Synthetic Phosphate Research Articles

Lanthanum and cerium functionalised forestry waste biochar for phosphate removal: Mechanisms and real-world applications

Phosphorus as a diminishing finite resource, yet is an essential element for the growth of biota. However, elevated concentrations in water can imbalance ecosystems and cause eutrophication. To address both problems, two highly efficient biochars, namely La-OB and CeLa-OB were synthesised by lanthanum and cerium doping. The performance of La-OB and CeLa-OB were evaluated in both batch and dynamic regimes with synthetic phosphate (PO43--P) solutions and eutrophic lake water. PO43--P adsorption mechanisms were investigated in terms of pH, kinetics, isotherms, activation energy, thermodynamics and using in-depth characterisation (XPS, FTIR, XRD, BET, pHpzc and SEM-EDX). The feasibility of using such biochar in ‘real life’ situations was studied with column filtration of lake water with low and high PO43--P concentrations. Reusability/desorption and toxicity in the water environment was also considered. The mechanistic study showed that both biochars predominantly had inner-sphere complexes with La and Ce ligands (as a monolayer), while outer-sphere complexation was less common. The exothermic adsorption process followed the Elovich kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 112 mg/g for La-OB and 40 mg/g for CeLa-OB. In column filtration trials the adsorption capacity reached 78 mg/g, while low metal leaching (0.08 mg/L) and low toxicity to Lepidium sativum germination were detected. The results indicated that these biochars, especially La-OB, could be used in circular economy-based water treatment.

Role of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in Bioremediation of Cadmium Pollution

Cadmium (Cd) is ubiquitous and an unessential trace element existing in the environment. Anthropogenic activities and applications of synthetic phosphate fertilizers greatly enhance the concentration of Cadmium in the environment, which proves to be carcinogenic. The long-term effects of heavy metals contamination on plants and animals have recently become a major public health concern. Thanks to the application of science and technology, new environmental initiatives can have a lower environmental impact significantly. The role of microbes is very well known and must be considered as potential pollutant removers. Microbial flora can remove heavy metals and oil from contaminated soil and water. In comparison to conventional techniques, bioremediation itself proved to be a more potent technique because the established mechanisms render it ineffective. Biotechnological advancements are inherently harmful to the environment because they have the potential to reduce metal pollution. Pollutants in the environment can be effectively removed using bioremediation. Both native and introduced species can thrive in a microorganism-friendly environment.

The Potential Substitution of Oyster Shell Powder for Phosphate in Pork Patties Cured with Chinese Cabbage and Radish Powder.

The use of natural ingredients in meat processing has recently gained considerable interest, as consumers are increasingly attracted to clean-label meat products. However, limited research has been conducted on the use of natural substitutes for synthetic phosphates in the production of clean-label meat products. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential of oyster shell powder as a substitute for synthetic phosphates in pork patties cured with Chinese cabbage or radish powders. Four different groups of patties were prepared using a combination of 0.3% or 0.6% oyster shell powder and 0.4% Chinese cabbage or radish powder, respectively. These were compared with a positive control group that contained added nitrite, phosphate, and ascorbate and a negative control group without these synthetic ingredients. The results showed that patties treated with oyster shell powder had lower (p<0.05) cooking loss, thickness and diameter shrinkage, and lipid oxidation than the negative control but had lower (p<0.05) residual nitrite content and curing efficiency than the positive control. However, the use of 0.6% oyster shell powder adversely affected the curing process, resulting in a decreased curing efficiency. The impact of the vegetable powder types tested in this study on the quality attributes of the cured pork patties was negligible. Consequently, this study suggests that 0.3% oyster shell powder could serve as a suitable replacement for synthetic phosphate in pork patties cured with Chinese cabbage or radish powders. Further research on the microbiological safety and sensory evaluation of clean-label patties during storage is required for practical applications.

Phosphorus fluoride exchange: Multidimensional catalytic click chemistry from phosphorus connective hubs

Phosphorus Fluoride Exchange (PFEx) represents a cutting-edge advancement in catalytic click-reaction technology. Drawing inspiration from Nature's phosphate connectors, PFEx facilitates the reliable coupling of P(V)-F loaded hubs with aryl alcohols, alkyl alcohols, and amines to produce stable, multidimensional P(V)-O and P(V)-N linked products. The rate of P-F exchange is significantly enhanced by Lewis amine base catalysis, such as 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD). PFEx substrates containing multiple P-F bonds are capable of selective, serial exchange reactions via judicious catalyst selection. In fewer than four synthetic steps, controlled projections can be deliberately incorporated along three of the four tetrahedral axes departing from the P(V) central hub, thus taking full advantage of the potential for generating three-dimensional diversity. Furthermore, late-stage functionalization of drugs and drug fragments can be achieved with the polyvalent PFEx hub, hexafluorocyclotriphosphazene (HFP), as has been demonstrated in prior research.

Effect of narcotic drugs on neurotransmitter: Electrochemical determination of heroin and dopamine by graphene oxide/carboxymethylcellulose/magnesium oxide nanohybrid membrane

In developing countries, the use of narcotics is increasing drastically, and the number of drug abusers is elevating at a larger scale. Thus, a need arises to develop sensors that will lead to the detection of drugs even at lower concentrations. In this research study, we have fabricated a nanohybrid membrane of graphene oxide/carboxymethylcellulose/magnesium oxide (GO@CMC.MgO) nanoparticles to detect heroin. Interestingly, we have fabricated this graphene-based sensor to analyze the link between dopamine and heroin further. Administration of heroin lead to elevated levels of dopamine in the body. The ultimate goal of this research study is to determine the potential of synthesized sensors for the simultaneous detection of heroin and dopamine. Mechanical strength increases after immobilizing the carboxymethyl cellulose nanomaterial on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The nanocomposite membrane is fabricated via precipitation and ultrasonication and characterized by FT-IR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, zeta potential, TGA, and SEM. The composite film is utilized to detect dopamine and heroin at various concentrations and pH simultaneously ranges in synthetic phosphate buffer samples. The GO@CMC.MgO-based sensor detects dopamine (DA) and heroin through differential pulse voltammetry, and a modified electrode is analyzed via cyclic voltammetry. LOD is observed as 1 × 10−7 µM for heroin and 2 × 10−7 µM for DA, while LOQ obtained is 0.2 μM and 0.4 μM for heroin and DA, respectively.The newly proposed electrochemical sensor simultaneously detects dopamine and heroin with high sensitivity and selectivity in serum samples of heroin-administered rabbits.

Synergistic effect of trans-zeatin and silymarin on mitigation of cadmium stress in chili pepper through modulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes and gene expressions

Many human activities, including waste disposal and the use of synthetic phosphate fertilizers, increase the concentration of cadmium (Cd) in the environment and harm plants and human health. Therefore, it is imperative to find effective solutions to overcome this problem. As plant biostimulants, trans-zeatin-type cytokinin (tr-Z) and silymarin (Sm) can act as anti-heavy metal agents, effectively ameliorating Cd damage to plants. In a pot trial, the impacts of foliar treatment with tr-Z (40 μM), Sm (400 μM), or tr-Z + Sm (25 +250 μM, respectively, applied sequentially) on biomass production, yield, photosynthetic efficiency, osmoregulators, antioxidative defense system, and transcript levels of enzyme-related genes of chili pepper under normal or Cd (500 μM) stress were investigated. Cadmium stress elevated the levels of superoxide (O2•), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and Cd, while negatively affecting biomass production, photosynthetic efficiency, and defense system components. Exogenous tr-Z and/or Sm attenuated the Cd-induced negative impacts on plants, highlighting that the integrative tr-Z + Sm treatment was more efficient than the single treatments. The tr-Z + Sm treatment decreased contents of roots, shoot, and fruit Cd by 66–91%, and reduced levels of O2• and H2O2, MDA, and EL by 45%, 73%, 51%, and 72%, respectively, correlated with increased tr-Z and Sm contents by 38–66%. Exogenous tr-Z + Sm increased biomass production by 99–134%, photosynthetic efficiency attributes by 31–169%, and antioxidants (ascorbate, proline, glutathione, and phenolics) by 33–123%. The levels of proteins and total leaf and fruit capsaicin were higher in Cd-stressed plants treated with tr-Z + Sm. Furthermore, the co-application of tr-Z + Sm up-regulated the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and catalase (CAT) enzymes by 38–43%, and maximized transcript level of genes-encoding enzymes in stress-exposed plants. As a result, the integrative tr-Z + Sm treatment is highly recommended to mitigate Cd stress impacts in chili pepper plants.

Comparative efficacy of phosphate solubilizing bacteria and synthetic phosphate fertilizers on the growth of wheat

Wheat is recognized as one of the most important dietary elements due to its high nutritious content and thus, has become greatest food option all over the world. Phosphorus (P) being major plant food nutrient plays a vital role multiple functions of plant growth and development. The current study was carried out to compare the performance of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) as bio-fertilizer with commercially available phosphate fertilizers on wheat crop. The trial was designed in randomized complete block (RCB) replicated thrice. 6 different sources of phosphate fertilizers (Di-ammonium phosphate as DAP, Nitrophos as NP, Single super phosphate as SSP, Restore as PSB, Marathon as PSB, Nitrogen (N2) fixing bacteria as PSB) followed by control were evaluated for agronomic, physiological and quality attributes of wheat. The results showed that most of the qualitative traits were significantly influenced by different treatments. However, application of N2 fixing bacteria was more significant in all treatments. Highest total viable count of colony-forming units (14.63×106 at 3-WAS &amp; 17.70×106 after harvest CFU g-1), maximum tillers’ count (337 m-2), grains’ count (45.57 spike-1), grain yield (2714.3 kg ha-1), LAI (0.67 &amp; 1.16 at 56 &amp; 112 DAS), CGR (13.59 g day-1 m-2), photosynthesis rate (26.13 µ mol m-2 sec-1) and flag leaf sugar content (0.24%) were recorded on account of using N2-fixing bacteria applied as PSB. Moreover, NPK content in shoot, grain as well as uptake of NPK by grain were also received as highest in the same treatment. Based on research findings, it is concluded that application of N2-fixing bacteria as PSB (7.5 kg ha-1) might be increasing wheat production in Dera Ismail Khan and other areas of similar environment in Pakistan.

Clay/phosphate-based ceramic materials for thermal energy storage – Part I: Effect of synthetic phosphate content on microstructure, thermo-physical and thermo-mechanical properties

Fired clay ceramics are promising materials for TES, thanks to their thermal stability, availability worldwide, low cost and easy shaping and handling. However, their thermo-physical and thermo-mechanical properties have to be improved. For the first time, clay-phosphate ceramics, with synthetic calcium hydroxyapatite (TCP, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) as additive, were developed in view of TES application. A parametric study was carried out for different clay/TCP mixtures, wherein the TCP percentage varies from 0 to 16.7 wt%. The best material containing 4.7 wt% TCP allowed increasing up to 20% of the thermal conductivity and 23% of the mechanical strength. Moreover, it was thermally stable up to 1000 °C. These original results demonstrate the suitability of these new materials for heat storage in energy systems such as in a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, or in a unit of heat recovery from an industrial waste heat source.

Quality Enhancement of Frozen Chicken Meat Marinated with Phosphate Alternatives.

The effects of phosphate alternatives on meat quality in marinated chicken were investigated with the application of chilling and freezing. Breast muscles were injected with solution of the green weight containing 1.5% NaCl and 2% sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) or phosphate alternatives. Treatment variables consisted of no phosphate [control (-)], 0.3% sodium tripolyphosphate [control (+)], 0.3% prune juice (PJ), 0.3% oyster shell, 0.3% nano-oyster shell, and 0.3% yeast and lemon extract (YLE) powder. One-third of the meat samples were stored at 4°C for 1 d, and the rest of the meats were kept at -18°C for 7 d. In chilled meat, a lower drip loss was noted for control (+) and YLE, whereas higher cooking yield in YLE compared to all tested groups. Compared with control (+), the other treatments except PJ showed higher pH, water holding capacity, moisture content, lower thawing and cooking loss, and shear force. Natural phosphate alternatives except for PJ, improved the CIE L* compared to control (-), and upregulated total protein solubility. However, phosphate alternatives showed similar or higher oxidative stability and impedance measurement compared to control (+), and an extensive effect on myofibrillar fragmentation index. A limited effect was observed for C*, h°, and free amino acids in treated meat. Eventually, the texture profile attributes in cooked of phosphate alternatives improved except for PJ. The results indicate the high potential use of natural additives could be promising and effective methods for replacing synthetic phosphate in chilled and frozen chicken with quality enhancement.

CADMIUM TOXICITY IN PLANTS: REMEDIAL STRATEGY THROUGH SEED PRIMING

Heavy metals (HMs) Hg &gt; Cd&gt; Pb&gt; As&gt; Ag&gt; Ni &gt; Co &gt; Cu &gt; Zn is the most popular environmental pollutants known since a long time ago as a major environmental threat; Cd is one of them. It has around 25-30 years of persistence in the environment, therefore, poses a hazardous impact on entire living things on the planet including plants, animals and human beings. Anthropogenic activities such as urban waste disposal, smelting, mining and the use of synthetic phosphate fertilizers are the major source of Cd in the soil. Plants grown in Cd-contaminated soil absorb the heavy metal through their roots and accumulate in different parts of the plant consequently limiting the entire phase of plant growth and development. It reduces the potential of water and nutrient uptake while it accelerates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage to the cell membrane. Seed priming may be a dynamic approach to overcome phytotoxicity caused by the presence of cadmium more than the threshold level which is (3-5 mg g-1). Seed priming with various salts such (KNO3 , Mg (NO32) and Ca (NO32) and Growth hormones(Auxin, GA3 and Salicylic acid) participate in the betterment of seed germination, seedling establishment till the maturity of the crop by improving the defense system against the Cd toxicity.

Phosphate replacing potential of apple pomace and coffee silver skin in Irish breakfast sausage using a mixture design approach

The ability of apple pomace (AP) and coffee silver skin (CSS) powders to replace the techno-functional properties of synthetic phosphates used in Irish breakfast sausages was evaluated using a specialised response surface-mixture design approach. Sausages of 18 different formulations of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), AP and CSS mixtures were made and the results of water holding capacity (WHC), cook loss, colour, textural properties, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), compositional analysis and lipid oxidation values were analysed. Addition of ingredients to the sausage formulations significantly improved the WHC (P < 0.001) and decreased the cook loss (P < 0.001) of the products. Interestingly, addition of AP and CSS decreased the hardness (P < 0.001), chewiness (P < 0.001), gumminess (P < 0.004) and springiness (P < 0.001). TBARS analysis showed that the addition of ingredients AP and CSS decreased the MDA content on day 9 (P < 0.018). Analysing these obtained results, the software has predicted three optimised sausage formulations based on the desirability response method. These formulations help in reducing the phosphate level in sausages with accepted desirability, thereby maintaining the overall quality of the product.

Применение метода многокритериального синтеза в решении задач по обеспечению пожарной безопасности

Purpose. Increasing the efficiency of scientific research and solving applied problems in the field of fire safety by introducing a computational computer experiment – the method of multi-criteria synthesis to reduce the time, material and labor costs for the experiment and provide correct systemic interpretation of test results. Methods. To solve the problems of fire safety, the method of multi-criteria synthesis was applied. It makes it possi-ble to predict the behavior of the system, taking into account the stochasticity of its parameters and the choice of rational characteristics that provide the required output parameters. The search for the optimal set of parameters of a technical object involves the determination of the calculated values of the criteria by the values of the calculated points, which are located in the multidimensional space of variable parameters. In this case, the space of parameters is transformed into the space of criteria, taking into ac-count the accepted restrictions. Findings. The article provides examples of the application of the method of multi-criteria synthesis in solving problems of ensuring fire safety. The formulation of a fire retardant and fire extinguishing composition based on synthetic phosphates of bivalent and trivalent ammonium metals, being highly effective in impact on peat and wood, was determined. The using of an optimization-simulation approach made it possible to predict the time of extinguishing a fire in a tank and to select the optimal parameters of extinguishing by supply of low expansion foam directly into the fuel layer. On the basis of multi-criteria computer synthesis, the concentration of the modifying additive in the set of diamond segments and the cutting conditions for the tool during emergency rescue operations was determined. The way of assessing the aggregate territorial risk by the method of statistical modeling was developed which created a framework for risk management, including legal, economic regulation and compulsory insurance. Application field of research. The presented research results are aimed at improving the fire safety of various objects.

Study on Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria from Banana Pseudostem IMO as Biofertilizer on System of Rice Intensification

The two rice farmer groups namely “Asemjajar” and “Makmur” in Wonorejo District-Pasuruan, Indonesia make a banana pseudostem IMO which is used to replace synthetic P fertilizer. This study aimed to: 1. determine if the banana pseudostem IMO contains P elements that can replace synthetic phosphate fertilizers.; 2. Determined whether the banana pseudostem IMO contains phosphate solubilizing bacteria and identified it 3. verified the effect of bacterial inoculant application which was found to the rice growth and production in System of Rice IIntensification. The greenhouse study was a simple experiment using a completely randomized design with 4 treatments i.e. A: ½ dose of manure fertilizer + ½ dose of synthetic fertilizer; B: ½ dose of manure fertilizer + ½ dose of synthetic fertilizer + banana pseudostem IMO; C: ½ dose of manure fertilizer + ½ dose of synthetic fertilizer + bacterial inoculants; D: 1 dose of synthetic fertilizer. The results showed that banana pseudostem IMO contains only 0.025% P2O5. Morphological and biochemical identification results showed that the phosphate solubilizing isolates which were found in banana pseudostem IMO was Serratia marcescens. The greenhouse test results showed that the application of S. marcescens inoculant had a significant effect on the number of tillers at the age of 4-6 weeks after transplanting, increased the weight of 1000 seeds, lowered the empty grains percentage and speeded up the harvest time.

Adsorption of phosphates from water by two polymer-silicate composites

Phosphorus is an essential plant nutrient required by all living organisms and global phosphate resources, being finite, are expected to last another 125 years. This study investigated a sustainable approach to retrieving phosphates from aqueous media using a composite of commonly available biological and mineral sources. Two composites were synthesized using (i) feldspar, alginate, and agar cross-linked by ferric and calcium ions (FAA), and (ii) feldspar, fly ash, and alginate crosslinked with copper ions (FFA). Adsorption parameters were determined using a synthetic phosphate solution. The FAA composite adsorbed 69% of the phosphates within 4 hours; 81% was adsorbed after equilibrium was reached in 9.5 h (pH 4–10). The FFA composite adsorbed 82% of the phosphate reaching equilibrium after 5.5 h (pH 3–7). Characterization of the composite by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy showed the presence of inorganic and organic functional groups in the agar and alginate that could adsorb phosphate ions. The kinetic and isotherm data suggest that the phosphate ions migrate to the composite boundary and are precipitated by the Ca2+, Fe3+, and Cu2+ in the composite matrix. Once the outer composite is saturated, the rest of the phosphate ions are entrapped by the biopolymers through H and covalent bonding. These two biopolymer composites can be easily synthesized and scaled up for phosphate adsorption. Recovery of the adsorbed phosphates, in future studies, can be used for plant nutrition to complete the open-ended cycle of phosphates leaching into water bodies.

Mineral-Inspired Materials: Synthetic Phosphate Analogues for Battery Applications

For successful development of novel rechargeable batteries, considerable efforts should be devoted to identifying suitable cathode materials that will ensure a proper level of energy output, structural stability, and affordable cost. Among various compounds explored as electrode materials, structural analogues of minerals–natural stable inorganic solids–occupy a prominent place. The largest number of varieties of phosphate minerals occurs in rare metal granite pegmatites, and many of which contain transition metals as essential components. Transition metal phosphates are promising candidates for exploration as cathode materials due to a perfect combination of easily scalable synthesis, moderate-to-high voltage operation, thermal/chemical stability, and environmental safety. However, impurities usually presented in natural objects, and often inappropriate sample morphologies, do not permit the use of minerals as battery electrode materials. Nevertheless, the minerals of different classes, especially phosphates, are considered as prototypes for developing novel materials for battery applications. The crystal chemical peculiarities of the phosphate representatives that are most relevant in this aspect and the electrochemical characteristics of their synthetic analogues are discussed here.

Correction of disordered mineral bone metabolism in patients affected by chronic periodontitis

One of the main mechanisms in pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis is disordered bone metabolism that is accomplished by cortical plate’s resorption, destruction of the interdental septums and osteoporosis of the jaws. Administration of osteotropic agents will allow achieving efficient results in treatment of the patients affected by periodontal disorders, lower the tendency of bone resorption and stimulate the processes of regeneration. The article demonstrates the results obtained after the surgical treatment of the patients with osteopenia affected by chronic periodontitis of II–III degree that were administered simultaneously with synthetic osteoplastic material Tricalcium phosphate and a bone resorption inhibitor Ibandronic acid. It has been established the high efficiency of the recommended treatment that was proved by positive progress of biochemical markers of bone metabolism in blood serum and urine of the individuals from the main group taken 24 month after the beginning of the treatment. The study shows that the reis arise of osteocalcin by 11,5% in the blood serum of the main group patients 2 years after the research and the amount of desoxypiridynolin, on the other hand, was by 21,72% lower comparing with those from the main group (р &amp;lt; 0,05).

Xenophyllite, Na4Fe7(PO4)6, an Exotic Meteoritic Phosphate: New Mineral Description, Na-ions Mobility and Electrochemical Implications

Xenophyllite, ideally Na4Fe7(PO4)6, is a rare meteoritic phosphate found in phosphide-phosphate assemblages confined to troilite nodules of the Augustinovka iron meteorite (medium octahedrite, IIIAB). The mineral occurs as tiny lamella up to 0.15 mm long cross-cutting millimeter-sized grains of sarcopside, Fe3(PO4)2, associated with schreibersite, chromite and pentlandite. Xenophyllite is translucent, has a bluish-green to grey-green color and vitreous lustre. Moh’s hardness is 3.5–4. Cleavage is perfect on {001}. Measured density is 3.58(5) g/cm3. The mineral is biaxial (−), 2V 10–20°, with refractive indexes: α 1.675(2), β 1.681(2), γ 1.681 (2). Chemical composition of the holotype specimen (electron microprobe, wt.%) is: Na2O 10.9, K2O 0.4, MnO 5.8, FeO 42.1, Cr2O3 0.8, P2O5 40.7, total 100.7, corresponding to the empirical formula (Na3.67K0.09)Σ3.76(Fe2+6.12Mn2+0.85Cr0.11)Σ7.08P5.99O24.00. Xenophyllite is triclinic, P1 or P-1, a 9.643(6), b 9.633(5), c 17.645(11) Å; α 88.26(5), β 88.16(5), γ 64.83(5)°, V 1482(2) Å3, Z = 3. The toichiome C-centered subcell has the following dimensions: a 16.257(9), b 10.318(8), c 6.257(9) Å, β = 112.77(9)°, V 968(2) Å3, Z = 2. Xenophyllite is structurally related to synthetic phosphate Kna3Fe7(PO4)6 having a channel-type structure, and galileiite, NaFe4(PO4)3. The variations of chemical composition of xenophyllite ranging from Na4Fe7(PO4)6 to almost Na2Fe8(PO4)6 are accounted for by Na-ions mobility. The latter property makes xenophyllite a promising prototype for cathode materials used in sodium-ion batteries.

Technological Properties of Model System Beef Emulsions with Encapsulated Pumpkin Seed Oil and Shell Powder

1. Bae, S.M., Cho, M.G., Jeong, J.Y. (2017). Effects of various calcium powders as replacers for synthetic phosphate on the quality properties of ground pork meat products. Korean Journal for Food Science of Animal Resources, 37(3), 456–463. CrossRef Google Scholar

Meat &amp; bone meal (MBM) incineration ash for phosphate removal from wastewater and afterward phosphorus recovery

Abstract Meat & bone meal ash (MBMA), the bottom ash collected from a UK industrial-scale incinerator in a power plant with meat & bone meal (MBM) as the mono-energy source, was characterised in terms of its elemental and crystalline compositions. MBMA has high phosphorus concentration (13.48% P, or 31.31% P2O5) and low hazardous element content. The phosphorus present in it, which mainly in the form of hydroxyapatite (HAP), would only release at initial acid leaching pH lower than 2.7 at solid: liquid ratio of 1:1 (wt.). Then MBMA was used for P removal from synthetic phosphate wastewater in batch adsorption experiments. The removal of P can be completed over a wide range of initial pH within an hour with removal capacity ∼115 mg g−1 being achieved. The main P removal mechanisms can be explained by HAP precipitation because of the MBMA seeding effect. After the wastewater treatment process, P content of the ash was increased from 13.48% to 16.18% (or 37.06% P2O5), and the acid consumption for P recovery from the ash after wastewater treatment was reduced by 20% compared with the original MBMA. The acid consumption under optimized conditions was as low as ∼3 mM H+/mM P. The application of MBMA for P-containing wastewater treatment not only offered the benefit of wastewater remediation, but it also contributed greatly to the feasibility of using MBMA for P recovery.

Testing LA-ICP-MS analysis of archaeological bones with different diagenetic histories for paleodiet prospect

LA-ICP-MS is a powerful technique requiring minimal sample preparation and providing high spatial resolution which may offer the possibility of analysing trace elements in targeted pristine areas of archaeological bone sections. This would provide invaluable information about an individual's life if combined with the geochemical composition of the teeth from the same individual. However, there is no consensus regarding the calibration to be used for LA-ICP-MS analysis of bone, which is a highly complex organo-mineral tissue. In this study, we tested different calibration approaches (NIST and USGS glass series, synthetic phosphate glass and synthetic phosphate pellet from USGS) on a modern bone. The best method was applied to three Precolumbian skeletons (Lerma Valley, Mexico). These individuals show different degrees of preservation (crystallinity, calcite, F and organic matter content) which have been previously explored at the intra-skeletal level. A bone sample with exceptional preservation from the Dogon Country (Mali) was analysed for comparison.Based on BSE SEM images and element distribution of the bone sections obtained via LA-ICP-MS mapping, quantification of Ca, P, Li, Zn, V, U, Na, Mg, Sr and Ba was performed using LA-ICP-MS spot analysis on areas displaying varying concentration profiles and histological preservation. Although avoiding sampling at the external margin of the bone sections may minimize diagenetic Li, Zn, V, U, Sr and Ba, it was not possible to discriminate biological from diagenetic Sr adsorbed onto the bone crystallites of the best preserved Precolumbian skeleton, whose low crystallinity favored adsorption efficiency. In contrast, the well preserved Dogon sample, as well as the most altered Precolumbian skeletons provided Sr and Ba content roughly similar to concentrations obtained using bulk analysis. LA-ICP-MS can therefore not substitute solution analysis for paleodiet prospect, especially for bones in relatively early state of diagenetic transformations.