Direct multielement determination of Cd,Pb, Fe,and Mn in ground coffee samples using energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry

An analytical method was proposed for the quantification of Cd, Pb, Mn, and Fe in ground coffee samples using energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry. External calibration was possible using the coffee matrix itself as standards with samples previously analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). The ground coffee samples were analyzed in the form of pellets, which were placed in the center of the EDXRF measuring cell for the determination of the analytes. The limits of detection were 62, 55, 86, and 76 μg/kg for Cd, Pb, Fe, and Mn, respectively. Good linearities were obtained for the calibration curves with coefficients of correlation (R) of 0.9959 for Cd, 0.9939 for Pb, 0.9929 for Fe, and 0.9909 for Mn. Precision, evaluated as the relative standard deviation (RSD) of 10 independent measurements of different cataloged samples with an approximate concentration of 400 μg/kg for each analyte, was between 6 and 14% (n = 10), demonstrating that the preparation of the samples in form of pellets was sufficient to perform analyses by EDXRF. The proposed method was applied in the determination of Cd, Pb, Fe, and Mn in ground coffee samples collected in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. In a parallel comparative procedure, coffee samples were also analyzed by ICP OES after sample pretreatment by acid digestion. A paired Student's t test was carried out (confidence level of 95%, n = 5) and no significant difference was observed between the concentrations obtained by the proposed and comparative methods.     

Energy‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence analysis of modern coloured glasses from Marinha Grande (Portugal)

The elemental composition (K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Ba, Nd and Pb) of modern coloured glasses was obtained by energy‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry. This non‐destructive technique is frequently used in the analysis of historical glass objects. Two reference glasses were also measured to assess the overall accuracy of the EDXRF method. Reference and unknown glasses were analysed without any preparation. The coloured glass samples studied belong to the Glass Museum of Marinha Grande and were chosen from two distinct collections, which were characterized by the different concentrations of some elements (K, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ba and Pb). The determined major elements allowed the identification of two raw materials used in glass manufacture, sand and lime. Multivariate statistical analysis, namely principal component extraction, simplified the identification of some of the colouring chemical elements, associating them with the different colours of the glass objects. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of elemental content on modern and ancient papers by EDXRF

We report on the use of elemental composition, determined by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), to identify different types of paper. The concentrations of S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Ba and Pb were determined in papers from 1555, 1575, 1724, 1748, 1779, 1782, 1787, 1806, 1861, 1919, 1941 and 2005. A preliminary analysis was made with the use of a dendrogram. The Euclidian distances evidenced a big fluctuation in the elemental composition on most recent papers. The dendrogram also allowed us to catalogue the analysed samples into ten types of paper. Calcium, Cu, Fe, Zn and Sr were the only elements found in all paper samples. However the content of each element was different in every paper type. Calcium is the predominant element in all paper types. Applying Spearman coefficients correlations to these papers for Ca, Cu, Fe, Zn and Sr, we found moderate negative correlations between Ca-Cu. Positive correlations were also found between Fe-Cu, though not very strong. High levels of the toxic elements, Co, Ni, As and Pb were present in papers from 1779 and 1787. From this work it becomes clear that the number of elements in modern papers is lower than in older ones. PACS 39.30.+W; 78.70.En; 89.90.+n     

Effect of radiation therapy on trace elemental concentrations of hair samples of cervical cancer patients—PIXE technique

Trace elemental analysis of hair samples from subjects suffering with cervical cancer before radiation therapy and at successive intervals during radiation therapy was carried out using the PIXE technique. A 2 MeV proton beam was employed. The elements Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb were identified and their relative concentrations were estimated. The concentrations of Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni and Zn were found to be lower in hair samples of cervical cancer patients before radiation therapy than those from controls, whereas the concentration of Cu showed the opposite trend. The concentrations of Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb showed a definite trend of variation with successive intervals of radiation therapy, which indicates that these elements are affected during radiation therapy. The Cu/Zn ratio also decreases with successive radiation therapy. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

XRF applications in archaeometry: analysis of Marajoara pubic covers and pigments from the sarcophagus cartonage of an Egyptian mummy

This work presents two applications of XRF in archaeometry. The first case involved a female mummy from the Roman period, which is considered one of the most important pieces of the National Museum (Rio de Janeiro), because of its unconventional embalming with legs and arms swathed separately. The objective was to characterize the elemental composition of the pigments found in the sarcophagus cartonage and to verify whether they were in accordance with those used by Egyptian craftsmen in the cited period. The elements identified were Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sr, Hg, and Pb. In the second case, the composition of decorated pottery pubic covers (tangas) from the Marajoara culture was evaluated using EDXRF. Ceramics from the Marajó Island (at the mouth of Amazon River, Brazil) represent one of the most beautiful and sophisticated styles of the pre‐Columbian art. Decorated tangas were used by Marajoara girls probably as part of puberty rites. The analyzed samples were two tangas and four fragments from the National Museum's collection. One fragment (sample 22245) presented a different design pattern that seemed to indicate a different provenance. The elements identified were K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, and Pb. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to the results. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Applicability of MiniPal 4 compact EDXRF spectrometer for soil and sediment analysis

Optimum measurement parameters for analysis of soil and sediment samples with the compact MiniPal 4 (MP4)EDXRF spectrometer (PANalytical, Almelo, The Netherlands) were presented. The following elements were considered: K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Pb. Since the elements from low Z to medium Z region were covered, three measurement conditions (sequences) were defined. The following parameters were selected for measurement of the elements K, Ti, and V: voltage = 12 kV; current = 750 µA; filter material: Al_thin. Cr, Mn and Fe were measured at 20 kV; 300 µA with Al filter while for measurements of Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, Rb, and Sr an Ag filter was selected and tube voltage and current were 30 kV and 300 µA. Each sequence was measured for 200 s and measurements were done in the air. MP4 spectrometer was characterized with acceptable precision, long‐term stability and satisfactory minimum detection limit for the analyses of soil and sediment materials. For the elements K, Mn, Fe, and Ti the precision of the analysis was better than 0.5% and for all the other elements better than 5%. Detection limits for sediment samples were 20 ppm for K, 6.1 ppm for Ti, 5.2 for Mn, 4 ppm for Fe, 4.2 ppm for As and less than 2 ppm for all the other elements. These values were significantly lower compared to typical concentrations of the same elements found in unpolluted soil and sediments. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Elemental Analysis of Tea Leaves (Camellia Sinensis) and Their Own Soils at Eastern Black Sea Region in Turkey

People consume tea brewed from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant for about 50 centuries. Health benefits of the tea have been investigated for about three decades. Especially green tea shows antitoxic and lots of properties with its determined ingredients. Turkey is not only the one of the best consumer and but also good producer of the tea as being 5 th producer all over the world. It grows eastern region of the Turkey and high quality tea is imported and exported. To have quality tea, grooving soils are also crucial. In the current research, Tea leaves and their own grown soils were collected from 20 stations where the most tea producer cities as Trabzon, Rize and Artvin tea fields of the eastern of Black Sea Region in Turkey. The cultivated tea and their own grown soil samples were analysed by using EDXRF Spectrometry. In the soil samples, the elements Mg, Al, Si, P, S, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Ba, Pb on percent level and the elements Mg, Al, Si, P, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Sr in the tea leaves were detected by using SKRAY 3600-EDXRF.and also the obtained data were evaluated with the Kriging interpolation of geostatistical method. Element content were investigated in the soil and tea samples according to the geological situations and also the relation of elemental difference between the tea and the own grown soil. Pb/Zn ratio was also anaysed in the samples.     

Analysis of saliva and gingival crevice fluid by total reflection X‐ray fluorescence (TXRF)

The study of liquid biological samples with the use of various techniques has become a routine task nowadays. Saliva has been a study object for the correlation of chemical elements with a disorder in human body. Saliva is an aqueous hypotonic fluid and transparent and produced by various secretory glands (parotid, submandibular, sublingual, and smaller glands). This paper uses the technique of total reflection X‐ray fluorescence (TXRF) to analyze saliva samples collected in duct of the parotid gland and the gingival crevice between first (tooth 46) and second (tooth 47) grinding teeth of seven individuals. Using the TXRF technique, the main objective of this work was to assess the results obtained quali‐quantitatively. The chemical elements identified in saliva samples of the parotid gland and the gingival crevice were P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, and Pb. Although different elements have been identified in the analyzed samples, the identified chemical elements have varied from one individual to another. Comparing the results obtained from the saliva samples of parotid gland and the gingival crevice, it could be observed in the gingival crevice other elements not found in the parotid gland. Therefore, the sampling strategy and the TXRF technique was able to differentiate chemical elements in the samples of the parotid gland and the gingival crevice. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Trace element categorization of pollution sources in the equator town of Nanyuki,Kenya

An air pollution campaign was carried out in the town of Nanyuki at four different sites during July and August 1999. Nanyuki is situated on the equator on the northwestern slope of Mount Kenya at about 1930 m above sea level. The intention of the project was to characterize aerosol elemental compositions in two size fractions, associated with specific natural and anthropogenic activities. A dichotomous impactor was used for sampling and an energy‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence spectrometer was used for the analysis. Fourteen elements (Si, S, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga, Br, Rb, Sr and Pb) were analysed in all the samples. The concentration of Pb was highest at a site in the vicinity of open‐air vehicle garages. The four sites recorded high concentrations of fine S, Cl and K. Fine Zn and Br were also measured at all the sites. In the coarse size range, the concentrations of soil‐derived elements (Si, K, Ca and Fe) were dominant. The high concentration of coarse Cl was considered to be due to the contribution of sea salt and that of S to be a contribution of gas to particle conversion of SO₂. The two elements S and Cl signified the influence of long‐distance transported aerosols. The comparatively high concentrations of fine Pb and Br signified the high rate of vehicle repairs, which is a major activity close to one of the sites. Generally, soil dust‐derived particles and those from biomass burning dominated the town aerosols. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dimensional characterization of selected elements in airborne PM10 samples using μ‐SRXRF

Micro synchrotron radiation X‐ray fluorescence (μ‐SRXRF) is a powerful spectroscopy technique that uses synchrotron radiation to induce X‐ray fluorescence in samples and provides exhaustive information on the micron and submicron scale. Among the major advantages of μ‐SRXRF spectroscopy are its nondestructive nature and that samples can usually be analyzed without pretreatment. At the ESRF (Grenoble, France) ID‐21 beamline, we examined PM₁₀ samples collected at two sites in the Province of Trieste, Italy, in order to determine possible correlations among some low‐ to mid‐Z elements (S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, and Fe), as well as investigated the possibility of using synchrotron radiation imaging techniques as a way to examine the granulometry of PM₁₀ particles containing the various chemical elements. A consistent significant correlation between Ca and S has been found, which, coupled with the data obtained in a related study, indicates that a major part of the sulfate is present as CaSO₄. Granulometry measurement via imaging techniques has shown that some elements such as Fe, Ca, and S are more amenable to this type of analysis than others. Additionally, the spatial homogeneity of a PM_2.5 certified reference material (NIST SRM‐2783) has been investigated by analyzing four adjacent areas on the certified sample (total area 1 mm²). The certified reference material has shown a percentage relative standard deviation less than 7% for Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, V, Cr, and Fe, and close to 17% for Ti and Mn. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In vivo EDXRF scanning analysis of human nail

This paper presents the results of a new technique for in vivo energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (EDXRF) scan analysis, applied to human fingernails. The scan employs a specially designed EDXRF spectrometer, which allows a concentration profile of the elements detected in a human nail. In order to carry out this technique, a group of nail fragments taken from different people was analyzed. The elements S, Ca, Cu, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Pb were detected in most of the samples. A bidimensional (x, y) scan was also performed on a whole removed nail in which the 2D spatial distribution of the detected elements was observed. Significant differences in some of the detected elements were noted. Minimum time of average detection per element was determined, based on the EDXRF spectra of the nail fragment. The time required to obtain an in vivo element profile of a typical nail was thus determined, applying the same geometry and acquisition conditions for all cases. The dose that the person undergoing this type of EDXRF scan analysis would be exposed to was also determined. Exposure time does not exceed 15 s, and the calculated administered dose is in the surface nail region of 0.1 mGy/s. The results of this study demonstrate that it is possible to carry out an in vivo X‐ray fluorescence scan analysis. This information may be used in different fields of medicine, such as nutrition and toxicology, and in other areas that establish a correlation between the concentration of the detected elements and certain diseases. Nail and hair are known to be ‘accumulating tissues’ unlike bodily fluids. In some aspects, nail analysis can be equal to a blood test. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An assessment of the impact of construction work on fine particulate matter in the University of Jordan: A PIXE study

Aerosol sampling was carried out prior to and during an active construction work at the University of Jordan in Amman, Jordan. Elemental characterization for 60 PM_2.5 samples was performed by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique at the LABEC laboratory of INFN in Florence, Italy. Twenty three elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ba, and Pb) were detected, and their concentrations were assessed during three sampling periods, namely, “No Construction,” “Pouring Concrete,” and “Bleaching.” The results showed higher concentrations of soil-related elements and lower concentrations of anthropogenic-related elements during construction periods compared with their concentrations before construction. Soil-related elements showed very low enrichment factor (EF) and high correlation coefficients during all sampling periods. Anthropogenic-related elements were very much enriched and correlated only during the first sampling period “No Construction.”     

微区X射线荧光光谱仪研制及元素生物地球化学动态分布过程研究

微区无损分析可提供物质组成元素的原位分布信息,以揭示物质形成条件、元素动态分布过程与相互作用机理、生物代谢作用等。文章报道了实验室型微区X射线荧光(μXRF)光谱仪的研发和元素生物地球化学动态分布过程研究结果。μXRF光谱仪采用15 μm光斑的聚束毛细管X射线透镜为激发源,选用分辨率为135 eV的硅漂移探测器(SDD),样品和探测器间角度可调,使之可进行异型样品如地质样品的原位分析,利用五轴自控实现样品时空四维元素分布测定。利用该μXRF光谱仪测定了矿物-生物膜间的元素迁移和玉米种发芽过程中的元素分布,发现(1)生物膜可吸附、富集毒性元素铅,是重金属的重要汇集地,最大富集系数1.7。(2)生物膜是金属从固态矿物相经水相进入生态系统的重要途径。(3)在玉米种子中,可检测到K,Ca,Mn,Fe,Cu,Zn和Pb。Zn主要在胚乳中分布,胚中有少量Zn存在;在胚乳和胚中存在微量Fe;胚乳中存在微量Pb,胚中未观测到Pb。(4)经含Pb溶液浸泡发芽后,K在玉米种中胚和胚乳中部分富集,Fe分布在种皮和胚乳中,Cu和Zn主要在胚乳中分布;Pb主要在胚根、胚轴和胚芽中分布,且Pb在新生根中高度富集。研究表明,在种子萌发阶段,Pb等毒性元素可被植物滞留于根部,制约了其向地上部的转移,从而揭示了植物对毒性元素的耐受机制。     

基于无机元素的含量判别食醋的种类和品牌方法研究

化学计量学广泛应用于食品种类和原产地的区分。文章采用原子吸收法测定了32个食醋样品中的Mg, K, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ca和Cu等八种无机元素含量。采用向量相似法计算了陈醋和白醋以及同一种类不同品牌食醋的相似度;通过聚类分析和主成分分析对来自北京、江西、江苏和山西4个地区品牌的食醋进行了分类,对不同种类的食醋(陈醋和白醋)也进行了分类。聚类分析和主成分分析都将食醋样品分为两大类,每个大类又将食醋样品按不同品牌分开。食醋中无机元素含量差异可作为食醋种类和品牌判别的测量指标之一。     

内蒙古农村地区育龄妇女头发中21种元素含量水平及相互作用

近年来育龄妇女矿物质缺乏的风险增加,特别是农村地区妇女。研究使用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法(ICP-AES)和原子荧光光谱法(AFS)测定内蒙古乌兰察布市兴和县健康育龄妇女头发中21种元素含量(Ca,Mg,Cu,Zn,Fe,Mn,Cr,Ti,B,Co,Mo,Si,V,Ni,Cd,Al,Pb,Ba,Sr,Sn和Se)。结果显示,21个元素的浓度水平明显地不同于文献报道的平均水平。育龄女性存在微量营养素缺乏和有毒元素明显过剩的现象。当地矿产及土壤种类导致镁和铝的含量较高而硒含量较低。通过相关分析和逐步多元回归分析研究了元素间的相互作用,性质相似的金属元素具有显著的相互作用,且最强的是镁与钙、铬与硼、硅与铅、锰与铅、铁与锰。研究地区镉、铅没有显著的相关作用,这可能与工业暴露少有关。同时其他因素也影响元素在人体内的代谢水平。多元回归分析发现：Ca＝f(Mg,Se)(Se为负相关,β<0),Fe=f(Cu,Mn,Ti),Zn=f(Ca,Se,Fe,Ni)(Fe,Ni为负相关,β＜0),Cu=f(Pb,Fe,Cd),Al=f(Mg,Pb),Se=f(Zn,Cr,Ca)(Ca为负相关,β＜0)。这些参数可以用于研究生物体内不同元素之间的关系。聚类分析法进一步对不同元素的来源进行分类,结果表明该地铅暴露主要来源于自然环境。研究结果将为改善农村地区育龄妇女宏观和微量元素水平提供可靠的依据,同时,也有助于制定更有效的提高妇女生殖健康和妊娠结局的策略。     

Application of nuclear techniques to study of trace elements

Trace elements in various materials using nuclear techniques are studied. Results obtained by using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) are examined. The EDXRF method is used to quantitatively evaluate trace elements such as Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb and Sr in tea leaves. Correlation of trace elements in tea leaves and in the corresponding soil is studied.     

Accumulation of minor and trace elements in lichens in and around Kolkata,India: an application of X‐ray fluorescence technique to air pollution monitoring

A recent environmental survey has listed Kolkata, a megacity in Eastern India, as one of the most polluted cities in the world. Rapid urbanization and industrialization have resulted in an alarming increase in the level of air pollution in the city. Epiphytic lichens have extensively been used worldwide as bioindicators of environmental quality. They are very responsive to environmental stressors, especially gaseous pollutants and particulates including trace elements and heavy metals. This work describes application of energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence, a fast multi‐elemental analytical technique, for estimating concentration of trace elements of lichen samples collected from sites in and around Kolkata. The results indicate that the samples from sites burdened with heavy vehicular load together with pollution from various industries and factories have significantly higher concentration of elements such as S, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni and Pb as compared to those collected from sites having less or no load. Remarkable seasonal variation is also noted in the concentration of the elements such as Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

波长与能量色散复合式X射线荧光光谱仪特性研究及矿区土壤分析

波长与能量色散(WD-ED)复合式X射线荧光(XRF)光谱仪是一型国际上新近研发的XRF光谱仪。该研究比较了此型光谱仪的特性,建立了联用分析方法,并用不确定度对所建方法进行了评估,证明WD-EDXRF复合型光谱仪及其所建分析方法可用于土壤样品中主、次、痕量元素定量测定,并兼具了WD和ED各自的优点。研究表明：(1)对土壤质量和生态环境评价中具有重要意义的Mg,Al,P和K等元素,因WDXRF对轻元素具有更高灵敏度,故采用该型光谱仪和所建方法,可弥补单一采用ED方法的不足,从而为土壤质量和生态环境评价提供了更为灵敏和准确可靠的分析技术手段;(2)在本方法实验条件下,采用WDXRF测定,主元素Na₂O,MgO,Al₂O₃,P₂O₅,K₂O的检出限优于EDXRF,而SiO₂, SO₃, CaO, MnO, Fe₂O₃则是由EDXRF测定的检出限更优。对于谱线重叠较严重的微量元素,多数情况下WDXRF的检出限更低;(3)对主元素而言,总体上K及其原子序数之前的轻元素WDXRF准确度更好,Ca及其之后的元素EDXRF准确度更好。然而,由WDXRF和EDXRF获得的准确度也与样品相关,在某些情况下,EDXRF测定K的准确度会更好。微量元素和重叠干扰比较大的元素,采用分辨率好的WDXRF可获得更好的准确度;对于受其他元素谱线重叠影响较小的元素,EDXRF给出的结果准确度更好;(4)选用添加石蜡粘结剂的粉末压片法,利用该方法制成的地质样品粉末压片结实、无脱落,未观察到掉渣、掉粉现象,且分析准确度和精密度良好;(5)利用所建立的WD-EDXRF方法测定了采自集中开采矿区和附近河流及河漫滩沉积物,揭示矿区表层土含有较高浓度的Cu,Pb和Zn,可为找矿提供指示信息;(6)进行了矿区周边农田土壤分析,获得了元素分布趋势图,揭示矿集区附近农田土壤Pb和As等浓度较高,需要采取必要的生态与环境保护措施,以减小和避免对于人类健康的潜在影响。     

SRXRF microprobe as a technique for studying elements distribution in Elsholtzia splendens

Elsholtzia splendens is a copper tolerant plant growing in copper mine areas in south of China and accumulates considerable heavy metals in plant tissue. In this study, synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SRXRF) microprobe was used to study the Cu and other elements distribution in E. splendens. The element (P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn) in the leaf epidermis and cross-sections of the stem and leaf could be checked by SRXRF which was considered a sensitive technique for trace element analysis. The highest Cu levels were measured in the vascular tissues of stem and petiole, while Cu levels in mesophyll were higher than in leaf epidermis. The levels of most elements were not higher in trichomes than in other tissues. It seems that the celluar compartmentation of heavy metals in epidermis and epidermal trichomes was not the general feature of all plants. There was a significant correlation between Cu and P, S, Ca in distribution, which suggested P, S, and Ca played an important role in Cu accumulation of E. splendens. Based on the significant correlation between Cu and elements Mn, Fe, and Zn in distribution, it seemed that Cu, Mn, Fe, and Zn could be transported by the same transporters with a broad substrate range.     

Elemental micro-imaging and quantification of human substantia nigra using synchrotron radiation based x-ray fluorescence--in relation to Parkinson's disease

Synchrotron radiation based x-ray fluorescence (SRXRF) was applied to the quantitative evaluation of elemental changes in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) in Parkinson's disease (PD) in the framework of a study on the role of chemical elements in the pathophysiology of PD. The analysis was carried out for dopaminergic nerve cells and extraneuronal spaces. The mass fractions of P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br and Rb were determined. The application of standard samples developed especially for the determination of elemental mass fractions in thin tissue sections using the SRXRF technique is presented. Two-dimensional maps of elemental distribution show that the location of nerve cells in SNc sections is precisely visualized by the high levels of most elements. It was found that statistically significant differences between control and PD neurons are observed for S (p = 0.04), Cl (p = 0.02), Ca (p = 0.08), Fe (p = 0.04) and Zn (p = 0.04). The mass fractions of P (p = 0.08), S (p = 0.07), Cl (p = 0.04), Zn (p = 0.08) and Rb (p = 0.08) in areas outside the nerve cell bodies differed significantly between PD and control groups. A clear cluster separation between the PD nerve cells and neurons representing the control group was noticed. It was found that Cl, Fe, Ca and Zn are the most significant elements in the general discrimination between PD nerve cells and the control. The comparison between the extraneuronal spaces showed that Cl, Fe and Cu differentiate the PD and control group the most. The evident contribution of chemical elements to the pathophysiology of PD was shown.