scholarly journals Five Hundred Years of Mercury Exposure and Adaptation

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Lombardi ◽  
Antonio Lanzirotti ◽  
Clifford Qualls ◽  
Francisco Socola ◽  
Abdul-Mehdi Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hair Growth ◽  
Metal Content ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Transgenerational Inheritance ◽  
Mercury Toxicity ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Hair Mercury ◽  
History Of ◽  
Andean Mining

Mercury is added to the biosphere by anthropogenic activities raising the question of whether changes in the human chromatin, induced by mercury, in a parental generation could allow adaptation of their descendants to mercury. We review the history of Andean mining since pre-Hispanic times in Huancavelica, Peru. Despite the persistent degradation of the biosphere today, no overt signs of mercury toxicity could be discerned in present day inhabitants. However, mercury is especially toxic to the autonomic nervous system (ANS). We, therefore, tested ANS function and biologic rhythms, under the control of the ANS, in 5 Huancavelicans and examined the metal content in their hair. Mercury levels varied from none to 1.014 ppm, significantly less than accepted standards. This was confirmed by microfocused synchrotron X-ray fluorescence analysis. Biologic rhythms were abnormal and hair growth rate per year, also under ANS control, was reduced (P<0.001). Thus, evidence of mercury’s toxicity in ANS function was found without other signs of intoxication. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis of partial transgenerational inheritance of tolerance to mercury in Huancavelica, Peru. This would generally benefit survival in the Anthropocene, the man-made world, we now live in.

scholarly journals ENERGY DISPERSION X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS FOR ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

2005 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 214
Author(s):  
Eduards Valbahs ◽  
Aleksanders Sokolovs ◽  
Zigmārs Strūve
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Monitoring ◽  
Metal Content ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Environment Protection ◽  
Energy Dispersion ◽  
Sensitive Analysis ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
Change Tendency

Environmental monitoring is aimed mostly at pollution levels change tendency estimation and high sensitive analysis methods are applied for this purpose. X-Ray fluorescence analysis (RFA) allows getting information of metal content in ten or hundred seconds. The analyzers with Si(Li) detectors were used for measurements. Our report deals with some examples which are given as new RFA methods (with secondary target) application in the laboratory and field conditions.

Analysis of single hair by XRF discloses mercury intake

2001 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 185-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Y Toribara
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Single Strand ◽  
Mercury Toxicity ◽  
Laboratory Notebook ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Commercial Laboratory ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Fatal Result ◽  
Large Peak ◽  
Two Peaks

Utilizing information obtained from the X-ray fluores-cence linear scanning along a single strand of hair in a recent fatal exposure to dimethylmercury, it was possible to determine the circumstances leading to the fatal result. When the Dartmouth chemistry professor displayed symptoms of mercury toxicity, samples of her urine and blood were found to have considerable amounts of mercury by a commercial laboratory. The Dartmouth medical people immediately started treatment with a chelator on January 29, 1997 to remove the mercury, and sent the first samples of blood, urine and hair taken on January 31, 1997 to our laboratory. Our X-ray fluorescence analysis of a single strand of hair shown in Figure 1 shows a single large peak of intake of mercury confirming the information revealed by examination of her laboratory notebook that she had spilled some dimethylmercury about 5 months previous to the date the hair sample was taken. Figure 2 shows two peaks, the peak closest to the scalp end of the hair shows the effect of the large amount of mercury released by the chelator, part of which appeared in the blood. Utilizing the start of the first increase in the blood level as August 14, 1996, and the second as caused by the chelator on January 29, 1997, a count of the number of 2-mm points measured between the two dates gives an accurate growth of the hair during that time. A close examination of Figure 1 indicates that it required five points, each of 2 mm, along the hair to reach the maximum. This indicates a time period of 10 mm of growth equal to 23 days during which a large concentration of methylmercury was entering the blood as evidenced by the hair concentration. The professor died on June 11, 1997.

Secondary ion mass spectroscopy and synchrotron X-ray fluorescence in the study of the qualitative variation in metal content with time in tree rings

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1464-1470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald R Martin ◽  
T K Sham ◽  
G Wong Won ◽  
Paul van der Heide ◽  
Keith W Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Rings ◽  
Mass Spectroscopy ◽  
Metal Content ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Ring System ◽  
Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Qualitative Variation ◽  
Secondary Ion ◽  
Cu And Zn

Secondary ion mass spectroscopy and synchrotron X-ray fluorescence analysis have been used to document the changes in metal content across the ring system of trees from northern Canada. The results show a seasonal qualitative variation in the uptake of Na, Al, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn. Diffusional models show that locally elevated concentrations of selected metals are sufficiently stable within individual rings that variations in content among rings remain at detectable levels for at least a century.

scholarly journals Determination of heavy metal content in dust of earth's surface and dust on air conditioner filter by X-ray fluorescence analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 013301
Author(s):  
Wang Xin ◽  
Kang Ming-Ming ◽  
Liu Jun ◽  
Chen Xiu-Lian ◽  
Qin Xue
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Metal Content ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Heavy Metal Content ◽  
Air Conditioner ◽  
X Ray

scholarly journals Chinese Coins from the Biysk Museum of Local Lore: History of Study, X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis and Dating

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 189-197
Author(s):  
Tishkin A. ◽  
◽  
Gorbunov V. ◽  
Serov V. ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Burial Mound ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Political Interaction ◽  
North Asia ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Time ◽  
Archaeological Excavations ◽  
History Of Study

The coins discovered in Altai and the South of the Upper Ob region during archaeological excavations of Early Medieval sites are important chronological indicators. They also reflect the results of ethno-cultural and military-political interaction between different groups of the population during this period. The article provides a detailed analysis of two Chinese coins stored in the Biysk Museum of local lore (Altai territory) and originating from the well-known burial mound Srostki-I. In addition to the history of their study, detailed descriptions and comprehensive illustrations are presented for the first time. Based on the current data on the Chinese coins and the results of x-ray fluorescence testing, new grounds for dating the considered products are given. This information is supplemented by a summary of other similar finds from the sites of the territory under consideration. This information indicates the need for further study of numismatic materials that are known in certain regions of North Asia.

Specification the metal content of waste glass from an old glass landfill

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yahya Jani ◽  
William Hogland ◽  
Anna Augustsson
Keyword(s):  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Metal Content ◽  
18Th Century ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Hazardous Materials ◽  
Waste Glass ◽  
Crystal Glass ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Huge Amount ◽  
X Ray

Glass has been manufactured in Småland region (the “Kingdom of Crystal Glass”) since the 18th century and during all these years a huge amount of heavy metals accumulated in this region. There is more than 25 glassworks in Småland which contain an estimated of 310 tons of arsenic, 19 tons of cadmium and 1600 tons of lead. Recently, the Sweden’s county administrative boards have mapped 20,000 locations that are contaminated with hazardous materials for human and environment. 10 of the 22 acute risks and dangerous locations are glassworks in Småland. The first stage to handle these wastes is to specify the metal content of the waste glass and the contaminated soils. Semi-quantified X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) was used to analyze 14 samples of waste glass from an old glassworks landfill in the south of Sweden. The results showed that different amount of metals were detected and with a high concentration like Pb (about 3500 ppm), As (about 500 ppm), Fe (about 30000 ppm), Mn (about 1000 ppm) and others.

Preparation of iron, aluminium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc humates for environmental applications

2014 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvie Kříženecká ◽  
Stanislav Hejda ◽  
Vladimír Machovič ◽  
Josef Trögl
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water ◽  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Water Sorption ◽  
Metal Content ◽  
Diffuse Reflection ◽  
Inorganic Ions ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Calcium Magnesium ◽  
Water Sorption Properties

AbstractA few non-conventional humate sorbents, i.e. iron humate (FeH), aluminium humate (AlH), calcium humate (CaH), magnesium humate (MgH), and zinc humate (ZnH), were prepared from a commercial product Fortehum L/K (Humatex, Bílina, Czech Republic). The metal content in humates was determined by X-ray fluorescence analysis, the organic elements (C, H, N, and S) were analysed by an Elementar Vario III and the functional groups were determined by classical methods using KBr pellets and diffuse reflection infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS). FeH, AlH, and ZnH were tested as sorbents for the removal of inorganic or organic pollutants (metals, inorganic ions, dyes, and chlorophenols) from waste water. Sorption properties decreased in order: ZnH, AlH, FeH. CaH and MgH are partly soluble and therefore they are not usable as sorbents. However, their ion-exchange abilities for heavy metals are excellent which makes them usable for phytoremediation and bioremediation.

scholarly journals Devising criteria for the authenticity of historical cold weapons based on X-ray fluorescence analysis of their surface

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (12 (114)) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Merezhko ◽  
Yuliia Vovk ◽  
Volodymyr Indutnyi ◽  
Kateryna Pirkovich ◽  
Valentyna Davydiuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Pure Material ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Subsequent Investigation ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Chronological Period ◽  
Historical Objects ◽  
History Of

This paper reports the results of studying the chemical composition of the surface of 4 objects of cold weapons of the 19th and early 20th centuries, made of iron – bayonet knives and sabers. This makes it possible to establish the signs of authenticity of cold weapon samples made of iron in that chronological period. An authentic procedure has been proposed for examining the chemical composition of the surface of historical objects of cold weapons by rubbing the samples with cotton wool swabs and their subsequent investigation. This makes it possible to explore objects of cold weapons, whose size is large, as well as simplify the very procedure for studying objects of historical and cultural value. Using the X-ray fluorescent chemical analyzer Expert Mobile, chemical elements were found at the surface of samples of cold weapons made of iron. The presence of such elements is the result of the process of re-crystallization and self-purification of metal during a long history of its life. Elements found in almost every rubbing sample were identified: calcium, ferrum, zinc, cuprum, and chlorine. The studies of cold weapons samples testify to the heterogeneity of the composition of patina formations on their surface, which confirms the authenticity of ancient objects. In addition, the studies have shown a difference in the chemical composition of surface layers of different parts of individual samples of antique cold weapons, which may indicate different times or different technology for their manufacture. The fluorescence spectra of the obtained rubbing of individual samples of cold weapons were compared with "pure" material, which made it possible to identify elements removed from the surface of objects. The study results are important indicators to confirm the authenticity of cultural monuments and the technology of their manufacture in the past.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document