Square Wave Voltammetry In The Determination Of Ni2+ And Al 3+ In Biological Samples

In this contribution, the amounts of Ni (nickel) and Al (aluminum) in tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) were determined using square wave voltammetry (SWV) with glassy carbon working microelectrode with a mercury thin film, platinum counter electrode, and Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Ni was studied through the formation of the dimethylglyoxime-Ni (Ni-DMG) complex, while Al was studied through the formation of the Alizarin R-Al complex. The detection limit found for Ni-DMG and Alizarin R-Al complexes were 1.70 × 10-7 and 1.0 × 10-8 mol L-1, respectively. The voltammetric anodic curves for the Alizarin R-Al complex were recorded over the potential range from -0.8 to -0.05 V while the voltammetric cathodic curve for the Ni-DMG complex was recorded over the potential range from -0.7 to -1.2 V. These methods detected low concentrations of Ni and Al in biological samples efficiently. 2008 © The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry.241114431447Paulino, A.T., Tessari, J.A.A., Nogami, E.M., Lenzi, E., Nozaki, J., (2005) Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol, 75, p. 42Merian, E., Anke, M., Ihnat, M., Stoeppler, M., (2004) Metals and Their Compounds in the Environment: Occurrence, Analysis and Biological Relevance, , John Wiley & Sons, New YorkPane, E.F., Richards, J.G., Wood, C.M., (2003) Aquat. Toxicol, 63, p. 65González, P., Cortínez, V.A., Fontán, C.A., (2002) Talanta, 58, p. 679(2005) Resumen de Salud Pública, , www.atsdr.cdc.gov/es/phs/es_phs15.pdf, Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, Níquel. CAS, 7440-02-0, AugustBuchet, J.P., Lison, D., Ruggeri, M., Foa, V., Elia, G., Maugeri, S., (1996) Arch. Toxicol, 70, p. 773Gauthier, E., Fortier, I., Courchesne, F., Pepin, P., Mortimer, J., Gauvreau, D., (2000) Environ. Res, 84, p. 234Yousef, M.I., (2004) Toxicology, 199, p. 47Exley, C., (1996) J. Fish Biol, 48, p. 706Paulino, A.T., Santos, L.B., Nozaki, J., (2007) Toxicol. Environ. Chem, 87, p. 363Shaw, M.J., Haddad, P.R., (2004) Environ. Int, 30, p. 403Ohlweiler, A.O., Separation Methods. Analytical Chemistry Quantitative, , Livros Técnicos e Ciêntificos, Rio de JaneiroDel Pozo, J.A., Garcia, A.C., Blanco, A., (1993) Anal. Chim. Acta, 273, p. 101Downard, A.J., Powell, H.K.J., Xu, S., (1991) Anal. Chim. Acta, 251, p. 157Opydo, J., (1997) Talanta, 44, p. 1081Di, J., Bi, S., Yang, T., Zhang, M., (2004) Sens. Actuators, 99, p. 468Othman, A.F., (2003) Microchem. J, 75, p. 119Morfobos, M., Economou, A., Voulgaropoulos, A., (2004) Anal. Chim. Acta, 519, p. 57Korolczuk, M., Tyszczyk, K., Grabarxzyk, M., (2005) Electrochem. Commun, 7, p. 1185Morais, S., Pereira, M.C., (2000) J. Trace. Elem. Med. Biol, 14, p. 48Julshamn, K., Andersen, K., Willassen, Y., Braekkan, O.R., (1978) Anal. Biochem, 88, p. 552Qiong, L., Lirong, W., Danli, X., Guanghan, L., (2006) Food Chem, 97, p. 176Arancibia, V., Muñoz, C., (2007) Talanta, 73, p. 546Simionato, J.I., Paulino, A.T., Garcia, J.C., Nozaki, J., (2006) Polym. Int, 55, p. 1243Paulino, A.T., Minasse, F.A.S., Guilherme, M.R., Reis, A.V., Muniz, E.C., Nozaki, J., (2006) J. Colloid Interface Sci, 301, p. 479Paulino, A.T., Guilherme, M.R., Reis, A.V., Tambourgi, E.B., Nozaki, J., Muniz, E.C., (2007) J. Hazard. Mater, 147, p. 139Paulino, A.T., Santos, L.B., Nozaki, J., (2008) React. Funct. Polym, 68, p. 63

Food Habits of the Harpy Eagle, a Top Predator from the Amazonian Rainforest Canopy

The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja), the heaviest and the most powerful bird of prey in the canopy of the Neotropical rainforests, is critically endangered in some parts of its range, mainly due to hunting pressure and habitat loss by deforestation. In this study, we found that the diet of five breeding pairs of Harpy Eagles in the central Amazonian rainforest over three years was dominated by two species of sloths (Bradypus variegatus and Choloepus didactylus) in terms of number of individuals and biomass consumed. Twelve other species, including primates, rodents, carnivores, and birds, also contributed to the Harpy Eagle diet in central Amazonia; there was no evidence of Harpy Eagle predation on livestock or domestic animals. Throughout the Harpy Eagle's entire range, 69 prey species have been documented, indicating that it can use a wide range of food resources. However, in our study, there was an evident diet specialization, resulting in a niche breadth which was relatively low (Bsta = 0.171). Conservation of Harpy Eagles should include protection of nesting trees, territories, and prey species to maintain the variability and availability of resources and its ecological functions throughout its geographic range. © The Raptor Research Foundation, Inc