Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Technique Research Articles

DETERMINATION OF HEAVY METALS IN CUSTOMIZED BABY MILK FORMULATIONS

The best substitutes for breast milk are industrially customized milk formulations. There is a huge range of products on the market from universal to specially customizedmilk formulations with the appropriate label for babies with health concerns. The degree of modification distinguishes initial, sequential, and dairy formulations for nutrition after 12 months of age.Each of them is with relevant age-adjusted composition labeled with packages 1, 2 and 3. The rise of industrialization, urbanization, natural disasters, climate change, and the fact that modern life cannot be imagined without agro-chemicals, pharmaceuticals, paints, plastics leads to the daily increase of chemical agents in the environment. Of particular concern is the presence of heavy metals. Some of them such as zinc, manganese, copper as trace elements are necessary for the metabolic functions of the human body, while lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury are toxic.Infants and young children are more sensitive to toxic heavy metals due to their higher absorption than adults. The aim of this paper is to show the specific concentrations of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium, (Cd), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) in customized milk formulations for infants and young children present on the market or imported in the Republic of North Macedonia, which will be an indicator of the safety or insecurity of this food. Analyzes were made on data from 61 analyzed cow's milk formulations intended for infants and young children by age as initial - labeled 1, sequential - labeled 2, milk formulations numbered 3 and milk formulations with appropriate label designated for infants with health issues. A descriptive method for the period of 5 years from 2014 - 2018 was used to collect the data from the analyzes of Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb, Cd, As and Hg in the customized milk formulations. The technique used to determine heavy metals is AAS - Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. For the determination of Mn, Cu, Pb, Cd, As the ETAAS-Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry technique was used, FAAS-Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry was used for the determination of Zn, Hg was determined by CVAAS -cold vapors using a continuous injection mercury system.The Cu content of two customized milk formulations -initialand sequentialis 1.5 mg/kg(l) and is within the MAC but does not exceed the maximum value. The content of Pb in a customized milk formulation - initialis 0.02 mg/kg(l) and is within the MAC but does not exceed the maximum value. According to the mean value of the essential metals, Zn, then Cu, and Mn are the most common. According to the results, from the analysis of the samples performed in the Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia it can be concluded that no metal exceeds the Maximum Allowed Concentrations and is in compliance with the regulations of the Republic of North Macedonia, thus confirming their safety.

Heavy Metal Analysis of Soil Around Mine Sites in Ameri, Enyigba, and Ishiagu in Ebonyi State

Heavy metal contamination of soil, water and crops, and their health impact on residents, is a persistent social issue, and several studies have identified health risks of residents living near operational and abandoned mines. In this study, eight (8) homogenous soil samples were collected from mining sites in Enyigba, Ameri and Ishiagu in Ebonyi State, south-eastern Nigeria and analyzed for Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, and Ag. Metal concentration was determined using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) technique. Result for the heavy metals followed the trend: Mn > Zn > Pb > Ni > Ag > Co for the soil analyzed. However, lead (Pb) was only detected in Enyigba mining sites. Metal concentrations in some samples indicated soil contamination from Mn, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Ag, which showed high concentration than the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) (1986) permissible limit for heavy metals in agricultural soil; only Co was recorded at a concentration below the US EPA (1986) permissible limit for all samples analyzed. The variations observed for the heavy metals suggest that both geologic and anthropogenic activities may be responsible for their distribution. Keywords: Anthropogenic; contamination, geologic; health risks; heavy metals; mines; soil . DOI : 10.7176/JEES/9-10-12 Publication date :October 31 st 2019

Assessing metal contaminants in milled maize products available on the Ghanaian market with Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analyser techniques

The study is undertaken as a quality assurance exercise, to investigate the quality of milling plates available on the market by evaluating the metals released from them into food products in contact with them during comminution. Two locally manufactured and one imported milling plates were used in both dry and wet milling of maize samples collected from different geographical locations in the country (N = 12). Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analyser techniques were used to detect and quantify the metals present as contaminant in the flour samples over a seven-week period. While Na, Fe, Zn, Mn, Mg, Ca and Al were detected, As, Cd, Cu, Co, Pb and Ni were either absent or below detection limits. The concentrations of the metals were observed to decline with continuous use of milling plates, with Mg recording the highest of concentrations in each week and Mn, the vice versa. The results showed that the quality of the milling plates contributed to the levels of metals seen in the samples. In terms of the extent of contamination, the imported plate was deemed best of the three milling plates used whiles the two locally manufactured plates were comparable. Wet milling process was touted as better than dry milling in contributing to metal contamination of milled food products. Also, the maize samples collected from different places were shown to exhibit varying metal concentrations. The sample from Ejura-Sekyere Dumase was showed to be more contaminated than from other sources. When the flours were used to produce consumable foods, porridge and kenkey, the metal concentrations in them were comparable. The outcomes of the study show that education on sources of food contamination should be organized for stakeholders in the maize cultivation and processing industry and regulatory systems should also be strengthened to safeguard consumers’ health.

Risk of Lead Exposure from Transport Stations to Human Health: A Case Study in the Highland Province of Vietnam.

Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that negatively affects human health. Many studies have shown the relationship between lead exposure and various human activities, of which automobile service stations with gasoline emissions are considered the main cause. However, a limited number of studies have specifically considered lead exposure from automobile stations in Vietnam, as well as its impact on human activities and the surrounding natural resources. The objective of this study was to assess the possible risks of lead exposure to the surrounding agricultural and non-agricultural farms of a bus station located in the center of Dalat city, Lamdong province, Vietnam. To address this objective, 45 samples were collected from the soil, irrigated water resources, and vegetable crops of areas both close to and far away from the bus station. These samples were tested using the atomic absorption spectrometry technique. Our findings demonstrated higher lead concentration levels from all three types of samples collected from areas near the bus station. Of which, soil and water samples showed higher than normal exposure values of lead, but these were still under the allowed limits established by the Vietnam standard. Different from the soil and water, vegetable samples surrounding the bus station presented greater lead contamination than the permitted limit. High risk quotient (RQ) indexes were detected to point out that accumulative consumption of leaded vegetables over time could cause lead poisoning and harm human health. This study not only provides significant inferential evidence of the risk of lead exposure to agricultural activities and human health in Vietnam, but also delivers a real-life example for a real-world context.

Heavy metals in well’s waters within Southern Basrah Province / Iraq.

Due to continuous decline of water discharge in southern Iraq, the need arises to use ground water as alternate source for water required for different purposes in which it suppose to be clean and free of pollutants such as, petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides, …, etc. Within this study, ten well’s of water spread in Southern part of Iraq, two in each site represented by Safwan (1 and 2), Zubair (3 and 4), Khor Al-Zubair (5 and 6), Al-Burjisiah (7 and 8), and Shuaibah (9 and 10) were investigated to estimate their contents of heavy metals. The collected water samples from the selected well’s were analyzed for total heavy metals: Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn, on a monthly basis for the period Jan. - Dec. 2015. Atomic absorption spectroscopy technique was adopted for the determination of heavy metal concentrations. All studied metals are present in the water of wells’ spread in Southern part of Basrah Province of Iraq. Certain metals present in little amounts (µg/l) in the range 0 - 0.5649 for Pb, 0 - 4.3909 for Ni, 0 - 32.0170 for Cu, and 0 - 8.5486 for Cd, while other metals were higher in the range 0 - 107.9698 for Mn, 4.336 - 312.1651 for Fe, and 11.982 - 439.3581 for Zn. Fe and Zn are exist in all wells’ and during all periods of study. As a mean values the trends of heavy metals in well’ water of southern Iraq is as follows: Zn>Fe>Mn>Cd>Cu>Ni>Pb. High concentrations of studied heavy metals were recorded in wells’ no. 7&8 at Burjisiah and 9 &10 at Shuaibah due to proximity to fields of oil production and transportation. Moreover, high levels of heavy metals in the wells’ waters at studied, area were recorded during the rainy months: Jan., Feb., Mar., April as well as May and June which indicates that rain water is a major source for pollution by heavy metals in the ground water at Southern Iraq.

Supplementation with an Inorganic Iron Source Modulates the Metalloproteomic Profile of the Royal Jelly Produced by Apis mellifera L.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of the royal jelly produced by Apis mellifera bees in the presence of different iron concentrations (ferrous sulfate heptahydrate-0, 25, 50, and 100mgL-1). Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used for the fractionation of royal jelly proteins, and iron level was quantified using flame atomic absorption spectrometry technique. The proteins were identified using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. Analysis of variance followed by the Tukey test (P < 0.05) was utilised. Dietary supplementation with mineral Fe affected the protein content and number of proteins in the experimental period. Further, the diet containing the highest iron concentration showed a greater number of spots containing iron, as well as in the abdomen of the bees. The most protein containing Fe were classified as major royal jelly proteins. These results showed that Fe influenced the quality of royal jelly and can improve its nutritional value.

Methanotrophic Bacterial Biomass as Potential Mineral Feed Ingredients for Animals.

Microorganisms play an important role in animal nutrition, as they can be used as a source of food or feed. The aim of the study was to determine the nutritional elements and fatty acids contained in the biomass of methanotrophic bacteria. Four bacterial consortia composed of Methylocystis and Methylosinus originating from Sphagnum flexuosum (Sp1), S. magellanicum (Sp2), S. fallax II (Sp3), S. magellanicum IV (Sp4), and one composed of Methylocaldum, Methylosinus, and Methylocystis that originated from coalbed rock (Sk108) were studied. Nutritional elements were determined using the flame atomic absorption spectroscopy technique after a biomass mineralization stage, whereas the fatty acid content was analyzed with the GC technique. Additionally, the growth of biomass and dynamics of methane consumption were monitored. It was found that the methanotrophic biomass contained high concentrations of K, Mg, and Fe, i.e., approx. 9.6–19.1, 2.2–7.6, and 2.4–6.6 g kg−1, respectively. Consequently, the biomass can be viewed as an appropriate feed and/or feed additive for supplementation with macroelements and certain microelements. Moreover, all consortia demonstrated higher content of unsaturated acids than saturated ones. Thus, methanotrophic bacteria seem to be a good solution, in natural supplementation of animal diets.

Badanie zawartosci wybranych metali ciezkich w separatorze polimerowym akumulatora kwasowo-olowiowego

Results of cadmium, lead and mercury determination in the polymeric material used as an electrode separator in the lead-acid battery have been presented. Samples of the separator before use in the electrochemical processes and the waste separator samples have been compared with reference to the existing laws on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators. In the polymer separator examination [preceded by a qualitative analysis of the material using scanning electron microscopy/ energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques], a modern UltraWAVE digestion system combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) technique and a DMA-80 Direct Mercury Analyzer has been used. The quality of metal determination results has been evaluated using a certified PE-LD reference material containing trace amounts of analytes.

A Simple Pre-concentration Method for the Determination of Nickel(II) in Urine Samples Using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Techniques

The cloud point technique was effectively utilized for extraction and pre-concentration of nickel(II) in urine samples before measurement by UV-Vis spectrophotometer and AAS techniques. The metal response to a para-aminophenol (PAP) reagent in a non-ionic surfactant Triton X-114 medium was to form the Ni-PAP complex. The adopted concentration for PAP, concentration of Triton X-114, pH effect and water bath temperature, incubation time, salt effect, and interference effects were all optimized. The calibration curve was linear over the range of (0.0625–1.25) mg L–1 with a correlation coefficient r2 of 0.9682 for the UV-Vis spectrophotometer at a λmax of 629 nm. The limit of detection was 0.005 mg/L. The relative standard deviation for six replicates was 1.07%. This method was applied successfully to determine copper (II) concentrations in 44 urine samples of occupational worker samples as determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and FAAS techniques.

CORROSION INHIBITION PROPERTY OF EXPIRED FLUOXYMESTERONE DRUG ON THE ALUMINUM (AL) SURFACE IN 3 % NaCl SOLUTION

Objective: Aluminum (Al) corrosion in the NaCl solution is an example of dissolution in the neutral medium. The ongoing corrosion research efforts to produce the eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors to protect the aluminum metal from the corrosive solution.&#x0D; Methods: Herein, mass loss and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) techniques were conducted to explain the adsorption property of expired Fluoxymesterone drug on the Al surface in the 3 % NaCl solution.&#x0D; Results: All results show that the expired Fluoxymesterone drug molecules generate a stable invisible layer through adsorption mechanism on the electrode surface. The corrosion inhibition behavior mainly depends on the concentration of the expired Fluoxymesterone drug and contact time at 313 K.&#x0D; Conclusion: The corrosion inhibition property is due to adsorption of electron-rich molecules on the Al surface in 3 % NaCl solution.

Determination of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury) in authorized and unauthorized cosmetics

Aim: The present study evaluates lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury contamination in lipsticks, mascara, eye shadow, and eyebrow pencils, and compares the amounts of these toxic elements in both legal and contraband products.Background: The presence of heavy metals in cosmetics is of major concern, and requires constant monitoring to ensure the safety of consumers. Cosmetics contaminated with heavy metals can lead them to accumulate in the skin, while the further migration of these toxic elements to blood vessels can cause subsequent difficulties.Material and methods: The graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS) and Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA) techniques were used.Results: The data indicate that the lead content in the products did not exceed the acceptable limit of the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety of Germany (BVL), and that the cadmium values in all products were significantly lower than the limit set by the BVL. The arsenic contents of lipsticks, eye shadows, and eyebrow pencils was significantly higher than the BVL standard, while the mercury content was far below the BVL standards, so there seems to be no concern associated with this toxic element. Legal cosmetics showed better results, except for mascara, which had higher amounts of arsenic than contraband. The higher contents of arsenic in contraband eye shadows and eyebrow pencils is an issue that should be taken into considerations by the relevant authorities.Conclusion: The authors suggest further analysis of the toxic elements in cosmetics and better monitoring of both imported and contraband cosmetics. Moreover, consumers’ knowledge of the potential risks of the frequent application of cosmetic products should be improved.

Implications and characterization of waste glass cullet – kaolinite clay ceramics

Cullet(x) reinforced ceramics (100 – x) made from Ukpor kaolinite clay by dry-pressing and fired at temperatures (T 0 C) for 900≥T≤ 1250 0 C with 0≤x ≤40% wt was investigated for its ceramics application. The chemical profile of the samples (cullet and clay) was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (A.A.S) technique. Mineral composition was determined by XRD while SEM was employed to view the phase modification. The particle size of the raw materials was maintained at <180μm. The mechanical properties, micro-structure, and phase composition are discussed with respect to cullet content and temperature variation. It was observed that production temperature decreased with increase in cullet. Micro-structural study showed a granulated morphology and the formation of phase-boundary as granules fuse due to clay cullet crystallization with increase in cullet and temperature. Electrical insulation is greatly improved while thermal insulation is reduced due to the closure of pores with increase in cullet and temperature respectively. The mechanical properties of flexural strength, porosity, bulk and apparent density, shrinkage and water absorption were greatly modified for every 10% increase in cullet content. Production temperature greatly reduced with increase in cullet suggesting longer lifespan for the kilns and furnaces used. The study supports the utilization of cullet in the production of ceramics, a good reason to recycle waste to wealth but in excess of 20% cullet, production temperature must not exceed 1100 0 C due to development of cracks. Keywords: Bulk Density, cullet; porcelain; porosity; Ukpor clay (U.C); temperature

Use of fish scales in environmental monitoring by the application of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to detect the presence of bioaccumulated Fe and Pb in scales of Salminus brasiliensis and Prochilodus lineatus, and to compare the results from this technique with those obtained using the conventional atomic absorption spectrometry technique. The study used fish collected in the Amambai River, Upper Paraná River, Brazil. The LIBS technique detected the presence of Fe in S. brasiliensis scales and Fe and Pb in P. lineatus scales on different regions. Using atomic absorption spectrometry, we verified a significant difference in Fe concentration in scales between the species analyzed, with a higher concentration in S. brasiliensis than in P. lineatus (p = 0.0004). Pb was not detected using atomic absorption spectrometry in either species because the concentration of this element was below the limit of detection of this technique. The LIBS technique was efficient in detecting Fe and Pb in scales of the two species analyzed, proving to be a promising tool for environmental monitoring.

Effective and High-Throughput Analytical Methodology for the Determination of Lead and Cadmium in Water Samples by Disposable Pipette Extraction Coupled with High-Resolution Continuum Source Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HR-CS GF AAS)

A new procedure for the preconcentration of trace amounts of free Pb and Cd by disposable pipette extraction (DPX) is proposed herein. Recycled cork is used as a biosorbent and the procedure is completely free of organic solvents. The cork was reduced to a powder and characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Several parameters that influence the preconcentration of Pb and Cd with DPX-cork, such as the sample pH, number of extraction cycles, biosorbent mass, and percentage of acid in the desorption step, were studied. The tolerance of DPX-cork with respect to 10 potential interfering ions was also evaluated. Coupled with the high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS GF AAS) technique, the sample preparation method allowed the analytical limits required for quality control (according to the permitted limits established by legislation) to be obtained. The limits of detection for the extraction of a 3.5-mL water sample were 200 ng L−1 for Pb and 100 ng L−1 for Cd. The relative standard deviations were around 7.5% for Pb and 8.0% for Cd. The optimized method was successfully applied to the determination of Cd and Pb in two certified reference materials (water and wastewater) and five water samples (collected from a mangrove, a creek, and the sea).

Poly (vinyl alcohol)/glutaraldehyde/Premna oblongifolia merr extract hydrogel for controlled-release and water absorption application

Fertilizer leaching and water slack are the most problems predominantly found in the agriculture practices. Many efforts have been done by promoting a medium for controlling fertilizer release and water retaining in vicinity of plant and soil. In this work, a biodegradable Premna Oblongifolia Merr (POM) extract/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite based hydrogel for controlled-release and water absorption application has been prepared. The hydrogel composite was successfully synthesized through solution mixing of POM and PVA with an aid of crosslinking agent (glutaraldehyde) at optimum composition in volume ratio of 5:5:9, respectively. In particular, the fertilizer (Zinc nitrate) solution was incorporated into hydrogel matrix for controlled release study. The structural morphology of hydrogel composite was investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The water absorption capacity and fertilizer-controlled release behaviour of hydrogel composite were evaluated by gravimetric and atomic absorption spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The FTIR spectra showed the evidence of copolymerization of hydrogel precursors, indicated by the shifting of peak intensity and position of several functional groups (O-H, C-H sp3, C=O, C-N, C-O) as a result of interaction between POM extract and PVA moieties which predominantly occurs through intermolecular hydrogen bonding. In particular, the crosslinking of PVA and POM extract mediated by glutaraldehyde was evidenced by the appearance of new peak for -C-O-C moieties owing to the formation of hemiacetal bridges in between polymer backbones. The insertion of fertilizer into hydrogel matrix was sharpen the peaks of hydrogel moieties and led to new peak appearance at 1384 cm−1 (NO moieties), correspond to the interaction with zinc ions. The X-ray diffraction confirmed the modification of structural morphology of hydrogel with fertilizer insertion as indicated by the slight shift of interlayer distance of polymer matrices. The hydrogel composites showed the large water absorption capacity up to 550 % and could retained water in its matrix for almost 3 weeks. Absorption and released studies indicate that the micronutrient interacts chemically with a surface functional group of hydrogel. The released micronutrient should come from the second and the upper layer where it occurs only at high concentration. These results offer the promising applications for the controlled-release and water absorbent materials.

Analysis of Composition, Density, and Thermal Properties of U-Zr-Nb Alloy Powder for Nuclear Fuel

Analyses of composition, density and thermal properties of U-Zr-Nb alloy powder had been carried out. The objective of this experiment was to obtain the composition of constituent elements, the density and the thermal properties of U-6Zr-2Nb, U-6Zr-5Nb, U-6Zr-8Nb alloys produced by a hydride-dehydride process. The research began with the manufacturing of U-6Zr- 2Nb, U-6Zr-5Nb, U-6Zr-8Nb alloys through a hydride-dehydride process. The U-6Zr-2Nb, U-6Zr- 5Nb, U-6Zr-8Nb alloys obtained were analyzed for their elemental compositions, densities, and thermal properties. Analysis of elemental composition was done using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) technique. Density was observed using autopycnometer. Thermal properties were obtained from Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The results of elemental composition analysis showed that all impurity elements present in the powders were below the limit of the requirements for nuclear fuel, while the uranium content of each alloy powder was below the required value. The densities of U-6Zr-2Nb, U-6Zr-5Nb and U- 6Zr-8Nb were 12.9253 g/cm3, 13.0861 g/cm3, and 11.5464 g/cm3 respectively. U-6Zr-5Nb powder has the highest density. In the phase change transition test using DTA, it was found that in U-6Zr- 2Nb powder, the phase transformation (of one phase) took place from 639.21°C to 662.98°C while in U-6Zr-5Nb powder, a two-phase transformation occured. Phase change at the first stage ran from 611°C to 652°C and in the second stage, it happened from 730°C to 746°C. U-6Zr-8Nb powder underwent a two-phase change in which the first stage ran from 615°C to 652°C and the second stage ran from 749°C to 764°C. From the heat capacity test using DSC, it was found that the highest heat capacity of 0.84 J/g.K was obtained in U-6Zr-5Nb.

Methanolic Synthesis of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) from Waste Materials

Waste materials (carbide slurry and waste cooking oil) were explored in esterification and transesterification reactions as a viable alternative to a sustainable transport fuel production. The Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques showed that the prepared calcium oxide had improved basic sites, calcium content and surface morphology respectively. Reduced glycerol and free fatty acids enhanced mass transfer of moieties. Alkali was supported on the calcium oxide as a bimetallic catalyst. Biodiesel prepared from the esterified high FFA oils using prepared NaOH/CaO catalyst gave good quality yield and it compared favorably with other catalysts obtaining 92.2 ± 0.31% with the prepared catalyst, 90.2 ±0.57 with ACl3 and 89.7± 0.16 with NaOH. The reusability of the prepared NaOH/CaO catalyst gave an appreciable yield of 74.5% on the fourth reaction cycle.

Expired Lorazepam Drug: A Medicinal Compound as Green Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel in Hydrochloric Acid System

The present study explores the green corrosion inhibition property of expired Lorazepam tablet on the mild steel (MS) in 3M HCl solution using gravimetric (mass loss), atomic absorption, Tafel plot, electrochemical impedance, quantum chemical, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. It is found that; expired Lorazepam tablet shows the robust corrosion inhibition property (protection efficiency = 90%) on the MS at 0.4 g/L of expired Lorazepam drug (observed from the gravimetric studies) at 333 K with a contact time of 3 h. The significant enhancement in the protection performance of the expired Lorazepam tablet has been observed by atomic absorption spectroscopy technique. The results of Tafel plots show that, the presence of the expired Lorazepam tablet of different concentration decreases the both cathodic and anodic processes at MS in the 3M HCl solution by blocking the MS active sites and behave as a mixed mode corrosion inhibitor. Electrochemical impedance studies show that, increase in the amounts of expired Lorazepam tablet increases the charge transfer process at MS-HCl interface. The electron transfer nature of the expired Lorazepam tablet on the MS surface was confirmed from the Quantum chemical studies. The adsorbed invisible layer over the surface of MS was scrutinized by scanning electron microscopy technique.

Total Mercury in Fish and Benthic Invertebrates Collected from Olt River, Romania

The paper presents an assessment study on the determination of total mercury from biological samples, using Cold-Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectrometry technique which was applied on three certified reference materials: Tuna Fish ERM-CE464, Fly ash BCR-176R and Sandy Soil ERM-CC018. Recovery rates ranged from 100 to 108.8%. The method was applied on contaminated biological real samples, respectively various fish organs (Cyprinus carpio and Carrasius gibelio) as well as two types of bivalves (Dreissena sp. and Anodonta sp.) collected from Olt River after the wastewater discharge of a chemical platform. The preliminary results showed that total Hg content was above the limit allowed by the World Health Organization (0.5 mg/kg) in muscle and spleen samples harvested from carp specimens. In benthic invertebrate specimens, the Hg content ranged from 0.19 to 0.52 mg/kg dry matter in internal organs, while Hg value in shells was below the method quantification limit.

An Experimental Study of the Effects of the Mud Boil-up Process on the Physico-Chemical Properties of Grape Syrup

The deficiency of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron leads to severe disorders in human body organs. This study introduces Dooshab as a food source of these useful elements. The Dooshab which translates to grape syrup is widely used in Iran. In the traditional method of the Dooshab production, the white soil is added to the grape juice and the mixture is boiled. After cooling, it is filtered. To get the syrup, the filtered juice is boiled again and concentrated. In this research, grape juice was divided into two equal parts. A known amount of white soil was added to one of the samples. Then, both samples were boiled and left to cool down. After paper filtering, the pH of each sample was measured. Heating was continued until liquids were concentrated and converted to syrup. Both samples which are produced from using mud-boiled up the stage and skipping this step were diluted to fixed volumes. Similar amounts of two samples were ashed and dissolved in distilled water and tested. The atomic absorption spectroscopy, spectrophotometry, and flame atomic emission spectroscopy techniques were used for quantitative analyses. The calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium quantity are 12 mg, 6.82 mg, 2.32 mg, and 250 mg in 25 mL of the Dooshab and 1.75 mg, 0.65 mg, 1.28 mg, and 65 mg in 25 mL of grape sauce, respectively. This study demonstrates that boiling of grape juice with the white soil decreases the acidity and increases the amounts of useful elements in grape syrup.