Influence of Laser Wavelength on Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Applied to Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Trace-Elements in a Plant Sample

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) as a powerful analytical technique is applied to analyze trace-elements in fresh plant samples. We investigate the LIBS spectra of fresh holly leaves and observe more than 430 lines emitted from 25 elements and molecules in the region 230-438 nm. The influence of laser wavelength on LIBS applied to semi-quantitative analysis of trace-element contents in plant samples is studied. The results show that the UV laser has lower relative standard deviations and better repeatability for semi-quantitative analysis of trace-element contents in plant samples. This work may be helpful for improving the quantitative analysis power of LIBS applied to plant samples.

The contribution of trace elements from seawater to chimneys: a case study of the native sulfur chimneys in the sea area off Kueishantao, northeast of Taiwan Island

Hydrothermal fluid containing abundant matter erupts from seafloor, meets ambient cold seawater and forms chimneys. So the main matter origins of chimneys are seawater and matter which are taken by hydrothermal fluid from deep reservoir. However, because of seawater's little contribution to the forming of chimneys, it is usually covered by the abundant matter which is taken by hydrothermal fluid. Therefore, chimneys formed in ordinary deep seawater hydrothermal activity, containing complex elements, cannot be used to study the seawater's contribution to their formation. While the native sulfur chimneys, formed by hydrothermal activity near the sea area off Kueishantao, are single sulfur composition (over 99%), and within chimneys distinct layers are seen. Different layers were sampled for trace element determination, with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). By analyzing the data, we consider C-layer (secondary inner-layer) as the framework layer of the chimney which formed early (Fig. 4), and its trace elements derive from hydrothermal fluid. While the trace elements within A, B, D layers have undergone later alteration. A, B layers are affected by seawater and D layer by hydrothermal fluid. The increase of trace elements of A and B layers was calculated using C layer as background. Based on the known typical volume of chimneys of the near sea area off Kueishantao, we calculated the volume of seawater that contributed trace element to chimneys formation to be about 6.37 x 10(4) L. This simple quantified estimate may help us better understand the seafloor hydrothermal activity and chimneys.

Determination of multiple trace elements in seawater using chelation ion chromatography and ICP-MS

An off-line chelation system combined with ICP-MS technique was developed for the quantitative determination of trace elements in seawater, namely V, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Pb, U and rare earth elements(REEs). The system was built based on an ion chromatography equipped with MetPac((R)) CC-I chelation columns which had a strong selective chelation to these target elements within a pH range 5.2-5.6. Acidified seawater samples and NH4Ac(2 mol/L) were blended to meet suitable pH before being injected into the chelation column, thus target elements were retained while alkali and alkaline metals were excluded. Then chelated elements were eluted by HNO3 (1 mol/L) and samples were collected for ICP-MS analysis. Varying the ratio of input( gen. 200 mL) to output( gen. 5 mL), the target elements which were concentrated as 40 times as their concentrations were far beyond instrumental quantification limits. At last, a certificated seawater CASS-4 was introduced and our detected values were in good agreement with those certified values.

Influence of lanthanum on the accumulation of trace elements in chloroplasts of cucumber seedling leaves

Influence of La3+ on the accumulation of trace elements (Se-75, Co-56, Rb-83, V-48, (95)mTc, and Ga-67) in chloroplasts of cucumber seedling leaves was studied by a radioactive multitracer technique. At the same time, chloroplast contents of different concentrations of La3+ treatment were calculated. It was observed that chloroplast contents peaked at 0.02 mM La3+ treatment and that the uptake and distribution of these trace elements in chloroplasts of cucumber seedling leaves are different under different La3+, treatments. With the increase of lanthanum concentrations from 0.002 to 2 mM, the uptake percentages of Se-75, Co-56, and Rb-83 presented an obvious increase and then sharply decreased in contrast to the nonlanthanum treatment, whereas there appeared a sharp decrease and then restored control level in the uptake of V-48. The other two trace elements, namely Tc-95m and Ga-67, were accumulated only in the presence of 0.02 mM La3+. The results indicate that lanthanum treatments to growing the cucumber lead to the change of trace element uptake in the chloroplasts of leaves, which suggest that lanthanum might influence the accumulation of trace elements in chloroplasts of cucumber seedling leaves by regulation of various ion transport mechanisms, thus affecting the photosystem of leaves.

Influence of lanthanum on the uptake of trace elements in cucumber plant

The effects of La3+ on the uptake of trace elements (Se, Co, V, and Tc) in cucumber plants were studied by a radioactive multitracer technique. It was observed that the uptake and distribution of these trace elements in roots, stems, and leaves are different under different La3+, treatments. Furthermore, in the control, the plant accumulates Se-75, Co-56, and V-48 all in the order roots>leaves>stems, whereas Tc-95m was in the order leaves>stems>roots. The accumulations of Se-75 and Tc-95m in plants treated with different La3+ concentration were in the same order as those in the control, but the uptakes percentages of other kinds of element changed differently. The results indicate that lanthanum treatments to a growing cucumber lead to the change of uptake of trace elements, which suggest that a rare earth element is directly or indirectly involved in the ion transport of the plant and affects plant growth by regulating the uptake and distribution of elements that influence the plant cell physiology and biochemistry.

Uptake and distribution of trace elements in growing cucumber

Multitracer technique was used to study the uptake and distribution of some relatively long half-life radionuclides Be, Na, Mn, Co, Sc to growing cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.) with two different treatments. In Hoagland solution, only Mn-54 and Co-60 accumulated in the every part of plants. Mn-54, Co-60 and other radionuclides were absorbed in distilled water. The results indicate that there were major differences in the accumulation of trace elements between the two different treatments.

Moisture content in Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) tissues: a reference base for conversion factors between dry and wet weight trace element concentrations in cetaceans

Concentration of trace elements measured by dry weight basis has become more commonly used in recent studies on cetaceans than wet weight basis, which was used more in earlier studies. Because few authors present moisture content data in their papers, it is difficult to compare the concentrations of trace elements between various studies. Therefore, we felt that it would be useful if a reference conversion factor (CF) for tissue types could be found to convert between wet weight and dry weight data on trace element concentrations. We determined the moisture contents of 14 tissues of Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), and then, calculated the CF values for those tissues. Because the moisture content of each tissue differs from other tissues, it is necessary to use a specific CIF for each tissue rather than a general CF for several tissues. We have also found that CIF values for Dall's porpoise tissues are similar to the same tissues in other cetaceans. Therefore CF values from Dall's porpoise can be reliably used to convert between wet and dry weight concentrations for other cetacean tissues as reference data. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analytical intercomparison results from the 1990 Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission open-ocean baseline survey for trace metals: Atlantic Ocean

“Dissolved” (< 0.4 μm filtered) and “total dissolvable” (unfiltered) trace element samples were collected using “clean” sampling techniques from four vertical profiles in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on the first IOC Trace Metals Baseline expedition. The analytical results obtained by 9 participating laboratories for Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Se on samples from station 4 in the northeast Atlantic have been evaluated with respect to accuracy and precision (intercomparability). The data variability among the reporting laboratories was expressed as 2 × SD for a given element and depth, and was comparable to the 95% confidence interval reported for the NASS seawater reference standards (representing analytical variability only). The discrepancies between reporting laboratories appear to be due to inaccuracies in standardization (analytical calibration), blank correction, and/or extraction efficiency corrections.Several of the sampling bottles used at this station were not adequately pre-cleaned (anomalous Pb results). The sample filtration process did not appear to have been a source of contamination for either dissolved or particulate trace elements. The trace metal profiles agree in general with previously reported profiles from the Atlantic Ocean. We conclude that the sampling and analytical methods we have employed for this effort, while still in need of improvement, are sufficient for obtaining accurate concentration data on most trace metals in the major water masses of the oceans, and to enable some evaluation of the biogeochemical cycling of the metals.

Major, minor and trace-elemental contents analysis in northeast soybeans by ICP-AES

Major, minor and trace elemental contents in northeast China soybeans were determined by using inductively, coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Three different sample digestion methods including two wet digestions, HNO3-HClO4 and HNO3-H2SO4 and a dry ash method were compared. Owing to the high oil content in soybeans, long time is needed and access acid should be added, with mixed acid digestion methods, which may result in higher sample blank. Therefore, the dry ask method would be more proper for the pre-treatment of soybean samples. Potassium and phosphorus are major elements in soybeans, so the effect of potassium and phosphorus on the other elements was investigated. Results showed that the potassium and phosphorus did not affect the determination. of other trace elements. There are not significant differences in trace elemental contents for the eleven northeast China soybeans.

Study on the concentration and seasonal variation of inorganic elements in 35 species of marine algae

The concentrations of five major and 28 trace elements in 35 marine algae collected along the coast of China were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The concentrations of halogens, rare earth elements and many transition metal elements in marine algae are remarkably higher than those in terrestrial plants. The concentration factors for 31 elements in all collected algae were calculated, those for tri- and tetra-valent elements were higher than those of the mono- and di-valent elements in marine algae. The biogeochemical characteristics of inorganic elements in marine algae were investigated. In addition, the seasonal variation of inorganic elements in Sargassum kjellmanianum was also studied. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of hypoxia on contents of essential elements in pika and rat heart

The effects of hypoxia on the levels of essential macroelements and trace elements (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn) in the heart muscles of Wistar rats and plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) were studied by atomic absorption spectrometry. Unlike the rat, the plateau pika is tolerant to hypoxia. The levels of K, Na, and the trace element Mn were not significantly changed in rat or pika hearts after exposure to hypoxia for 1, 10, or 25 d at simulated altitudes of 5000 and 7000 m. Other minerals (Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, and Fe) were significantly affected by hypoxia and the levels followed different time-courses under different hypoxic regimes in these two animals. There were marked differences between the rat and pika in myocardial accumulation of essential elements such as Ca, which was increased to high levels in the rat but not affected in the pika. The results suggest that hypoxia affects animal physiological mechanisms by regulating the levels of essential elements.