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Quantitative Analyses of Trace Elements in Environmental Samples: Options and (Im)possibilities

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Soil Heavy Metals

Part of the book series: Soil Biology ((SOILBIOL,volume 19))

Abstract

The main aim of contemporary ecotoxicological studies is to determine the bioavailability, toxicity and risk relationships of trace-element contaminants in ecosystems. Discussions thus focus primarily on the concentrations of elements in soils, their dynamics, and the impact they have on microorganisms, plants, animals and the ecosystem as a whole. However, before the basic ecotoxicological principles can be discussed, the appropriate analytical methods for addressing particular question(s) need to be chosen from among the broad array of physicochemical analytical methods that are available. Together with the sampling strategy and preparation, these are key issues that affect the final outcome. In this chapter, we mainly focus on the presentation and use of X-ray fluorescence/absorption-based techniques. These include standard and total reflection X-ray fluorescence, micro-proton-induced X-ray emission, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (such as extended X-ray absorption fine structure and X-ray absorption near-edge structure) for the analysis of trace-element concentrations and their coordination in biological samples.

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Acknowledgements

The X-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments were performed in various synchrotron laboratories, including ESRF in Grenoble, ELETTRA in Trieste, and HASYLAB, DESY in Hamburg, with the financial support of European Community Contract RII3-CT-2004-506008 (IA-SFS).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Katarina Vogel-Mikuš, Paula Pongrac & Marjana Regvar

  2. Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Peter Kump, Marijan Nečemer, Primož Pelicon & Iztok Arčon

  3. University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, 301, 5001, Nova Gorica, Slovenia

    Iztok Arčon

  4. Max-Planck-Institut fűr Kernphysik, 103980, 69029, Heidelberg, Germany

    Bogdan Povh

Authors
  1. Katarina Vogel-Mikuš
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  2. Peter Kump
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  3. Marijan Nečemer
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  4. Primož Pelicon
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  5. Iztok Arčon
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  6. Paula Pongrac
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  7. Bogdan Povh
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  8. Marjana Regvar
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Correspondence to Katarina Vogel-Mikuš .

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Vogel-Mikuš, K. et al. (2010). Quantitative Analyses of Trace Elements in Environmental Samples: Options and (Im)possibilities. In: Soil Heavy Metals. Soil Biology, vol 19. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02436-8_6

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