Jean-Louis Hazemann

Forms of Zinc Accumulated in the Hyperaccumulator Arabidopsis halleri

The chemical forms of zinc (Zn) in the Zn-tolerant and hyperaccumulator Arabidopsis halleri and in the non-tolerant and nonaccumulator Arabidopsis lyrata subsp. petraea were determined at the molecular level by combining chemical analyses, extended x-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS), synchrotron-based x-ray microfluorescence, and μEXAFS. Plants were grown in hydroponics with various Zn concentrations, and A. halleri specimens growing naturally in a contaminated site were also collected. Zn speciation in A. halleri was independent of the origin of the plants (contaminated or non-contaminated) and Zn exposure. In aerial parts, Zn was predominantly octahedrally coordinated and complexed to malate. A secondary organic species was identified in the bases of the trichomes, which contained elevated Zn concentrations, and in which Zn was tetrahedrally coordinated and complexed to carboxyl and/or hydroxyl functional groups. This species was detected thanks to the good resolution and sensitivity of synchrotron-based x-ray microfluorescence and μEXAFS. In the roots of A. halleri grown in hydroponics, Zn phosphate was the only species detected, and is believed to result from chemical precipitation on the root surface. In the roots of A. halleri grown on the contaminated soil, Zn was distributed in Zn malate, Zn citrate, and Zn phosphate. Zn phosphate was present in both the roots and aerial part of A. lyrata subsp. petraea. This study illustrates the complementarity of bulk and spatially resolved techniques, allowing the identification of: (a) the predominant chemical forms of the metal, and (b) the minor forms present in particular cells, both types of information being essential for a better understanding of the bioaccumulation processes.

Quantitative Zn speciation in a contaminated dredged sediment by μ-PIXE, μ-SXRF, EXAFS spectroscopy and principal component analysis

Dredging and disposal of sediments onto agricultural soils is a common practice in industrial and urban areas that can be hazardous to the environment when the sediments contain heavy metals. This chemical hazard can be assessed by evaluating the mobility and speciation of metals after sediment deposition. In this study, the speciation of Zn in the coarse (500 to 2000 μm) and fine (<2 μm) fractions of a contaminated sediment dredged from a ship canal in northern France and deposited on an agricultural soil was determined by physical analytical techniques on raw and chemically treated samples. Zn partitioning between coexisting mineral phases and its chemical associations were first determined by micro-particle-induced X-ray emission and micro-synchrotron-based X-ray radiation fluorescence. Zn-containing mineral species were then identified by X-ray diffraction and powder and polarized extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS). The number, nature, and proportion of Zn species were obtained by a coupled principal component analysis (PCA) and least squares fitting (LSF) procedure, applied herein for the first time to qualitatively (number and nature of species) and quantitatively (relative proportion of species) speciate a metal in a natural system. The coarse fraction consists of slag grains originating from nearby Zn smelters. In this fraction, Zn is primarily present as sphalerite (ZnS) and to a lesser extent as willemite (Zn2SiO4), Zn-containing ferric (oxyhydr)oxides, and zincite (ZnO). In the fine fraction, ZnS and Zn-containing Fe (oxyhydr)oxides are the major forms, and Zn-containing phyllosilicate is the minor species. Weathering of ZnS, Zn2SiO4, and ZnO under oxidizing conditions after the sediment disposal accounts for the uptake of Zn by Fe (oxyhydr)oxides and phyllosilicates. Two geochemical processes can explain the retention of Zn by secondary minerals: uptake on preexisting minerals and precipitation with dissolved Fe and Si. The second process likely occurs because dissolved Zn and Si are supersaturated with respect to Zn phyllosilicate. EXAFS spectroscopy, in combination with PCA and LSF, is shown to be a meaningful approach to quantitatively determining the speciation of trace elements in sediments and soils.

Experimental study of arsenic speciation in vapor phase to 500°C: implications for As transport and fractionation in low-density crustal fluids and volcanic gases

Abstract The stoichiometry and stability of arsenic gaseous complexes were determined in the system As-H2O ± NaCl ± HCl ± H2S at temperatures up to 500°C and pressures up to 600 bar, from both measurements of As(III) and As(V) vapor–liquid and vapor–solid partitioning, and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopic study of As(III)-bearing aqueous fluids. Vapor–aqueous solution partitioning for As(III) was measured from 250 to 450°C at the saturated vapor pressure of the system (Psat) with a special titanium reactor that allows in situ sampling of the vapor phase. The values of partition coefficients for arsenious acid (H3AsO3) between an aqueous solution (pure H2O) and its saturated vapor (K = mAsvapor /mAsliquid) were found to be independent of As(III) solution concentrations (up to ∼1 to 2 mol As/kg) and equal to 0.012 ± 0.003, 0.063 ± 0.023, and 0.145 ± 0.020 at 250, 300, and 350°C, respectively. These results are interpreted by the formation, in the vapor phase, of As(OH)3(gas), similar to the aqueous As hydroxide complex dominant in the liquid phase. Arsenic chloride or sulfide gaseous complexes were found to be negligible in the presence of HCl or H2S (up to ∼0.5 mol/kg of vapor). XAFS spectroscopic measurements carried out on As(III)-H2O (±NaCl) solutions up to 500°C demonstrate that the As(OH)3 complex dominates As speciation both in dense H2O-NaCl fluids and low-density supercritical vapor. Vapor–liquid partition coefficients for As(III) measured in the H2O-NaCl system up to 450°C are consistent with the As speciation derived from these spectroscopic measurements and can be described by a simple relationship as a function of the vapor-to-liquid density ratio and temperature. Arsenic(III) partitioning between vapor and As-concentrated solutions (>2 mol As/kg) or As2O3 solid is consistent with the formation, in the vapor phase, of both As4O6 and As(OH)3. Arsenic(V) (arsenic acid, H3AsO4) vapor–liquid partitioning at 350°C for dilute aqueous solution was interpreted by the formation of AsO(OH)3 in the vapor phase. The results obtained were combined with the corresponding properties for the aqueous As(III) hydroxide species to generate As(OH)3(gas) thermodynamic parameters. Equilibrium calculations carried out by using these data indicate that As(OH)3(gas) is by far the most dominant As complex in both volcanic gases and boiling hydrothermal systems. This species is likely to be responsible for the preferential partition of arsenic into the vapor phase as observed in fluid inclusions from high-temperature (400 to 700°C) Au-Cu (-Sn, -W) magmatic-hydrothermal ore deposits. The results of this study imply that hydrolysis and hydration could be also important for other metals and metalloids in the H2O-vapor phase. These processes should be taken into account to accurately model element fractionation and chemical equilibria during magma degassing and fluid boiling.

Feedback system of a liquid-nitrogen-cooled double-crystal monochromator: design and performances

A new set-up is reported of an indirect cryogenic cooling system for a double-crystal monochromator which runs on the BM30b/FAME beamline at the ESRF (Grenoble, France). This device has been conceived to limit the vibrations on the first diffracting crystal and to maintain it at a constant temperature. These points are crucial for maximizing the beamline stability. Moreover, the relative angular position of the second crystal can be dynamically adjusted by a piezoelectric transducer coupled with a feedback system in order to always be at the maximum of the rocking curve during an X-ray absorption spectroscopy scan. The temperature is stabilized to an accuracy of 0.01 degrees , with two principal consequences. The energy resolution is close to the theoretical value [DeltaE/E = 5.6 x 10(-6) for Si(220)] and the precision of the energy positioning is extremely good even if the power load changes. A feedback mechanism allows a permanent and automatic optimization of the angle between the two crystals of the monochromator. The intensity of the monochromatic beam remains optimized (i) when the intensity of the electron beam decreases in the storage ring and (ii) during an energy scan.

Sorption of metal ions on clay minerals. III. Nucleation and epitaxial growth of Zn phyllosilicate on the edges of hectorite

Abstract The impact of dissolved Si ([Si]aq) on Zn uptake in dilute suspensions (0.65 g/L) of hectorite was investigated at pH 7.30, a total Zn concentration (TotZn) of 520 μM, and ionic strength of 0.3 M (NaNO3 salt) by kinetics experiments and polarized extended X-ray absorption fine structure (P-EXAFS) spectroscopy. At low [Si]aq (∼30 to 60 μM), 5.8% of TotZn was adsorbed within the first 3 h of reaction. The sorption rate was lower afterwards, and Zn uptake amounted to 14.6% of TotZn after 168 h of reaction. These rates are consistent with Zn sorption on pH-dependent edge sites of hectorite platelets. At high [Si]aq (∼530 μM), a higher initial sorption rate was observed, the fraction of Zn removed amounting to 15.2% of TotZn at t = 3 h and 90.7% at t = 120 h. After 9 h of reaction time, Si uptake also occurred; the Si/Zn uptake ratio (1.09 ± 0.08) was between those of TO (∼0.67) and TOT (∼1.33) trioctahedral phyllosilicates, which suggests the neoformation of a Zn phyllosilicate. In the absence of hectorite, neither Zn nor Si were removed from solution, even at high [Si]aq, indicating that Zn uptake occurred by sorption on hectorite surface. Comparison of spectra for sorption samples and Zn references indicated that sorbed Zn was located in a clay-like structural environment. The angular dependence observed for all P-EXAFS spectra demonstrated that Zn cations are structurally attached to the edges of hectorite platelets. The size and structure of these Zn surface complexes varied with [Si]aq and reaction time. At low [Si]aq and after a long reaction time (t = 96 h), Zn was surrounded by in-plane 1.7 ± 0.6 Zn and 1.4 ± 0.3 Mg at 3.08 A, and by out-of-plane 0.6 ± 1.1 Si at 3.28 A. These results point to predominant formation of small polymers containing on average two to three Zn cations and located in structural continuity with the hectorite octahedral sheet. At high [Si]aq, higher numbers of Zn and Si and lower numbers of Mg neighbors were detected at t = 9 h; at t = 120 h, Zn was surrounded by in-plane 6.0 ± 0.4 Zn at 3.10 A and by out-of-plane 3.6 ± 0.4 Si at 3.27 A as in a Zn phyllosilicate. These results document for the first time the nucleation and epitaxial growth at ambient temperature of Zn phyllosilicate at the edges of smectite minerals under controlled laboratory conditions.

High pressure/high temperature cell for x-ray absorption and scattering techniques

A high pressure/high temperature cell dedicated to x-ray absorption spectroscopy, small angle x-ray scattering, and inelastic x-ray scattering techniques is presented. The P and T parameters are controlled independently and their range allow the study of aqueous solutions (T⩽500°C and P⩽2000bar) and liquid metals and glasses (T⩽1700°C and P⩽2000bar). The autoclave technology is inspired from previous high pressure/high temperature equipments but great improvements are achieved. Original high pressure windows have been developed to ensure both pressure resistance and low absorbance combined with large angular aperture. Different configurations are available for the internal cell that contains the sample whether it is aqueous or not. As an example of the efficiency of the set-up, we present preliminary x-ray absorption results on 0.01 m FeCl3 aqueous solutions from ambient to supercritical conditions (375 °C and 300 bar). These low concentrations samples and low energy spectra (Fe K-edge is at 7112 eV) repr...

Spectroscopic characterization of microscopic hydrogen-bonding disparities in supercritical water

The local hydrogen-bonding environment in supercritical water (380 degrees C, 300 bars, density 0.54 gcm3) was studied by x-ray Raman scattering at the oxygen K edge. The spectra are compared to those of the gas phase, liquid surface, bulk liquid, and bulk ice, as well as to calculated spectra. The experimental model systems are used to assign spectral features and to quantify specific local hydrogen-bonding situations in supercritical water. The first coordination shell of the molecules is characterized in more detail with the aid of the calculations. Our analysis suggests that approximately 65% of the molecules in supercritical water are hydrogen bonded in configurations that are distinctly different from those in liquid water and ice. In contrast to liquid water the bonded molecules in supercritical water have four intact hydrogen bonds and in contrast to ice large variations of bond angles and distances are observed. The remaining approximately 35% of the molecules exhibit two free O-H bonds and are thus either not involved in hydrogen bonding at all or have one or two hydrogen bonds on the oxygen side. We determine an average O-O distance of 3.1+/-0.1 A in supercritical water for the H bonded molecules at the conditions studied here. This and the corresponding hydrogen bond lengths are shown to agree with neutron- and x-ray-diffraction data at similar conditions. Our results on the local hydrogen-bonding environment with mainly two disparate hydrogen-bonding configurations are consistent with an extended structural model of supercritical water as a heterogeneous system with small patches of bonded molecules in various tetrahedral configurations and surrounding nonbonded gas-phase-like molecules.

Changes in arsenic speciation through a contaminated soil profile: A XAS based study

An impacted soil located near an industrial waste site in the Massif Central near Auzon, France, where arsenical pesticides were manufactured, has been studied in order to determine the speciation (chemical forms) of arsenic as a function of soil depth. Bulk As concentrations range from 8780 mg kg(-1) in the topsoil horizon to 150 mg kg(-1) at 60 cm depth. As ores (orpiment As2S3, realgar AsS, arsenopyrite FeAsS) and former Pb- and Al-arsenate pesticides have been identified by XRD at the site and are suspected to be the sources of As contamination for this soil. As speciation was found to vary with depth, based on XRD, SEM-EDS, EPMA measurements and selective chemical extractions. Based on oxalate extraction, As is mainly associated with amorphous Fe oxides through the soil profile, except in the topsoil horizons where As is hosted by another phase. SEM-EDS and EPMA analyses led to the identification of arseniosiderite (Ca2Fe3+3(AsVO4)3O2.3H2O), a secondary mineral that forms upon oxidation of primary As-bearing minerals like arsenopyrite, in these topsoil horizons. These mineralogical and chemical results were confirmed by synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy. XANES spectra of soil samples indicate that As occurs exclusively as As(V), and EXAFS results yield direct evidence of changes in As speciation with depth. Linear combination fits of EXAFS spectra of soil samples with those of various model compounds indicate that As occurs mainly As-bearing Fe(III)-(hydr)oxides (65%) and arseniosiderite (35%) in the topsoil horizon (0-5 cm depth). Similar analyses also revealed that there is very little arseniosiderite below 15 cm depth and that As(V) is associated primarily with amorphous Fe oxides below this depth. This vertical change of As speciation likely reflects a series of chemical reactions downward in the soil profile. Arseniosiderite, formed most likely by oxidation of arsenopyrite, is progressively dissolved and replaced by less soluble As-bearing poorly ordered Fe oxides, which are the main hosts for As in well aerated soils.

Speciation of Cd and Pb in dust emitted from sinter plant

Many studies have provided evidence of the impact of heavy metals in atmospheric emission. Sinter plants represent the first step in steel production, and are important emitters of Cd and Pb. The toxicity of these two metals depends above all on their speciation. Particles collected before and after the filtration system were analysed to determine the Cd- and Pb-bearing phases, using analytical tools such as XRF, EXAFS or ICP-AES and chemical leaching (sequential extractions adapted to steel dusts). Results show that Pb is associated with carbonate and Cd with chloride. These two types of speciation lead to high solubility under common environmental conditions, which may produce impacts on the environment and health.

X-ray absorption in relation to valency of iridium in sputtered iridium oxide films

Abstract Electronic and structural changes induced by the charge storage reaction due to proton insertion in sputtered iridium oxide films (SIROFs) have been investigated by in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the L3 edge of iridium atoms in 1 M H2SO4. The iridium valency is shown to increase from 3 to 3.85 when the potential varies from −0.2 to +1 V(SCE). In XANES spectra, the white line peak height and energy position decrease with insertion. The fine structures of the spectra have been analyzed and simulated in view of structural parameter extraction. A correspondence curve is established between the interatomic Ir–O distance in the first shell and the iridium valency. A strong decrease of this distance is observed with the oxidation state of iridium accompanied by a conspicuous decrease of the Debye–Waller factor.