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To ameliorate adsorbent recovery by an external magnetic field, naturally occurring diatomaceous earth (DE) was modified with iron-oxide, characterized and applied for adsorption of carbamazepine (CBZ) from synthetic wastewater using batch equilibration method. The fabricated adsorbent was characterized using XRF, XRD, SEM-EDX, FT-IR, BET surface area analysis, VSM and pH of point of zero charge (pH pzc ) determination. The adsorption rate was described by the pseudo-first-order (PFO) model suggesting a physisorption controlled rate-determining step. Equilibrium adsorption data were fitted to linear and nonlinear isotherm models, viz Langmuir and Freundlich models, and were best described by Freundlich nonlinear equations implying heterogeneous multilayer adsorption. The best-fitting kinetic and isotherm model was determined using four mathematical error functions. The thermodynamic parameters, namely enthalpy (ΔH = -26.4 kJ mol -1 ), Gibbs free energy (ΔG = -2.22 kJ mol -1 at 298 K), entropy (ΔS = -34.0 kJ mol -1 ), indicated that the adsorption was a spontaneous, exothermic, and physical process. The adsorption mechanism is postulated to involve cation-π interactions. Modified diatomaceous earth is a potentially excellent, low-cost, and novel sorbent for CBZ adsorption with 88% removal in 180 min and provides a possible alternative adsorbent for wastewater treatment., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The detection of antibiotics in water systems has instigated great environmental concern due to the toxicological effects associated with these compounds. Their discharge into the environment results from the ubiquity of use in medical, veterinary, and agricultural practices. Some of the effects of antibiotics include development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making it difficult to treat diseases, variation in natural microbial communities, and enzyme activities. In this study, the first comprehensive survey of some frequently used antibiotics namely ampicillin (AMP), amoxicillin (AMX), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), chloramphenicol (CAP), and ciprofloxacin (CPF) within Lake Victoria Basin of Kenya is presented. Sludge and wastewater samples were collected from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and hospital lagoons within the study area. Samples were extracted and cleaned by solid-phase extraction, and analysis was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). All wastewater samples and sludge collected contained quantifiable levels of the selected antibiotics. The highest concentrations were recorded for AMP with WWTPs and hospitals having 0.36 ± 0.04 and 0.79 ± 0.07 μg/L, respectively. In sludge samples, SMX recorded the highest concentrations of 276 ± 12 ng/g. The high levels in sludge indicate the preferential partition of antibiotics onto solid phase, posing great danger to consumers of crops grown in biosolid-amended soils. The daily discharge loads of antibiotics from nine WWTPs ranged between 80.75 and 3044.9 mg day(-1) with a total discharge of 6395.85 mg day(-1), signifying a high potential of water resource pollution within the region. This report will aid in the assessment of the risks posed by antibiotics released into the environment.

Lead is currently ranked the number one heavy metal pollutant with a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 0.015 mg L(-1). The use of organic solvent-free methods to immobilize lead from the environment is attracting the attention of scientists and environmental engineers. This study reports the application of water soluble quercetin pentaphosphate (QPP), a derivative of quercetin, for the detection and immobilization of Pb(2+) from water and soil samples. The techniques employed include UV-visible, fluorescence, atomic absorption; inductively coupled plasma optical emission and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. Results indicated the formation of a QPP-Pb complex that inhibits the fluorescence intensity of the parent molecule. The fluorimetric limit of detection was found to be 3.46 × 10(-4) M. The QPP-Pb complex exhibited a corresponding stoichiometry with the predominant complex PX2. A Scatchard plot of y = -4 × 10(6)x + 2916.3 was observed with a negative slope giving an equilibrium constant of 4 × 10(6) M(-1) and 5.4 × 10(5) M(-1) in acidic and alkaline conditions respectively. Results show 90.4% and 91.5% lead(ii) immobilization from BRS and BU soil samples respectively. On the other hand, 91% lead immobilization efficiency from a water sample was achieved at room temperature and is in compliance with the MCL level of 15 ppm at ∼3.82% error margin. This approach does not require the use of organic solvents or the disposal of large amounts of sludge. Once complexed with lead, QPP may not release phosphate to cause any secondary pollution.

We describe the characterization and application of quercetin pentaphosphate (QPP), a new fluorimetric substrate for the detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. QPP exhibits major absorbance peaks at 260/410 nm and a strong fluorescence at λex/λem = 425/510 nm at alkaline pH. The product of enzymatic reaction between QPP and ALP has a strong absorbance peak at 324 nm with no fluorescence at the investigated wavelengths. The product generated from the enzymatic reaction was found to be proportional to ALP activity, and the ALP activity was monitored by the absorbance difference at 310 nm and 410 nm. The change in absorbance was found to be proportional to the ALP concentration with a linear detection range and a limit of detection of 0.01-16 U L(-1) and 0.766 U L(-1), respectively. The enzyme activity was also monitored by evaluating the change in fluorescence emission at 530 nm with a linear range of 0.01-8 U L(-1) and a detection limit of 0.062 U L(-1). Further, the validity of the new substrate for ALP in conjugated form was tested using Bacillus globigii spores as the model sample. A detection limit of 5998 spores per mL was obtained using QPP as the substrate. Unlike the parent compound, QPP substrate exhibits stability in solution for over three and half months and was stable under storage for over 12 months. The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of QPP for ALP and compare well with other fluorescent substrates, such as Fluorescein, Alexa Fluor and Cy5.

Workplace exposure to engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) is a potential health and environmental hazard. This paper reports a novel approach for tracking hazardous airborne ENPs by applying online poly (amic) acid membranes (PAA) with offline electrochemical detection. Test aerosol (Fe2O3, TiO2 and ZnO) nanoparticles were produced using the Harvard (Versatile Engineered Generation System) VENGES system. The particle morphology, size and elemental composition were determined using SEM, XRD and EDS. The PAA membrane electrodes used to capture the airborne ENPs were either stand-alone or with electron-beam gold-coated paper substrates. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to conceptually illustrate that exposure levels of industry-relevant classes of airborne nanoparticles could be captured and electrochemically detected at PAA membranes filter electrodes. CV parameters showed that PAA catalyzed the reduction of Fe2O3 to Fe(2+) with a size-dependent shift in reduction potential (E(0)). Using the proportionality of peak current to concentration, the amount of Fe2O3 was found to be 4.15×10(-17)mol/cm(3) PAA electrodes. Using EIS, the maximum phase angle (Φmax) and the interfacial charge transfer resistance (Rct) increased significantly using 100μg and 1000μg of TiO2 and ZnO respectively. The observed increase in Φmax and Rct at increasing concentration is consistent with the addition of an insulating layer of material on the electrode surface. The integrated VENGES/PAA filter sensor system has the potential to be used as a portable monitoring system., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Quercetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid that is known to form complexes with metals; a process that reduces the environmental availability of toxic metals such as chromium. We hereby report the first evidence of the removal of Cr(VI) from environmental samples using quercetin (QCR) and two synthetic derivatives: namely quercetin pentaphosphate (QPP) and quercetin sulfonic acid (QSA). We successfully synthesized both QPP and QSA using simple procedures while characterizing them with UV-vis spectroscopy, H(1)-NMR, (13)C NMR, (31)P-NMR, and LC-MS techniques. The solubility of QPP was found to be 840 mg/mL and aqueous solutions of both QPP and QSA were stable for over a period of 1 year. Quercetin and these derivatives were subsequently utilized for the reduction of Cr(VI) and QCR was found to have a higher reduction efficiency of 99.8% (30 min), followed by QPP/palladium nanoparticles mixture (PdNPs) at 96.5% (60 min), and finally QSA/PdNPs mixtures at 91.7% (60 min). PdNPs catalyst increased the efficiency by ∼36.5% while a change in operating temperature from 25 to 45 °C improved the efficiency by ∼46.8%. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of Cr (III) in the reaction products. This reduction approach was validated in environmental (Binghamton University) BU and standard reference material (BRS) soil samples. Results showed that the analysis could be completed within one hour and the efficiency was higher in BU soil than in BRS soil by 16.1%. QPP registered the highest % atom economy of 94.6%. This indicates enhanced performance compared to bioremediation approach that requires several months to achieve about 90% reduction efficiency.

This paper presents the first development of a mass-sensitive nanosensor for the isolation and quantitative analyses of engineered fullerene (C₆₀) nanoparticles, while excluding mixtures of structurally similar fullerenes. Amino-modified beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD-NH₂) was synthesized and confirmed by ¹HNMR as the host molecule to isolate the desired fullerene C₆₀. This was subsequently assembled onto the surfaces of gold-coated quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) electrodes using N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide (DCC/NHS) surface immobilization chemistry to create a selective molecular configuration described as (Au)-S-(CH₂)²-CONH-beta-CD sensor. The mass change on the sensor configuration on the QCM was monitored for selective quantitative analysis of fullerene C₆₀ from a C₆₀/C₇₀ mixture and soil samples. About ~10¹⁴-10¹⁶ C₆₀ particles/cm² were successfully quantified by QCM measurements. Continuous spike of 200 μL of 0.14 mg C₆₀ /mL produced changes in frequency (-Δf) that varied exponentially with concentration. FESEM and time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry confirmed the validity of sensor surface chemistry before and after exposure to fullerene C₆₀. The utility of this sensor for spiked real-world soil samples has been demonstrated. Comparable sensitivity was obtained using both the soil and purified toluene samples. This work demonstrates that the sensor has potential application in complex environmental matrices.

Nanoscale materials offer new possibilities for the development of novel remediation and environmental monitoring technologies. Different nanoscale materials have been exploited for preventing environmental degradation and pollutant transformation. However, the rapid self-aggregation of nanoparticles or their association with suspended solids or sediments where they could bioaccumulate supports the need for polymeric coatings to improve mobility, allows faster site cleanups and reduces remediation cost. The ideal material must be able to coordinate different nanomaterials functionalities and exhibit the potential for reusability. We hereby describe two novel environmental applications of nanostructured poly (amic acid)-based (nPAA) materials. In the first application, nPAA was used as both reductant and stabilizer during the in situ chemical reduction of chromium(vi) to chromium(iii). Results showed that Cr(vi) species were rapidly reduced within the concentration range of 10(-1) to 10(2) mM with efficiency of 99.9% at 40 °C in water samples and 90% at 40 °C in soil samples respectively. Furthermore, the presence of PdNPs on the PAA-Au electrode was found to significantly enhance the rate of reduction. In the second application, nPAA membranes were tested as filters to capture, isolate and detect nanosilver. Preliminary results demonstrate the capability of the nPAA membranes to quantitatively capture nanoparticles from suspension and quantify their abundance on the membranes. Silver nanoparticles detection at concentrations near the toxic threshold of silver was also demonstrated.