Application of ion chromatography to the determination of water-soluble inorganic and organic ions in atmospheric aerosols

A simple, sensitive and convenient ion chromatography(IC) method was established for the simultaneous determination of twelve water-soluble inorganic anions(F -, Cl -, NO - 2, NO - 3, SO 2- 3, SO 2- 4, PO 3- 4), and fifteen water-soluble organic ions(formate, acetate, MSA, oxalate, malonate, succinate, phthalates, etc.) in atmospheric aerosols. The linear concentrations ranged from 0.005 μg/m 3 to 500 μg/m 3(r = 0.999—0.9999). The relative standard deviation(RSD) were 0.43%—2.00% and the detection limits were from 2.7 ng/m 3 to 88 ng/m 3. The proposed method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of those inorganic ions and organic ions in PM 2.5 of Beijing.

On-line Measurement of Water-Soluble Ions in Ambient Particles

Combining the system of rapid collection of ambient particles and ion chromatography, the system of rapid collection of fine particles and ion chromatography （RCFP-IC） was established to automatically analyze on-line the concentrations of water-soluble ions in ambient particles. Here, the general scheme of RCFP-IC is described and its basic performance is tested. The detection limit of RCFP-IC for SO4^2-, NO3^-, NO2^-, Cl^- and F- is below 0.3μg m^-3. The collection efficiency of RCFP-IC increases rapidly with increasing sized particles. For particles larger than 300 nm, the collection efficiency approaches 100%. The precision of RCFP-IC is more than 90% over 28 repetitions. The response of RCFP-IC is very sensitive and no obvious cross-pollution is found during measurement. A comparison of RCFP-IC with an integrated filter measurement indicates that the measurement of RCFP-IC is comparable in both laboratory experiments and field observations. The results of the field experiment prove that RCFP-IC is an effective on-line monitoring system and is helpful in source apportionment and pollution episode monitoring.

Water Absorption and Chloride Ion Penetrability of Concrete Damaged by Freeze-thawing and Loading

In order to investigate water and chloride ion transport in damaged concrete, three types of concrete were prepared, freeze-thawing（F-T） cycling and compressive loading were adopted to induce damage to concrete. Ultrasonic pulse velocity technique was used for evaluating the damage degree of concrete, and the defects of damaged concrete were also detected by X-CT. Water absorption and chloride ion penetrability were used for describing the transport properties of damaged concrete. Effects of damage degree on the water absorption rate and chloride ion penetrability were investigated in detail and the relationships were also established. The results show that the water absorption of concrete makes various responses to damage degree due to the difference of concrete type and damage method. For same concrete with similar damage degree, the water absorption rate of F-T damaged concrete is usually larger than that of concrete damaged by loading. The chloride ion penetrability of damaged concrete increases linearly with increasing damage degree, which is more sensitive to damage degree if the original penetrability of sound concrete is higher.

Diurnal variations of water-soluble ions in PM_(2.5)in Shanghai

Thirty-six daily time interval PM2.5 samples were collected in different seasonal dates in urban Shanghai, and the concentrations of four anions （Cl- , NO3-, SO4^2-, C2O4^2-） and five cations （NH＋, Na＋, K＋, Ca2＋, Mg2＋） were analyzed with ion chromatography. Sulfate, nitrate and ammonium were found to be the dominant species, accounting for about 80% of the total ions. The daily nitrate to sulfate mass ratio ranged from 0.31 to 0.82, indicating that coal combustion was still the main pollution source in Shanghai. The equivalent ratio of ammonium to stun of nitrate and sulfate showed fixed diurnal variation pattern in all the sampling days with higher values in the nighttime, suggesting that fine particles in the night were more neutralized. The oxalate to sulfate ratio was lower in the winter sampling days than that in hotter summer and autumn sampling days. Oxalate was significantly correlated with sulfate in winter sampling days, but not in the summer and autumn, suggesting that the formation mechanism of oxalate and sulfate was similar in winter, however different in hot days.

WATER RESOURCES TRANSFORMATION AND WATER QUALITY VARIATION IN THE URUMQI RIVER BASIN

Like other inland basins in arid regions, the natural vertical zones create special conditions for water resources transformation in the Urumqi River Basin. In the course of water resources transformation and utilization, the chemical composition and degree of mineralization are influenced by both geographic conditions and human activities. Although the Urumqi River is rather small in runoff and rather short in flow distance, the water quality changes substantially along the river. However, ion concentrations of surface and ground water in the whole basin are relatively low, generally less than 1 g/L. Therefore, the basin is good at providing low-mineralized water. The pollution is not so serious and the water impurity does not surpass the national standard for drinking. As long as people are conscious with protecting water quality and reducing the further water pollution, it is possible for harm of the slight pollution to be eliminated.

Zeolite and fungi’s flocculability of simulated wastewater containing heavy metal ions or phosphorus

This paper focuses on the flocculability of simulated wastewater containing heavy metal ions (Fe3+, Cd2+) or phosphorus by zeolite, microbial flocculants (MBF) produced by Aspergillus niger and the composite flocculant composed of zeolite and MBF. The main results are presented as follows: zeolite was a good flocculant when the contamination of the three simulated wastewaters was low, but the treated water is of turbidness and the particles in it are hard to precipitate. The MBF have a good flocculability toward Fe3+ wastewater, as well as particulate matter. Significant changes in flocculability occurred after adding the composite flocculant in different simulated wastewa-ters, the best or least effect respective for Fe3+ and Cd2+ wastewater. The research we have done shows that the method by which the composite flocculant is used to treat the wastewater containing heavy metal ions or phosphorus provides important reference value for practical application.

Evaluation of trans-ferulic acid degradation by dielectric barrier discharge plasma combined with ozone in wastewater with different water quality conditions

In this study, dielectric barrier discharge plasma and ozone(O_3) were combined to synergistically degrade trans-ferulic acid(FA), and the effect of water quality on FA degradation was studied. The results showed that 96.9% of FA was degraded after 40 min treatment by the plasma/O_3 process. FA degradation efficiency increased with the p H values. The presence of suspended solid and humic acid inhibited FA degradation. FA degradation efficiency increased as the water temperature increased to 30 °C. However, the further increase in water temperature was adverse for FA degradation. Effects of common inorganic ions on FA degradation were also investigated. The addition of Cl^- inhibited the FA degradation, whileCO_3^(2-) had both negative and positive influences on FA degradation.NO_3^- andSO_4^(2-) did not have significant effect on FA degradation. Fe^(3+)and Cu^(2+)benefited FA degradation through the Fenton-like and catalytic ozonation reactions.

Yield of OH radicals in water under heavy ion irradiation.Dependence on mass,specific energy,and elapsed time

Dependence of yields of OH (hydroxyl) radicals on the mass and specific energy of heavy ions and elapsed time after irradiation was investigated,to understand chemical reactions of aqueous solutions.The yields of irradiation products of phenol,super-linearly increased with the incident energy of He,C,and Ne ions ranging from 2 to 18 MeV/u.The yields of the OH radicals were estimated by analyzing the yields of the irradiation products of phenol. The yields of the OH radicals increased with the specific energy for each ion,but decreased both with the mass of each ion at the same specific energy and elapsed time after irradiation.

Water Role and Its Influence on Hydrogen Isotopic Composition of Natural Gas during Gas Generation

In order to discuss the role and influence of water during the generation of natural gas,the participation mechanism of water during the evolution of organic matter and its influences were summarized.In addition,we carried out an anhydrous cracking experiment of oil extracted from the Feixianguan Formation source rock in a closed system,which led to the establishment of the kinetic models for describing carbon and hydrogen isotopic fractionation during gas generation from organic matter.The models were calibrated and then applied to the northeastern Sichuan Basin.By combining a series of gas generation experiments from octadecane pyrolysis without water or with distilled water in varying mass proportions,several results were proved:(1) the hydrogen isotopic composition of natural gas becomes lighter with the participation of formation water;(2) we can quantitatively study the hydrogen isotopic fractionation with the kinetic model for describing carbon isotopic fractionation; (3) more abundant and reliable geological information can be obtained through the combined application of carbon and hydrogen isotopic indices.

Effect of temperature, chloride ions and sulfide ions on the electrochemical properties of 316L stainless steel in simulated cooling water

The influence of temperature, chloride ions and sulfide ions on the anticorrosion behavior of 316L stainless steel in simulated cooling water was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and anodic polarization curves. The results show that the film resistance increases with the solution temperature but decreases after 8 days’ immersion, which indicates that the film formed at higher temperature has inferior anticorrosion behavior; Chloride ions and sulfide ions have remarkable effects on the electrochemical property of 316L stainless steel in simulated cooling water and the pitting potential declines with the concentration of chloride ions; the passivation current has no obvious effect; the rise of the concentration of sulfide ions obviously increases the passivation current, but the pitting potential changes little, which indicates that the two types of ions may have different effects on destructing passive film of stainless steel. The critical concentration of chloride ions causing anodic potential curve’s change in simulated cooling water is 250 mg/L for 316 L stainless. The effect of sulfide ions on the corrosion resistance behavior of stainless steel is increasing the passivation current density Ip. The addition of 6 mg/L sulfide ions to the solution makes Ip of 316 L increase by 0.5 times.

17α-Ethinylestradiol removal from water by magnetic ion exchange resin

Magnetic ion exchange(MIEX) resins have received considerable attention in drinking water treatment due to their fast and efficient removal of dissolved organic carbon(DOC). Two types of mechanisms, i.e., ion exchange,reversible and irreversible adsorption, may occur during pollutants removal by MIEX. This work examined the removal mechanism of 17α-Ethinylestradiol(EE2) by MIEX. As one of typical estrogen micro-pollutants,EE2 existed as neutral molecule in natural water, and its charge density was close to zero [(0.00000219 ±0.00000015) meq·(μg EE2)^(-1)] based on the potentiometric titration method. However, the removal of EE2 by MIEX was much higher than that of other micro-pollutants previously reported. Multi-cycle adsorptionregeneration experiments and ion exchange stoichiometry analysis were conducted to elucidate the removal mechanism of EE2 by MIEX resin. The results suggested that the main removal mechanism of EE2 by MIEX was ion exchange instead of reversible micro-pore adsorption. The experimental analysis based on Donnan theory indicated that the internal micro-environment of resin beads was alkaline, in the alkaline environment EE2 would be ionized into negatively charged groups. As a result, ion exchange reaction occurred inside the pore of MIEX resin, and the removal process of EE2 by MIEX was dominated by the ion exchange reaction.

Green Cycle: Sulfate Sorption from Natural Water on Anionic Clay Compound Obtained from Industry Wastewater

In this paper we are describing a green cycle process. The first step was a novel hydrotalcite-like compound (HTLC) synthesized by a co-precipitating method, under standard ambient temperature and pressure, using chemical industry wastewater rich in divalent and trivalent cations, activated by a thermal treatment and finally characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The second step was a series of batch sorption tests performed with this activated HTLC and untreated underground sulfurous water from the state of Puebla, México. The HTLC calcined at 500°C/3 h exhibited the best sorption ability for ions, demonstrated a decrease of the hardness and sulfate ions to below the regional legal standards for drinking water. Once inactive after being used in water treatment, the sorbed ions were removed by ion exchange in a carbonate-containing solution, resulting in an 80% recycling of the material which upon activation demonstrated a retained capacity for water treatment. This recyclability suggests the exciting possibility of this novel compound as an efficient “green” technology in water treatment processes.

Contamination of Pond Water and Sediment in Coal Burning Area

The pond water is used by a variety of animals i.e. mammals, birds, duck, and fish. Sediments play a significant role in determining the overall environmental quality for the living organism. Therefore, in this work, chemical characterization of pond water and sediment in the largest coal burning basin of India i.e. Korba basin is described. Elements i.e. C, O, S, F, Cl, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, K, Ca, Ti, Fe, As, Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Hg were quantified. Toxic metals i.e. As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were highly enriched in the sediments, ranging from 36 - 154, 0.14 - 1.19, 0.12 - 0.82 and 26 - 127 mg/kg with mean value (p = 0.05) of 95 ± 12, 0.62 ± 0.11, 0.35 ± 0.08 and 75 ± 13 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration variations, pollution indices and sources of elements in water and sediment are discussed.

Determination of Chromate Ion in Water Using High Performance Capillary Electrophoresis

A new rapid method for the analysis of chromate ion in water by using high performance capillary electrophoresis is described. The detection limit is 1.0 mu g/ml by using 100 m mol/l Tris-HCl buffer containing 2 m mol/l 1,6-hexanediamine which was used as an electroosmosis modifier to improve the separation and detection sensitivity.

Ion Selective Electrode Determination of Ammonia Nitrogen in Passaic River Waste Water in New Jersey Essex County Area

The percent ammonia nitrogen was determined in Passaic River waste water using Ion-Selective Electrode EPA Method 350.3. The intelligent ammonia sensor integrates ammonia electrode, pH electrode and Ammonia Ion electrode together to realize the in situ detection of ammonia. The test results have shown that the sensor is easy operation, low cost and no pollution. The ammonia is determined potentiometrically using an ammonia ion selective electrode and a pH/mV meter, having an expanded millivolt scale. The ammonia selective electrode uses a hydrophobic gas-permeable membrane to separate the sample solution from an electrode internal solution of ammonium chloride. Dissolved ammonia is converted to NH3 gas by raising the pH to above 11.0 with a strong base. NH3 gas diffuses the membrane and changes the internal solution pH that is sensed by the electrode. In single laboratory test results have been found 1.001 NH3-/L and 0.897 mg NH3-N/L, recoveries were 77.3% and 83.1%, respectively.

Water Soluble Ionic Species in the Atmospheric Fine Particulate Matters (PM2.5) in a Southeast Asian Mega City (Dhaka, Bangladesh)

Atmospheric fine particulate matters (PM2.5) were collected with an Envirotech Instrument (Model APM 550) at the roof of Khundkur Mukarram Hussain Science Building, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh between January and February, 2013. PM2.5 samples were collected on Quartz fiber filters during day and night time. Water soluble ions (sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, chloride, bromide, sodium, potassium and calcium) were analyzed with Ion Chromatography (Model 881, Metrohm Ltd., Switzerland) and Flame photometer (Model PFP7, Jenway, UK). Average PM2.5 mass was 136.1 μg&#183m&#453 during day time and 246.8 μg&#183m&#453 during night time with a total average of 191.4 μg&#183m&#453. Nighttime PM2.5 concentration was about double compared than that of daytime presumable due to the low ambient temperatures with high emissions from heavy duty vehicles. The 24-hour average PM2.5 mass (average of day and night) was about eight times higher than WHO (25.0 μg&#183m&#453) and about three times higher than DoE, Bangladesh (65.0 μg&#183m&#453) limit values. The total average concentrations of sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, bromide, chloride, sodium, potassium and calcium were 5.30, 7.75, 0.62, 0.16, 1.19, 1.30, 8.11, and 3.09 μg&#183m&#453, respectively. The concentrations of the water soluble ions were much higher during nighttime than daytime except nitrate, bromide and potassium. Excellent correlations were observed between sulfate and nitrate, sodium and chloride, bromide and phosphate indicating joint sources of origin. Potassium, sulfate, nitrate and calcium are the most dominant species in PM2.5. Water soluble ionic components in Dhaka contributed about 15% mass of the PM2.5. Ratio analysis showed that sodium and chloride were from mainly sea salt. Potassium has varieties of sources other than biomass burning. Sulfate and nitrate are mainly from fossil fuel origin. This is the first study of the day and night variation of the water soluble ionic species at the fine particulate matters (PM2.5) in Bangladesh.

Design and Operation of Small-Scale Photovoltaic-Driven Reverse Osmosis (PV-RO) Desalination Plant for Water Supply in Rural Areas

The alarming water and energy crisis in many regions of the world can be eased by combining renewable energy with desalination technologies. The ADIRA project funded by the EU looked for demonstrating the feasibility of water desalination in areas around the Mediterranean by installing a number of autonomous desalination systems (ADS) which are able to convert brackish or seawater into potable water for the needs of small communities. Within the activities of the ADIRA project a reverse osmosis unit powered by photovoltaic electricity was installed in a village in the northern part of Jordan with a capacity of 0.5 m3/day. The system was composed of a softener, reverse osmosis unit, PV panels (432 Wp) and storage batteries. Residential type “OSMONICS” membrane (TFM-100) was utilized in the RO unit. Field tests were performed on brackish water (1700 mg/L total dissolved solids (TDS)). This paper sheds the light on the process flow diagram, sizing of the system main components and presents some of the results obtained.

Sensitive Determination of Metal Ions in Drinking Water by Capillary Electrophoresis Coupled with Contactless Conductivity Detection Using 18-Crown-6 Ether and Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Bromide as Complexing Reagents

A simple, economical, and sensitive capillary electrophoresis (CE) method integrated with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection was developed for the determination of metal ions such as K+, Na+, Mg2+, Sr2+, Ca2+ in drinking water. 18-Crown-6 ether and Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB) were employed as complexing reagents. The effects of electrolyte additives, citric acid buffer solution, and other separation conditions of CE were comprehensively investigated and carefully optimized. The best results were obtained in a running buffer solution composed of citric acid (12 mM), 18-crown-6 ether (0.2 mM), and CTAB (0.015 mM) at pH 3.5. Under these conditions, a complete separation of five metal ions was successfully achieved in less than 12 min. The limits of detection for the optimal procedure were determined to be in the range of 0.02 - 0.2 mg·L-1. The repeatability with respect to migration times and peak areas, expressed as relative standard deviations, was better than 2.3% and 5.1%, respectively. Evaluation of the efficiency of the methodology indicated that it was reliable for the determination of metal ions in six different brands of drinking water samples.

Analysis of Chemical Composition Characteristics and Cause of Formation of Karst Water of Taiyuan Formation in the Lower Part of the Coal Seam in Panxie Mining Area

Huainan mining area is located in the southern margin of the North China Plate, which is an important coal-producing base in the eastern part of China, its deep coal seam mining is threatened by karst water inrush disasters in the bottom plate, analyzing hydrogeochemical characteristics and exploring its causes are an important prerequisite for preventing karst water hazards in the coal floor. This paper takes the karst water of the Taiyuan Formation in the lower part of the A-group coal seam of the Xieqiao-Zhangji-Gubei three mines in the Panxie mining area as the research object, and multivariate statistics, hydrochemical analysis were combined with hydrogeochemical simulation. The hydrogeochemical Component characteristics and cause of formation of the karst water-bearing system covered by huge thick unconsolidated layer are discussed. The results show that the cations are dominated by Na+ + K+, and the anions are mainly Cl−and HCO3−in the karst water in Taiyuan Formation in the study area, mainly affected by the dissolution of salt rock and the oxidation of pyrite, there are cations exchange and adsorption and desulfurization.