The determination of boron in biological materials by neutron irradiation and prompt gamma-ray spectrometry

A prompt-gamma neutron activation technique has been developed using the (n, ) apparatus situated at the O degree through-tube of the Imperial College CONSORT II Reactor with a thermal neutron flux at the target position of approximately 2×10⁶ n cm^–2 sec^–1, and a Compton-suppression system involving a lithium-drifted germanium (Ge(Li)) detector and a sodium iodide anti-Compton shield. Boron levels of 1–5 g g^–1 (detection limit 0.05 g B for 10,000 sec period of measurement) can be attained using the Compton-suppression system with graphical inter-polation correction for the 472 keV sodium-ray peak contribution to the Doppler-broadened 478 keV boron gamma-ray peak resulting from the¹⁰B(n, )⁷Li reaction. Very good agreement is reached for boron levels compared using this system for various Standard Reference Materials and other published values. Measurement of the boron content of bone and tooth samples from rheumatoid arthritis individuals shows lower levels, (p<0.05); 16.13±7.53 g g^–1, when compared with a control population; 19.79±4.18 g g^–1. A positive correlation existed between the boron content of bone and tooth material for each study group. Results indicate that boron availability may be associated with rheumatoid arthritis.     

Trace element analysis of some shaving powders commonly marketed in Nigeria using instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) technique has been employed viak ₀ approximation method to determine elemental composition of five shaving powders commonly marketed in Nigeria. Fe displayed the highest concentrations in the range 1000–2000 g·g^–1. Na and Zn concentrations were established in the range 200–400 g·g^–1. Heavy elements like Ga, La, Cr, Co, Ag, Ce and Nd concentrations were noted in the lower range of 1–10 g·g^–1 Br, As, Sb, Sm, Eu, W, Cs, Tb, Yb, Hf, Ta, Th and U concentrations were established in even lower traces in the <1 g·g^–1 range. Results obtained for a certified reference material, CANMET BL-1 and CERT (in house) Kaolin standard compared favourably with the literature values thus establishing the results presented for the shaving powders.     

Rare earths and other trace elements in cretaceous clays from central Portugal

Eight rare-earth elements (REE), namely La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, and Lu, as well as other elements (Na, K, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Rb, Cs, Ba, Hf, Ta, and Th), have been determined in fifteen cretaceous clay samples of continental facies by instrumental neutron activation analysis. It was found that the REE contents are variable in absolute and relative values, but the means of these values are similar to those of European, shales. Analyses have also been made of the fractions <38 m and <2 m (clay-sized). The mineral contents of the clay-sized fraction were determined semi-quantitatively by X-ray diffraction. The results suggest the preferential presence of REE, Hf, and Th in fractions 2–38 m, which can be explained by the presence of apatite, monazite, and zircon. A correlation study of chemical and mineralogical data of the clay-sized fraction showed that kaolinite is correlated with REE, specially the lighter ones; illite with K, Rb, and Cs; and smectite with Na.     

Trace and minor elements in four commercial honey brands

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to measure the concentrations of 24 elements in four honey brands commercially available in Austin, Texas (USA). The measured elements (and concentration) were: As, (<30 ng/g); Ba, (<2 g/g); Br, (0.24–0.49 g/g); Ce, (<20 ng/g); Co, (9–180 ng/g); Cr, (37–64 ng/g); Cs, (<3–45 ng/g); Fe, (<4–15.9 g/g); Hf, (<3 ng/g); Hg, (1 ng/g); K, (91–230 g/g); La, (<4 ng/g); Na, (20.3–25.3 g/g); Ni, (0.39–0.77 g/g); Rb, (68–340 ng/g); Sb, (13–61 ng/g); Sc, (<0.3–200 ng/g); Se, (<20 ng/g); Sm, (<9 ng/g); Sr, (<2 ng/g); Th, (<4 ng/g); U, (<30 ng/g); Zn, (3.36–4.61 g/g); and Zr, (<0.5–0.84 g/g). The results obtained were compared to the concentration of the same elements in honey produced or commercially available in Turkey, Mexico, El-Salvador, China, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.     

Determination of pyrimethanil and kresoxim-methyl in soils by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A method using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) then gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring (GC–MS, SIM) has been developed for determination of trace amounts of the fungicides pyrimethanil and kresoxim-methyl in soil and humic materials. Both fungicides were extracted on to a fused-silica fibre coated with 85 m polyacrylate (PA). Response-surface methodology was used to optimise the experimental conditions. For soil samples the linear dynamic range of application was 0.004–1.000 g g^–1 for pyrimethanil and 0.013–1.000 g g^–1 for kresoxim-methyl. The detection limits were 0.001 g g^–1 and 0.004 g g^–1 for pyrimethanil and kresoxim-methyl, respectively. HP-SPME–GC–MS analysis was highly reproducible—relative standard deviations (RSD) were between 6.7 and 12.2%. The method was validated by analysis of spiked matrix samples and used to investigate the presence of pyrimethanil and kresoxim-methyl above the detection limits in soil and humic materials.     

Platinum concentration in silicone breast implant material and capsular tissue by ICP-MS

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the concentration of platinum (Pt) in silicone breast implant gel (range, 0.26–48.90 g g^–1 Pt; n=15), elastomer (range, 3.05–28.78 g g^–1 Pt; n=7), double lumen (range, 5.79–125.27 g g^–1 Pt; n=7), foam (range, 5.79–8.36 g g^–1 Pt; n=2), and capsular tissue (range, 0.003–0.272 g g^–1 Pt; n=15). The results show that very high levels of Pt are present in the encasing elastomer, double lumen, and foam envelope materials. Silicone breast implants can be a source of significant Pt exposure for individuals with these implants.     

Continuous ultrasound-assisted extraction of cadmium from legumes and dried fruit samples coupled with on-line preconcentration-flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Cadmium was continuously extracted with diluted nitric acid from legumes and dried fruit samples using a simple, rapid and continuous ultrasound-assisted extraction system. A minicolumn packed with a chelating resin (Chelite P, with aminomethylphosphoric acid groups) was placed between the extraction unit and the detector for cadmium preconcentration. The cadmium content in the acid extract was retained into the minicolumn, and elution was carried out with hydrochloric acid, with this trace metal continuously monitored by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. An experimental design (Plackett-Burman 2⁶×3/16) was used to optimize the continuous leaching procedure and the preconcentration step. The method allowed a total sampling frequency of 10 and 14 samples per hour for legumes and dried fruit, respectively. The procedure displayed good precision (2.0 and 2.5%, respectively, expressed as relative standard deviations) for samples containing 0.202±0.005 g g^–1 Cd (broad bean) and 0.239±0.004 g g^–1 Cd (peanut). Detection limits of 0.014 g g^–1 Cd for 60 mg of legume samples and 0.011 g g^–1 Cd for 80 mg of dried fruit samples were obtained. The method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of cadmium in legumes and dried fruit samples.     

Sorption kinetics of tributyltin on Elbe river biofilms

For the first time detailed sorption kinetics of tributyltin on native Elbe river biofilms are presented. For this purpose a modified annular rotating continuous flow reactor has been used to develop a reproducible biofilm. Important parameters, such as flow rates, sheer forces, and nutrient concentrations could be varied independently and adjusted to natural conditions. Time-resolved sorption kinetics have been carried out with tributyltin, the most toxic compound in many antifouling paints. The highest sorption rates of tributyltin were observed during the first 0–10 min (0.60±0.05 g Sn m^–2min^–1) than they decreased to a value of 0.10±0.10 g Sn m^–2min^–1 (10–90 min) and increased to a value of 0.20±0.05 g Sn m^–2min^–1 (90–120 min).     

Trace characterization of high-purity nickel by instrumental and radiochemical neutron activation analysis

Summary The high activity of the radionuclides ⁶⁵Ni (t_1/2=2.52 h) and ⁵⁸Co (t_1/2=70.8 d) imposes severe limitations on the performance of direct instrumental neutron activation analysis of nickel. The extent of the interference of the ⁵⁸Co depends on the ratio of the fluxes of the fast and thermal neutrons. A method of selective removal of cobalt, based on extraction with -nitroso--naphthol has been developed for the purpose of radiochemical NAA. Separation yields have been determined for 36 elements. The detection limits obtainable with both the instrumental and the radiochemical method are <10^–4 g/g for the elements Au, Eu, Ir, La, Sc and Sm, between 10^–4 and 10^–3 g/g for Cr, Cs, Hf, Hg, Lu, Re, Sb, Ta, Th, Tm and Yb, between 10^–3 and 10^–2 g/g for As, Ag, Br, Ce, Ga, Na, Ru, Se, W and Zn, and in the range 0.01–1 g/g for Ba, Cd, Co, Fe, In, K, Mo, Nd, Pd, Rb, Sn, U and Zr.     

Spectrophotometric determination of ammonia-nitrogen after preconcentration as indothymol on a glass-fiber filter in the presence of a cationic surfactant

Ammonia-nitrogen, in the range 0.06 to 2 g in 20 ml of water sample, is treated with hypochlorite and thymol to form an intensely blue anionic dye called indothymol. The indothymol is collected on a glass-fiber filter as the ion-pair with benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium ion. The indothymol collected on the filter is dissolved in a small volume of dimethylformamide (DMF) and the absorbance due to the indothymol is measured at 675 nm against the reagent blank. An unexpectedly high sensitivity was obtained because of the increased molar absorptivity of indothymol in DMF (3.2 × 10⁴ l mol^–1 cm^–1, _max = 675 nm), approximately 3 times larger than that in water (1.16 × 10⁴ l mol^–1 cm^–1, _max = 660 nm). The detection limit, defined as three times the standard deviation of the blank, is better than 1 g 1^–1 of ammonia-nitrogen with 5-fold preconcentration.     

Determination of fluoride by spectrophotometry of Arsenazo(III) complex of the back-extracted Th(IV)

A method based on the back-extraction of Th(IV) from its TTA complex in benzene by aqueous F^– followed by spectrophotometric measurement of Th(IV), for the determination of fluoride has been developed. The coefficients of variation obtained are 2.4% and 1.4% in 11 determinations at F^– concentration levels of 1.0 g ml^–1, respectively.     

137Cs,trace and toxic elements distribution in Austrian mushrooms

Various mushroom species have been analyzed for their elemental composition (i.e., Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Sr and Zn) by means of ICP-AES. The accuracy of the measurements was confirmed by analyzing a series of the same samples by short time activation analysis. The data were evaluated statistically including the values of¹³⁷Cs. The results denote that the distribution of these elements and their correlation of these elements and their correlation coefficients are highly distinctive for each mushroom species. K, Na and P were found to correlate negatively with¹³⁷Cs in most species. Suillus grevillei and Cantharellus cibarius show high Be values (0.27 and 0.30 g g^–1, respectively), while Pb was high in Suillus grevillei (16.3 g g^–1) and Amanita rubescens (9.3 g g^–1). Higher levels of Cd were found in Rozites caperata and Russula vesca with a mean of 9.2 and 16.1 g g^–1, respectively. Cluster analysis was applied to classify these samples according to their botanical species using their elemental composition. The concentrations of Al, Cr, Mn, Na and¹³⁷Cs have no influence on the classification of these samples.     

Determination of copper in powdered chocolate samples by slurry-sampling flame atomic-absorption spectrometry

Chocolate is a complex sample with a high content of organic compounds and its analysis generally involves digestion procedures that might include the risk of losses and/or contamination. The determination of copper in chocolate is important because copper compounds are extensively used as fungicides in the farming of cocoa. In this paper, a slurry-sampling flame atomic-absorption spectrometric method is proposed for determination of copper in powdered chocolate samples. Optimization was carried out using univariate methodology involving the variables nature and concentration of the acid solution for slurry preparation, sonication time, and sample mass. The recommended conditions include a sample mass of 0.2 g, 2.0 mol L^–1 hydrochloric acid solution, and a sonication time of 15 min. The calibration curve was prepared using aqueous copper standards in 2.0 mol L^–1 hydrochloric acid. This method allowed determination of copper in chocolate with a detection limit of 0.4 g g^–1 and precision, expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD), of 2.5% (n=10) for a copper content of approximately 30 g g^–1, using a chocolate mass of 0.2 g. The accuracy was confirmed by analyzing the certified reference materials NIST SRM 1568a rice flour and NIES CRM 10-b rice flour. The proposed method was used for determination of copper in three powdered chocolate samples, the copper content of which varied between 26.6 and 31.5 g g^–1. The results showed no significant differences with those obtained after complete digestion, using a t-test for comparison.     

Variation of natural232Th excretion in non-exposed persons

Urinary excretion of²³²Th was assessed, in occupationally non-exposed persons by means of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Measurements were performed in 55 healthy subjects. Mean daily²³²Th excretion was 47±26 Bq·d^–1 (range 17–121 Bq·d^–1). Results obtained showed no statistically significant correlation with age and no differences were found between males and females. The impact on the assessment of intakes by workers is discussed.     

Characterization of airborne particulates by laser microprobe mass analysis

Summary Laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA) was applied to characterize aerosol particles collected and separated from 16m to 0.06m by a low pressure cascade impactor. Positive ion LAMMA spectra showed characteristic molecular peaks such as PbCl⁺, a series of Si₂O⁺–Si₂O₄ ⁺ and NaAl₂Si₂O₂ ⁺–NaAl₂Si₂O₅ ⁺, and TiO⁺ in 0.06–0.12m, 0.5–1m and 4–8m fraction, respectively. In the negative ion LAMMA spectra, it was observed that the fragment peaks of sulfate ions were deficient above 2m and those of nitrate ions were deficient under 2m. LAMMA allows remarkable insights into the chemical nature of aerosol particles.

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Charakterisierung luftgetragener Teilchen durch Laser-Microprobe-Massenspektrometrie

Zusammenfassung Laser-Microprobe-Spektrometrie (LAMMS) wurde zur Analyse atmosphärischen Aerosols herangezogen, welches im Korngrößenbereich zwischen 16m und 0.06m mit einem Niederdruckkaskadenimpaktor fraktioniert gesammelt wurde. Positive LAMMS-Spektren zeigten charakteristische molekulare Peaks, wie etwa PbCl⁺, eine Serie von Si₂O⁺–Si₂O₄ ⁺ und NaAl₂Si₂O₂ ⁺–NaAl₂Si₂O₅ ⁺, sowie TiO⁺ in der 0,06–0,12-m,- 0,5–1–m- bzw. 4–8-m-Fraktion. In den negativen LAMMS-Spektren konnten über 2m keine Fragmentpeaks für Sulfationen, unter 2m. keine für Nitrationen beobachtet werden. LAMMS ermöglicht eine bemerkenswerte Einsicht in die chemische Natur von Aerosolteilchen.

     

Determination of oxygen by deuteron-induced PIPPS

Using the 871-keV¹⁶O p/1,0/ prompt -ray, oxygen was determined with a relative precision of ±3.8% at a concentration level of 120 g g^–1. The sensitivity of the method is below 10 g g^–1. 50 nm oxide layers on silicon wafers can be determined with a relative precision of 10%. A chamber for transporting targets sensitive to atmospheric gases and humidity is described.     

Differential pulse voltammetric methods for the simultaneous estimation of uranium-iron and uranium-cadmium mixtures in solution

Differential pulse voltammetric methods have been developed for the simultaneous estimation of the constituents of uranium-iron and uranium-cadmium mixtures in solution. A mixture of 1M H₃PO₄–1M KH₂PO₄ (with a pH1.5), was found to be the most ideal supporting electrolyte for both methods, among many that were evaluated for their suitability. In uranium-iron mixtures the calibration for iron was found to be linear up to 150 g ml^–1 (r²=0.9986), while that of uranium up to 500 g ml^–1 (r²=0.999). Iron at 6.7 g ml^–1 level could be determined in the presence of 800 fold uranium (wt/wt) without significant interference. Uranium at 21 g ml^–1 level could be analyzed with 5-fold iron (wt/wt). This upper limit of iron was due to the precipitation of iron as phosphate. In the case of uranium — cadmium mixtures, cadmium calibration for cadmium was found to be linear up to 1300 g ml^–1 (r²=0.9993). Concentration levels of 4.6 g ml^–1 Cd could be determined at a 500-fold excess (wt/wt) of uranium. Uranium calibration was linear up to 500 g ml^–1 (r²=0.999) and 21 g ml^–1 uranium could tolerate up to a 1000-fold excess of cadmium (wt/wt). Both procedures could tolerate 10 g ml^–1 levels of metal ions, such as chromium, copper, manganese, molybdenum and vanadium.     

Determination of ochratoxin A in Portuguese rice samples by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A sensitive and accurate analytical method for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in rice, based on extraction with phosphate-buffered saline/methanol, an immunoaffinity column (IAC) for clean-up, and high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD), is described. The limit of quantification of the proposed method was 0.05 g kg^–1. Recovery of OTA from rice samples spiked at 0.05 g kg^–1 was 92%, with a within-day RSD of 5.4%. The proposed method was applied to 42 rice samples from Portugal and the presence of OTA was found in six samples at concentrations ranging from 0.09 to 3.52 g kg^–1. The identification of OTA was confirmed by methyl ester derivatization and then HPLC analysis. The daily intake of OTA by the Portuguese population was also estimated.     

Determination of hexavalent chromium by using speciated isotope-dilution mass spectrometry after microwave speciated extraction of environmental and other solid materials

Precise and accurate determination of hexavalent chromium in different types of solid environmental sample is regarded as a technical challenge with significant potential error if historically accepted methods are used. Microwave-assisted alkaline extraction (0.5 mol L^–1 NaOH+0.28 mol L^–1 Na₂CO₃) followed by anion-exchange chromatographic separation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometric detection has been shown to provide accurate and precise results. To obtain a better understanding of potential species conversion during and/or after extraction steps, speciated isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (SIDMS) (EPA Method 6800) metrology has been successfully applied as a diagnostic tool with the modified accompanying extraction version of EPA Method 3060A. In our study, aggregate materials distributed over a large area of a major western US state were found to contain a high concentration of total chromium (195±13 to 709±19 g g^–1) and significant amounts of Cr⁶⁺ (141±6 to 341±29 g g^–1) which are at least three orders of magnitude higher than the US EPA threshold limit (0.5 g g^–1). Sediment samples from a major western US state, studied independently, were found to contain less (1.77±0.34 g g^–1) or no Cr⁶⁺ in the presence of significant total chromium.     

Bacterial biosorption and retention of thorium and uranyl cations by Mycobacterium smegmatis

Biosorption of Th⁴⁺ and UO ₂ ²⁺ ions, both separately and in mixed equimolar ratio, was carried out using nitrate-buffered solutions of the cations at pH 1 in the presence of 5%w/w non-proliferative cell suspensions of Mycobacterium smegmatis. At equilibrium following a 3 h treatment, specific adsorption for 2 mM Th and U was, respectively, 102 and 115 mol g^–1 dry biomass for individual solutions and 102 and 42 mol g^–1 for the mixed 2/2 mM solution. Desorption studies of the cation-loaded biomass preparations in aqueous media and in soilbacterial suspensions within the pH range <1 to 11 showed that leaching of throium was generally less than 1% at pH 1–11 after 7 d, whereas uranium was leached to the extent of 2% at pH 1 and up to 10% under the same conditions in Th–U mixtures.