Element-Enrichment Factors in Lichens from Terceira, Santa Maria and Madeira Islands (Azores and Madeira Archipelagoes)

In this study, more than 20 minor and trace elements have been determined by INAA (instrumental neutron activation analysis), in different species of lichens in three Portuguese islands of the Central North Atlantic (Santa Maria, Terceira, and Madeira Islands). The foliose species Parmotrema bangii, Parmotrema robustum, Parmotrema crinitum, Flavoparmelia caperata, Platismatia glauca, and the fruiticose species Ramalina canariensis, Ramalina farinacea, Ramalina implectens, Ramalina pusilla, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia coniocraea, Usnea dasaea, Usnea esperantiana, were the collected species. Samples of superficial soils were also collected and the fraction below 64 m was analysed. The enrichment factors relative to this fraction using Al as the normalising element were calculated. Fruiticose and foliose lichens displayed different EF values concerning bromine and potassium. The first was more enriched in the foliose species while the latter was more enriched in the fruiticose species and was assigned to the physiological response. Enrichment was found for Mg, Cs, As, Hg, Na, Zn, and Cl, in all the species. Lichen-based concentration patterns were shown for Na, Al, Cl, Br, Sb, Ce, and Hg and compared to similar patterns in Portugal mainland. In general, the patterns compared well except for Cl, Na, and Br. Background levels of the epiphytic lichens collected in the islands were obtained.     

Determination of Trace Elements in BCS CRM 313/1 (BAS) and NIST SRM 1830 by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

In the past, there has been little interest in the trace element characteristics of quartz, and in consequence little activity in the trace element characteristics of reference materials with high silicon content. The main purpose of this paper is to contribute to the characterisation of two international certified reference materials, BCS 313/1 from the Bureau of Analysed Samples, (BAS), UK and SRM 1830 from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), USA. BCS 313/1 was analysed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), solution ICP-MS and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). NIST SRM 1830 was analysed by LA-ICP-MS and INAA. Analytical results are reported for more than forty elements, most of them for the first time. For most elements, the results obtained by the different methods agree within 15 % relative. The recent, heightened interest in quartz and in particular the precise determination of trace0element contents in natural quartz samples requires the use of well characterised reference materials such as BCS 313/1 and SRM 1830, to which this study is designed to contribute.     

Chemical compositions and cassfication of Grove Mountains （GRV） 98003 and other Chinese iron meteorites

Concentrations of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Ga, Ge, As, Sb, W, Re, Ir, Pt and Au of two ungrouped iron meteorites, Grove Mountains （GRV） 98003 from Antarctica and Ujimqin, were measured using instrumental neutron activation analysis. According to the bulk chemistry, GRV 98003 is classified as a member of ⅠAB group, and Ujimqin as a unique one of ⅠAB iron meteorite complex. The elemental abundance pattern and correlation between elements （e. g. Ni-Au, Co-Au, As-Au, W- Au, Cu-Au, Sb-Au） of GRV 98003 are similar with those of NAW 468 （ⅠAB）, but significantly depleted in refractory siderophile elements （ Re, It） and moderate volatile elements （Ca, Ge） relative to the latter. In addition, we reclassify Nantan （ⅢCD） as a member of ⅠAB main group （MG） and Yongning （ⅠA） as a unique iron meteorite related with IAB iron meteorite complex.     

Neutron Activation Analysis, Atomic Absorption and X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry Review for 2004–2005

These technologically mature techniques occupied a stable to modestly increasing sector of the spectrum of analytical methods in Earth and environmental sciences in 2004–5. Despite this, several notable advances were reported in this two year period. In the field of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, these included the development of portable synchrotron and total reflection instruments, the use of pyroelectric crystals as X-ray generators, introduction of high-purity Ge detector arrays, and the development of an XRF imaging spectrometer with the capability of mapping analytes and X-ray intensity ratio. Atomic absorption s spectrometry saw major work published on high-resolution continuum source AAS (HR-CS AAS) involving the development of a xenon short-arc lamp. Other advances included the use of laser wave mixing in a graphite furnace tube (with a claimed detection limit of 10–¹⁶ g g-¹), solid sampling and ultrasound in sample preparation. Neutron activation analysis saw two innovations that may herald future growth in this technique, namely a neutron source free of a nuclear reactor and a detector operating at room temperature.     

Geochemistry of Permian Coal and Its Combustion Residues in Huainan Coalfield, China

INTRODUCTIONMany environmental problems may arise during coal min-ing and utilization. Among these prob1ems, much attention hasbeen paid to S(), and NO. emission during coal combustion.But the environmental effects produced by hazardous elementsduring coal mining and utilization are also important and de-serve to be studied (Goodazi, 1995; Finkelman, 1993; Valk-ovic, l983). For example, when coal wastes are used for landreclamation, the harmful elements in them may pollute water,soil an…     

GGR Critical Review of Analytical Developments in 2006–2007

In 2005 the Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research editorial team, in the true spirit of scientific endeavour, embarked on an experiment of our own. We decided to trial a new kind of review, somewhat different from those more typically observed in journals, and one that would provide readers with a summary of analytical developments across a broad range of topics appropriate to the Earth sciences. The first contribution of this kind appeared in 2005, and reported on developments in 2003 (Hergt et al. 2005). The second, this time a biennial review, was published in 2006 and reported on highlights of the 2004 and 2005 literature (Hergt et al. 2006). Based on reprint requests, positive remarks at conferences and strong citations we consider the experiment a resounding success and proudly present here the third in this series. This comprises six individual review sections that cover the main analytical technologies and topical application fields in geoanalysis and geochemistry, including geological and environmental reference materials, ICP‐thermal and secondary ionisation‐mass spectrometry, as well as neutron activation analysis, X‐ray fluorescence and atomic absorption spectrometry.     

Bioaccumulation of Cobalt in Parmelia sulcata

Six locations across mainland Portugal were selected for exposing Parmelia sulcata, for a one-year period (8 months for one site), with simultaneous measurement of total (dry + wet) deposition (one-month periods). The exposed lichens and the total (dry + wet) deposition were analysed for cobalt contents by INAA (instrumental neutron activation analysis) and ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy), respectively. The designated wet deposition was evaluated through the collected water volume; the designated dry deposition was assessed after the (dried) residual mass of the wet deposition. An excellent agreement between Co contents in exposed lichens and the cumulative (1) Co contents in the dry deposition, (2) dry deposition, and (3) wet deposition has been found for the locations with alternate drought and precipitation months, high dry deposition, and high Co contents in the latter. Continuous rainfall was found to hinder the Co accumulation in the lichen due to its release from the lichen and/or lower Co contents in the dry deposition. At three locations, P. sulcata Co contents, after subtraction of the background (before exposure), equalled or exceeded the Co contents in the cumulative dry deposition at the end of the exposure time. The optimal exposure period for this species likely depends on the exposure conditions.     

Neutron Activation Analysis, Atomic Absorption and X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry Review for 2003

This review for the year 2003 deals with three relatively well-established, mature, analytical techniques (neutron activation analysis, atomic absorption spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry) that nevertheless remain very important for the characterisation of geological and environmental samples. Developments in neutron activation analysis included modification to the technique in relation to the determination of platinum-group elements, as well as consideration of sample size in ore grade estimation. A considerable body of literature was published on the application of atomic absorption spectrometry in the analysis of environmental samples. Many of these proposed technical and methodological improvements, notably in extraction procedures. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry saw developments in in situ analysis, synchrotron micro-XRF (μ-SRXRF) and a confocal X-ray set-up for 3D elemental imaging. XRF technologies were used in the analysis of geological samples, reference materials, glasses, solutes and environmental materials.     

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Estuarine Sediment as a Proposed Reference Material for Environmental Studies

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Marine Environmental Studies Laboratory (MEL) organised an intercomparison exercise, through its Analytical Quality Control Services (AQCS), for the determination of trace elements in estuarine sediment IAEA-405, well suited for the characterisation of sediments. The instrumental neutron activation analysis technique (INAA) was developed using a 27 kW low power research reactor. Forty elements in the sediment were determined with a measurement precision varying from 1.8% to 12.3%. IAEA reference materials SL-1 and SD-M-2/TM were analysed throughout this work as quality assurance samples.