Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer Research Articles

Red and blue colours on 18th–19th century Japanese woodblock prints: In situ analyses by spectrofluorimetry and complementary non-invasive spectroscopic methods

The study of fragile artworks kept in museums requires mobile devices, short time of analysis and minimal disturbance to insure their good preservation. In situ reflectance spectroscopy and spectrofluorimetric studies are mostly developed for pigment characterization. A recently-designed μspectrofluorimeter (LED μSF) dedicated to in situ measurements, that uses UV-light emission diodes (LED) as excitation sources, was used to verify its potentiality for the identification of pigments and dyes. The colours of five Japanese woodblock prints from the Museum of Zaragoza (Spain) were studied by the combination of UV-VIS-IR spectroscopies and hand-held energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (HHED-XRF), together with Raman Spectroscopy. This study focused on the analysis of red and blue colours in prints by Koryūsai, Utamaro and Eisen (18th–19th centuries). The interpretation of the in situ fluorescence emission spectra could be rather difficult because of the variety of pigment mixtures, natural ageing of colorants and fluorescence of the support (paper), that could lead to spectral changes or band shifts. The combination with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), hyperspectral imaging techniques (HSI), and HHED-XRF completed the interpretation of these results. A specific database was built analyzing reference samples made in accordance with Japanese printings techniques and materials. Inorganic and organic red (vermilion, red lead, cochineal, red safflower) and blue (Prussian blue, indigo, dayflower) pigments were used alone or as a mixture to modify the hues. The identification of Prussian blue could be a clue about the relations existing between East and West and, its presence sometimes questioned the dating of some early printings.

Investigation of mineral composition during processing of wild berries

The article presents results of studies of the mineral composition of wild berries and their constituent parts (peel, pulp). Blueberries, bilberries, cranberries and lingonberries were picked out on the territory of the Vyborg district of the Leningrad Region. Berries sorted by quality and degree of maturity and crushed; the juice and pulp were separated by pressing and filtration. The yield of juice depended on the type of berries and was minimal for blueberries. Berries, peel and pulp were dried to constant weight at a temperature of 50 °C. The composition of the mineral elements was determined in the native remainder of whole berries and their constituent parts by X-ray fluorescence on the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer "Rigaku Nex CG", USA. The method used makes it possible to obtain the composition of mineral elements in the form of oxides. All berries had a typical composition of elements with a predominance of potassium and calcium. The content of potassium berries were as follows: bilberries > lingonberries > blueberries> cranberries. The highest content of calcium was in blueberries; phosphorus prevailed in lingonberries. In the trace elements were identified: iron, copper, zinc, nickel, manganese, silicon, vanadium, titanium. Vanadium was found only in blueberries and bilberries. During the processing of berries, mineral elements were redistributed. Potassium oxides are distributed in all parts of the berries, calcium, titanium and vanadium oxides are found predominantly in the skin and in the pulp of berries. Most of the oxides of macro-elements (such as phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine) and trace elements (such as iron, zinc, manganese, silicon, copper, nickel) are contained only in the juice.

Usefulness of a Dual Macro- and Micro-Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer to Develop Quantitative Methodologies for Historic Mortar and Related Materials Characterization.

Wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) spectrometry has been widely used for elemental quantification of mortars and cements. In this kind of instrument, samples are usually prepared as pellets or fused beads and the whole volume of sample is measured at once. In this work, the usefulness of a dual energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (ED-XRF), working at two lateral resolutions (1 mm and 25 μm) for macro and microanalysis respectively, to develop quantitative methods for the elemental characterization of mortars and concretes is demonstrated. A crucial step before developing any quantitative method with this kind of spectrometers is to verify the homogeneity of the standards at these two lateral resolutions. This new ED-XRF quantitative method also demonstrated the importance of matrix effects in the accuracy of the results being necessary to use Certified Reference Materials as standards. The results obtained with the ED-XRF quantitative method were compared with the ones obtained with two WD-XRF quantitative methods employing two different sample preparation strategies (pellets and fused beads). The selected ED-XRF and both WD-XRF quantitative methods were applied to the analysis of real mortars. The accuracy of the ED-XRF results turn out to be similar to the one achieved by WD-XRF, except for the lightest elements (Na and Mg). The results described in this work proved that μ-ED-XRF spectrometers can be used not only for acquiring high resolution elemental map distributions, but also to perform accurate quantitative studies avoiding the use of more sophisticated WD-XRF systems or the acid extraction/alkaline fusion required as destructive pretreatment in Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry based procedures.

Comparative elemental analysis of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from industrial and residential areas in Greater Cairo-Egypt by means of a multi-secondary target energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer

Fine aerosol particles with aerodynamic diameter equal or <2.5 μm (PM2.5) have been collected from industrial and residential areas of Greater Cairo, Egypt during two different seasons namely; autumn 2014 and winter 2014/2015. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis utilizing polarization geometry and three different secondary targets (CaF2, Ge, and Mo) was employed for the quantitative analysis of eighteen (18) elements in PM2.5 samples. Light elements like Na and Mg was possible to be quantified, whereas detection limits in the range of few ng m−3 were attained for the most of the detected elements. Although, the average mass concentrations of the PM2.5 collected from the residential area (27 ± 7 μg m−3) is close to the annual mean limit value, a significant number of the collected samples (33%) presented higher average mass concentrations. For the industrial location, the average mass concentration is equal to 55 ± 19 μg m−3, exceeded twofold the annual mean limit value of the European Commission. Remarkably high elemental concentrations were determined for the most of the detected elements from the industrial area samples, clearly indicating the significant influence of anthropogenic activities. The present optimized EDXRF analysis offered significantly improved analytical range and limits of detection with respect to previous similar studies, thus enhancing our knowledge and understanding on the contribution of different pollution sources.

Photo-reduction of Chromium from water by TiO2 nanoparticles

This work aims to develop simple and cost-effective methods in reduction of Cr(VI) from water to less toxic and easy separated Cr(III) using Titanium dioxide (TiO2 TiO2 nanoparticles are prepared by a sol-gel method using titanium tetra-chloride and characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray Fluorescence spectrometer (EDX) and UV-visible spectroscopy. XRD shows Anatase structure of TiO2 after annealing at 600°C for four hours. The particles size is estimated to be 70 nm using SEM.UV-Visible spectroscopy indicated that TiO2 nanoparticles played important role in decreasing the concentration of Cr (VI) in water samples for different pH range of 1 to 4. The decrease in Cr(VI) concentration after the treatment is ascribed to the reduction caused by the photocatalyst effect that resulted from the presence of TiO2 nanoparticle in water samples under direct exposure to direct sunlight.

Synthesis and characterization of TiO2 using sol-gel method at different annealing temperatures

AbstractThis article aims to prepare high quality of TiO2 powder and study the effect of annealing temperature. TiO2 particles were synthesized by sol-gel method using titanium tetra chloride (TiCl4) as a precursor. The dried gel was annealed at temperatures of 500oC, 600oC, 700°C and 800 °C each for 4 hours. The as-prepared samples were further characterized using X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray Fluorescence spectrometer (EDX), XRD showed anatase structure after annealing and its diffraction scattering intensity indicated the improvement in the crystal structure quality of TiO2 as the temperature increases. SEM micrographs showed a randomly distributed and non-uniform cluster of TiO2 that has a size increase with annealing temperatures. EDX indicated stoichiometric chemical composition between Ti and O enhanced by annealing.

Radiometric measurement of lignite coal and its by-products and assessment of the usability of fly ash as raw materials in Turkey

Abstract Lignite coal (LC) is a key energy source for electricity generation in Turkey. During lignite burning, huge amounts of fly ash (FA), bottom ash and slag are produced as by-products which contain radionuclides in the natural radioactive series of uranium and thorium, and radioactive potassium. These radionuclides may lead to radiological exposure of workers and the public and cause environmental problems. Therefore, finding diverse uses for the by-products in the construction sector and earthwork applications has considerable economic and environmental importance. In this study, the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in and radon emanating power (EP) and radon mass exhalation rate (EXRM) from LC, slag and FA obtained from the Kangal lignite-burning power plant with a power of 457 MWe were measured using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The major chemical components (SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO and MgO) of fly ash samples were analysed using an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The annual effective doses received by workers and members of the public were estimated using different scenarios specified in Radiation protection 122. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in LC, slag and FA samples were 187±21, 16±1 and 99±9 Bq kg−1, 620±18, 41±2 and 330±13 Bq kg−1, and 937±30, 38±2 and 272±17 Bq kg−1, respectively. The average values of EP and EXRM of the lignite, slag and FA samples were 8 %, 7 % and 10 %, and 0.1, 0.3 and 0.7 Bq kg−1 h−1, respectively. The highest average of the total annual effective dose is estimated at 153 μSv for members of the public and 74 μSv for workers, lower than the recommended annual limit of 1000 μSv.

Rapid Screening of Cadmium in Rice and Identification of Geographical Origins by Spectral Method.

The accuracy, repeatability and detection limits of the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer used in this study were tested to verify its suitability for rapid screening of cadmium in samples. Concentrations of cadmium in rice grain samples were tested by the XRF spectrometer. The results showed that the apparatus had good precision around the national limit value (0.2 mg/kg). Raman spectroscopy has been analyzed in the discrimination of rice grain samples from different geographical origins within China. Scanning time has been discussed in order to obtain better Raman features of rice samples. A total of 31 rice samples were analyzed. After spectral data pre-treatment, principal component analysis (PCA), K-means clustering (KMC), hierarchical clustering (HC) and support vector machine (SVM) were performed to discriminate origins of rice samples. The results showed that the geographical origins of rice could be classified using Raman spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis.

Statistical assessment to magnetic susceptibility and heavy metal data for characterizing the coastal sediment of East coast of Tamilnadu, India

A rapid urbanization and industrialization enhances the significant heavy metal pollution in the sediments of coastal area and introduced a serious threat to the human health. In the present study, concentration of heavy metals such as Al, Ti, Fe, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Zn, La, Pb, Mg, Ca, Ni, Cd and Ba are determined in sediments along Periyakalapet to Parangaipettai coastal area, Tamilnadu using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (EDXRF).These metals have more affinity to establish metallic bond with ferrous material leading to enhancement of sediment magnetic susceptibility. Hence, a magnetic susceptibility (χLF, χHF, χFD) measurement was carried for sediments by using MS2B dual frequency susceptibility meter. Multivariate statistical analysis (Pearson correlation, factor and cluster analysis) was carried out between heavy metals and magnetic susceptibility to assess the anthropogenic impact in the sediments. The study revealed that a magnetic susceptibility measurement is an inexpensive, fast, non-destructive and suitable method to identify the heavy metal pollution sources.

Preparation and properties of Eu and Dy co-doped strontium aluminate long afterglow nanomaterials

The long afterglow nanomaterials of strontium aluminate co-doped by Eu and Dy have been synthesized by co-precipitation combined hydrothermal method. The effects of hydrothermal time, calcination time, pH value, the amount of aluminum nitrate, activator, co-activator and flux H3BO3 on the fluorescence properties of the product were investigated by means of single factor optimization experiment. Then the orthogonal experiment was employed to obtain the optimal synthesis conditions that are as follows: nDy/nEu = 2.5, tc = 2.5 h, nEu/nSr = 0.02, th = 8 h. Subsequently, the optimal synthesis conditions were verified by three repeated experiments, and the obtained products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and fluorescence spectrometer. The results showed that the synthesized target products all were the mixed crystal phase of SrAl2O4 and Sr4All4O25. The particles presented regular spherical-like with size ~ 100 nm. The dopants Eu and Dy were confirmed existed in the SrAl2O4 powders. The fluorescence and afterglow data of the target products were better than that in the orthogonal experiment scheme. The primary emission spectra band was in the range of 400–600 nm with characteristic peak located at ~ 460 nm corresponding to the transitions of Eu2+ ions from 4f65d→4f7, and the blue light can be observed by naked eyes. The similar fast-decaying and slow-decaying processes were displayed in all the afterglow curves, and the initial afterglow brightness of the target product is apparently higher than that of products synthesized by the orthogonal experiment. The synthesized target products, which show excellent long afterglow performance, present a great application prospects in the aspects of ceramics, plastics, arts and crafts, ink and coating.

Multi-element detection in sea water using preconcentration procedure and EDXRF technique

A method was optimized for detecting trace elements in sea water using Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique. Sea water samples were pre-concentrated using ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) as chelating agent and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as organic phase. The preconcentrated samples were dried to form thin films on mylar substrate and analysed using EDXRF spectrometer. The multi-element standard samples prepared in synthetic sea water were used for EDXRF instrument calibration. The instrument was calibrated for 11 elements namely As, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Ga, Pb, Se, Sc, V and Zn using linear regression method for concentration up to 200 ppb. The detection limits achieved for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Ga, Pb, Se, Sc, V and Zn were 13, 70, 5.1, 36, 15, 36, 23, 11, 20, 13 and 40 ppb respectively. The optimized method was used for determination of elements in sea water collected from the Thane creek, Mumbai, India. The results were checked for accuracy by comparing it with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP AES) technique. The comparison showed the discrepancy of results to be insignificant at 95% confidence level.

Fine line screen printed silver electrodes for copper electrodeposition

Purpose In this paper, results of the studies on the copper deposition on screen-printed fine-line front electrode of the solar cell were presented. The silver consumption is an important problem according to growing silver prices. The proposed solution of those problems might be printing of a very thin silver seed layer and subsequent copper plating. This process can be an alternative for typically used screen printing. The purpose of this study was the optimization of the finger path fabrication process to obtain required geometric of fingers for copper deposition. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, double-step metallization process was analyzed. The first step of an electrode formation is screen printing, the second one is copper electrodeposition. Presented investigations were focused on the optimization of the finger path fabrication process to obtain required geometric dimensions and sharp border of fingers. The morphology of the electrodes was characterized by scanning electron microscope before and after copper deposition. The X-ray analysis of elemental arrangement and cross-section profiles of fingers were made using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Findings Presented investigations were focused on the optimization of the finger path fabrication process to obtain required geometric dimensions and sharp border of fingers without any silver particles. The main problem of non-uniform silver paste distribution close to the border of printed finger paths was eliminated by selection of appropriate paste and printing parameters. The obtained coatings were soft, ductile and bright. Originality/value The novelty of the presented approach is modification of the printing parameters, especially for copper deposition. In this paper, the reasons of the widening of electrodes during the copper deposition process is analyzed.

A non-invasive in situ methodology to characterise the lacquers and metals from the Edo period Japanese armour

Japanese armour is thought to have evolved from the armour used in ancient China and Korea. Few are the works dealing with the characterisation of the materials used to create this appreciate artworks and most of them are focused on the characterisation of the helmet. In this work we present for the first time an in situ non-invasive methodology to characterise the composition of both metals/alloys and lacquers used to create a Japanese armour from the Edo period (1603–1869) property of the Armoury Museum of Alava (Basque Country, Spain). The armour was in situ investigated, without the necessity of taking any sample, for its later conservation in the Restoration Service from the Provincial Council of Alava (Basque Country, Spain). Firstly, by means of the use of a hand-held energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (HH-ED-XRF), the elemental composition of the metals/alloys of the armour was evaluated. This analysis determined that the kabuto (helmet) and the dō (cuirass) were made of at least seven different materials including their main body and decorations. Apart from the elemental characterisation and by using a portable Fourier Transform infrared spectrometer, which implements a Diffuse Reflectance sampling interface (DRIFT), the nature of the lacquer used in the armour was also determined (urushi). Thanks to the penetrating analysis that can be achieved using the HH-ED-XRF the nature of the substrate used to lacquer the armour was also approached. Moreover, portable Raman spectroscopy also assisted DRIFT results in the identification of later interventions (nitrocellulose) done in the lacquered areas avoiding any sampling process and further analysis in the laboratory.

A Streamlined Approach by a Combination of Bioindication and Geostatistical Methods for Assessing Air Contaminants and Their Effects on Human Health in Industrialized Areas: A Case Study in Southern Brazil.

Industrialization in developing countries associated with urban growth results in a number of economic benefits, especially in small or medium-sized cities, but leads to a number of environmental and public health consequences. This problem is further aggravated when adequate infrastructure is lacking to monitor the environmental impacts left by industries and refineries. In this study, a new protocol was designed combining biomonitoring and geostatistics to evaluate the possible effects of shale industry emissions on human health and wellbeing. Futhermore, the traditional and expensive air quality method based on PM2.5 measuring was also used to validate the low-cost geostatistical approach. Chemical analysis was performed using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (EDXRF) to measure inorganic elements in tree bark and shale retorted samples in São Mateus do Sul city, Southern Brazil. Fe, S, and Si were considered potential pollutants in the study area. Distribution maps of element concentrations were generated from the dataset and used to estimate the spatial behavior of Fe, S, and Si and the range from their hot spot(s), highlighting the regions sorrounding the shale refinery. This evidence was also demonstrated in the measurements of PM2.5 concentrations, which are in agreement with the information obtained from the biomonitoring and geostatistical model. Factor and descriptive analyses performed on the concentrations of tree bark contaminants suggest that Fe, S, and Si might be used as indicators of industrial emissions. The number of cases of respiratory diseases obtained from local basic health unit were used to assess a possible correlation between shale refinery emissions and cases of repiratory disease. These data are public and may be accessed on the website of the the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Significant associations were found between the health data and refinery activities. The combination of the spatial characterization of air pollution and clinical health data revealed that adverse effects were significant for individuals over 38 years of age. These results also suggest that a protocol designed to monitor urban air quality may be an effective and low-cost strategy in environmentally contaminated cities, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Studies on uptake and retention of trace elements by medicinal plants in the environs of Hassan of South India

The transfer factors of trace elements from soil to medicinal plants were determined in the region of Hassan district of south India. The trace element concentration was determined using the Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectrometer. The transfer factors were found in the order Rb > Sr > Ca > K > Zn > Cu > Mn. The transfer factors were found to be high, for most of the plants. The concentration of Rb and Sr was found to be high in medicinal plants, which can be attributed to the mineralogy of the region and plant morphology.

BADANIE PARAMETRÓW GLEBY Z TERENÓW PRZYWODNYCH

W artykule zaprezentowano wyniki badań próbek gleby z obszaru Podkarpacia pod kątem zawartości wybranych pierwiastków oraz jej składu procentowego. W badaniach wykorzystano zestawy testów kolorymetrycznych oraz spektrometr fluorescencji rentgenowskiej z dyspersją energii, ARL Quart’X EDXRF. Opisano metodologię pobierania próbek oraz stosowane metody badawcze.

The Health Risk of Cd Released from Low-Cost Jewelry.

The composition of the surface layer of 13 low-cost jewelry samples with a high Cd content was analyzed using an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (ED XRF). The analyzed jewels were obtained in cooperation with the Czech Environmental Inspectorate. The jewels were leached in two types of artificial sweat (acidic and alkaline) for 7 days. Twenty microliters of the resulting solution was subsequently placed on a paper carrier and analyzed by an LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectrometry) spectrometer after drying. The Cd content in the jewelry surface layer detected by using ED XRF ranged from 13.4% to 44.6% (weight per weight—w/w). The samples were subsequently leached in artificial alkaline, and the acidic sweat and leachates were analyzed using laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS). The amount of released Cd into alkaline sweat ranged from 24.0 to 370 µg Cd per week, respectively 3.23–61.7 µg/cm2/week. The amount of released Cd into acidic sweat ranged from 16.4 to 1517 µg Cd per week, respectively 3.53–253 µg/cm2/week. The limit of Cd for dermal exposure is not unequivocally determined in the countries of the EU (European Union) or in the U.S. Based on the US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) approach used to establish the reference dose (RfD) for Cd contained in food and information about the bioavailability of Cd after dermal exposure, we assessed our own value of dermal RfD. The value was compared with the theoretical amount of Cd, which can be absorbed into the organism from jewelry in contact with the skin. The calculation was based on the amount of Cd that was released into acidic and alkaline sweat. The highest amount of Cd was released into acidic sweat, which represents 0.1% of dermal RfD and into alkaline sweat, 0.5% of dermal RfD. These results indicate that the analyzed jewelry contains Cd over the limit for composition of jewelry available within the territory of the EU. The determined amount of Cd in analyzed jewelry does not, however, pose a threat in terms of non-carcinogenic toxic effects.

In situ X-ray fluorescence-based method to differentiate among red ochre pigments and yellow ochre pigments thermally transformed to red pigments of wall paintings from Pompeii.

Most of the magnificent wall paintings from the ancient city of Pompeii are decorated with red and yellow colors coming from the ochre pigments used. The thermal impact of the pyroclastic flow from the eruption of Vesuvius, in AD 79, promoted the transformation of some yellow painted areas to red. In this work, original red ochre, original yellow ochre, and transformed yellow ochre (nowadays showing a red color) of wall paintings from Pompeian houses (House of Marcus Lucretius and House of Gilded Cupids) were analyzed by means of a handheld energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to develop a fast method that allows chemical differentiation of the original red ochre and the transformed yellow ochre. Principal component analysis of the multivariate obtained data showed that arsenic is the tracer element to distinguish between both red colored ochres. Moreover, Pompeian raw red and yellow ochre pigments recovered from the burial were analyzed in the laboratory with use of a benchtop energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to confirm the elemental composition and the conclusions drawn from the in situ analysis according to the yellow ochre pigment transformation in real Pompeian wall paintings.

Addition of Mo Zn Fe and Ag into HZSM-5 and NaZSM-5 Catalysts

This research objective was to study a synthesis of metal ZSM-5 catalyst by adding the metals into the HZSM-5 and NaZSM5. Metals used were silver (Ag), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), and Molybdenum (Mo) by allegorizing with the calcined and without calcined catalyst. The catalyst structure was showed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Each catalyst was determined in terms of element quantity by the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer. The results of this research were showed that every type of metal can exchange on Hydrogen or Sodium of HZSM-5 and NaZSM-5, respectively. Molybdenum (Mo), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe) and Silver (Ag) were added into HZSM-5, then the ratio of Si:Al:Metals were 9.24:0.49:1, 48.21:2.66:1, 85.73:4.55:1 and 17.53:0.93:1, respectively. While the Mo, Zn, Fe, and Ag were added into NaZSM-5 to be a complex catalyst. The ratios were 10.11:0.53:1, 43.93:2.44:1, 93.19:5.35:1 and 11.50:0.65:1, respectively. The conclusions indicated that Mo was the best metal that can be added to ZSM-5, while Fe was the less. NaZSM-5 was more efficiency for adding each metal than HZSM-5.

Heavy metal accumulation in some aquatic insects (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) and tissues of Chondrostoma regium (Heckel, 1843) relevant to their concentration in water and sediments from Karasu River, Erzurum, Turkey.

The objectives of this research were to determine and compare the heavy element concentrations in two study areas in Erzurum, Turkey (Aşkale and Dumlu sites). Assessment of some heavy elements in sediment, water, fish (Chondrostoma regium) tissues, and some aquatic insects (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) were carried out in June to August 2014. Heavy element levels in aquatic insect samples and their associated water and sediment were analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer. Fish tissues, from the same habitat, were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Eleven elements (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, Pb) were measured in fish tissues, and 14 elements (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Br, Pb) were measured in insects. According to the results, it can be said that insects were contaminated by water and sediment, thus accumulated higher concentration of some elements than their environment. The fish, which was caught from Aşkale station, accumulates significantly higher level of heavy metals than Dumlu station's fish. The results were compared with national and international standards. The values of some heavy elements were found at higher concentration than the acceptable limits. The possible consequences of these results are briefly discussed from the point of potential hazards to ecology and human health. Element concentrations in fish tissue are below the limits, which are proposed by Turkish Food Codex, FAO/WHO, and EC, and safe for human consumption in the edible parts of fish species in the regions.