Cadmium effects on valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) morphology and Cd uptake in relation to substrate acidity/alkalinity

Experiments were conducted on valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) grown under glasshouse conditions to evaluate the effect of Cadmium (Cd) on plant morphological characteristics and Cd uptake. Valerian plants were grown in pots containing a uniform mixture of either moderately acidic or slightly alkaline substrate consisting of peat and perlite (1:1 v/v) over two periods. Pots were arranged in a completely randomized block design within two groups (moderately acid substrate and slightly alkaline substrate) with four Cd treatments (0, 1, 2 and 5 mg Cd L-1) and six replications per treatment. Cadmium was applied as CdSO4*8/3H2O. No visual symptoms of toxicity or nutrient deficiency were attributed to Cd application irrespective of the growth stage or substrate in either experimental period. Cadmium did not affect the dry mass of shoots or roots. Cd concentration in both shoots and roots increased with increasing Cd application, indicating valerian to be a Cd accumulator with accumulation occurring mainly in the roots both in moderately acidic or slightly alkaline substrates. The amount of Cd extracted by Diethylene triamine penta acetic acid-triethanol amine (DTPA-TEA) increased with increasing Cd doses and significantly correlates with the Cd concentrations within the shoots and roots indicating that this extractant could be used to predict Cd concentrations within the plant parts.

Cadmium Effects on Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) Morphology and Cd Uptake in Relation to Substrate Acidity/Alkalinity

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), is a herb with a wide range of use in food preparation and herbal medicine. It is a perennial shrub through which pollutants such as Cd may enter the human food chain Therefore, the aim of this research was to examine the extent to which Cd added to the growth substrate is accumulated by hyssop plants and whether Cd affects the plant’s morphology. Hyssop plants were grown in pots containing a uniform mixture of either moderately acidic or slightly alkaline substrate consisting of peat and perlite (1:1 v/v) to which Cd (CdSO4*8/3H2O) was added (0-control, 1, 2 and 5 mg Cd L-1) during the course of growth. No symptoms of toxicity or nutrient deficiency as well as no differences in plant height were attributed to Cd application irrespective of the growth stage or substrate. Cadmium uptake by aerial organs (shoots) and underground organs (roots) of hyssop increased with Cd application and was higher in the moderately acidic than in the slightly alkaline soil environment. Hyssop is a Cd accumulator and accumulation occurred mainly in the roots in the acidic substrate. Measurement of extractable Cd by diethylene triamine penta acetic acid – triethanol amine (DTPA-TEA) could be used to predict Cd uptake by hyssop plants.

The influence of Triethanol amine and ethylene glycol on the grindability, setting and hydration characteristics of Portland cement

Triethanol amine and ethylene glycol are used as grinding aids for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Standard water of consistency, Blaine area, initial and final setting times and compressive strength are tested for OPC. The phase composition and microstructure of the formed hydrates are tested using DTA/TG and SEM techniques. Results showed that both the two GAs had a significant improvement in the performance of grinding mills. This is indicating by higher Blaine area when a dose of 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05wt. % are applied. Beside there are increase in the water demand (greater than 5%) for the all OPC mortar mixes admixed with triethanol amin or ethylene glycol at concentrations less than 0.05 wt.%. The improved hydration properties are reflected by an increase in the mechanical properties and microstructure of the mortar pastes admixed with the two GAs. This is with attributed to the increase in the cement fineness which leads to the progress in the degree of cement hydration.

Novel Cationic Polyurethane Surfactants Containing Saturated Chains- Part 1: Synthesis, Characterization and Surface Activity

Novel cationic polymeric surfactants were synthesized throughout the reaction of monoester of triethanol amine and two saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid and stearic acid) and TDI (toluene diisocyanate). The obtained polyurethane (PU) then was reacted by acetyl chloride to yield the desired surfactants. The structures of the produced compounds were described by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and their average molecular weights. Silver nanocomposite of the prepared cationic PU surfactants were characterized via physical combination by chemically prepared silver nanoparticles. The structure of the silver composite was determined using: Ultra-violet spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) spectroscopy. The effect of the hydrophobic chains on the surface activities of the synthesized cationic polymeric surface active agents and their silver nanocomposite was studied.

Influence of Plasticizers on the Stress State of Epoxy Composites

The results of researches of influence of plasticizers and fillers on the stress state of epoxy composites during solidification and thermal shocks have been shown. It has been observed the influence of plasticizers based on tricresyl phosphate, dibutyl phthalate, triethanol amine, polynaphthyl methane, mineral and castor oils, monoglycidyl ethers oxydiarylmethane, adducts based on them and polyethylene polyamine and copper complex of this adduct and fillers: quartz sand, molybdenum disulfide, bentonite and mica on deformation and stress state of epoxy resin. Minimum deformation and stress state has epoxy composites with plasticizers based on monoglycidyl ethers oxydiarylmethane, adducts based on them and polyethylene polyamine and copper complex of this adduct and fillers – molybdenum disulphide and bentonite.