Mobility of Chelated Radionuclides in Engineered Concrete Barriers

1992 ◽  
Vol 294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig A. Dicke ◽  
Robert W. Smith

ABSTRACTConcrete is a major component in many low-level radioactive waste (LLW) disposal facilities. The use of concrete is widespread because of its physical and structural properties and because it provides geochemical control on metal and radionuclide releases. Organic compounds are often disposed with radionuclides in LLW disposal facilities. Interactions between radionuclides and chelating agents must be evaluated to estimate mobility of radionuclides in concrete vaults. This paper quantifies the effects of two common organic components [citric acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)] on radionuclide mobility in concrete barriers by using equilibrium geochemical calculations.Equilibrium speciation calculations indicate that some radionuclides are chelated in groundwater (pH 7) but are destabilized in the highly alkaline (pH 13) concrete pore fluids. Radionuclides complexed by EDTA and citrate are replaced by calcium in the concrete pore fluids. In addition, the citrate nuclide complex reacts to form uncomplexed citrate in concrete pore fluids. The chemical performance of concrete LLW disposal facilities should not be compromised by small amounts of chelating agents disposed with some radionuclides. However, EDTA may form significant nickel and cobalt complexes above the pH important in the long-term service life of concrete barriers.

Author(s):  
Mirko Peitzsch ◽  
Daniela Pelzel ◽  
Peter Lattke ◽  
Gabriele Siegert ◽  
Graeme Eisenhofer

AbstractMeasurements of urinary fractionated metadrenalines provide a useful screening test to diagnose phaeochromocytoma. Stability of these compounds and their parent catecholamines during and after urine collection is crucial to ensure accuracy of the measurements. Stabilisation with hydrochloric acid (HCl) can promote deconjugation of sulphate-conjugated metadrenalines, indicating a need for alternative preservatives.Urine samples with an intrinsically acidic or alkaline pH (5.5–6.9 or 7.1–8.7, respectively) were used to assess stability of free catecholamines and their free O-methylated metabolites over 7 days of room temperature storage. Stabilisation with HCl was compared with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/metabisulphite and monobasic citric acid. Catecholamines and metabolites were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).Free catecholamines and their O-methylated metabolites were stable in acidic urine samples over 7 days of room temperature storage, independent of the presence or absence of any stabilisation method. In contrast, free catecholamines, but not the free O-methylated metabolites, showed rapid degradation within 24 h and continuing degradation over 7 days in urine samples with an alkaline pH. Adjustment of alkaline urine samples to a pH of 3–5 with HCl or 4.8–5.4 with citric acid completely blocked degradation of catecholamines. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/metabisulphite, although reducing the extent of degradation of catecholamines in alkaline urine, was largely ineffectual as a stabiliser.Citric acid is equally effective as HCl for stabilisation of urinary free catecholamines and minimises hazards associated with use of strong inorganic acids while avoiding deconjugation of sulphate-conjugated metabolites during simultaneous LC-MS/MS measurements of free catecholamines and their free O-methylated metabolites.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 506
Author(s):  
Loris Zamai

The article describes the rationale for the administration of zinc-chelating agents in COVID-19 patients. In a previous work I have highlighted that the binding of the SARS-CoV spike proteins to the zinc-metalloprotease ACE2 has been shown to induce ACE2 shedding by activating the zinc-metalloprotease ADAM17, which ultimately leads to systemic upregulation of ACE2 activity. Moreover, based on experimental models, it was also shown the detrimental effect of the excessive systemic activity of ACE2 through its downstream pathways, which leads to “clinical” manifestations resembling COVID-19. In this regard, strong upregulation of circulating ACE2 activity was recently reported in COVID-19 patients, thus supporting the previous hypothesis that COVID-19 may derive from upregulation of ACE2 activity. Based on this, a reasonable hypothesis of using inhibitors that curb the upregulation of both ACE2 and ADAM17 zinc-metalloprotease activities and consequent positive feedback-loops (initially triggered by SARS-CoV-2 and subsequently sustained independently on viral trigger) is proposed as therapy for COVID-19. In particular, zinc-chelating agents such as citrate and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) alone or in combination are expected to act in protecting from COVID-19 at different levels thanks to their both anticoagulant properties and inhibitory activity on zinc-metalloproteases. Several arguments are presented in support of this hypothesis and based on the current knowledge of both beneficial/harmful effects and cost/effectiveness, the use of chelating agents in the prevention and therapy of COVID-19 is proposed. In this regard, clinical trials (currently absent) employing citrate/EDTA in COVID-19 are urgently needed in order to shed more light on the efficacy of zinc chelators against SARS-CoV-2 infection in vivo.


Holzforschung ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Granholm ◽  
Pingping Su ◽  
Leo Harju ◽  
Ari Ivaska

Abstract Chelation of thermomechanical pulp (TMP) was studied in this work. The desorption of Mn, Fe, and Mg due to their impact on peroxide bleaching was investigated. The desorption experiments were performed with EDTA, citric acid, oxalic acid, and formic acid as chelating agents at different pH. Chelation experiments with EDTA were carried out at pH 3–11. Sodium dithionite was used as the reducing agent in studying chelation with EDTA in a reducing environment. Mn was very effectively desorbed with EDTA from TMP at pH <10 and the reducing environment further improved the removal of all the studied metal ions from TMP with EDTA. Citric acid also removed Mn effectively from TMP at pH 5. The thermodynamic stability constants of different metal chelates do not present the correct picture of how strongly the metal ions are bound by the chelating agents in different conditions. But by means of the side reaction coefficients (α M(L)-coefficients) it is also theoretically possible to evaluate and compare the real binding strengths between the metal ions and different chelating agents at varying pH values and other solution conditions. In this study, a theory is given for the calculation of side reaction coefficients. Values of the α M(L)-coefficients, for the pH range 0–14, are presented for EDTA, DTPA, and also for some other new potential environmentally friendly chelating agents.


1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.W. Jr. McConnell ◽  
R.D. Rogers ◽  
J.D. Jastrow ◽  
W.E. Sanford ◽  
T.M. Sullivan

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (76) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Inés Tous Yemail ◽  
Sandra Yasnini García Ferrer ◽  
Eduardo Covo Morales ◽  
Luis Carlos Fang Mercado

<p><strong>ABSTRACT. </strong><strong><em>Background</em></strong>: The success of endodontic therapy depends on an optimal biomechanical preparation, which includes removal of smear layer formed during root canal preparation. Smear layer adheres to the dentin surface and occludes the tubules, preventing the adhesion of the sealant material. It must be removed through irrigants that cause changes on the dentinal surface. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid, and tetracycline have been used as irrigants. <strong><em>Purpose</em></strong>: To identify changes in dentine after applying EDTA, citric acid, and tetracycline as irrigants, as described in available literature. <strong><em>Methods</em></strong>: In this systematic review, histomorphometric changes in dentin surface observed after using root biomodifiers, regarding application time and concentration of solution. The sample consisted of 20 articles selected from a population of 889 articles found and published between 2009 and 2016. The overall measure of results was the standard difference of dentinal demineralization depth, obtained for each solution. <strong><em>Results</em></strong>: According to the literature, the depth of demineralization is directly proportional to exposition time and concentration after application of the irrigant. Regarding other variables, such as pH, evidence was limited to draw conclusions. Thus, it is suggested there is not enough scientific evidence to support this type of study. <strong><em>Conclusions</em>:</strong> Dentinal changes that occur after using root biomodifiers depend on the length of the application time and its concentration.</p>


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