Organic acids contamination

Environmental Aspects. Airborne particulate matter (187) and aerosol (188) samples from around the world have been found to contain a variety of organic monocarboxyhc and dicarboxyhc acids, including adipic acid. Traces of the acid found ia southern California air were related both to automobile exhaust emission (189) and, iadirecfly, to cyclohexene as a secondary aerosol precursor (via ozonolysis) (190). Dibasic acids (eg, succinic acid) have been found even ia such unlikely sources as the Murchison meteorite (191). PubHc health standards for adipic acid contamination of reservoir waters were evaluated with respect to toxicity, odor, taste, transparency, foam, and other criteria (192). BiodegradabiUty of adipic acid solutions was also evaluated with respect to BOD/theoretical oxygen demand ratio, rate, lag time, and other factors (193). 

Titanium whites resist various atmospheric contaminants such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. Under normal conditions they are not readily reduced, oxidi2ed, or attacked by weak inorganic and organic acids. Titanium dioxide dissolves slightly in bases, hydrofluoric acid, and hot sulfuric acid. Owing to its chemical inertness, titanium dioxide is a nontoxic, environmentally preferred white pigment. 

Gas turbine fuels can contain natural surfactants if the cmde fraction is high in organic acids, eg, naphthenic (cycloparaffinic) acids of 200—400 mol wt. These acids readily form salts that are water-soluble and surface-active. Older treating processes for sulfur removal can leave sulfonate residues which are even more powerful surfactants. Refineries have installed processes for surfactant removal. Clay beds to adsorb these trace materials are widely used, and salt towers to reduce water levels also remove water-soluble surfactants. In the field, clay filters designed as cartridges mounted in vertical vessels are also used extensively to remove surfactants picked up in fuel pipelines, in contaminated tankers, or in barges. 

Chemical Processing. Activated carbon consumption in a variety of chemical processing appHcations is about 8% of the total (74). The activated carbon removes impurities to achieve high quaHty. For example, organic contaminants are removed from solution in the production of alum, soda ash, and potassium hydroxide (82). Other apphcations include the manufacture of dyestuffs, glycols, amines, organic acids, urea, hydrochloric acid, and phosphoric acid (83). 

Medium reactivity contaminants alcohols, ketones, organic acids, esters, alkyl-substituted aromatics, nitro-substituted aromatics, carbohydrates. 

Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water No reaction Reactivity with Common Materials Avoid contamination with combustible materials, various inorganic and organic acids, alkalies, alcohols, amines, easily oxidizable materials such as ethers, or materials used as accelerators in polymerizations reactions Stability During Transport Extremely explosion-sensitive to shock, heat and friction. Self-reactive Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics Not pertinent Polymerization Not pertinent inhibitor of Polymerization Not pertinent. 

Constant dripping of rain water contaminated by atmospheric pollution (e.g. from near-by chimney stacks) or by organic acids from lichens, etc. 

The relative susceptibility of metals to atmospheric corrosion varies widely with the type of contaminant, e.g. zinc and cadmium, two metals that are used for the protection of steel in exposed environments, are both rapidly attacked by organic acidson the other hand, aluminium alloys resist attack by organic acids but may be rapidly corroded by chlorides, especially at crevices or areas of contact. 

The salt of a carbonic acid A is contaminated by traces of water and a second organic acid B. The content of the three components is determined as in Table 4.24. 

However, if the raw materials are contaminated or the composting process is incomplete, unfavorable effects must be expected. Heavy metals may be introduced into the compost with communal waste. To ensure that these do not enter the food chain, authorised limit values must be strictly adhered to. The same is true of organic contaminants (particularly polyaromatic or chlorinated hydrocarbons), the effect of which is extremely complex. If the fermentation process is not satisfactory, putrefaction will occur, the by-products of which (S02, NH3, N02, organic acids, cadaveric alkaloids, etc.) inhibit plant growth and attract pests. 

Crystalline salts of many organic acids and bases often have a maximum solubility in a mixture of water and water-miscible solvents. The ionic part of snch a molecule requires a strongly polar solvent, snch as water, to initiate dissociation. A mixture of water-miscible solvents hydrates and dissociates the ionic fraction of pollutants at a higher concentration than wonld either solvent alone. Therefore, from a practical point of view, the deliberate nse of a water-soluble solvent as a cosolvent in the formnlation of toxic organic chemicals can lead to an increased solnbility of hydrophobic organic contaminants in the aqueous phase and, conse-qnently, to a potential increase in their transport from land surface to groundwater. 

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