Quantitative chemical imaging of trace elements using advanced synchrotron X-rays

A Swiss group has recently published many interesting chemical images of trace elements in heterogeneous media. The authors combined several techniques; laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), synchrotron radiation based micro-X-ray fluorescence and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The analysis was done for Opalinus clay, which has been proposed as the host rock for high-level radioactive waste repositories. 2D images were shown for the matrix elements Ca, Fe, and Ti, as well as for the trace element, Cs. The synchrotron experiments were performed at Sector 20 (PNC-CAT), Advanced Photon Source (APS), and microXAS beamline at the Swiss Light Source (SLS). The beam size was 4×3 μm² and 3×3 μm², respectively. For more information, see the paper, "Quantitative Chemical Imaging of Element Diffusion into Heterogeneous Media Using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, Synchrotron Micro-X-ray Fluorescence, and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy", H. A. O. Wang et al., Anal. Chem., Article ASAP (DOI: 10.1021/ac200899x Publication Date (Web): May 31, 2011).