Biomonitoring using the lichen Hypogymnia physodes and bark samples near Zlatna, Romania immediately following closure of a copper ore-processing plant.

Lichen transplants were established along a 40km transect centred on a large mine waste dump close to Zlatna town centre, two weeks after closure of a major industrial source, to compare spatial patterns of element concentrations in lichen and bark samples. After 3 months of exposure, spatial patterns of 4 element concentrations (Pb, Cu, Zn and Fe) in transplants confirmed deposition due to a point source 'Zlatna influence'. Cu and Pb reached concentrations 8 and 4 times, respectively, higher than samples transplanted in the 'background' site, and over 200 (Cu) and 2000 (Pb) times higher relative to 'background' bark. Ten out of 15 elements analysed reached highest concentrations in bark. Spatial patterns confirmed long-term pollution for 6 elements (Pb, S, Fe, Cu, Zn and Ba). The study provides a model baseline to monitor recovery following closure of major industrial sources and highlights the importance of considering biogeochemical processes when interpreting metal concentrations.

Analytical characterisation of a capacitively coupled plasma torch with a central tube electrode.

A new type of radiofrequency capacitively coupled plasma torch is presented. The torch electrode geometry is coaxial with a tubular central electrode and one or two outer ring electrodes. The argon plasma is generated at 275 W radiofrequency power and 27.12 MHz and it has a very good stability and a low gas consumption of 0.4 l min(-1). The nebulized sample is introduced through the tubular electrode into the core of the annular shaped plasma thus achieving a better atomisation and a lower background. The limits of detection for 20 elements are in the range of ng ml(-1) and the dynamic range between 2.5 and 3.5. The best results are obtained with the torch with two outer ring electrodes.

Characteristic temperatures and electron number densities in an R.F. capacitively coupled plasma.

The excitation temperatures of Ar and Fe, the ionization temperatures of Ar and Ca and the electron number densities have been determined for a radiofrequency capacitively coupled plasma in the tip-ring electrode geometry. The temperatures and the electron number densities possess their maximum value close to the electrodes.

The analysis of conductive solid samples by r.f. capacitively coupled plasma at atmospheric pressure.

A radiofrequency capacitively coupled plasma (rf CCP) with tip-ring electrode geometry has been used for the analysis of Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, and V in low and medium alloyed steel. The sample is used as one of the electrodes of the plasma torch. The influence of plasma power, argon flow rate and distance between the electrodes on the analytical signals has been studied. The limits of detection are in the range of 0.001 to 0.048%. The dynamic range is three orders of magnitude.

Analytical performance of an r.f. capacitively coupled plasma for atomic emission with tip-ring electrode geometry.

A low to medium power radiofrequency capacitively coupled plasma is characterized as spectral source for atomic emission. The signal to background ratio and the limits of detection were determined for 19 elements as a function of the plasma torch geometry and the observation point.