Soil Profile Concentration Distributions of Aluminum, Gallium, Indium and Thallium across Southeastern Missouri

The soil chemistry of gallium, indium, and thallium is not well defined, particularly with emerging evidence that these elements have toxic properties and may influence food safety. The purpose of this investigation was to estimate the soil concentrations of gallium, indium, and thallium and determine if these elements have a soil chemistry like aluminum and therefore demonstrate significant concentration correlations with aluminum. Twenty-seven soil series were selected, and the elemental concentrations were determined using aqua regia digestion with analytical determination performed using inductively coupled plasma emission-mass spectroscopy. The concentrations of gallium, indium, and thallium generally compared with the known literature. Aluminum-gallium and aluminum-thallium exhibited significant concentration correlations across the soil horizons of the sampled soils. Aluminum, gallium, and thallium did demonstrate concentration increases in soil horizons having illuviation of phyllosilicates, implying these phyllosilicates have adsorption and isomorphic substitution behaviors involving these elements.

Research on Treating Thallium by Enhanced Coagulation Oxidation Process

[Objective] The aim was to treat acidic wastewater containing thallium by enhanced coagulation oxidation process. [Method] Enhanced coagulation oxidation process was made use of to remove thallium in the acidic wastewater in the experiment under the condition of 0.05 kg/L of potassium permanganate, 30% hydrogen peroxide and 0.05 kg/L calcium hypochlorite as oxidant, together with 0.092 kg/L CaO as coagulation. [Result] The results showed that thallium removal efficiencies achieved 99.98%, 99.1% and 99.95% when dosages of KMnO4, H2O2and Ca（ClO）2were added at 20, 2.2 and 37 ml, respectively, under the condition of 30 ml 0.092kg/L CaO being dosed and 99.93%, 99.69% and 99.98% were achieved when different dosages of CaO were added at 25, 35 and 25 ml, under the condition of 20ml KMnO4, 2.2 ml H2O2and 37 ml Ca（ClO）2respectively. [Conclusion] The experiment demonstrates that good removal effects of removal thallium from the acidic wastewater would be achieved by enhanced coagulation oxidation process.

Review Recent progress in the determination of gallium, indium, and thallium

This mini-review covers the literatures of the determination of gallium, indium, and thallium by instrumental analysis with computer-assisted searching over the period of 1994 to 2003. Some papers appearing in the early of 2004 are also included. Because the rapid progress in the instrument has been made, these new papers are prioritized in selection in the similar papers. The contents are considered to be separation and preconcentration, spectrophotometry, spectrofluorimetry, electroanalyses, atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and so forth.

Early diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of five patients with acute thallium poisoning

BACKGROUND Thallium poisoning is rare and difficult to recognize.Early diagnosis and treatment of thallium-poisoned patients are essential to prevent morbidity and mortality.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of treatments and outcomes of five patients with early diagnosis of acute thallium poisoning.METHODS Five patients who consumed a thallium-contaminated meal were hospitalized in succession,and underwent clinical examinations such as blood tests and electromyography tests.Urine and blood tests confirmed the diagnosis of thallotoxicosis,revealing the occurrence of food poisoning.All patients underwent detoxification treatment,including hemoperfusion(HP)and treatment with Prussian blue(PB).A 24-mo follow-up was performed to evaluate the long-term outcomes on the patients after discharge.RESULTS Initially,the patients presented with symptoms of acute thallium poisoning including hyperalgesia of the limbs and abdominalgia,which may differ from common peripheral neuropathy.Accompanying symptoms such as hepatic damage and alopecia were observed in all the patients,which further confirmed the diagnosis of poisoning.Treatment with chelating agents was ineffective,while HP and treatment with PB drastically decreased the thallium concentration in the urine and blood.With early diagnosis and intervention,four patients had a good prognosis and no permanent sequelae.One patient developed blindness and disability during the 24-mo follow-up period.CONCLUSION Identification of incident cluster and characteristic symptoms is extremely important for early diagnosis of acute thallium poisoning.HP plus PB is essential to improve the prognosis of thallium-poisoned patients.

Paraffin wax as a diluent for extraction and separation of trivalent gallium, indium, and thallium with 2,6-bis-(l'-phenyl-3'-methyl-5'-oxopyrazole-4') pyridineacyl

A method is proposed for the extraction and separation of trivalent gallium,indium and thallium from their corresponding aqueous solutions at 65 deg C with 2,6-bis-(1'-phenyl-3'-methyl-5'-oxopyrazole-4') pyridineacyl (H_2PMBPP or H_2A) using molten paraffinwax as a diluent. The values of pH_(1/2) for extraction of gallium, indium and thallium are2.62,4.32 and 4.93, respectively. Gallium can he extracted by H_2PMBPP at a lower acid medium. Theeffect of solvent and the composition of the extracted species are reported. And the thermodynamicdata of the extraction are also obtained.

Analysis of Nine Cases of Acute Thallium Poisoning

In this study nine cases of thallium poisoning in a series of homicidal poisoning were analyzed in order to provide more information concerning thallium poisoning. It was found that the most common clinical feature of thallium poisoning was peripheral neuropathy and paraesthesia was more common than amyasthenia. Understanding of these clinical characteristics of thallium poisoning was helpful to early identification and differential diagnosis. Since the early administration of Prussian Blue, as a specific antidote for thallium poisoning, can substantially improve the prognosis, it is of great importance to establish a correct and early diagnosis.

Physical properties of ternary thallium chalcogenes Tl2MQ3（M = Zr, Hf; Q = S, Se, Te） via ab-initio calculations

We have reported a first principles study of structural, mechanical, electronic, and thermoelectric properties of the monoclinic ternary thallium chalcogenes Tl2MQ3(M = Zr, Hf;Q = S, Se, Te). The electronic band structure calculations confirm that all compounds exhibit semiconductor character. Especially, Tl2ZrTe3 and Tl2HfTe3 can be good candidates for thermoelectric materials, having narrow band gaps of 0.169 eV and 0.21 eV, respectively. All of the compounds are soft and brittle according to the second-order elastic constant calculations. Low Debye temperatures also support the softness. We have obtained the transport properties of the compounds by using rigid band and constant relaxation time approximations in the context of Boltzmann transport theory. The results show that the compounds could be considered for room temperature thermoelectric applications(ZT ~ 0.9).

Novel Monomeric Phenanthroline - Thallium(III) Complexes Multinuclear NMR Characterization in Organic Solvents

A novel complex of monomeric thallium(III) with the nitrogen donor ligand phenanthroline (phen) has been prepared and characterized by multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C, 205Tl). The three complexes exist in equilibria in DMSO and acetonitrile solution, which was proved by the 205Tl NMR spectra. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of tris-phen Tl(III) complex have been measured, where the spin-spin coupling between Tl (I = 1/2) and 13C or 1H signals were observed with the 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy in acetonitrile. The coupling constants are presented and the chemical shifts of complexes are discussed in detail.

Investigations of Thallium(Ⅰ) Underpotential Deposition on the Silver Rotating Disk Electrode and Its Analytical Application

The cyclic voltammetry(CV) and the square wave technique were used for the investigations of thallium(Ⅰ) underpotential deposition(UPD) on the silver electrode. A solution of 10 \{mmol/L\} HClO 4+10 mmol/L NaCl was selected as the supporting electrolyte. The calibration plots for Tl(Ⅰ) concentration in the range of 2×10 -9 -1×10 -7 mol/L were obtained. The detection limit was 5×10 -10 mol/L. For the solutions of 4 0×10 -9 mol/L thallium added before the urine sample pretreatment procedure, the average recovery was 105 6% with a relative standard deviation(RSD) of 15 5%.

Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Determination of Trace Amounts of Zinc and Thallium in Different Matrixes after Solid Phase Extraction on Modified Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

The potential of modified multiwallcd carbon nanotubes, as a solid-phase extraction sorbent for the simultaneous separation and preconcentration of zinc and thallium has been investigated. Zinc and thallium were adsorbed quantitatively onto modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes in the pH range of 3 - 6.5. Parameters influencing the simultaneous preconcentration of Zn(II) and Tl(I) ions such as pH of the sample, sample and eluent flow rate, type and volume of elution solution and interfering ions, have been examined and optimized. Linearity was maintained between 0.1 to 20.0 μg?mL–1 for thallium and 20.0 ng?mL–1 to 5.0 μg?mL–1 for zinc in the final solution. The defection limits based on three times the standard deviation of the blank signal (n = 8) for thallium and zinc were 5.1 and 1.4 ng?mL–1, respectively. Seven replicate determination of a mixture of 5.0 and 0.2 μg?mL–1 of thallium and zinc in the final solution gave a mean absorbance of 0.085 and 0.074 with relative standard deviation 1.5% and 1.7%, respectively. The method has been applied for the determination of trace amounts of zinc and thallium in biological and water sample with satisfactory results.

Nucleation and Growth of Thallium on Thin Film Mercury Electrode: Voltammetric, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Chronoamperometric and Electrochemical Impedance Studies

Thallium is a heavy metal highly toxic to the biosphere. It can be determined by anodic stripping voltammetry after deposition on mercury film. The aim of this work is to study the conditions and mechanisms of deposition of Hg on glassy carbon electrode and Tl on Hg film by cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, chronoamperometry and impedance techniques. The results showed a germination and growth of a 3D Hg phase on glassy carbon electrode. Similarly, the electrodeposition of Tl on Hg follows a 3D three-dimensional nucleation with diffusion controlled growth. The impedance measurements reveal an easier charge transfer on the Tl film.

Effects of Thallium Stress on Photosynthesis, Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters and Antioxidant Enzymes Activities of Coix Lacryma-jobi

Levels of T1 （Thallium） in soil from 0 （control） to 50 μg/L through 0.2, 0.5, 1 and 2.5μg/L were directly and positively correlated to levels of T1 in plant tissue, the accumulation being maximum in roots, intermediate in leaves and minimum in stems. Thallium, especially at higher concentrations, adversely affected photosynthesis （as judged based on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters）, suggesting inhibition of photo-activation of PSII （Photosystems II）, and also decreased the rate of photosynthesis, the rate of transpiration and stomatal conductivity drastically. Exposure to TI also increased the activity of CAT （Catalase） （except at 1 μg/L） and POD （Peroxidase） （except at 0.2 μg/L）, suggesting that the antioxidant systems in Coix lacryma-jobi were the main contributors of CAT and SOD （Superoxide Dismutase） and that the tolerance of C. lacryma-jobi to T1 is mainly due to this induced antioxidant machinery.

Research and Safety Evaluation of Thallium in Cosmetic Products

By standard method to determine thallium content in 34 batches of cosmetic products sold in Shenzhen,including cushions and sunscreens for children,all results of samples are within the range of not detected to 0.62 mg/kg.By calculating the Maximum Theoretical Safety Limit,according to guidance of Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety(SCCS)of European Union and Toxicological Review of Thallium and Compounds 2009 of United States Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)to assess the risk of cosmetic products.As a result,if the mean concentration of thallium in different kind of cosmetic products does not exceed 0.031 mg/kg,the products will not show significant toxicological risk for consumers.

Thallium in Low Temperature Ore Deposits, China

This paper deals with thallium in typical low-temperature deopits of Au, Tl, As,Sb and Hg in South China with respect to its mode of occurrence, minerals and geochemicalcorrelations with many other coexisting major and trace elements. Criteria are proposed for i-dentifying independent thallium deposits and thallium-bearing deposits and the Nanhua realgardeposit is classified for the first time as an independent thallium deposit. Tl, F, Cl, I and B aresuggested as indicators for low-temperature mineralization with examples furnished for their ap-plications.

Lanmuchangite, a New Thallium (Hydrous) Sulphate from Lanmuchang, Guizhou Province, China

Lanmuchangite is a new thallium hydrous sulfate from the oxidation zone hosting rich thallium ore bodies in the Lanmuchang thallium(mercury) ore deposit, Xinren County, Guizhou Province, China. This new mineral is named after the locality where it was discovered. The mineral is associated with melanterite, pickeringite, potassium alum, jarosite, gypsum, arsenic blane, sulphur and some unknown minerals. The aggregates of lanmuchangite range from 2 to 10 mm in size. In general, the aggregates are compact and massive in form and are composed of anhedral granular crystals measuring in size from 40 to 90μm, but the single crystal grains show distinct boundaries. Parallel columnar aggregates are occasionally seen, which are composed of subhedral to euhedral columnar crystals ranging in size from 15 to 65μm. White, light yellow to white in color, glassy in luster and transparent. Hv-{mess.}=94-124 kg/mm+2, Hm={3.1}-{3.4}, density={2.22} g/cm+3. Under the polarization microscope the mineral is colorless and homogeneous, with N-{meas.}={1.495}. It is easily water-soluble. The average chemical composition is: Tl-2O={33.25}, Al-2O-3={8.07}, SO-3={25.19}, SiO-2={0.10}, K-2O={0.35}, CaO={0.08}, MgO={0.06}, FeO={0.04} and H-2O={33.46} [the crystal water (H-2O) was measured by thermogravimetery (TG) while the other composition were determined by electron microprobe], totaling {100.60%}. The empirical formula is (Tl-{1.00}K-{0.05})-{1.05} (Al-{1.01}Si-{0.01}Ca-{0.01}Mg-{0.01})-{1.04}-{2.01}·{11.88} H-2O and the simplified formula is TlAl-2·12H-2O. The compatibility of lanmuchangite is {-0.03} and its value falls within the range of {±0.020}-{±0.039}, so the compatibility is excellent. Its TG curve demonstrated that the crystal water was lost (i.e., dewatering) in stages at 101, 130 and 230℃. At the temperature of 243℃ the process of dewatering came to the end and the sum of lost crystal water reaches {33.30} wt%. IR spectroscopic analysis showed that the absorption bands 3374-3147 cm+{-1} and 1655-1648 cm+{-1} are due to tensile and bending vibration of crystal water molecules (H-2O) whereas those at 1131 cm+{-1} and 605 cm+{-1} are attributed to tensile and bending vibration of group +{2-}. Lanmuchangite is of the isometric system, with space group=Pa3, a={12.212(5)}, v=1821(2)+3, and Z=4. The strongest diffraction lines from the X-ray power diffraction data are {4.314}(100, 220), {2.801}(70, 331), {7.03}(54, 111), {2.731}(35, 420), {6.11}(27, 200), {3.524}(24, 222), {3.676}(22, 311), {3.051}(22, 400), {2.350}(21, 511), {3.263}(20, 321), {2.494}(20, 422), {1.932}(19, 620).

Hydrogeochemical processes of thallium in a rural area of Southwest Guizhou,China

The water system in a rural area of Lanmuchang in Southwest Guizhou is facing a risk of thallium (Tl) contamination due to Tl mineralization around the area. The major trace elements and Tl in the water system are studied to understand the hydrogeochemical processes of Tl constrained by Tl mineralization. The results showed that the dispersion pattern of Tl follows a descending order in concentration from mine groundwater (deep groundwater) →stream water→shallow groundwater→background water, reflecting the impact of Tl mineralization on the hydrogeochemical composition. Tl concentrations in stream water in both regimes are remarkably higher (2-30 fold) downstream than up- and mid-streams, probably caused by the unidentified discharge of deep groundwater. Low Tl levels are detected in the current drinking water, however, the highly elevated Tl in stream water and ground water may pose a potential environmental risk through daily washing and agricultural irrigation. This study suggests that human activities, such as agricultural irrigation, could intensify the environmental risk of Tl.

KINETIC STUDY ON THE EXTRACTION OF THALLIUM(Ⅲ) WITH DI(2-ETHYLHEXYL) SULFOXIDE FROM HYDROCHIORIC ACID MEDIA

The extraction of thallium (Ⅲ) with di (2-ethylhexyl) sulfoxide from hydrochloric acid media was studied by means of single-drop method.An extraction rate expression and the activation energysupport a mechanism,in which the ratelimiting step is HTlCl4+DEHSO(i) =HTlCl4DEHSO(i).

The energy-free purification of trace thallium(I)-contaminated potable water using a high-selective filter paper with multi-layered Prussian blue decoration

Thallium is a highly toxic metal,and trace amount of thallium(I)(Tl+)in potable water could cause a severe water crisis,which arouses the exploitation of highly-effective technology for purification of Tl+contaminated water.This report proposes the multi-layered Prussian blue(PB)-decorated composite membranes(PBx@PDA/PEI-FP)based on the aminated filter papers for Tl+uptake.Extensively characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer-attenuated total reflectance,scanning electron microscope,thermogravimetric analysis,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were performed to confirm the in situ growth of cubic PB crystals on filter paper membrane surfaces via the aminated layers,and the successful fabrication of multi-layered PB overcoats via the increasing of aminated layers.The effect of PB layers on Tl+removal by PBx@PDA/PEI-FP from simulated drinking water was evaluated as well as the influence of different experimental conditions.A trade-off between PB decoration layer number and PB distribution sizes is existed in Tl+uptake by PBx@PDA/PEI-FP.The double-layered PB2@PDA/PEI-FP membrane showed the maximum sorption capacity,but its Tl+uptake performance was weakened by the acid,coexisting ions(K+and Na+)and powerful operation pressure,during filtrating a large volume of low-concentrated Tl+-containing water.However,the negative effect of coexisting ions on the Tl+uptake could be effectively eliminated in weak alkaline water,and the Tl+removal was increased up to 100%without any pressure driving for PB2@PDA/PEI-FP membrane.Most importantly,PB2@PDA/PEI-FP displayed the high-efficiency and high-selectivity in purifying the Tl+-spiked Pearl River water,in which the residual Tl+in filtrate was less than 2μg·L^(–1) to meet the drinking water standard of United States Environmental Protection Agency.This work provides a feasible avenue to safeguard the drinking water in remote and underdeveloped area via the energy-free operation.

Thallium’s Threat to Aquatic Life:Stage-Specific Toxicity in Zebrafish Embryos and Larvae

The escalating frequency of thallium(Tl)contamination incidents amplifies its environmental risk.However,the potential risk of Tl to aquatic organisms,especially across varying developmental stages,remains poorly understood.In this study,we employed zebrafish as a representative model organism and exposed zebrafish embryos and larvae at distinct developmental periods(specifically,6 h postfertilization(hpf)and 72 hpf)to low concentrations of Tl(I)(0.25 and 0.50 mg/L).The exposure was performed for a short duration of 24 h,followed by a 96 h depuration period.Our results revealed that Tl(I)exerted disparate biological effects on zebrafish at different developmental stages.Embryos exhibited negligible uptake of Tl(I),whereas larvae showed a significant accumulation of Tl(I)and struggled with its rapid elimination.Notably,Tl(I)was able to permeate the blood-brain barrier,thereby posing a risk to the nervous system.Transcriptomic analysis indicated that Tl(I)triggered distinct toxicological pathways in embryos and larvae.It mainly interfered with metabolic processes in embryos,while in larvae,it mainly disrupted intracellular ion homeostasis,both consequently provoking neurotoxicity.This emphasizes that the multifaceted nature of Tl(I)toxicity depends on the developmental stages of the organism.This study clearly shows that the bioeffects of Tl are intricately related to the developmental stage of zebrafish,offering a valuable perspective for the pollutant toxicity assessment.