Partitionings and kinetic behaviors of major-to-ultratrace elements between industrial waste incineration fly and bottom ashes as studied by ICP-AES and ICP-MS.

The partitionings of major-to-ultratrace elements between industrial waste incineration fly ash (IWIFA) and industrial waste incineration bottom ash (IWIBA) in industrial waste incinerators were investigated by measuring their concentration distributions, where the incineration ash samples were collected from three different types of industrial waste incinerators. The concentrations of the elements in the incineration ash samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). As a result, ca. 40 elements in the concentration range from mg g(-1) to sub-microg g(-1) could be determined in both IWIFA and IWIBA samples. The concentration ratios of CF/CB (CF, concentration in fly ash; CB, concentration in bottom ash) for analyte elements were used to evaluate the partitionings of the elements between fly and bottom ashes. Then, the correlations between the CF/CB values of the elements and the dissociation energies of their monoxides were examined to evaluate the kinetic behaviors of the elements during the incineration processes. It was found that lithophile and siderophile elements, which have a large affinity with oxygen, were almost equally distributed between fly and bottom ashes, regardless of the dissociation energies of their monoxides. On the other hand, chalcophile elements with rather large volatility provided different behaviors; the elements with the smaller dissociation energies of monoxides were more partitioned in fly ashes than those with the larger ones.     

INAA of ancient glass beads from Sungai Mas archaeological site,Bujang Valley,Malaysia

The multi-elemental content of sixteen glass beads and eight glass samples from archeological site Sg Mas in Bujang Valley (finding from 5 th to 14 th century) were assayed by neutron activation analysis (NAA). Ten beads differed in colour and eight of them were opaque. Contents of twentyfour elements, which might be present in the samples as a flux, stabilizer, colorants or opacifier were examined. The elements Al, Br, Cl, Co, Cr, Fe, Hf, K, Mn, Na, Sc,Th, Zn and Zr were detectable in all samples. On the other hand, concentration of the elements As, Ba, Ca, Cs, Rb, Sb, Ta, Ti, U, and V were below the detection limit in some samples. The concentration of elements found are discussed in terms of color and/or opacity of the glass bead and glass samples. Although the elemental composition does not fully explain the color and opacity of the studied materials, it can still be used as fingerprint of the glass used for the bead making.     

岩石样品中43种元素的高分辨等离子质谱测定

以ＨＮＯ３和ＨＦ高压密封溶样,选择各元素浓度分布高低兼顾的国标ＷＢＧ０７１０３和ＷＢＧ０７１０５作参考标准,以高分辨ＩＣＰ－ＭＳ仪器测定岩石样品中４０余种元素,方法检出限在０．１～１８８ｎｇ／ｇ之间,各元素相对标准偏差（ＲＳＤ,ｎ＝６）多在５％以下,方法已用于批缇岩石样品分析。     

Certification of trace and major elements and methylmercury concentrations in a macroalgae (Fucus sp.) reference material, IAEA-140

A marine reference material, IAEA-140, prepared with a macroalgae (Fucus sp.) was recently produced by the International Atomic Energy Agency and certified for trace and major elements and for methylmercury (MeHg). Certification of this material was achieved as an outcome of an international analytical intercomparison study which resulted in 116 independent sets of results reported by participants from 54 countries. The statistical evaluation of the collected data and the criteria used for assignment of the mean and uncertainty values are described. The analysis of data allowed to certify concentration values for 24 elements and MeHg, and to provide information values for another 10 elements. Regarding the elements which could be given certified values, between two and eight different instrumental methods were used to measure metal concentrations, and four independent analytical procedures were used to measure MeHg concentrations. In order to assess the results of the certification procedure, a comparison was made between the certified values obtained from the world-wide intercomparison results and the values obtained from a small subgroup of well-qualified laboratories. The means and 95% confidence intervals for reference values obtained by the two methods are similar for most elements showing that the usual method of certification used by the IAEA, based on large groups of participants, is indeed pertinent.     

青藏高原3种秦艽组植物微量元素比较分析

利用全谱直读等离子体发射光谱法(ICP-AES)测定了3种秦艽组植物10种微量元素(Cu,Zn,Fe,Mn,Ni,Co,Sn,V,Al,Ti)的含量,并进行了比较分析。结果表明,所测定元素在3个不同物种内的含量排列顺序基本一致,显示了三者在元素富集方面的相似性。就同一种元素在3个物种内的富集水平而言,以麻花艽根部具有较高含量的元素Cu,Zn,Co,Al和Ti,管花秦艽根部则大量富集了其余5种微量元素,达乌里秦艽对元素的吸收积累能力居中,揭示了不同物种对同一元素富集能力的差异。该研究可为秦艽类植物资源的深入开发利用提供参考。     

SIMS investigation of CrN sputtercoatings

Chromium nitride layers produced by reactive sputtering with different process parameters were characterized with EPMA, SIMS depth profiling, and three-dimensional SIMS imaging. EPMA results are used to quantify the major components of the films while SIMS is used to gather information about the distribution of the elements chromium, silicon, nitrogen, and oxygen. For all measurements a Cs+ primary ion beam was applied to sputter the sample. Positive MCs+ (M represents the element to be analyzed) secondary ions were detected. SIMS depth profiling shows an even distribution of all major elements except oxygen, which shows significant differences in concentration and distribution depending on the process parameters. CrN layers produced at low sputter power have much higher concentration of oxygen than layers produced with high sputter power. Heating the silicon substrate during the process results in an enrichment of oxygen at the interface.     

Certification of trace and major elements and methylmercury concentrations in a macroalgae (Fucus sp.) reference material, IAEA-140

A marine reference material, IAEA-140, prepared with a macroalgae (Fucus sp.) was recently produced by the International Atomic Energy Agency and certified for trace and major elements and for methylmercury (MeHg). Certification of this material was achieved as an outcome of an international analytical intercomparison study which resulted in 116 independent sets of results reported by participants from 54 countries. The statistical evaluation of the collected data and the criteria used for assignment of the mean and uncertainty values are described. The analysis of data allowed to certify concentration values for 24 elements and MeHg, and to provide information values for another 10 elements. Regarding the elements which could be given certified values, between two and eight different instrumental methods were used to measure metal concentrations, and four independent analytical procedures were used to measure MeHg concentrations. In order to assess the results of the certification procedure, a comparison was made between the certified values obtained from the world-wide intercomparison results and the values obtained from a small subgroup of well-qualified laboratories. The means and 95% confidence intervals for reference values obtained by the two methods are similar for most elements showing that the usual method of certification used by the IAEA, based on large groups of participants, is indeed pertinent.     

Analysis of elemental concentration censored distributions in breast malignant and breast benign neoplasm tissues

The total reflection X-ray fluorescence method was applied to study the trace element concentrations in human breast malignant and breast benign neoplasm tissues taken from the women who were patients of Holycross Cancer Centre in Kielce (Poland). These investigations were mainly focused on the development of new possibilities of cancer diagnosis and therapy monitoring. This systematic comparative study was based on relatively large (∼ 100) population studied, namely 26 samples of breast malignant and 68 samples of breast benign neoplasm tissues. The concentrations, being in the range from a few ppb to 0.1%, were determined for thirteen elements (from P to Pb). The results were carefully analysed to investigate the concentration distribution of trace elements in the studied samples. The measurements of concentration of trace elements by total reflection X-ray fluorescence were limited, however, by the detection limit of the method. It was observed that for more than 50% of elements determined, the concentrations were not measured in all samples. These incomplete measurements were treated within the statistical concept called left-random censoring and for the estimation of the mean value and median of censored concentration distributions, the Kaplan–Meier estimator was used. For comparison of concentrations in two populations, the log-rank test was applied, which allows to compare the censored total reflection X-ray fluorescence data. Found statistically significant differences are discussed in more details. It is noted that described data analysis procedures should be the standard tool to analyze the censored concentrations of trace elements analysed by X-ray fluorescence methods.     

Simple and direct determination of active ingredients in drugs by neutron activation analysis

The increasing number of drugs in the market and the need for their control requires new, simple, fast and accurate methods of analysis. The elements iodine, iron, manganese, silver and sodium were determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis in various pharmaceutical formulations, representing capsules, injectables, powders for injection, solutions and tablets. From the results it appears that Neutron Activation Analysis could be used as an official method for the determination of the elements iron, manganese and silver in pharmaceutical products, in which these elements are present as active ingredients, as well as for the control of the concentration limits for iodine and sodium.     

Volatile organic solvent-induced signal enhancements in inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry: a case study of methanol and acetone

Methanol and acetone were used to study effects of organic matrix on signal intensities of elements from ⁷Li to ²³⁸U and oxide yields in inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Enhancement or suppression of analyte signals in the presence of methanol or acetone depends on the volatility and concentration of the compound and mass and ionization potential of elements concerned as well as ICP-MS operating conditions. Presence of a low concentration of methanol or acetone enhances the intensities of elements in order of decreasing mass. This is attributed to the spatial shift of the zone of maximum ion density, which, in turn, affects the extraction of ions from the plasma to the sampling cone. The possible effect of liquid methanol or acetone on nebulization and/or transport efficiency was avoided by using carry-over effect experiment. More volatile acetone more readily suppresses signals of all the elements under investigation. A higher concentration of methanol also suppresses intensities of the elements due to resultant cooling of the plasma. The enhancement effect of methanol and acetone appears to be more related to the amount of carbon present in the plasma than the difference between the functional groups of organic solvents. The oxide yield decreases in the presence of methanol, the magnitude of which depends on the nebulizer gas flow rate used. However, the reduced oxide yield is insufficient to account for the signal enhancement. Our results for ⁷⁵As and ⁷⁸Se agree with the C⁺-species–analyte atom charge transfer reaction hypothesis.     

电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定二硼化锆中26种杂质

建立微波消解样品,电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定二硼化锆中26种杂质元素含量的方法。根据二硼化锆的化学组成对杂质检测的影响,确定了各元素最佳分析线;通过考察不同浓度的锆基体对待测元素的影响来确定最佳锆基体浓度;通过萃取法分离硼元素,消除硼对杂质检测的干扰;采用基体匹配法、多谱拟和技术消除了锆基体的干扰。在选定的仪器工作条件下,各待测元素的质量浓度与信号强度成良好的线性关系,线性相关系数均大于0.999。测定结果的相对标准偏差不大于6%(n=11),样品加标回收率为94%~101%。该方法操作简便,测定结果准确,可用于二硼化锆中26种杂质元素的测定。     

Determination of trace elements in marine plankton by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

A method has been developed for the determination of 23 elements in marine plankton in which inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source mass spectrometry (MS) was used to quantify the elements in the solution after digestion in a mixture of hydrofluoric and nitric acids in sealed PTFE vessels in a microwave field. The procedure was validated by the analysis of a standard reference soil (SRM 2709 San Joaquin Soil) and a standard reference fresh water plankton (CRM 414). The method was applied to the analysis of several marine plankton samples grown under controlled conditions including several whose growth media had been enriched with selenium. Matrix induced signal suppressions and instrumental drift were corrected by internal standardization. The suitabilities of germanium, indium, rhodium, scandium and yttrium as internal standard elements were evaluated. Neither scandium nor yttrium could be used due to the presence of these elements in the samples, germanium was used for the determination of As, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Se, Si and Zn, indium was used for Al, Ba, Ca, Eu, Sr, and Tl, and rhodium was used for Cd, Cr, Hg, Mg, Pb, Sb, Sn, and V. For Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Si, Sr, V, and Zn internal standardization did not completely compensate for the suppressive effect of the heavier elements and the solutions were diluted. However, for As, Ba, Cd, Co, Eu, Hg, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn and T1, it was possible to obtain accurate results despite the 35-40% suppression in the signals. Isobaric overlap was only a problem in the cases of 42Ca and 78Se; 44Ca and 77Se, respectively, were used. Memory effects were only observed with Hg for which a nitric acid-sodium chloride solution was the most effective wash-out solution. The marine plankton samples were able to tolerate a higher concentration of Hg as the selenium concentration increased.     

Characterization and phytoavailability evaluation of micronutrients and contaminants in some Brazilian phosphate fertilizers

Brazilian fertilizer legislation considers the total concentration of micronutrients as being the guarantee of their presence in fertilizers. This fact allows the use industrial by-products as micronutrient source for fertilizers, which brings the risk of the presence of high amounts of toxic elements that may lead to soil contamination. The purpose of this study was to determine the micronutrient and contaminant contents in six Brazilian commercial phosphate fertilizers and to evaluate the phytoavailability of elements from soils treated with these fertilizers. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) followed by gamma-ray spectrometry was the analytical method used to determine the contents of the elements. As, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mo, Na, Sb and Zn were detected in fertlizers. Concentrations in vegetal tissue were not modified by the treatments, except for Cd, which was increased due to fertilizers application.     

Chemical characterization of soda-lime glass samples by in situ current normalised PIGE and conventional INAA methods for forensic applications

Nuclear analytical methods namely in situ current normalised Particle Induced Gamma Ray Emission (PIGE) and conventional Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) were utilized for determining major, minor and trace concentrations of eighteen elements in five soda-lime (automobile) glass samples. Concentration of four major elements (Si, Na, Mg and Al) by PIGE and fourteen elements including ten trace elements by INAA were determined. For forensic application, major elements were used for confirming the class of glass samples, whereas concentration results of trace elements like transition and rare earth elements were utilized for finding similarity or differences among the glass samples.

     

Determination of essential and toxic elements in Libyan foodstuff using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA)

Since there is no database in Libya defining the intake of the individuals from different essential (minor and trace) and toxic elements provided through food, drinking water and aerosol, a project has been proposed with the cooperation of IAEA to determine the concentration of a number of elements such as Cs, Fe, Cr, Rb, Sc, Se, Co, Zn in the three mentioned sources. Emphasis was placed on the use of nuclear and nuclear-related techniques. In this paper, the primary results are presented for the concentration of minor and trace elements in some vegetables, spices and other foods which are widely used in the Libyan meals. Instrumental neutron activation analysis utilizing a 10 MW water pool reactor and a γ-ray spectroscopy facility was employed. For quality control, certified reference materials were analyzed simultaneosly with the samples which show good agreements compared with the certified data. Emphasis was given to both elements iron and zinc for their importance.     

Application of k 0-based internal mono-standard PGNAA for compositional characterization of cement samples

The k ₀-based internal mono-standard prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (IM-PGNAA) method was used for compositional analysis of a cement standard provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency as a part of inter-laboratory comparison exercise. The PGNAA was also applied to a local cement sample for comparison purpose. The concentration ratios of elements with respect Ca were determined using the internal mono-standard method. The concentration ratios were then converted to the absolute concentrations by determining concentration of Ca in the cement using relative method. Concentrations of 11 elements were determined in both sample and standard of cement. The results of cement standard are found to be in good agreement with the certified values. The uncertainties on the elemental concentrations were in the range of 5–10 %.     

火焰原子吸收光谱法测定茯苓中微量元素

本文确定了各微量元素火焰原子吸收光谱仪的工作条件,建立了各微量元素线性回归方程.应用火焰原子吸收光谱法测定了天然茯苓和液体发酵茯苓中微量元素含量.研究结果表明二者微量元素含量存在一定的差异,探讨了产生上述差异的原因.     

A comparative study of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis for element concentrations in aluminum alloy using artificial neural networks and calibration methods

A comparative study of analysis methods (traditional calibration method and artificial neural networks (ANN) prediction method) for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) data of different Al alloy samples was performed. In the calibration method, the intensity of the analyte lines obtained from different samples are plotted against their concentration to form calibration curves for different elements from which the concentrations of unknown elements were deduced by comparing its LIBS signal with the calibration curves. Using ANN, an artificial neural network model is trained with a set of input data of known composition samples. The trained neural network is then used to predict the elemental concentration from the test spectra. The present results reveal that artificial neural networks are capable of predicting values better than traditional method in most cases.     

In situ Analysis of Na and K in a Laminar Premixed Flame by Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy（LIBS） was used to in situ monitor the concentration of alkali elements in combustion environments. Particular efforts were made to optimize the temporally resolved spectra of Na and K elements. Calibration curves were constructed by relating the intensities of the specific lines to the corres- ponding elemental concentrations. The detection limits of Na and K elements were found to be temperature- dependent. The results indicate that LIBS can be a powerful tool for in situ monitoring Na and K concentrations in combustion environments.     

Determination of trace elements in marine plankton by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

A method has been developed for the determination of 23 elements in marine plankton in which inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source mass spectrometry (MS) was used to quantify the elements in the solution after digestion in a mixture of hydrofluoric and nitric acids in sealed PTFE vessels in a microwave field. The procedure was validated by the analysis of a standard reference soil (SRM 2709 San Joaquin Soil) and a standard reference fresh water plankton (CRM 414). The method was applied to the analysis of several marine plankton samples grown under controlled conditions including several whose growth media had been enriched with selenium. Matrix induced signal suppressions and instrumental drift were corrected by internal standardization. The suitabilities of germanium, indium, rhodium, scandium and yttrium as internal standard elements were evaluated. Neither scandium nor yttrium could be used due to the presence of these elements in the samples, germanium was used for the determination of As, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Se, Si and Zn, indium was used for Al, Ba, Ca, Eu, Sr, and Tl, and rhodium was used for Cd, Cr, Hg, Mg, Pb, Sb, Sn, and V. For Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Si, Sr, V, and Zn internal standardization did not completely compensate for the suppressive effect of the heavier elements and the solutions were diluted. However, for As, Ba, Cd, Co, Eu, Hg, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn and Tl, it was possible to obtain accurate results despite the 35–¶40% suppression in the signals. Isobaric overlap was only a problem in the cases of ⁴²Ca and ⁷⁸Se; ⁴⁴Ca and ⁷⁷Se, respectively, were used. Memory effects were only observed with Hg for which a nitric acid-sodium chloride solution was the most effective wash-out solution. The marine plankton samples were able to tolerate a higher concentration of Hg as the selenium concentration increased.