Study on Trace Elements in Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. by Principal Component Analysis and Clustering Analysis

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the trace elements in Rehman- nia glutinosa Libosch. by using principal component analysis and clustering analysis. [Method] Principal component analysis and clustering analysis of R. glutinosa medicinal materials from different sources were conducted with contents of six trace elements as indices. [Result] The principal component analysis could comprehen- sively evaluate the quality of R. glutinosa samples with objective results which was consistent with the results of clustering analysis. [Conclusion] Principal component analysis and clustering analysis methods can be used for the quality evaluation of Chinese medicinal materials with multiple indices.

Analysis on Serum Trace Element Levels of Echinococciasis Patients in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan,China,2011

In Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture inSichuan province, China, 41 echinococciasis patientswho had received surgical treatment were recruitedin the study, and 82 health persons who had livedin Garze for at least 10 years were selected ascontrols. The serum levels of Zn, Se and Cu of thecases and controls were detected. The resultsshowed that most echinococciasis cases weredistributed in Shiqu county （17.1%, 7/41）, and only1 case was distributed in Yajiang county （2.4%）. Themale to female ratio of the cases was 1：1.56. Theechinococciasis patients were mainly aged 30-39years （36.59%, 15/41）. And, the cases aged 20-49years accounted for 68.29% （28/41）. Comparedwith health controls, the serum levels of Zn and Seof the cases significantly declined. However, theserum level of Cu of the cases had no significantlychange. It was confirmed that the serum levels ofZn and Se were interrelated with the prevalence ofechinococciasis.

Use of Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Multivariate Analysis for the Determination of Trace Elements in Human Scalp

The analysis of trace elements in human hair for use as biomarkers continues to generate considerable interest in environmental and bioanalytical studies, medical diagnostics, and forensic science. This study investigated the concentrations of essential and toxic elements (Fe, Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, and Pb) using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) in human scalp hair obtained from subjects living in Forsyth County, North Carolina, USA. The influence of age, sex, race, and smoking habits on the levels of trace elements in the hair samples were also investigated. Additionally, analyses were subjected to a statistical, regression, and principal component analysis to evaluate inter-elemental association and possible pattern recognition in hair samples. Furthermore, Ca/Mg and Zn/Cu ratios, which are often used to evaluate the degree of Ca and Cu utilization in humans and as markers for various health related issues including, atherosclerosis, hypertension, insulin sensitivity, and pancreatic cancer, were calculated. The overall mean concentrations of Fe (25 μg/g), Ca (710 μg/g), Mg (120 μg/g), Zn (190 μg/g), Cu (12 μg/g), and Cr (0.20 μg/g) were found in hair samples. The trace element concentrations varied widely in hair samples as demonstrated by large range of concentrations obtained for each element. However, levels of Cd and Pb elements of <0.030 μg/g were detected in hair sample. In general, the levels of the trace elements in hair samples were poorly correlated. However, significant correlations were found between Ca and Mg (r = 0.840, p = 0.05). The levels of Fe, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Cr in hair samples and the calculated Ca/Mg and Zn/Cu ratios were found to be largely correlated with age, race, sex, and smoking habits.

Method and portable facility for measurement of trace element concentration in prostate fluid samples using radionuclideinduced energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescent analysis

A facility and method for109 Cd radionuclide-induced energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescent(EDXRF) were developed to determine the Fe,Zn,Br,Rb,and Sr concentrations in the specimens of human prostatic fluid.Specimens of expressed prostatic fluid were obtained from 51 men(mean age 51 years,range 18–82 years) with apparently normal prostates using standard rectal massage procedure.Mean values(M ± SEL) for concentration of trace elements(mg L^(-1)) in human prostate fluid were:Fe 9.04 ±1.21,Zn 573 ± 35,Br 3.58 ± 0.59,Rb 1.10 ± 0.08,and Sr B 0.76.It was shown that the results of trace element analysis in the micro-samples(20 l L) are sufficiently representative for assessment of the Fe,Zn,Br,and Rb concentration in the prostate fluid.The facility for109 Cd radionuclide-induced EDXRF is comparatively compact and can be located in close proximity to the site of carrying out the massage procedure.The means of Zn and Rb concentration obtained for prostate fluid agree well with median of reported means.For the first time,the Fe and Br concentrations,as well as the upper limit of the Sr concentration,were determined in the human prostate fluid.

Preliminary study of the correlation between trace elements in human hair, liver and kidney by proton induced X-ray emission analysis

This paper deals with the determination of trace elements in normal human hair, liver and kidney by Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) analysis. Sampling, specimen preparation and experimental procedures are described in detail. The accuracy of our system has been checked up with the determination of standard reference materials. The preliminary results on correlations between trace elements in human tissues are discussed. Application of the method described in the paper gives evidence in favour of the PIXE as a good tool on environmental life elements and health studies.

Assessment of Minor and Trace Elements in Aquatic Macrophytes, Soils and Bottom Sediments Collected along Different Water Objects in the Black Sea Coastal Zone by Using Neutron Activation Analysis

The levels and compartmentalization of Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Hf, Ta, Au, Th, and U in Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud., Carex conescens L. and Cladophora sericea (Hudson) Kutzing from the Caucasian coast of the Black Sea-Anapa recreational region was investigated by Neutron Activation Analysis. The study touches upon subject of the sediment-to-plant and root-to-leaf elemental transfer as well as of the influence of anthropogenic pollution on wetland ecosystems in zone of resort. The content of the majority of considered elements was found higher in the belowground organs of P. australis than in the aboveground tissues while a reverse regularity was evidenced for C. conescens. The levels of elements decrease from bottom sediments to aquatic plants with the notable exception of the halogens Cl, Br and I that presented 5 to 100 fold higher content in plants than in sediments. The increased levels of As, Mo, and Sb in some soil and sediment samples most probably indicate the anthropogenic pollution. It recommends them for a continuous monitoring of the same area.

Determination of Major, Minor and Trace Element Compositions of the Gd₂O₂S:Pr,Ce Scintillation Ceramics with Neutron Activation Analysis

Neutron activation analysis technique of the Gd2O2S:М scintillation ceramics was developed. The concentrations of 15 trace, minor and major elements (As, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, La, Sc, Tb, Zn, Zr, Pr, Gd, Na) have been measured with the instrumental neutron activation analysis of the Gd2O2S:Pr sample. The concentrations range of the determined elements is from 3 × 10-8 to 2.0% in mass. The determination limit of the elements was calculated to be (0.6 - 1.3 × 10-8% in mass).

MATHEMATICAL STATISTICS OF HEAVY MINERALS AND THEIR REE AND TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE NORTHWESTERN SEA AREA OF ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

Based on the analysis and mathematical statistics of quantitative data on both the heavy minerals and their REE (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, Lu), trace (Zr, Hf, Th, Ta, U, Rb, Sr, Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, As, Sc) and major (Fe) elements in the surface sediments in the northwestern sea area of Antarctic Peninsula, the authors find that the heavy minerals as the carriers of REE and trace elements should not be overlooked.Q-mode factor analysis of the heavy minerals provides a 3-factor model of the heavy mineral assemblages in the study area, which is mainly controlled by the origin of materials and sea currents. The common factor P1, composed mainly of pyroxene and metal minerals, and common factor P2, composed of hornblende, epidote and accessory minerals, represent two heavy mineral assemblages which are different from each other in both lithological characters and origin of materials. And common factor P3 probably results from mixing of two end members of the above-mentioned assemblages. R-mode group analysis of the heavy minerals indicates that there are two heavy mineral groups in the sea area, which are different from each other in both genesis and origin of materials. With the help of R-mode analysis, 22 elements are divided into 3 groups and 9 subgroups. These element assemblages show that they are genetically related and that they are different in geochemical behaviors during diagenesis and mineral-forming process. In addition, the relationship between the heavy mineral assemblages and the element subgroups is also discussed.

Modelling of the relationship between trace elements and three species of sulfur in coal

Based on the determination of several trace elements in coal particulate of different specific gravity, three variables regression equations relate the contents of trace elements Be, Cd, Co, Pb, Cu, Ni, As and three species of sulfur in coal were well established. For elements Cd, Co, Pb, Cu and Ni, the regression equations were successfully used for prediction of these trace elements in individual part of coal with different specific gravity. Factor analysis was also used to analyze the data sets. The results showed that a three factor model can interpret the data sets reasonably. Trace elements Cd, Co, Pb, Cu, Ni, inorganic sulfide and total sulfur in coal are high correlated with the first factor. Trace elements Be, sulfate and organic sulfide are high correlated with the second factor and trace elements Cr and As are high correlated with the third factor. The factors can be interpreted by the chemical properties of these elements.

Modes of Occurrence and Cleaning Potential of Trace Elements in Coals from the Northern Ordos Basin and Shanxi Province, China

Based on the analyses of 43 elements in 16 samples of the raw coal and feed coal collected from the northern Ordos basin and Shanxi Province, the modes of occurrence of these elements were studied using the method of cluster analysis and factor analysis, and the cleaning potential of the hazardous elements relatively enriched in the coals was discussed by analyzing six samples of the cleaned coal from the coal-washing plants and coal cleaning simulation experiments. The results shows that the elements Br and Ba show a strong affinity to the organic matter, Cs, Cd, Pb, Zn and Hg partly to the organic matter, and the other trace elements are mainly associated with the mineral matter. Cs, Mo, P, Pb, Zn and S have positive correlations with the two principal factors, reflecting the complexity of their modes of occurrence. Some elements that were thought to show a faint relationship (Be with S and Sb with carbonates) in other rocks are found to have a strong interrelation in the coals. Clay minerals (mainly kaolinite) dominate in the coals, and Ta, Th, Ti, Sc, REE, Hf, U, Se, W, V, Nb, Mo, Al, P, Cr, Pb and Zn are distributed mostly in kaolinite, while K, Rb, Cs, and Na have much to do with illite. Conventional cleaning can reduce the concentrations of most hazardous elements in various degrees. The hazardous elements S, As, Sb, Se, Mo, Pb, Cd and Hg relatively enriched in some coals from the area studied have a relatively high potential of environmental risks. However, by physical coal cleaning processes, more than 60% of As and Hg were removed, showing a high degree of removal, more than 30% of Sb, as well as S, Pb and Cd partly associated with the inorganic matter were removed. Se and Mo showing a relatively low degree of removal could be further removed by deep crushing of the coal during physical cleaning processes, and the concentrations of S, Pb, Cd and Hg with a partial association with the organic matter could be decreased in such ways as the coal blending. Cluster analysis together with factor analysis is a rapid and effective way to deduce the mode of occurrence of an element from bulk samples, and the removability data of most hazardous elements are basically consistent with their modes of occurrence suggested, which indicates that the statistical analysis could predict the cleaning potential of hazardous elements during the physical coal cleaning.

Chemical characteristics of aerosols at coastal station in Hong Kong.Ⅱ. Environmental behavior of trace elements during the April 1995 to April 1996

An one-year of sampling aerosol program was carried out during the period of April 1995 to April 1996 at coastal region, Cape D′Aguilar, in Hong Kong. The trace element composition of aerosol particles(TSP and PM 10 ) were measured and analyzed by using the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis(INAA) and Inductive Couple Plasma-Mass Spectrometry(ICP-MS) techniques. The results showed that the polluted elements such as: V, Zn, As, Pb, Cd, Sb, I, Se, Bi, with high enrichment factor(E.F) values, are derived from anthropogenic sources, while Sc, Al, Fe, Mn, Sm, La, Sr are less than 10 in E.F, these elements are related the crust and soil. The concentration of the trace elements are present seasonal variation i.e. summer low and winter high, whereas the V or noncrustal V(V *) present summer high and winter low, this phenomenon might be explained by local or regional oil combustion sources. Use three type of elemental ratio, e.g. La/Sm, Mn */V * and Bi/Al indicate that both TSP and PM 10 of La/Sm ratios are mainly related to soil and dust, Mn */V * are probably represent fossil combustion and Bi/Al are possibly associated with refuse incineration, ferromanganese alloys and aluminum production. The varimax rotation factor analysis for trace elements was performed. By means of the absolute principal component analysis(APCA) and multiple regression, the contribution of trace elements to possible sources and overall means of trace elements were estimated. The results showed that the present station is impacted by the anthropogenic species, although the quantities are different during the summertime and wintertime.

Measurement of trace element content in bone samples using long-lived neutron activation products and high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry

A nondestructive instrumental neutron activation analysis with high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry of long-lived radionuclides was developed and used for measurement of trace element contents in samples of bone to determine health and diseases. Using this method, the silver(Ag), cobalt(Co), chromium(Cr), iron(Fe), mercury(Hg), rubidium(Rb), antimony(Sb), selenium(Se), and zinc(Zn) mass fractions were estimated in bone samples from 27 patients with intact bone(12 females and 15 males, aged from 16 to 49 years) who had died from various non-bone-related causes, mainly unexpected traumas,and from 5 patients with chondroma(2 females and 3males, 15–42 years old), obtained from open biopsies or after operation. The reliability of the differences in the results between intact bone and bone affected by chondroma was evaluated by a parametric Student's t test and a nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test. It was found that in the bone affected by chondroma, the mean mass fractions of Co, Cr, Fe, Se, Sb, and Zn were significantly higher than in normal bone tissues. In the neoplastic bone, many correlations between trace elements found in the control group were no longer evident. This work revealed that there is asignificant disturbance of the trace element metabolism in bone affected by chondroma.

REE and Other Trace Element Chemistry of Oldhamite(CaS)in the Qingzhen Chondrite(EH3)and Their Genetic Implications

Instrumental neutron activation analysis(INAA) of 14 single oldhamite grains separated from the Qingzhen chondrite (EH3) for refractory(La,Ce,Sm ,Eu,Yb,Lu,Ca,Sc,Hf, and Th),volatile (Na,Cr,Zn,Se,Br,etc.)and siderophile elements (Fe,Ni,Co,Ir,Au ,and As) revealed that oldhamite is highly rich in refractory elements.The mineral serves as the principal carrier of REE and contains about 80% of the REEs in the Qingzhen enstatite chondrite .Furthermore, the large enrichment of LREE relative to HREE is noticed in oldhamite from the Qingzhen .In general, the oldhamite from metal-sulfide assemblages is richer in REE than that from the matrix,i.e.,the earlier the oldhamite grains condensed, the richer they are in REE. Meanwhile.oldhamite is also rich in vol-atile elements such as Se,Br, etc.In terms of the distribution of trace elements in oldhamitc from the Qingzhen ,the chondrite is srggested to have resulted from high-temperature condensation of solar nebula.

INVESTIGATION ON TRACE ELEMENTS IN CRUDE OILS AND ORGANIC MATERIALS EXTRACTED FROM OIL-FORMING SOURCE ROCKS IN CHINA WITH INAA

A combination of Soxhlet extraction, column chromatography and INAA with GC and GC- MS was used in this work for the study of the abundance patterns of 36 trace elements and their correlation in nearly 100 samples of crude oil and organic materials extracted from oil- forming source rocks from 10 main Chinese oilfields. The low V/Ni ratios of 0.01 to 0.3 state the oil- forming continent environment. The geochemical significance hinted from other trace element abundances is also briefly discussed.

Seasonal variations and health risk assessment of trace elements in the Badigad River,lesser Himalayas,Nepal

The consumption of contaminated river water can have severe effects on human health.This study aims to investigate the trace elements(TEs)content and their health risk assessment in the Badigad River Basin in the lesser Himalayas of Nepal.In total,44 water samples were collected from 22 different sites during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons,and 25 TEs were analyzed.Correlation matrix and principal component analysis(PCA)were used to analyze the potential relationship between the measured TEs and their source tracking.Furthermore,the water quality index(WQI),metal index(MI),and cancer index(CI)were evaluated.The TEs content in all samples were found to be within the WHO recommended guideline for drinking and domestic purposes.The dominancy order of the TEs was observed as Sr>Ba>Li>Rb>Zn>Cr>Sc>Mn>Ti>Cu>As>Ni>Co>U>V>Pb>Cs>Ga>Y>Tl>Th>Zr>Bi>Cd>Nb.The PCA analysis suggested that TEs could have natural,anthropogenic,and mixed origins.The WQI indicated that the river water is safe from a human health perspective.The MI suggested that Badigad River can be considered safer for drinking purposes,and the cancer index(CI)showed that all the reported TEs are at low-risk levels.The findings of this study could be useful for government agencies in developing more sustainable water management policies in the region.However,it is suggested that further investigations should be conducted in terms of other hydrogeochemical variables,including major ions,at spatiotemporal levels for the sustainability of the river basin.

Using Prostatic Fluid Levels of Some Trace Elements and Their Combinations in Non-Invasive and Highly Accurate Screening for Prostate Cancer

Objective: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) does not provide the high reliability and precision that is required for an accurate screening for prostate cancer?(PCa). The aim of our study was to search for a simple, rapid, direct, preferably non-invasive, and highly accurate biomarker and procedure for the screening for PCa. Method: The levels of trace elements (TE) Br, Fe, Rb, Sr,?and Zn were prospectively evaluated in expressed prostatic fluid (EPF). Also?Zn/Br, Zn/Fe, Zn/Rb, Zn/Sr concentration ratios as well as ZnRb and (ZnRb)/Fe concentration combinations were calculated for EPF samples, obtained from 38 apparently healthy males and from 33, 51, and 24 patients with chronic prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and PCa, respectively. Measurements were performed using an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescent (EDXRF) microanalysis. Results: It was found that in the EPF of cancerous prostates the levels of Rb, Zn, Zn/Br, Zn/Fe, Zn/Sr, ZnRb, and (ZnRb)/Fe were significantly lower in comparison with those in the EPF of normal, inflamed, and hyperplastic prostates. For example, in comparison hyperplastic?with cancerous prostates p values obtained using Student’s t-test and?Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U-test were Conclusions: The levels of TE and their combinations in EPF, obtained by EDXRF, is a fast, reliable, andnon-invasive diagnostic tool that can be successfully used by local, non- urologist physicians at the point-of-care to provide a highly effective PCa screening and as an additional confirmatory test before a prostate gland biopsy.

Application of Detrital Apatite U-Pb Geochronology and Trace Elements for Provenance Analysis,Insights from a Study on the Yarlung River Sand

Detrital U-bearing minerals(e.g.,zircon,apatite)U-Pb ages with specific trace-element geochemistry,are frequently used in provenance analyses.In this study,we focus on the Yarlung River drainage in South Tibet,characterized by two distinct lithologic units:The Gangdese batholith to the north(mainly granitoids)and the Tethyan Himalaya(mainly sedimentary rocks)to the south,which plays a crucial role in the erosion of the Tibetan Plateau.To constrain the provenance of the Yarlung River Basin,we performed trace-element and U-Pb age analyses of detrital apatite from the river sands of the Yarlung River and its tributaries.Our findings indicate that the detrital apatite U-Pb age patterns of the north tributaries exhibit main peaks at approximately 40 and 60 Ma,consistent with the corresponding U-Pb age patterns of detrital zircon published.Further,their trace element casts fall mainly in the Type I granite region,also indicating the Gangdese arc-dominated source.However,those of the south tributaries(∼60–20 Ma)exhibit a different age distribution from the detrital zircon U-Pb groups(∼110–150,∼500,and 1100 Ma),suggesting that the detailed apatite U-Pb signals can provide excellent constraints on the provenance of igneous and metamorphic rock sources but less so for sedimentary rock sources.Combined with previous detrital zircon data in the study area,our detrital apatite information can highlight young metamorphic events from a complex background(i.e.,Niyang and Nianchu rivers),which offers additional constraints on the provenance of the Yarlung River Basin.Generally,a combination of geochemistry and geochronology of multi-detrital heavy minerals,such as zircon and apatite,can provide powerful tools for provenance analysis.

In situ Analysis of Major Elements, Trace Elements and Sr Isotopic Compositions of Apatite from the Granite in the Chengchao Skarn-Type Fe Deposit, Edong Ore District： Implications for Petrogenesis and Mineralization

Major elements, trace elements and Sr isotopic compositions of apatite from the granite in the Chengchao skarn-type Fe deposit of Edong ore district of Middle-Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt were measured using EMPA （electron microprobe）, LA-ICP-MS （laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer） and LA-MC （multicollector）-ICP-MS methods in order to reveal the petroge- netic and metallogenic significance of the skarn-type iron deposits. The results show that the apatite in Chengchao granite is fluorapatite, which displays slight variation in major elements. The REE distribution pattern of the apatite is similar to that of the whole rocks, with strong negative Eu anomaly and low Sr/Y ratio. The concentration of Mn in apatite is low （140 ppm-591 ppm） and the Sr isotopic composition shows a limited variation from 0.706 9 to 0.708 2. The high oxygen fugacity of the Chengchao granite, implied by the low Mn content in apatite, is possibly attributed to contamination of the gypsum from sedimentary rock strata, which has long been thought to be an important factor that controls the Fe mineralization in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River metallogenic bell This study also proves that the Eu/Eu＊ value and Sr/Y ra- tio in apatite can be effectively used to identify the adakitie affinity. The in situ Sr isotope analysis of apatite is in consistent with the bulk rock analysis, which indicates that the apatite Sr isotope can represent the ini- tial Sr isotopic compositions of the magma. The Sr isotope and negative Eu anomaly in apatite imply that the Chengchao granite is likely sourced from crust-mantle mixed materials.

Fine particle trace elements at a mountain site in southern China:Source identification,transport,and health risks

Trace elements in atmospheric particulate matter play a significant role in air quality,human health,and biogeochemical cycles.In this study,the trace elements(Ca,Al,K,Fe,Na,Mg,Zn,Pb,Mn,Ti,Cu,Cr,Sr,Ni)in PM2.5samples collected at the summit of Mt.Lushan were analyzed to quantify their abundance,source,transport,and health risks.During the whole sampling period,the major trace elements was Ca,Al,and K.While the trace metals with the lowest concentrations were Sr,Ni,Rb,and Cd.The trace elements were influenced by air mass transport routes,exhibiting an increasing trend of crustal elements in the northwesterly airmass and anthropogenic elements(Zn,Mn,Cu,and Ni)in the easterly air masses.Construction dust,coal+biomass burning,vehicle emission,urban nitrate-rich+urban waste incineration emissions,and soil dust+industry emissions were common sources of PM2.5on Mt.Lushan.Different air mass transport routes had various source contribution patterns.These results indicate that trace elements at Mt.Lushan are influenced by regional anthropogenic emissions and monsoon-dominated trace element transport.The total resulting cancer risk value that these elements posed were below the acceptable risk value of 1×10^(-6),while the non-carcinogenic risk value(1.72)was higher than the safety level,suggesting that non-carcinogenic effects due to these trace elements inhalation were likely to occur.Vehicle emission and coal+biomass burning were the common dominant sources of non-cancer risks posed by trace elements at Mt.Lushan.