Hiroshi Hashitani

Human influence on the Hg pollution in Lake Jinzai, Japan

Abstract A 3.6 m sediment profile from brackish Lake Jinzai in western Japan was studied for Hg and other trace metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Co) in order to understand the level of Hg pollution in the lake which has no point source discharges of municipal or industrial pollutants. Possible sedimentation rate was established based on the activity of 137 Cs in the sediments. The relative increases in the metal concentration of sediments commenced at the beginning of this century while that of Fe and Cu started 150 years ago. The highest level of Hg (303 ng/g) was reported at the 50–55 cm level and Hg concentration in pre-industrial time was indicated in the deepest parts of the core. It was noted that significant contamination events had occurred in the mid 1950s and 1960s. In Lake Jinzai sediments, Hg appears to be associated mainly with Fe-oxides, hydrated iron or iron sulfides (Fe-phase) coated grains. The relationship among the geochemical variables revealed that Zn, Cu and Pb are seemingly associated with the Fe-phase and Cr, Co are mainly associated with the Mn-phase.

Preconcentration method for phosphate in water using activated carbon loaded with zirconium

ZusammenfassungEin einfaches und wirkungsvolles Anreicherungsverfahren für Phosphat in wässriger Lösung beruht auf der Verwendung von Zr-beladener Aktivkohle (Zr-C*), die durch Vermischen (3 Tage) von 100 ml Zirkonylnitratlösung (1 g Zr, pH 1,6) mit 10 g Aktivkohle, Filtern und Trocknen hergestellt wurde. 10 g des Materials enthielten 0,5–0,6 g Zirkonium. Adsorption und Desorption von Phosphat sind nur vom pH-Wert der Lösung abhängig und erfolgen quantitativ bei pH < 8,0 bzw. pH > 13,5. Die wässrige Probelösung vom pH 1,5 wird durch das auf einem Membranfilterpapier befindliche Zr-C*-Bett gesaugt und das zurückgehaltene Phosphat durch Elution mit 40 ml 1 M NaOH-Lösung wiedergewonnen. Pyrophosphat, Tripolyphosphat und Metaphosphat verhalten sich ähnlich wie Orthophosphat.SummaryAn effective and simple method for preconcentration of phosphate in aqueous solution has been developed, using activated carbon loaded with zirconium (Zr-C*). The Zr-C* was prepared by mixing 100 ml of zirconyl nitrate solution (1 g Zr, pH 1.6) with 10 g of activated carbon at 25 ° C for three days, filtering and drying the residue in air. 10 g of the resulting material included 0.5 g to 0.6 g of zirconium. The adsorption of phosphate and its desorption depend only on the pH of solution. They occur quantitatively and instantaneously at pH below 8.0 and above 13.5, respectively. An aqueous solution with the pH adjusted to 1.5 is passed through the Zr-C* bed formed on a membrane filter paper with the aid of suction. The collected phosphate is then recovered by eluting with 40 ml of 1 M sodium hydroxide solution. Pyrophosphate, tripolyphosphate and metaphosphate behave as similar as orthophosphate.

A simple visual method for the determination of phosphorus in environmental waters

SummaryThe visual method proposed here for the determination of phosphate ion in environmental water samples does not need any instrument. The highly sensitive method is based on the observation of the blue color produced as the result of ion association of phosphomolybdate and malachite green in acidic medium. Down to 10 ppb of phosphate-phosphorus can be determined by addition of 1 ml of reagent solution to 4 ml of sample in a test tube. The method has been effectively used for the determination of phosphate ion which is a nutrient for phytoplakton in brackish lakes and rivers.

Portable Simplified Photometer for in Situ Environmental Water Analysis

Abstract The portable simplified photometer, in which high-luminous light emitting diode (LED) was used as a lamp, was manufactured as an useful tool for in situ environmental water analysis. This photometer is applicable to various spectrophotometric methods for the determination of chemical species exhibiting an absorption λmax of the colored complex spectrum around 660 nm and/or 560 nm.