Synchrotron microscopic and spectroscopic techniques to reveal the fate of Zn in pioneer plants from abandoned mining sites

Author(s):  
Daniela Medas ◽  
Carlo Meneghini ◽  
Ilaria Carlomagno ◽  
Giovanni De Giudici

<p>Mining activities generate a large amount of waste materials that are often very unstable and represent a source of pollution. Phytomanagement, in terms of phytostabilization, is considered a suitable method to decrease environmental risks of metal-enriched mine wastes (Parraga-Aguado et al. 2013). This technique employs plants to achieve the surface stabilization of the wastes by acting as a barrier which decreases wind borne dust and water erosion, reduces metal-enriched leaching through metal accumulation in plant roots and provides metal immobilization in the rhizosphere (Robinson et al. 2009; Sun et al. 2016).</p><p>Most of the research has focused on the selection of the best spontaneously adapted plant species (endemic pioneer plants) for each specific mining site (Parraga-Aguado et al. 2013), because they may respond better and can survive easily compared to introduced alien species (Bradshaw 1997; Pandey 2015). Pioneer vegetation may improve edaphic conditions by increasing soil nutrient content (Rodríguez et al. 2007) or ameliorating soil acidity (Rufo and de la Fuente 2010), and thus may favor further establishment of other plant species.</p><p>The investigation of metal transfer from the geosphere to the vegetal tissues helps to understand the adaptive strategies of plant species and may be useful for soil remediation actions. Synchrotron radiation-based techniques represent the state of the art tools to investigate the microscopic processes occurring in plant-soil systems (Kopittke et al. 2017). X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), are particularly suited to determine the finest complementary details about the atomic and crystallographic structure, distribution of elements, their chemical speciation and their valence state. Here, we report a review of selected researches performed on different plant species (<em>Pistacia</em> <em>lentiscus</em> L., <em>Euphorbia pithyusa</em> subsp. <em>cupanii</em>, <em>Phragmites australis</em>, and <em>Helichrysum microphyllum</em> Cambess. subsp. <em>tyrrhenicum</em>), growing on metal contaminated substrates in abandoned mining areas in Sardinia (Italy).</p><p>Our results demonstrate that these plant species have developed their own adaptation strategy to grow and to survive in polluted environments, making them potential candidates to develop low-cost and self-sustainable vegetative covers aimed at reducing the dispersion of metals in soils and waters around these mine polluted sites.</p><p><strong>Acknowledgments</strong></p><p>The authors acknowledge CESA (E58C16000080003) from RAS and RAS/FBS (F72F16003080002) grants, FP7 ERANETMED2 72094 SUPREME, the POR FESR Sardegna 2014-2020 (project cluster Top-Down: TESTARE), the Grant of Excellence Departments, MIUR (ARTICOLO 1, COMMI 314 – 337 LEGGE 232/2016), and the CeSAR (Centro Servizi d'Ateneo per la Ricerca) of the University of Cagliari, Italy, for SEM analysis.</p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p>A. Bradshaw, Ecol. Eng. 8, 255 (1997).</p><p>P.M. Kopittke et al., J. Environ. Qual. 46, 1175 (2017).</p><p>V.C. Pandey, Ecol. Eng. 82, 1 (2015).</p><p>I. Parraga-Aguado et al., Environ. Pollut. 176, 134 (2013).</p><p>B.H. Robinson et al., CRC. Crit. Rev. Plant Sci. 28, 240 (2009).</p><p>N. Rodríguez et al., Arid L. Res. Manag. 21, 51 (2007).</p><p>L. Rufo and V. de la Fuente, Arid L. Res. Manag. 24, 301 (2010).</p><p>Z. Sun et al., Ecol. Eng. 86, 60 (2016).</p>

2020 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 795-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Cox ◽  
Dimitrios A. Pantazis ◽  
Wolfgang Lubitz

The investigation of water oxidation in photosynthesis has remained a central topic in biochemical research for the last few decades due to the importance of this catalytic process for technological applications. Significant progress has been made following the 2011 report of a high-resolution X-ray crystallographic structure resolving the site of catalysis, a protein-bound Mn4CaOx complex, which passes through ≥5 intermediate states in the water-splitting cycle. Spectroscopic techniques complemented by quantum chemical calculations aided in understanding the electronic structure of the cofactor in all (detectable) states of the enzymatic process. Together with isotope labeling, these techniques also revealed the binding of the two substrate water molecules to the cluster. These results are described in the context of recent progress using X-ray crystallography with free-electron lasers on these intermediates. The data are instrumental for developing a model for the biological water oxidation cycle.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 862-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Taha ◽  
Eric Nezerwa ◽  
Hyun-Joo Nam

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 495-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan A. Almarshad ◽  
Sayed M. Badawy ◽  
Abdalkarem F. Alsharari

Aim and Objective: Formation of the gallbladder stones is a common disease and a major health problem. The present study aimed to identify the structures of the most common types of gallbladder stones using X-ray spectroscopic techniques, which provide information about the process of stone formation. Material and Method: Phase and elemental compositions of pure cholesterol and mixed gallstones removed from gallbladders of patients were studied using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy combined with scanning electron microscopy analysis and X-ray diffraction. Results: The crystal structures of gallstones which coincide with standard patterns were confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Plate-like cholesterol crystals with laminar shaped and thin layered structures were clearly observed for gallstone of pure cholesterol by scanning electron microscopy; it also revealed different morphologies from mixed cholesterol stones. Elemental analysis of pure cholesterol and mixed gallstones using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the different formation processes of the different types of gallstones. Conclusion: The method of fast and reliable X-ray spectroscopic techniques has numerous advantages over the traditional chemical analysis and other analytical techniques. The results also revealed that the X-ray spectroscopy technique is a promising technique that can aid in understanding the pathogenesis of gallstone disease.


1999 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 418-419
Author(s):  
Simon J. Coles ◽  
Paul Faulds ◽  
Michael B. Hursthouse ◽  
David G. Kelly ◽  
Georgia C. Ranger ◽  
...  

Nickel(II) phosphine complexes are prepared with a series of diphenylalkenylphosphine ligands and characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques.


Author(s):  
D. J. Bailey ◽  
M. C. Stennett ◽  
J. Heo ◽  
N. C. Hyatt

AbstractSEM–EDX and Raman spectroscopy analysis of radioactive compounds is often restricted to dedicated instrumentation, within radiological working areas, to manage the hazard and risk of contamination. Here, we demonstrate application of WetSEM® capsules for containment of technetium powder materials, enabling routine multimodal characterisation with general user instrumentation, outside of a controlled radiological working area. The electron transparent membrane of WetSEM® capsules enables SEM imaging of submicron non-conducting technetium powders and acquisition of Tc Lα X-ray emission, using a low cost desktop SEM–EDX system, as well as acquisition of good quality μ-Raman spectra using a 532 nm laser.


2021 ◽  
pp. 174751982198965
Author(s):  
Guoqi Zhang

( E)-4-[2-(Pyridin-4-yl)vinyl]benzaldehyde, containing both a 4-vinylpyridine and an aldehyde functionality, is utilized to develop new, highly conjugated chalcone compounds and a bis-Schiff base azine compound. The chalcone-containing compounds are further explored for their protonation, methylation and silver(I) coordination chemistry using the pyridine moiety. In parallel, a cyano-containing analogue, ( E)-4-[2-(pyridin-4-yl)vinyl]benzonitrile is also synthesized and studied for its silver(I) coordination chemistry. These new compounds are fully characterized by mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques. The methylated product of ( E)-1-(9-anthryl)-3-{4-[2-(pyridin-4-yl)vinyl]phenyl}prop-2-en-1-one and a silver complex of ( E)-4-[2-(pyridin-4-yl)vinyl]benzonitrile are structurally determined by X-ray crystallography.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1786
Author(s):  
Carla Queirós ◽  
Chen Sun ◽  
Ana M. G. Silva ◽  
Baltazar de Castro ◽  
Juan Cabanillas-Gonzalez ◽  
...  

The development of straightforward reproducible methods for the preparation of new photoluminescent coordination polymers (CPs) is an important goal in luminescence and chemical sensing fields. Isophthalic acid derivatives have been reported for a wide range of applications, and in addition to their relatively low cost, have encouraged its use in the preparation of novel lanthanide-based coordination polymers (LnCPs). Considering that the photoluminescent properties of these CPs are highly dependent on the existence of water molecules in the crystal structure, our research efforts are now focused on the preparation of CP with the lowest water content possible, while considering a green chemistry approach. One- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) LnCPs were prepared from 5-aminoisophthalic acid and Sm3+/Tb3+ using hydrothermal and/or microwave-assisted synthesis. The unprecedented LnCPs were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCRXD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their photoluminescence (PL) properties were studied in the solid state, at room temperature, using the CPs as powders and encapsulated in poly(methyl methacrylate (PMMA) films, envisaging the potential preparation of devices for sensing. The materials revealed interesting PL properties that depend on the dimensionality, metal ion, co-ligand used and water content.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 399-411
Author(s):  
Eman Alzahrani

AbstractA unique method was used to synthesize extremely stable silver stearate nanoparticles (AgStNPs) incorporated in an organic-based monolith. The facile strategy was then used to selectively isolate hemeproteins, myoglobin (Myo) and hemoglobin (Hb). Ethyl alcohol, silver nitrate, and stearic acid were, respectively, utilized as reducing agents, silver precursors, and capping agents. The color changed to cloudy from transparent, indicating that AgStNPs had been formed. AgStNP nanostructures were then distinctly integrated into the natural polymeric scaffold. To characterize the AgStNP–methacrylate polymeric monolith and the silver nanoparticles, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were used. The results of the SEM analysis indicated that the AgStNP–methacrylate polymeric monolith’s texture was so rough in comparison with that of the methacrylate polymeric monolith, indicating that the extraction process of the monolith materials would be more efficient because of the extended surface area of the absorbent. The comparison between the FT-IR spectra of AgStNPs, the bare organic monolith, and AgStNP–methacrylate polymeric monolith confirms that the AgStNPs were immobilized on the surface of the organic monolith. The EDX profile of the built materials indicated an advanced peak of the Ag sequence which represented an Ag atom of 3.27%. The results therefore established that the AgStNPs had been successfully integrated into the monolithic materials. Extraction efficiencies of 92% and 97% were used to, respectively, recover preconcentrated Myo and Hb. An uncomplicated method is a unique approach of both fabrication and utilization of the nanosorbent to selectively isolate hemeproteins. The process can further be implemented by using other noble metals.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 616
Author(s):  
Virginia Birlanga ◽  
José Ramón Acosta-Motos ◽  
José Manuel Pérez-Pérez

Cultivated lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is one of the most important leafy vegetables in the world, and most of the production is concentrated in the Mediterranean Basin. Hydroponics has been successfully utilized for lettuce cultivation, which could contribute to the diversification of production methods and the reduction of water consumption and excessive fertilization. We devised a low-cost procedure for closed hydroponic cultivation and easy phenotyping of root and shoot attributes of lettuce. We studied 12 lettuce genotypes of the crisphead and oak-leaf subtypes, which differed on their tipburn resistance, for three growing seasons (Fall, Winter, and Spring). We found interesting genotype × environment (G × E) interactions for some of the studied traits during early growth. By analyzing tipburn incidence and leaf nutrient content, we were able to identify a number of nutrient traits that were highly correlated with cultivar- and genotype-dependent tipburn. Our experimental setup will allow evaluating different lettuce genotypes in defined nutrient solutions to select for tipburn-tolerant and highly productive genotypes that are suitable for hydroponics.


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