Determination of rare earth elements in Fe-minerals using external calibration by LA-ICP-MS and application on Cauê Iron Formation (Brazil).

The rare earth elements (REE) composition in Fe-mineral phases is an important tool in iron formation studies to obtain information about parent rocks and environmental and paragenetic processes. However, the determination of REE presents some difficulties, such as the low concentration of these elements, matrix complexity and lack of iron matrix certified reference materials. The aim of the present work is to propose an analytical method to determine the REE plus Y (REE + Y) contents at trace levels in Fe-(hydr)oxides by the laser ablation ICP-quadrupoleMS technique, using external calibration.

Geochemical evaluation of bottom sediments affected by historic mining and the rupture of the Fundão dam, Brazil.

The rupture of the Fundão dam released about 39 million m of tailings into the Rio Doce/Brazil. The sediment load increase in the affected rivers has become a concern. As such, this article provides recent information about the region.

Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) as a bioindicator of heavy metal (aluminum and zinc) pollution in Vila Velha, Brazil.

Urbanization is responsible for numerous environmental changes including pollution. Information on the susceptibility of reptiles to environmental contaminants is relatively scarce. Tropidurus torquatus represents a potential bioindicator of heavy metal pollution.

Evaluation of matrix effect on the determination of rare earth elements and As, Bi, Cd, Pb, Se and In in honey and pollen of native Brazilian bees (Tetragonisca angustula - Jataí) by Q-ICP-MS.

Bees are considered the main pollinators in natural and agricultural environments. Chemical elements from honey and pollen have been used for monitoring the environment, the health of bees and the quality of their products. Nevertheless, there are not many studies on honey and pollen of native Brazilian bees.

Development and validation of an analytical method for quantification of arsenic and antimony in liposomes using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry.

Arsenic and antimony compounds are used to treat endemic diseases, such as cancer, leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis, in spite of their toxicity. Several studies seeking the development and characterization of nanocarrier systems such as liposomes are being carried out with the aim of developing new drug delivery systems and minimizing the toxicity of these drugs. However, the lack of reference methods to quantify these semimetals within a liposomal matrix hinders the QC of these formulations.