Concentrations Of Various Elements Research Articles

Physiochemical Characteristics Analysis of Garrah River Water at Shahjahanpur, Ganga River Basin, Uttar Pradesh, India

This study focuses on the physiochemical analysis of the Garrah River in Shahjahanpur, within the Ganga River Basin, Uttar Pradesh, India. The research evaluates the impact of various pollutants, including industrial and municipal sewage, on the river's water quality. Water samples were collected from three locations along the river, representing different pollution levels. The analysis included parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total suspended solids (TSS), color, odor, electrical conductivity, temperature, chemical oxygen demand (COD), salinity, and the concentrations of various elements. The findings showed variations in water quality parameters, with DO, TSS, COD, and heavy metals indicating significant pollution, particularly downstream. Color and odor also suggested pollution from nearby industries. The study revealed that some parameters exceeded WHO standards for drinking water, raising concerns about health risks from exposure to contaminants like chromium. Urgent actions are required to treat municipal sewage and industrial effluents before discharging into the Garrah River. This research highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and sustainable management of water resources in the Ganga River Basin to protect the ecosystem and local communities. It underscores the importance of improving water quality in the region.

CONTENT OF ELEMENTS IN AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL PLANTS ANALYZED BY USING FAAS INSTRUMENTS

In this present study total four different family medicinal plants namely Azadirachta indica, Cascabela thevetia, Ficus benghalensis and Cassia angustifolia leaves parts collected from the different places of Bidar, Kalaburagi & Yadgir districts. By using standard ratio of FAAS instruments, the solution samples for analysis of elements were prepared. Further analysis of the total 7 essential elements like Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As and Pb were done respectively. The Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (FAAS) is analytical, or radiation source instrument and it is useful for the quantitative analysis of any materials. The average concentration of elements varied between 0.01 mg/L to 1.7 mg/L in all 4 studied Ayurvedic medicinal plants. Here Mg and Pb concentration found to be in higher range, compared to the other elements. Further all studied elemental content were found to be under the permissible limits of WHO. Results could be useful in study of metabolic, enzymatic and physical activity of the samples and also useful for the new modern medicinal preparations. The variations of elemental concentrations in environmental samples were dependents on earth geological soil formation.

Heavy Metal Concentration in Harmattan Dust across Selected Stations in Nigeria

Abstract: The atmospheric assessment of elements and heavy metals concentrations contained in Harmattan dust samples is addressed in this research. From November 2017 to March 2018, suspended Harmattan dust was sampled using locally constructed Australian model gauges installed at each sampling points (Iwo, Oyo, Ilorin, Minna, Abuja, Lafia, and Jos). The gauges used stood around 5.0 meters tall and were made of 10.0 mm plastic bowls installed on a plastic container that was encased in a metal shell for support and stability. The concentrations of various elements and heavy metals included in suspended Harmattan dust across selected Nigerian cities were assessed using particle-induced x-ray emission (PIXE) technology. The samples were subjected to statistical analysis using the ANOVA test in order to discover the significant differences between the positions of the elements in the sample. The suspended Harmattan dust samples revealed the presence of the following eighteen elements: Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, and Zr. Particle-induced x-ray emission (PIXE) demonstrated that these elements are present in various amounts. The samples contain both heavy metals (Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Zr) and non-heavy metals (Na, Mg, Al, Si, Cl, K, Ca, Rb, and Sr). The study’s results indicate that the presence of heavy metals in Harmattan dust can be attributed to various activities within the country. Consequently, it is advised that further research be conducted in order to raise public awareness about environmental issues. Keywords: Harmattan, PIXE, Elements, Dust, Heavy metals.

Electrochemical behavior and cathodic nucleation mechanism of molybdenum ions in NaCl-KCl

The electrochemical behaviors of molybdenum ions in NaCl-KCl molten salt at 750 °C were studied in detail, and pure metallic molybdenum was collected on the cathode. The reduction and diffusion processes of molybdenum ions in NaCl-KCl molten salt were also identified using cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. The diffusion coefficient and nucleation mode of molybdenum ions were analyzed. Electrodeposition was performed at a constant voltage and the variation of current with time was recorded. The variation of Mo element concentration and the valence state of the molten salt bottom product was tested by in situ salt extraction during electrolysis. The result demonstrated that the electrode reduction process of molybdenum ion in NaCl-KCl molten salt at 750 °C was a two-step reaction, Mo(V) → Mo(III) → Mo, all of which was reversible and controlled by diffusion. Meanwhile, the nucleation mode of molybdenum ions was found to be progressive nucleation. It was determined by XRD, SEM and EDS that the primary component of the cathode deposition product was molybdenum.

Interannual variability in otolith biogeochemical signatures of Japanese Spanish mackerel in the Yellow Sea

Fishes often use multiple habitats to complete their life cycles, leading to their unique otolith biogeochemical signatures. Interannual variability in otolith biogeochemical signatures is expected as fish respond to annual environmental variations in their distribution areas. In this study, we focus on Japanese Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius, an abundant commercial species in the Yellow Sea. As highly migratory fish that undergo their entire migratory cycle in a year, S. niphonius is susceptible to environmental variations. Consequently, they are believed to exhibit discernibly distinct migration patterns and varying timings of ontogenetic events across different years. Otolith biogeochemical signatures of 1-year-old spawning adults S. niphonius caught in the Yellow Sea from 2016 to 2018 were measured from core to edge using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LAICP-MS). We hypothesized that the year-specific chemical signature could be found in 2016 as a strong El Niño Southern Oscillation event happened. From 2016 to 2018, converse ontogenetic changing patterns was observed for Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca, with Sr/Ca being positively correlated with sea surface salinity while Ba/Ca being negatively. As expected, the year-specific effect was identified for 2016 cohort but it was only significant on Ba/Ca. During this year, a stronger variation of elemental concentration and an earlier downward shift of Ba/Ca were found. These results provide evidence that otolith biogeochemical signatures have useful applications as natural tags, helping understand the interannual variability in migration of marine fish species.

Chronic drought alters extractable concentrations of mineral elements in Mediterranean forest soils

Soil mineral elements play a crucial role in ecosystem productivity and pollution dynamics. Climate models project an increase in drought severity in the Mediterranean Basin in the coming decades, which could lead to changes in the composition and concentrations of mineral elements in soils. These changes can have significant impacts on the fundamental processes of plant-soil cycles. While previous studies have predominantly focused on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, there is a notable lack of research on the biogeochemical responses of other mineral elements to increasing drought. In this study, we investigated the effects of chronic drought (15 years of experimental rainfall exclusion) and seasonal drought (summer period) on the extractable soil concentrations of 17 mineral elements (arsenic (As), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), sulphur (S), strontium (Sr), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn)) in a Mediterranean holm oak forest. We also explored the potential biotic and abiotic mechanisms underlying the changes in extractable elemental concentrations under chronic drought conditions. Our findings reveal that soil elemental concentrations varied significantly due to seasonal changes and chronic drought, with soil microclimate, biological activity, and organic matter being the main drivers of this variability. Levels of soil water content primarily explained the observed variations in soil elemental concentrations. Most of the mineral elements (13 out of 17) exhibited higher concentrations during winter-spring (wet seasons) compared to summer-autumn (dry seasons). The chronic drought treatment resulted in K limitation, increasing vegetation vulnerability to drought stress. Conversely, the accumulation of S in soils due to drought may intensify the risk of S losses from the plant-soil system. Under drought conditions, certain trace elements (particularly Mn, V, and Cd) exhibited increased extractability, posing potential risks to plant health and the exportation of these elements into continental waters. Overall, our results suggest that alterations in mineral element concentrations under future drier conditions could promote ecosystem degradation and pollution dispersion in the Mediterranean Basin. Understanding and predicting these changes are essential for effective ecosystem management and mitigating the potential negative impacts on plant health and water quality.

Variation in element contents among free-range turkey egg yolks and albumens analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

Poultry eggs are not only a source of nutrients for embryonic development, but also one of the main sources of food for humans. The demand for turkey eggs is increasing day by day due to their functional properties such as supporting muscle and cell formation and being beneficial to the immune and digestive systems. In addition, it contains essential elements such as iron at a reasonable level, which is among the reasons for the consumer's preference. The data on the element content of free-range turkey eggs, which is such an ancient food, is very scarce. This study focused on determining various element content of freerange turkey egg yolk and albumen by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Within the scope of the research, sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), boron (B), aluminum (Al), and lead (Pb) levels were determined in turkey egg yolk (n=52) and albumen (n=52) samples. Phosphorus was the most concentrated element in both egg yolk and albumen. Element contents in yolks were higher than those in albumen, except Na, K, B, Al, and Pb. The element with the lowest concentration was Al in turkey egg yolks, while Mg was the lowest analyzed element in albumens. This study separately exhibited the element content of turkey egg consumers in their preference for egg yolk or albumen

In-plasma analysis of plasma–surface interactions

During deposition, modification, and etching of thin films and nanomaterials in reactive plasmas, many active species can interact with the sample simultaneously. This includes reactive neutrals formed by fragmentation of the feed gas, positive ions, and electrons generated by electron-impact ionization of the feed gas and fragments, excited states (in particular, long-lived metastable species), and photons produced by spontaneous de-excitation of excited atoms and molecules. Notably, some of these species can be transiently present during the different phases of plasma processing, such as etching of thin layer deposition. To monitor plasma–surface interactions during materials processing, a new system combining beams of neutral atoms, positive ions, UV photons, and a magnetron plasma source has been developed. This system is equipped with a unique ensemble of in-plasma surface characterization tools, including (1) a Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometer (RBS), (2) an Elastic Recoil Detector (ERD), and (3) a Raman spectroscopy system. RBS and ERD analyses are carried out using a differentially pumped 1.7 MV ion beam line Tandetron accelerator generating a beam at grazing incidence. The ERD system is equipped with an absorber and is specifically used to detect H initially bonded to the surface; higher resolution of surface H is also available through nuclear reaction analysis. In parallel, an optical port facing the substrate is used to perform Raman spectroscopy analysis of the samples during plasma processing. This system enables fast monitoring of a few Raman peaks over nine points scattered on a 1.6 × 1.6 mm2 surface without interference from the inherent light emitted by the plasma. Coupled to the various plasma and beam sources, the unique set of in-plasma surface characterization tools detailed in this study can provide unique time-resolved information on the modification induced by plasma. By using the ion beam analysis capability, the atomic concentrations of various elements in the near-surface (e.g., stoichiometry and impurity content) can be monitored in real-time during plasma deposition or etching. On the other hand, the evolution of Raman peaks as a function of plasma processing time can contribute to a better understanding of the role of low-energy ions in defect generation in irradiation-sensitive materials, such as monolayer graphene.

Variation in essential mineral element and toxic trace element concentrations in the seeds of Sri Lankan rice varieties as affected by milling and soil fertility

Concentration of mineral elements in rice seeds may vary depending on the soil fertility status and seed polishing (milling). In order to test this, 54 rice varieties were grown in the fields used to cultivate rice either with or without applying fertilizers for over 40 years. Part of the seeds collected from those varieties was polished before using for element analyses using ICP-MS while the rest considered as unpolished seeds. When comparing unpolished rice seeds produced at fertilized and unfertilized sites, the concentrations of Mg, Ca, K, Mn, Co, Cu, As and Cd were decreased, and the concentrations of Na, Al, Fe, Zn, and Mo were unchanged from fertilized to unfertilized sites. When comparing unpolished and polished rice seeds produced at fertilized and unfertilized sites, seed Mg, K, Mn, Fe, Co and Zn concentrations were higher in unpolished seeds than those in polished seeds, and the concentrations of Na, Al, Mo, Cd, As and Pb were similar between polished and unpolished seeds. Estimated values revealed that rice contributed 4–15% of the daily requirement of Fe, Cu, Zn, and 50–60% Mo irrespective of the soil fertility and polishing. Seed concentrations of As, Pb and Cd were lower than the maximum allowable levels. However, rice consumption contributed to the daily intake of 4–8 µg as, 2–6.5 µg Cd, and 19–25 µg Pb. Improving soil fertility is required to enrich rice seeds with most of the micronutrients and the milling should be done with much care to minimize nutrient loss in human diet.

A data screening approach to confirming a target mineral is chlorite using EPMA and LA‐ICPMS data

AbstractApplying machine learning techniques to large datasets of in situ analyses has been proven to be a powerful tool in Earth Sciences. However, problems may arise when dealing with minerals such as chlorite, that exist as a solid solution rather than a single, stoichiometric ideal. It can be difficult to determine whether the variations in major element concentrations are due to compositional difference in the mineral of interest or due to sampling of the surrounding mineral phases in addition to the mineral of interest during the analyses. If the latter, interpretations of the results would be complicated, misled or even spurious. Here we present a method to identify chlorite based on the major and minor element content, from both LA‐ICPMS and EPMA data. Further we present a dataset of 3,317 analyses of chlorite and have shown that 7.4% of these analyses include significant quantities of non‐chlorite material.

Oscillatory Zoned Liddicoatite from Anjanabonoina, Central Madagascar. III. Trace Elements

Abstract Large crystals of liddicoatite (tourmaline) from the Anjanabonoina Pegmatite of Central Madagascar are well-known for their distinct patterns of oscillatory zoning. This study follows two previous investigations, in which the crystal chemistry (Lussier et al. 2011a) and variations of major chemical constituents (Lussier & Hawthorne 2011) were characterized in detail. Here, the variations of elements present only at the trace level are investigated. The measurement by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of 26 trace elements, with abundances spanning four orders of magnitude (∼10−1 to 103 ppm) is reported. Trace elements were analyzed along continuous analytical traverses from the core to the rim of the crystal. Abundance profiles for most of the trace elements quantified (21 of 26) show clear oscillations that coincide with optical oscillatory zoning features. Throughout the crystal, the occurrence of compositional oscillation is independent of trace-element abundance; even where mean abundance is low, ∼1 ppm (e.g., V3+, Y3+, Th4+), oscillatory behavior is clear. Conversely, the magnitude of the oscillatory amplitude shows a strong near-linear dependence on element abundance. Within individual oscillatory zones, four unique line-shapes are observed, each differentiated by (1) the direction of a compositional discontinuity at the zone limits and (2) the orientation of the nonlinear curvature across the zone. For any individual zone, the variation in element concentration, C, can be fitted to the equation C = ±Aeλ(x−Φ)+ Δ where A is the zone amplitude; Φ is a reference position, and λi and Δi are fitted parameters. Comparison of the fitted equations shows that linear correlation between element pairs is common, occurring between pairs consisting of trace–trace, trace–major, and major–major elements. The oscillatory behavior of constituent elements is related to the location of the trace element in the tourmaline structure, with elements at the X- and Y-sites typically showing increases and decreases in abundance over single oscillatory zones. Throughout each zone, Mg has high abundance (∼104 ppm) at the start of each zone, followed by an extremely abrupt decrease in abundance, typically over a distance of <1 mm, making its behavior different to that of other elements (both trace and major). Finally, there are systematic differences in trace-element abundances between pyramid {201} and prism {100} sectors of the crystal, echoing the differences observed for major elements between these two sectors and consistent with face-dependent differences in element uptake.

Geochemistry of Neoproterozoic Nagod Limestones from the Girgita Mine, Bhander Group, Madhya Pradesh, India

Vindhyan limestone of the Bander Group (Late Neoproterozoic) in the Maihar area, Satna district, is a part of an anticlinal fold and it forms an outlier in the study area. Geochemical analysis reveals that the proportion of Rare Earth Elements (REEs; La-Lu) in limestones varies between 14.8 ppm and 49.5 ppm. The Eu and Ce anomalies (normalized against Post Archean Australian Shale; PAAS) range from ~ 0.53 to 0.69 and ~ 0.57 to 1.07, respectively. The results of this study revealed that the limestones were principally controlled by the admixture of detrital materials, i.e., (i) The low values of REEs (ii) high values of Y/Ho (iii) positive correlation between REEs and Si, Al, Ti, V, Co, Ni, and Nb, and (iv) slightly negative correlation between CaO and REEs. Further, the variations in Ce anomaly may be due to the influx of detrital materials and positive Ce anomaly was attributable to the shallow marine depositional condition. The distribution of REEs (Chondrite normalized values) illustrates different patterns in the Nagod limestone due to the degree of differentiation in terms of LREEs and HREEs and Eu anomaly. The variations in elemental concentrations and the REE patterns revealed the mixing of detrital materials in the Nagod limestones.

Species and reproductive status influence element concentrations in bat fur

To assess the impact of increasing pollutant levels on wildlife, we measured chemical contaminant loads in bats with different habitat and dietary preferences. Samples were taken from the fur of bats (Eptesicus nilssonii, Myotis brandtii, Myotis mystacinus and Plecotus auritus) to measure concentrations of 55 elements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Variations in element concentrations between different bat groups (species, sex, reproductive status) were analysed with a focus on arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) as these are known to cause specific health concerns in wildlife. For M. brandtii we found the highest As concentrations, especially in lactating bats, with a maximum exceeding those from other studies where bats had compromised health. Whereas for M. mystacinus there was a negative correlation between body condition index (BCI) and As concentration, indicating a potential danger for bats in the study area. In M. mystacinus and M. brandtii Hg concentrations were higher for sixteen individuals than in other studies where bats suffered genotoxic effects, although median levels were still below this threshold. Lactating bats from P. auritus and M. brandtii had higher Hg concentrations than bats of other reproductive status, which could endanger offspring as Hg can be transferred through lactation. In females from M. mystacinus Pb concentrations were more than three times higher compared to males. There was also a negative correlation between Pb concentration and BCI, which could mean that Pb has an adverse effect on health. Although many other biotic and abiotic factors should be considered, some of the variations in element concentrations could be due to different behaviours (foraging, roosting, etc.) in the studied species. The high levels of chemical contamination in some of the bats in our study, particularly reproductive individuals, is of conservation concern as bats are important agents for insect control.

Mineralogy and elemental geochemistry of pyrite coal-balls, Datong Coalfield, Shanxi Province, China: Implications for differentiation mechanism

The pyrite coal-balls found in No.9 coal of Taiyuan Formation in Dongzhouyao Mine of Datong Coalfield were selected to investigate its mineralogy and elemental geochemistry using optical microscope observation, scanning electron microscopy combined with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDX), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis (ICP-MS), laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA). Due to the high content of pyrite, the major-element oxides in the coal-ball samples were mainly Fe2O3, with an average of 62.68 %. LA-ICP-MS results showed that coal-balls were enriched in Tl (CC = 32.79), Pb (CC = 9.22), and Mo (CC = 2.07), while the coals in the same layer were enriched in Ga (CC = 5.31), Tl (CC = 3.66), and Li (CC = 2.27). Affinities to S or Fe and the variation of elemental concentration in the environment during the formation of coal-balls were the primary factor of the elemental differentiation between coals and coal-balls, as well as within coal-balls. The coal-balls formed in four stages in a marine-continental transition environment, with Fe from terrestrial sources and S from marine phases, and its physical origin is basically consistent with that of some Carboniferous-Permian coals in the Datong Coalfield. According to the formation sequence and geochemical characteristics, four periods of pyrite coal-balls evolution have been proposed.

Geochemistry of syntaxial calcite veins in ultra-deep sandstone reservoirs from the Kuqa depression, western China

Extensional fractures filled with calcite are widespread in the ultra-deep reservoir sandstones of the Cretaceous Bashijiqike Formation (>6000 m) in the Kuqa Depression, western China. Microstructures of calcite veins provide an excellent opportunity for investigating fracture opening processes in a tectonically active, ultra-deep foreland basin setting. The syntaxial calcite vein is the dominant type and is formed through a single crack-seal event. Calcite crystals in fractures show blocky and elongated blocky shapes. The textural and geochemical characteristics of syntaxial calcite veins were investigated in detail using optical cathodoluminescence, trace element distributions and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes. Calcite veins were inferred to have precipitated from a mixture of seawater and meteoric water. ∑REE + Y and elemental concentrations of Mg2+, Mn2+, Fe2+ and Sr2+ both increase from fracture walls to the center. This process was controlled by temperature, crystal growth rate and variations in elemental concentration in a relatively closed environment. Medium REE-bulge patterns after Post Archean Average Shale (PAAS) normalization, negative δCe and positive δEu anomalies all indicate that calcite wall-rock cements and veins may inherit constituents from seawater and from meteoric water containing feldspar-weathering components, respectively. Both 13δCPDB and 18δOSMOW of the parent fluids imply that calcite veins were primarily precipitated from seawater under a relatively closed diagenetic environment. Considering the scope and timing of the transgression of the Tethyan Ocean in the study area, meteoric water may have been retained prior to the seawater invasion (65 Ma). The mixing of meteoric water and seawater within the reservoir could be the primary origin of the fluids forming the calcite veins.

Investigations on dross formation susceptibility in laser fusion cutting of different stainless steel compositions with emphasis on minor element effects

The problem of variable susceptibility to dross formation or cast-to-cast variations in the performance of solid-state laser fusion cutting of 2 mm stainless steel sheets is investigated. The conducted study considered five different steel batches that each fully meets the material specifications of AISI 304 steel but show variations in minor element concentrations, particularly with respect to the sulfur content. Based on the hypothesis that the dross formation phenomenon correlates with surface tension and viscosity of the melt, the general melt flow behavior of the batches was first characterized by complementary experimental and simulative investigations. This combined approach allowed for a qualitative distinction of batches with a primary negative or positive temperature coefficient (NTC/PTC) of surface tension. Subsequent cutting experiments on qualitatively different batches with variations in cutting speed and gas pressure give evidence that an experienced wider processing window for dross-free cuts relates to PTC batches. However, these batches showed more irregular cut edge topography with slightly increased roughness values. It is consequently concluded that proper quality management in laser cutting of different batches of a material needs to consider the real composition of the materials being cut.

Historical fluxes of metal and metalloids in an aquatic ecosystem affected by land-use change and mining activities in northwestern Mexico

Freshwater reservoirs are essential owing because of their ecological, economic, and social importance. They are particularly vulnerable to contamination, as of metal and metalloids, derived from anthropogenic activities like mining. The temporal variations in trace element concentrations (arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)), enrichment, fluxes, and possible sources were evaluated by studying two sediment cores from the La Angostura (ANG) Reservoir (northwest Mexico), using 210Pb geochronology. The enrichment factors showed from null to minor enrichment for most elements, but moderate to severe enrichment of mercury (Hg). Most trace element concentrations had a detrital origin, and notable Hg concentration increases since the past decade were associated with severe drought periods, likely resulting from wildfires. The observed sediment concentrations of As and Hg can cause adverse effects on biota in the ecosystem since they are above the probable effect level (PEL). Development of strategies for metal attenuation in this reservoir is recommended and metals should be controlled until specific ecotoxicological studies are performed.

Establishment of an experimental system for X-ray fluorescence analysis with excitation using 3H/Zr source: Evaluation and applications

The goal of this study is to establish and assess an experimental apparatus for X-ray fluorescence analysis with elemental excitation in materials using a 3H/Zr source. The limits of detection and quantification, as well as analytical sensitivity, were estimated using a linear curve methodology. Furthermore, accuracy and precision were assessed by quantitatively analyzing the components of the reference material. The limits of detection and quantification of elements such as S, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ta, and Pb were estimated to range from 3.7 mg kg−1 to 573 mg kg−1, depending on the analyte. Analytical sensitivities were found to be between 1.2 and 867 cps/%. The measured elemental concentrations in the reference sample were compared with the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method, and all bias (%) values were found to be lower than 10%. This study also determined the levels of Ca, Ti, Mn, and Fe in cement and K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Zn in tea leaves. The results showed that the 3H/Zr source could detect and quantify components at concentrations of a few mg kg−1 or higher. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is suggested for the analysis of the concentration of various elements in environmental, geological, food, and other samples.

Study on thermal degradation of poly (1,4 phenylene terephthalamide) and its volatile products by unadorned setup of Pyrolysis and subsequent UV–VIS spectroscopy

Pyrolysis involves the elimination of moisture and volatile components from fibrous materials by cleavage of molecular bonds to finally obtain carbon-rich residues. Over the years, there have been numerous studies on the pyrolysis of poly (1,4 phenylene terephthalamide) (Kevlar) and characterization of volatile products by using various analytical techniques. The main objectives of this work were to exhibit a simple and straightforward pyrolysis method using a smelting furnace, concurrently condensing the volatile products on a cold surface, followed by acquiring information on progressive changes in concentrations of decomposition products and their difference in volatility using UV-Vis spectroscopy, and to subsequently demonstrate an interesting algorithm for separation of mixture spectra. Variations in concentration of major elements (C, N, S, and O) were also monitored as a function of pyrolysis temperature. An increase in the concentration of volatile products was observed above 500 °C, reaching maximum at 700 °C and then progressively decreases towards the final temperature of 1100 °C. Separation of mixture spectra was attempted using the concept of spectral matrix decomposition to decompose measured spectra into possible spectra of individual components with the objective of proposing a fast and inexpensive method coupled with computational aid that contributes to kinetic studies of pyrolytic processes.

Intra‐ and interspecific variation in trace element concentrations in feathers of north European trans‐African migrants

The knowledge of migratory connectivity is important for understanding the potential drivers of populations and it is thus important for conservation implications. Migratory connectivity of species can be studied using exogenous, such as rings and transmitters, or endogenous markers, such as stable isotopes and trace elements. The use of trace elements has been much less frequently studied compared to stable isotopes. Trace elements can be studied from the feathers of birds and this does not necessarily require trapping of individuals. Here we studied the variation of 18 different trace elements in feathers of two long‐distance trans‐African migrants, willow warblers Phylloscopus trochilus and barn swallows Hirundo rustica, using body feathers of museum specimens of birds from Finnish breeding grounds. The trace elements were measured using laser‐ablation inductively‐coupled‐plasma mass‐spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS). We show that trace element concentrations were relatively stable along the rachis within the same feather except in Ni and S, which showed a quadratic pattern. In general, variation within feathers of the same individuals was smaller than in feathers between individuals for most elements. Furthermore, concentrations of 11 trace elements showed significantly higher concentrations in willow warbler feathers collected in spring than in autumn, moulted in African wintering grounds and European breeding grounds, respectively. Last, concentrations of seven trace elements were significantly higher in the spring feathers of willow warblers compared to barn swallows. This suggests that trace elements could be used to separate moulting grounds of the birds on the larger scale within the same species, but also sampling design should be carefully considered.