Abstract: Co-adsorption of norfloxacin (Nor) and Cu(II) on montmorillonite at pH 4.5, 7.0 and 9.0 was studied by integrated batch adsorption experiments and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Under such pH conditions the dominant species of Nor are cation (Nor+), zwitterion (Nor±), and anion (Nor−), respectively. Results indicated that Nor sorption decreased with an increase of solution pH. The presence of Cu(II) slightly suppressed the Nor+ sorption at pH 4.5, while increased Nor± and Nor−sorption on montmorillonite at pH 7.0 and 9.0, respectively. In contrast, Nor increased Cu(II) adsorption at pH 4.5, but had little effect on the adsorption of Cu(II) on montmorillonite at pH 7.0 and 9.0. Spectroscopic results showed that, at pH 4.5, Nor+ was sorbed on montmorillonite by the formation of outer-sphere montmorilloniteNorCu(II) ternary surface complex. At pH 7.0, montmorilloniteNorCu(II) and montmorilloniteCu(II)Nor ternary surface complexes co-exist. At pH 9.0, montmorilloniteCu(II)Nor ternary surface complex was likely formed, which was different to Cu(II)(Nor)2 precipitate of the solution.

Abstract: In this paper, a new fouling measurement method is presented as a pragmatic approach to determine a mixed liquor's fouling propensity. The MBR-VFM (VITO Fouling Measurement) uses a specific measurement protocol consisting of alternating filtration and physical cleaning steps, which enables the calculation of both the reversible and the irreversible fouling resistances. The MBR-VFM principle, set-up and measurement protocol are described as well as the evaluation of the fouling measurement method. Finally, the MBR-VFM was validated by comparing the fouling propensity measured on-line by the MBR-VFM in a lab-scale MBR with the fouling of the MBR membranes themselves. Our experiments indicated that the MBR-VFM can accurately measure fouling and that it can even be detected earlier than can be seen from the on-line filtration data of the lab-scale system itself. Furthermore, the differences measured in reversible and irreversible fouling seemed to be related to the observed impact of physical and chemical cleaning respectively. Therefore, the application of the MBR-VFM as an on-line sensor in an advanced control system, enabling the deployment of the measured fouling data for the control of membrane cleaning, seems feasible and will be tested in the near future.

Abstract: Analysis of oxygen permeation fluxes through Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ (BSCF) capillary membranes, fabricated via a phase-inversion spinning technique using polysulfone as binder, showed a significant limiting role of the surface-oxygen exchange kinetics. Within the studied temperature and oxygen partial pressure ranges, the activation of core and shell sides of the BSCF capillary with praseodymium oxide (PrOx) resulted in an increase in permeation rate of about 300%. At 11231223 K the activated BSCF membranes demonstrate almost 3-times lower activation energies for the overall oxygen transport (not, vert, similar35 kJ/mol) than the non-activated capillaries, indicating that the mechanism of oxygen transport through the activated capillaries becomes significantly controlled by bulk diffusion limitations, allowing further improvement of the overall performance by decreasing the wall thickness. XRD, EDS and EPMA studies revealed the formation of (Pr,Ba,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3−δ perovskite-type oxides on the surface of the PrOx-modified membranes, which may be responsible for the drastic increase in oxygen exchange rate. At T > 1123 K both non-activated and activated Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ membranes demonstrate stable performance with time, while at 1073 K only a small initial decrease in permeation was observed.

Abstract: The advances in the characterization of amorphous carbons by Raman spectroscopy over the last four decades are of interest to many industries, especially those involving the combustion, gasification and pyrolysis of coal. Many researchers report on the Raman character of the natural organic matter in carbon-containing compounds, such as coal, and relate the Raman bands to the structural order of the amorphous carbons. The basis of most of these studies evolved around the assignment of the G (graphitic, ∼1580 cm−1) band to crystalline graphite and any other bands, called D bands, (disorder, various from 1100 to 1500 cm−1) to any type of structural disorder in the graphitic structure. Concerning coal analysis, the information gained by Raman investigations has been used to describe char evolution as a function of temperature, the presence of catalysts and different gasification conditions. In addition, researchers looked at maturation, grade, doppleritization and many more aspects of interest. One aspect that has, however, not been addressed by most of the researchers is the natural inorganic matter (NIM) in the carbon-containing compounds. Micro-Raman spectroscopy (MRS) has many advantages over other characterization tools, i.e. in situ analysis, nondestructive, no sample preparation, low detection limit, micrometer-scale characterization, versatility and sensitivity to many amorphous compounds. With the distinct advantages it has over that of other molecular characterization tools, such as powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy with X-ray detection (SEM/EDS), it is surprising that it has not yet been fully exploited up to this point for the characterization of the NIM in coal and other amorphous carbons. This paper reviews the work published on the Raman characterization of the natural organic matter (NOM) of coals and reports on preliminary results of the NIM character of various South African coals, whereby various inorganic compounds and minerals in the coal have been characterized.

Abstract: The main goal of this work was to determine the chemical composition of building materials used in Turkey by utilizing energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry. Gas concrete, cement, sand, bricks, roofing tiles, marble, lime and gypsum materials were selected as building materials for this research. The chemical contents and their trace concentrations of the selected samples were determined. The most abundant oxides measured were generally SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, Fe2O3, K2O and SO3 for all samples. While the main chemical component of gas concrete, cement, sand and marble samples were SiO2 and CaO, brick and roofing tile mainly consisted of SiO2 and Al2O3. CaO and SO3 were major component of lime and gypsum samples, respectively. For U and Th concentrations in the samples, activities of 226Ra and 232Th were measured by utilizing gamma spectrometry. ANOVA and Pearson correlation analyses were performed on the studied data for statistical analysis.

Abstract: LA-ICP-MS analyses were performed on a set of Tuscan (post) medieval archaeological glass finds dated to the 1316th century in order to quantitatively determine the trace element contents. The results are used for defining and distinguishing several compositional groups. The trace element data are consistent with the distinctions obtained by considering the major element data determined via quantitative SEM-EDX, but allow to obtain new insights into the nature and quality of the silica sources employed and the presumed method of ash purification.

Abstract: In this study, the microbial community characteristics in continuous lab-scale anaerobic reactors were correlated to reactor functionality using the microbial resource management (MRM) approach. Two molecular techniques, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP), were applied to analyze the bacterial and archaeal communities, and the results obtained have been compared. Clustering analyses showed a similar discrimination of samples with DGGE and T-RFLP data, with a clear separation between the meso- and thermophilic communities. Both techniques indicate that bacterial and mesophilic communities were richer and more even than archaeal and thermophilic communities, respectively. Remarkably, the community composition was highly dynamic for both Bacteria and Archaea, with a rate of change between 30% and 75% per 18 days, also in stable performing periods. A hypothesis to explain the latter in the context of the converging metabolism in anaerobic processes is proposed. Finally, a more even and diverse bacterial community was found to be statistically representative for a well-functioning reactor as evidenced by a low Ripley index and high biogas production.

Abstract: In order to render paper hydrophobic for ink and thus adequate for writing, gelatine has been largely used. To this day, it is still employed in conservation workshops as an adhesive or a sizing agent, for instance, during the treatment of iron gall ink manuscripts. Various types and concentrations of gelatine are recommended, depending on the desired effect, but little information is available regarding to the physical distribution of gelatine in the paper. This aspect is however determinant for a better control of conservation treatments. In this work, we investigate the possibilities offered by FTIR microscopy for the measurement of the gelatine distribution in paper. Laboratory papers were preliminary treated with different types of gelatine and then embedded in a resin and cut in thin slices. Mapping techniques enable to compare the penetration of different types of gelatine in a semiquantitative way. The performance of conventional laboratory equipment and synchrotron radiation experimental setup are discussed.

Abstract: An approach using optical data to simulate both the bremsstrahlung continuum and characteristic K and L X-ray lines generated by low energy electrons (cfr. electron microscopy) in solids is discussed in this paper. The necessary analytical expressions together with the data to calculate the relevant cross sections for elastic and inelastic interactions at these energies along with variance reduction techniques are given. The results of the Monte Carlo simulation are compared to experimental data measured with a JEOL 6300 electron microscope.

Abstract: The present paper synthesizes data obtained during a multidisciplinary cruise carried out in June 2004 at the continental margin of the northern Bay of Biscay. The data-set allows to describe the different stages of a coccolithophore bloom dominated by Emiliania huxleyi. The cruise was carried out after the main spring phytoplankton bloom that started in mid-April and peaked in mid-May. Consequently, low phosphate (PO4 < 0.2 μM) and silicate (DSi < 2.0 μM) concentrations, low partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and high calcite saturation degree in surface waters combined with thermal stratification, probably favoured the blooming of coccolithophores. During the period of the year our cruise was carried out, internal tides induce enhanced vertical mixing at the continental shelf break leading to the injection of inorganic nutrients to surface waters that probably trigger the bloom. The bloom developed as the water-column stratified and as the water mass was advected over the continental shelf, following the general residual circulation in the area. The most developed phase of the bloom was sampled in a remote sensed high reflectance (HR) patch over the continental shelf that was characterized by low chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration in surface waters (<1.0 μg L−1), high particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) concentration (not, vert, similar8 μmol L−1) and coccolithophore abundance up to 57 × 106 cells L−1. Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) concentrations ranged between 15 and 75 μg C L−1 and carbon content of TEP represented up to 26% of the particulate organic carbon (POC; maximum concentration of 15.5 μmol L−1 in the upper 40 m). Integrated primary production (PP) ranged between 210 and 680 mg C m−2 d−1 and integrated calcification (CAL) ranged between 14 and 140 mg C m−2 d−1, within the range of PP and CAL values previously reported during coccolithophore blooms in open and shelf waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Bacterial protein production (BPP) measurements in surface waters (0.30.7 μg C L−1 h−1) were much higher than those reported during early phases of coccolithophore blooms in natural conditions, but similar to those during peak and declining coocolithophorid blooms reported in mesocosms. Total alkalinity anomalies with respect to conservative mixing (ΔTA) down to −49 μmol kg−1 are consistent with the occurrence of biogenic precipitation of calcite, while pCO2 remained 15107 μatm lower than atmospheric equilibrium (372 μatm). The correlation between ΔTA and pCO2 suggested that pCO2 increased in part due to calcification, but this increase was insufficient to overcome the background under-saturation of CO2. This is related to the biogeochemical history of the water masses due to net carbon fixation by the successive phytoplankton blooms in the area prior to the cruise, hence, the investigated area remained a sink for atmospheric CO2 despite calcification.