0000000001011587
AUTHOR
Mohamed Arhoun
An automatic system for stepwise treatment of solid samples and application to pollution evaluation by measuring ion lixiviation rates in lichens
An automatic system for the stepwise treatment of solid samples is described. The system is controlled by a PC computer that is connected to a burette equipped with a three-way valve, to a peristaltic pump, and to a robot arm through two serial interfaces. In a cycle, the burette introduces a solvent volume in the sample cell, sonication is applied, and, after a fixed time, the pump carries the solvent to the vial selected by the robot arm. Measurements can be performed both in-line and off-line by analyzing the vial series. The program was written in Visual Basic 3. Lixiviation rates of several cations from the lichen Ramalina farinacea were measured by capillary zone electrophoresis using…
Releasing rates of inorganic ions in lichens monitored by capillary zone electrophoresis as indicators of atmospheric pollution
Abstract The releasing rates of inorganic ions in lichens when a thallus sample is sonicated under water, were studied. Ramalina farinacea samples taken from two locations exposed to atmospheric pollution sources at Els Ports (Castellon, Spain), and from three control locations, were used. Samples without visual symptoms of injuries were sonicated from 3 to 6 successive 10-min periods while renewing the water layer in between. Experiments with successive 2-min-sonication periods were also performed. The extracts were analysed by capillary zone electrophoresis, and K + , NH 4 + , Na + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Cl − , SO 4 2− and NO 3 − were detected. The apparently undamaged lichens sampled at locat…