The effect of pH on Cd(II) binding capacity of saltbush biomass was determined. Metal quantification performed using ICP/OES showed that Cd binding increased as pH increased from 2.0 to 5.0. The highest percentage of Cd bound ranged from 74-81%, 22-40%, and 70-80% for the native, esterified, and hydrolysed biomass. XAS studies showed that cadmium was present as Cd(II) and oxygen was the nearest neighbouring atom with bond lengths of approximately 2.3 Å and coordination numbers ranging between 4 and 5. Results indicated that carboxyl groups may be the primary ligand involved in the Cd binding by saltbush biomass.
A set of established precautions and procedures must be followed to ensure water quality in rainwater harvesting cisterns. In this study, 106 cisterns were sampled and 176 cistern owners were surveyed in the northern West Bank region. It was found that although the nitrate concentration and Total Dissolved Solids (TDSs) readings of the sampled cisterns conformed to Palestinian standards, most cisterns were found to contain fecal coliform, exceeding 8000 cfu/ml in many cases. Cistern owners responses revealed an array of malpractices, which are suspected of leading to this contamination risk. Several remedial actions were proposed to alleviate this condition.