الملخص: 54 samples belonging to 23 herbal species (15 individuals and 8 mixtures) were analyzed for their contents of heavy metals in the rawmaterials and in their water infusions. Trace and toxic elements in these samples were determined by using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) following acid digestion.The order of decreasing mean metal concentrations in rawmaterials (mg/kg) was found to be as follows: Fe (440) > Mn (162) > Zn (45.8) > Cu (12) > Pb (10.4) > Ni (5.4) > Cr (2.9) > Co (0.91) > Cd (0.5). It was found that 21% of the analyzed samples contain both Cd and Pb above their permissible limits. However, the infusions produced from these plants were found to contain fewer amounts of metals than the raw materials. Studied metals had the following mass transfer percentages to the infusion solutions (Fe: 3.5%, Cd: 14%, Cr: 15%, Pb: 20%, Co: 29%, Ni: 31%, Zn: 36%, Cu: 48%, and Mn: 53%).The estimated daily intake calculated for the toxic elements Pb and Cd through the consumption of herbal infusions was far below the tolerable daily intake set by theWorld Health Organization (WHO).

الملخص: In this work, a total of 135 personal care product samples that belong to seven different classes (Creams for face, body, and hands, Dried powder for face, Body lotion, Skin whitening creams, Sunscreens, Dead Sea black mud cosmetics, Lipsticks, and Eye shadows) were analyzed for their contents of 11 elements (Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Se, Sr, Ba and Bi). The analysis has been conducted using ICP-AEOS following combinations of acid digestion. The mean concentrations of these elements in ppm (μg g-1) were found to be in the following order: Fe (5.39×103) > Zn (4.92×103) > Mn (260.) > Ba (227) > Sr (103) > Bi (88.5) > Cu (58.6) > Cr (3.92) > Se (3.03) > Ni (2.49) > Co (0.520). These values are not expected to be toxic to humans. However, exposure over long periods might cause accumulation of the elements in the body and even at low concentration some metals could initiate allergic reactions. Among the known allergenic metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, and Co) Cu was detected in all the analyzed samples (100%) and Ni was detected in 92% of the samples. Of the 135 samples tested, 14.1% contained all four allergenic metals, and 14.8% contained both Co and Cr, which are known to work synergistically to cause allergy. At the above levels, these products are not expected to cause significant allergic effects.

الملخص: In this study, the levels of five macroelements and eight microelements in 104 samples of canned tuna were determined by ICP-OES and flame photometer. The concentrations of macroelements were found in the range of 1947-3963 mg/kg for phosphorous, 1044-2883 mg/kg for potassium, 665-2022 mg/kg for sodium, 241- 457 mg/kg for magnesium and 107-384 mg/kg for calcium. The contents of investigated microelements in canned tuna samples were found to be in the range 4.1-21.1 mg/kg for iron, 3.0-12.1 mg/kg for zinc, 0.12-0.92 mg/kg for copper, 0.11-1.07 mg/kg for selenium, < 0.02 to 0.81 mg/kg for manganese, < 0.04-0.23 mg/kg for chromium, < 0.03-0.07 mg/kg for cobalt and < 0.04-0.06 mg/kg for molybdenum. The results were compared with the literature values.

الملخص: In this study, concentrations of different persistent organic pollutants (POP's) and heavy metals in samples from King Talal Dam (KTD) were investigated. The levels of PAH's were in the range from below the detection limit of 1 ng/l to 120 ng/L for water samples and from below the detection limit of <1 mg/kg to 23 mg/kg(dry weight) for sediment samples. From the 15 chlorinated pesticides studied in this work, Alpha and Gamma hexachlorocyclohexanes (α-, γ- HCH) were frequently detected in water samples with an average concentrations of 3.2 and 8.1 ng/L, respectively. However, in fish and sediment, DDT and its metabolites were the most frequently detected pesticides. DDT was found in livers of the catfish samples in the range of 0.1 to 2.4 mg/kg with a mean value of 0.53 mg/kg . In sediment samples DDT, DDD and linadne (γ-HCH) pesticides were found at an average concentrations of 37.8, 6.3 and 45 ng/g , respectively. In the acidic fraction of water, the parent compound (phenol) was the most frequently detected species, and it has the highest concentration with an average of 17 µg/L and a range of 4 to 28 µg/L. The levels of 10 metals analyzed in surface water of KTD were below the accepted levels of irrigation water standards. However, elevated concentrations of toxic lead (Pb) with mean values of 9.6 and 3.2 mg/kg were found in livers and muscles of catfish, respectively.

الملخص: This study addresses the correlations between Hg and organic matter in recent sediment; samples were collected from the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea coasts (oligotrophic regions) during 2010. In the present study TOC analyzer was used to determine Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Total Nitrogen (TN) concentrations and the total amount of mercury (HgT) in sediment samples were analyzed by Hydra-C mercury analyzer. The obtained results indicated that, mercury, TOC and TN average concentrations in the Red Sea were 85.42 ng g-1, 5.10 and 4.45 mg L-1, respectively. The results show that the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in sediment represents the sum of various organic compounds, which may play a completely different role in the distribution and accumulation of Hg. slightly correlations between the TOC and the concentration of Hg in the studied sediment arise mainly from the labile portion of organic matter released. These compounds primarily consist of easily degradable algal-derived lipids and various pigments, which are petrographically described as a soluble Organic Matter (OM). The preserved OM in sediment is commonly entrapped within the cell walls of phytoplankton and also appears as a surface coating on sediment particles. The strong affinity between Hg and OM is due not only to its chemical reactivity, but also to the physical characteristic of these labile compounds, which plays the most important role in the distribution of Hg in sediment.

الملخص: This study addresses the correlations between Hg and organic matter in recent sediment; samples were collected from the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea coasts (oligotrophic regions) during 2010. In the present study TOC analyzer was used to determine Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Total Nitrogen (TN) concentrations and the total amount of mercury (HgT) in sediment samples were analyzed by Hydra-C mercury analyzer. The obtained results indicated that, mercury, TOC and TN average concentrations in the Red Sea were 85.42 ng g-1, 5.10 and 4.45 mg L-1, respectively. The results show that the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in sediment represents the sum of various organic compounds, which may play a completely different role in the distribution and accumulation of Hg. slightly correlations between the TOC and the concentration of Hg in the studied sediment arise mainly from the labile portion of organic matter released. These compounds primarily consist of easily degradable algal-derived lipids and various pigments, which are petrographically described as a soluble Organic Matter (OM). The preserved OM in sediment is commonly entrapped within the cell walls of phytoplankton and also appears as a surface coating on sediment particles. The strong affinity between Hg and OM is due not only to its chemical reactivity, but also to the physical characteristic of these labile compounds, which plays the most important role in the distribution of Hg in sediment.

الملخص: The present work demonstrates the utilization of three important industrial by-products; fly ash (FA), ground blast-furnace slag (GBFS), and lead-bearing sludge (LS) in preparing geopolymer as a replacement for cement binder. The feasibility of preparing high-performance geopolymers by mixing various ratios of industrial by-product fractions (FA, GBFS and LS) with alkali activator is examined, the prepared geopolymers were cured at room temperature up to 90 days. Various parameters such as setting time, mechanical strength, hydration characteristics and leaching behaviour of lead were evaluated The results show that at percentages of 70–80 mass% GBFS and 20–30 mass% FA, a reasonable compression strength compared to the past of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is obtained. However, the substitution of 40 mass% GBFS or more with FA causes significant reductions in compressive strength at all curing times. By the substitution of 20 mass% GBFS with LS compared to the optimum percentage of 80 mass% GBFS and 20 mass% FA, the studied mechanical properties of the produced mixture (60 mass% GBFS, 20 mass% FA, and 20 mass% LS) were enhanced. The Pb-concentration (mg/l) in the leachate of this mixture was below the safe limit of toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP). The partial or total substitution of Portland cement by these materials provides an ideal way to get rid of waste in a good and environmentally safe manner.

الملخص: We quantified the contents of four toxic metals in cosmetic products that are commercially available in Jordan; 112 cosmetics, representing 10 product types, were tested in triplicate after acid digestion using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and a mercury analyzer. Ni was most abundant, detected in 104/112 (92.8%) products (average, 2.32 ppm; and median, 1.47 ppm); 66/112 (59%) contained >1 ppm and 13/112 (11.6%), >5 ppm Ni. Cd was second-most abundant, detected in 86/112 (76.7%) products (mean, 1.71 ppm; range from< detection limit [DL] to 18.07 ppm); 16 products (14.3%) exceeded the 3 ppm suggested limit. Pb was detected in 82/112 (73.2%) products (mean, 7.8 ppm; range, < detection limit to 190.43 ppm); 20/112 (17.8%) contained more than the suggested 10 ppm limit. Hg was least-frequently detected, present in 29/ 112 (25.9%) and at >3 ppm in 15/112 (13.4%) products. The highest content of Hg was observed in skin lightening creams (mean concentration, 1,008 ppm). Hg was detected in 20 (62.5%) of the 32 skin lightening creams tested, of which 11/32 (34.4%) contained > 3 ppm Hg. Of the 112 cosmetics tested, 17 (15.1%) products contained Ni, Pb, Cd, and Hg; 19/112 (16.9%) contained Cd, Pb, and Hg – no product exceeded the maximum acceptable limits for all three elements, and 9/112 (8%) products exceed the maximum recommended levels for at least two elements (Hg, Cd, and Pb).

الملخص: This study evaluates the synergistic impact of nano-silica (NS) and nano-clay (NC) on the hydration characteristics and microstructure of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) paste. Two main parameters, which strongly affect the physico-chemical and mechanical performance of OPC-pastes, including the hybrid NS and NC mass% (0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 wt% at NS:NC mass ratio of 1:1) and superplasticizer (SP) content, SP% (0 and 1 mass% with respect to OPC) have been studied. The results proved the addition of hybrid NS/NC has a good impact on the performance of OPC-pastes. All NS/NC-cement composites containing 1% SP showed the highest engineering properties comparing with composites with no SP. The composite containing the hybrid effect of 3 wt% NS:3 wt% NC:1 wt% SP presented the highest performance at all ages of curing as confirmed by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy.

الملخص: During 2010, the concentrations of mercury and eight other trace elements in 90 canned tuna samples commercialised in Jordan were determined using mercury analyser (Hydra C) and the inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). The mean concentrations and ranges for elements analysed in mg kg1 (wet base) were as follows: total Hg (0.21; 0.06–0.57), Cd (0.06;50.01–0.63), Pb (0.09; 50.04–0.24), total As (0.74; 0.11–1.56), Ni (0.51; 0.03–2.85), V (0.04; 50.03–0.1), Al (0.26; 0.08–1.63), Ba (0.13; 0.05–0.42) and Ag was not detected in any of the analysed samples (50.02 mg kg1). The data obtained in the present study compared well with data obtained from similar studies carried out in different parts of the world. Few samples had the mercury and cadmium levels slightly exceeding the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants draft guidelines. However, the estimated weekly intakes of these metals showed that there was no health risk associated with the consumption of the analyzed canned tuna samples.

الملخص: A new two-stage microwave-assisted digestion procedure using concentrated HNO3, HCl, HF and H3BO3 has been developed for the chemical analysis of major and trace elements in sulphide ore samples prior to inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) analysis. In the first stage 0.2 g of the certified reference material (CRM) sample was digested with a combination of acids (HNO3, HCl, and HF) in a closed Teflon vessel and heated in the microwave to 200 ◦C for 30 min. After cooling, H3BO3 was added and the vessel was reheated to 170 ◦C for 15 min. The precision of the method was checked by comparing the results against six certified reference materials. The analytical results obtained were in good agreement with the certified values, in most cases the recoveries were in the range 95–105%. Based on at least 17 replicates of sample preparation and analysis, the precision of the method was found to be ≤5%.