Comparison of selected washing treatments onAgrostis gigantea samples from mine tailings near Copper Cliff,Ontario, before analysis for Cu,Ni, Fe and K content

Summary Plants ofAgrostis gigantea Roth collected from Cu/Ni tailings near Copper Cliff, Ontario, were contaminated by substrate particles, and also on roots by an iron hydroxide plaque. Three washing treatments were compared on shoots and six on roots, prior to analysis for Cu, Ni and Fe. K content was compared to detect leaching. For both shoots and roots, rinsing with de-ionized water was as effective as Extran-300 or ultrasound. These three treatments caused no measured leaching from shoots. DCB removed iron plaque from roots; hot or cold EDTA removed some plaque. All treatments caused leaching of K from roots.     

Chelated iron-catalyzed OH. formation from paraquat radicals and H2O2: mechanism of formate oxidation

Traces of iron, when complexed with either EDTA or diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), catalyze an OH.-producing reaction between H2O2 and paraquat radical (PQ+.): H2O2 + PQ+.----PQ++ + OH. + OH-.[1]. Kinetic studies show that oxidation of formate induced by this reaction occurs by a Fenton-type mechanism, analagous to that assumed in the metal-catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction, in which the rate determining step is H2O2 + Fe2+ (chelator)----Fe3+(chelator) + OH. + OH-,[7]; with k7 = 7 X 10(3) M-1 s-1 for EDTA and 8 X 10(2) M-1 s-1 for DTPA at pH 7.4. PQ+. rapidly reduces both Fe3+ (EDTA) and Fe3+ (DTPA), and hence allows both agents to catalyze [1] with comparable efficiency, in contrast to the much lower efficiency reported for the latter as a catalyst for the Haber-Weiss reaction. The catalytic properties of these chelating agents is attributed to their lowering of E0 (Fe3+/Fe2+) by 0.65 V, thus making [7] thermodynamically possible at pH 7. Approximately 2.5% of the OH. produced is consumed by internal or "cage" reactions, which decompose the chelator and produce CO2; however, the majority (97%) diffuses into the bulk solution and participates in competitive reactions with OH. scavengers.     

Effect of biodegradable chelating ligands on Fe uptake in and growth of marine microalgae

Iron (Fe) is an important nutrient for phytoplankton. The low solubility of Fe in oxic waters can be a growth-limiting factor for phytoplankton. Synthetic aminopolycarboxylates (APCs) such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) are widely used as Fe complexing agents for microalgae culture. However, the presence of these non-ready biodegradable APC_S in aquatic systems may have serious environmental consequences. In the present study, the effects of biodegradable chelating ligands (hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid (HIDS), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), and iminodisuccinate (IDS)) on Fe uptake in and growth of three coastal microalgae (Heterosigma akashiwo, Prymnesium parvum, and Skeletonema marinoi-dohrnii complex) were investigated, and the results were compared with those of non-ready biodegradable APCs (EDTA, ethylenediamine tetra-methylene phosphonic acid (EDTMP), and DTPA). The biodegradable chelating ligands did not have significant growth inhibition effect on the phytoplankton. Although the growth of the algae (except S. marinoi-dohrnii complex) was not affected substantially by 1.5 and 7.5 μM of DTPA, growth inhibition occurred by 7.5 μM of EDTMP and 150 μM of EDTA, DTPA, and EDTMP. The effect of chelating ligands on microalgal growth was likely to be associated with the intracellular Fe uptake influenced by the chelating ligands. On average, intracellular Fe concentrations for biodegradable chelating ligands were substantially higher than those for non-ready biodegradable APCs. Except H. akashiwo, the ratio of intra/extracellular Fe concentrations was highest for MGDA followed by IDS and HIDS. The results indicate that biodegradable chelating ligands are more efficient than non-ready biodegradable APCs in intracellular Fe uptake and algal growth.     

Spin trapping study on the kinetics of Fe2+ autoxidation: formation of spin adducts and their destruction by superoxide.

The oxidation of Fe2+ was investigated by electron spin resonance spin trapping techniques with N-t-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone (PBN) and dimethyl sulfoxide. Under pure oxygen, the spin adduct PBN/.OCH3 was rapidly generated by the addition of Fe2+ (0.2-1.2 mM) into phosphate buffer containing ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), dimethyl sulfoxide, and PBN at pH 7.4, but it decayed. The decay process of PBN/.OCH3 consists of two components. The fast decay was dependent on Fe2+ concentration. Another was due to destruction of the spin adduct by superoxide anion (.O2-), because superoxide dismutase (SOD) markedly prevented the decay. Catalase decreased the yield of PBN/.OCH3. When EDTA was replaced by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), both the generation and decay process of PBN/.OCH3 were slow. SOD and catalase effects were similar to those in EDTA. Fe2+ produced PBN/.OCH3 even in the absence of chelators. We could estimate the kinetic parameters by computer simulation, comparing the Fe2+ oxidation in EDTA with that in DTPA. These results demonstrate that Fe2+ reacts with O2 to generate .O2- and then H2O2, which produces .CH3 by reaction with Fe2+ and dimethyl sulfoxide.(.)OCH3 results from the reaction between .CH3 and O2. The adduct PBN/.OCH3 decays by reaction with Fe2+ and .O2-.     

Fenton reagents may not initiate lipid peroxidation in an emulsified linoleic acid model system.

This study includes two parts. First, the Fe2+ autooxidation and chelation processes in the presence of the chelators ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) were studied by measuring UV light absorbance alterations. Competition for Fe3+ between chelators and water or phosphate buffer (PB) ions was confirmed. The addition of EDTA or DTPA to Fe3+ in water or PB only slowly turned the water/PB-Fe3+ complexes to EDTA-Fe3+ or DTPA-Fe3+ complexes. In the second part of this study, the initiation mechanisms of Tween 20 emulsified linoleic acid peroxidation under stimulation by chelator-Fe-O2 complexes were studied by measuring changes in UV light absorbance following diene conjugation. Fe3+ in the presence of EDTA or DTPA did not stimulate diene conjugation. Fe2+ (0.10 mM) and EDTA (0.11 mM) stimulated diene conjugation of the linoleic acid emulsion, but only after apparent Fe2+ autooxidation. Fe2+ and DTPA, as well as premixed DTPA-Fe2+ complex, resulted in very fast diene conjugation in a wide range of concentrations. A nonlinear, mainly square root relation between Fe2+ concentration and peroxidation rate was noted. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and mannitol did not prevent the lipid peroxidation. H2O2 substantially decreased the DTPA-Fe2+ stimulated, otherwise rapid, diene conjugation but slightly enhanced the slower one stimulated by EDTA-Fe2+. Without ambient oxygen, Fenton reagents did not result in .H abstraction-related diene conjugation. The findings suggest that .OH resulting from Fenton reagents may not be the main cause for the initiation of peroxidation in this model system. Furthermore, a study with different combinations of Fe2+ and Fe3+ did not support the Fe2+/Fe3+ (1:1) optimum ratio hypothesis. We therefore conclude that perferryl ions or chelator-Fe-O2 complexes may be responsible for the first-chain initiation of lipid peroxidation, at least in this model system.     

Influence of external zinc and phosphorus supply on Cd uptake by rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings with root surface iron plaque

Rice seedlings were grown in hydroponic culture to determine the effects of external Zn and P supply on plant uptake of Cd in the presence or absence of iron plaque on the root surfaces. Iron plaque was induced by supplying 50 mg l⁻¹ Fe²⁺ in the nutrient solution for 2 day. Then 43-day-old seedlings were exposed to 10 μmol l⁻¹ Cd together with 10 μmol l⁻¹ Zn or without Zn (Zn–Cd experiment), or to 10 μmol l⁻¹ Cd with 1.0 mmol l⁻¹ P or without P (P–Cd experiment) for another 2 day. The seedlings were then harvested and the concentrations of Fe, Zn, P and Cd in dithionite–citrate–bicarbonate (DCB) extracts and in roots and shoots were determined. The dry weights of roots and shoots of seedlings treated with 50 mg l⁻¹ Fe were significantly lower than when no Fe was supplied. Adsorption of Cd, Zn and P on the iron plaque increased when Fe was supplied but Cd concentrations in DCB extracts were unaffected by external Zn or P supply levels. Cd concentrations in shoots and roots were lower when Fe was supplied. Zn additions decreased Cd concentrations in roots but increased Cd concentrations in shoots, whereas P additions significantly increased shoot and root Cd concentrations and this effect diminished when Fe was supplied. The percentage of Cd in DCB extracts was significantly lower than in roots or shoots, accounting for up to 1.8–3.8% of the plant total Cd, while root and shoot Cd were within the ranges 57–76% and 21–40% respectively in the two experiments. Thus, the main barrier to Cd uptake seemed to be the root tissue and the contribution of iron plaque on root surfaces to plant Cd uptake was minor. The changes in plant Cd uptake were not due to Zn or P additions altering Cd adsorption on iron plaque, but more likely because Zn or P interfered with Cd uptake by the roots and translocation to the shoots.     

Effect of metals on nucleoside hydroperoxide, a product of ionizing radiation in DNA

Ionizing radiation causes formation of thymine hydroperoxides in DNA. Their decomposition generates more stable products and active oxygen species which may oxidize other DNA bases. We have determined the effects of free and chelated metal ions on the degradation of 5-hydroperoxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine (HPMdU). Two products were formed as analyzed by HPLC: 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine (HMdU) and 5-formyl-2'-deoxyuridine (FdU). Sn(II) and Fe(II) caused instantaneous HPMdU degradation; Sn(II) generated only HMdU, whereas Fe(II) formed about equal amounts of both. Sn(IV) and Fe(III) were inactive. Cu(I), Cu(II), and Co(II) caused a time-dependent formation of both products, with FdU predominating. In the presence of Cu(I), Cu(II), and Fe(II), formate inhibited formation of HMdU but enhanced that of FdU. EDTA abolished Cu(I)-induced decomposition of HPMdU but only decreased that which was mediated by Cu(II). In contrast, EDTA enhanced the activity of Fe(III) with a time-dependent formation of FdU. EDTA and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) caused an instantaneous Fe(II)-mediated decomposition of HPMdU to FdU. Only desferal partially inhibited the activity of Fe(II), whereas the activities of Cu(I), Cu(II), and Fe(III) were blocked by desferal and DTPA. Possible mechanisms of HPMdU degradation by metal ions in the absence or presence of formate or chelators as well as formation of the .OH are discussed.     

Trace elements extractable by 2-ketogluconic acid from soils and their relationship to plant contents

Summary Trace element levels extractable by 2-ketogluconic acid (2-KG), ammonium acetate, acetic acid, EDTA, and DTPA were determined in three different soils of the Tarves association. The 2-ketogluconic acid was derived from 2-litre batch cultures of a soil bacterium,Erwinia sp. Pasture grasses and clovers growing on these soils were also analysed. At the same pH, 2-KG extracted more Co, Ni and Zn and considerably more Fe, Ti and V than ammonium acetate. The quantities of Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni and Zn extracted by 2-KG from the three soils generally reflected, in a similar way to the other extractants, the contents of these elements in grasses and clovers growing on the soils.     

A comparison of cobalt(II) and iron(II) hydroxyl and superoxide free radical formation

We have employed the electron spin resonance spin-trapping technique to study the reaction of Co(II) with hydrogen peroxide in a chemical system and in a microsomal system. In both cases, we employed the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) and were able to detect the formation of DMPO/.OH and DMPO/.OOH. DMPO/.OOH was the predominant radical adduct formed in the chemical system, while the two adducts were of similar concentrations in the microsomal system. The formation of both of these adducts in either reaction system was inhibited by the addition of superoxide dismutase or catalase, and by chelating the cobalt with either ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). The incorporation of the hydroxyl radical scavengers ethanol, formate, benzoate, or mannitol inhibited the formation of DMPO/.OH in both systems. We also repeated the study using Fe(II) in place of Co(II). In contrast to the Co(II) results, Fe(II) reacted with hydrogen peroxide to yield only DMPO/.OH, and this adduct formation was relatively insensitive to the presence of added superoxide dismutase. In addition, Fe(II)-mediated DMPO/.OH formation increased when the iron was chelated to either EDTA or DTPA rather than being inhibited as for Co(II). Thus, we propose that Co(II) does not react with hydrogen peroxide by the classical Fenton reaction at physiological pH values.     

An evaluation of paramagnetic broadening agents for spin probe studies of intact mammalian cells.

Six transition metal ion complexes have been examined for their effects on the cell survival as well as their effectiveness in inducing the broadening of the electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of nitroxide spin probes. These paramagnetic species are Ni(EDTA), Ni(DTPA), potassium tris(oxalato) chromate (chromium oxalate), K3Fe(CN)6, Cu(DTPA), and NiCl2. At 100 mM concentration, the typical concentration used in cell studies to broaden the extracellular nitroxide ESR signal, only Ni(EDTA) and Ni(DTPA) are found to be non-toxic to Chinese hamster ovary cells. The relative cytotoxicities of the six metal ion complexes are Cu(DTPA) greater than K3Fe(CN)6 greater than NiCl2 greater than chromium oxalate greater than Ni(DTPA) greater than Ni(EDTA). Thus, potassium ferricyanide and NiCl2, two most commonly used paramagnetic broadening agents, are relatively toxic to the cell. In contrast, among the six paramagnetic species tested here, chromium oxalate appears to be the most effective agent at non-toxic concentrations in inducing the broadening of the ESR spectra of both cationic and neutral nitroxide spin probes. By considering both their cytotoxicity and their effectiveness in causing line broadening of the nitroxide ESR spectra, chromium oxalate is a good paramagnetic broadening agent for spin probe studies of intact mammalian cells.     

Impact of chelator-induced phytoextraction of cadmium on yield and ionic uptake of maize

Enhanced phytoextraction uses soil chelators to increase the bioavailability of heavy metals. This study tested the effectiveness of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and citric acid in enhancing cadmium (Cd) phytoextraction and their effects on the growth, yield, and ionic uptake of maize (Zea mays). Maize seeds of two cultivars were sown in pots treated with 15 (Cd₁₅) or 30 mg Cd kg^?1 soil (Cd₃₀). EDTA and citric acid at 0.5 g kg^?1 each were applied 2 weeks after germination. Results demonstrated that the growth, yield per plant, and total grain weight were reduced by exposure to Cd. EDTA increased the uptake of Cd in shoots, roots, and grains of both maize varieties. Citric acid did not enhance the uptake of Cd, rather it ameliorated the toxicity of Cd, as shown by increased shoot and root length and biomass. Cadmium toxicity reduced the number of grains, rather than the grain size. The maize cultivar Sahiwal-2002 extracted 1.6% and 3.6% of Cd from soil in both Cd+ EDTA treatments. Hence, our study implies that maize can be used to successfully phytoremediate Cd from soil using EDTA, without reducing plant biomass or yield.     

有机物料对滨海盐渍土重金属根际效应的影响Ⅱ.土壤内源铁形态分布

研究了排水条件下施用腐熟有机物料、种稻改良滨海盐渍土内源铁形态分布．结果表明,单淹水利于土中无定形氧化铁、络合态铁、有效态铁以及氧化铁活化度升高,并且络合态铁与有效态铁升高程度,低盐土壤显著;晶形氧化铁变化不明显,土中可能存在其它形态铁向晶形氧化铁转化．种稻不施有机物料,根际络合态铁和有效态铁富集;无定形氧化铁和晶形氧化铁亏缺．根际氧化铁活化度稍低于非根际．增施有机物料利于两种盐渍土根际内外铁形态向络合态铁和无定形氧化铁转化;有效态铁和氧化铁活化度提高,低盐土壤根际较明显     

Phytoavailability of phosphate adsorbed on ferrihydrite,hematite, and goethite

Poorly crystalline Fe in soil has been shown to affect Fe and P availability. Oxalate extractable Fe, a measure of poorly crystalline Fe oxides, has not been compared to soil test methods for Fe and P in rice soils. Twenty eight soils used for rice production were incubated under aerobic and anaerobic soil conditions and extracted for Fe and P with ammonium oxalate, ammonium acetate-EDTA (AA-EDTA), ammonium bicarbonate-DTPA (AB-DTPA) and DTPA. Citrate-dithionite extractable Fe and Fe content of rice plants in a greenhouse experiment were also determined. Soils used in this experiment had a large amount of poorly-crystalline Fe oxide. In some soils, poorly-crystalline Fe constituted 60% of the citrate-dithionite extractable Fe. The amount of extractable Fe and P increased significantly under anaerobic conditions. The relationships between extractants showed that DTPA Fe was highly correlated to AB-DTPA Fe and oxalate Fe was highly correlated to AA-EDTA Fe. There was no relationship between Fe and P extracted by AB-DTPA, while there was a better relationship with ammonium oxalate and AA-EDTA extractants. Poorly-crystalline Fe and P extracted by ammonium oxalate were correlated.     

Analysis of elimination mechanisms of some 99mTc-complexes

The biological behaviour of complexes of ^99mTc with aminopolycarboxylic and aminocarbohydroxamic ligands EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), EDTAH (ethylenediaminetetraacetohydroxamic acid) and HIDAmH (N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-carboxymethyl-aminoacetohydroxamic acid) was studied in rabbits. The pharmacokinetic parameters determined in intact rabbits were compared with the results obtained in the study of renal and hepatic clearance of the complexes under study. Hepatobiliary excretion, which in [^99mTc]EDTA forms 20–30% of the total excreted amount, is of negligible magnitude in the other ^99mTc-complexes studied (<2%). Their renal clearance is not influenced by the inhibition of tubular secretion with probenecid. Binding to plasma proteins increases in the order [^99mTc]DTPA < [^99mTc]EDTA <[^99mTc]HIDAmH <[^99mTc]EDTAH and the elimination half-life increases in the same order. The value of renal clearance of the complexes studied related to inulin clearance correlates well with the fraction of the free drug in the plasma. In rabbits the complexes under study are excreted mainly by the mechanism of glomerular filtration in the kidney.     

The solvent extraction of metal ions from aqueous solutions containing NNN′N′-Ethylenediaminetetraacetic and related ccids. Part 1. Uranium(IV)

The uranium(IV) complexes [U(EDTA)(H₂O)₂], [U(HOEDTA)]⁺, and [U(DTPA)]^? are well-formed in the pH fange 2–3 ([DTPA]^5- = diethylenetriaminepentaacetate; [HOEDTA]^3-  N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediaminetriacetate). Of these, only [U(DTPA)]- is extracted from an aqueous phase at pH 2 by the perchlorate salt of the primary amine, Primene JM-T. As the aqueous phase pH was raised, extraction occurred in all three cases and hydrolysed species may be extracted from EDTA and HOEDTA solutions but [U(DTPA)]^? resists hydrolysis. The addition of sulphate had a marked effect on the extraction of U(IV) from EDTA and HOEDTA through the formation of [U(EDTA)(SO₄)(H₂O)]^2- and [U(HOEDTA)(SO₄)(H₂O)_n]^?. The equilibrium constant, log β₁, for: [(U(EDTA)(H₂O)₂] 2 [SO₄]^2? ? [U(EDTA)(SO₄)(H₂O)]^2- 2 H₂O was found to be 2.43 ± 0.04 (I = 1 mol dm^?3, NaClO₄; pH 2.0; 20 °C) from spectrophotometric data.With tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) electronic spectroscopy showed that the same U(IV) complex was extracted at pH 2 for Cs₂UCl₆, U(IV)/ HOEDTA, and U(IV)/DTPA and the aminepoly- carboxylates were aqueous phase masking agents but with [U(EDTA)(H₂O)₂] oxidation gave a uranyl(VI) organic phase species.Uranium(IV) is strongly extracted from aqueous solutions of HOEDTA at pH 2 or 3 by bis(2-ethyl- hexyl)phosphoric acid (HBEHP) but less so from EDTA and DTPA. Since U(IV) is completely extracted from Cs₂UCl₆ it could be that the amine- polycarboxylates were aqueous phase masking agents although spectral evidence did not support this.     

Chemical speciation of Zn in acidic soils: suitable soil extractant for assessing Zn availability to maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Chemical fractions of soil Zn namely: water soluble (WS), exchangeable (EX), Pb displaceable (Pb-disp.), acid soluble (AS), Mn oxide occluded (MnOX), organically bound (OB), amorphous Fe oxide occluded (AFeOX), crystalline Fe oxide occluded (CFeOX), residual (RES) were determined in 20 surface (0–15 cm) samples of acidic soils from the provinces of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, India. The chemical fractions of soil Zn in acidic soils were found to be in the following descending order of Zn concentration: RES > CFeOX > Pb-Disp. > AFeOX > MnOX > AS > OB > EX > WS. These soil samples were also extracted by: DTPA (pH 7.3), DTPA (pH 5.3), AB-DTPA (pH 7.6), Mehlich 3 (pH 2.0), Modified Olsen, 0.01 N CaCl₂, 1 M MgCl ₂ and ion exchange resins. Chemical fractions and the soil extractable content of Zn estimated by different soil extractants were significantly correlated with some general soil properties. Maize (cv. Pragati) plants were grown in these soils for 35 days after emergence and Zn uptake by plants was compared with the amount of Zn extracted by different soil extractants and chemical fractions of Zn. Among chemical fractions of soil Zn, Pb-displaceable and acid soluble chemical fractions of soil Zn showed a significant and positive correlation with Zn uptake by maize. Path coefficient analysis also revealed that the acid soluble Zn fraction showed the highest positive and direct effect on Zn uptake (P=0.960). Among different multinutrient soil extractants evaluated for their suitability to assess Zn availability in acidic soils, DTPA (pH=5.3) was most suitable soil extractant, as the quantity of soil Zn extracted by this extractant showed a significant and positive correlation with the dry matter yield, Zn concentration and uptake by maize plants.     

Measurement of lung fluid volumes and albumin exclusion in sheep

A radioactive tracer technique was used to determine interstitial diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and albumin distribution volume in sheep lungs. 125I- and/or 131I-labeled albumin were injected intravenously and allowed to equilibrate for 24 h. 99mTc-labeled DTPA and 51Cr-labeled erythrocytes were injected and allowed to equilibrate (2 h and 15 min, respectively) before a lethal dose of thiamylal sodium. Two biopsies (1-3 g) were taken from each lung and the remaining tissue was homogenized for wet-to-dry lung weight and volume calculations. Estimates of distribution volumes from whole lung homogenized samples were statistically smaller than biopsy samples for extravascular water, interstitial 99mTc-DTPA, and interstitial albumin. The mean fraction of the interstitium (Fe), which excludes albumin, was 0.68 +/- 0.04 for whole lung samples compared with 0.62 +/- 0.03 for biopsy samples. Hematocrit may explain the consistent difference. To make the Fe for biopsy samples match that for homogenized samples, a mean hematocrit, which was 82% of large vessel hematocrit, was required. Excluded volume fraction for exogenous sheep albumin was compared with that of exogenous human albumin in two sheep, and no difference was found at 24 h.     

The influence of ferrous-complexed EDTA as a solubilization agent and its auto-regeneration on the removal of nitric oxide gas through the culture of green alga Scenedesmus sp

The influence of iron-complexed ehylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was studied on nitric oxide (NO) removal using photoautotropic cultivation of green alga Scenedesmus. Fe(II)EDTA is an active solubilization agent of NO in water, while the oxidized Fe(III)EDTA is not. When a gas mixture containing 300 ppm NO was treated through the Scenedesmus culture containing 5 mM Fe(II)EDTA, a constant level of 80–85% NO removal was achieved for a prolonged period. A certain fraction of Fe(II)EDTA remained without being oxidized to Fe(III)EDTA because of the existence of reversible oxidation–reduction balance between Fe(II)EDTA and Fe(III)EDTA. When Fe(III)EDTA was added to the culture instead of Fe(II)EDTA, Fe(II) was generated via reduction of Fe(III), resulting in the increase of NO removal and cell density. This was possible because of the generated Fe(II)EDTA which contributed to the dissolution of NO. Therefore, a long-term NO removal was possible with Fe(III)EDTA, as well as with Fe(II)EDTA, in the present microalgal system. The supplementation of free EDTA was necessary to extend the period of NO removal because EDTA is consumed by biodegradation while the decrease of total iron content was not significant.     

Extraction, purification and turnover of rat brain glycogen

Abstract— Glycogen was prepared from rapidly frozen rat brain by the usual techniques and found to contain considerable amounts of non-glycogen carbohydrate. The crude glycogen was partially purified by extraction with hot or cold water and reprecipitation. Enzymic estimation showed that the carbohydrate extracted into hot water contained only 50 per cent of glucose after hydrolysis; of the hot water insoluble material, namely some 30 per cent of the total carbohydrate present in the crude glycogen, less than half of the carbohydrate was released by hydrolysis in 1 M-HC1. The glycogen soluble in hot water incorporated ¹⁴C from [¹⁴C]glucose at considerably higher rates than the residual material and also decreased more rapidly during post-mortem autolysis. Glycogen extracted into cold water was of higher purity than that extracted by hot water; although the material behaved as glycogen during precipitation and re-extraction it contained only 75 per cent of its carbohydrate as glucose. Contaminants included fucose, galactose and hexuronic acid. The rates of metabolism of the partially purified glycogen are compared with published rates; it is suggested that the observed rates are inaccurate due to the impurities present in brain glycogen prepared by classical techniques.     

Enhanced phytoextraction: in search of EDTA alternatives

Enhanced phytoextraction proposes the use of soil amendments to increase the heavy-metal content of above-ground harvestable plant tissues. This study compares the effect of synthetic aminopolycarboxylic acids [ethylenediamine tetraacetatic acid (EDTA), nitriloacetic acid (NTA), and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)] with a number of biodegradable, low-molecular weight, organic acids (citric acid, ascorbic acid, oxalic acid, salicylic acid, and NH4 acetate) as potential soil amendments for enhancing phytoextraction of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Ni) by Zea mays. The treatments in this study were applied at a dose of 2 mmol/kg(-1) 1 d before sowing. To compare possible effects between presow and postgermination treatments, a second smaller experiment was conducted in which EDTA, citric acid, and NH4 acetate were added 10 d after germination as opposed to 1 d before sowing. The soil used in this screening was a moderately contaminated topsoil derived from a dredged sediment disposal site. This site has been in an oxidized state for more than 8 years before being used in this research. The high carbonate, high organic matter, and high clay content characteristic to this type of sediment are thought to suppress heavy-metal phytoavailability. Both EDTA and DTPA resulted in increased levels of heavy metals in the above-ground biomass. However, the observed increases in uptake were not as large as reported in the literature. Neither the NTA nor organic acid treatments had any significant effect on uptake when applied prior to sowing. This was attributed to the rapid mineralization of these substances and the relatively low doses applied. The generally low extraction observed in this experiment restricts the use of phytoextraction as an effective remediation alternative under the current conditions, with regard to amendments used, applied dose (2 mmol/kg(-1) soil), application time (presow), plant species (Zea mays), and sediment (calcareous clayey soil) under study.