Elemental Values Research Articles

The relationship between the geographic environment and human health has been a long-standing focus of scientific inquiry. Sn as an essential trace element for the human body, play vital roles in individual health and may influence longevity. However, the extent to which the statistical characteristics of population longevity are associated with elemental geochemical background values at a regional scale remains an important question. Based on the geochemical survey data of Yunnan Province and Chinese census data, the article utilizes Arcgis spatial analysis and mathematical statistics to explore the relationship between ω(Sn) and regional longevity level. The results of the study show that: (1) There is a close correlation between ω(Sn) and regional longevity levels. Within Yunnan Province, regions with high ω(Sn) have higher levels of longevity index and Ultra-octogenarian Index. (2) Spearman’s correlation coefficient shows that ω(Sn) is significantly positively (P < 0.01) correlated with both the longevity index and the Ultra-octogenarian Index; Linear regression further reveals that ω(Sn) always has a significant positive influence on the longevity index. For the Ultra-octogenarian Index, although the strength of the influence of ω(Sn) is not as significant as that of the longevity index, its influence on the healthy longevity of the population cannot be ignored. At the county scale in Yunnan Province, there is a significant positive correlation between ω(Sn) and longevity index, which may be related to the exposure of Sn in the natural environmental background into the human body and thus affecting the incidence of cancer, but the biogeochemical cycling mechanism of its association with longevity still needs to be further investigated.

NIST SRM 610 and 612 (Trace Elements in Glass) are routinely used for microanalytical measurements but were designed to be bulk‐scale reference materials. This study investigates an approach to quantify the differences between values for elements obtained using the bulk techniques ICP‐OES, INAA and CNPGAA, and values obtained using the predominant microanalytical technique LA‐ICP‐MS. The results from bulk techniques and LA‐ICP‐MS were also compared with currently accepted mass fractions reported in the Certificates of Analysis (CoA) and the literature. The element suite measured was based on the needs of the forensic and geological microanalysis communities, and included B, Ce, Hf, K, La, Li, Ti and Zr. These additional elements are either not included or do not have uncertainty values in the CoAs for NIST SRMs 610 and 612 but are available as community consensus values, which include uncertainties. The measurement results were processed using Monte Carlo (MC) uncertainty analysis for each technique to provide a comprehensive calculation of expanded uncertainties for use in future research. Measurements of mass fractions of the same element both within and between fragments in the LA‐ICP‐MS data were observed to be correlated due to the use of only one calibration material, which was Float Glass Standard (FGS) 2, as that reference material is not directly traceable to NIST SRMs 610 and 612, and is predominantly used in the forensic community. The MC treatment was expected to cause increases in the overall uncertainty values compared with traditional Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) treatment for all measurements, which was the case for LA‐ICP‐MS measurements of all elements in NIST SRM 610 and NIST SRM 612 (except for Mn in NIST SRM 610). However, for bulk measurements of Ce, Li and Rb in NIST SRM 610, and bulk measurements of Li, Mn, Ti and Zr for NIST SRM 612, the uncertainty decreased due to MC more precisely determining the uncertainty contribution compared with a more conservative approximation from GUM. All results were compared by using En scores to assess the relative agreement between bulk‐ and micro‐scale measurements, CoA values and to community consensus values. The findings point out the limitations of the current forensic glass reference materials for high precision microanalytical measurements, especially due to the relatively high uncertainty values associated with Float Glass Standard (FGS) 2. This situation underscores the need for new reference materials specifically designed for homogeneity at the micro‐scale for trace element measurement.

The Sierra Agua Verde is a significant paleontological site in northwestern Mexico. While numerous stratigraphic and paleontological studies have been conducted in this area, a lack of geochemical research has hindered a complete understanding of its paleoenvironmental context. Our study primarily focused on examining the fossiliferous limestone from the Middle Mississippian to Middle Pennsylvanian periods in the region. By utilizing X-ray fluorescence (XRF), we measured major element oxide concentrations in bulk rock limestone samples. This analysis helped us infer the paleoenvironmental conditions through elemental ratios and correlation coefficients. The samples displayed calcium enrichment, with some also exhibiting high magnesium/calcium (Mg/Ca) ratios. The silicon/aluminum (Si/Al) ratio, akin to Si/Ca, was interpreted as indicative of productivity, potentially attributed to the presence of siliceous sponges. Nevertheless, elevated silicon values could also result from continental weathering processes. Peaks in elemental values apart from calcium may indicate episodes of riverine influx onto the carbonate platform where these sediments settled. We related the curve of major elements to previous stable isotope studies to determine if detrital element input aligned with global or regional climate conditions. Our hypotheses were corroborated by statistical analysis, yielding dendrograms that highlighted associations between elements such as Al and K, as well as Fe and Ti (Morisita Index). This could suggest the precipitation of minerals like orthoclase/illite and ilmenite. Moreover, the increasing divergence between Mg and Mn in comparison to the Al-K clade, along with Si, might explain the strong Fe-Ti connection, reflecting the tendency of both Mn and Ti to form oxides. The co-precipitation of Si and P might also be linked to productivity episodes. However, the Si content could indicate either quartz input or biogenic silica contribution.

Multispectral zinc sulfide (MS-ZnS) is an important broadband optical material used in various imaging and sensing technologies. To address the challenge of withstanding aerodynamic loads during operational use, surface hardening treatments of MS-ZnS using Ga2S3 have demonstrated effectiveness while preserving optimal optical properties. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is particularly well-suited for analyzing Ga incorporation in the subsurface of post-treated ZnS windows. Herein, we report the determination of the relative sensitivity factor (RSF) for Ga in a ZnS matrix to calibrate Ga concentration profiles. The RSFs of 69Ga in ZnS were obtained from multiple SIMS measurements on three 69Ga-implanted ZnS coupons at doses of 0.5 × 1015, 2.5 × 1015, and 5.1 × 1015 (at. cm−2). We found that the elemental RSF values are 1.78 × 1020 (±17%), 1.76 × 1020 (±21%), and 1.48 × 1020 (±13%) (at. cm−3), indicating a proportional relationship with the amount of Ga as deduced from standard analysis versus the ratio of 69Ga and 64Zn count rates. These RSF determinations provide a reliable tool for analytical and process optimization purposes.

Our understanding of the ion-sputtering contribution to the formation of exospheres on airless bodies has been hindered by the lack of accurate surface binding energies (SBEs) of the elements in the various mineral and amorphous compounds expected to be on the surfaces of these bodies. The SBE for a given element controls the predicted sputtering yield and energy distribution of the ejecta. Here, we use molecular dynamics computations to provide SBE data for the range of elements sputtered from plagioclase feldspar crystalline end members, albite and anorthite, which are expected to be important mineral components on the surfaces of the Moon and Mercury. Results show that the SBE is dependent on the crystal orientation and the element’s coordination, meaning multiple SBEs are possible for a given element. Variation in the SBEs among the different surface positions has a significant effect on the predicted yield and energy distribution of the ejecta. We then consider sputtering by H, He, and a solar wind mixture of 96% H and 4% He. For each of these cases, we derive best-fit elemental SBE values to predict the ejecta energy distribution from each of the (001), (010), and (011) cleavage planes. We demonstrate that the He contribution to the sputtering yield cannot be accounted for by multiplying the 100% H results by some factor. Lastly, we average our results over all three possible lattice orientations and provide best-fit elemental SBE values that can be easily incorporated into sputtering yield models.

The stable isotopes ratio and elemental composition in the mangrove leaves are excellent indicators for coastal marine pollution. The present study investigated the composition of Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulfur, δ13C and δ15N values in mangrove leaves to identify the source of pollution and energy to the mangroves in the creek ecosystem of Mumbai Harbour Bay. The oxygen and hydrogen stable isotope ratios (δ18O and δ2H) of leaf water were estimated to understand the relative contribution of freshwater and seawater to the mangrove's water source. The Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulfur contents were found to vary from 37.79 to 42.55% (Average: 40.06 ± 1.54%), 2.13–3.79% (Average: 2.94 ± 0.45%) and 0.37–0.81% (Average: 0.53 ± 0.14%) in the mangrove leaves, respectively. The δ13C and δ15N values were found to vary from − 30.43 to − 28.41‰ (Average: − 29.46 ± 0.74‰) and from − 2.67 to 5.54‰ (Average: 2.21 ± 3.20%), respectively. The δ18O and δ2H values were found to vary from − 2.7 to 0.83‰ and − 6.86 to 5.43‰ with an average of − 0.94 ± 0.83 and − 2.03 ± 3.52‰ respectively. According to the observed δ18O and δ2H values, mangroves in the northern part had a relatively higher contribution of freshwater input compared to southern part of the study area. The lower values of δ15N towards the northern end of the creek indicate a relatively higher contribution of nitrogen from industrial discharges. Similar values of δ13C in mangrove in the region suggest a common source of carbon. Mangroves found near discharge locations have different elemental composition and δ15N values compared to those mangroves that are not located near discharge location. These differences can be used as potential markers to identify the coastal marine pollution. The results of the present study may be used for developing rational approaches for protection and conservation of the mangrove ecosystem in the bay.

Large gradual solar energetic particle (SEP) events can pose a radiation risk to crewed spaceflight and a significant threat to near-Earth satellites; however, the origin of the SEP seed particle population, and how these particles are released, accelerated and transported into the heliosphere are not well understood. We analyze NOAA active region (AR) 12673, which was the source responsible for multiple large gradual SEP events during 2017 September, and found that almost immediately after each significant eruptive event associated with SEPs an enhanced Si/S abundance ratio was measured by Wind, consistent with the previous work by Brooks et al. The EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) onboard Hinode took data roughly 8 hr before the second SEP event on 2017 September 6, which allowed the regions of enhanced Si/S abundance ratio in the AR to be determined. We have shown that the AR contains plasma with elemental abundance values detected in situ by Wind. In particular, the plasma originates from the core of the AR, similar to Brooks et al., but in the moss (footpoints) associated with hot sigmoidal AR loops. The sigmoid, which contains highly fractionated plasma, erupts and propagates toward an Earth-connected magnetic null point, providing a direct channel for the highly fractionated plasma to escape and be detected in the near-Earth environment.

Understanding zinc isotopic signatures in volcanic lakes

The cell wall of the hemp plant consists of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin cross-linked to these components. In such a structure, lignin is considered an undesirable byproduct in the production of textiles, paper, and biofuels from hemp. Therefore, the removal of lignin is essential for the industrial utilization of cellulose from hemp. In this study, lignin removal processes were conducted for the first time on the (native to Anatolia) Narlısaray population and the registered Vezir hemp. Alkaline (NaOH) treatment was preferred for pre-treatment due to its relatively low cost, lower energy requirements, and reduced risk factors. Structural changes before and after alkaline pre-treatment were compared using FT-IR spectra, SEM, and EDX analyses of the biomass. Examination of elemental trace values revealed that the O:C ratios of Narlısaray and Vezir fibers increased to 0.84 and 0.85, respectively. The increase in the O:C ratio indicated the removal of lignin, while the nearly identical ratios suggested that the lignin cross-linking energies in both local hemp fibers were almost the same. Additionally, SEM images provided clear information regarding the structural changes in Narlısaray and Vezir fibers before and after the lignin removal process.

Five new heterocyclic disazo dyes derived from the 4-position: Synthesis, characterisation, and acute toxicity evaluation

A strategy to reduce spectral intensity uncertainty and predicted content uncertainty of low and medium alloy steel elements

The oceanic whitetip shark, Carcharhinus longimanus, is a highly migratory, epipelagic top predator that is classified as critically endangered. Although this species is widely distributed throughout the world's tropical oceans, its assumed mobility and pelagic behavior limit studies to derive required lifetime data for management. To address this data deficiency, we assessed variation in the habitat use of C. longimanus by oceanic region and over ontogeny through time series trace element and stable isotope values conserved along the vertebral centra (within translucent annulus bands) of 13 individuals sampled from the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. Elemental ratios of Mg:Ca, Mn:Ca, Fe:Ca, Zn:Ca, and Ba:Ca varied significantly among individuals from both sampling regions while principal component analysis of combined standardized elements revealed minimal overlap between the two areas. The limited overlap was also in agreement withstable isotope niches. These findings indicate that C. longimanus exhibit a degree of fidelity to sampling regions but also connectivity in a proportion of the population. The relatively stable Sr:Ca ratio supports its occurrence in oceanic environments. The decreasing trends in Ba:Ca, Mn:Ca, and Zn:Ca ratios, as well as in carbon and nitrogen isotope values along vertebral transects, indicate that C. longimanus undergo a directional habitat shift with age. Combined elemental and stable isotope values in vertebral centra provide a promising tool for elucidating lifetime data for complex pelagic species. For C. longimanus, management will need to consider subpopulation movement behavior in the Pacific to minimize the potential for localized depletions. Further work is now required to sample individuals across the entire Pacific and to link these findings with genetic and movement data to define population structure.

Gold-bearing quartz veins and associated rocks in the Wawa area, western Nigeria: Insights to their nature from field investigation, petrographic study, and geochemical analysis

Guangxi, China, is one of the world's largest karst regions where potential toxic elements tend to accumulate, resulting in high soil background values. This study explores the ecological risk, elemental baseline values, and sources of potential toxic elements in karst regions, expanding the research to include 21 common elements. The significance of this research lies in its implications for the management of potential toxic element pollution, the formulation of environmental quality standards, and soil remediation in karst areas. In this study, 12,547 topsoil samples (0–20 cm) were collected in the study area. Pollution assessment and ecological risk evaluation of eight potential toxic elements (Zn, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr, and As) were conducted using the geo-accumulation index method and potential ecological risk index method. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to analyze the total content of 21 common elements (Zn, Ni, Cu, Pb, P, Cd, Hg, Co, Mn, Cr, V, I, S, As, pH, Se, N, CaO, Corg, Mo, and F). Additionally, the potential sources of 21 soil elements were preliminarily quantitatively analyzed using the principal component analysis-absolute principal component scores-multiple linear regression receptor model. The results showed that (1) Zn, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr, V, and As were enriched in the research area and Ca, Cd, Mn, Mo, Hg, As, and Cu might have been influenced by human activities; (2) Cr, Pb, As, and Zn were generally lightly polluted, with Hg having a moderate potential ecological risk level; and (3) Ni and Zn have contributions of 37.99% and 35.07% from geological sources, agricultural fertilization, and pesticides. Mo, V, Cr, Se, Hg, and As exhibit contributions ranging from 39.44 to 59.22% originating from geological backgrounds and human activities. Corg, S, N, and P show contributions of 45.39% to 80.33% from surface vegetation. F, Co, Mn, and Pb have contributions ranging from 31.63 to 47.93% from acidic rocks in the soil parent material, mining activities, and transportation. Cd and CaO derive 31.67% and 40.23%, respectively, from soil parent material and industrial sources. I has 31.94% from geological background and human activities, and 31.95% from soil parent material and atmospheric sources. Cu has 30.56% from geological sources. The study results can serve as a scientific basis for element research in karst areas domestically and internationally.

In this research, we investigated the yields of biochar, bio-oil, and synthesis gas under various pyrolysis conditions, as well as their impact on the elemental composition, FTIR, EDX, SEM, and HCV values of biochar. This study utilized three different pyrolysis temperatures (400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C), two holding times (30 and 60 min), and two N2 gas flow rates (0.2 and 0.5 L min−1). We observed that an increase in pyrolysis temperature led to a decrease in the yields of biochar and bio-oil, while synthesis gas yield increased, as expected. Additionally, a higher gas flow rate resulted in a reduction of biochar yield from 34.07% to 32.72%. A longer residence time diminished the bio-oil yield but increased the synthesis gas yield. The FTIR, EDX, and elemental analysis of biochar produced at a pyrolysis temperature of 600 °C, with a 60-min holding time and a 0.2 L min−1 N2 gas flow rate, indicated maximized carbon content. Moreover, a more porous structure was observed at higher pyrolysis temperatures. The research also revealed that increases in pyrolysis temperature, residence time, and gas flow rate enhanced the energy content of the biochar.

The main aim of this study is to provide the experimental research of the combustion characteristics for the different types of the biomass pellets during their thermo chemical conversion with estimation the correlations between the main characteristics of pelletized plant biomass and combustion characteristics. The experiments include first, the preparation of the pelletized biomass samples of different origin with certain elemental composition, heating values, moisture content, bulk and energetic density, and second, kinetic study of the combustion characteristics with local measurements of the temperature and composition of the flame reaction zone and heat production rates at different stages of the thermo chemical conversion of pelletized biomass and different air supply rates into the combustor to obtain optimal combustion conditions of plant biomass. Correlations between the main characteristics of pelletized samples and combustion/emission characteristics of pelletized biomass fuel have been derived and analyzed.

Natron is the second most consumed salt in Nigeria. It is used as a food additive to cook beans, maize, and other palatable foods. Several studies have investigated the elemental content in this salt in Nigeria. However, there is paucity of information on the elemental content of this widely consumed salt in Kebbi State. Thus, this study is focused on the analyses of elemental content in Natron in sold in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kebbi State. Three brands of Natron were collected from markets in Birnin Kebbi, Jega, Kalgo and Bunza local governments. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was used to analyse the elemental content. Furthermore, the elemental content values were collated for the samples of the different brands of Natron. The sodium content of the Kanwa Jarirai brand in Jega had the lowest sodium content of while the Balma brand in Bunza had the highest sodium content of . All three Natron brands investigated in the four LGAs exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limit for potassium, iron and, manganese levels. All the brands of Natron did not satisfy the adult daily calcium intake except for the Kanwa Jarirai from Jega with . Moreso, all the three brands in the selected four LGAs satisfied the sodium permissible WHO limits. The iron, manganese, and potassium WHO permissible limits were not met. In addition, the Natron from the four LGAs did not satisfy the adult daily intake of calcium except the Kanwa Jarirai from Jega. Consumers will need to be cautious of the usage of the analysed Natrons as they contained high levels of sodium which might not be beneficial to cardiovascular health.

Vernonia cinerea(VC) Less is synonymously known as Cyanthillium cinereum and Vernonia abbreviate belongs to Asteraceae family. Different parts of the plant are extensively used in traditional medicine for treatment of various disease conditions. However, there was no scientific evaluation of the plant’s pharmacognosy and thin layer chromatography (TLC), which necessitate these studies, to bring out characters that will facilitate its proper identification, standardization and, nature of secondary metabolites in aerial parts of the plant. To carry out detailed pharmacognostic studies and TLC evaluation on the aerial parts of Vernonia cinerea. Aerial plant parts of V. cinerea were studied for their organoleptic, macroscopic, microscopic, physicochemical features and bitterness properties, their elemental and nutritional values were evaluated using standard procedures. In the TLC, reagents were used to evaluate presence of various bioactive constituents in the parts studied. Pharmacognostic studies of aerial parts of VC highlighted features that are diagnostic from microscopic characters and their dimensions, different ergastic substances in the chemomicrocopical study. The elemental analysis showed the presence of macro, micro and trace elements. Nutritionally, there are presence of macro molecules such as carbohydrates, protein and fats. All these will serve as criteria to differentiate it from other species in the same and other families. The TLC profile showed spots of different colour shades after spraying with general and specific reagents and, their Rf values determined. Detailed pharmacognostic studies on the aerial parts of VC showed characters which might be useful to provide information with regard to its identification, standardization and types of phytochemicals present.

Geochemical indices used to identify the emerging anomalies of potentially harmful elements in topsoil depend on background values (BVs). For urban sites, it is reasonable to estimate native BVs through the targeted selection of peri-urban sampling sites or by distinguishing a useful background subset (BS) within the peri-urban dataset. Here, the goals were to examine the influence of Quaternary deposits on various types of topsoil variables, identify the variables most helpful for cluster analysis intended for the choice of background subset (BS), and compare background values (BVs) based on different background subsets. Composite topsoil samples from a peri-urban area were used for the determination of the following variables: contents of 26 elements and components of the bulk mineralogical composition, as well as the sand, silt, and clay fractions and loss-on-ignition (LOI) at 550 °C and at 950 °C. Although Quaternary lithology influences topsoil elemental contents or granulometric fractions, percentages of illite, kaolinite, orthoclase, quartz, albite, dolomite, and LOI at 550 °C, the choice of BS, according to it, is not recommended, as BVs based on topsoil texture are superior. However, cluster analysis using topsoil fractions &lt; 2, &lt;63, and &gt;63 μm or the contents of Al, Fe, K, Ti, Ga, Nb, Rb, and Si are preferable. It is recommended to use these reference variables for the selection of BS.

The handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (HH-XRF) is commonly used to detect the inorganic elemental composition of pigments on-site. However, the accuracy of in-situ detection results can be affected by the characteristics of the painted surface contaminants and the layered structure of pigments in ancient architectural color paintings. To mitigate this error, a method was proposed that combined the XRF spectra of inorganic pigments with the elemental concentration values obtained through principal component analysis (PCA). Additionally, this study discussed the typical surface contaminants and pigment layering found in color paintings separately. Firstly, experiments were conducted on dust accumulation layers of varying thicknesses. The results indicated that the condition of color paintings after pretreatment of dust accumulation tended to resemble the situation with thin dust accumulation during in-situ testing. A fitting formula was derived to establish a relationship between field testing and laboratory testing results. Secondly, experiments were conducted using various combinations of pigment layers. Based on the findings, it was hypothesized that there was a connection between XRF detection results and the maximum concentration value of a single element (as determined by XRF, in an unmixed or unlayered pigment sample without dust or smoke accumulation). The test results were fitted using a Polynomial formula, providing evidence for the existence of a nonlinear functional relationship between these two variables. Finally, an empirical formula for predicting the concentration values of the top color layer with different base colors was proposed. This study offered a precise method for accurately assessing pigments of ancient architectural color paintings through in-situ testing.