Multi-element Content Research Articles

Performance of flowing sample neutron activation analysis technique for determination of multi-elemental content

In order to measure and obtain reliable data about elements via measuring of short-lived isotopes in liquid samples using neutron activation analysis, experi- ments have been carried out using a flowing sample neu- tron activation analysis method. During this work the performance and reliability for the proposed method have been tested using synthetic multi elements liquid samples. The radionuclide, associated elements and their concen- tration level have been measured using a counting system with a fixed dead-time. An HPGe spectrometry system was used to determine the most important c-ray energies and intensities of these isotopes. The obtained results demon- strated the reliability and accuracy (bias \5 % and zeta score \2) of the tested method for determination the ele- mental content of liquid samples.

Geochemical approach to assessing human impacts in Cork Oak forest soils of the MED region

Cork oak forests in the MED region are of critical social and ecological value and under stress from both environmental change and variation in management practice. This study, as part of a NATO Science for Peace project (SfP 981674), evaluated geochemical methods to assess potentially toxic element (PTE) input to field sites from Quercus suber forests in Tabarka (Tunisia) and an experimental control forest managed by ARGIS-Sardega (Italy). Surface and subsurface soil samples were collected from environmentally comparable sites in the two regions. Sites were identified with varied stand and shrub density and characterised for basic soil properties and multi element content. The data were evaluated using principle component analysis (PCA) and soil enrichment factors (SEF). Soils showed chemical variability associated with differences in parent material and the effects of biomass density. Contributions from events such as fire damage, as well as biomass, sea salt and geogenic sources can be identified, and evaluation is enhanced using a combination of assessment methods. Ultimately despite concerns for the regulation of forest activities in the study area, little direct anthropogenic impact was on soil quality.

Investigation and analysis of trace element levels in children with osteomalacia malformation from endemic fluorosis area in Shuicheng, Guizhou

Objective To investigate the levels of trace elements such as fluorine(F), and aluminium (Al)etc. of osteomalacia malformation children and to make etiological diagnosis in reference with clinical manifestations.Methods Urine and occipitalia hairs of 14 diseased children(patient group) from endemic fluorosis area and 13 healthy children(control group) from non-endemic area were included in the study on November, 2008, and contents of 10 elements of fluorine(F), aluminum(Al), chromium(Cr), manganese(Mn), ferrum(Fe), cuprum(Cu), zinc(Zn), arsenic (As), selenium(Se), strontium(Sr), and barium(Ba) were tested. The data were analyzed with medical soft package PEMS 3.1. Results Urinary contents of F, Al, Mn, Cu, Sr, and Se(1.18 mg/L, 112.6 μg/L,6.62,29.86 mg/L, 177.5,4.23 ng/L) in patient group were significantly different from those in control group (0.48,47.1,2.04,16.61 mg/L, 55.17,15.52 ng/L, t = 4.592,2.486,4.850,2.210 2.078,2.912, all P＜ 0.05); Hair contents of Al, Mn, As, Sr, Ba, Fe, and Se in patient group(59.27,5.26,0.96,1.50,1.29,297.13,0.45 mg/kg)were significantly different from those of control group( 18.69,0.72,1.09,0.62,0.68,69.02,1.323 mg/kg, t = 4.583,6.318,3.309,2.704,5.606,6.294, all P ＜ 0.05); in patient group, the correlation coefficients of urinary Fe to Al,Zn, As, and Se were all bigger tan 0.662(all P＜ 0.05), those of urinary Se to Mn, Ba, Cu, Zn, Sr, and As were all bigger than 0.694(all P＜ 0.05), those among urinary Mn, Sr, As, and Ba were bigger than 0.550(all P＜0.05), those of hair Al to Mn, Cr, Fe, and Cu were bigger than 0.732(all P＜ 0.05), those of hair Ba to Mn,Cr, Fe, and Sr, and of hair Mn to Cr and Fe, and those between Cr and As, between Cu and Sr were all bigger than 0.686 (all P ＜ 0.05). In control group, the correlation coefficients of urinary Cu to Zn, Se, and Ba, those of Zn to Se and Ba, and those of Cr to Mn and Ba were all bigger than 0.516(all P ＜ 0.05), those of hair Al to Mn,Fe, Cu, As, and Se, and those of hair Se to Fe, Cu, and As, those of hair Fe to Mn, Cu, and As, those of hair Cu to Zn and As, and that between Zn and As were bigger than 0.739(all P ＜ 0.05). The correlation coefficient of urinary F to Se in patient group(0.762) was significantly different from that in control group( - 0.469, u = 2.079,P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions The burden of F and Al of osteomalacia malformation children in endemic fluorosis area of Shuicheng county is too high. The contents of multi-elements in urine and hairs and their correlation are coincident with high levels of Al and F and they cause network increase of multi-element content changes and their correlation. According to bone X-ray features combining with the living environment, the diagnosis of endemic Al-F fluorosis can be made. The biological significance of reducing urinary and hair Se levels and the correlations of F and Al need to be further studied. Key words: Fluoride poisoning; Aluminum compounds; Selenium; Osteomalacia; Endemic diseases

INAA of ancient glass beads from Sungai Mas archaeological site, Bujang Valley, Malaysia

The multi-elemental content of sixteen glass beads and eight glass samples from archeological site Sg Mas in Bujang Valley (finding from 5 th to 14 th century) were assayed by neutron activation analysis (NAA). Ten beads differed in colour and eight of them were opaque. Contents of twentyfour elements, which might be present in the samples as a flux, stabilizer, colorants or opacifier were examined. The elements Al, Br, Cl, Co, Cr, Fe, Hf, K, Mn, Na, Sc,Th, Zn and Zr were detectable in all samples. On the other hand, concentration of the elements As, Ba, Ca, Cs, Rb, Sb, Ta, Ti, U, and V were below the detection limit in some samples. The concentration of elements found are discussed in terms of color and/or opacity of the glass bead and glass samples. Although the elemental composition does not fully explain the color and opacity of the studied materials, it can still be used as fingerprint of the glass used for the bead making.

The multi-element content of the lichen Parmelia sulcata, soil, and oak bark in relation to acidification and climate

Understanding how biodiversity is influenced by changing atmospheric conditions is important for conservation, public policy and environmental health. In a recent study, an impact on two of the most abundant lichens in Europe ( Parmelia sulcata and Hypogymnia physodes) was recorded at Burnham Beeches lying 40 km west of London (UK) during unusual atmospheric conditions whilst other species remained unaffected. Bark and soil chemistry also influence lichen vitality and community composition. Correlations between element concentrations and element ratios in different samples help understand element cycling. To study this further, the multi-element content of the lichen P. sulcata and bark sampled in 2000 from 16 oak ( Quercus robur) trees at Burnham Beeches was compared with the same elements determined in 24 surface soils sampled in 2005 from beneath the same trees. Soil pH ranged from 4.1 to 6.7. Highly significant correlations ( p < 0.001) for Mn/Ca ratios in lichen versus bark, soil versus bark and soil versus lichen samples confirmed cycling via the soil–tree–lichen system. Similar Mn/Ca ratios were reported in coniferous forests where high Mn concentrations were shown to limit epiphytic lichen abundance. Soil acidification influences element bioavailability and bark chemistry in Burnham Beeches with implications for lichen diversity and health. Recovery was recorded in P. sulcata, including regeneration within monitoring quadrats. Biological systems are well known to be influenced by pollution episodes.

Analysis of Uranium Bearing Samples for Rare Earth and Other Elements by k0-Based Internal Monostandard INAA Method

A k0-based internal monostandard instrumental neutron activation analysis (IM-INAA) method was applied for the multielement analysis in uranium bearing samples. Spectral interference correction factors in INAA due to neutron induced fission of uranium for La, Ce, Nd, Zr, Ru, and Mo as well as activation of uranium for Sm and Lu were evaluated using elemental standards. The correction factors were validated by standard addition method in a synthetic sample containing known amount of natuural uranium. For evaluating the accuracy of the IM-INAA method, the low uranium containing SRM 1633a (coal fly ash) obtained from NIST was used. For method validation of analysis of uranium bearing sample, SRM 1633a spiked with uranium (about 0.05%) was analyzed by IM-INAA method. The standardized IM-INAA method was applied to analyze uranium ore samples obtained from Jaduguda and Bhatin mines, Jharkhand, India for multielement content including U, Th, and rare earth elements (REEs). Chondrite normalized REE patterns were plotted for obtaining Ce and Eu anomalies.

Trace multi-element content of lubricant oil by instrumental neutron activation

Trace multi-element content of lubricant oil by instrumental neutron activation

Biogeochemical signatures in the lichen Hypogymnia physodes in the mid Urals

Multi-element content and uranium (U) isotopes were investigated in the lichen Hypogymnia physodes (native and transplants) sampled across a 60-km transect, centred on Karabash smelter town, from Turgoyak Lake (SW) to Kyshtym (NE) to investigate the origin of U. Kyshtym was the site of a major nuclear accident in 1957. 234U/ 238U activity ratios in native thalli sampled during July 2001 were within the natural isotopic ratio in minerals. Uranium/thorium (U/Th) ratios were higher in native thalli towards the NE (average 0.73) than those in the SW (average 0.57). Element signatures in native thalli and transplants suggest U was derived from fossil fuel combustion from Karabash and sources lying further to the east. Systematic and significant U enrichment indicative of a nuclear fuel cycle source was not detected in any sample. Element signatures in epiphytic lichen transplants and native thalli provide a powerful method to evaluate U deposition.

Determination of concentrations of elements in the atmospheric aerosol of the urban and rural areas of Beijing in winter.

The proton-induced X-ray emission technique is one of the most suitable methods in the study of the multielement content of atmospheric aerosols. Atmospheric aerosol samples were collected in winter using an eight-stage cascade impactor at a site of the urban center and a rural site of Beijing. The aerosol samples collected were analyzed to determine maximum, minimum, and average concentrations of up to 20 elements and the ratios of the average element concentrations for the coarse to fine particles (C/F) by the PIXE technique. It has been found that the average elemental concentrations in the urban center are higher than those in the rural area, except S and Br. The concentrations for S and Pb in the atmospheric aerosols are found to be less than the results of previous measurement, but their concentrations in the fine particles increased in winter in the samples from the urban center. The deposition probability of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) mode and the mass particle-size distributions of the elements determined in the urban center have been utilized to evaluate inhalable particulate matter fractions retained in the three regions of one's respiratory tract and their harm to human health is discussed.

Multielement contamination of British motorway environments

The multielement content of vegetation, surface soil and dust samples collected along the M1, M6 and M25 motorways and analysed by inductively coupled plasma-source mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is presented. A review is made of the elemental content of petrol and diesel. Analytical precision and accuracy was checked by analysis of IAEA Soil 5, NIST: SRM 1575 Pine Needles and NIST: SRM 1578 Orchard Leaves reference material with inter-analytical method comparison using neutron activation analysis (NAA). Eleven elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Mo, Cd and Ce) clearly show elevated levels with increasing mean traffic density. For some elements the increase in magnitude is nearly 10-fold more than background values from the North Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Channel Island of Alderney. Elemental values for the M25 are generally higher than the M1 and M6 motorways. Enhanced elemental levels are related to traffic flow problems and thereby increased fuel consumption. Raised bromine levels are assumed to be related to the addition of ethylene dibromide — a lead scavenger — to petrol. The presence of other elements is associated with the wear of tyres and brake pads (Cd, Zn, Mn, Cu) the corrosion of welded metal plating (V, Ce, Ni, Cr) and the possible combustion of lubricating oils (Cd, Cu, V, Zn and Mo). Maximum elemental concentrations occur in surface soils indicating deposition of dust-borne particulates, splash and aerosol dispersion or motorway surface run-off. The multielement interactions in motorway environments is discussed.

Multielement content of coal by neutron activation analysis techniques

Neutron activation analysis methods incorporating thermal and prompt gamma-rays have been developed for the determination of Al, Ag, As, Au, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, W and Zn in NBS-SRM 1635 (Subbituminous) coal standard, and coals from the Barnsley-Wakefield (South Yorkshire, England) area. Precision and accuracy for multielement analysis ranged from 2,5–12.4% with good argeement with teported values for NBS-SRM 1635. Comparison is reported of the elemental values for coal from Canada, Nigeria and Bulgaria. Boron values determined by PGAA at Silwood Park, England and Listitut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France showed relatively good agreement.

Detection of air pollution sources in israel by isotope-induced XRF

Aerosol samples from urban, industrial and traffic areas were collected and analyzed for various elements. The correlation between the multielement content of the samples and their sources was studied. It was found necessary to anlayze samples before and after ashing because, while ashing improves the peak-to-background ratio, volatile elements may be lost. Samples collected at heights of 1.5 and 15 m were found to have the same elemental composition. Samples collected on consecutive filters showed sharp elemental fractionation An example of source identification is given for a high traffic area as compared with an area in which a large bromine plant is located. In both cases different Pb∶Br ratios were observed, with high bromine concentration in the latter. The analytical method used was based on the detection of characteristic K and L X-rays induced by a241Am-I source-target assembly.

Use of radioisotope induced X-ray fluorescence for environmental studies

The rapid assay of the trace multi-element content of environmental samples (lake sediment) is described. The method utilized X-ray fluorescence induced by a109Cd radioisotopic source with energy dispersive quantitative detection of the characteristic X-rays of nine elements, ranging from Ti to Zr using Si(Li) semiconductor detector. The method precludes pre-digestion or chemical treatment of the samples, and compairs favorably with the results of atomic absorption assay methods.