morphology.The prepared membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR).The prepared membranes were used as an adsorbent for hazardous heavy metal ions Pb^(2+) and Cr_(2)O^(2-)_(7).The adsorption capacity and the removal efficiency of the membranes were examined as function of the initial adsorbate concentration and pH of the medium.Coated membranes with PANI showed better adsorption performance and their direct current(DC)conductivities were correlated to heavy metal ion concentrations.Adsorption isotherms were also performed,and the adsorption process was tested according to the Langmuir and Freundlich models.The regeneration and reuse of the prepared membranes to re-adsorb heavy metal ions were also investigated.The enhancement in adsorption performance and reusability of PANI-coated membranes in comparison with non-coated ones is fully discussed.The results show that the maximum adsorption capacities of lead and chromate ions on the PANI-coated membranes are 290.12 and 1202.53 mg/g,respectively.

Interactions of Heavy Metal Ions with Paddy Soils as Inferred from Wien Effect Measurements in Dilute Suspensions

Interactions of three heavy metal ions, Cu^2＋, Cd^2＋, and Pb^2＋, and, for comparison, Na^＋ with electrodialytic clay fractions （less than 2μm in diameter） of four paddy soils as well as a yellow-brown soil as a control soil were evaluated based on measurements of the Wien effect in dilute suspensions with a clay concentration of 10 g kg^-1 in four nitrate solutions of 2 × 10^-4/z mol L^-1, where z is the cation valence, and a nitric acid solution of 3 × 10^-5 mol L^-1, Field strengths ranging from 15 to 230 kV cm^-1 were applied for measuring the electrical conductivities （ECs） of the suspensions. The mean free binding energies between the various cations and all of the soils determined from exchange equilibrium increased in the order： Na^＋ 〈 Cd^2＋ 〈 Cu^2＋ 〈 Pb^2＋. In general, the ECs of the suspensions in the sodium nitrate solution were smaller than those of the suspensions in the heavy metal solutions because of the lower electrophoretic mobility of sodium compared to the divalent cations. In terms of relative electrical conductivity-field strength relationships, relative electrical conductivity （REC） of suspensions containing various cations at field strengths larger than about 50 kV cm^-1 were in the descending order： Na^＋ 〉 Cu^2＋ 〉 Cd^2＋ 〉 Pb^2＋ for all tested soils. A characteristic parameter of the REC-field strength curves, AREC200, REC at a field strength of 200 kV cm^-1 minus that at the local minimum of the concave segment of the REC-field strength curves, characterized the strength of adsorption of the cations stripped off by the applied strong electrical field, and for all soils the values of AREC200 were generally in the order： Na^＋ 〈 Cu^2＋ ≤ Cd^2＋ 〈 Pb^2＋.

Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions by Adsorbent from Waste Mycelium Chitin

The adsorption properties of chitin adsorbent from mycelium of fermentation industries for the removal of heavy metal ions were studied. The result shows that the chitin adsorbent has high adsorption capacity for many heavy metal ions and Ni2+ in citric acid. The influence of pH was significant:When pH is higher than 4.0, the high adsorption capacity is obtained,otherwise H+ ion inhibits the adsorption of heavy metal ions. The comparison of the chitin adsorbent with some other commercial adsorbents was made, in which that the adsorption behaviorchitin adsorbent is close to that of commercial cation exchange adsorbents, and its cost is much lower than those commercial adsorbents.

Selective removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions with surface functionalized silica nanoparticles by different functional groups

The industrial silica fume pretreated by nitric acid at 80 °C was re-used in this work. Then, the obtained silica nanoparticles were surface functionalized by silane coupling agents, such as(3-Mercaptopropyl) triethoxysilane(MPTES) and(3-Amincpropyl) trithoxysilane(APTES). Some further modifications were studied by chloroaceetyl choride and 1,8-Diaminoaphalene for amino modified silica. The surface functionalized silica nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared(FI-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). The prepared adsorbent of surface functionalized silica nanoparticles with differential function groups were investigated in the selective adsorption about Pb2+, Cu2+, Hg2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+ions in aqueous solutions. The results show that the(3-Mercaptopropyl) triethoxysilane functionalized silica nanoparticles(SiO2-MPTES) play an important role in the selective adsorption of Cu2+ and Hg2+, the(3-Amincpropyl) trithoxysilane(APTES) functionalized silica nanoparticles(SiO2-APTES) exhibited maximum removal efficiency towards Pb2+ and Hg2+, the 1,8-Diaminoaphalene functionalized silica nanoparticles was excellent for removal of Hg2+ at room temperature, respectively.

Binding and Adsorption Energies of Heavy Metal Ions with Hapli-Udic Argosol and Ferri-Udic Argosol Particles

Gibbs free binding energy and adsorption energy between cations and charged soil particles were used to evaluate the interactions between ions and soil particles. The distribution of Gibbs free adsorption energies could not be determined experimentally before the development of Wien effect measurements in dilute soil suspensions. In the current study, energy relationships between heavy metal ions and particles of Hapli-Udic Argosol （Alfisol） and Ferri-Udic Argosol were inferred from Wien effect measurements in dilute suspensions of homoionic soil particles （〈 2 μm） of the two soils, which were saturated with ions of five heavy metals, in deionized water. The mean Gibbs free binding energies of the heavy metal ions with Hapli-Udic Argosol and Ferri-Udic Argosol particles diminished in the order of Pb^2＋ 〉 Cd^2＋ 〉 Cu^2＋ 〉 Zn^2＋ 〉 Cr^3＋, where the range of binding energies for Hapli-Udic Argosol （7.25-9.32 kJ mol^-1） was similar to that for Ferri-Udic Argosol （7.43-9.35 kJ mol^-1）. The electrical field-dependent mean Gibbs free adsorption energies of these heavy metal ions for Hapli-Udic Argosol and for Ferri-Udic Argosol descended in the order： Cu^2＋ 〉 Cd2^＋ 〉 Pb^2＋ 〉 Zn^2＋ 〉 Cr^3＋, and Cd^2＋ 〉 Cu^2＋ 〉 Pb^2＋ 〉 Zn^2＋ 〉 Cr^3＋, respectively. The mean Gibbs free adsorption energies of Cu^2＋, Zn^2＋, Cd^2＋, Pb^2＋, and Cr^3＋ at a field strength of 200 kV cm^-1, for example, were in the range of 0.8-3.2 kJ mo1^-1 for the two soils.

Chitosan Removes Toxic Heavy Metal Ions from Cigarette Mainstream Smoke

This study investigated the removal of heavy metal ions from cigarette mainstream smoke using chitosan. Chitosan of various deacetylation degrees and molecular weights were manually added to cigarette filters in different dosages. The mainstream smoke particulate matter was collected by a Cambridge filter pad, digested by a microwave digestor, and then analyzed for contents of heavy metal ions, including As（Ill/V）, Pb（II）, Cd（II）, Cr（III/VI） and Ni（II）, by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry （GFAAS）. The results showed that chitosan had a removal effect on Pb（II）, Cd（II）, Cr（III/VI） and Ni（II）. Of these, the percent re- moval of Ni（II） was elevated with an increasing dosage of chitosan. Chitosan of a high deace tylation degree exhibited good binding performance toward Cd（II）, Cr（III/VI） and Ni（II）, though with poor efficiency for Pb（II）. Except As（III/V）, all the tested metal ions showed similar tendencies in the growing contents with an increasing chitosan molecular weight. Nonetheless, the percent removal of Cr（III/VI） peaked with a chitosan molecular weight of 200 kDa, followed by a dramatic decrease with an increasing chitosan mo- lecular weight. Generally, chitosan had different removal effects on four out of five tested metal ions, and the percent removal of Cd（II）, Pb（II）, Cr（III/VI） and Ni（II） was approximately 55%, 45%, 50%, and 16%, respectively. In a word, chitosan used in cigarette filter can remove toxic heavy metal ions in the mainstream smoke, improve cigarette safety, and reduce the harm to smokers.

Sorption Characteristics for Multiple Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions Using Activated Carbon from Nigerian Bamboo

Sorption characteristics of multiple adsorption of six heavy metal ions often found in refinery waste waters using activated carbon from Nigerian bamboo was investigated. The bamboo was cut, washed and dried. It was carbonized between 350℃ - 500℃, and activated at 800℃ using nitric acid. Simultaneous batch adsorption of different heavy metal ions (Cd2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Cr3+, Cu2+ and Zn2+) in same aqueous solution using activated carbon from Nigerian bamboo was carried out. The adsorption process had a better fit for the Freundlich, Temkin isotherm and Dubinin-Radushke-vich (DRK) isotherm models but could not fit well into Langmuir isotherm. Adsorption isotherms showed that there is competition among various metals for adsorption sites on Nigerian bamboo. The DRK model was used to determine the nature of the sorption process and was found to be physical and chemical, with sorption energy of metal ions ranging from (7 - 10 kJ/mol). The adsorption of Cd2+, Zn2+, Pb2+ and Ni2+ ions was chemisorptions and that of Cu2+ and Cr3+ ions was cooperative adsorption. Therefore, this study revealed that Nigerian bamboo can serve as a good source of activated carbon with multiple and simultaneous metalions—removing potentials and may serve as a better replacement for commercial activated carbons in applications that warrant their use.

Comparative adsorption of heavy metal ions in wastewater on monolayer molybdenum disulfide

To maximize the potential of monolayer molybdenum disulfide(MoS2)sheet in the disposal of heavy metal ions in wastewater,we compared the adsorption of several common heavy metal ions(including Cr^(3+),Ni^(2+),Cu^(2+),Zn^(2+),Cd^(2+),Hg^(2+),and Pb^(2+))in wastewater on the monolayer MoS2 sheet through first-principles calculation.Our simulation results show that the monolayer MoS2 sheet is a potential heavy metal adsorption material because of the attractive interaction between them.The most negative adsorption energy determines that the TMo site is the most stable adsorption site for the heavy metal ions.The attractive interaction is considered as chemical adsorption,and it is closely related to charge transfer.The orbital hybridization between S p and heavy metal ions p and d states electrons contributes to the adsorption,except the orbital hybridization between S p and Pb p states electrons contributes to the Pb^(2+) adsorption.All the results show that the monolayer MoS2 sheet is most suitable for removing Ni^(2+) and Cr^(3+) ions from wastewater,followed by Cu^(2+) and Pb^(2+).For the ions Cd^(2+),Zn^(2+),and Hg^(2+),its adsorption strength remains to be improved.

Electrochemical Sensing of Heavy Metal Ions based on Monodisperse Single-crystal Fe_3O_4 Microspheres

Single-crystal Fe_3 O_4 with monodisperse microspheres structure has been used for individual electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions. Morphology and structure of the as-prepared Fe_3 O_4 microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD). Meanwhile the electrochemical properties of the Fe_3 O_4 microspheres modified glass carbon electrodes(GCE) were characterized by cyclic voltammetry(CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS), and the enhanced electrochemical response in stripping voltammetry for individual detection of Pb(Ⅱ), Hg(Ⅱ), Cu(Ⅱ), and Cd(Ⅱ) was evaluated using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry(SWASV). With high specific surface area and excellent catalytic activity toward heavy metal ions, the as-prepared monodisperse and single-crystal Fe_3 O_4 microspheres show a preferable sensing sensitivity(22.2 μA/μM) and limit of detection(0.0699 μM) toward Pb(Ⅱ). Furthermore, the electrochemical sensor of Fe_3 O_4 microspheres exhibits excellent stability and it also offers potential practical applicability for the determination of heavy metal ions in real water samples. This study provides a potential simple and low cost iron oxide for the construction of sensitive electrochemical sensors applied to monitor and control the pollution of toxic metal ions.

Facile fabrication of spherical flower-like Mg(OH)2 and its fast and efficient removal for heavy metal ions

Spherical flower-like Mg(OH)_(2) was fabricated from MgSO_(4) effluent and its adsorption performance for heavy metal ions was evaluated.The appropriate fabrication conditions are as follows:Mg^(2+)/NH4OH molar ratio of 1:0.5,temperature of 120°C and time of 1 h at Mg^(2+)concentration of 2 mol/L.Spherical flower-like Mg(OH)_(2) composed of ultra-thin sheets exhibits an excellent adsorption ability for Ni^(2+),Cu^(2+),Zn^(2+),Pb^(2+),Fe^(3+)and Co^(2+),and the adsorption reaches the equilibrium in 6 min.The maximum adsorption capacities of the studied heavy metal ions onto Mg(OH)_(2) at 20°C are 58.55,85.84,44.94,485.44,625.00 and 27.86 mg/g,respectively.The adsorption is well fitted by the Langmuir model,indicating that the adsorption is monolayer.The adsorption kinetics follows the pseudo-second-order model.Chemisorption is the operative mechanism.Spherical flower-like Mg(OH)_(2) is a qualified candidate for heavy metal ions removal.

Robust Waterborne Polyurethane/Wool Keratin/Silk Sericin Freeze-Drying Composite Membrane for Heavy Metal Ions Adsorption

Wool keratin(WK)and silk sericin(SS)have the ability to interact with metal ions.In order to take advantage of this potential,a novel environmentally friendly waterborne polyurethane(WPU)/WK/SS membrane named as WPU&WK&SS membrane with crosslinked structure was constructed by freeze-drying via self-assembly style.Surface morphology and chemical structure characterization were investigated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR).In addition,the adsorption experiments of Cu2+and Cr6+were performed to evaluate the adsorption of WPU&WK&SS membrane,including adsorption kinetics,adsorption isotherm models and various factors affecting adsorption.Further investigation indicates that the maximum adsorption capacity of Cu2+and Cr6+can reach 54.21 mg·g-1and 85.21 mg·g-1,respectively,which are higher than most of the reported adsorbents.Through adsorption kinetics and thermodynamic analysis,it is find that the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model are more suitable for the static adsorption of Cu2+and Cr6+by WPU&WK&SS membrane.

Synthesis and Characteristics of A Novel Heavy Metal Ions Chelator

Polyacrylamide-urea-sulfanilamide（PUS） was prepared as a novel heavy metal ions chelator and successfully used to simultaneously remove heavy metals from wastewater effluents.The effects of reaction parameters（sodium hydroxide,material ratio,temprature and contact time） were monitored to specify the best synthesis conditions.PUS was chemically characterized by means of infrared spectroscopy（FTIR） and ultraviolet-visible（UV-Vis）.The simultaneous chelation performance of PUS towards selected heavy metals ions,Ni2＋,Cu2＋,Pb2＋,Zn2＋,Cd2＋ was discussed,showing that Ni2＋,Cu2＋,Pb2＋,Zn2＋ could be better chelated.It is indicated that the synthesized PUS is a potential remediation material when used for the treatment of wastewater containing metal ions.

Adsorption of Ammonium and Heavy Metal Ions on Industrial Vermiculite from the Yuli Mine in Xinjiang, China

The present work discusses the mineralogy, saturated adsorption of ammonium and adsorption of heavy metal ions （Cu^2＋, Pb^2＋ and Zn^2＋） on industrial vermiculite samples from the Yuli Mine in Xinjiang Autonomous Region. The saturated adsorption capacity of ammonium and the affection factors of adsorption of Cu^2＋, Pb^2＋ and Zn^2＋ are discussed on the basis of the mineralogical characteristics of the industrial vermiculite samples. The saturated adsorption capacities of ammonium are between 56.02 and 98.42 mmol/100g. The time of adsorption equilibrium is about 30-60 min, and the pH values and concentration of the ion solution significantly affect the adsorption capacities of the heavy metal ions. The adsorption capabilities of the heavy metal ions on industrial vermiculite are almost the same in the low ion concentration solutions, characterized by a sequence of Zn^2＋〉Pb^2＋〉Cu^2＋ for adsorption capacity in solutions with relatively high ion concentration. The results have practical significance for the application of the industrial vermiculite to treating wastewater containing ammonium or heavy metal ions.

Extraction of Heavy Metals from Solid Material by Supercritical CO_2

Extraction of heavy metal ions from solid matrix by means of an incorporation of chelating agents with supercritical carbon dioxide（scCO2） was investigated experimentally. Four commercially available chelating agents, diethylammonium diethyldithiocarbamate（Et2NH2DDC）, trifluoroacetylacetone（TFA）, hexafluoroacetylacetone（HFA） and thenoyltrifluoroacetone（TTA） were tested. The extraction experiments were conducted at 50 °C and 1.39×107― 2.80×107 Pa. According to the experimental results, for the extraction of Cu2＋, all the chelating agents investigated here are effective. For other metal ions, such as Pb2＋, Ni2＋ and Cd2＋, Et2NH2DDC exhibited a better extraction result, while other chelating agents were less effective. This investigation is expected to provide a tentative evaluation on the scCO2-based metal extraction from solid media.

Thermochemical Studies of the Toxic Action of Heavy MetalIons on Escherichia coli by Microcalorimetry

By using an LKB2277 BioActivity Monitor (heat conduction microcalorimeter),stopped flow method,the thermogenetic curves of Escherichia coli growth at 37℃ inhibited by four kinds of heavy metal ions are determined,and parameters such as growth rate constants,inhibitory ratio,half inhibitory concentration etc.were obtained.The experimental results show that heavy metal ions can inhibit Escherichia coli growth obviously,but low concentration of Cu 2+ has a promoting action.The half inhibitory concentrations of Zn 2+ ,Cd 2+ ,Hg 2+ and Cu 2+ are 28.3,10.9,3.19 and 69.6μg.mL -1 ,respectively.Judged from the rate constant,the half inhibitory concentration and the molecular mass,the inhibitory sequence is Hg 2+ >Cd 2+ >Zn 2+ >Cu 2+ .This microclorimetric bioassay for acute cellular toxicity is based on metabolic heat evolution from cultured cells.The assay is quantitative,inexpensive,and versatile;moreover,toxicological information can be obtained with cell from other species of interest.