Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Multiple-Elements in Anisodus Tanguticus (Maxim.) Pascher from Different Regions to Determine Geographical Origins

Background: Anisodus tanguticus (Maxim.) Pascher, which is an important species used in traditional Tibetan medicine, is grown in the Qinghai -Tibet Plateau. Because the quality of A. tanguticus varies depending on where it is grown, a method for determining the geographical origin of this species is needed.Methods: A quantitative analysis of 18 elements (Al, Ba, Be, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Sr, V, and Zn) in A. tanguticus and the soil collected from different locations was conducted using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. The elemental contents underwent a principal component analysis (PCA), and an orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Furthermore, elemental accumulation and elemental transfer coefficients were calculated according to the element concentration gradients.Results: Distinct element fingerprints were detected for the A. tanguticus collected from different regions. Additionally, the PCA and OPLS-DA results indicated A. tanguticus plants can be distinguished on the basis of their geographical origin. The Tibet samples were easily separated from the other samples. Elemental accumulation and transfer patterns differed significantly among the analyzed elements and plant parts. Ca and P were identified as the elements with the highest in elemental accumulation and elemental transfer patterns of A. tanguticus. Conclusions: Our approach can be used to efficiently and accurately distinguish herbs according to their varietal characteristics and geographical origins.

The patterns of elemental concentration (Ca, Na, Sr, Mg, Mn, Ba, Cu, Pb, V, Y, U and Cd) in shells of invertebrates representing different CaCO₃ polymorphs: a case study from the brackish Gulf of Gdańsk (the Baltic Sea)

The shells of calcitic arthropod Amphibalanus improvisus; aragonitic bivalves Cerastoderma glaucum, Limecola balthica, and Mya arenaria; and bimineralic bivalve Mytilus trossulus were collected in the brackish waters of the southern Baltic Sea in order to study patterns of bulk elemental concentration (Ca, Na, Sr, Mg, Ba, Mn, Cu, Pb, V, Y, U and Cd) in shells composed of different crystal lattices (calcite and aragonite). The factors controlling the elemental composition of shells are discussed in the context of crystal lattice properties, size classes of organisms and potential environmental differences between locations. Clams that precipitate fully aragonitic shells have a clear predominance of Sr over Mg in shells, contrary to predominant accumulation of Mg over Sr in calcitic shells of barnacles. However, the barnacle calcite shell contains higher Sr concentration than bivalve aragonite. The elemental variability between size-grouped shells is different for each studied species, and the elemental concentrations tend to be lower in the large size classes compared to the smaller size classes. Biological differences between and within species, such as growth rate, feeding strategy (including feeding rate and assimilation efficiency or composition) and contribution of organic material, seem to be important factors determining the elemental accumulation in shells. Because specimens used in this study were obtained from different sampling sites within the gulf, the impact of location-specific environmental factors, such as sediment type, cannot be excluded.

Comparing atmospheric trace element accumulation of three moss species

Introduction: The intention of Vietnam to participate in the European-Asian Moss Survey in the framework of The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe - International Cooperative Programme on effects of air pollution on natural vegetation and crops (UNECE ICP Vegetation) necessitates choosing appropriate moss species that grow in the tropical and subtropical climate of Vietnam. The three selected moss species, divided into phytogeographical elements, were as follows: Leucobryum (aduncum, albidum), Hypnum commutatum and Barbula indica. Methods: The present study focuses on Central Vietnam where 18 samples of the three above moss species were collected in the vicinity of Dalat and Hue cities. Elements in the moss samples were detected by neutron activation analysis (NAA) at the IBR-2 reactor of the Division of Neutron Activation Analysis, Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia. Results: The analytical results for twenty-three trace elements, which were used to study elemental accumulation abilities of the three moss species in the air, were Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Th, and U. The accumulation abilities were found to decrease in the following order: Leucobryum > Hypnum > Barbula. However, Leucobryum, because of its short stem, was not judged to be a suitable candidate for biomonitoring. Conclusion: The element accumulation abilities of Hypnum moss were better than those for Barbula, but both were comparable and could be used as indicators for air deposition monitoring; however, Hypnum was not widely present in Vietnam. Thus, Barbula indica moss could be used for performance of atmospheric deposition monitoring in Vietnam.

Synchrotron based X-ray fluorescence for trace elemental analysis of industrial sludge

This research article presents the application of the synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique for the resolution of trace elemental accumulation in industrial sludge/waste. The X-ray fluorescence using synchrotron radiation presents an expeditious exposition of a wide scale of elements (Sodium to Uranium) together with an ingenuous sample preparation procedure. The present X-ray fluorescence studies carried out for the paper and toothpaste industry sludge at synchrotron source (Beam Line -16), Indus-2, Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore, India. The XRF results show very low traces of heavy metals present in paper and toothpaste industry sludge and therefore recommend for safe and efficient reuse.