Occurrence of bromine in plants and soil

The usefulness of X-ray fluorescence analysis for the determination of bromine in soil and plants is demonstrated by comparing the results with those obtained by activation analysis. An abnormal accumulation of bromine in some soils, plants and cigarettes has been found. Volcanic ash soil accumulates bromine in its humic acid. The large ratio of chlorine to bromine in river water may be explained by the accumulation of bromine in humus of soil. The possibility of bromine contamination of food and cigarettes, due to the application of agricultural chemicals, is pointed out.