Trace elements analysis in rice

Various rice species, marketed in Austria, were analyzed for their Se, Cr, Ni, Rb, Fe, Co, Cs, Ag and Hg contents by neutron activation analysis. The concentration values found for Se ranged between 0.023 and 0.265 ppm, for Cr 0.540–1.875 ppm, for Ni 0.359–0.965 ppm, for Rb 1.604–6.400 ppm, for Fe 24.3–139.8 ppm, for Co 0.026–0.055 ppm, for Cs 0.016–0.032 ppm, for Ag 0.0006–0.0034 ppm, for Hg 0.003–0.023 ppm. Statistical analysis showed in the majority of cases that there is a significant difference in Se, Cr, Ni, Rb, Fe, Co, Hg contents but not in Cs. Highest values of Se and Fe were found in rice from Belgium /long seed, super patna/, whereas the Cr concentration was the highest in rice from Thailand /siam patna/. Ni was highest in rice from Uncle Ben's, Rb in Kresto from USA.     

Determination of Au,Sb, As,Br, Na,K, Cd,Mn and Cl in rice from Vietnam by neutron activation analysis

Gold, antimony, arsenic, bromine, sodium, potassium, cadmium, manganese and chlorine were determined by neutron activation analysis in various rice seed, brand layer and husk from Vietnam. The following concentration values were found: Au 0.05–0.28 ppm, Sb 0.05–1.08 ppm, As 0.08–0.94 ppm, Br 0.82–6.72 ppm, Na 16.71–25, 71 ppm, K 2582–5163 ppm, MN 19.26–33.43 ppm, Cd 0.51–2.42 ppm and Cl 205.20–828.61 ppm in rice seed. These elements were also determined in brand layer and rice husk. Statistically significant differences /t=0.05/ in Au, Sb, Cd contents were detected in rice seed and rice husk, as well as brand layer with rice husk.     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of blood serum

Instrumental neutron activation analysis has been used to determine 15 trace elements in twelve blood serum samples taken from healthy students at Bilkent University in Ankara. The method allowed the determination of Sc, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Cs, Ce, Eu, Tb, Hf, Ta and Hg, which occur at the g.ml^–1 to ng.ml^–1 levels. There are no values reported for Tb, Hf, Ce, Eu and Ta before. The other results are compared with the values reported in the literature. Most are in the range of the reported values except for Fe, Zn, Se and Cs.     

Concentration of Cr,Fe, Co and Zn in some Nigerian food grains

Elemental analysis of some Nigerian grains for cobalt, zinc, iron, and chromium, was done by thermal NAA. The concentration of these essential trace elements were found as follows: rice /0.18–0.98 ppm Cr, 27–307 ppm Fe, 0.133–0.237 ppm Co, 12.4–17.8 ppm Zn/; soyabean /0.32–0.59 ppm Cr, 67–81 ppm Fe, 0.244–0.358 ppm Co, 42–45 ppm Zn/; maize /0.05–0.75 ppm Cr, 22.7–47.6 ppm Fe, 0.20–0.65 ppm Co, 15.8–33.4 ppm Zn/; ground-nut /0.22–2.02 ppm Cr, 27.2–34.8 ppm Fe, 0.08–1.73 ppm Co, 24.3–38.2 ppm Zn/. No pattern was established for the elemental concentration in the grain samples. The result obtained suggest that an average diet of these grains will provide an adequate concentration of these essential elements.     

Determination of arsenic,scandium, chromium,cobalt and nickel in asbestos by neutron activation analysis

Arsenic, scandium, chromium, cobalt and nickel were determined by neutron activation analysis in various Chrysolite-Asbestos from Canada, Russia, Italy in an asbestos plate, and in dry, as well as in wet manufactured asbestos. Following concentration values were found: for As 0.01–5.5 ppm, for Sc 5.4–14.80 ppm, for Cr 79.5–918.8 ppm, for Co 10.8–80.9 ppm, for Ni 148–1786 ppm. Statistically significant differences /t=0.05/ in contents of As, Sc, Cr, Co and Ni were detected in the different samples of asbestos. The concentration of As and Cr in Italian asbestos were considerably higher than in Canadian chrysolite.     

Determination of trace elements in petroleum by neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and Ge(Li) spectrometry have been used to determine Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Sb, Eu, Au, Hg, and U in crude petroleum. The technique involves no chemical separations and no pre-concentration of the samples by ashing is necessary, thus avoiding contamination or loss of volatile elements. The estimated detection limits in ppb for the elements are Sc (0.1), Cr (0.16), Fe (400.0), Co (0.6), Ni (1.1), Zn (200.0), As (6.0), Se (23.0), Sb (1.0), Eu (0.58), Au (0.11), Hg (4.3), U (1.5). Precision values ranged from 0.1% to 15% (relative standard deviation). Interferences in the Co and Fe determinations due to fast neutron reactions (n, p) and (n, α) on Ni isotopes are small and are easily corrected. Losses of As, Se, and Hg due to escape of volatile gases during irradiation are negligible     

Elemental analysis of human placenta by neutron irradiation and gamma-ray spectrometry (standard,prompt and fast-neutron)

Human placental tissue from 100 hospitalized deliveries were analysed for Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, F, Fe, I, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, W and Zn using a combination of pre-chemical separation of sodium with hydrated antimony pentoxide and instrumental neutron activation analysis. Boron and Si values were determined using prompt gamma-ray and fast-neutron techniques respectively. Analysis of NBS-SRM Bovine Liver 1577 and a pooled standard placental tissue for 33 elements showed a good agreement with most coefficients of variation less than or equal to 15%, and recoveries of 91–104%. Symmetrical distributions, were obtained for all elemental placental values. Only Cd(–) and Zn(+) showed statistically significant correlations with birth weight, gestational age and placental weight. The influence of cigarette smoking is considered a major factor in producing elevated cadmium levels in the placental tissue of smokers and passive smokers, and hence lower birth weights.     

Synthetic multielement standard samples for serial neutron activation analysis of biological materials

New synthetic standard samples (SSB-1 and SSB-2), produced on the basis of phenol-formaldehyde resin in the shape of tablets are suggested. The samples are intended for INAA of biological materials. SSB-1 and SSB-2 samples contain Se, Cr, Au, Sb, Ag, Rb, Fe, Zn, Co and Ca, Ba, Hg, Sn, Br, Cs, Ni, Sc and Na. The concentrations of these elements are chosen so that the maximum statistical error of -quantum registration by the semiconductor detector should not exceed 3% when irradiating samples in a neutron flux of 10¹³ n·cm^–2·s^–1.     

Assessment of the essential element and heavy metal content of edible fish muscle

The aim of this work was to determine the concentrations of some essential and toxic elements in the muscle of ten species of commercial fish consumed in Portugal. We combined two different techniques for determination of the elements—energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) was used to quantify K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Se, Rb, and Sr and flame atomic-absorption spectrometry for analysis of Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, Hg, and Pb. The latter technique was used because of its higher sensitivity, because these elements were not detected by EDXRF. The results obtained show a similar pattern for the trace elements. K and Ca are present at the highest concentrations in all the samples studied, from 0.6–1.3% and from 0.04–0.08%, respectively, followed by Zn, Fe, Sr, Se, and Rb. Sr is present at higher concentrations than Rb in all the species studied except meagre. Concentrations of the elements in octopus do not follow this pattern—Fe is present at a higher concentration than Zn. Low concentrations of Cr (0.66–1.5 g g^–1), Ni (0.11–0.24 g g^–1), Cd (0.01–0.08 g g^–1), Hg (0.49–2.74 g g^–1), and Pb (0.02–0.06 g g^–1) were observed in all the samples analysed. The concentration of Hg was highest in Helicolenus dactylopterus—5.4 g g^–1 in one sample.     

Study of hair element content from an urban Bulgarian population using NAA assessment of environmental status

In this preliminary study, scalp hair samples from 36 individuals resident in Sofia, Bulgaria, were analysed and Ag, Al, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, F, Fe, Hg, I, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, W, and Zn were determined. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) methods were used. Three washing procedures.: distilled-deionised water; acidacetone-water; and Triton X-100 detergent-water, showed a variable elemental change strongly dependent on the procedure used. More than 18 elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cs, F, Fe, I, K, La, Mo, Na, Ni, Sb, Sc, Sr and V) were easily removed by water-washing. Triton X-100 detergent was more effective in removing Ag, As, Au, Cl, Cs, K, Na and Rb; but not Hg. Only S and Zn were strongly incorporated in the hair structure (less than 10% being removable by any washing technique). There is no significant age correlation with any element between the various hair treatment groups. Elevated cadmium levels were found in the hair of smokers (0.711–4.913 g/g Cd) compared with nonsmokers (0.568–2.681 g/g Cd). Comparison of the elemental data for distilled water-washed hair and studies from Oxford, England and Hastings, and Hastings, New Zealand (using the same INAA method) revealed interesting variations dependent on local industrial and nutritional factors.     

Determination of trace elements of some Egyptian crops by instrumental neutron activation,inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometric and flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used for the determination of Al, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Ti, Th, V and Zn, ICP-AES for the determination Al, Ag, Ba, Be, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Sc, Sr, Ti, V and Zn and flameless AAS for the determination of Cd, Hg and Pb in egg plant, potatoes, green pepper (Leguminosae), vegetable marrow (Cucurbitaceae), pears, apple (Rosaceae), castor oil plant (Euphorbiaceae), lettuce (compositae), dill, parsley, coriander (Umbelliferae), and in some soil samples collected from Aswan province.     

Neutron activation analysis of major and trace elements in crude petroleum

We have determined the concentration of 25 trace elements in crude petroleum from seven Libyan oil fields by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Crude oil samples were irradiated with a thermal neutron dose rate of 10¹² and 10¹³ n·cm^–2·s^–1 in the Tajoura research reactor. The concentration of U, Br, Mg, Cu, Na, V, Cl, Al, Mn and Ca is in a range of 0.015 to 84 ppm and that of sulphur of 0.12 to 1.8%. The elements Sc, Cr, Ni, Fe, Co, Zn, Ag, Se, Sb, Ba, Cs, Yb, Hf and Hg have a concentration range of 0.009 to 8747 ppb. The coefficients of variation are within 10%. The elements V and Ni occur as both porphyrin and non-porphyrin and the ratio of these two forms varies over a wide range. The V/Ni ratios are located between 0.17 and 6.67, which are comparable to the reported values for the crude oils from other countries.     

Preliminary study of trace elements in human brain tumor tissues by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Elemental profiles of brain tumor tissues from 15 patients of astrocytomas (grade I–III) and normal human brain tissues of 23 male age matched autopsies as controls have been studied by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The SLOWPOKE reactor with a thermal neutron flux of 8·10¹¹n·cm^–2·s^–1 and swimming pool type reactor with a thermal neutron flux of 1·10¹³n·cm^–2·s^–1 were used for short and long irradiation of samples, respectively. Spectrophotometry was only used for analyzing phosphorus. A total of 18 elements Se, Na, K, Br, Cl, Mn, Mg, S, Ca, Cu, Hg, Cr, Fe, Rb, Zn, Co, Sc and P has been determined for this purpose. The reliability of methods has been checked by analyzing biological standard reference materials horse kidney (IAEA H-8) and bovine liver (NBS SRM 1577a). The analytical results showed that compared with the normal brain tissues, concentrations of Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Mn, Br and Sc were significantly higher in tumor tissues (P<0.01) and concentrations of Rb, K and P were lower, while no differences for contents of Mg, S, Cr, Hg, Na and Cl were observed. A negative correlation between P and Ca in malignant and normal brain tissues was observed.     

A comparative study of trace elements in water from various sources in surrounding areas of Nagpur city (India) by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) has been used for the determination of 27 elements (Ag, Au, Ba, Br, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Ga, Hg, Hf, K, La, Mn, Na, Sb, Sc, Se Sr, Th, P, Ta, Tb, Zn and Zr) in 15 water samples collected from different sources (reservoirs, well, borewell, sewage tank, river, rain) in and around Nagpur city (central India) including doubly distilled and a sea water sample from Bombay. Sample residues after evaporation were irradiated at a thermal neutron flux of 10¹²–10¹³ n·cm^–2·s^–1 for 10 min, 1d and 1wk and counted using a HPGe detector and an 4k MCA at different intervals. Several environmental standards from NIST (USA), NIES (Japan) and USGS rock were also analysed for quality assurance. Wide variations in elemental concentrations have been observed in water samples from different sources. Most elemental concentrations in drinking water from various sources, are within ISI/WHO limits. Sea water showed very high concentrations of Ba, Cr, Co, Fe, Hg, Sb, Se and Zn. For doubly distilled and rain waters, however, very low elemental concentrations of Ba, Ce, Fe, Sc, Hg, Se, Sr and Th were observed.     

糙米、胚芽米、精白米中多种矿质元素和B族维生素含量的比较研究

对产自黑龙江省绥化市的同一批粳稻分别进行加工制得糙米、胚芽米和精白米,经过干灰化法或微波消解处理后,采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法（ICP—OES）、原子吸收光谱法（AAS）和原子荧光光谱法（AFS）测定了其中Al、As、B、Ba、Ca、Cd、Co、cr、Cu、Fe、Hg、K、Mg、Mn、Mo、Na、Ni、P、Pb、Rb、S、Se和zn共23种矿质元素的含量,,并采用高效液相色谱法（HPLC）和荧光分光光度法测定了其中维生素B．,烟酸,烟酰胺,维生素B。和维生素B：的含量。另外,还研究了经水淘洗后这3种类型大米中矿质元素和B族维生素含量的损失情况。结果表明,矿质元素和B族维生素含量呈现糙米,胚芽米,精白米由高到低的基本特征,淘洗可使各种矿质元素和B族维生素产生不同程度的损失,其中精白米中维生素B．经水淘洗后已损失殆尽。3种类型大米中cd、Cu、Mo、Ni、S、Se、Zn等元素含量差异相对较小,并且淘洗对Mo、S元素含量几乎没有影响,而cd、cu元素含量经水淘洗后反而略有增加。     

Determination of mineral constituents in duplicate portion diets of two university student groups by instrumental neutron activation

Concentrations of 15 elements were determined simultaneously in duplicateportion diets of two university student groups from So Paulo Universityconsisting of nine women (20–23 years) and ten men (20–24 years).Thediet samples were prepared by either freeze-drying or drying in a ventilatedoven. About 100–200 mg of diets were irradiated for 2 minutes and 8hours in the IEA-R1m research reactor and Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, K, Fe, Mn,Mg, Mo, Na, Rb, Se, and Zn were determined by instrumental neutron activationanalysis (INAA). The average daily intakes found in the women and men groupswere: 2.1 and 4.3 mg of Br, 501 and 707 mg of Ca; 3.1 and 6.0 g of Cl; 12and 25 mg of Co; 15 and 36 µg of Cs; 53 and 63 µg of Cr; 5.1 and10.8 mg of Fe; 1.3 and 2.8 g of K; 134 and 306 mg of Mg; 1.3 and 4.1 mg ofMn; 134 and 302 mg of Mo, 2.0 and 4.1 g of Na; 2.4 and 4.6 mg of Rb; 29 and41 µg of Se; 6.2 and 10.6 mg of Zn, respectively. The daily intakesof Ca, Se and Zn in both groups and Fe in the women groups appeared to bebelow the U.S. RDA recommendations. For the elements Na and Cl the daily intakeswere higher than the recommended values by RDA.     

Element content and element correlations in Chinese human liver

The amounts of the 19 elements As, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, K, La, Mo, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, and Zn in 92 lyophilized autopsy human liver samples from normal subjects have been analyzed by instrumental neutron-activation analysis (INAA). For intercomparison and quality control ten samples were independently analyzed in two institutes, the Institute of High Energy Physics in China and the Joef Stefan Institute in Slovenia. Most of the element contents determined by the two institutes were in quite good agreement, even though different experimental conditions were applied, indicating the reliability of the analytical results. Analysis of the chemical species of mercury present in the ten liver samples was also performed in Slovenia. Possible differences between the element content of male and female liver samples were studied by means of Students t-test, but significant differences were found only for Ce, Co, Fe, La, Mo, and Zn. The results obtained were also compared with those reported from other areas of the world; no appreciable differences were observed. Correlation among the various elements in the human liver samples was studied using multivariate statistics. It was found that there was relatively close correlation between some elements, for example As–Fe, Ca–Fe, Cd–Co, Cd–Zn, Mo–Zn, Co–Se, Cs–Rb, Br–Rb, Sc–Sm, La–Sm, La–Ce, etc.; these correlations could be rationally explained by the similarity of the electronic structures of the elements and/or their physiological functions in the human body.     

The certification of the contents of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn, Sb, Se, Tl and Cr in a city waste incineration ash

Summary The analysis of ashes being of increasing importance, a reference material was prepared from fly ash of a city waste incinerator. The procedures of preparation, homogeneity and stability testing are described as well as the way of certification of elements of major importance: Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn, Sb, Se and Tl.

---

Zertifizierung der Gehalte an Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn, Sb, Se, Tl und Cr in einer Stadtmüll-Verbrennungsasche

Zusammenfassung Da die Analyse von Aschen zunehmend an Bedeutung gewinnt, wurde von der Flugasche einer Stadtmüll-Verbrennungsanlage ein Referenzmaterial hergestellt. Die Methoden der Herstellung sowie der Homogenitätsund Stabilitätsprüfung werden beschrieben und die Art der Zertifizierung der Elemente von hauptsächlicher Bedeutung aufgezeigt (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn, Sb, Se, Tl).

     

INAA application in the assessment of Ag, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, and Zn mass fraction in pediatric and young adult prostate glands

The effect of age on trace element contents in intact prostate of 50 apparently healthy 0–30 year old males was investigated by neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of long-lived radionuclides. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) for mass fraction (milligram per kilogram, on dry-weight basis) of trace elements were: Ag 0.0708 ± 0.0096, Co 0.0348 ± 0.0040, Cr 0.466 ± 0.069, Fe 100 ± 10, Hg 0.0258 ± 0.0025, Rb 12.6 ± 0.8, Sb 0.0576 ± 0.0066, Sc 0.0125 ± 0.0016, Se 0.478 ± 0.031, and Zn 273 ± 31, respectively. A strongly pronounced tendency of age-related increase in Se and Zn mass fraction and of age-related decrease in Co, Cr, Fe, and Sc mass fraction was observed in period of life from 0 to 30 years.     

Spectrographic estimation of impurities in selenium

Summary An emission spectrographic method for the estimation of impurities of Al, As, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Te, Ti, V, Zn and Zr in high purity selenium at concentrations less than 1 ppm has been developed. The impurities were separated from 1 g of selenium by volatilizing Se from its solution in nitric acid and sulphuric acid. The residue containing impurities was dissolved in small amounts of 6 M HCl and loaded along with the washing on 10 mg mixture containing graphite (90%) and sodium chloride carrier (10%), in the electrode crater. The spectra were excited in a d.c. arc carrying 13 A. The detection limits lie in the range 0.005–0.5 ppm for the different elements. The precision of the method ranges from 7–18% for these elements.

---

Spektrographische Bestimmung von Verunreinigungen in Selen

Zusammenfassung Folgende Verunreinigungen werden in hochreinem Selen in Konzentrationen von <1 ppm bestimmt: Al, As, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Te, Ti, V, Zn und Zr. Das Selen wird von den Verunreinigungen durch Verdampfen abgetrennt (Lösen einer 1 g-Probe in HNO₃/H₂SO₄). Der Rückstand wird in 6 M HCl gelöst und zusammen mit einem Graphit/NaCl-Gemisch (9010) in die Elektrodenbohrung gefüllt. Die Anregung erfolgt in einem Gleichstrombogen von 13 A. Die Nachweisgrenzen liegen im Bereich von 0,005–0,5 ppm, die Genauigkeit beträgt 7–18%.