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Trace element analysis of biological materials: Complementarity of PIXE and NAA

Conference · · IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5415365

Some 26 of the 90 naturally occurring elements are generally regarded to be essential for animal life. Of those, 15 are referred to as trace elements, i.e. F,Si, V,Cr,Mn,Fe,Co,Ni,Cu,Zn,As,Se,Mo,Sn and I. In addition to the essential elements, many more trace elements are observed in living tissues. They include Al,Ti,Br,Rb, Cd,Sb,Cs,Au,Hg,Pb and others. Some of these elements (e.g. Cd,Hg,Pb) are often included in multi-element measurements because of their known toxicity, while others (e.g. Br,Rb) are of interest because they may replace essential elements under certain conditions and eventually become regarded as essential elements as well. By combining PIXE and NAA more trace elements can be determined in biological materials than by any of the two techniques alone. This is demonstrated in applications to serum and serum albumin samples and in a study of trace elements in tumor and lung tissues, collected from mice injected with B-16 melanoma tumor cells.

Research Organization:
Instituut voor Nucleaire Wetenschappen, Rijksuniversiteit Gent, Proeftuinstraat 86, B-9000 Gent
OSTI ID:
5415365
Report Number(s):
CONF-801111-
Journal Information:
IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States) Vol. NS-28:2; ISSN IETNA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English