Bulk and Mapping Speciation Analyses Unveil the Pattern and Heterogeneity of Cu Species during Organic Waste Treatment.

Organic wastes (OWs) can be a common source of copper (Cu) contamination of agricultural soils. Here we conducted a comprehensive study of 22 raw and treated OWs sampled at 6 different full-scale OW treatment plants. Bulk XANES analysis findings indicated that the Cu oxidation state was subject to changes throughout the OW treatment process, mostly depending on the anaerobic/aerobic conditions prevailing in each treatment stage.

Naturally occurring radioactive materials in offshore infrastructure: Understanding formation and characteristics of baryte scale during decommissioning planning.

Contaminants, including naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) of the 238-uranium and 232-thorium decay series, have been recognized as a global research priority to inform offshore petroleum infrastructure decommissioning decisions. This study aimed to characterize pipeline scale retrieved from a decommissioned subsea well tubular pipe through high-resolution elemental mapping and isotopic analysis. This was achieved by utilizing transmission electron microscopy, Synchrotron x-ray fluorescence, photostimulated luminescence autoradiography and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry.

Mapping Phosphorus Availability in Soil at a Large Scale and High Resolution Using Novel Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films Designed for X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy.

A novel binding layer (BL) as part of the diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique was developed for the two-dimensional visualization and quantification of labile phosphorus (P) in soils. This BL was designed for P detection by synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM). It differs from the conventional DGT BL as the hydrogel is eliminated to overcome the issue that the fluorescent X-rays of P are detected mainly from shallow sample depths.

Examining the inorganic elemental composition of lobster phyllosoma (Panulirus ornatus) with X-ray fluorescence microscopy.

The ornate spiny rock lobster, Panulirus ornatus, is an attractive candidate for aquaculture. The larval stages of spiny lobsters, known as phyllosoma, are complex with many developmental stages. Very little is known about the inorganic element composition of phyllosoma.

Tandem Probe Analysis Mode for Synchrotron XFM: Doubling Throughput Capacity.

Synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) analysis is a powerful technique that can be used to visualize elemental distributions across a broad range of sample types. Compared to conventional mapping techniques such as laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or benchtop XFM, synchrotron-based XFM provides faster and more sensitive analyses. However, access to synchrotron XFM beamlines is highly competitive, and as a result, these beamlines are often oversubscribed.

The transfer and persistence of metals in latent fingermarks.

In forensic science, knowledge and understanding of material transfer and persistence is inherent to the interpretation of trace evidence and can provide vital information on the activity level surrounding a crime. Detecting metal ions in fingermark residue has long been of interest in the field of forensic science, due to the possibility of linking trace metal ion profiles to prior activity with specific metal objects ( gun or explosive handling). Unfortunately, the imaging capability to visualise trace metal ions at sufficient spatial resolution to determine their distribution within a fingermark (micron level) was not previously available.

Examination of multiple sources of selenium release from coal wastes and strategies for remediation.

Selenium (Se) has been mobilised by leaching from coal and associated waste rock exposed by mining activities in Western Canada, with deleterious impact on aquatic wildlife. Waste rock characterisation indicates that up to 7% of the Se, as Se(IV), may be associated with organic matter, with ≈9%, as Se(0), associated with euhedral pyrite. Small 1-2 µm mineral particles with average Se concentration of 1.

Manganese accumulation in probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei ATCC 55544 analyzed by synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy and impact of accumulation on the bacterial viability following encapsulation.

Lactobacillus spp. are known to accumulate large amounts of inorganic manganese, which protects against oxidative damage by scavenging free radicals. The ability of probiotic L.

Synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy reveals accumulation of polymyxins in single human alveolar epithelial cells.

Intravenous administration of the last-line polymyxins results in poor drug exposure in the lungs and potential nephrotoxicity; while inhalation therapy offers better pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics for pulmonary infections by delivering the antibiotic to the infection site directly. However, polymyxin inhalation therapy has not been optimized and adverse effects can occur. This study aimed to quantitatively determine the intracellular accumulation and distribution of polymyxins in single human alveolar epithelial A549 cells.

Iterative energy self-calibration of Fe XANES spectra. Erratum.

A correction is made to the paper by Jones et al. (2020). [J.

The XFM beamline at the Australian Synchrotron.

The X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) beamline is an in-vacuum undulator-based X-ray fluorescence (XRF) microprobe beamline at the 3 GeV Australian Synchrotron. The beamline delivers hard X-rays in the 4-27 keV energy range, permitting K emission to Cd and L and M emission for all other heavier elements. With a practical low-energy detection cut-off of approximately 1.

Iterative energy self-calibration of Fe XANES spectra.

Determining the oxidation state of Fe through parameterization of X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectral features is highly dependent on accurate and repeatable energy calibration between spectra. Small errors in energy calibration can lead to vastly different interpretations. While simultaneous measurement of a reference foil is often undertaken on X-ray spectroscopy beamlines, other beamlines measure XANES spectra without a reference foil and therefore lack a method for correcting energy drift.

Evaluating effects of iron on manganese toxicity in soybean and sunflower using synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

With similar chemistry, Mn and Fe interact in their many essential roles in plants but the magnitude and mechanisms involved of these interactions are poorly understood. Leaves of soybean (a Mn-sensitive species) developed a mild chlorosis and small dark spots and distorted trifoliate leaves with 30 μM Mn and 0.6 μM Fe in nutrient solution (pH 5.

Revealing the Elemental Distribution within Latent Fingermarks Using Synchrotron Sourced X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy.

Fingermarks are an important form of crime-scene trace evidence; however, their usefulness may be hampered by a variation in response or a lack of robustness in detection methods. Understanding the chemical composition and distribution within fingermarks may help explain variation in latent fingermark detection with existing methods and identify new strategies to increase detection capabilities. The majority of research in the literature describes investigation of organic components of fingermark residue, leaving the elemental distribution less well understood.

Biofilm-enhanced adsorption of strong and weak cations onto different microplastic sample types: Use of spectroscopy, microscopy and radiotracer methods.

The adsorption of metals and other elements onto environmental plastics has been previously quantified and is known to be enhanced by surface-weathering and development of biofilms. However, further biofilm-adsorption characterisation is needed with respect to the fate of radionuclides. This study uses spectroscopy, microscopy and radiotracer methods to investigate the adsorption capacity of relatively strong and weak cations onto different microplastic sample types that were conditioned in freshwater, estuarine and marine conditions although marine data were limited.

Immobilisation of geogenic arsenic and vanadium in iron-rich sediments and iron stone deposits.

Determination of how geogenic arsenic (As) and vanadium (V) is mobilised from naturally-enriched soils and iron (Fe) stones is integral for understanding the potential risk to the environment from changed land use conditions. Thus, the association of As, V and Fe in As-enriched sediments and Fe stones in Tertiary sediments of Melbourne, Australia, was assessed using chemical extraction methods, micro focused X-ray fluorescence and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. We show that the selective association of As with Fe during Fe stone formation has resulted in As enrichment of up to 60 times the concentration of surrounding soils, and 1000 times higher than mean As concentrations in world soils.

Absorption of foliar-applied Zn fertilizers by trichomes in soybean and tomato.

The present study investigated the role of trichomes in absorption of foliar-applied zinc fertilizers in soybean and tomato. Using synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy for in situ analyses of hydrated leaves, we found that upon foliar application of ZnSO4, Zn accumulated within 15 min in some non-glandular trichomes in soybean, but not in tomato. However, analyses of cross-sections of soybean leaves did not show any marked accumulation of Zn in tissues surrounding trichomes.

Localized zinc distribution in shark vertebrae suggests differential deposition during ontogeny and across vertebral structures.

The development of shark vertebrae and the possible drivers of inter- and intra-specific differences in vertebral structure are poorly understood. Shark vertebrae are used to examine life-history traits related to trophic ecology, movement patterns, and the management of fisheries; a better understanding of their development would be beneficial to many fields of research that rely on these calcified structures. This study used Scanning X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy to observe zinc distribution within vertebrae of ten shark species from five different orders.

Manganese distribution and speciation help to explain the effects of silicate and phosphate on manganese toxicity in four crop species.

Soil acidity and waterlogging increase manganese (Mn) in leaf tissues to potentially toxic concentrations, an effect reportedly alleviated by increased silicon (Si) and phosphorus (P) supply. Effects of Si and P on Mn toxicity were studied in four plant species using synchrotron-based micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) to determine Mn distribution in leaf tissues and using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to measure Mn speciation in leaves, stems and roots. A concentration of 30 μM Mn in solution was toxic to cowpea and soybean, with 400 μM Mn toxic to sunflower but not white lupin.

Spiral scanning X-ray fluorescence computed tomography.

Scanning X-ray fluorescence tomography was once considered impractical due to prohibitive measurement time requirements but is now common for investigating metal distributions within small systems. A recent look-ahead to the possibilities of 4-generation synchrotron light sources [J. Synchrotron.

The Topobiology of Chemical Elements in Seabird Feathers.

The highly organized morphogenesis of bird feathers holds important phylo- and ontogenetic information on the evolution of birds, organogenesis, tissue regeneration, and the health status of individual animals. Altered topobiological patterns are regularly used as retrospective evidence for disturbed developmental trajectories due to the past exposure to environmental stressors. Using the most advanced high-resolution (5-70 µm) X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM), we describe in the feathers from three species of Procellariiformes hitherto unknown, depositions of elements (Zn, Ca, Br, Cu, Fe) that are independent of pigmentation or any underlying variation in density or polymer structure.

Fate of Plutonium at a Former Nuclear Testing Site in Australia.

A series of the British nuclear tests conducted on mainland Australia between 1953 and 1963 dispersed long-lived radioactivity and nuclear weapons debris including plutonium (Pu), the legacy of which is a long-lasting source of radioactive contamination to the surrounding biosphere. A reliable assessment of the environmental impact of Pu contaminants and their implications for human health requires an understanding of their physical/chemical characteristics at the molecular scale. In this study, we identify the chemical form of the Pu remaining in the local soils at the Taranaki site, one of the former nuclear testing sites at Maralinga, South Australia.

Ferric minerals and organic matter change arsenic speciation in copper mine tailings.

Arsenic (As) is commonly associated with Cu ore minerals, with the resultant risk that As can be released offsite from mine tailings. We used synchrotron-based fluorescence X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) imaging to provide in situ, laterally-resolved speciation of As within tailings which differed in magnetite content (5-12%) and organic matter content (0-5%). Although the total As content was lower in tailings with low magnetite (LM), the soluble (pore water) As was actually 7-times higher in LM tailings than in high magnetite (HM) tailings.