I. Stabrawa

EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON HALLOYSITE ACID TREATMENT FOR EFFICIENT CHLOROANILINE REMOVAL FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

Monochloroanilines and dichloroanilines are important reagents or chemical intermediates in the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals. These toxic compounds have a large tendency to accumulate in the environment and a low natural biodegradability, so improved methods to remove or sequester them are needed. Halloysite is used as an efficient adsorbent to remove toxic compounds, such as aniline, from aqueous solutions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether acid-activated halloysites from the “Dunino” (Poland) strip mine could be effective in the removal of not just aniline but also of its chloro-substituted forms from aqueous solutions. The composition, structure, and morphology of activated halloysites were characterized using the following methods: wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (WDXRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and N2 adsorption-desorption analysis. The acidactivated halloysites had an increased ability to remove aniline and chloroanilines from aqueous solutions as the acid activation temperature was increased. This suggests that the acid activation temperature is an important factor that influences the ability of acid activated halloysites to adsorb aromatic amines (anilines) from water. The efficiency of aniline and chloroaniline removal by halloysite activated at 80°C reached maximum levels, especially for the removal of aniline and 4-chloroaniline. The adsorption isotherm data were best described by the Langmuir adsorption model. The values of the Langmuir adsorption constants were calculated using the inverse liquid chromatography method.

Multielemental Analysis of Tobacco Plant and Tobacco Products by TXRF

The aim of this research is to develop a fast analytical method for multielemental analysis of the tobacco plant Virginia tobacco (cultivated in Poland) and tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, snuff and two kinds of properly crafted tobacco such as a shisha and cigarette tobacco) distributed in Polish markets by means of a low-power benchtop total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) system. For this purpose, a set of certified tobacco materials and real samples was employed. In leaves and stalks of V. tobacco and tobacco products, a concentration of 18 elements (P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr and Pb) was determined. Analyzing elemental composition of tobacco plants, one can see that concentrations of S, Ca, Ti, Mn, Zn, Sr and Pb are higher in leaves, whereas the concentrations of P, Cl, K, Fe Cu and Br are higher in stalks; the levels of Cr, Ni, As and Rb are comparable in both these parts of the tobacco plant. All of the parameters affecting sample preparation and TXRF measurements conditions were carefully evaluated. The accuracy and precision of the TXRF measurements were verified using an internal standardization approach for quantification.

The elemental changes occurring in the rat liver after exposure to PEG-coated iron oxide nanoparticles : total reflection x-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectroscopy study

Abstract The main goal of this study was to evaluate in vivo effects of low dose of PEG-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) on the rat liver. The IONPs was intravenously injected into rats at a dose equaled to 0.03 mg of Fe per 1 kg of an animal body weight. The elemental composition of liver tissue in rats subjected to IONPs action and controls were compared. Moreover, in order to determine the dynamics of nanoparticles (NPs) induced elemental changes, the tissues taken from animals 2 hours, 24 hours, and 7 days from IONPs injection were examined. The analysis of subtle elemental anomalies occurring as a result of IONPs action required application of highly sensitive analytical method. The total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy perfectly meets such requirements and therefore it was used in this study. The obtained results showed increasing trend of Fe level within liver occurring 2 hours from IONPs injection. One day after NPs administration, the liver Fe content presented the baseline level what suggests only the short-term accumulation of nanoparticles in the organ. The Ca, Cu, and Zn levels changed significantly as a result of NPs action. Moreover, the anomalies in their accumulation were still observed 7 days after IONPs injection. The level of Cu decreased while those of Ca and Zn increased in the liver of NPs-treated animals. The reduced liver Cu, followed by elevated serum level of this element, might be related in triggering the mechanisms responsible for Fe metabolism in the organism.