In Situ Formation of a Relatively Transparent Ion-Associate Liquid Phase from an Aqueous Phase and Its Application to Microextraction/High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Fluorescence Detection of Bisphenol A in Water.

The design of a simple approach enabling the detection of bisphenol A (BPA) in water samples without the need for large amounts of solvents is of utmost importance. This paper reports a simple method for the separation, concentration, and quantification of BPA in water samples using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) after its microextraction into an in situ formed organic ion-associate (IA) liquid phase (LP). Novel IA phase components without conjugated double bonds, such as benzene rings, were investigated.

Effects of paddy irrigation-drainage system on water quality and productivity of small rivers in the Himi region of Toyama, Central Japan.

The aim of this study was to clarify the impact of differences between historical and recently introduced irrigation and drainage management systems on water quality in the rivers around paddy fields. We investigated the seasonal variation in nutrients concentration and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) components in single- (used for intake only) and dual-purpose (used for both intake and drainage) channels during a 4-year period in the Himi region of Toyama, Central Japan. The system of dual-purpose channel has traditionally been used in the region of this study.

Simple solid-phase colorimetry for trace Cr(VI) by combination of complexation with diphenylcarbazide and ion-pair solid-phase extraction with sedimentable dispersed particulates.

A highly sensitive and simple solid-phase colorimetry for Cr(VI) was proposed. It was based on the ion-pair solid-phase extraction of Cr-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) complex with sedimentable dispersed particulates. The concentration of Cr(VI) was measured from the color tones obtained by image analysis of the photo of sediment.

Removal of humic acid interference in soil enzymatic analysis using poly-γ-glutamic acid.

Soil enzymes are biological indicators in environmental and agricultural monitoring. However, brownish humic acid (HA) in samples interferes significantly with various analytical methods, especially in optical-based techniques. Here, we implemented a coagulation-flocculation process to carry out continuously an enzymatic reaction without separation and transfer of a sample solution.

Colorimetric analysis based on solid-phase extraction with sedimentable dispersed particulates: demonstration of concept and application for on-site environmental water analysis.

A novel simple and functional colorimetric methodology for on-site environmental water analysis was proposed. This method combines coloration of the analyte and extraction of the colored species on dispersed particulates during their sedimentation in the same container. The whole analysis can be performed within 15 min by comprising the addition of 1 mL of sample solution into a 1.

Investigation and modeling of diurnal variation in suburban ambient formaldehyde concentration.

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a naturally occurring compound found in ambient air which can induce cancer and sick-building syndrome. It plays an important role in the formation of OH radicals, which are connected to the formation of various airborne chemicals. Herein, we present a simple modeling for the simulation of diurnal variations in the HCHO concentration of ambient air.

Effect of humic acids on the toxicity of pollutants to Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: Investigation by a microscale algal growth inhibition test.

Dissolved humic substances (DHSs) are the major components of organic matter in the aquatic environment. DHSs are well known to considerably affect the speciation, solubility, and toxicity of a wide variety of pollutants in the aquatic environment. In this study, the effects of the toxicity of heavy metals and hydrophobic organic pollutants (HOPs) on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in the presence of humic acid (HA) were examined by a microscale algal growth inhibition (μ-AGI) test based on spectrophotometric detection.

High-heat Effects on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil Organic Matter and Its Water-soluble Components in Japan's Forests: A Comprehensive Approach Using Multiple Analytical Methods.

Wildfires that expose the soil organic layer to high heat levels can alter soil organic matter (SOM), which includes water-soluble organic matter (WSOM) components. Various evaluation methods were used to characterize and quantify the effects of high heat levels on SOM and WSOM, including ion chromatography, thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), colorimetry, elemental analysis, pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH-py-GC/MS), total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3DEEM) spectroscopy, and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography. In this study, we applied each of these evaluation methods using soil samples that were collected from broadleaf, coniferous, and bamboo forests and peatland in Japan and exposed to different initial high heat levels.

Organic Ion-associate Phase Extraction/Back-microextraction for the Preconcentration and Determination of Lithium Using 2,2,6,6-Tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedione by Liquid Electrode Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry and GF-AAS in Environmental Water.

We developed an ion-associate phase (IAP)-extraction/acid back-extraction system for the preconcentration and atomic spectrometric determination of lithium trace amounts in water. The chelating reagent for lithium also works as a constituent of the extraction phase. The lithium in a 10 mL sample solution was converted through a chelate complex reaction with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedione (HDPM).

Effects of forest fire on the properties of soil and humic substances extracted from forest soil in Gunma, Japan.

Increases in global wildfires and fire severity are expected to result from global warming. Severe wildfires not only burn surface vegetation but also affect forest soil. Humic substances play key roles in the transport of nutrients and the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems.

Potential risk of coupling products between tetrahalobisphenol A and humic acid prepared via oxidation with a biomimetic catalyst.

Tetrahalobisphenol A (TXPBAs, X = Br or Cl), TBBPA and TCBPA, which are widely used as flame retardants, ultimately disposed of in landfills. In landfills, enzymatically oxidized TXBPAs can be covalently incorporated into humic acids (HAs) to form coupling products (HA-TXBPAs). In the present study, HA-TXBPAs were prepared by catalytic oxidation with iron(III)-phthalocyanine-tetrasulfate as a model of oxidative enzymes.

Determination of heavy metal toxicity by using a micro-droplet hydrodynamic voltammetry for microalgal bioassay based on alkaline phosphatase.

We developed an electrochemical microalgal bioassay for the determination of heavy metal toxicity in water on the basis of the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme inhibition of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Five heavy metals were chosen as toxicants: Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu. The induced ALP activity of C.

Hydrodynamic voltammetry as a rapid and simple method for evaluating soil enzyme activities.

Soil enzymes play essential roles in catalyzing reactions necessary for nutrient cycling in the biosphere. They are also sensitive indicators of ecosystem stress, therefore their evaluation is very important in assessing soil health and quality. The standard soil enzyme assay method based on spectroscopic detection is a complicated operation that requires the removal of soil particles.

Effects of peat fires on the characteristics of humic acid extracted from peat soil in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.

When peat forest fires happen, it leads to burn soil and also humic acids as a dominant organic matter contained in peat soil as well as the forest. The structure and properties of humic acids vary depending on their origin and environment, therefore the transformation of humic acid is also diverse. The impacts of the peat fires on peat soil from Central Kalimantan, Indonesia were investigated through the characterization of humic acids, extracted from soil in burnt and unburnt sites.

Electrochemical genotoxicity assay based on a SOS/umu test using hydrodynamic voltammetry in a droplet.

The SOS/umu genotoxicity assay evaluates the primary DNA damage caused by chemicals from the β-galactosidase activity of S. typhimurium. One of the weaknesses of the common umu test system based on spectrophotometric detection is that it is unable to measure samples containing a high concentration of colored dissolved organic matters, sediment, and suspended solids.

The evaluation for alterations of DOM components from upstream to downstream flow of rivers in Toyama (Japan) using three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy.

The dissolved organic matter (DOM) is one of the important factors for controlling water quality. The behavior and constitutions of DOM is related to the risk of human health because it is able to directly or indirectly affect the behavior, speciation and toxicity of various environmental pollutants. However, it is not easy to know the contents of DOM components without using various complicated and time consuming analytical methods because DOM is a complex mixture and usually exists at low concentration.