Application of mass titration to the point of zero charge determination

The mass titration method for determination of the zero point of charge (PZC) was proposed by Noh and Schwarz (J. Colloid Interface Sci. 130, 157 (1989)). This method was developed for (hydr)oxides and is limited to pure samples. It is based on the fact that pH approaches the limiting value (pH∞) by addition of solid powder to an aqueous medium. The limiting pH∞ value, at a high solid content, is then equal to pHpzc. This article is an extension of the original work and concerns the samples contaminated with an acid or base which are not irreversibly boun

Another top predator in the list: microplastics in Mediterranean Monk Seals.

Mediterranean Sea has been considered one of the areas with highest density of plastics. This is a particular Sea Region where one of the most critically marine mammal species, the Mediterranean monk seal, inhabit. The incidence of plastics, including microplastics, in this species has not been investigate yet. In this study we present the fi rst results about incidence of microplastics in this predator through scat analysis. Scat samples from north Adriatic (Istria- Croatia, n=4) and south Tyrrhenian (Sicily-Italy, n=4) seas were collected and analyzed for both microplastics and dietary investigations. Microplastic separation and identifi cation was carried out following previous methodology adapted for scat samples. In all samples, only demersal fi sh was identifi ed, but only 30% of the samples contained microplastics (fi bers). Although the study was carried out with limited sample size, the trophic transfer possibility is discussed. In addition, we underline the importance of this information for an endangered mammal such as the Mediterranean monk seal, and the use of scats for the fi rst time for this species

Another top predator in the list: microplastics in Mediterranean Monk Seals.

Mediterranean Sea has been considered one of the areas with highest density of plastics. This is a particular Sea Region where one of the most critically marine mammal species, the Mediterranean monk seal, inhabit. The incidence of plastics, including microplastics, in this species has not been investigate yet. In this study we present the fi rst results about incidence of microplastics in this predator through scat analysis. Scat samples from north Adriatic (Istria- Croatia, n=4) and south Tyrrhenian (Sicily-Italy, n=4) seas were collected and analyzed for both microplastics and dietary investigations. Microplastic separation and identifi cation was carried out following previous methodology adapted for scat samples. In all samples, only demersal fi sh was identifi ed, but only 30% of the samples contained microplastics (fi bers). Although the study was carried out with limited sample size, the trophic transfer possibility is discussed. In addition, we underline the importance of this information for an endangered mammal such as the Mediterranean monk seal, and the use of scats for the fi rst time for this species