Corrado Sarzanini

Adsorption of heavy metals on Na-montmorillonite. Effect of pH and organic substances

Clays (especially montmorillonite and bentonite) are widely used as barriers in landfills to prevent contamination of subsoil and groundwater by leachates containing heavy metals. For this reason it is important to study the adsorption of metals by these clays. The sorption of seven metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) on Na-montmorillonite was studied as a function of pH and in the presence of ligands, forming complexes of different stabilities with the metals of interest. The continuous column method was used as it better simulates natural conditions. The total capacity of Na-montmorillonite towards these metals was determined. The pH variations influence to a higher extent the concentrations of Cu, Pb and Cd in the effluent. Moreover the results suggest that complex formation hinders the sorption of the metals on the clay, with an increasing influence in the order: Mn < or = Pb < or = Cd < or = Zn < Ni < Cu < Cr. The evaluation of the total capacity of Na-montmorillonite shows that this clay is a good sorbent towards all examined metals.

Heavy metals in agricultural soils from Piedmont, Italy. Distribution, speciation and chemometric data treatment.

The distribution and speciation of heavy metals in five agricultural soils of Piedmont Region (north-western Italy) were investigated. Ten metals, namely Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti and Zn were considered. Analytical determinations were performed by atomic emission or atomic absorption spectroscopy after microwave sample dissolution in acid solution. Total metal concentrations fit in the typical concentration ranges for unpolluted soils, with the exception of cadmium and lead content in some horizons. The effect of sampling depth on concentrations was discussed. Speciation studies were carried out by applying Tessiers procedure, which allows to subdivide the total metal content into five fractions, representing portions bound to different components of the soil. Moreover, the element labilities in two soils were evaluated by extraction with EDTA. Correlations among the variables and/or similarities among the sampling points were identified by principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis.

Distribution and mobility of metals in contaminated sites. Chemometric investigation of pollutant profiles

The distribution and mobility of heavy metals in the soils of two contaminated sites in Piedmont (Italy) was investigated, evaluating the horizontal and vertical profiles of 15 metals, namely Al, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe. La, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sc, Ti, V, Y, Zn and Zr. The concentrations in the most polluted areas of the sites were higher than the acceptable limits reported in Italian and Dutch legislations for soil reclamation. Chemometric elaboration of the results by pattern recognition techniques allowed us to identify groups of samples with similar characteristics and to find correlations among the variables. The pollutant mobility was studied by extraction with water, dilute acetic acid and EDTA and by applying Tessiers procedure. The fraction of mobile species, which potentially is the most harmful for the environment, was found to be higher than the one normally present in unpolluted soils, where heavy metals are, to a higher extent, strongly bound to the matrix.

The retention of metal species by different solid sorbents: Mechanisms for heavy metal speciation by sequential three column uptake

An apparatus consisting of three columns packed with different substrates, namely an anion exchange resin, a reversed phase sorbent and a chelating ion exchange resin, was developed. The retention of cadmium, copper and lead onto the substrates at different pH conditions was investigated, first by considering each column separately, then by connecting them in series. The aim of the study is to distinguish among species with different charge or chemical behaviour. Experiments were performed with the free metal ions, their anionic complexes with EDTA and 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid, and their neutral complexes with 8-hydroxyquinoline. The results obtained were compared with those computed according to the theoretical species distribution of all species as a function of pH. The applicability of the technique to seawater was demonstrated.

The use of mosses as environmental metal pollution indicators

The possibility of using mosses as environmental indicators of metal pollution has been investigated. Mosses of the species Bryum argenteum were collected from different parts of Piedmont (Italy), ranging from highly polluted areas to nearly uncontaminated mountain areas. Periodical samplings were planned in every site on a monthly base, in order to check variations of metal uptake throughout one year; correlations with pluviometric and thermal patterns were investigated for all sampling stations. On every moss sample 20 elements, ranging from major (K, P, Al, Ca, Fe and Mg) to minor (Mn, Na, Ti and Zn) and trace (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Pb and Sr), were quantitatively determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry or graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectrometry, depending on the needed sensitivity. Statistical analyses, carried out with principal component analysis and cluster analysis methods, revealed that a good correlation exists between metal content in mosses and pollution degree in the areas sampled.

Preconcentration of contaminants in water analysis

Among the environmental areas, in this review attention will be focused on water matrices and both on organic (e.g., pesticides, herbicides, phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), inorganic species and anion pollutants, since these kinds of substances include a wide number of compounds with different physical and chemical properties and different effects on human health. Analytical methods for control of quality of waters are required to be highly specific and possibly highly sensitive for the determination of even low amounts of pollutants. The main problems encountered during the analysis are the separation of matrix components from the pollutants of interest and the achievement of low detection limits. Therefore an overview on different materials and techniques available for sample concentration and/or matrix removal will be provided and discussed according to the chemical characteristics of the pollutant that has to be enriched.

Determination of metals in wine with atomic spectroscopy (flame-AAS, GF-AAS and ICP-AES); a review

Metals in wine occur at the mg l-1 level or less and, though not directly related to the taste of the final product, their content should be determined because excess is undesirable, and in some cases prohibited, due to potential toxicity. Lead content in wine, for example, is restricted in several states by legislation to guarantee consumer health protection. Of several methods for metal determination, techniques of atomic spectroscopy are the most sensitive and rapid. Most of the elements present in wine can be determined with these techniques, at concentrations ranging from the mg l-1 to the μg l-1 level. Here, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), flame atomic absorption spectrometry (flame-AAS) and graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) are compared for their characteristics as employed in metal determination in wine.

Metal species determination by ion chromatography

Liquid chromatography has become one of the main powerful analytical tools for the analysis of complex matrices and speciation studies in the field of metal analysis. The basic principles, retention mechanisms, materials and method evolutions are discussed with particular reference to ion chromatography. Classical and more recent applications are presented.

Speciation of copper and manganese in milk by solid-phase extraction/inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

A speciation method was developed to study distribution of copper and manganese species in cow milk. The method is based upon solid-phase extraction of selective fractions of the analytes, followed by elution and determination by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), using it as a flow-injection detector. Fractions detected were cationic, anionic, neutral and casein-bound. A different behaviour is observed for the two metals.

Determination of ultra-trace levels of metal ions in sea-water with on-line pre-concentration and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

An on-line pre-concentration system for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was developed. A miniature silica C18 column was inserted at the tip of the autosampler arm. A modification of the tubing line of the autosampler allowed either the flow of the sample through the column or the operation of the autosampler in the normal mode. The retention of the metal ions in the form of complexes on the microcolumn was achieved by using pyrrolidin-l-yl dithioformate as the complexing agent; acetonitrile was then used for the elution. The direct injection of the eluate into the graphite furnace gave high pre-concentration factors, ranging between 20 and 225, which are sufficient for the determination of Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Co and Fe in Antarctic sea-water. The blank level was very low and the detection limits ranged from 0.4 ng l–1(Cd) to 25 ng l–1(Fe).