Trace element analysis of high-purity copper

Summary In copper samples trace impurities of the elements As, Bi, Cr, Fe, Pb, Sb, Se and Te in the low g/g range were coprecipitated with lanthanum hydroxide and determined by flame AAS (Fe) and electrothermal AAS (other elements). Reduction of the sample weight results in a considerable saving of time compared to elder procedures and allows to apply centrifugation instead of filtration as separation technique, by which the risk of contamination is decreased. The completeness of separation was examined by analyzing standard solutions. Additionally radio tracer experiments were employed with Sb and Se. Based on recovery data, a classification scheme was set up with regard to adsorption behaviour. High-purity copper samples were analyzed by the procedure described; INAA and ICP-MS were used as comparison methods. Parameters affecting the precision were examined; the main influence was caused by the separation step. The procedure is well suitable for the determination of 2–10 g/g As, Cr and Pb and 5–50 g/g Fe in high-purity copper.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Wilhelm Fresenius on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

Trace and minor element characterization of diesel soot

Summary Concentrations of 20 trace and minor components, such as metals, nitrogen and sulphur, were determined in representative diesel soot samples corresponding to various driving patterns of an old and a new type of Mercedes-Benz diesel engine for passenger cars. The samples were analysed by instrumental neutron activation analysis, and after decomposition, by flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The content of sulphur was determined by a method based on the formation of hydrogen sulphide and precipitation micro-titrimetry. The concentrations of the elements Au, La, Sb, Sc, and V were at the sub-g/g level; As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Se were at the lower g/g level; and Ca, Cu, Fe, N, Na, Pb, S, and Zn ranged from the upper g/g to lower percent levels. The emission of several elements was likely the result of different factors such as utilization of organometallic additives (Ca, Na, Zn) in diesel fuel or lubrication oil, contamination of diesel fuel by alkyllead compounds, wear and corrosion of the engine and exhaust system parts. The concentration of elemental components in diesel soot, generally, varied with operating conditions, which affected fuel and oil consumption, combustion efficiency (soot production), and mechanical strain. Permanent address: Czechoslovak Academy of Science, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Vevei 96, CS-61142 Brno, SFR     

Trace element distributions in man-made fibers

A preliminary study to evaluate the use of neutron activation analysis for the characterization of six groups of man-made fibers for forensic purposes has been made. A total of 81 samples of acetate, acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, polyester and rayon were analyzed. Small samples, approximately the size typically found during a crime scene search, were analyzed using a Ge(Li) detector system following a 20 min irradiation at a flux of 5·10¹³ n·cm⁻²·sec⁻¹. The following elements were determined quantitatively in one or more of the samples: Ti, Sr, Au, Zn, Sb, Br. Mn, Mg, Cu, In, Co, Cu, V, K, Al, Cl, Na, Ca, and S. Significant qualitative and quantitative differences were found both between and within the six groups. However, within certain groups some fibers from different manufacturers showed marked similarities in qualitative and quantitative composition.     

Trace element XRF analysis of Mongolian coals

X-ray fluorescence has been applied as an analytical technique for the trace element characterization of Mongolian coals. Coal, samples from five regions of Mongolia are found to contain variable amounts of many trace elements. Various approaches to quantitative XRF analysis including a simple quantitative method, an emission-transmission method and a full fundamental parameter method are compared.     

Trace element evaluation of rice and husk by INAA

An instrumental neutron activation analysis technique has been utilized to study the prevailing levels of certain inorganic trace elements in different varieties of rice produced in Pakistan. The data have been compared with those of other countries. The elemental ratios within rice and rice to husk have been computed to evaluate indirectly the impact of soil and environment on the rice crops. The dietary spectum for the inhabitants of Rawalpindi/Islamabad areas has been evaluated by estimating the daily intake and comparing with allowances suggested in the literature.     

Trace element partitioning in Texas lignite combustion

Trace element partitioning was studied at a pulverized-lignite fired power plant in Texas. Concentrations of 41 elements were determined by neutron activation analysis (NAA) for lignite fuel and combustion effluents collected during 10 consecutive days. Elements studied were grouped into three classes according to their enrichment factors and the relationship between their concentrations and particle size. In general, the concentration enhancement in fly ash and the difference in enhancement between elements placed in different classes are shown to be less significant in this study than for other partitioning studies on higher rank coals.     

Trace element speciation using solid phase microextraction

An initial review of research targeting applications of solid phase microextraction for organometallic speciation, published in 2001, encompassed literature from the early days of solid phase microextraction up to June 2000. In this article, the reader will find a compilation and discussion of relevant literature published from June 2000 to December 2004. Because of the maturity of the technique, only a brief overview of the measurement principles is presented. The major thrust of the article highlights applications of solid phase microextraction to the fields of elemental and organometallic analyses. In contrast to the earlier review, applications related to the determination of phosphorus-, sulfur-, bromine-, chlorine- and iodine-containing compounds have also been included for those cases where the target of the determination is the element or a specific molecule containing the element for which atomic spectroscopy has been advocated as a detection technique. Additionally, other microextraction techniques are also considered, including stirbar sorptive extraction and single droplet microextraction.     

Trace element analysis by accelerator mass spectrometry

An Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) facility has been assembled at the University of North Texas (UNT) in collaboration with Texas Instruments, Inc. The UNT AMS facility is used primarily for the high sensitivity determination of trace elements of stable isotopes in materials. Particle accelerators, in conjunction with magnetic (momentum/charge) and electrostatic (energy/charge) spectrometers and particle energy detectors, may be used to measure rare isotopes at concentrations as low as one part in 10¹² or 10¹⁰ atoms/cm³.     

Trace element ink spiking for signature authentication

Signature authentication is a critical question in forensic document examination. Last years the evolution of personal computers made signature copying a quite easy task, so the development of new ways for signature authentication is crucial. In the present work a commercial ink was spiked with many trace elements in various concentrations. Inorganic and organometallic ink soluble compounds were used as spiking agents, whilst ink retained its initial properties. The spiked inks were used for paper writing and the documents were analyzed by a non destructive method, the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. The thin target model was proved right for quantitative analysis and a very good linear relationship of the intensity (X-ray signal) against concentration was estimated for all used elements. Intensity ratios between different elements in the same ink gave very stable results, independent on the writing alterations. The impact of time both to written document and prepared inks was also investigated.     

Trace element pathways from environment to man

The ultimate purpose of all studies on environmental contamination is to protect human life; as a consequence the knowledge of the trace element pathways from environment to man is of paramount importance because it allows the assessment of a clear relationship between any environmental contamination and its effects on man. To this extent two different kinds of environmental studies will be described in this paper: (a) Studies of the geographic variations on the whole national territory of the natural levels of trace elements in water, food and some human tissues. (b) Studies of selected areas where a critical population group is exposed to abnormal levels of some trace elements. The main trace elements considered are: Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hg, Ni, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se and Zn; all the measurements were performed by means of non-destructive neutron activation analysis.     

Trace element content of magnetohydrodynamic coal combustion effluents

Trace element contents from effluents of a simulated coal-fired magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) combustion process have been determined using thermal neutron activation analysis techniques. The quality control consisted of replicate analyses of standard rock (G-2) for precision and accuracy determination. The concentration of elements in various samples were fairly constant throughout the process stream. Elemental ratios of trace elements at one sampling position (SDA) are presented but cannot easily be explained. However, the high concentration of arsenic in SDA was attributed to incomplete separation of slag from the adhering lining. Potassium concentration in the thickener tank was consistent with the solubility of potassium salts and the data support possible recovery mechanisms.     

Trace element content of medicinal plants from Algeria

Neutron activation analysis (INAA) has been applied to multielemental determination of eleven medicinal plants used to cure the urinary tract diseases observed in Algeria. These plants include Androgena Citratus, Ceratonia Siliquata, Punica Granatum, Glyryrrhiza Glabra, Lausaunia Alba, Fragaria Vesca, Arbutus Unedol, Hordeum Vulgaris, Papieteria Officinalis, Zea Mays L, and Davallia Seae. Concentrations of twenty elements Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, I, Mn, Na, Mg, Rb, Sb, Se, Sc, Sr, Ti, V, and Zn have been determined by short, and long irradiation times with a thermal and epithermal flux of 1.4·10¹² n·cm⁻²·s⁻¹ and 1.4·10¹¹ n·cm⁻²·s⁻¹, respectively. These analyses were performed in conjunction with Compton suppression. In almost herbs studied the Co, Cr, Cu, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se and V are found to be present at trace levels, Br, Mn, and Zn at the minor level, and Ca, Cl, Fe, Mg and Na are generally at the major level. The accuracy of the measurements has been evaluated by analyzing NIST-botanical references materials.     

Trace element characterization of ochre from geological sources

As evident from archaeological excavation, ochre was widely used for ceremonial, mortuary, and other purposes around the world. However, the ancient meaning and procurement practices of ochre are not well understood. This study examines the variation in the major, minor and trace element patterns of ochre from iron oxide sources in southeastern Missouri to better understand the differences that may occur within and between sources. Samples were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), and the data were interpreted by Pearson’s linear correlation and multivariate analysis. The data indicate geochemical trends in ochre that satisfy the provenance postulate.     

食物中微量元素硒的分析方法研究进展

就国内近年来对食物中微量元素硒的分析方法研究进展作一综述。包括：分光光度法，荧光光光度法、原子吸收分光光度法，电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法、极谱法、色谱法和中子活化法。     

Trace element intake and excretion in the italian population

The content of the following trace elements, Ag, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hg, Rb, Sb, Se and Zn has been evaluated in the diets, excretion (urines and feces), blood and hair samples taken from different groups of subjects. Each population group is composed by five or more individuals selected in order to be representative of the adult population living in a well defined community. Some communities, with different socio-economical living habits, and displaced in different regions of Italy, have been considered in order to detect the variability, if any, of the trace element distribution among the Italian population. The data obtained seem to show a reasonable uniformity of the average trace element daily intakes in different regions of Italy. Beside the individual variability, very significant differences among the groups studied have not been found, as the trace element contents in excreta, blood and hair samples are concerned. All data are compared with similar data referred to population living in other countries.     

Trace element content of some Polish hard and brown coals

Instrumental neutron activation analysis /INAA/ method was applied to measure major, minor and trace elements in 34 samples of hard and brown coal originating from eight Polish coal mines. The elemental concentrations of 38 elements /Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, In, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Lu, W, Au and Th/ are presented and compared with published data for coals from various origin. Enrichment factors, calculated relative to iron and the average crustal rock composition, indicated that several elements are highly enriched in Polish coals.     

Trace element analysis of hair of mentally retarded children

Unlike previously reported Zn and Se levels were found to be the same in the hair of mentally retarded children and controls. Non-essential toxic Ag concentration was low whereas that of Hg, Au and Sc rather high in mentally retarded children.