Search

The MONITOOL project (2017-2023) was carried out to describe the relationships between total dissolved and labile metal concentrations measured in spot water samples and in concurrently deployed Diffusive Gradients in Thin-films (DGTs) passive samplers, respectively. The ultimate aim was to adapt existing marine metal Environmental Quality Standards (EQS marine water ) for DGTs, enabling their use in the context of the European Directives (the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)). Time-integrated metal concentrations provided by DGTs, representing several days, are an advantage compared to conventional spot sampling, especially in highly dynamic systems, such as transitional waters. Hence, the MONITOOL project aimed to provide a robust database of dissolved and labile metal concentrations in transitional and coastal waters, based upon co-deployments of DGTs and collection of spot water samples at several sampling sites (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland and Spain), followed subsequently by DGT and water metal analysis. Samplings were carried out in 2018 and 2022, following agreed protocols developed in the framework of the project. The MONITOOL dataset includes metal concentrations from DGTs, measured with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS: Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) and in concurrently collected spot water samples by ICP-MS (Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) and Anodic/Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV/CSV: Cd, Pb, Ni). Moreover, data on seawater physical-chemical parameters (salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, total suspended solids, dissolved organic carbon, and total organic carbon) is provided. This database presents the results obtained using, concurrently, different forms of sampling and analytical techniques, enabling the comparison of the results obtained by these strategies and allowing the adaptation of EQS in marine water (EQS marine water) to DGTs (EQS DGT ), in the context of the WFD. Moreover, due to the large number of sampling sites, it could also be used for other types of research, such as those dealing with metal speciation or the determination of baseline levels., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

This study investigates the relationships among Ni, Cd and Pb's different chemical forms determined by different methodologies in coastal and transitional waters across a broad geographical scale. Concentrations were measured in spot samples and through passive sampling (DGT). High variability of metal concentrations was found among sampling sites and methodologies due to natural water fluctuations rather than to a given metal or method. Total dissolved metal concentrations in spot samples were lower than the EQS-WFD values. The labile fractions of Cd and Pb, measured in spot samples by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry and by DGT-ICPMS, were highly correlated. Similar labilities were found for Cd, while for Pb, the ASV labile fraction was ≈50% lower. These results reflect the pool of mobile and labile species available towards each technique kinetic window, and they seem not to be affected by discrete sampling flaws., (Crown Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The current study evaluates the effect of seawater physico-chemical characteristics on the relationship between the concentration of metals measured by Diffusive Gradients in Thin films (DGT) passive samplers (i.e., DGT-labile concentration) and the concentrations measured in discrete water samples. Accordingly, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure the total dissolved metal concentrations in the discrete water samples and the labile metal concentrations obtained by DGT samplers; additionally, lead and cadmium conditional labile fractions were determined by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) and total dissolved nickel was measured by Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry (CSV). It can be concluded that, in general, the median ratios of DGT/ICP and DGT/ASV(CSV) were lower than 1, except for Ni (median ratio close to 1) and Zn (higher than 1). This indicates the importance of speciation and time-integrated concentrations measured using passive sampling techniques, which is in line with the WFD suggestions for improving the chemical assessment of waterbodies. It is the variability in metal content in waters rather than environmental conditions to which the variability of the ratios can be attributed. The ratios were not significantly affected by the temperature, salinity, pH, oxygen, DOC or SPM, giving a great confidence for all the techniques used. Within a regulatory context such as the EU Water Framework Directive this is a great advantage, since the simplicity of not needing to use corrections to minimize the effects of environmental variables could help in implementing DGTs within monitoring networks., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Rhodium and platinum are amongst the less studied elements in estuarine waters and the understanding of their speciation analysis and environmental fate remains limited. In this study, we address the occurrence and discrimination of soluble/insoluble Rh and Pt species in aquatic systems, as well as their potential transport. Particulate and dissolved (< 0.45 μm) rhodium (Rh P and Rh D ) and platinum (Pt P and Pt D ), respectively, were determined in the water column of contrasting environments during neap (NT) and spring (ST) tide semi-diurnal cycles: in the upper Tagus estuary (VFX) and near the mouth, close to a wastewater treatment plant outfall (ALC). Both elements were analyzed by AdCSV and ICP-MS, as well ancillary parameters were determined. Concentrations of Rh and Pt followed the tidal regime, presenting higher concentrations during low tide. Concentrations of Rh P (0.1-5.1 ng g -1 ) and Rh D (0.03-0.12 ng L -1 ) were lower than Pt P (1.0-25.6 ng g -1 ) and Pt D (0.1-11.7 ng L -1 ), respectively. Concentrations found in ALC were higher than VFX, except for Rh D , mirroring anthropogenic inputs attributed to automotive catalytic converters and an additional Pt source originated in Pt-based compounds. Distribution coefficients (K D ) of 10 4 were computed and were independent of the salinity gradient. The speciation analysis done at VFX during NT showed that truly dissolved forms measured by AdCSV represented 39 ± 9% of total Pt in the water column, while total filter-passing species measured by ICP-MS were higher, 65 ± 14%. Pt speciation was controlled by its dissolved forms, whereas particulate Rh forms represented the bulk value (> 65%). The potential transport evaluated at downstream station indicated recirculation within the estuary and export towards the Atlantic Ocean, with higher concentrations associated with the ebb opposing to the flood. These results show estuaries as important pathways to introduce PGE in coastal regions, transferring them towards the ocean., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The determination of Platinum-group elements (PGE) in relevant environmental matrices is a challenging task. Sensitive and accurate analytical procedures for simultaneous determination of Pt and Rh are still needed. In this study, we report for the first time on the use of second derivative signal transformation to the ultra-trace simultaneous determination of Pt and Rh by Adsorptive Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry (AdCSV). With that step, the ill-defined peaks typically observed in the original voltammograms are transformed into well-shaped peaks, resulting in accurate detection. The experimental conditions were investigated and optimised: a suitable electrolyte for both elements, with less reagents consumption, (0.25M H 2 SO 4 , 0.05M HCl, 0.01M FA and 0.5mM HZ), deposition time (t d ) and deposition potential (E d ). For t d = 120s and E d = -0.75V, linear relationships r > 0.999 were obtained in the concentration range up to 5.8ngL -1 (27 pM) for Pt and up to 3.4ngL -1 (34 pM) for Rh. Limits of detection were 0.2ngL -1 for Pt and 0.08ngL -1 for Rh. Lower values can be achieved by increasing the deposition time. Limits of quantification, LOQ, calculated as 3 times LOD, were 0.5ngL -1 for Pt and 0.2ngL -1 for Rh. The sensitivity of Pt was affected by elevated Zn concentrations, whereas a minor effect was observed for Rh. However, Pt and Rh determinations were not influenced using the standard addition method. Precision as intermediate precision and expressed as relative standard deviation, based on Pt and Rh spiked solutions and digested road dust CRM BCR-723 was 17% and 20% for Pt and Rh, respectively. Recoveries of CRM were around 90% for both elements. The method was successfully applied in the simultaneous determination of Pt and Rh in sediments from Tagus estuary and, for the first time, dissolved Rh was determined in water samples of a waste water treatment plant. Application of this technique in a multidisciplinary approach will be a relevant contribution to the current understanding of PGE cycle and fate in the environment., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

A linear decapeptide containing three His and one Asp residues and a β-turn-inducing dProPro unit was synthesised. A detailed potentiometric, mass spectrometric and spectroscopic study showed that at a 1:1 ratio of CCu /Cpeptide this peptide formed a major [CuH(O(dPro)-Asp)](2+) species (pH range 5.5-7.0), in which the Cu(2+) ion was bound to the His and Asp residues in square-planar or square-pyramidal geometries. The stability constant corrected for protonated species (log K* CuH(O dPro-Asp)=9.33) is almost equal to the value obtained for the parent [CuH(OAsp)](2+) species (log K*CuH(O-Asp) =9.28), but lower than that obtained for the cyclic [CuH(C-Asp)](2+) complex (log K*CuH(C-Asp) =10.79) previously published. Thus, the replacement of the ProGly unit by the stronger β-turn-inducing dProPro unit did not generate a more stable copper(II) species, although the O(dPro)-Asp peptide was structured in solution, as shown by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Interestingly, the calculated value of Keff showed that this peptide behaved similarly to the O-Asp or C-Asp counterparts, depending on the pH value. The cyclic voltammetry data indicated that the most easily reducible species were [CuH(O-Asp)](2+) (E'(0) =262 mV versus a normal hydrogen electrode (NHE)) and [CuH(O(dPro)-Asp)](2+) (E'(0) =294 mV versus NHE) complexes, the peptidic scaffolds of which are open. A lower value was obtained for [CuH(C-Asp)](2+) (E'(0) =24 mV versus NHE). A different degree of non-reversibility was observed for the three copper(II) complexes; this could reflect a different degree of flexibility in their respective peptidic scaffolds., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Nickel speciation was studied in the xylem sap of Alyssum serpyllifolium ssp. lusitanicum, a Ni-hyperaccumulator endemic to the serpentine soils of northeast Portugal. The xylem sap was collected from plants growing in its native habitat and characterized in terms of carboxylic and amino acids content. The speciation of nickel was studied in model and real solutions of xylem sap by voltammetric titrations using Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV). The results showed that Ni transport in the xylem sap occurs mainly as a free hydrated cation (about 70%) and complexed with carboxylic acids, mainly citric acid (18%). Altogether, oxalic acid, malic acid, malonic acid and aspartic acid complexed less than 13% of total Ni. A negligible amount bounded to the amino acids, like glutamic acid and glutamine (<1%). Histidine did not play a role in Ni translocation in the xylem sap of A. serpyllifolium under field conditions. Amino acids are one of the main forms of N transport in the xylem sap, and under field conditions, N is usually a limited nutrient. We hypothesize that the translocation of Ni in the xylem sap as a free ion or chelated with carboxylic acids is 'cheaper' in terms of N resources., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

The activation mechanism of Pseudomonas stutzeri cytochrome c peroxidase (CCP) was probed through the mediated electrochemical catalysis by its physiological electron donor, P. stutzeri cytochrome c-551. A comparative study was carried out, by performing assays with the enzyme in the resting oxidized state as well as in the mixed-valence activated form, using cyclic voltammetry and a pyrolytic graphite membrane electrode. In the presence of both the enzyme and hydrogen peroxide, the peak-like signal of cytochrome c-551 is converted into a sigmoidal wave form characteristic of an E(r)C'(i) catalytic mechanism. An intermolecular electron transfer rate constant of (4 ± 1) × 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) was estimated for both forms of the enzyme, as well as a similar Michaelis-Menten constant. These results show that neither the intermolecular electron transfer nor the catalytic activity is kinetically controlled by the activation mechanism of CCP in the case of the P. stutzeri enzyme. Direct enzyme catalysis using protein film voltammetry was unsuccessful for the analysis of the activation mechanism, since P. stutzeri CCP undergoes an undesirable interaction with the pyrolytic graphite surface. This interaction, previously reported for the Paracoccus pantotrophus CCP, induces the formation of a non-native conformation state of the electron-transferring haem, which has a redox potential 200 mV lower than that of the native state and maintains peroxidatic activity.

In this work it is demonstrated that the characterization of c-type haem containing proteins by electrochemical techniques needs to be cautiously performed when using pyrolytic graphite electrodes. An altered form of the cytochromes, which has a redox potential 300 mV lower than that of the native state and displays peroxidatic activity, can be induced by interaction with the pyrolytic graphite electrode. Proper control experiments need to be performed, as altered conformations of the enzymes containing c-type haems can show activity towards the enzyme substrate. The work was focused on the study of the activation mechanism and catalytic activity of cytochrome c peroxidase from Paracoccus pantotrophus. The results could only be interpreted with the assignment of the observed non-turnover and catalytic signals to a non-native conformation state of the electron-transferring haem. The same phenomenon was detected for Met-His monohaem cytochromes (mitochondrial cytochrome c and Desulfovibrio vulgaris cytochrome c-553), as well as for the bis-His multihaem cytochrome c(3) from Desulfovibrio gigas, showing that this effect is independent of the axial coordination of the c-type haem protein. Thus, the interpretation of electrochemical signals of c-type (multi)haem proteins at pyrolytic graphite electrodes must be carefully performed, to avoid misassignment of the signals and incorrect interpretation of catalytic intermediates.

Introduction: Knowledge of xylem sap chemical composition is important to the understanding of translocation, detoxification and tolerance mechanisms. However, the small amount of sample available often hampers its characterisation. Hence, low volume consumption techniques are needed for xylem sap analysis., Objective: To develop a microsampling technique for the determination of elements in xylem sap from different plants by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS)., Methodology: The microsampling device was optimised in terms of sample volume and integration time. The analytical characteristics of the microsampling technique (micro-FAAS) were established and compared with those of FAAS with traditional continuous nebulisation. The method was validated by means of an independent technique., Results: Ca, Mg and Ni were determined in a 50 microL aliquot of xylem sap solution/element that was introduced directly into the flame via the microsampling accessory. Good precision was obtained with relative standard deviations of 1.1, 0.6 and 2.3% for Ca, Mg and Ni, respectively. Matrix effects resulting from the physical characteristics of the samples and possible chemical interferences caused by phosphate and/or sulphate were ruled out., Conclusion: A simple, rapid and reproducible microsampling technique coupled to FAAS was developed and successfully applied in the determination of Ca, Mg and Ni in xylem sap.

A comparative study of direct and mediated electrochemistry of metalloproteins in bulk and membrane-entrapped solutions is presented. This work reports the first electrochemical study of the electron transfer between a bacterial cytochrome c peroxidase and horse heart cytochrome c. The mediated catalysis of the peroxidase was analysed both using the membrane electrode configuration and with all proteins in solution. An apparent Michaelis constant of 66 +/- 4 and 42 +/- 5 microM was determined at pH 7.0 and 0 M NaCl for membrane and bulk solutions, respectively. The data revealed that maximum activity occurs at 50 mM NaCl, pH 7.0, with intermolecular rate constants of (4.4 +/- 0.5) x 10(6) and (1.0 +/- 0.5) x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) for membrane-entrapped and bulk solutions, respectively. The influence of parameters such as pH or ionic strength on the mediated catalytic activity was analysed using this approach, drawing attention to the fact that careful analysis of the results is needed to ensure that no artefacts are introduced by the use of the membrane configuration and/or promoters, and therefore the dependence truly reflects the influence of these parameters on the (mediated) catalysis. From the pH dependence, a pK of 7.5 was estimated for the mediated enzymatic catalysis.

This work reports on the direct electrochemistry of the Desulfovibrio gigas aldehyde oxidoreductase (DgAOR), a molybdenum enzyme of the xanthine oxidase family that contains three redox-active cofactors: two [2Fe-2S] centers and a molybdopterin cytosine dinucleotide cofactor. The voltammetric behavior of the enzyme was analyzed at gold and carbon (pyrolytic graphite and glassy carbon) electrodes. Two different strategies were used: one with the molecules confined to the electrode surface and a second with DgAOR in solution. In all of the cases studied, electron transfer took place, although different redox reactions were responsible for the voltammetric signal. From a thorough analysis of the voltammetric responses and the structural properties of the molecular surface of DgAOR, the redox reaction at the carbon electrodes could be assigned to the reduction of the more exposed iron cluster, [2Fe-2S] II, whereas reduction of the molybdopterin cofactor occurs at the gold electrode. Voltammetric results in the presence of aldehydes are also reported and discussed.

Copper complexation by the 1,4-benzodiazepines medazepam, diazepam, flurazepam, nitrazepam, and clonazepam was investigated using differential pulse polarography and cyclic voltammetry at a mercury electrode in 0.10 M KNO3 and pH 7.0 +/- 0.1. Because the 1,4-benzodiazepines are easily reduced at a mercury electrode through the two-electron reduction of the 4,5-azomethine functional group, copper reduction, as well as that of the ligands, was analyzed under varying experimental conditions. In most situations adsorption phenomena occurred and their influence on voltammetric signals had to be carefully analyzed. The voltammetric behavior was then interpreted in terms of complex formation. The results showed that all benzodiazepines can act as ligands toward copper(II) ions, forming 1:1 and 1:2 complexes with similar stabilities. The stoichiometric acidity constants of the benzodiazepines under study were also determined by potentiometric titration in water-ethanol medium and 0.10 M KNO3 and then extrapolated to 0% concentration of ethanol., ((C)2002 Elsevier Science (USA))

The determination of fluoride ions in water samples was accomplished by using a gradient flow titration. A standard commercial combined electrode is used in a cell configuration that combines the gradient chamber and the electrode in a single unit. The methodology developed gives results with a relative standard deviation of about 3%. The average recoveries after spiking natural samples with fluoride are in the range 100-102%. The method was used successful in determining the fluoride concentration in water samples.

From voltammetric titration curves of living Chlorella marina cells with cadmium ion, at constant pH, the surface binding capacity of the alga was determined and interpreted in terms of average conditional equilibrium constants and of differential equilibrium function. Since the alga can live in estuaries, the influence of ionic strength and competition of alkaline and alkaline earth cations has been considered. Cadmium complexation with dead algae killed by heat or using formaldehyde has also been studied for comparison.