Determination Of Trace Element Concentrations Research Articles

Trace elements in canvasbacks ( Aythya valisineria) wintering in Louisiana, USA, 1987–1988

We determined trace element concentrations in livers of canvasbacks ( Aythya valisineria) collected at Catahoula Lake and the Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana during, the winter of 1987–1988. Forty percent of canvasbacks wintering at Lake Catahoula had elevated concentrations of lead (>6·7 μg g −1 dry weight) in the liver; 33% had concentrations consistent with lead intoxication (>26·7 μg g −1). Based on the number of canvasbacks that winter at Lake Catahoula and the frequency of lead exposure there, more than 5% of the continental population of canvasbacks may be exposed to lead at Lake Catahoula alone. Lead concentrations in livers differed among months and were higher in males than females, but were not different in adults and immatures. Concentrations of selenium and mercury in livers of females differed among months but not by age or location. Cadmium concentrations in livers differed by age, location and month of collection, but not by sex. Frequencies and concentrations of trace elements not commonly associated with adverse effects on avian species (aluminum, arsenic, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, nickel, silver, vanadium and zinc) are presented. Except for the elevated concentrations of lead at Catahoula Lake, all trace elements were at background concentrations.

Effect of mining and related activities on the sediment trace element geochemistry of lake coeur D'Alene, idaho, USA. Part I: Surface sediments

AbstractDuring the summer of 1989 surface sediment samples were collected in Lake Coeur d'Alene, the Coeur d'Alene River and the St Joe River, Idaho, at a density of approximately one sample per square kilometre. Additional samples were collected from the banks of the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene and the Coeur d'Alene Rivers in 1991. All the samples were collected to determine trace element concentrations, partitioning and distribution patterns, and to relate them to mining, mining related and discharge operations that have occurred in the Coeur d'Alene district since the 1880s, some of which are ongoing.Most of the surface sediments in Lake Coeur d'Alene north of Conkling Point and Carey Bay are substantially enriched in Ag, As, Cu, Cd, Hg, Pb, Sb and Zn relative to unaffected sediments in the southern portion of the lake near the St Joe River. All the trace element enriched sediments are extremely fine grained (mean grain sizes « 63 μm). Most of the enriched trace elements, based on both the chemical analyses of separated heavy and light mineral fractions and a two step sequential extraction procedure, are associated with an operationally defined Fe oxide phase; much smaller percentages are associated either with operationally defined organics/sulphides or refractory phases.The presence, concentration and distribution of the Fe oxides and heavy minerals indicates that a substantial portion of the enriched trace elements are probably coming from the Coeur d'Alene River, which is serving as a point source. Within the lake, this relatively simple point source pattern is complicated by a combination of (1) the formation of trace element rich authigenic Fe oxides that appear to have reprecipitated from material solubilized from anoxic bed sediments and (2) physical remobilization by currents and wind driven waves. The processes that have caused the trace element enrichment in the surface sediments of Lake Coeur d'Alene are likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

Determination of trace element concentrations in meteorites by inductively coupled plasma — Mass spectromety

Determination of 25 trace elements in the meteorites Allende and Murchison by ICP-MS is described. Samples are digested using HF, HNO3, and HClO4 at 140°C and diluted into HNO3. Element concentrations were determined using USGS terrestrial rocks as standards for calibration. Precision and accuracy of the technique, evaluated based on measurements of samples of known composition, are for 16 elements better than 10%.

Analytical determination of trace element concentrations of precious metals and colouring oxides in optical glasses and communication light guides

Communication light guides are in the majority of cases manufactured using the rod/tube process where a fibre is drawn from a high-refraction glass rod provided with a low-refraction glass tube. Transmission properties of this communication light guide are to a decisive degree, a function of the contamination of the core glass caused by colouring glass oxides (Cr2O3, MnO2, Fe2O3, CoO, NiO, CuO) and precious metals (Pt). Glasses and raw materials have been investigated analytically by chemical methods. For this purpose, the glasses or raw materials are decomposed under clean-room conditions, using hydrofluoric acid/perchloride acid or hydroflouric acid/chloronitrous acid, respectively, the matrix is separated off (SiO2 as SiF4, PbO as PbSO4), the traces preconcentrated as carbamates or dithizonates and extracted with methyl-isobutyl-ketone; the trace element concentration of the extract is measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentration of these elements can be determined in these special glasses in the ng/g-range (ppb), e.g. Cu 446 ± 21 ng/g or Co 17 ± 3 ng/g. There is good agreement of the results with those from other methods.

Versatile and accurate trace element determinations in iron‐rich and other geological samples using x‐ray fluorescence analysis

AbstractThe reliable, routine XRF determination of trace elements in iron‐rich geological samples, such as banded iron formations, oolitic ironstones and ferromanganese nodules, has until recently been limited. The scattered radiation method (using Compton scattering), well established in normal silicate rock analysis, was developed for the determination of trace element concentrations in diverse rock compositions. Single calibration lines are used for each trace element and serve to provide data over broad sample compositions, ranging from 0 to 70% Fe2O3. A critical evaluation of the calibration lines obtained and the results of trace analyses of synthetic mixtures showed the method to be readily capable of providing accurate chemical data.

Determination of trace element concentrations of Libyan chewing and cigarette tobacco by instrumental neutron activation analysis

The concentration of 12 trace elements in the chewing tobacco and two different brands of Libyan cigarette “Atlas” and “Sport” has been measured by instrumental neutron activation analysis and compared to the results of cigarette tobacco from India, USA, Iran and Yugoslavia. These elements are Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hf, Mn, Rb, Sc, Th, U, V and Zn.

Trace Element Determinations with Synchrotron-Induced X-Ray Emission

Synchrotron radiation-source-produced X-rays make it possible to determine trace element concentrations below 1 ppm in sample volumes of 10/sup -9/ cm/sup 3/ by an extension of conventional X-ray fluorescence techniques. Keith W. Jones and Barry M. Gordon of Brookhaven National Laboratory outline the concepts of the technique and discuss its application to problems in terrestrial geochemistry, biology, and biomedicine.

Potential of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for trace element metabolism studies in man.

A new inorganic mass spectrometric technique is described which allows sensitive, rapid and economic determination of trace element concentrations and isotope ratios in aqueous samples. This paper illustrates the potential of the technique in one particular application area, namely the measurement of strontium isotope ratios in human blood and urine following ingestion of an enriched stable strontium isotope. The data from a human volunteer experiment illustrate the viability of the analytical method, with measurement precisions of +/- 0.2% (1 sigma) achieved for the isotope ratio in urine samples, which contained approximately 300 ng 86Sr in the volume required for analysis. Measurement precision is limited by counting statistics.

X‐ray fluorescence determination of trace element concentrations of zinc and arsenic and their relation to ceramic attribution

AbstractAbsolute values of concentrations of zinc and arsenic for ceramics were obtained using an energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence technique. One hundred and fifteen pieces of Chinese Jingdezhen porcelains from late Ming to 1983, including a few non‐Jingdezhen pieces, were studied. For all pieces of Chinese porcelains made in Jingdezhen from late Ming to the Republic period, the results show that zinc was present in very small quantities (<70 ppm) whereas arsenic was completely absent. However, after World War II, many pieces were found to contain relatively large concentrations of both zinc and/or arsenic. This could then be a simple, non‐destructive method of detecting modern fakes.

Trace element distribution and oil yield data from the parachute creek member of the green river formation, colorado

The determination of trace element concentrations in oil shale before mining and retorting is required for proper solid-waste management planning. Using routine Fischer assay oil yield data collected during resource characterization as indicators of potential trace element concentrations could lead to a standard method of identifying strata containing high trace element levels. In order to determine a correlation between trace element concentrations and oil yield, shale samples were selected from four statigraphic zones of the Parachute Creek Member of the Green River Formation for analysis. All samples were analyzed for total elemental concentrations, mineralogy, and Fischer assay oil yield. The results of these analyses demonstrated that the Mahogany zone shales contain significantly greater trace element concentrations (antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, lithium, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silver, and vanadium) than the other three shale zones. These high trace element concentrations have been identified within well-defined interbedded tuff deposits in the Mahogany zone. In addition, all trace elements evaluated, except boron, show either increasing or decreasing concentrations as oil yield increases within all oil shale zones. With an increased number of analyses of existing oil shale cores, oil yield data will be correlated to specific stratigraphic units containing high trace element concentrations.

Water analysis by Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry

The determination of trace element concentrations in fresh and marinewaters presents many difficulties because the quantities generally found are below ppb. It is possible to achieve such low detection limits by extraction followed by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization, provided errors due to non-specific absorption are eliminated as completely as possible. The employment of the Zeeman effect gave a mean for effective correction. The techniques selected for the determination of trace metallic elements are based on the analysis of dry residues for fresh waters and on extraction by organic solvents or ion-exchange resins for fresh and marine waters. In the case of brines, some elements are determined directly, making the Zeeman correction and employing a modifier of the matrix.

Five years activity in determining trace elements for the certification of standard reference materials by neutron activation analysis

A review of the experiences developed in the last five years of analytical work concerning the determination of trace element concentrations in reference materials by neutron activation analysis has been reported and discussed. Several elements such as Co, Sc, Mn, V, Fe, La, Sb, Zn, Th, have been determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis, while elements such as Hg, Se, As, Cu, Cd, I, required a selective radiochemical procedure. The results obtained are compared with the final certified values. For each matrix and/or group of matrices analytical problems and their solutions are illustrated.

Characterisation of individual ambient aerosol particles retained on taxus needles washed with water

Scanning electron microscopy interfaced with automated image analysis and X-ray energy spectrometry (SAX) was used to characterise the size and elemental composition of ambient aerosol particles retained on Taxus needles washed with water. Washing with water for 45 min removed 96% of the particle mass from field-sampled Taxus needles, but the number of particles was reduced by only 63%. To address the removal of ‘recently deposited’ particles, Taxus seedlings were grown with twigs isolated in a ‘particle-free’ environment, and then were exposed for four days at an industrial site. Washing of these needles with water for 60 min removed 97% of the particle mass and reduced the number of particles on the needles by 85%. The percentage distribution of particles in 29 chemical classes, defined on the basis of the relative intensity of X-rays collected from individual particles for up to 27 elements (Z > 10), changed dramatically after washing due to effective removal of the ‘most-soluble’ classes of particles. Particle population percentage distributions were remarkably similar for washed field needles, washed industrial site (short-term exposure) needles, and unwashed field Taxus needles collected at the industrial site after rainfall events. On an elemental mass basis, sodium, phosphorus, sulphur, chlorine, and calcium were removed most efficiently; iron was removed least efficiently. Sample calculations demonstrate the importance of particle retention on washed needles, particularly in the determination of trace element concentrations in washed plant tissue.

The use of isotope dilution mass spectrometry for the certification of standard reference materials

Isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) has been used extensively at the U.S. National Bureau of Standards as an accurate method to determine trace element concentrations in natural materials. Thermal ionization mass spectrometry is a single element technique capable of high accuracy and precision, and has been used for “definitive” measurements of trace elements in sera with 95% confidence limits less than 0.25%. Spark source mass spectrometry is a complementary multielement, high-sensitivity technique that has been used to determine up to 20 elements in a sample, with typical accuracies of 2%–5%. Together with appropriate chemical separations, such as anion and cation exchange, chelate resins, electrodeposition, and chemical extraction, IDMS has been applied to elemental concentration measurements ranging over eight orders of magnitude, from decigrams/gram to picograms/gram. Many of these applications have been used for the certification of a broad spectrum of biological and environmental Standard Reference Materials, including lead in Trace Elements in Water (SRM 1643), 15 elements in Coal Fly Ash (SRM 1633a), uranium in Bovine Liver (SRM 1577a), and mercury in water (SRM 1642).

An ion microprobe study of the partitioning of trace elements between clinopyroxene and liquid in the system diopside-albite-anorthite

The partitioning of trace elements (Sc, Ti, Sr and Sm) between diopsidic clinopyroxene and liquid was studied experimentally in the system diopside-albite-anorthite at 1250°C, 1300°C and 1345°C at 1 atm. Twelve different bulk compositions were selected to study the effects of temperature and chemical composition. A Cameca ion microprobe was used to determine trace element concentrations in both clinopyroxene and liquid. Experiments of different run duration 1 4 8 ̃ days) showed that equilibrium was approached in less than 4 days at 1275°C. Equilibrium was also evaluated by a reversal run. A series of runs of constant bulk composition but with variable trace element contents showed that Henry's Law was obeyed over concentration ranges of the trace elements similar to those encountered in natural systems. The partition coefficients show significant ranges: Sc, 0.345~2.61; Ti, 0.084~0.214; Sr, 0.075~0.136; Sm, 0.054~0.328; the values are comparable with those obtained experimentally by other investigators. The partition coefficients vary as a function of both temperature and chemical composition. The experimental results are discussed in terms of exchange equilibria using the Bottinga-Weill silicate melt model. It is demonstrated that analytical uncertainties of both major and trace elements play an important role in understanding trace element exchange equilibria; propagation of analytical errors in the thermodynamic treatment is equally important.

Determination of trace element concentrations of indian cigarette tobacco by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Lung cancer and smoking are associated. Epidemiological studies show that not only lung cancer but other chest diseases have causative relationship with smoking. Cigarette tobacco and smoke contains many carcinogens. Inorganic and metallic constituents of cigarette tobacco and smoke have not been studied as extensively as the organic compounds. Since some of the metals are highly toxic and also carcinogenic, authors have attempted to measure the levels of some of the trace elements of Indian tobacco by instrumental neutron activation analysis, and compared the results with the tobacco of America, Germany, Iran and New Zealand.

An application of the pixe method: Analysis of trace elements after wet digestion of uterine tissue

The authors present an application of the PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) method: determination of trace element concentrations in uterine tissue after wet digestion by HNO3. A method for calibration of the system is described. Results of the analysis of a NBS reference material (National Bureau of Standards), SRM 1577 bovine liver, are given and possible sources of error are discussed. In the authors’ experience, the combination of wet digestion and PIXE provides a tool for reliable analysis of trace element concentrations in tissues.

Determination of trace elements in particulate and soluble fractions of seawater by neutron activation analysis

Determination of trace element concentrations in marine samples is of considerable interest in studying diverse types of oceanic pollution sources, mode of transport and residence times of pollutants in seawater, and in revealing interactions that may exist among elements in suspended particulate and soluble fractions of seawater. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) methods are being investigated in this laboratory for measuring multi-element concentrations of oceanic suspended particulate matter (SPM) and seawater. An instrumental NAA (INAA) method has been developed for determining Al, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, I, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, Nd, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Th, Ti, V and Zn in microgram quantities of oceanic SPM. The method consists of three sequential irradiations at two different neutron fluxes and subsequent counting after five decay periods using high-resolution detectors. The method for determining trace elements in seawater involves preirradiation separations of Br and Cl using nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide and of Na with hydrated antimony pentoxide. Concentrations of Ag, Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, La, Lu, Mn, Mo, Sm, Sr, Ti, V and Zn in seawater have been measured. Details of analytical methodologies for determining trace elements in both suspended particulate and soluble fractions of seawater are presented.

Determination of trace element Ag and Sc concentrations in human cataractous lenses.

For the detection and determination of the trace elements Ag and Sc in mature human cataractous lenses, the methods of neutron activation analysis was used. As regards Ag, attempts made in the past to establish its presence in the cataractous lens had failed, while Sc has not so far been thoroughly investigated. Our study of the two elements was also correlated to the age and sex of the patients with senile cataract. It was found that once senile cataract has fully matured, the determined trace-element concentrations no longer appear to be related to age and/or sex of the patients.

Trace Elements in Must and Wine: Primary and Secondary Contents

The most modern analytical methods were used to determine trace element concentrations in mostly German wines of various vineyards, grapes, and vintages. The concentrations of the toxic metals lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury have been decreasing steadily since 1960, whereas the concentrations of chromium and nickel have been increasing. The reasons for this are discussed, and sources of contamination are identified.