A Quantum Statistical Approach to Remediation Effect of Humic Substances

Abstract

Among various remediation factors, dissolved organic matter including humic substances (HS) has substantial effect on environmental contamination significantly changing the contaminant's degradation, bioavailability, reactivity, and immobilization. However, the effects strongly depend on HS concentrations and their aromaticity index (AI). To understand underlying phenomena of remediation action of HS, which is revealed to occur within a definite interval of HS concentrations in water solution, a quantum statistical approach is supposed. Developing this approach, a model of protons as Fermi particles in humic substances was advanced for the first time and applied to describe transformations of HS molecules, i.e., multipoles into micelle structures, which in turn provide for mediating effects in water. Sufficiently high concentration of micelle granules in water solution exists if the concentration of HS lies within a definite interval. It was demonstrated applying a grand canonical Gibbs distribution method to a statistical ensemble of HS particles. Our approach allows for understanding and quantifying some biological and physiological processes connected with mediating action of HS, as for example the reversible red cell aggregation influenced by HS, adsorption of HS particles by cancer cells, and effect of HS on human resistibility to inflammatory processes of different kinds. Application of our results to water systems may be helpful to optimize waste processing and disposal.

BDE-209: Kinetic Studies and Effect of Humic Substances on Photodegradation in Water

“…Aquatic ecosystems are inevitably subject to the action of sunlight and it is known that the humic substances (HS) affect the photodegradation of several contaminants . HS are complex molecules that consist of aromatic cores highly substituted with functional groups and peripheral aliphatic units . They can both enhance or hamper the photodegradation of aquatic contaminants, depending on the contaminant and on the nature and concentration of HS. , As there are structural differences between the three fractions of HS above referred, namely in what concerns elemental composition, aromaticity and functional groups contents (phenolic and carboxylic contents) , a comparative study of their influence on photodegradation of BDE-209 was made.…”

Spin labeling ESR investigation of the molecular environment of soil interacting with chemical organic contaminants

“…Until present, this method has been widely used in biology, but for the first time, it was applied to soil. An advanced technique promotes a new insight into HS as a quantum system, which response on the external influence, such as moistening or contamination, is substantially defined by the quantum state of HS as a grand canonical Gibbs ensemble and their bonds (Aleksandrova et al, 2011b).…”

Radiochemistry

“…humic and fulvic acids) would behave under irradiation and alter the adsorbate properties of the clay. Humic acids can be used both to adsorb radioactive ions (caesium and barium) 335 and to form complexes 336,337 which aid in their immobilisation (plutonium etc. ).…”