Investigation on the iron-uptake by natural biofilms.

Biofilms are natural communities of microorganisms living in aquatic ecosystems which play an important role in the biogeochemistry of many inorganic elements, including iron. The present work aimed to study the uptake of iron by natural river biofilms (produced in the laboratory) and to examine the relationships between biofilms and iron in water. For that, biofilms were formed from natural water samples collected at different times of the year. Total content and global localization of iron were determined by a combination of chemical analyses and microscopy, which indicated that iron was systematically distributed throughout the biofilm matrix. Depending on the level of iron uptake, iron was diffuse or present as hot spots, was primarily localized to the fraction ascribed to OM compounds (45-60%) or the residual fraction (∼14-40%). Additional experiments were conducted using iron-organic complexes with different affinities (log K) to study iron uptake according to the speciation. These experiments suggested the association between iron and organic ligands (i.e. depending on the affinity constant) influenced the uptake of iron, but did not control the biofilm affinity for iron, which appeared to be controlled by chemical-kinetic laws.

Macro and microchemistry of trace metals in vitrified domestic wastes by laser ablation ICP-MS and scanning electron microprobe X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy.

Management of domestic wastes often relies on incineration, a process that eliminates large amount of wastes but also produces toxic residues that concentrate heavy metals. Those hazardous secondary wastes require specific treatment. Vitrification is seen as a powerful way to stabilise them. However, concern exists about the long term behaviour of these glass wastes and the potential release of toxic species into the environment. The answers will come with further investigation into the physico-chemical evolution of the vitrified wastes and the mobility of hazardous elements within the matrix with appropriate analytical methods. Laser ablation coupled with inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is a challenging technique for the chemical analysis of trace elements in solid materials. This paper presents an evaluation of the potential of LA- ICP-MS for macro and microanalysis of trace metals in domestic vitrified wastes with regards to other physical analytical techniques of solids such as scanning electronprobe X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDXS). Two typical samples, vitreous and crystallised, are used to compare the analytical performances of the two techniques. SEM-EDXS was used for mineralogical characterisation and chemical analysis of the mineralogical phases. Relative micro-analysis and bulk quantitative analysis of 30 major, minor and trace elements was performed by LA-ICP-MS: precision was between 10 and 20% for most elements and quantitative analysis proved possible with an accuracy of 20% and relative detection limits of 0.1 mg kg(-1).

Chemical and photoelectron spectrometry analysis of the adsorption of phospholipid model membranes and red blood cell membranes on to chrysotile fibres.

A study of the interaction of phospholipid model membranes and red blood cell membranes with UICC A chrysotile fibres using chemical analysis and photoelectron spectrometry showed that the interaction agreed with an adsorption of the membranes on to the chrysotile fibres. The photoelectron spectrometry analysis allowed the statement that phospholipid model membranes are adsorbed as bilayer. Chemical analysis showed that for each milligram of chrysotile the amount of phospholipids adsorbed was about 155 microgram and the available surface for phospholipids was about 38 m/g. It was established that entire membranes were adsorbed. A mechanism for the haemolytic capacity of chrysotile is suggested.

Surface interaction between chrysotile and solutions (dissolution and adsorption): systematic x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies.

To test the reactivity of asbestos in relation to its physical and structural properties, surface analysis was made by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The dissolution kinetics of chrysotile in strong reagents demonstrate two rate-limiting steps for the reaction: Mg2+ diffusion and chemical reaction. In some components of the Krebs cycle and in dilute hydrochloric and in oxalic acids, the reaction is limited by the exchange of Mg2+ in the first mineral layer. The interaction of model phospholipid membranes with chrysotile fibres was also studied; the results are in good agreement with the hypothesis of bilayer adsorption. Photoelectron data for adsorption of ghosts indicate that both proteins and phospholipids must be adsorbed onto chrysotile fibres.

[Adsorption of phospholipids by chrysotile fibers : comparison of data from chemical analysis and photoelectron spectrometry (PSX method)]. / Etude de l'adsorption des phospholipides par les fibres de chrysotile : confrontation des données de l'analyse chimique et de la spectrométrie de photoélectrons (méthode XPS).

The adsorption of dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC) by chrysotile fibers was carried out by chemical and photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The adsorption isotherms have shown that maximum adsorption was about 130 microgram of DPPC per milligram of chrysotile. The results are in good agreement with estimates of a bilayer adsorption.