Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry

Elemental Analysis in water samples is essential to determine the water quality, the concentration of each elements varies according to water source and nature, for example, seawater considered rich with chloride and other monovalent and Divalent cations such as Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium with traces of Boron and barium ions, with total dissolved solids range from 44,000-60,000 mg/l, while formation water (produced water) at oil field has the same ions however with higher concentration due to high Total dissolved Solids which is in range of 100,000-300,000 mg/l. on the other hand, drinking water has very low concentration from the same cations in very small concentration compared with sweater and oil field formation water. The common instrument used for elemental analysis for high and low-level concentrations up to part per billion (ppb) is ICP-OES (Inductively coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy). Despite ICP-OES is the best choice for elemental analysis, it has associated cost to operate such as ultra-pure Argon gas, specific sample introduction system for each sample matrix such as Torch, Spray Chamber, Nebulizer and plastic tubing which is different in shape and diameter according to the sample type, in the present paper we proved that Spectroil M instrument which is a compact, rugged and easy to use optical spectrometer designed specifically for wear particle analysis, contaminants and additives in lubricants, hydraulic fluids and coolants can be utilized for water analysis as well. We have established a novel analytical method to be able to determine 16 dissolved metals in water based samples which are (Cu, Fe, Na, Ca, Mg, Pb, Mn, Al, Ag, Cd, B, Ba, K, Cr, Ni and Zn), the instrument is capable to detect the dissolved elements in waste water and produced water samples in the range from 200 ppb up to 10% With lower cost and high accuracy, the instrument is calibrated with three reference standards (0, 100 & 900 mg/l) using the instrument built-in software instructions. Then the sample can be easily analyzed by introducing 1.5 ml in disposable plastic cup. The procedure has been validated against traditional technique of ICP-OES (AVIO-200 Perkin Elmer model). Hence, this application which uses the rotating disc electrode (RDE) technique provides a quicker, easier and cheaper backup/alternative to the use of Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) technique.

This review focuses on the biological effects of pollutants, including human physical disturbances, on marine and estuarine plants, animals, ecosystems, and habitats. The review, which is primarily based on journal articles, covers field and laboratory measurement activities as well as current pollution issues such as endocrine disrupters, emerging contaminants, wastewater discharges, marine debris, dredging, and disposal. Because of the 2010 Deep-water Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the proliferation of data on the assimilation and effects of marine debris, there is a special emphasis on the effects of oil spills and marine debris. Several previously discussed topics were dropped this year. This review focuses on effects rather than pollutant sources, chemistry, fate, or transport.

The heavy metals like iron, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, silver, and zinc in industrial wastewater pose threats to public health. The heavy metals toxicity causeS the damage of numerous human organs and also causing diseases in the human body. Iron is a heavy metal and it discharge into water from industrial wastes, natural geological sources, domestic wastes and various byproducts. Excess quantity of iron causes speedy rise in pulse rate, clotting of blood in blood vessels, drowsiness, and hypertension. In the current study assessment of toxic heavy metals carried out for wastewater, collected from small industrial estate (Taxila), Rawalpindi in first phase. In the second phase the iron ions removal carried out by using a novel biosorbent obtained from the seeds of Monotheca buxifolia (M. buxifolia) plant. The analysis results of wastewater show that iron is found in above allowable limit as per National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) for municipal and liquid industrial effluents, set by the government of Pakistan. The analysis results under different conditions of pH, contact time, and temperature in batch sorption process indicates that high metal ions of iron concentration reduced to permissible limit of industrial effluent NEQS (Pakistan) at the optimal conditions of pH 10 at 50°C temperature in 60 minutes contact time by using biosorbent of M. buxifolia . Biosorbent of M. buxifolia eliminated 99.91% iron (III) ions from industrial wastewater, collected from Rawalpindi industrial area. In the light of analysis result the novel biosorbent obtained from M. buxifolia is a low-cost, easily available, and environmental friendly biosorbent for the removal of iron from industrial wastewater.