This study was designed to screen and characterize antibiotic producing bacteria and fungi from soil samples from a waste dump site in Enugu. The molecular characterization of the isolates was performed by using Zymo ...This study was designed to screen and characterize antibiotic producing bacteria and fungi from soil samples from a waste dump site in Enugu. The molecular characterization of the isolates was performed by using Zymo Research Quick-DNA fungi/bacteria miniprep kit. The bacteria isolates were <i>Providencia stuartii</i>, <i>Providencia alcalifaciens.</i> <i>Bacillus sp.</i>, <i>Streptococcus sp.</i>, <i>Micrococcus sp.</i>, and <i>Staphylococcus sp</i> while <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> and <i>Aspergillus niger</i> were fungal isolates. The efficacy of the Crude Extract (CE) of the antibiotics produced was tested against species of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i>. The CE of antibiotics when compared with a conventional antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin) showed lower antimicrobial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the crude extracts ranged between 12.5% and 25% concentrations while the minimum bactericidal concentration ranged from 25% and 50% concentrations. The findings suggest that these organisms have the potential to produce antibiotics and could be harnessed by pharmaceutical industries for the production of newer antibiotics.展开更多
New samples returned by China Chang’e-5(CE-5)mission offer an opportunity for studying the lunar geologic longevity,space weathering,and regolith evolution.The age determination of the CE-5 samples was among the firs...New samples returned by China Chang’e-5(CE-5)mission offer an opportunity for studying the lunar geologic longevity,space weathering,and regolith evolution.The age determination of the CE-5 samples was among the first scientific questions to be answered.However,the precious samples,most in the micrometer size range,challenge many traditional analyses on large single crystals of zircon developed for massive bulk samples.Here,we developed a non-destructive rapid screening of individual zirconium-containing particle for isotope geochronology based on a Micro X-ray fluorescence analysis(μXRF).The selected particles were verified via scanning electron microscopy(SEM),3D X-ray microscopy(XRM),and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy(FIB-SEM)techniques,which showed that zirconium-bearing minerals with several microns were precisely positioned and readily suitable for site-specific isotopic dating by second ion mass spectrometry(SIMS).Such protocol could be also appli-cable in non-destructively screening other types of particles for different scientific purposes.We there-fore proposed a correlative workflow for comprehensively studying the CE-5 lunar samples from single particles on nanometer to atomic scales.Linking various microscopic and spectromicroscopic instru-ments together,this workflow consists of six steps:(1)single-particle selection with non-destructive μXRF technique,(2)2D/3D morphological and structural characterization with a correlative submicron 3D XRM and nanoscale resolution FIB-SEM imaging methods,(3)SEM analysis of the surface morphology and chemistry of the selected particle,(4)a series of microscopic and microbeam analyses(e.g.,SEM,electron probe microanalysis,and SIMS)on the cross-section of the selected particle to obtain structural,mineralogical,chemical,and isotopic features from the micron to nanometer scale,(5)advanced 2D/3D characterization and site-specific sample preparation of thin foil/tip specimens on a microregion of inter-est in the selected particle with FIB-SEM technique,and(6)comprehensive analyses on the FIB-milled specimens at nanometer to atomic scale with synchrotron-based scanning transmission X-ray micro-scopy,analytic transmission electron microscopy,and atom probe tomography.Following this technical roadmap,one can integrate multiple modalities into a uniform frame of multimodal and multiscale cor-related datasets to acquire high-throughput information on the limited or precious terrestrial and extraterrestrial samples.展开更多
The current study was conducted primarily to investigate and estimate 137Cs activity concentrations and the external dose rate due to fallout radionuclide 137Cs. Soil samples were collected from different 25 locations...The current study was conducted primarily to investigate and estimate 137Cs activity concentrations and the external dose rate due to fallout radionuclide 137Cs. Soil samples were collected from different 25 locations at Riyadh Province and analyzed using low level γ-spectrometry equipped with HPGe-detector. 137Cs activity concentrations and calculated dose rate were found in the range of 0.8 - 3.1 Bq·kg–1 and 0.05 to 0.8 nSv·h–1 with an average value of 1.70 ± 0.7 Bq·kg–1 and 0.11 ± 0.05 nSv·h–1 respectively. The measured 137Cs activity concentration range was compared with the reported ranges in the literature from some of the other locations in the world. Results obtained in this study show that 137Cs concentration is of a lower level in the investigated area. However, the range of 137Cs concentrations observed in this study is significantly high relative to similar data reported from Libya. The average value of estimated external effective dose rate is found far below the dose rate limit of of 1.0 mSv·y–1 for members of the general public recom-mended by ICRP as well as the external gamma radiation dose of 0.48 mSv·y–1 received per head from the natural sources of radiation assessed by (UNSCEAR, 2000). It is concluded that 137Cs soil contamination does not pose radia-tion hazards to the population in the investigated areas.展开更多
A very simple, ultra-sensitive, highly selective and non-extractive new spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of arsenic at pico-trace levels using 2-(α-pyridyl)-thioquinaldinamide (PTQA) has been develope...A very simple, ultra-sensitive, highly selective and non-extractive new spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of arsenic at pico-trace levels using 2-(α-pyridyl)-thioquinaldinamide (PTQA) has been developed. PTQA has been proposed as a new analytical reagent for the direct non-extractive spectrofluorimetric determination of Arsenic (V). This novel fluorimetric reagent, PTQA becomes oxidized in a slightly acidic (0.025 - 0.1 M H2SO4) solution with Arsenic (V) in absolute ethanol to produce highly fluorescent oxidized product (λex = 303 nm;λem = 365 nm). Constant and maximum fluorescence intensities were observed over a wide range of acidity (0.025 - 0.1 M H2SO4) for the period between 2 min and 24 h. Linear calibration graphs were obtained for 0.001 - 800-μgL-1 of As, having a detection limit of 0.1-ngL-1;the quantification limit of the reaction system was found to be 1-ngL-1 and the RSD was 0% - 2%. A large excess of over 60 cations, anions and complexion agents (like, chloride, phosphate, azide, tartrate, oxalate, SCN, etc.) do not interfere in the determination. The developed method was successfully used in the determination of arsenic in several Certified Reference Materials (alloys, steels, ores, human urine, hair, nails, bovine liver and sediments) as well as in some biological fluids (human blood, urine, hair, nail and milk), soil samples, food samples (vegetables, fruits, rice, corn and wheat), solutions containing both arsenic (III) and arsenic (V) speciation and complex synthetic mixtures. The results of the proposed method for assessing biological, food and soil samples were comparable with both ICP-OES & AHG-AAS and were found to be in excellent agreement.展开更多
This paper reports an alternative method for extraction, detection and quantification of atrazine from a clay-silty soil. Atrazine adsorption isotherm for this kind of soil fits to a Freundlich adsorption isotherm wit...This paper reports an alternative method for extraction, detection and quantification of atrazine from a clay-silty soil. Atrazine adsorption isotherm for this kind of soil fits to a Freundlich adsorption isotherm with a correlation coefficient of 0.994, sorption intensity 1/n = 0.718 and Kf = 1, with a maximum soil adsorbed atrazine concentration of 8 mg g–1. Atrazine desorption was approached using several surfactants including non-ionic (Triton X-100, Triton X-114, and Triton X-405), anionic (SDS) and cationic (CTAB), these surfactants were used at critical micellar concentration (CMC) and higher concentrations. Atrazine quantification was done by high resolution liquid chromatography coupled to spectrophotometric detection (HPLC-UV), optimized conditions correspond to a flow rate of 1.0 mL min–1, λ = 260 nm, a C18 PAH Agilent-Eclipse column with a mobile phase of CH3OH/1 × 10–3, a phosphate buffer, pH 3.2/CH3CN 55:30:15 (v/v). At these conditions it can be obtained a good chromatographic separation of atrazine and soil organic matter. Atrazine desorption was aided by surfactants at CMC conditions, it can be claimed that atrazine desorption was enhanced by surfactants since desorption, from higher to lower, goes as follows: 98.5% with Triton X-114, 98% with SDS, 89.5% with Triton X-405, 86.5% with Triton X-100;and 45% with CTAB.展开更多
Quinclorac is one of the main herbicides used in paddy fields in China.Quinclorac residues in paddy soil may significantly influence the growth of sensitive crops such as tobacco.An analytical method employing high pe...Quinclorac is one of the main herbicides used in paddy fields in China.Quinclorac residues in paddy soil may significantly influence the growth of sensitive crops such as tobacco.An analytical method employing high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)with a diode array detector(DAD)was developed to determine quinclorac residues in paddy soil samples.Quinclorac was extracted from paddy soil samples by 5% ammonia methanol solution(v/v)and cleancd up by solid-phase extraction(SPE)with Bond Elute SAX cartridge.Recoveries of quinclorac at 0.005-1.000 μg·g^-1 were 82.36%-l06.30%,with relative standard deviations(RSDs)of 2.45%-6.83%.The limit of detection(LOD)was 0.001 μg·g^-1 at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3,and the limit of quantification(LOQ)was 0.005 μg·g^-1 The same quinclorac residue samples were further analyzed and confirmed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS).The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of quinclorac residues from the paddy fields with previous quinclorac treatment in Jiangxi Province.展开更多
This study aims to determine the activity concentrations of naturally occurring, technically-enhanced levels of radiation and the gamma absorbed dose rates in soil samples collected across the land scape of historical...This study aims to determine the activity concentrations of naturally occurring, technically-enhanced levels of radiation and the gamma absorbed dose rates in soil samples collected across the land scape of historical area which discovered in east of Saudi Arabia at 2009 G, Called AL- RAKKAH. By using an HPGe detector gamma-ray spectrometer, the activity concentrations of 226Ra 232Th and 40K were found in surface soil samples ranged from 17. 4 ± 1.2 Bq/kg to 28.3 ± 2.3 Bq/kg with an average value of 23 ± 1.6 Bq/kg, ranging from 1.1 ± 1.8 Bq/kg to 81.0 ± 1.7 Bq/kg with the average value 20 ± 1.4 Bq/kg and from 218 ± 11 Bq/kg to 255 ± 18 Bq/kg, with the mean value of 233 ± 12 Bq/kg respectively. The mean radium equivalent (Raeq) and outdoor radiation hazard index (Hex) for the area under study were determined as 69.52 Bq/kg and 0.16 respectively. The total absorbed dose rate due to three primordial radionuclides lies in the range of 17.74 - 72.24 nGy·h-1 with a mean of 32.69 nGy·h-1, which yields total annual effective dose of 0.37 mSv·y-1. The measured values are comparable with other global radioactivity measurements and are found to be safe for public and environment. The baseline data of this type will almost certainly be of importance in making estimations of population exposure.展开更多
Kinetics of the sorption of the herbicide, pendimethalin (3,4-Dimethyl-2,6-dinitro-N-pentan-3-yl-aniline) on four soil samples obtained from the banks of Rivers Benue and Katsina-Ala, in Central Nigeria was studied by...Kinetics of the sorption of the herbicide, pendimethalin (3,4-Dimethyl-2,6-dinitro-N-pentan-3-yl-aniline) on four soil samples obtained from the banks of Rivers Benue and Katsina-Ala, in Central Nigeria was studied by contacting 5.0 g soil samples with 100 mL 7 × 10<sup>-6</sup> M herbicide solution. The sorption was monitored by following the herbicide concentration in the aqueous phase spectrophotometrically at one hour intervals for 5 hours (at 25°C, 35°C, 45°C, 55°C and 65°C, respectively). Pseudo-first order kinetics treatment of the data showed that sorption rates as well as the accompanying activation energies were low, indicating that physical adsorption is the operative mechanism for its retention in the soils and that the herbicide tended to reside more in the aqueous phase, which raised its potential to contaminate natural water systems, when applied on the field.展开更多
Soil samples were collected from and around Zliten cement factory, Zliten town, Libya. Soil metals and microbial contents were determined. The results obtained for the examined physiochemical characteristics of soil i...Soil samples were collected from and around Zliten cement factory, Zliten town, Libya. Soil metals and microbial contents were determined. The results obtained for the examined physiochemical characteristics of soil in the area studied prove that cement dust from the Zliten cement factory inLibyahas had a significant impact on the soil. The affected soil properties are pH and total calcium content. These characteristics were found to be higher than those in similar soils from the same area (unpolluted). The increment of soil pH in the same area may be a result of precipitation of cement dust over the years. Metal uptake from cement to plants and soil then affects organisms’ bodies, a fact that seems to be reflected in this study. Different responses were found in each site. For instance, the dominance of fungi of soil was lowest at100 mfrom the factory and the evenness and diversity increased at this site compared to300 mfrom the factory and the control area.展开更多
This is the first time that a study applies the gamma ray spectroscopy using a high purity germanium to evaluate the terrestrial gamma radiation level by detector in selected regions of Mali. The results reveal that t...This is the first time that a study applies the gamma ray spectroscopy using a high purity germanium to evaluate the terrestrial gamma radiation level by detector in selected regions of Mali. The results reveal that the activity concentrations of naturally occurring 226Ra, 232Th and 40K radionuclides ranges between respectively 17.26 ±1.81 and 105.43 ±10.36;20.41 ±2.52 and 180.85 ±19.69;41.33 ±8.26 and 627.63 ±85.62 Bq⋅kg−1. The measures of radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rates (ADR), annual effective dose rate (AEDR), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were evaluated. Some of the obtained values exceed the recommended safe levels. Further studies are necessary to constitute a baseline reference data about the terrestrial radiation in Mali.展开更多
An acid sulfate soil sample was successively extracted with deionized water, 1 mol L-1 KCl and 0.000 5 mol L-l Ca(OH)2 solutions. The results showed that only very small amounts of acidity were extracted by deionized ...An acid sulfate soil sample was successively extracted with deionized water, 1 mol L-1 KCl and 0.000 5 mol L-l Ca(OH)2 solutions. The results showed that only very small amounts of acidity were extracted by deionized water, possibly through slow jarosite hydrolysis. Acid release through jarosite hydrolysis was greatly enhanced by Ca(OH)2 extraction at the expense of the added OH- being neutralized by the acid released. Successive extraction of the sample with KCl removed the largest amounts of acidity from the sample. However, it is likely that the major form of acidity released by KCl extraction was exchangeable acidity. The results also show the occurrence of low or non charged Al and Fe species in water and Ca(OH)2 extracts after first a few extractions. It appears that such a phenomenon was related to a decreasing EC value with increasing number of extractions.展开更多
Ten soil samples from Jabal Al Qur, Wadi Baba, and Wadi Sieh in Sinai, Egypt, were analyzed by XRD spectroscopy. The XRD spectroscopy results indicate that the major, minor and trace constituents varied from one sampl...Ten soil samples from Jabal Al Qur, Wadi Baba, and Wadi Sieh in Sinai, Egypt, were analyzed by XRD spectroscopy. The XRD spectroscopy results indicate that the major, minor and trace constituents varied from one sample to another. Samples were also analyzed by HPGe gamma spectrometer to determine the activity concentration of U-238, Th-232 series and K-40. The concentrations for 238U ranged from 57.03 to 4220.41 Bq/kg with an average 1110.75 Bq/kg, for 232Th, ranged from 13.55 to130.46 Bq/kg with an average 71.85 Bq/Kg. The concentrations for 40K were in the range from 12.18 to 948.93 Bq/kg with an average value 457.09 Bq/kg. The average activity concentration values of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, in all the collected samples were higher than the world average. The radium equivalent (Req), absorbed dose rate (DR), the effective dose rate (Deff), and hazard indices resulted due to the natural radionuclides in soil are also calculated. The Results show that the study area is not safe for human and environments.展开更多
A comprehensive<em> in vitro</em> study on single and sequential extraction methods for Cu exraction by different extractants of distinct chemical nature from some peat soils of Bangladesh was conducted to...A comprehensive<em> in vitro</em> study on single and sequential extraction methods for Cu exraction by different extractants of distinct chemical nature from some peat soils of Bangladesh was conducted to assess the pattern of metal-extractability in drying and wetting sequences. Samples were collected from peat basins of two different districts of Bangladesh (Gopalgonj and Bagerhat) and an incubation study was designed and conducted in which soils were incubated to three alternate drying and wetting cycles for 21 days. Single and sequentially extracted Cu ions in all three cycles and by all three selective extractants were compared. Maximum amount of Cu was extracted in drying days and 1M HCl extracted the largest proportion of Cu from all the soils in each incubation time. Conversely, 1M NH<sub>4</sub>Cl was the least effective extractant for extracting Cu by both single and sequential process in either day of incubation. Considerable amount of Cu was extracted by 0.005 M DTPA in dry periods. In general, single extraction was found to be more effective in extracting Cu in the alternate drying and wetting cycles from the peat soil samples except for 1M HCl in initial drying days.展开更多
This study compared the physicochemical parameters and heavy metal levels in soil samples from selected anthropogenic sites within Enugu metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria using standard analytical methods. Soil samples...This study compared the physicochemical parameters and heavy metal levels in soil samples from selected anthropogenic sites within Enugu metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria using standard analytical methods. Soil samples at depths (0 - 20 cm) and (20 - 40 cm) were collected from waste dump sites, metal scrap dumps, fuel filling stations and auto-mechanic workshops and analyzed for physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal levels. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for heavy metal determination while conventional analytical methods were employed for physicochemical parameters evaluation of the soil samples. At soil depths 0 - 20 cm and 20 - 40 cm the respective mean range of pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter and organic carbon contents in the soil samples were, 6.33 - 6.74, 101.46 - 123.21 <em>μ</em>S/cm, 6.41% - 8.35% and 13.73% - 16.14% for auto-mechanic workshops;6.92 - 7.43, 56.46 - 60.02 <em>μ</em>S/cm, 1.53% - 2.20% and 11.93% - 12.60% for fuel filling stations;7.14 - 7.84, 70.81 - 77.71 <em>μ</em>S/cm, 3.81% - 4.12% and 8.57% - 9.24% for metal scrap dumps;6.54 - 6.81, 94.40 - 100.71 <em>μ</em>S/cm, 8.83% - 10.75% and 18.26% - 20.81% for waste dump sites. The pH of the top soil samples from auto-mechanical workshop was below the WHO recommended limits for agricultural purposes. The physic-chemical characteristics of the soil samples decreased with soil depths indicating therefore that anthropogenic activities greatly influence the soil characteristics at the top soils than the sub-soils. The electrical conductivity values of top and sub-soil samples from the studied auto-mechanical workshops were above the recommended limits. At soil depths 0 - 20 cm and 20 - 40 cm, the respective mean range of Zn, Pb and Cd in the soil samples were 17.29 - 19.16 <em>μ</em>g/g, 0.704 - 0.96 <em>μ</em>g/g and 0.26 - 0.33 <em>μ</em>g/g for auto-mechanic workshops;4.13 - 4.88 <em>μ</em>g/g, 0.21 - 0.32 <em>μ</em>g/g and 0.03 - 0.11 <em>μ</em>g/g for fuel filling stations;30.02 - 36.11 <em>μ</em>g/g, 0.43 - 0.48 <em>μ</em>g/g and 0.15 - 0.19 <em>μ</em>g/g for metal scrap dumps;9.30 - 10.84 <em>μ</em>g/g, 0.53 - 0.60 <em>μ</em>g/g and 0.38 - 0.45 <em>μ</em>g/g for waste dump sites. The mean levels of Pb in soil samples from mechanic workshops and waste dump sites were above the recommended permissible limits for agricultural purposes. The study therefore indicated that these sites (auto-mechanic workshops and waste dump sites) could be major sources of Pb pollution to nearby farmlands, streams and the general environment. Plants grown on or around these sites may not produce high yields and could be severely contaminated with heavy metals which portend health danger to food consumers within the environment.展开更多
Through the analysis on the migratory diffusion process of atmospheric pollutants,we proposed to seek atmospheric pollutant source with surface soil sample of data.Based on Gaussian plume model and deposition model,at...Through the analysis on the migratory diffusion process of atmospheric pollutants,we proposed to seek atmospheric pollutant source with surface soil sample of data.Based on Gaussian plume model and deposition model,atmospheric pollutants distribution model was deduced,with which a schema matching source seeking model was established.The model was used to seek the pollutant source by using the arsenic data in the surface soil sample of a city.展开更多
We present n-alkane distributions in the soil samples along a transect from Lhasa on the Tibetan Plateau to Bharatpur in Nepal, which covers a large geographical area and a wide range of climatic conditions. These dat...We present n-alkane distributions in the soil samples along a transect from Lhasa on the Tibetan Plateau to Bharatpur in Nepal, which covers a large geographical area and a wide range of climatic conditions. These data allow us to assess the significance of n-alkane distributions in different vegetation types and their relationships to temperature and precipitation. In the tropical rainforest and broadleaved forest zones, n-alkanes exhibit a bimodal distribution pattern with dominant homologues around n-C_(31) and n-C_(23). The bimodal distribution of tropical rainforest n-alkanes may be a general pattern because of the presence of many lianas, epiphytic plants, algae and the strong microbial activity and degradation involved in the postdepositional process. In the warm-temperate mixed forest and needle-leaved forest zones, the long-chain alkanes have a pattern of n-C_(31) > n-C_(33) > n-C_(27). In the alpine shrub and grassland zone, although the most abundant homologue is n-C_(31) , relatively high n-C_(23) concentrations have also been observed in some samples. The statistical results show a good correlation between n-alkane proxies and climatic factors. The average chain length(ACL) values are positively correlated with precipitation and temperature across the transect. The carbon preference index(CPI) values show a negative correlation with temperature and precipitation along a Lhasa–Bharatpur transect. Although there is a positive relationship between ACL and temperature, it is difficult to separate the two climatic variables(temperature and precipitation) because they are well coupled in the monsoon region.展开更多
In this work, a method for quantification of heavy metals Inductively Coupled Plasma Sector Field Mass Spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) in soil samples of El Bierzo district (Spain) has been optimized and validated. Optimizati...In this work, a method for quantification of heavy metals Inductively Coupled Plasma Sector Field Mass Spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) in soil samples of El Bierzo district (Spain) has been optimized and validated. Optimization was carried out for elements: Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, As, Cd, Hg, Pb and U. Validation of the method was performed with Certified and Standard Reference Materials (CRMs and SRMs);SRM2709, CRM020-051 and CRM050-051. Results obtained under optimized conditions can be summarized as follows: a) the Limits of Detection (LODs) were in the order of sub fg·g-1 for Cr, Mn, Cu, Co, As, Cd, Hg, Pb and U, and few fg·g-1for Ni, Zn and Se;b) precision measurement, in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD), was been below 5%;c) the average recovery of CRM was between 81.3% and 98%. In conclusion, the method offers several advantages: fast, good accuracy, very low values of Limits of Quantification (LOQs) and high sensitivity on measurement of heavy metal.展开更多
The research about the content of soil element in Ngari is still in its infancy,and there lacks systemic research and discussion. The 90 topsoil samples were selected from the 7 counties in Ngari area,and 13 elements ...The research about the content of soil element in Ngari is still in its infancy,and there lacks systemic research and discussion. The 90 topsoil samples were selected from the 7 counties in Ngari area,and 13 elements were investigated systematically. The correlation analysis method and factor analysis method were used to study the interrelationship and accumulating,migrating and transforming rules of the selected 13 elements.The results showed that there was significant correlation among most of the transition elements in the topsoil. The main factors,which influenced the element content,were nature factors. Human activities also had certain effect on the element content of surface soil,but the strength was weak.展开更多
文摘This study was designed to screen and characterize antibiotic producing bacteria and fungi from soil samples from a waste dump site in Enugu. The molecular characterization of the isolates was performed by using Zymo Research Quick-DNA fungi/bacteria miniprep kit. The bacteria isolates were <i>Providencia stuartii</i>, <i>Providencia alcalifaciens.</i> <i>Bacillus sp.</i>, <i>Streptococcus sp.</i>, <i>Micrococcus sp.</i>, and <i>Staphylococcus sp</i> while <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> and <i>Aspergillus niger</i> were fungal isolates. The efficacy of the Crude Extract (CE) of the antibiotics produced was tested against species of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i>. The CE of antibiotics when compared with a conventional antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin) showed lower antimicrobial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the crude extracts ranged between 12.5% and 25% concentrations while the minimum bactericidal concentration ranged from 25% and 50% concentrations. The findings suggest that these organisms have the potential to produce antibiotics and could be harnessed by pharmaceutical industries for the production of newer antibiotics.
基金the National Key R&D Program of China(2018YFA0702600)the Key Research program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(ZDBS-SSW-JSC007-13)+1 种基金the institute of Geology and Geophysics,Chinese Academy of Sciences(IGGCAS-202101)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grants no.41890843,41920104009)。
文摘New samples returned by China Chang’e-5(CE-5)mission offer an opportunity for studying the lunar geologic longevity,space weathering,and regolith evolution.The age determination of the CE-5 samples was among the first scientific questions to be answered.However,the precious samples,most in the micrometer size range,challenge many traditional analyses on large single crystals of zircon developed for massive bulk samples.Here,we developed a non-destructive rapid screening of individual zirconium-containing particle for isotope geochronology based on a Micro X-ray fluorescence analysis(μXRF).The selected particles were verified via scanning electron microscopy(SEM),3D X-ray microscopy(XRM),and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy(FIB-SEM)techniques,which showed that zirconium-bearing minerals with several microns were precisely positioned and readily suitable for site-specific isotopic dating by second ion mass spectrometry(SIMS).Such protocol could be also appli-cable in non-destructively screening other types of particles for different scientific purposes.We there-fore proposed a correlative workflow for comprehensively studying the CE-5 lunar samples from single particles on nanometer to atomic scales.Linking various microscopic and spectromicroscopic instru-ments together,this workflow consists of six steps:(1)single-particle selection with non-destructive μXRF technique,(2)2D/3D morphological and structural characterization with a correlative submicron 3D XRM and nanoscale resolution FIB-SEM imaging methods,(3)SEM analysis of the surface morphology and chemistry of the selected particle,(4)a series of microscopic and microbeam analyses(e.g.,SEM,electron probe microanalysis,and SIMS)on the cross-section of the selected particle to obtain structural,mineralogical,chemical,and isotopic features from the micron to nanometer scale,(5)advanced 2D/3D characterization and site-specific sample preparation of thin foil/tip specimens on a microregion of inter-est in the selected particle with FIB-SEM technique,and(6)comprehensive analyses on the FIB-milled specimens at nanometer to atomic scale with synchrotron-based scanning transmission X-ray micro-scopy,analytic transmission electron microscopy,and atom probe tomography.Following this technical roadmap,one can integrate multiple modalities into a uniform frame of multimodal and multiscale cor-related datasets to acquire high-throughput information on the limited or precious terrestrial and extraterrestrial samples.
文摘The current study was conducted primarily to investigate and estimate 137Cs activity concentrations and the external dose rate due to fallout radionuclide 137Cs. Soil samples were collected from different 25 locations at Riyadh Province and analyzed using low level γ-spectrometry equipped with HPGe-detector. 137Cs activity concentrations and calculated dose rate were found in the range of 0.8 - 3.1 Bq·kg–1 and 0.05 to 0.8 nSv·h–1 with an average value of 1.70 ± 0.7 Bq·kg–1 and 0.11 ± 0.05 nSv·h–1 respectively. The measured 137Cs activity concentration range was compared with the reported ranges in the literature from some of the other locations in the world. Results obtained in this study show that 137Cs concentration is of a lower level in the investigated area. However, the range of 137Cs concentrations observed in this study is significantly high relative to similar data reported from Libya. The average value of estimated external effective dose rate is found far below the dose rate limit of of 1.0 mSv·y–1 for members of the general public recom-mended by ICRP as well as the external gamma radiation dose of 0.48 mSv·y–1 received per head from the natural sources of radiation assessed by (UNSCEAR, 2000). It is concluded that 137Cs soil contamination does not pose radia-tion hazards to the population in the investigated areas.
文摘A very simple, ultra-sensitive, highly selective and non-extractive new spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of arsenic at pico-trace levels using 2-(α-pyridyl)-thioquinaldinamide (PTQA) has been developed. PTQA has been proposed as a new analytical reagent for the direct non-extractive spectrofluorimetric determination of Arsenic (V). This novel fluorimetric reagent, PTQA becomes oxidized in a slightly acidic (0.025 - 0.1 M H2SO4) solution with Arsenic (V) in absolute ethanol to produce highly fluorescent oxidized product (λex = 303 nm;λem = 365 nm). Constant and maximum fluorescence intensities were observed over a wide range of acidity (0.025 - 0.1 M H2SO4) for the period between 2 min and 24 h. Linear calibration graphs were obtained for 0.001 - 800-μgL-1 of As, having a detection limit of 0.1-ngL-1;the quantification limit of the reaction system was found to be 1-ngL-1 and the RSD was 0% - 2%. A large excess of over 60 cations, anions and complexion agents (like, chloride, phosphate, azide, tartrate, oxalate, SCN, etc.) do not interfere in the determination. The developed method was successfully used in the determination of arsenic in several Certified Reference Materials (alloys, steels, ores, human urine, hair, nails, bovine liver and sediments) as well as in some biological fluids (human blood, urine, hair, nail and milk), soil samples, food samples (vegetables, fruits, rice, corn and wheat), solutions containing both arsenic (III) and arsenic (V) speciation and complex synthetic mixtures. The results of the proposed method for assessing biological, food and soil samples were comparable with both ICP-OES & AHG-AAS and were found to be in excellent agreement.
文摘This paper reports an alternative method for extraction, detection and quantification of atrazine from a clay-silty soil. Atrazine adsorption isotherm for this kind of soil fits to a Freundlich adsorption isotherm with a correlation coefficient of 0.994, sorption intensity 1/n = 0.718 and Kf = 1, with a maximum soil adsorbed atrazine concentration of 8 mg g–1. Atrazine desorption was approached using several surfactants including non-ionic (Triton X-100, Triton X-114, and Triton X-405), anionic (SDS) and cationic (CTAB), these surfactants were used at critical micellar concentration (CMC) and higher concentrations. Atrazine quantification was done by high resolution liquid chromatography coupled to spectrophotometric detection (HPLC-UV), optimized conditions correspond to a flow rate of 1.0 mL min–1, λ = 260 nm, a C18 PAH Agilent-Eclipse column with a mobile phase of CH3OH/1 × 10–3, a phosphate buffer, pH 3.2/CH3CN 55:30:15 (v/v). At these conditions it can be obtained a good chromatographic separation of atrazine and soil organic matter. Atrazine desorption was aided by surfactants at CMC conditions, it can be claimed that atrazine desorption was enhanced by surfactants since desorption, from higher to lower, goes as follows: 98.5% with Triton X-114, 98% with SDS, 89.5% with Triton X-405, 86.5% with Triton X-100;and 45% with CTAB.
文摘Quinclorac is one of the main herbicides used in paddy fields in China.Quinclorac residues in paddy soil may significantly influence the growth of sensitive crops such as tobacco.An analytical method employing high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)with a diode array detector(DAD)was developed to determine quinclorac residues in paddy soil samples.Quinclorac was extracted from paddy soil samples by 5% ammonia methanol solution(v/v)and cleancd up by solid-phase extraction(SPE)with Bond Elute SAX cartridge.Recoveries of quinclorac at 0.005-1.000 μg·g^-1 were 82.36%-l06.30%,with relative standard deviations(RSDs)of 2.45%-6.83%.The limit of detection(LOD)was 0.001 μg·g^-1 at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3,and the limit of quantification(LOQ)was 0.005 μg·g^-1 The same quinclorac residue samples were further analyzed and confirmed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS).The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of quinclorac residues from the paddy fields with previous quinclorac treatment in Jiangxi Province.
文摘This study aims to determine the activity concentrations of naturally occurring, technically-enhanced levels of radiation and the gamma absorbed dose rates in soil samples collected across the land scape of historical area which discovered in east of Saudi Arabia at 2009 G, Called AL- RAKKAH. By using an HPGe detector gamma-ray spectrometer, the activity concentrations of 226Ra 232Th and 40K were found in surface soil samples ranged from 17. 4 ± 1.2 Bq/kg to 28.3 ± 2.3 Bq/kg with an average value of 23 ± 1.6 Bq/kg, ranging from 1.1 ± 1.8 Bq/kg to 81.0 ± 1.7 Bq/kg with the average value 20 ± 1.4 Bq/kg and from 218 ± 11 Bq/kg to 255 ± 18 Bq/kg, with the mean value of 233 ± 12 Bq/kg respectively. The mean radium equivalent (Raeq) and outdoor radiation hazard index (Hex) for the area under study were determined as 69.52 Bq/kg and 0.16 respectively. The total absorbed dose rate due to three primordial radionuclides lies in the range of 17.74 - 72.24 nGy·h-1 with a mean of 32.69 nGy·h-1, which yields total annual effective dose of 0.37 mSv·y-1. The measured values are comparable with other global radioactivity measurements and are found to be safe for public and environment. The baseline data of this type will almost certainly be of importance in making estimations of population exposure.
文摘Kinetics of the sorption of the herbicide, pendimethalin (3,4-Dimethyl-2,6-dinitro-N-pentan-3-yl-aniline) on four soil samples obtained from the banks of Rivers Benue and Katsina-Ala, in Central Nigeria was studied by contacting 5.0 g soil samples with 100 mL 7 × 10<sup>-6</sup> M herbicide solution. The sorption was monitored by following the herbicide concentration in the aqueous phase spectrophotometrically at one hour intervals for 5 hours (at 25°C, 35°C, 45°C, 55°C and 65°C, respectively). Pseudo-first order kinetics treatment of the data showed that sorption rates as well as the accompanying activation energies were low, indicating that physical adsorption is the operative mechanism for its retention in the soils and that the herbicide tended to reside more in the aqueous phase, which raised its potential to contaminate natural water systems, when applied on the field.
文摘Soil samples were collected from and around Zliten cement factory, Zliten town, Libya. Soil metals and microbial contents were determined. The results obtained for the examined physiochemical characteristics of soil in the area studied prove that cement dust from the Zliten cement factory inLibyahas had a significant impact on the soil. The affected soil properties are pH and total calcium content. These characteristics were found to be higher than those in similar soils from the same area (unpolluted). The increment of soil pH in the same area may be a result of precipitation of cement dust over the years. Metal uptake from cement to plants and soil then affects organisms’ bodies, a fact that seems to be reflected in this study. Different responses were found in each site. For instance, the dominance of fungi of soil was lowest at100 mfrom the factory and the evenness and diversity increased at this site compared to300 mfrom the factory and the control area.
文摘This is the first time that a study applies the gamma ray spectroscopy using a high purity germanium to evaluate the terrestrial gamma radiation level by detector in selected regions of Mali. The results reveal that the activity concentrations of naturally occurring 226Ra, 232Th and 40K radionuclides ranges between respectively 17.26 ±1.81 and 105.43 ±10.36;20.41 ±2.52 and 180.85 ±19.69;41.33 ±8.26 and 627.63 ±85.62 Bq⋅kg−1. The measures of radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rates (ADR), annual effective dose rate (AEDR), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were evaluated. Some of the obtained values exceed the recommended safe levels. Further studies are necessary to constitute a baseline reference data about the terrestrial radiation in Mali.
文摘An acid sulfate soil sample was successively extracted with deionized water, 1 mol L-1 KCl and 0.000 5 mol L-l Ca(OH)2 solutions. The results showed that only very small amounts of acidity were extracted by deionized water, possibly through slow jarosite hydrolysis. Acid release through jarosite hydrolysis was greatly enhanced by Ca(OH)2 extraction at the expense of the added OH- being neutralized by the acid released. Successive extraction of the sample with KCl removed the largest amounts of acidity from the sample. However, it is likely that the major form of acidity released by KCl extraction was exchangeable acidity. The results also show the occurrence of low or non charged Al and Fe species in water and Ca(OH)2 extracts after first a few extractions. It appears that such a phenomenon was related to a decreasing EC value with increasing number of extractions.
文摘Ten soil samples from Jabal Al Qur, Wadi Baba, and Wadi Sieh in Sinai, Egypt, were analyzed by XRD spectroscopy. The XRD spectroscopy results indicate that the major, minor and trace constituents varied from one sample to another. Samples were also analyzed by HPGe gamma spectrometer to determine the activity concentration of U-238, Th-232 series and K-40. The concentrations for 238U ranged from 57.03 to 4220.41 Bq/kg with an average 1110.75 Bq/kg, for 232Th, ranged from 13.55 to130.46 Bq/kg with an average 71.85 Bq/Kg. The concentrations for 40K were in the range from 12.18 to 948.93 Bq/kg with an average value 457.09 Bq/kg. The average activity concentration values of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, in all the collected samples were higher than the world average. The radium equivalent (Req), absorbed dose rate (DR), the effective dose rate (Deff), and hazard indices resulted due to the natural radionuclides in soil are also calculated. The Results show that the study area is not safe for human and environments.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant no.40772112 and 40302024)the President Foundation of Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
文摘A comprehensive<em> in vitro</em> study on single and sequential extraction methods for Cu exraction by different extractants of distinct chemical nature from some peat soils of Bangladesh was conducted to assess the pattern of metal-extractability in drying and wetting sequences. Samples were collected from peat basins of two different districts of Bangladesh (Gopalgonj and Bagerhat) and an incubation study was designed and conducted in which soils were incubated to three alternate drying and wetting cycles for 21 days. Single and sequentially extracted Cu ions in all three cycles and by all three selective extractants were compared. Maximum amount of Cu was extracted in drying days and 1M HCl extracted the largest proportion of Cu from all the soils in each incubation time. Conversely, 1M NH<sub>4</sub>Cl was the least effective extractant for extracting Cu by both single and sequential process in either day of incubation. Considerable amount of Cu was extracted by 0.005 M DTPA in dry periods. In general, single extraction was found to be more effective in extracting Cu in the alternate drying and wetting cycles from the peat soil samples except for 1M HCl in initial drying days.
文摘This study compared the physicochemical parameters and heavy metal levels in soil samples from selected anthropogenic sites within Enugu metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria using standard analytical methods. Soil samples at depths (0 - 20 cm) and (20 - 40 cm) were collected from waste dump sites, metal scrap dumps, fuel filling stations and auto-mechanic workshops and analyzed for physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal levels. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for heavy metal determination while conventional analytical methods were employed for physicochemical parameters evaluation of the soil samples. At soil depths 0 - 20 cm and 20 - 40 cm the respective mean range of pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter and organic carbon contents in the soil samples were, 6.33 - 6.74, 101.46 - 123.21 <em>μ</em>S/cm, 6.41% - 8.35% and 13.73% - 16.14% for auto-mechanic workshops;6.92 - 7.43, 56.46 - 60.02 <em>μ</em>S/cm, 1.53% - 2.20% and 11.93% - 12.60% for fuel filling stations;7.14 - 7.84, 70.81 - 77.71 <em>μ</em>S/cm, 3.81% - 4.12% and 8.57% - 9.24% for metal scrap dumps;6.54 - 6.81, 94.40 - 100.71 <em>μ</em>S/cm, 8.83% - 10.75% and 18.26% - 20.81% for waste dump sites. The pH of the top soil samples from auto-mechanical workshop was below the WHO recommended limits for agricultural purposes. The physic-chemical characteristics of the soil samples decreased with soil depths indicating therefore that anthropogenic activities greatly influence the soil characteristics at the top soils than the sub-soils. The electrical conductivity values of top and sub-soil samples from the studied auto-mechanical workshops were above the recommended limits. At soil depths 0 - 20 cm and 20 - 40 cm, the respective mean range of Zn, Pb and Cd in the soil samples were 17.29 - 19.16 <em>μ</em>g/g, 0.704 - 0.96 <em>μ</em>g/g and 0.26 - 0.33 <em>μ</em>g/g for auto-mechanic workshops;4.13 - 4.88 <em>μ</em>g/g, 0.21 - 0.32 <em>μ</em>g/g and 0.03 - 0.11 <em>μ</em>g/g for fuel filling stations;30.02 - 36.11 <em>μ</em>g/g, 0.43 - 0.48 <em>μ</em>g/g and 0.15 - 0.19 <em>μ</em>g/g for metal scrap dumps;9.30 - 10.84 <em>μ</em>g/g, 0.53 - 0.60 <em>μ</em>g/g and 0.38 - 0.45 <em>μ</em>g/g for waste dump sites. The mean levels of Pb in soil samples from mechanic workshops and waste dump sites were above the recommended permissible limits for agricultural purposes. The study therefore indicated that these sites (auto-mechanic workshops and waste dump sites) could be major sources of Pb pollution to nearby farmlands, streams and the general environment. Plants grown on or around these sites may not produce high yields and could be severely contaminated with heavy metals which portend health danger to food consumers within the environment.
文摘Through the analysis on the migratory diffusion process of atmospheric pollutants,we proposed to seek atmospheric pollutant source with surface soil sample of data.Based on Gaussian plume model and deposition model,atmospheric pollutants distribution model was deduced,with which a schema matching source seeking model was established.The model was used to seek the pollutant source by using the arsenic data in the surface soil sample of a city.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant nos.41302141 and 41272198)the Geological Research Program of China Geological Survey(No.12120113015400)
文摘We present n-alkane distributions in the soil samples along a transect from Lhasa on the Tibetan Plateau to Bharatpur in Nepal, which covers a large geographical area and a wide range of climatic conditions. These data allow us to assess the significance of n-alkane distributions in different vegetation types and their relationships to temperature and precipitation. In the tropical rainforest and broadleaved forest zones, n-alkanes exhibit a bimodal distribution pattern with dominant homologues around n-C_(31) and n-C_(23). The bimodal distribution of tropical rainforest n-alkanes may be a general pattern because of the presence of many lianas, epiphytic plants, algae and the strong microbial activity and degradation involved in the postdepositional process. In the warm-temperate mixed forest and needle-leaved forest zones, the long-chain alkanes have a pattern of n-C_(31) > n-C_(33) > n-C_(27). In the alpine shrub and grassland zone, although the most abundant homologue is n-C_(31) , relatively high n-C_(23) concentrations have also been observed in some samples. The statistical results show a good correlation between n-alkane proxies and climatic factors. The average chain length(ACL) values are positively correlated with precipitation and temperature across the transect. The carbon preference index(CPI) values show a negative correlation with temperature and precipitation along a Lhasa–Bharatpur transect. Although there is a positive relationship between ACL and temperature, it is difficult to separate the two climatic variables(temperature and precipitation) because they are well coupled in the monsoon region.
文摘In this work, a method for quantification of heavy metals Inductively Coupled Plasma Sector Field Mass Spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) in soil samples of El Bierzo district (Spain) has been optimized and validated. Optimization was carried out for elements: Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, As, Cd, Hg, Pb and U. Validation of the method was performed with Certified and Standard Reference Materials (CRMs and SRMs);SRM2709, CRM020-051 and CRM050-051. Results obtained under optimized conditions can be summarized as follows: a) the Limits of Detection (LODs) were in the order of sub fg·g-1 for Cr, Mn, Cu, Co, As, Cd, Hg, Pb and U, and few fg·g-1for Ni, Zn and Se;b) precision measurement, in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD), was been below 5%;c) the average recovery of CRM was between 81.3% and 98%. In conclusion, the method offers several advantages: fast, good accuracy, very low values of Limits of Quantification (LOQs) and high sensitivity on measurement of heavy metal.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation Project,China(41401456)
文摘The research about the content of soil element in Ngari is still in its infancy,and there lacks systemic research and discussion. The 90 topsoil samples were selected from the 7 counties in Ngari area,and 13 elements were investigated systematically. The correlation analysis method and factor analysis method were used to study the interrelationship and accumulating,migrating and transforming rules of the selected 13 elements.The results showed that there was significant correlation among most of the transition elements in the topsoil. The main factors,which influenced the element content,were nature factors. Human activities also had certain effect on the element content of surface soil,but the strength was weak.
