BackgroundThe aim of this paper was the validation of a new analytical method based on the high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the fast-sequential determination of several hazardous/priority hazardous metals (Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in soil after microwave assisted digestion in aqua regia. Determinations were performed on the ContrAA 300 (Analytik Jena) air-acetylene flame spectrometer equipped with xenon short-arc lamp as a continuum radiation source for all elements, double monochromator consisting of a prism pre-monocromator and an echelle grating monochromator, and charge coupled device as detector. For validation a method-performance study was conducted involving the establishment of the analytical performance of the new method (limits of detection and quantification, precision and accuracy). Moreover, the Bland and Altman statistical method was used in analyzing the agreement between the proposed assay and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry as standardized method for the multielemental determination in soil.ResultsThe limits of detection in soil sample (3σ criterion) in the high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry method were (mg/kg): 0.18 (Ag), 0.14 (Cd), 0.36 (Co), 0.25 (Cr), 0.09 (Cu), 1.0 (Ni), 1.4 (Pb) and 0.18 (Zn), close to those in inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry: 0.12 (Ag), 0.05 (Cd), 0.15 (Co), 1.4 (Cr), 0.15 (Cu), 2.5 (Ni), 2.5 (Pb) and 0.04 (Zn). Accuracy was checked by analyzing 4 certified reference materials and a good agreement for 95% confidence interval was found in both methods, with recoveries in the range of 94–106% in atomic absorption and 97–103% in optical emission. Repeatability found by analyzing real soil samples was in the range 1.6–5.2% in atomic absorption, similar with that of 1.9–6.1% in optical emission spectrometry. The Bland and Altman method showed no statistical significant difference between the two spectrometric methods for 95% confidence interval.ConclusionsHigh-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry can be successfully used for the rapid, multielemental determination of hazardous/priority hazardous metals in soil with similar analytical performances to those in inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.

The main purpose of this paper is to identify, highlight and analyze the recycling possibilities for the activated glass derived from the treatment of the cathode ray tubes (CRT) waste equipment and to demonstrate the recycling viability, economical and environment protection efficiency. A total of 95 pieces of waste electronic equipments (TVs and PC monitors) were processed and a number of five TVs and five PC monitors from the '95s were analyzed. Significant quantities of lead were contained in the funnel area of the CRTs. The samples for funnel glass produced an average concentration of 1.4 mg/kg lead which exceeds the regulatory limit of 0.2 mg/kg.The results of the testing shows the Romanian WEEE flow and composition, that could be for all actors involved in environmental protection a base to establish the proper CRT glass recycling way.

The purposes of incineration are basically to reduce the volume of the waste, to utilize the energy content and to destroy harmful compounds in the waste. In this work the environmental impact of incinerator plants solidified bottom ash is studied. The case study is based on hazardous waste incineration plant from Cluj-Napoca. The obtained ash, the source, the concentration and distribution of heavy metals during the ash management pathway is observed. The destination for landfill or cement industry, also other residual ash management possibilities are studied. The heavy metal content of slag varies by waste type, but is in general considerable higher than the concentration in soil. As for certain heavy metals in the waste, incineration can't limit the release of the metals to the environment. Modern waste treatment technologies are developed to ensure low release of heavy metals to the environment.

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This report describes the use of local thrombolysis using a tissue plasminogen activator in a case of a patient with refractory ascites referred for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) insertion. After successful TIPS insertion, the patient developed acute extended portal vein and TIPS thrombosis, which were treated with local thrombolysis using a tissue plasminogen activator, followed by the complete resolution of ascites. Although there are only limited published data of local thrombolysis for acute splanchnic vein thrombosis, we also review the relevance of the problem in the context of advanced liver disease.