Elemental characterization of coal,fly ash,and bottom ash using an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique

A total of 18 elements viz. Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Sr, V, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Co, As and Cd were analyzed in coal, fly ash and bottom ash samples collected across India using an EDXRF technique. Various indices such as element enrichment ratio, enrichment factor (with respect to crustal average) and mineral composition were calculated. Around 95% of mass was reconstructed using the concentration of elements in this study for fly and bottom ash.     

Contamination of the coastal sea sediments by heavy metals

The distribution of major and trace elements in the coastal sea sediments along the Eastern Adriatic coast was evaluated. The concentrations of K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, and Pb in 376 samples were measured on the grain fraction <2 mm by the use of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Contour maps for concentrations of toxic elements Zn, Cu, As and Pb were produced in order to show metals accumulation areas.     

Evaluation of elemental composition of sediments from the Adriatic Sea by using EDXRF technique

723 sediment samples collected along the eastern Adriatic coast have been analyzed using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence. Factor Analysis and GIS have been used for the evaluation of the resulting data base containing information on K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, and Pb concentration levels in order to find spatial relationships in distribution of measured elements. This study can be used to identify background values and to evaluate sediment quality standards.     

Epithermal neutron activation analysis investigation of Clarion-Clipperton abyssal plane clay and polymetallic micronodules

The content of seven major (Na, Al, Cl, Mn, K, Ca, Ti, Fe) and 30 trace (Sc, V, Cr, Ni, Co, Zn, Cu, As, Sr, Rb, Zr, Mo, Sn, In, Sb, Ba, Cs, La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Sm, Tb, Dy, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Th, U) elements determined by INAA in 13 samples of abyssal clay and two samples of micronodules collected from the North pacific Ocean Clarion-Clipperton abyssal plane is presented and discussed with respect to some rocks models.     

Estimation of trace elements in some anti-diabetic medicinal plants using PIXE technique.

Trace elemental analysis was carried out in various parts of some anti-diabetic medicinal plants using PIXE technique. A 3MeV proton beam was used to excite the samples. The elements Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb and Sr were identified and their concentrations were estimated. The results of the present study provide justification for the usage of these medicinal plants in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) since they are found to contain appreciable amounts of the elements K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Cu, and Zn, which are responsible for potentiating insulin action. Our results show that the analyzed medicinal plants can be considered as potential sources for providing a reasonable amount of the required elements other than diet to the patients of DM. Moreover, these results can be used to set new standards for prescribing the dosage of the herbal drugs prepared from these plant materials.     

Determination of multi-element profiles of street dust using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF).

Street dust samples have been collected in different areas in Hong Kong associated with various levels of traffic and pedestrian flow, and the concentrations of 23 chemical elements have been determined using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). The 23 studied elements were Na, Al, Si, Cl, Ti, Ba, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, K, Ca, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr and Sn. A profile for average street dust for Hong Kong has been determined by taking average values for different areas. The values for the Hong Kong street dust are commensurate with the values derived in previous investigations or for other countries, except that Hong Kong street dust has much higher Cl, Ca and As concentrations. A factor analysis gives four sources for the street dust in Hong Kong: namely, mixture of metallic dust and crustal material, vehicles, road pavement materials, and mixture of marine aerosols and crustal material.     

Epithermal neutron activation,radiometric, correlation and principal component analysis applied to the distribution of major and trace elements in some igneous and metamorphic rocks from Romania

Six major (Na, Al, K, Ca, Ti, Fe) and 28 trace (Sc, Cr, V, Mn, Co, Zn, Cu, As, Br, Sr, Rb, Zr, Mo, Sn, Sb, Ba, Cs, La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Sm, Tb, Hf, Ta, W, Th and U) elements were determined by epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA) in nine Meridional Carpathian and Macin Mountains samples of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Correlation and principal factor analysis were used to interpret data while natural radionuclides radiometry shows a good correlation with ENAA results.     

Determination of multi-element profiles of soil using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF).

The source profile for soil in Hong Kong is important both for determination of the main air pollutant source in Hong Kong and for assessment of the impact of Asian dust storms on Hong Kong. Soil associated with different rock types have been sampled, and the concentrations of 19 chemical elements, Na, Al, Si, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, K, Ca, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Rb, Sr, Y and Zr, have been determined using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. A profile for the average soil for Hong Kong has been determined by taking average values for the different soil categories. The values for the Hong Kong soil are commensurate with values for rural soil derived by other workers, except that Hong Kong soil has much lower Fe and Ca concentrations. The abundance of Al, Ca and Fe in the average Hong Kong soil are 9.23%, 0.11% and 0.85%. We conclude that Ca provides a good marker element for identifying dust episodes in Hong Kong while Al does not.     

Urine level of trace elements in some adults in Bangladesh under a workplace environment

The urine level of trace elements has been investigated in some normal adults under different workplace environments in Bangladesh. The samples were collected from 58 subjects, randomly selected from about 500 adults working in 10 different workshops and factories located in Dhaka city. Samples were analyzed by the external beam PIXE method. Proton beams of 2.5 MeV energy and 20 nA intensity were used for sample irradiations. For 40 μC irradiations, the concentration of 14 elements in total (K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sr and Mo) in different groups were measured by comparison with a calibration curve obtained from the NBS Orchard Leaf standard (SRM 1571). The results from different workplaces are reported in terms of amount of excretion per unit volume of the sample collected. They, however, do not reflect the total daily excretion level of different subject groups.     

Multielement proton-induced X-ray emission analysis of Bangladeshi tobacco

The concentration of 12 different elements in cigarette tobacco of different brands, commercially made in Bangladesh, was determined using the proton particle-induced x-ray emission (proton PIXE) method. In all the present experiments, proton beams of 2.0 MeV (on the target in air) and about 30 nA current were used for characteristic x-ray excitation. The concentration of the elements (K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb and Sr) was determined by comparison with a calibration obtained from the NBS orchard leaf standard, SRM 1571. The results have been compared with available data on some foreign brands of tobacco and the probable reasons for the difference in the contents of some of the elements found in the Bangladeshi brands are discussed.     

The excretion of biotrace elements using the multitracer technique in tumour-bearing mice

A radioactive multitracer solution obtained from the nuclear reaction of selenium with 25 MeV/nucleon ⁴⁰Ar ions was used for investigation of trace element excretion into the faeces and urine of cancerous mice. The excretion rates of 22 elements (Na, K, Rb, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ga, As, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Fe, Y, Zr, Mo, Nb, Tc, Ru, Ag and In) were simultaneously measured under strictly identical experimental conditions, in order to clarify the excretion behavior of these elements in cancerous mice. The faecal and urinary excretion rates of Mg, Sr, Ga, As, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Fe, Y, Zr, Nb, Ru and Mo in cancerous mice, showed the in highest value at 0–8 hours. The accumulative excretion of Ca, Mo, Y and Zr was decreased and Na, Fe, Mn and Co increased in tumour-bearing mice, when compared to normal mice.     

Trace elements in wild and orchard honeys

The present study aims the identification and quantification of trace elements in two types of honey samples: Orchard honey and Wild honey from mainland Portugal. Chemical elements content was assessed by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Concentrations were determinated for Ag, As, Br, Ca, Cl, Cs, Cu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, U, V and Zn. The nutritional values of both honey types were evaluated since this product contains some elements that are essential dietary nutrients for humans. Physical properties of the honey samples, such as electrical conductivy and pH, were assessed as well.     

ED-XRF spectrometric analysis of comparative elemental composition of in vivo and in vitro roots of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees—a multi-medicinal herb

The multi-elemental composition of in vitro—proliferated root tissues of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees was compared with that of the naturally grown in vivo plants. Trace elements namely Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr and Pb in addition to two macro-elements K and Ca were identified and quantified in root tissues of both sources using the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) technique. ED-XRF analysis was performed using Mo K X-rays generated from a secondary molybdenum target. The elemental content of in vitro roots was found to be at par with that of naturally grown plants of the same species. This opens up a possibility of exploiting in vitro root cultures as a viable, alternative and renewable source of phytochemicals of relevance, besides providing a means for conservation of the valuable natural resources.     

Data evaluation of trace elements determined in Nigerian coal using cluster procedures.

Large data-sets of elements determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) require meaningful interpretation in order to determine the pattern of their existence in host matrices. This could be achieved using cluster procedures. Element abundances (Al, As, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cs, Dy, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Hf, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, O, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, U, V, Yb, Zn and Zr) of prepared and run-of-mine coals from eight principal mines (Onyeama, Ogbete, Enugu, Gombe, Asaba-Ugwashi, Okaba, Afikpo and Lafia ) in Nigeria were determined by INAA. Quality control of the measurements was assured by the re-determination of a standard reference material, NIST 1632a. These data-sets were then tested for multi-variate statistics using METHOD = SINGLE in the cluster procedure. The computer-assisted package SAS was used to generate the dendrograms while the algorithm used was stored Euclidean distances. The results showed a recognition pattern, useful for the interpretation of coalification histories and the prediction of fuel ranking for Nigerian coals. High segregation of coal fly ash was observed, while metallurgical coal grouped together with high-ranking coals of Okaba, Enugu and Obi (Lafia). Further work revealed some of these coals as having high gross calorific value (7908 kcal kg(-1) for Enugu coal; 7200 kcal kg(-1) for Okaba) and low sulphur thereby making them efficient fuel materials.     

Non-destructive and Quantitative Investigation of Jingdezhen Blue and White Porcelains Using EDXRF

The fabrication of the calibration source is a critical part for the non-destructive and quantitative investigation of blue and white porcelains using EDXRF. In order to minimize the effects on the results due to the matrix difference between the samples and the calibration source, broken porcelain pieces of the Ming and Qing dynasties with matrix conditions similar to those of the measured samples are used directly as calibration sources. The 13 trace elements, viz. Ti, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Pb, Rb, Sr, Y, and Zr, have been quantitatively measured for 20 imperial blue and white porcelains of the Qing dynasty and for 11 contemporary Jingdezhen porcelains. The data are then analyzed by the principal component analysis method. The clustering of the data and the identification of the porcelains are then investigated.     

Elemental analysis of granite by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF)

The instrumental neutron activation analysis technique (INAA) was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of granite samples collected from four locations in the Aswan area in South Egypt. The samples were prepared together with their standards and simultaneously irradiated in a neutron flux of 7×10(11)n/cm(2)s in the TRIGA Mainz research reactor. Gamma-ray spectra from an hyper-pure germanium detector were analyzed. The present study provides the basic data of elemental concentrations of granite rocks. The following elements have been determined Na, Mg, K, Fe, Mn, Sc, Cr, Ti, Co, Zn, Ga, Rb, Zr, Nb, Sn, Ba, Cs, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, Th and U. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used for comparison and to detect elements, which can be detected only by XRF such as F, S, Cl, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se and V. The data presented here are our contribution to understanding the elemental composition of the granite rocks. Because there are no existing databases for the elemental analysis of granite, our results are a start to establishing a database for the Egyptian granite. It is hoped that the data presented here will be useful to those dealing with geochemistry, granite chemistry and related fields.     

Determination of macro,micro nutrient and trace element concentrations in Indian medicinal and vegetable leaves using instrumental neutron activation analysis

Leafy samples often used as medicine in the Indian Ayurvedic system and vegetables were analyzed for 20 elements (As, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cr, Cs, Co, Eu, Fe, K, La, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Th, Zn) by employing Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). The samples were irradiated at the 100 kW TRIGA-MAINZ nuclear reactor and the induced activities were counted by gamma ray spectrometry using an efficiency calibrated high resolution High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. The concentration of the elements in the medicinal and vegetable leaves and their biological effects on human beings are discussed.     

Standardization of NIRR-1 irradiation and counting facilities for instrumental neutron activation analysis.

The first nuclear reactor in Nigeria, the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1), is a Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR). It was specifically acquired for elemental analysis by the neutron activation analysis (NAA) technique. In this work, routine experimental schemes for the determination of over 30 elements of interest in different sample matrices have been developed. In order to validate the experimental procedures the following standard reference materials, IAEA-359 (Cabbage), IAEA-336 (Lichen), GSR-5 and GSD-11 (Chinese Geochemical Rock Standards), as well as IAEA-SL-3 and IAEA-405 (Sediments) were analyzed. Validated results are presented for the following elements Al, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Eu, Fe, Ga, Hf, In, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, U, V, Yb and Zn. To further assess analytical capabilities of the facilities, the detection limits are presented.     

Elemental analysis of silver coins by PIXE technique

Elemental analysis of nine Indian silver coins during British rule was carried out by proton induced X-ray emission spectroscopy. Eight elements, namely Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, and Pb were determined in the present study. Ag and Cu were found to be the major elements, Zn was the only minor element and all other elements are present at the trace level. The variation of the elemental concentration may be due to the use of different ores for making coins.     

Assessment of the state of pollution by heavy metals in the surficial sediments of Algiers Bay

Sediment samples were collected at 33 stations from Algiers Bay to determine potential sources of pollution. The analyses were made with X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The results give information about the level of concentrations for Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb. Except for Mn and Fe which present a particular distribution (unrelated to the sedimentary facies), the distribution of the different heavy metals is irregular and depends on the bay morphology. The level of pollution by heavy metals of the bottom sediments in Algiers Bay has been shown to be significant compared with that of Surkouf, considered to be a region with low anthropogenic activity. Comparison with previous studies shows: no dependence of the assignation of Mn and Fe on sedimentary facies; high concentration of Cu, Pb and Zn in the vases and high concentration of Cr in the sands with a fine fraction between 50% and 75%.