Transformation/dissolution characteristics of a nickel matte and nickel concentrates for acute and chronic hazard classification.

For the purposes of aquatic hazard classification under the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification (UNGHS), we have examined the transformation/dissolution (T/D) characteristics of a Ni matte and 4 Ni concentrates at pH 6 using the United Nations (UN) Transformation/Dissolution Protocol (T/DP) for metals and sparingly soluble metal compounds. Among the analytes Ni, Co, and Cu, Ni was released into the T/D solutions in the highest concentrations and was thus the main driver in establishing the hazard classification. We applied an extrapolation-scaling approach to obtain concentrations of total dissolved Ni at low loadings of 0.

Transformation/dissolution examination of antimony and antimony compounds with speciation of the transformation/dissolution solutions.

Speciation is held to be a key factor in controlling the ecotoxicity of metals in solution. Using the United Nations transformation/dissolution protocol (T/DP) for metals and sparingly soluble metal compounds, we have examined the transformation/dissolution (T/D) characteristics in terms of the concentrations of total dissolved Sb at pH 6 and 8.5 in 1, 10, and 100 mg/L loadings over 7 d as well as the concentrations of Sb(III) and Sb(V) at the 1 mg/L loadings over 28 d, of sodium hexahydroxoantimonate (NaSb(OH)(6)), antimony metal (Sb), antimony trioxide (Sb(2) O(3)), antimony sulfide (Sb(2) S(3)), sodium antimonate (NaSbO(3)), antimony tris(ethylene glycolate) (Sb(2) (C(2) H(4) O(2) )(3)), antimony trichloride (SbCl(3)), antimony triacetate (Sb(CH(3) COO)(3)), and antimony pentoxide (Sb(2) O(5) ).

A new method for the characterisation and quantitative speciation of base metal smelter stack particulates.

Base metal smelters may be a source of particulates containing metals of environmental concern released to the atmosphere. Knowledge of the quantitative chemical speciation of particulate releases from base metal smelters will be of value in smelter emission fingerprinting, site-specific risk assessments, predictions of the behaviour of smelter stack particulates released to the environment and in resolving liability issues related to current and historic releases. Accordingly, we have developed an innovative approach comprising bulk chemical analysis, a leaching procedure, X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy/electron probe microanalysis characterisation in a step-wise apportioning procedure to derive the quantitative speciation of particulate samples from the stacks of three copper smelters designated as A, B and C.

A new approach to the hazard classification of alloys based on transformation/dissolution.

Most of the metals produced for commercial application enter into service as alloys which, together with metals and all other chemicals in commerce, are subject to a hazard identification and classification initiative now being implemented in a number of jurisdictions worldwide, including the European Union Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) initiative, effective 1 June 2007. This initiative has considerable implications for environmental protection and market access. While a method for the hazard identification and classification of metals is available in the recently developed United Nations (UN) guidance document on the Globally Harmonized System of Hazard Classification and Labelling (GHS), an approach for alloys has yet to be formulated.

Inverse relationship between bioconcentration factor and exposure concentration for metals: implications for hazard assessment of metals in the aquatic environment.

The bioconcentration factor (BCF) and bioaccumulation factor (BAF) are used as the criteria for bioaccumulation in the context of identifying and classifying substances that are hazardous to the aquatic environment. The BCF/BAF criteria, while developed as surrogates for chronic toxicity and/or biomagnification of anthropogenic organic substances, are applied to all substances including metals. This work examines the theoretical and experimental basis for the use of BCF/BAF in the hazard assessment of Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Ag.

The concept of persistence as applied to metals for aquatic hazard identification.

The criteria persistence (P), bioaccumulation (B), and toxicity (T) are applied by domestic and international regulators and modelers to the hazard identification of chemical substances, including metals and metalloids, that may present harm to the environment. In this paper, we critically examine the literature to determine the weight of evidence for the application of water column partition half-times as a surrogate for the persistence criterion in the aquatic hazard identification of metals and metal compounds. Dissolved metals such as Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Co, Cs, Hg, and Zn, as well as the metalloids As and Se, tend to partition from the water column by adsorption onto sinking particulates, with reported and calculated partition half-times in the range 4 to 30 d, with outliers of 0.