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Infrared spectroscopic examination of the interaction of urea with the naturally occurring zeolite clinoptilolite

Infrared spectroscopy has shown for the first time that the naturally occurring zeolite clinoptilolite can absorb urea, (NH 2 ) 2 CO, under ambient conditions from either aqueous or ethanolic solutions. The two strongest NH stretching bands at 3441 and 3344 cm −1 in pure, solid urea shift to higher frequency (about 3504 and 3401 cm −1 ) after absorption. Two of the four urea bands in the 1800-1300 cm −1 range (at 1683 and 1467 cm −1 ) undergo marked downward shifts to about 1670 and 1445 cm −1 . The other two bands show little change in frequency. The strong band at 1602 cm −1 , however, diminishes in intensity to little more than an ill-defined shoulder on the 1626-cm −1 peak. When clinoptilolite is heated to 450 °C and then treated with molten urea (ca. 140 °C) for several minutes, and finally washed twice with ethanol to remove excess unreacted urea, further changes become apparent in the spectrum of the urea-treated clinoptilolite. The two NH stretching bands broaden without significant change in frequency. Two new bands appear in the midfrequency range at 1777 (weak) and 1719 (medium strong) cm −1 . Of the four original midfrequency peaks, the one at 1602 cm −1 is now absent. Two others (1627 and 1440 cm −1 ) exhibit little change, while the fourth has broadened and shifted down to 1663 cm −1 , where it appears as a shoulder on the band at 1627 cm −1 . Both treatments clearly induce interaction between urea and the zeolite which seems to result in significant modifications in the nature of the hydrogen bonding of the substrate.

Microchemical Journal

Arsenic-induced biochemical and genotoxic effects and distribution in tissues of Sprague-Dawley rats

Arsenic (As) is a well documented human carcinogen. However, its mechanisms of toxic action and carcinogenic potential in animals have not been conclusive. In this research, we investigated the biochemical and genotoxic effects of As and studied its distribution in selected tissues of Sprague–Dawley rats. Four groups of six male rats, each weighing approximately 60 ± 2 g, were injected intraperitoneally, once a day for 5 days with doses of 5, 10, 15, 20 mg/kg BW of arsenic trioxide. A control group was also made of 6 animals injected with distilled water. Following anaesthetization, blood was collected and enzyme analysis was performed by spectrophotometry following standard protocols. At the end of experimentation, the animals were sacrificed, and the lung, liver, brain and kidney were collected 24 h after the fifth day treatment. Chromosome and micronuclei preparation was obtained from bone marrow cells. Arsenic exposure significantly increased ( p < 0.05) the activities of plasma alanine aminotransferase–glutamate pyruvate transaminase (ALT/GPT), and aspartate aminotransferase–glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (AST/GOT), as well as the number of structural chromosomal aberrations (SCA) and frequency of micronuclei (MN) in the bone marrow cells. In contrast, the mitotic index in these cells was significantly reduced ( p < 0.05). These findings indicate that aminotransferases are candidate biomarkers for arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity. Our results also demonstrate that As has a strong genotoxic potential, as measured by the bone marrow SCA and MN tests in Sprague–Dawley rats. Total arsenic concentrations in tissues were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A dynamic reaction cell (DRC) with hydrogen gas was used to eliminate the ArCl interference at mass 75, in the measurement of total As. Total As doses in tissues tended to correlate with specific exposure levels.

Microchemical Journal

Differences in life history patterns of American shad, Alosa sapidissima, populations between ancestral, Atlantic coast, and non-native, Pacific coast rivers of North America

Organisms naturalized outside their native range can reveal new life history patterns in new environments. Here, we compare life history patterns of American shad, Alosa sapidissima, from five rivers along the U.S. Pacific coast (introduced range) with contemporary data from the Atlantic coast source populations. The Pacific coast fish grew slower, matured at a younger age, and were less often iteroparous than conspecifics from the Hudson River and Susquehanna River sources. Differences among the Pacific coast populations indicated that some combination of phenotypic plasticity and genetic adaptation has occurred since the transplants in the 1870s. Microchemical analysis of otoliths from returning adults demonstrated an immature, extended freshwater life history form, locally known as “mini-shad”. These fish remain in the river for at least 1 year or enter salt water briefly and then return to fresh water for several months prior to subsequent seaward migration and return as adults. This and other forms of variation (extent of estuary use and size at sea water entry) expand the understanding of Alosine migration and life history diversity.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Application of laser microprobe (LAMMA 1000) to "fingerprinting" of coal constituents in bituminous coal

A laser microprobe (LAMMA-1000) microchemical analysis of vitrinites of different morphologies but similar reflectances within the same bituminous coal bed indicates distinct “fingerprint” spectra. The banded form of vitrinite contains Li, Ti, Ba, Sr, F, and Cl which were not detected in the nonbanded vitrinite. These differences may indicate a different plant source or the introduction of these elements from fluids mobilized during diagenesis. The nonbanded vitrinite (called corpocollinite), which was contained in a pyrite coal-ball seed fern permineralization of Myeloxylon , may have been protected from influx of these elements due to entrapment by pyrite during an early peat stage. An ion at M/Z 65, which is characteristic of the banded vitrinite, may indicate C 5 H 5 + and, perhaps a difference in the chemical structure of the two vitrinites. These results demonstrate that “fingerprint” spectra can be obtained from vitrinite macerals by LAMMA and that these “fingerprints” have genetic implications.

International Journal of Coal Geology