Effect of natural organic matter on cerium dioxide nanoparticles settling in model fresh water.

The ecological risk assessment of chemicals including nanoparticles is based on the determination of adverse effects on organisms and on the environmental concentrations to which biota are exposed. The aim of this work was to better understand the behavior of nanoparticles in the environment, with the ultimate goal of predicting future exposure concentrations in water. We measured the concentrations and particle size distributions of CeO(2) nanoparticles in algae growth medium and deionized water in the presence of various concentrations and two types of natural organic matter (NOM).

Metal accumulation in earthworms inhabiting floodplain soils.

The main factors contributing to variation in metal concentrations in earthworms inhabiting floodplain soils were investigated in three floodplains differing in inundation frequency and vegetation type. Metal concentrations in epigeic earthworms showed larger seasonal variations than endogeic earthworms. Variation in internal levels between sampling intervals were largest in earthworms from floodplain sites frequently inundated.

Selective removal of 226Ra2+ from gas-field-produced waters.

The 226Ra2+ selectivity of both the self-assembled (iso)-guanosine-based systems and ionizable thiacalix[4]crown dicarboxylic acids was determined in gas-field-produced water and a metal ion-containing model solution (simulant). Seven gas-field-produced water samples have been analyzed. From a sample (K5D) with average metal ion concentrations ([metal(tot)] = 0.

Ionizable (Thia)calix[4]crowns as highly selective 226Ra2+ ionophores.

The 226Ra2+ selectivity of the ionizable (thia)calix[4]crowns 1-4 was determined in the presence of a large excess of the most common alkali and alkaline earth cations. Selective 226Ra2+ (2.9 x 10(-)(8) M) extraction occurs even at extremely high M(n+)/226Ra2+ ratios of 3.