scholarly journals Long-Term Arsenic Sequestration in Biogenic Pyrite from Contaminated Groundwater: Insights from Field and Laboratory Studies

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 537
Author(s):  
Alicia Fischer ◽  
James Saunders ◽  
Sara Speetjens ◽  
Justin Marks ◽  
Jim Redwine ◽  
...  

Pumping groundwater from arsenic (As)-contaminated aquifers exposes millions of people, especially those in developing countries, to high doses of the toxic contaminant. Previous studies have investigated cost-effective techniques to remove groundwater arsenic by stimulating sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) to form biogenic arsenian pyrite. This study intends to improve upon these past methods to demonstrate the effectiveness of SRB arsenic remediation at an industrial site in Florida. This study developed a ferrous sulfate and molasses mixture to sequester groundwater arsenic in arsenian pyrite over nine months. The optimal dosage of the remediating mixture consisted of 5 kg of ferrous sulfate, ~27 kg (60 lbs) of molasses, and ~1 kg (2 lbs) of fertilizer per 3785.4 L (1000 gallons) of water. The remediating mixture was injected into 11 wells hydrologically upgradient of the arsenic plume in an attempt to obtain full-scale remediation. Groundwater samples and precipitated biominerals were collected from June 2018 to March 2019. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), electron microprobe (EMP), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses determined that As has been sequestered mainly in the form of arsenian pyrite, which rapidly precipitated as euhedral crystals and spherical aggregates (framboids) 1–30 μm in diameter within two weeks of the injection. The analyses confirmed that the remediating mixture and injection scheme reduced As concentrations to near or below the site’s clean-up standard of 0.05 mg/L over the nine months. Moreover, the arsenian pyrite contained 0.03–0.89 weight percentage (wt%) of sequestered arsenic, with >80% of groundwater arsenic removed by SRB biomineralization. Considering these promising findings, the study is close to optimizing an affordable procedure for sequestrating dissolved As in industry settings.

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1271
Author(s):  
Andreas Koenig ◽  
Leonie Schmohl ◽  
Johannes Scheffler ◽  
Florian Fuchs ◽  
Michaela Schulz-Siegmund ◽  
...  

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of X-rays used in micro X-ray computer tomography (µXCT) on the mechanical performance and microstructure of a variety of dental materials. Standardised bending beams (2 × 2 × 25 mm3) were forwarded to irradiation with an industrial tomograph. Using three-dimensional datasets, the porosity of the materials was quantified and flexural strength was investigated prior to and after irradiation. The thermal properties of irradiated and unirradiated materials were analysed and compared by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Single µXCT measurements led to a significant decrease in flexural strength of polycarbonate with acrylnitril-butadien-styrol (PC-ABS). No significant influence in flexural strength was identified for resin-based composites (RBCs), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and zinc phosphate cement (HAR) after a single irradiation by measurement. However, DSC results suggest that changes in the microstructure of PMMA are possible with increasing radiation doses (multiple measurements, longer measurements, higher output power from the X-ray tube). In summary, it must be assumed that X-ray radiation during µXCT measurement at high doses can lead to changes in the structure and properties of certain polymers.


Author(s):  
Riitta Niinimäki ◽  
Henri Aarnivala ◽  
Joanna Banerjee ◽  
Tytti Pokka ◽  
Kaisa Vepsäläinen ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Low doses of folinic acid (FA) rescue after high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) have been associated with increased toxicity, whereas high doses may be related to a decreased antileukemic effect. The optimal dosage and duration of FA rescue remain controversial. This study was designed to investigate, whether a shorter duration of FA rescue in the setting of rapid HD-MTX clearance is associated with increased toxicity. Methods We reviewed the files of 44 children receiving a total of 350 HD-MTX courses during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia according to the NOPHO ALL-2000 protocol. Following a 5 g/m2 HD-MTX infusion, pharmacokinetically guided FA rescue commenced at hour 42. As per local guidelines, the patients received only one or two 15 mg/m2 doses of FA in the case of rapid MTX clearance (serum MTX ≤ 0.2 μmol/L at hour 42 or hour 48, respectively). Data on MTX clearance, FA dosing, inpatient time, and toxicities were collected. Results Rapid MTX clearance was observed in 181 courses (51.7%). There was no difference in the steady-state MTX concentration, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, neutropenic fever, or neurotoxicity between courses followed by rapid MTX clearance and those without. One or two doses of FA after rapid MTX clearance resulted in a 7.8-h shorter inpatient time than if a minimum of three doses of FA would have been given. Conclusion A pharmacokinetically guided FA rescue of one or two 15 mg/m2 doses of FA following HD-MTX courses with rapid MTX clearance results in a shorter hospitalization without an increase in toxic effects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abd Elrahman ◽  
Pawel Sikora ◽  
Sang-Yeop Chung ◽  
Dietmar Stephan

AbstractThis paper aims to investigate the feasibility of the incorporation of nanosilica (NS) in ultra-lightweight foamed concrete (ULFC), with an oven-dry density of 350 kg/m3, in regard to its fresh and hardened characteristics. The performance of various dosages of NS, up to 10 wt.-%, were examined. In addition, fly ash and silica fume were used as cement replacing materials, to compare their influence on the properties of foamed concrete. Mechanical and physical properties, drying shrinkage and the sorption of concrete were measured. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray microcomputed tomography (µ-CT) and a probabilistic approach were implemented to evaluate the microstructural changes associated with the incorporation of different additives, such as wall thickness and pore anisotropy of produced ULFCs. The experimental results confirmed that the use of NS in optimal dosage is an effective way to improve the stability of foam bubbles in the fresh state. Incorporation of NS decrease the pore anisotropy and allows to produce a foamed concrete with increased wall thickness. As a result more robust and homogenous microstructure is produced which translate to improved mechanical and transport related properties. It was found that replacement of cement with 5 wt.-% and 10 wt.-% NS increase the compressive strength of ULFC by 20% and 25%, respectively, when compared to control concrete. The drying shrinkage of the NS-incorporated mixes was higher than in the control mix at early ages, while decreasing at 28 d. In overall, it was found that NS is more effective than other conventional fine materials in improving the stability of fresh mixture as well as enhancing the strength of foamed concrete and reducing its porosity and sorption.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 998-1008
Author(s):  
Guo Li ◽  
Zheng Zhuang ◽  
Yajun Lv ◽  
Kejin Wang ◽  
David Hui

AbstractThree nano-CaCO3 (NC) replacement levels of 1, 2, and 3% (by weight of cement) were utilized in autoclaved concrete. The accelerated carbonation depth and Coulomb electric fluxes of the hardened concrete were tested periodically at the ages of 28, 90, 180, and 300 days. In addition, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and mercury intrusion porosimetry were also performed to study changes in the hydration products of cement and microscopic pore structure of concrete under autoclave curing. Results indicated that a suitable level of NC replacement exerts filling and accelerating effects, promotes the generation of cement hydration products, reduces porosity, and refines the micropores of autoclaved concrete. These effects substantially enhanced the carbonation and chloride resistance of the autoclaved concrete and endowed the material with resistances approaching or exceeding that of standard cured concrete. Among the three NC replacement ratios, the 3% NC replacement was the optimal dosage for improving the long-term carbonation and chloride resistance of concrete.


2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heinz-Ulrich Scheunemann ◽  
Bernd Loechel ◽  
Linke Jian ◽  
Daniel Schondelmaier ◽  
Yohannes M. Desta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

2013 ◽  
Vol 678 ◽  
pp. 203-206
Author(s):  
A. Alex John Thangapaul ◽  
V. Sherly Arpuda Kiruba ◽  
R. Nivea ◽  
T. Viji ◽  
K. Thiyagarajan ◽  
...  

Nanomaterials research has become a major attraction in the field of advanced materials research in the area of Physics, Chemistry, and Materials Science. Biocompatible and chemically stable magnetic metal oxide nanoparticles have biomedical applications that includes drug delivery, cell and DNA separation, gene cloning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This research is aimed at the fabrication of magnetic cobalt oxide nanoparticles using a safe, cost effective, and easy to handle technique that is capable of producing nanoparticles free of any contamination. Nanostructured Cobalt oxide powder was prepared by sonication method using ultrasonicator. Effect of sonication for different time intervals, on the morphology of cobalt oxide nanostructures was extensively studied. The morphology of the nanorods were very much affected by the sonication time, it was found that with an increase in sonication time, the length of the nanorods seem to considerably increase at the same time an agglomeration effect comes in to action and the rods form bundle like structures. These cobalt oxide nanorods were characterized using X-ray Diffraction characterization (XRD) and it revealed a cubic structure. Weight percentage of cobalt oxide was confirmed by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA).


2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 574
Author(s):  
Ronan Spring ◽  
Mike Sheehy ◽  
Tom Carty
Keyword(s):  

Author(s):  
I-Hsuan Chen ◽  
Jung-Hsien Chang ◽  
Ren-Jie Xie ◽  
Chia-Hui Tseng ◽  
Sheng-Rong Hsieh ◽  
...  

Abstract In this study, the easy-to-operate silver mirror reaction (SMR) was used for metallizing chromatography paper. The SMR-metallized paper was characterized by water contact angle measurements, a surface profiler, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electrical resistance measurement. The characterization results show that Ag was successfully synthesized on cellulose fibers and was electrically conductive after cyclic bending. Moreover, this SMR-metallized paper was used as electrodes for fabricating a supercapacitor. This SMR-metallized paper could be used for realizing cost-effective flexible electronics applied in on-site biochemical sensing in resource-limited settings.


Author(s):  
Shrikant SAINI ◽  
Izuki Matsumoto ◽  
Sakura Kishishita ◽  
Ajay Kumar Baranwal ◽  
Tomohide Yabuki ◽  
...  

Abstract Hybrid halide perovskite has been recently focused on thermoelectric energy harvesting due to the cost-effective fabrication approach and ultra-low thermal conductivity. To achieve high performance, tuning of electrical conductivity is a key parameter that is influenced by grain boundary scattering and charge carrier density. The fabrication process allows tuning these parameters. We report the use of anti-solvent to enhance the thermoelectric performance of lead-free hybrid halide perovskite, CH3NH3SnI3, thin films. Thin films with anti-solvent show higher connectivity in grains and higher Sn+4 oxidation states which results in enhancing the value of electrical conductivity. Thin films were prepared by a cost-effective wet process. Structural and chemical characterizations were performed using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The value of electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient were measured near room temperature. The high value of power factor (1.55 µW/m.K2 at 320 K) was achieved for thin films treated with anti-solvent.


2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 563-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. ZAKAULLAH ◽  
IJAZ AKHTAR ◽  
S. F. MEHMOOD ◽  
A. WAHEED ◽  
G. MURTAZA

A time-resolved rugged X-ray detector (XRD) which may be used in intense radiation environment is developed. The detector is used to study the X-ray emission from a low-energy (2.3 kJ) Mather-type plasma focus energized by a 32 μF single capacitor, using hydrogen and argon (3:2) mixture as gas filling. In the detector, the electron emitter is made of nickel and aluminum. The sensitivity of the detector with nickel cathode is found to be very low. No signal could be recorded by masking the detector with even the 2 μm thick Al foil. When Al cathode is used in the XRD, the sensitivity of the detector increases abruptly. To stop the optical/ultraviolet radiation from approaching the active area, it is masked with 6 μm Al filter. It is found that an XRD with nickel cathode is not useful for X-ray detection in a low-energy plasma focus. However, due to its excellent response to vacuum ultraviolet radiation (≤600 Å), it may find application in the study of the axial rundown of current sheath, and its velocity. The X-ray emission from focus plasma is the highest at 0.5 mbar. With increase in pressure, the emission is dropped. At filling pressures of 2.0–2.5 mbar, the X-ray emission increases again. High X-ray emission at 0.5 mbar is due to interaction of energetic electrons in the current sheath with the anode surface, whereas moderately high emission at 2.0–2.5 mbar is caused by an axially moving shockwave.


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