Determination of Element Levels of Lagoon from Townships near Cocody City Abidjan Côte D’Ivoire Using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence

Eight water bottles from Ebrie lagoon with pollution potency were studied using nuclear chemistry technique and Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. This pollution is characterized by pH and conductivity parameters, concentrations average in mg/L of metals such Fe (0.731), Mn (0.345), Cr (0.070), Cu (0.014) and concentrations of nutrients known to be pollutants and toxic for living or-ganisms. These heavy metals are dangerous to the lives, the local inhabitants and also a threat to aquatic life since this water is essential for the economical town, Abidjan. According to the Manganese concentration average (0.345 mg) values that higher than WHO (0.05 mg) value, the main likely source of pollu-tants is anthropogenic, industrial and agricultural. This study also shows the use of materials and lubricants near the lagoon that pollute this water.

Palaeodiet of Miocene Producers and Depositional Environments:Inferences from the First Evidence of Microcoprolites from India

This paper reviews research on coprolites from India,providing the first evidence of microcoprolites from the early Miocene(Aquitanian)Khari Nadi Formation sedimentary succession,exposed about 1.5 km northeast of the village of Kotada,Kachchh(Kutch)District,Gujarat State,western India.Morphometric and size comparisons(in a statistical framework)with known coprolites from the Mesozoic-Cenozoic successions of India(including those recorded herein)and globally suggest that fishes were the likely producers of the Kotada coprolites.Scanning electron microscopy confirms the presence of fish dental remains within the coprolites,while both Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM)and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy(EDS)reveal the phosphatic nature of the microscopic coprolite specimens(recorded herein)hinting that the producer(s)were predominantly carnivorous(ichthyophagous)in their diet.Furthermore,X-Ray Fluorescence(XRF)analysis of the host and associated lithologies allows us to deduce that the Kotada coprolites were deposited in a shallow marine environment,with possible aerial exposure of the host lithology occurring at some point after deposition.To the best of our knowledge,the present report is the first record of microscopic fish coprolites from India,as well as being the first from the Aquitanian of India and the oldest Neogene record from India.

一种X射线荧光光谱数据批处理新方法的研究

论述了一种高精度、快速的能量色散X射线荧光(EDXRF)光谱自动分析方法,包括平滑、背底扣除和寻峰等计算过程。该方法不仅可用于单幅谱图的分析,也可用于大批量数据的批处理分析。对实验室测得的微区X射线荧光光谱数据的测试结果表明,该方法同常用的高斯拟合方法相比,结果基本一致,但算法更加简单,能够有效地识别出弱峰。在当前主流配置计算机上利用该方法进行多文件连续分析时,单个文件的平均用时小于1 s,能够有效缩短数据分析时间、提高工作效率。

Scientific studies on pottery and pro-porcelain from group of graves in Henglingshan, Guangdong Province

The findings of the Henglingshan group of graves, Guangdong Province, were appraised as one of the ten major archaeological excavations in 2000. The pottery and proto-porcelain samples excavated from the group of graves in Henglingshan are very important for studying the development history of Guang-dong ceramics. In this paper, the chemical compositions, micro-structure and physical properties of the samples were systematically analyzed. The results were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis. Different compositional patterns were found for specimens from different periods. The reasons for these variations were discussed. In addition, compared with the pottery and proto-porcelain samples from different production sites in other provinces of China, the obvious regional characters and unique law of the development for ancient ceramics of Guangdong were also discussed.

Use of geochemical fingerprints to trace sediment sources in an agricultural catchment of Argentina

Soil erosion and associated sediment redistribution are key environmental problems in Central Argentina.Specific land uses and management practices,such as intensive grazing and crop cultivation,are considered to be significantly driving and accelerating these processes.This research focuses on the identification of suitable soil tracers from hot spots of land degradation and sediment fate in an agricultural catchment of central Argentina with erodible loess soils.Using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence(EDXRF),elemental concentrations were determined and later used as soil tracers for geochemical characterization.The best set of tracers were identified using two artificial mixtures composed of known proportions of soil sources collected from different lands having contrasting soil uses.Barium,calcium,iron,phosphorus,and titanium were identified for obtaining the best suitable reconstruction of source proportions in the laboratory-prepared artificial mixtures.Then,these elements,as well as the total organic carbon,were applied for pinpointing critical hot spots of erosion within the studied catchment.Feedlots were identified to be the main source of sediments,river banks and dirt roads together are the second most important source.This investigation provides key information for optimizing soil conservation strategies and selecting land management practices and land uses which do not generate great contribution of sediment,preventing pollution of the waterways of the region.

Chinese Jingdezhen blue and white imperial porcelain

Jingdezhen blue and white imperial porcelain specimens from the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties have been systematically analyzed using a nondestructive test method—— energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (EDXRF). The derived data of major and trace element compositions have been treated by correspondence analysis. The variation laws of the composition patterns for Jingdezhen blue and white imperial porcelain in different historical periods owing to the change in raw materials, recipe and technology have been discussed, and a time model related to variation of element composition has been preliminarily established, It would be helpful for scientific dating of Jingdezhen blue and white imperial porcelain, and even for the studies on the whole field of identification of ancient ceramics.