RESEARCH OF TRACE METALS DISTRIBUTION BETWEEN THERMAL TREATMENT PRODUCTS OF SOME COALS

Selected area electron diffraction (SAD) has been used successfully to determine crystal structures, identify traces of minerals in rocks, and characterize the phases formed during thermal treatment of micron-sized particles. There is an increased interest in the method because it has the potential capability of identifying micron-sized pollutants in air and water samples. This paper is a short review of the theory behind SAD and a discussion of the sample preparation employed for the analysis of multiple component environmental samples.

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XRF and PIXE Analysis of light and Dark Adapted Ocular Tissue

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100053619 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 40 ◽

pp. 190-191

Author(s):

B. J. Panessa ◽

H. W. Kraner ◽

J. B. Warren ◽

K. W. Jones

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Pigment Epithelium ◽

Nerve Impulse ◽

Light Response ◽

Ocular Tissue ◽

Emission Spectrometry ◽

Retinol Dehydrogenase ◽

Pixe Analysis ◽

X Ray ◽

Optimal Function

During photoexcitation the retina requires specific electrolytes and trace metals for optimal function (Na, Mg, Cl, K, Ca, S, P, Cu and Zn). According to Hagins (1981), photoexcitation and generation of a nerve impulse involves the movement of Ca from the rhodopsin-ladened membranes of the rod outer segment (ROS) to the plasmalemma, which in turn decreases the in-flow of Na into the photoreceptor, resulting in hyperpolarization. In toad isolated retinas, the presence of Ba has been found to increase the amplitude and prolong the delay of the light response (Brown and Flaming, 1978). Trace metals such as Cu, Zn and Se are essential for the activity of the metalloenzymes of the retina and retina pigment epithelium (RPE) (i.e. carbonic anhydrase, retinol dehydrogenase, tyrosinase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase...). Therefore the content and fluctuations of these elements in the retina and choroid are of fundamental importance for the maintenance of vision. This paper presents elemental data from light and dark adapted frog ocular tissues examined by electron beam induced x-ray microanalysis, x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and proton induced x-ray emission spectrometry (PIXE).

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Development of Crystallinity in Turbostratic Boron Nitride Derived from Polymeric Precursors

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100089081 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 49 ◽

pp. 954-955

Author(s):

X. Qiu ◽

A. K. Datye ◽

T. T. Borek ◽

R. T. Paine

Keyword(s):

Thermal Treatment ◽

Boron Nitride ◽

Diffraction Pattern ◽

Polymeric Precursors ◽

Polymer Precursors ◽

Diffuse Ring

Boron nitride derived from polymer precursors is of great interest for applications such as fibers, coatings and novel forms such as aerogels. The BN is prepared by the polymerization of functionalized borazine and thermal treatment in nitrogen at 1200°C. The BN powders obtained by this route are invariably trubostratic wherein the sheets of hexagonal BN are randomly oriented to yield the so-called turbostratic modification. Fib 1a and 1b show images of BN powder with the corresponding diffraction pattern in fig. 1c. The (0002) reflection from BN is seen as a diffuse ring with occational spots that come from crystals of BN such as those shown in fig. 1b. The (0002) lattice fringes of BN seen in these powders are the most characteristic indication of the crystallinity of the BN.

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Identifying Sources of Sulfate Aerosols Reaching Whiteface Mountain, NY

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100117546 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 43 ◽

pp. 98-101

Author(s):

James S. Webber

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Acid Deposition ◽

Surface Waters ◽

Dry Deposition ◽

Coal Combustion ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Sulfate Aerosols ◽

Wet And Dry Deposition ◽

Whiteface Mountain ◽

Toxic Trace Metals

INTRODUCTION“Acid rain” and “acid deposition” are terms no longer confined to the lexicon of atmospheric scientists and 1imnologists. Public awareness of and concern over this phenomenon, particularly as it affects acid-sensitive regions of North America, have increased dramatically in the last five years. Temperate ecosystems are suffering from decreased pH caused by acid deposition. Human health may be directly affected by respirable sulfates and by the increased solubility of toxic trace metals in acidified waters. Even man's monuments are deteriorating as airborne acids etch metal and stone features.Sulfates account for about two thirds of airborne acids with wet and dry deposition contributing equally to acids reaching surface waters or ground. The industrial Midwest is widely assumed to be the source of most sulfates reaching the acid-sensitive Northeast since S02 emitted as a byproduct of coal combustion in the Midwest dwarfs S02 emitted from all sources in the Northeast.

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