(Table 1) Chemical and isotopic composition of pore fluids in cores TGC-1 and TGC-6

The role of sediment diagenesis in the marine cycles of Li and B is poorly understood. Because Li and B are easily mobilized during burial and are consumed in authigenic clay mineral formation, their abundance in marine pore waters varies considerably. Exchange with the overlying ocean through diffusive fluxes should thus be common. Nevertheless, only a minor Li sink associated with the low-temperature alteration of volcanic ash has been observed. We describe a low-temperature diagenetic environment in the Black Sea dominated by the alteration of detrital plagioclase feldspars. Fluids expelled from the Odessa mud volcano in the Sorokin Trough originate from shallow (~100-400 m deep) sediments which are poor in volcanic materials but rich in anorthite. These fluids are depleted in Na+, K+, Li+, B, and 18O and enriched in Ca2+ and Sr2+, indicating that anorthite is dissolving and authigenic clays are forming. Using a simple chemical model, we calculate the pH and the partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2) in fluids associated with this alteration process. Our results show that the pH of these fluids is up to 1.5 pH units lower than in most deep marine sediments and that PCO2 levels are up to several hundred times higher than in the atmosphere. These conditions are similar to those which favor the weathering of silicate minerals in subaerial soil environments. We propose that in Black Sea sediments enhanced organic matter preservation favors CO2 production through methanogenesis and results in a low pore water pH, compared to most deep sea sediments. As a result, silicate mineral weathering, which is a sluggish process in most marine diagenetic environments, proceeds rapidly in Black Sea sediments. There is a potential for organic matter-rich continental shelf environments to host this type of diagenesis. Should such environments be widespread, this new Li and B sink could help balance the marine Li and Li isotope budgets but would imply an apparent imbalance in the B cycle.

Theoretical Study of Heteroatom Doping in Tuning the Catalytic Activity of Graphene for Triiodide Reduction

Graphene with heteroatom doping has found increasing applications in a broad range of catalytic reactions. However, the doping effects accounting for the enhanced catalytic activity still remain elusive. In this work, taking the triiodide electroreduction reaction as an example, we study systematically the intrinsic activity of graphene and explore the origin of doping-induced activity variation using first-principles calculations, in which two typical N and S dopants are tested. The most common graphene structures, basal plane, armchair edge, and zigzag edge, are considered, and it is found that the former two structures show a weak adsorption ability for the iodine atom (the key intermediate in the triiodide electroreduction reaction), corresponding to a low catalytic activity. Doping either N or S can strengthen the adsorption and thus increase the activity, and the codoping of N and S (NS-G) exhibits a synergistic effect. A detailed investigation into the whole process of the triiodide electroreduction reaction at the CH3CN/NS-G interface is also carried out to verify these activity trends. It is found that the zigzag edges which contain spin electrons show a relatively stronger adsorption strength compared with the basal plane and armchair edge, and initial doping would result in the spin disappearance that evidently weakens the adsorption; with the disappearance of spin, however, further doping can increase the adsorption again, suggesting that the spin electrons may play a preliminary role in affecting the intrinsic activity of graphene. We also analyzed extensively the origin of doping-induced adsorption enhancement of graphene in the absence of spin; it can be rationalized from the electronic and geometric factors. Specifically, N doping can result in a more delocalized “electron-donating area” to enhance I adsorption, while S doping provides a localized structural distortion, which activates the nearest sp2-C into coordinatively unsaturated sp3-C. These results explain well the improved activity of the doping and the synergistic effect of the codoping. The understandings are generalized to provide insight into the enhanced activity of the oxygen reduction reaction on heteroatom doped graphene. This work may be of importance toward the design of high-activity graphene based material.

Production of Gaseous Radiotracers Ch3i and I2 Through Na123i Salt

The objective of the present work was to develop, separately, methodology for production of two gaseous tracers through the sodium iodide NaI marked with 123I. Found in the nature in form different, the iodine has been used in diverse works in the area of the industry and health. These two forms of the gaseous iodine, the methyl iodide, CH3I, and molecular iodine, I2, are very unstable and volatile in the ambient temperature and presents different problems in clean-up and monitoring systems. The syntheses were processed with sodium iodide (NaI) 1M aqueous solution marked with 123I. The production of gas I2 was realized with in chlorine acid (HCl) and sodium iodate salt (NaIO3) and the CH3I was used, the salt of NaI and the reagent (CH3)2SO4. The production of gases was initially realized through in unit in glass with an inert material and the purpose was to study the kinetic of reaction and to determine the efficiency of production. The two synthesis occurs in the reaction bottle and after of produced, the gas is stored in the collect bottle that contains a starch solution for fixed the I2, and in syntheses of CH3I contains a silver nitrate solution for your fixation. To determine the efficiency of production of gases, analytic tests were realized, where the consumption of iodide ions of the bottle of reaction are measured. The optimization of production of the each gaseous tracer was studied varying parameter as: concentration of iodide, concentration of acid and temperature. After, the syntheses of the radiotracers were realized in the compact unit, having been used as main reagent the salt radiated of sodium iodide, Na123I. The transportation of elementary iodine and methyl iodine was studied by a scintillation detector NaI (2 x 2)” positioned in the reaction bottle.

Specific Filters Applied in Nuclear Medicine Services

In Nuclear Medicine, radioiodine, in various chemical forms, is a key tracer used in diagnostic practices and/or therapy. Due to its high volatility, medical professionals may incorporate radioactive iodine during the preparation of the dose to be administered to the patient. In radioactive iodine therapy doses ranging from 3.7 to 7.4GBq per patient are employed. Thus, aiming at reducing the risk of occupational contamination, we developed a low cost filter to be installed at the exit of the exhaust system where doses of radioactive iodine are fractionated, using domestic technology. The effectiveness of radioactive iodine retention by silver impregnated silica [10%] crystals and natural activated carbon was verified using radiotracer techniques. The results showed that natural activated carbon is effective for I2 capture for a large or small amount of substrate but its use is restricted due to its low flash point (150º C). Besides, when poisoned by organic solvents, this flash point may become lower, causing explosions if absorbing large amounts of nitrates. To hold the CH3I gas, it was necessary to increase the volume of natural activated carbon since it was not absorbed by SiO2 + Ag crystals. We concluded that, for an exhaust flow range of (306 4) m3/h, a double stage filter using SiO2 + Ag in the first stage and natural activated carbon in the second is sufficient to meet radiological safety requirements.

Methodology for Labeling Oil Products with 123I

The objective was the development a methodology to label organic compounds with radioactive iodine (123I) from the reaction of organic compound with iodine nomochloride (ICL). The process begins with the production of 123ICl from the oxidation of potassium iodate in acid medium. The ICL labeled with 123I is extracted from aqueous phase using diethyl ether and then mixed with the organic compound to be labeled and the process is based on adding the radioactive iodine to the Carbon-Carbon double bonds of the organic compound. To measure the efficiency of the labeling process, in all stages samples were collected and the total activity of 123I was measure. The results show a production yield of 82% for lubricant oil and 85% for gasoline and diesel.

Production of Gaseous Tracer I2 from the Sodiumiodide Salt

Found in the nature in form different, the iodine has been used in diverse works in the area of the industry and health. The iodine is very unstable and volatile in the ambient temperature and the I2 is one of the diverse gaseous forms found. In this work was developed methodology for production of gaseous tracer from the sodium iodide (NaI) 0,1 M marked with 123I. The synthesis was processed with in chlorine acid (HCl) 1M and sodium iodate salt (NaIO3). The production of gas I2 initially was carried through in unit of glass with the inert material and the purpose was to study the kinetic of reaction. The synthesis occurs in the reaction bottle and the produced gas is stored in the collect bottle that contains a starch solution (5 g/100 mL water). To determine the efficiency of production of gas I2, analytic tests had been carried through, where the consumption of iodide ions of the bottle of reaction is measured. The optimization of production of the gaseous tracer was studied varying parameters as: concentration of iodide and iodate, concentration of acid and temperature. Then, the synthesis of the radiotracer was realized in the compact unit, being utilized as main reagent the salt radiated of sodium iodide, Na123I. The transportation of elementary iodine was studied by a scintillation detector NaI (2 x 2)” placed in the reaction bottle. To acquire the data, the detector use a set of electronic modules for the acquisition of signals generated.

Employment of the Technique of Radiotracers for Analysis of Industrial Filters

The main aim of this work is to develop a methodology to evaluate the characteristics of porous media in filter using the radio-tracing technique. To do this, an experimental prototype filter made up of an acrylic cylinder, vertically mounted and supported on the lower side by a controlled leaking valve was developed. Two filters (spheres of acrylic and silica crystals) were used to check the movement of the water through the porous media using 123I in its MIBG (iodine-123-meta-iodo benzyl-guanidine) form. Further up the filter an instantaneous injection of the substance makes it possible to see the passage of radioactive clouds through the two scintillatory detectors NaI (2x2)” positioned before and immediately after the cylinder with the filtering element (porous media). The are caused by the detectors on the passage of the radioactive cloud are analyzed through statistical functions using the weighted moment method which makes it possible to calculate the Residence-Time (the amount of time the tracer takes to thoroughly pass through the filter) per the equation of dispersion in tubular flow and the one-directional flow of the radiotracer in the porous media.