No abstract

No abstract

International audienceThe aim of the present work was to evaluate the morphologic and chemical characteristics of Isabel grape (Vitis labrusca x Vitis vinifera) bagasse and to describe the adsorption of diclofenac sodium (DCF) from aqueous solutions by this biomass. Grape bagasse was constituted mainly of particles with heterogeneous shapes and sizes, and it exhibited a macroporous structure and a low specific surface area (∼ 2 m2 g-1). The adsorbent material was also rich in oxygenated functional groups, especially -OH, and required an acidic pH to neutralize its surface. With respect to the adsorption of DCF, the percentage removal did not appear to depend on the initial concentration of the pharmaceutical. A pseudo-second-order kinetic model described the rate-controlling step, and the adsorption isotherms were well fitted by the Freundlich model. Concerning the thermodynamic data, the results showed that the adsorption of DCF onto grape bagasse occurred via an exothermic process accompanied by a decrease in the randomness at the solid/solution interface. Furthermore, the removal percentages of DCF ranged from 16.4 to 22.8%

Among pharmaceutical products (PPs) recalcitrant to water treatments, diclofenac shows a high toxicity and remains at high concentration in natural aquatic environments. The aim of this study concerns the understanding of the adsorption mechanism of this anionic PP onto two organoclays prepared with two long-alkyl chains cationic surfactants showing different chemical nature for various experimental pH and temperature conditions. The experimental data obtained by a set of complementary techniques (X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and the use of Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevish equation models, reveal that organoclays show a good affinity to diclofenac which is enhanced as the temperature is under 35°C and for pH above 4.5 (i.e. >pKa of diclofenac) while the chemical nature of surfactant appears to play a minor role. The thermodynamic parameters derived from the fitting procedure point out the strong electrostatic interaction with organic cations adsorbed within the interlayer space in the organoclays for the adsorption of diclofenac. This study stress out the application of organoclays for the adsorption of a recalcitrant PPs in numerous aquatic compartments that can be used as a complement with activated carbon for waste water treatment.

No abstract

International audienceHumic substances (HS) perform a fundamental role in aquatic environments, exhibiting different levels of reactivity in retaining metal ions and organic pollutants. Also, they control the primary production of these ecosystems and act in the carbon sequestering process. In order to improve our understanding vis-à-vis the structural and functional features of HS from aquatic systems, this study aimed to chemically and spectroscopically characterize humic acids (HA) isolated from bottom sediment samples of a stream in a Brazilian subtropical microbasin by elemental analysis, and infrared (FT-IR), ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis) and solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (CP-MAS 13C NMR) spectroscopies, thermogravimetry (TG), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Although all samples originated from the same environment, the data showed that the HA have distinct chemical and spectroscopic properties, and that the location and characteristics of the sampling points from which the sediments were collected played an important role in the differences observed. Furthermore, vascular plant matter is probably the main contributor to these samples

New paradigms in education have led to a need for alternative methodologies in the higher education classroom. An educational game on molecular geometry, polarity, and intermolecular forces for engineering students in a general chemistry course was designed and implemented. The results showed that the game was effective in reconstructing students’ knowledge, demonstrating that the games can serve as a useful pedagogical tool in higher education.

No abstract