Chemical characteristics of rainwater at a southeastern site of Brazil

AbstractA total of 50 rainwater samples were analyzed in order to investigate trace elements in wet precipitation of Juiz de Fora City, during February, 2010 and February, 2011. Samples were analyzed for major cations (H3O+, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+) and anions (NO3−, SO42−, Cl− and HCO3−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), some trace metals (Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+), as well as some other physicochemical aspects like pH, conductivity and redox potential. Rainwater pH mean was of 5.77 (±0.52). Cations and anions mean values ranged from 7.12μEq L−1 (K+) to 39.6μEq L−1 (Ca2+). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with Varimax normalized rotation was performed, grouping the major analyzed cations and anions into different factors. Mg2+, K+, Ca2+ and HCO3− were assigned to soil contribution, Na+ and Cl− to sea–salt contribution and NO3−, SO42− and NH4+ to anthropogenic sources. Hydrogen peroxide average concentration was of 19.2±17.5μmol L−1 with higher values in summer and lower in spring and autumn, reverse case was observed for H3O+ levels. Zn2+ (7.31±2.74)μg L−1 and Cu2+ (4.07±0.74)μg L−1 were within the range of other studied areas, while Cd2+ and Pb2+ were below the detection limit

Construção, caracterização e aplicação analítica de microdispositivos enzimáticos

The focus of this work is the development and application of enzymatic microreactors aiming their application through flow injection analysis systems. On top of that, two polymeric substrates were used for the evaluation of enzyme immobilization: one based on poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and another baed on a bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether resin (BADGE). A CO2 laser printer was used to fabricate the devices at the desired dimensions. For the success of the immobilization systems have been pretreated with polyethyleneimine (PEI) in order to introduce reactive functional groups on the surface of the starting materials. In a first study, based on PMMA modification, the activation of the material was achieved after treating microchannels with PEI in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). In the second case, treatment with PEI involved simply a mechanical mixture of the two materials, in order to cure the resin. After activation of materials with PEI, the enzymes were immobilized after passage of a mixture of glutaraldehyde (a spacer agent) and enzymes. Among the enzymes studied are glucose oxidase (GOx), ascorbate oxidase (AAO), catalase (CAT), dehydrogenase glutamate (GDH), and a hybrid system based on the simultaneous immobilization of the enzymes glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HPR). The characterization of the developed systems was primarily done by Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, application of some of the proposed systems to real samples and calculation of kinetic and operational parameters are presented during the study. These evaluations were made with detection systems based on electrochemical and visible spectroscopy techniques, all developed at the laboratory. One great benefit of the developed systems, are the speed and simplicity of implementation the immobilization process and operation of the devices.O foco deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento e aplicação de microreatores enzimáticos, visando sua aplicação em sistemas de análise por injeção em fluxo. Em cima disso, dois substratos poliméricos foram utilizados para a avaliação de imobilização enzimática: um à base de poli (metil metacrilato) (PMMA) e outro em uma resina do éter diglicídico do bisfenol-A (BADGE). Uma impressora à laser de CO2 foi utilizada para confeccionar os dispositivos nas dimensões desejadas. Para o sucesso da imobilização, os sistemas foram previamente tratados com polietilenoimina (PEI) visando a introdução de grupamentos funcionais reativos na superfície dos materiais de partida. Num primeiro estudo, baseado na modificação de PMMA, a ativação do material foi conseguida após tratamento dos microcanais com PEI em meio de dimetilsulfóxido (DMSO). Já no segundo caso o tratamento com PEI envolveu a simples mistura mecânica dos materiais, objetivando a cura da resina empregada. Após a ativação dos materiais com PEI, as enzimas foram imobilizadas após passagem de uma mistura de glutaraldeído (um agente espaçador) e as enzimas. Dentre as enzimas estudadas estão a glicose oxidase (GOx), a ascorbato-oxidase (AAO), a catalase (CAT), a glutamato dehidrogenase (GDH), além de um sistema híbrido baseado na imobilização simultânea das enzimas glicose oxidase (GOx) e horseradish peroxidase (HPR). A caracterização dos sistemas desenvolvidos foi feita primordialmente por meio da espectroscopia Raman. Além disso, a aplicação de alguns dos sistemas frente a amostras reais e o cálculo de parâmetros cinéticos e operacionais dos microreatores confeccionados foram reralizados. Essas avaliações foram feitas baseadas em sistemas de detecção desenvolvidos no laboratório por técnicas eletroquímicas e por espectroscopia no visível. Como grande benefício dos sistemas desenvolvidos, podem ser destacados a velocidade e a simplicidade de implementação do processo de imobilização e operação.CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superio

Avaliação da concentração de metais pesados (Zn, Cd, Pb e Cu) em água de chuva visando sua aplicação como fonte alternativa de água potável na cidade de Juiz de Fora/MG

Many people suffer from a chronicle lack of potable water for their personal needs and, in this context, the rainwater arises as a possible alternative source. Upon this, an effective and simple method to determine copper(II), cadmium(II), zinc(II) and lead(II) in 64 rainwater samples from Juiz de Fora/MG/Brazil, using potentiometric stripping analysis (PSA), is proposed. A μ-AUTOLAB potentiostat was used for data acquisition and the electrochemical cell consisted of a working glassy carbon electrode modified with a thin mercury film, an Ag/AgCl(sat) as reference electrode and a platinum as auxiliary electrode. The pH of the medium was evaluated in the range of 0-3 for the simultaneous determination of Cd, Pb and Cu, and in the range of 0-6 for Zn. A 22 Star Design was run to optimize the analytical conditions. For Cd, Pb and Cu determination the studied levels for deposition potential (Ed) were between -1.06 V and -0.64 V, with deposition time (td) between 239 s and 662 s. For Zn determination the studied levels for Ed were between -1.70 V and -1.10 V, with td between 239 s and 662 s. The optimum medium pH conditions found were of pH = 4 for Zn determination and pH = 0 for Cd, Pb and Cu determination. According to the obtained response surfaces it was stipulated for Zn determination a Ed = -1.40 V and a td = 300 s and for Cu, Pb and Cd determination a Ed = -1.00 V and a td = 300 s. Analytical curves were constructed to verify the method linearity. The detection and quantification limits were of 1.26 and 3.83 μg L-1 for Zn, 0.378 and 1.26 μg L-1 for Cd, 0.407 and 1.36 μg L-1 for Pb and 0.960 and 3.20 μg L-1 for Cu, respectively. The method showed recovery values between 86 and 113%. The rainwater samples were also analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), as reference method, showing a good correlation between the results. Values between 3.93 and 13.8 μg L-1 of Zn, 3.11 and 7.51 μg L-1 of Cu were found, while no significant concentrations of Pb and Cd were found. According to the stipulated values on Portaria nº 2914, of december 12 of 2011, from Ministério da Saúde, the Juiz de Fora region rainwater can be considered potable, with respect to the evaluated parameters.Muitas pessoas sofrem da falta crônica de água potável para necessidades pessoais e, nesse contexto, a água de chuva surge como uma possível fonte alternativa. Em cima disso, foi proposto um método simples e efetivo para a determinação de cobre(II), cádmio(II), zinco(II) e chumbo(II) em 64 amostras de água de chuva de Juiz de Fora/MG/Brasil utilizando a técnica de redissolução potenciométrica. Um potenciostato μ-AUTOLAB foi utilizado para a aquisição dos dados e a célula eletroquímica consistia de um eletrodo de trabalho de carbono vítreo modificado com filme de mercúrio, um eletrodo de Ag/AgCl(sat) como eletrodo de referência e um de eletrodo de platina como eletrodo auxiliar. Foi realizada uma avaliação do pH do meio variando de 0-3 para uma determinação simultânea de Cd, Pb e Cu e de 0-6 para a determinação de Zn. Um Planejamento Estrela 22 foi realizado para a otimização das condições eletroquímicas das determinações. Para as determinações de Cd, Pb e Cu foram estudados níveis entre -1,06 e -0,64 V para o potencial de deposição (Ed), com tempo de deposição (td) entre 239 s e 662 s. Para a determinação de Zn os níveis estudados para o Ed foram entre -1,70 V e -1,10 V, com td entre 239 s e 662 s. A condição ótima encontrada para o pH do meio foi de pH = 4 para a determinação de Zn e um pH = 0 para a determinação de Cd, Pb e Cu. De acordo com as superfícies de resposta obtidas, foi estipulado para a determinação de Zn um Ed = -1,40 V e um td = 300 s e para a determinação de Cd, Pb e Cu um Ed = -1,00 V e um td = 300 s. Foram construídas curvas analíticas para verificar a linearidade do método. Os limites de detecção e quantificação foram de 1,26 e 3,83 μg L-1 para Zn, 0,38 e 1,26 μg L-1 para Cd, 0,41 e 1,36 μg L-1 para Pb e 0,96 e 3,20 μg L-1 para Cu, respectivamente. O método mostrou valores de recuperação entre 86 e 113%. As amostras de água de chuva também foram analisadas por espectroscopia de absorção atômica em forno de grafite (GFAAS), como método de referência, demonstrando uma boa correlação entre os resultados. Foram encontrados valores entre 3,93 e 13,8 μg L-1 de Zn, 3,11 e 7,51 μg L-1 de Cu, enquanto que nenhuma concentração significativa foi observada para Pb e Cd. Conforme os valores estipulados na Portaria nº 2914, de 12 de dezembro de 2011, do Ministério da Saúde, a água de chuva da região de Juiz de Fora pode ser considerada como potável com relação os parâmetros avaliados.CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorCNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoFAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerai

Wet deposition of particulate carbon to the Central North Atlantic Ocean

Elemental carbon (EC) and water-insoluble organic carbon (WIOC) concentrations were measured in wet-only precipitation samples collected on Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal) between December 2009 and October 2010, to investigate temporal variations, source regions and wet deposition fluxes. The global volume-weighted average (vwa) concentrations were 134 ± 19 μgC L− 1 for WIOC and 15.0 ± 1.6 μgC L− 1 for EC, which fall within the range of values that have been found in the European background atmosphere. The WIOC concentration exhibited a temporal variation over the study period with a minimum in winter (vwa 88 ± 16 μgC L− 1) and a maximum in summer (vwa 477 ± 86 μgC L− 1). This trend was due to the higher dilution effect of winter rains and possibly to an increase of biogenic particulate carbon incorporation during the growing season. A different temporal variation was observed for the EC concentration with a minimum in summer (vwa 4.2 ± 3.3 μgC L− 1) and a maximum in spring (vwa 17.5 ± 2.2 μgC L− 1). The observed trend was mainly related to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns over the Azores. A backward trajectory analysis was applied to identify possible source regions of particulate carbon. The highest WIOC and EC concentrations were associated with air masses that persisted for more than four days over the Central North Atlantic Ocean and with air masses arriving from Europe, respectively. Lower concentrations were observed in samples collected under the influence of back-trajectories from North America. Despite the lower abundance of particulate carbon, the wet deposition fluxes were higher for this group of samples, which reflects the higher amount of precipitation that is normally associated with air masses arriving in the Azores from the west and northwest sectors

Mass Reconstruction Methods for PM2.5: A Review

Major components of suspended particulate matter (PM) are inorganic ions, organic matter (OM), elemental carbon (EC), geological minerals, salt, non-mineral elements, and water. Since oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) are not directly measured in chemical speciation networks, more than ten weighting equations have been applied to account for their presence, thereby approximating gravimetric mass. Assumptions for these weights are not the same under all circumstances. OM is estimated from an organic carbon (OC) multiplier (f) that ranges from 1.4 to 1.8 in most studies, but f can be larger for highly polar compounds from biomass burning and secondary organic aerosols. The mineral content of fugitive dust is estimated from elemental markers, while the water-soluble content is accounted for as inorganic ions or salt. Part of the discrepancy between measured and reconstructed PM mass is due to the measurement process, including: (1) organic vapors adsorbed on quartz-fiber filters; (2) evaporation of volatile ammonium nitrate and OM between the weighed Teflon-membrane filter and the nylon-membrane and/or quartz-fiber filters on which ions and carbon are measured; and (3) liquid water retained on soluble constituents during filter weighing. The widely used IMPROVE equations were developed to characterize particle light extinction in U.S. national parks, and variants of this approach have been tested in a large variety of environments. Important factors for improving agreement between measured and reconstructed PM mass are the f multiplier for converting OC to OM and accounting for OC sampling artifacts