An Investigation Into The Effects Of Aluminum Substitution And Aging Under Aerobic Conditions On The Physicochemical Properties Of Ferrihydrite

This thesis characterizes the physicochemical properties of pure (Fh) and aluminum-doped ferrihydrites (AlFh) upon aging and puts forth a hypothesis involving the lattice position occupied by Al within Fh. We used flow and drop solution microcalorimetry, X-ray diffraction, adsorption spectroscopy and magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy to carry a complete characterization. Aging of pure Fh showed evidence for phase transformation into varying amounts of hematite (Ht) and goethite (Gt) with the former increasing over time. The presence of Al retarded all transformation. Aged AlFhs showed a larger heat of exchange (Qexch) compared to undoped Fhs and increased with age. Results also showed increased magnetism, contraction of the lattice c-axis, heats of phosphate adsorption, and pH decrease with Al incorporation. We posit that Al substitution occurs on the surface of Fh in an octahedrally-coordinated Fe site

The EChemPen: A Guiding Hand To Learn Electrochemical Surface Modifications

The Electrochemical Pen (EChemPen) was developed as an attractive tool for learning electrochemistry. The fabrication, principle, and operation of the EChemPen are simple and can be easily performed by students in practical classes. It is based on a regular fountain pen principle, where the electrolytic solution is dispensed at a tip to locally modify a conductive surface by triggering a localized electrochemical reaction. Three simple model reactions were chosen to demonstrate the versatility of the EChemPen for teaching various electrochemical processes. We describe first the reversible writing/erasing of metal letters, then the electrodeposition of a black conducting polymer “ink”, and finally the colorful writings that can be generated by titanium anodization and that can be controlled by the applied potential. These entertaining and didactic experiments are adapted for teaching undergraduate students that start to study electrochemistry by means of surface modification reactions

Local enhancement of hydrogen production by the hydrolysis of Mg17Al12 with Mg “model” material

The effect of galvanic coupling on the corrosion behavior of Mg and Mg17Al12 in Mg-Al alloys was studied by Scanning ElectroChemical Microscopy (SECM). The effect of galvanic coupling between Mg and Mg17Al12 was investigated using a “model” Mg+Mg17Al12 material with a controlled microstructure to evaluate the hydrogen evolution at a micrometric scale. SECM maps revealed that galvanic coupling between Mg and Mg17Al12 accelerates the corrosion rate (formation of a thicker passive layer) of both components. Mg17Al12 acts controversially to a conventional cathode in galvanic system since hydrogen production by its hydrolysis reaction was found to increase due to the electron transfer with the anode (Mg).Fil: Al Bacha, S.. Lebanese University, Faculty Of Sciences Ii; Líbano. Universite de Bordeaux; Francia. Université Paris-Saclay; FranciaFil: Farias, Eliana Desiree. Universite de Bordeaux; Francia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Garrigue, Patrick. Universite de Bordeaux; FranciaFil: Zakhour, Mirvat. Lebanese University, Faculty Of Sciences Ii; LíbanoFil: Nakhl, Michel. Lebanese University, Faculty Of Sciences Ii; LíbanoFil: Bobet, Jean Louis. Universite de Bordeaux; FranciaFil: Zigah, Dodzi. Universite de Bordeaux; Francia. Université de Poitiers; Franci

Assessing the blank carbon contribution, isotope mass balance, and kinetic isotope fractionation of the Ramped Pyrolysis/Oxidation instrument at NOSAMS

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2017. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here under a nonexclusive, irrevocable, paid-up, worldwide license granted to WHOI. It is made available for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Radiocarbon 59 (2017): 179-193, doi:10.1017/RDC.2017.3.We estimate the blank carbon mass over the course of a typical Ramped PyrOx (RPO) analysis (150 to 1000 °C; 5 °C×min-1) to be (3.7 ± 0.6) μg C with an Fm value of 0.555 ± 0.042 and a δ13C value of (-29.0 ± 0.1) ‰ VPDB. Additionally, we provide equations for RPO Fm and δ13C blank corrections, including associated error propagation. By comparing RPO mass-weighted mean and independently measured bulk δ13C values for a compilation of environmental samples and standard reference materials (SRMs), we observe a small yet consistent 13C depletion within the RPO instrument (mean – bulk: μ = -0.8 ‰; ±1σ = 0.9 ‰; n = 66). In contrast, because they are fractionation-corrected by definition, mass-weighted mean Fm values accurately match bulk measurements (mean – bulk: μ = 0.005; ±1σ = 0.014; n = 36). Lastly, we show there exists no significant intra-sample δ13C variability across carbonate SRM peaks, indicating minimal mass-dependent kinetic isotope fractionation during RPO analysis. These data are best explained by a difference in activation energy between 13C- and 12C-containing compounds (13–12ΔE) of 0.3 to 1.8 J×mol-1, indicating that blank and mass-balance corrected RPO δ13C values accurately retain carbon source isotope signals to within 1 to 2‰.J.D.H. was partly supported by the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program under grant number 2012126152; V.V.G. was partly supported by the US National Science Foundation (grants OCE- 0851015 and OCE-0928582), the WHOI Coastal Ocean Institute (grant 27040213) and an Independent Study Award (grant 27005306) from WHOI; G.S. and P.K.Z. were supported by the WHOI Postdoctoral Scholar Program with funding provided by NOSAMS (OCE-1239667)

Altering the Coordination of Iron Porphyrins by Ionic Liquid Nanodomains in Mixed Solvent Systems

The solvent environment around iron porphyrin complexes was examined using mixed molecular/RTIL (room temperature ionic liquid) solutions. The formation of nanodomains in these solutions provides different solvation environments for substrates that could have significant impact on their chemical reactivity. Iron porphyrins (Fe(P)), whose properties are sensitive to solvent and ligation changes, were used to probe the molecular/RTIL environment. The addition of RTILs to molecular solvents shifted the redox potentials to more positive values. When there was no ligation change upon reduction, the shift in the E° values were correlated to the Gutmann acceptor number, as was observed for other porphyrins with similar charge changes. As %RTIL approached 100 %, there was insufficient THF to maintain coordination and the E° values were much more dependent upon the %RTIL. In the case of FeIII(P)(Cl), the shifts in the E° values were driven by the release of the chloride ion and its strong attraction to the ionic liquid environment. The spectroscopic properties and distribution of the FeII and FeI species into the RTIL nanodomains were monitored with visible spectroelectrochemistry, 19F NMR and EPR spectroscopy. This investigation shows that coordination and charge delocalization (metal versus ligand) in the metalloporphyrins redox products can be altered by the RTIL fraction in the solvent system, allowing an easy tuning of their chemical reactivity

Photoferrotrophy: Remains of an ancient photosynthesis in modern environments

© 2017 Camacho, Walter, Picazo and Zopfi. Photoferrotrophy, the process by which inorganic carbon is fixed into organic matter using light as an energy source and reduced iron [Fe(II)] as an electron donor, has been proposed as one of the oldest photoautotrophic metabolisms on Earth. Under the iron-rich (ferruginous) but sulfide poor conditions dominating the Archean ocean, this type of metabolism could have accounted for most of the primary production in the photic zone. Here we review the current knowledge of biogeochemical, microbial and phylogenetic aspects of photoferrotrophy, and evaluate the ecological significance of this process in ancient and modern environments. From the ferruginous conditions that prevailed during most of the Archean, the ancient ocean evolved toward euxinic (anoxic and sulfide rich) conditions and, finally, much after the advent of oxygenic photosynthesis, to a predominantly oxic environment. Under these new conditions photoferrotrophs lost importance as primary producers, and now photoferrotrophy remains as a vestige of a formerly relevant photosynthetic process. Apart from the geological record and other biogeochemical markers, modern environments resembling the redox conditions of these ancient oceans can offer insights into the past significance of photoferrotrophy and help to explain how this metabolism operated as an important source of organic carbon for the early biosphere. Iron-rich meromictic (permanently stratified) lakes can be considered as modern analogs of the ancient Archean ocean, as they present anoxic ferruginous water columns where light can still be available at the chemocline, thus offering suitable niches for photoferrotrophs. A few bacterial strains of purple bacteria as well as of green sulfur bacteria have been shown to possess photoferrotrophic capacities, and hence, could thrive in these modern Archean ocean analogs. Studies addressing the occurrence and the biogeochemical significance of photoferrotrophy in ferruginous environments have been conducted so far in lakes Matano, Pavin, La Cruz, and the Kabuno Bay of Lake Kivu. To date, only in the latter two lakes a biogeochemical role of photoferrotrophs has been confirmed. In this review we critically summarize the current knowledge on iron-driven photosynthesis, as a remains of ancient Earth biogeochemistry

Perceived Pathways to Kwashiorkor or Marasmus in Ameya, Ethiopia

Background: The magnitude of malnutrition, including kwashiorkor and marasmus are high in the rural areas of Ethiopia. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore barriers to food security and access to healthcare in under 5-year old’s displaying kwashiorkor or marasmus in Ameya, Ethiopia. Method: Thematic analysis was used in this research. Data collection involved: researchers’ observations, one-on-one interviews, group discussion and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders. Results: The main themes that emerged were behavioural and environmental. The behavioural aspect involved, feeding practices, water and food storage, coping strategies, illness, father’s involvement and PHW perceptions. While environmental aspects were socio-economic status, community infrastructure, access to market, market food diversity, market environment and cost of healthcare. Conclusion: Children in Ameya are lacking nutritious foods due to food costs, unavailability of diverse food crops at the market, poor farming yields, while unsanitary marketplaces and contaminated water sources cause diarrhoea and malabsorption in children. Long term solutions include training community HWs in diagnosing and treating common diseases and providing adequate medications, while new nutritious food crops should be introduced into the farming community at a low price. Long term interventions that provide numerous safe water systems in the community can also reduce the risk of diarrhoea and malabsorption. Introducing diverse food crops and safe water systems can act as a protective mechanism against malnutrition and will not only aid in reaching SDG2 but can promote healthy lives (SDG 3) and help end poverty (SDG1) since children grow to their full potential