Thick source alpha counting using fused glass discs: corrections for loss of radon and polonium

Thick-source alpha counting can be used for the assay of low level U and Th in soils, rocks and similar materials. An effective method of preparing samples for this purpose is to fuse them in a lithium borate glass. The present paper discusses the loss of radon and polonium activity during fusion at elevated temperatures. A time dependent factor is given to correct for the loss of radon and polonium.     

The applications of a commercial gas/liquid separator coupled with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer

A commercially available hydride generator, with a novel membrane gas-liquid separator, has been coupled to a new ICPMS instrument which itself features many unique design considerations. Little or no optimization of the mass spectrometer or ionization source was required to obtain excellent analytical data; and a variety of matrices have been analysed.The elements As and Se are usually used to demonstrate the effectiveness of a hydride generation system, and these are of particular importance, bearing in mind potential Ar molecular overlaps with isotopes of interest. The flexibility of the hydride generation ICP-MS system is highlighted, with the inclusion of analytical figures of merit for the elements Sn, Sb, Ge and Hg, as well as As and Se. Data obtained by ‘standard’ pneumatic nebulization on the ICP-MS is compared with that obtained with the hydride generator for all of the elements.Improvements of between 50 and 100 times were gained in measurements of three sigma detection limits for all elements in the determinations, including Hg. Measurements were made on several isotopes for particular elements, and the data is included for the purposes of comparison. Stabilities of between 1 and 2.5% were obtained for 0.5 ppb solutions over 10 min measurement periods, all data is presented without using an internal standard.Finally, analytical data from seawater standards, spiked with low levels of As and Se and calibrated against aqueous standards, demonstrate excellent recoveries. This is of particular interest bearing in mind the well-documented molecular interferences from high chloride matrices on As and Se analysis.     

Comparison of bile acid synthesis determined by isotope dilution versus fecal acidic sterol output in human subjects

Fecal acidic sterol output has been found to be much lower than bile acid synthesis determined by isotope dilution (J. Lipid Res. 17: 77, 1976). Because of this confusing discrepancy, we compared these 2 measurements done simultaneously on 13 occasions in 5 normal volunteers. In contrast to previous findings, bile acid synthesis by the Lindstedt isotope dilution method averaged 16.3% lower than synthesis simultaneously determined by fecal acidic sterol output (95% confidence limit for the difference −22.2 to −10.4%). When one-sample determinations of bile acid pools were substituted for Lindstedt pools, bile acid synthesis by isotope dilution averaged 5.6% higher than synthesis by fecal acidic sterol output (95% confidence limits −4.9 to 16.1%). These data indicate that the 2 methods yield values in reasonably close agreement with one another. If anything, fecal acidic sterol outputs are slightly higher than synthesis by isotope dilution.     

Altered enteroendocrine cell expression in T cell receptor alpha chain knock-out mice

Mice lacking T cell receptor alpha chain (TCRalpha(-/-)) develop inflammation of the colon. We have examined the effect of this inflammation on the colonic epithelium by studying markers of epithelial cuff, enteroendocrine, and immune cell differentiation. Using immunohistochemical techniques, colons were compared in normal C57/BL6 and murine TCR alpha(-/-) mice aged 2 and 3 weeks and 3-11 months. TCR alpha(-/-) mice aged 3-11 months had histologic evidence of inflammation with increased expression of CD45, CD4+, CD8+, and B220+ cells and a decrease in expression of IgA+ cells. There was a decrease in the number of cholecystokinin, serotonin, and neurotensin enteroendocrine expressing cells in the colon of TCR alpha(-/-) mice. These changes were not present in 2-3-week-old suckling/weaning mice. In contrast, peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY), glucagon-like peptide-1, and gastrin expression did not change and small intestinal enteroendocrine cells remained unaltered. The change in colonic enteroendocrine cell expression appears to be a specific response, since only a subset of these cells was altered, and the epithelium was intact by histologic analysis. The absence of functional T cells in TCR alpha(-/-) colon has a marked effect on differentiation of a specific subpopulation of enteroendocrine cells, prior to loss of integrity of the epithelium.     

Sedflux 2.0: An advanced process-response model that generates three-dimensional stratigraphy

Sedflux 2.0 is the newest version of the Sedflux basin-filling model. Sedflux 2.0 provides a framework within which individual process-response models of disparate time and space resolutions communicate with one another to deliver multigrain-sized sediment load across a continental margin. Version 2.0 introduces a series of new process models, and the ability to operate in one of two modes to track the evolution of stratigraphy in either two or three dimensions. Additions to the 2D mode include the addition of models that simulate (1) erosion and deposition of sediment along a riverbed, (2) cross-shore transport due to ocean waves, and (3) turbidity currents and hyperpycnal flows. New processes in the 3D mode include (1) river channel avulsion, (2) two-dimensional diffusion due to ocean storms, and (3) two-dimensional flexure due to sediment loading. The spatial resolution of the architecture is typically 1–25 cm in the vertical and 10–100 m in the horizontal when operating in 2D mode. In 3D mode, the horizontal resolution usually extends to kilometers. In addition to fixed time steps (from days to hundreds of years), Sedflux 2.0 offers event-based time stepping as a way to conduct long-term simulations while still modeling low-frequency but high-energy events.     

Assessment and management of risks arising from exposure to cadmium in fertilisers--II

A preliminary, illustrative human health risk assessment of exposure to cadmium in phosphate fertilisers was performed using typical UK data and a protocol previously developed for application by individual Member States in the European Union. The risk assessment indicated that the for the most pessimistic population exposures characterised by both extreme (97th percentile) cereal and potato consumption and high susceptibility to cadmium uptake, the estimated dose was under the WHO Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) for fertiliser cadmium concentrations ranging from 15 to 100 mg Cd/kg P2O5 applied over 100 years. However, the low margin of safety for high risk groups and the uncertainties inherent in the overall risk assessment suggested that a prudent risk management strategy would involve maintenance of low levels of cadmium in fertilisers and/or conditions that permitted low accumulation of cadmium in soils. On this basis, two main risk reduction measures were developed and assessed: (a) imposition of limits on cadmium concentration in fertilisers; and (b) imposition of charges on levels of cadmium in phosphate fertilisers. An assessment of the economic impact of these risk reduction measures indicated that, at all price elasticities, the most significant impact in terms of changes in demand and changes in consumer expenditure on phosphate fertilisers will be seen with cadmium charges where no thresholds are defined. The impact on the consumer (i.e. farmer) will be an increase in spending of approximately US $4000 per year, which is considered significant, accompanied by a decrease in demand above 20%. If a threshold is set at 60 mg Cd/kg P2O5, the impact is significantly reduced, but stays relatively high compared to the other options. The analysis also indicates that the use of low-cadmium rock is the low cost option. At a likely rock price increase of approximately 5% and assuming a likely price elasticity of -0.2, the yearly costs to farmers will be approximately US $82 which is considered a minimal impact. In the worst case scenario (elasticity of -0.6 and a 10% increase in rock prices), the increase in spending by farmers will be of 3.9% or US $221 which is also considered to represent a minimal impact. At similar price elasticities, the use of decadmation technologies is predicted to be more costly than the use of low-cadmium rock but this option can still be considered as having a minimal impact on the consumer (increase in expenditure of 1.9-13.3% or US $106-748).     

Determination of shale oil yields by petrographic analysis

Rundle-type oil shales from five Australian deposits (Rundle, Stuart, Condor, Byfield and Duaringa) contain abundant lamellar alginite that is easily recognized using fluorescence microscopy. Shale oil yield, as determined by modified Fischer assay, is directly related to the volume per cent of alginite in the parent shales for each of the above deposits. Data provided show that interdeposit estimates of shale oil yield, based on alginite content, are more reliable than estimates based on specific gravity of the parent shales. Application of petrographic techniques should provide rapid assessment of the shale oil yield for other deposits with Rundle-type oil shale. The method requires initial calibration of alginite content, in a limited number of samples, with Fischer assays.