Non-destructive wood identification using X-ray µCT scanning: which resolution do we need?

BACKGROUND: Taxonomic identification of wood specimens provides vital information for a wide variety of academic (e.g. paleoecology, cultural heritage studies) and commercial (e.g. wood trade) purposes. It is generally accomplished through the observation of key anatomical features. Classic methodologies mostly require destructive sub-sampling, which is not always acceptable. X-ray computed micro-tomography (µCT) is a promising non-destructive alternative since it allows a detailed non-invasive visualization of the internal wood structure. There is, however, no standardized approach that determines the required resolution for proper wood identification using X-ray µCT. Here we compared X-ray µCT scans of 17 African wood species at four resolutions (1 µm, 3 µm, 8 µm and 15 µm). The species were selected from the Xylarium of the Royal Museum for Central Africa, Belgium, and represent a wide variety of wood-anatomical features. RESULTS: For each resolution, we determined which standardized anatomical features can be distinguished or measured, using the anatomical descriptions and microscopic photographs on the Inside Wood Online Database as a reference. We show that small-scale features (e.g. pits and fibres) can be best distinguished at high resolution (especially 1 µm voxel size). In contrast, large-scale features (e.g. vessel porosity or arrangement) can be best observed at low resolution due to a larger field of view. Intermediate resolutions are optimal (especially 3 µm voxel size), allowing recognition of most small- and large-scale features. While the potential for wood identification is thus highest at 3 µm, the scans at 1 µm and 8 µm were successful in more than half of the studied cases, and even the 15 µm resolution showed a high potential for 40% of the samples. CONCLUSIONS: The results show the potential of X-ray µCT for non-destructive wood identification. Each of the four studied resolutions proved to contain information on the anatomical features and has the potential to lead to an identification. The dataset of 17 scanned species is made available online and serves as the first step towards a reference database of scanned wood species, facilitating and encouraging more systematic use of X-ray µCT for the identification of wood species.

In Situ Synthesis of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles and Wood Composite Properties of Three Tropical Species.

Magnetic wood is a composite material that achieves harmony between both woody and magnetic functions through the active addition of magnetic characteristics to the wood itself. In addition to showing magnetic characteristics, magnetic wood offers low specific gravity, humidity control and acoustic absorption ability. It has potential for broad applications in the fields of electromagnetic wave absorption, electromagnetic interference shielding, furniture, etc. This work reports on the synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) in wood from three tropical species (Pinus oocarpa, Vochysia ferruginea and Vochysia guatemalensis) using a solution of iron (III) hexahydrate and iron (II) chloride tetrahydrate with a molar ratio of 1.6:1 at a concentration of 1.2 mol/L ferric chlorate under 700 kPa pressure for 2 h. Afterward, the wood samples were impregnated with an ammonia solution with three different immersion times. The treated wood (wood composites) was evaluated for the weight gain percentage (WPG), density, ash content and Fe3O4 content by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The results show that the species P. oocarpa had the lowest values of WPG, and its density decreased in relation to the untreated wood, with lower ash and Fe3O4 NP content. The XRD and some FTIR signals associated with changes in the wood component showed small differences from the untreated wood. Fe3O4 NPs presented nanoparticles with the smallest diameter of (approx. 7.3 to 8.5 nm), and its saturation magnetization (Ms) parameters were the lowest. On the other hand, V. guatemalensis was the species with the best Ms values, but the wood composite had the lowest density. In relation to the different immersion times, the magnetic properties were not statistically affected. Finally, the magnetization values of the studied species were lower than those of the pure Fe3O4 nanoparticles, since the species only have a certain amount of these nanoparticles (NPs), and this was reflected proportionally in the magnetization of saturation.

Trace elements distribution in tropical tree rings through high-resolution imaging using LA-ICP-MS analysis.

BACKGROUND: The distribution of trace elements in tree rings although poorly known may be useful to better understand environmental changes, pollution trends, long-term droughts, forest dieback processes, and biology of trees. METHOD: Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is used for imaging micronutrients and potentially toxic elements distribution, allowing the investigation of trace elements at high spatial resolution within the tree rings. To ensure a more efficient determination of micronutrients and potentially toxic elements, LA-ICP-MS instrumental conditions were optimized and carbon, a major element in wood, is used as an internal standard during analysis to correct for random fluctuations. RESULTS: Spatial distributions maps of Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Pb in growth layers of six tropical tree species were built-up using the LA-iMageS software, namely: Amburana cearensis (Fabaceae), Cedrela fissilis (Meliaceae), Hymenaea courbaril (Fabaceae), Maclura tinctoria (Moraceae), Parapiptadenia zehntneri (Fabaceae), Peltogyne paniculata (Fabaceae). A correlation between the trace element composition and different cell types (parenchyma, fiber, and vessel) was distinctly observed. It was observed a general pattern of Ba, Cu, Ni, Mn, and Pb accumulation mainly in the axial parenchyma and vessels. But the elemental composition of xylem cells is strongly species dependent. The multivariate analysis also points to a distinct accumulation of minerals between heartwood and sapwood in the same species. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging both essential and deleterious element distributions in the tree rings may improve visualization and can effectively contribute to understanding the lifetime metabolism of trees and evaluating the effects of environmental changes related to climatic seasonality, pollution, and future paleoclimate reconstructions.

Non-Isothermal Thermogravimetry of Selected Tropical Woods and Their Degradation under Fire Using Cone Calorimetry.

For selected tropical woods (Cumaru, Garapa, Ipe, Kempas, Merbau), a relationship was established between non-isothermal thermogravimetry runs and the wood weight loss under flame during cone calorimetry flammability testing. A correlation was found for the rate constants for decomposition of wood in air at 250 and 300 °C found from thermogravimetry and the total time of sample burning related to the initial mass. Non-isothermal thermogravimetry runs were assumed to be composed from 3 theoretical runs such as decomposition of wood into volatiles itself, oxidation of carbon residue, and the formation of ash. A fitting equation of three processes was proposed and the resulting theoretical lines match experimental lines.

Assessing the effects of tropical wood leachate to Desmodesmus subspicatus, Lemna minor and Daphnia magna.

Ghana has a long history as a major supplier of high-value hardwood timber and wood products to many countries. The research seeks to assess the effects of tropical wood leachates to aquatic organisms. Hence, five wood samples were selected; Mahogany (Khaya ivorensis), Cedrela (Cedrela odorata), Emire (Terminalia ivorensis), Wawa (Triplochiton scleroxylon) and Ceiba (Ceiba pendandra) from Oboyow forest reserve in Eastern Region- Ghana to assess their toxicity to aquatic organisms. Toxicity tests: Algal (Desmodesmus subspicatus) Duckweed (Lemna minor) and crustacean (Daphnia magna) were carried out using exposures to concentrations of 20, 30, 45, 67 and 100% v/v wood leachate in control media. The high levels of phenols measured in the various wood leachates was the main cause of toxicity. The percentage median Inhibition Concentration (%IC50) of the various wood leachate, ranged from 21.5 - 55.6% with mahogany exhibiting the highest toxicity and wawa the lowest. All the wood leachates were toxic to the aquatic organisms. The %IC50 showed both confirmed and potential toxicity among the various wood leachates and established that there was significant difference between various wood leachate toxicity.

Mapping Dicorynia guianensis Amsh. wood constituents by submicron resolution cluster-TOF-SIMS imaging.

The preparation of tropical wood surface sections for time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging is described, and the use of delayed extraction of secondary ions and its interest for the analysis of vegetal surface are shown. The method has been applied to the study by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging with a resolution of less than one micron of a tropical wood species, Dicorynia guianensis, which is one of the most exploited wood in French Guiana for its durable heartwood. The heartwood of this species exhibits an economical importance, but its production is not controlled in forestry. Results show an increase of tryptamine from the transition zone and a concomitant decrease of inorganic ions and starch fragment ions. These experiments lead to a better understanding of the heartwood formation and the origin of the natural durability of D. guianensis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

High-resolution densitometry and elemental analysis of tropical wood.

KEY MESSAGE: Understanding the mobility and distribution of chemical elements in wood is necessary to apply dendrochemistry. Crystals are likely stable and could be used to analyze changes in nutrient supply. ABSTRACT: Dendrochemistry uses the variation in wood chemical composition to infer about past environmental conditions and possible effects on tree growth. Elemental or isotopic variation might also help to identify annual growth where tree rings are anatomically not distinct. However, most elements are-to a certain degree-mobile within wood and may be related to anatomical structures. Therefore, understanding what affects elemental distribution is important to make use of and critically assess the potential of dendrochemistry. We studied the variation of wood density and elements at high spatial resolution in wood of six species with anatomically distinct to rather indistinct tree rings from a Thai monsoon forest. Many elements had a higher concentration in parenchyma than in fiber cells, and the co-variation of elements differed strongly between elements and also between species. Strong wood density changes along the ring boundary were found only in Melia azedarach. In all species, the X-ray images showed crystals. EDX spectra showed that these consist of calcium or silicon (in Chukrasia tabularis) as major elemental components. A high concentration of heavy metals (Fe, Cu and Zn) was found in Vitex peduncularis. We conclude that at least for the species studied the radial variation of elemental concentration is unlikely to reveal annual rings that anatomy could not. However, if elements in crystals are more stable than in cell walls or living protoplasts, analyzing the distribution of elements present in crystals may show environmental conditions that, in turn, influence crystal formation and are little known.

Effect of the loading duration on the linear viscoelastic parameters of tropical wood: case of Tectona grandis L.f (Teak) and Diospyros mespiliformis (Ebony) of Benin Republic.

Judicious and regulated use of wood as a building material is better than that of many other conventional materials in terms of environmental issues of this century. The study of the behavior of wood requires a better understanding of the characteristics in different possible cases of loading including loads applied instantly, loads applied for a short time and loads applied for a long time. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of the loading duration on the linear viscoelastic parameters of tropical wood in creep test. Creep tests conducted on two species of tropical wood, Tectona grandis L.f and Diospyros mespiliformis, were carried out for a total loading duration of 15 hours by subjecting samples to bending test through with equal strain in all sections. After measuring the instantaneous deflection, the other measurements were carried out at regular time each 30 minutes. Each recorded deflection was converted into longitudinal deformation and the data were analyzed by considering fourteen loading durations. Using the least squares method, the dynamic modulus of elasticity and the modulus of dynamic viscosity were determined for each loading time. The results showed that the loading time has no influence on the modulus of dynamic viscosity. On the other hand, the dynamic modulus of elasticity decreases and tends towards zero. Good agreement between creep test data and dynamic modulus of elasticity was found using mathematical function in power. Suitably, the "power" function established between the elastic dynamic modulus and the loading duration can be used to extrapolate deformations values.

Monitoramento da biodeterioração da madeira de três espécies amazônicas pela técnica da colorimetria / Monitoring of biodeterioration of three Amazonian wood species by the colorimetry technique

This work aimed to evaluate the use of colorimetry in the characterization of biodeterioration marupá, jequitibá and cumaru wood, submitted to white and brown rot. For this purpose, specimens of each Amazonian species were submitted to accelerated decay tests, according to American Society for Testing and Materials - ASTM D2017, during 20 weeks. With a colorimeter, the colorimetric parameters L* (lightness), a* (green-red coordinate), b* (blue-yellow coordinate) and total color change (ΔE) were determined weekly until the fourth week, and then every two weeks until the twentieth week. Additionally, it was determined the mass loss. The results indicated that the colorimetry was effective in monitoring of biodeterioration of wood, as well as to differentiate white and brown rot. The best predictions of natural resistance to white and brown rot were obtained with the parameters b* and L*, respectively. We also emphasizes the use of ΔE to estimate the biodeterioration of wood, because of their significant correlations with weight loss.

Objetivou-se avaliar o emprego da colorimetria na caracterização da biodeterioração das madeiras de marupá, jequitibá e cumaru submetidas ao ataque de fungos de podridão branca e parda. Para tanto, corpos de prova de cada espécie amazônica foram submetidos a ensaios de apodrecimento acelerado, de acordo com a American Society for Testing and Materials - ASTM D2017, durante 20 semanas. Os parâmetros colorimétricos L* (luminosidade), a* (coordenada verde-vermelho), b* (coordenada amarelo-azul) e a variação total da cor (ΔE) foram determinados semanalmente até a quarta semana, e posteriormente a cada duas semanas até a vigésima semana, com auxílio de um espectrofotocolorímetro. Adicionalmente, foram determinadas as perdas de massa dos corpos de prova. Os resultados permitiram destacar que a colorimetria foi eficaz no monitoramento da biodeterioração da madeira, bem como para diferenciação da podridão branca e parda. As melhores predições da resistência natural aos fungos de podridão branca e parda foram obtidas com os parâmetros b* e L*, respectivamente. Enfatiza-se também, o emprego da ΔE como parâmetro auxiliar na estimativa da biodeterioração da madeira, em razão de suas correlações significativas com a perda de massa.

Dureza Rockwell da madeira de três espécies amazônicas submetidas a ensaios de apodrecimento acelerado / Rockwell hardness of the wood of three Amazon species submitted to decay accelerated tests

Objetivou-se avaliar o emprego de ensaios de dureza Rockwell na caracterização da biodeterioração das madeiras de Simarouba amara (marupá), Cariniana micrantha (jequitibá) e Dipteryx odorata (cumaru), submetidas ao ataque dos fungos apodrecedores Trametes versicolor (podridão branca) e Gloeophyllum trabeum (podridão parda). Para tanto, corpos de prova de cada espécie amazônica foram submetidos a ensaios de apodrecimento acelerado, de acordo com a ASTM D2017 (2005), durante 20 semanas. A caracterização da dureza Rockwell foi realizada semanalmente até a 4ª semana e, posteriormente, a cada duas semanas, até a 20ª semana. Adicionalmente, foram determinadas as perdas de massa, conforme critérios estabelecidos pela ASTM D2017 (2005). Quanto aos resultados, destaca-se que a dureza Rockwell pode ser empregada como ferramenta principal na caracterização da biodeterioração da madeira, sendo sensível na predição dos estágios iniciais. Dentre as madeiras amazônicas, o cumaru apresentou a maior resistência natural aos fungos apodrecedores. Com relação aos fungos, a podridão parda atacou mais intensamente as três madeiras amazônicas.

This study aimed to evaluate the use of Rockwell hardness in the characterization of the biodeterioration of Simarouba amara (marupá), Cariniana micrantha (jequitibá) e Dipteryx odorata (cumaru) woods, which were submitted to decay fungi Trametes versicolor (white rot) and Gloeophyllum trabeum (brown rot). For this purpose, specimens of each Amazon species were submitted to decay fungi, according to ASTM D2017 (2005). The characterization of the Rockwell hardness was performed weekly until the fourth week, and then every two weeks until the twentieth week. Additionally, it was determined the mass loss, according to criteria established by ASTM D2017 (2005). The results indicated that the Rockwell hardness can be used as a primary tool in the characterization of the biodeterioration of wood, being sensitive in predicting the early stages. Among the Amazon woods, cumaru wood showed a greater natural resistance to decay fungi. With respect to decay fungi, brown rot more intensely attacked the three Amazon woods.

Madeiras tropicais: análise econômica das principais espécies florestais exportadas

This work analyses Brazilian tropical wood exports for principal forest species, over the period of 1980-98. Tendency models were built to estimate the growth rate and to explain the export performance for each species. The results pointed out that the principal tropical species exported were, in decreasing order, mahogany, jatoba, virola, cedar, angelim, ipe, andiroba, sucupira, tatajuba, cedrorana, assacu, cerejeira, pau-marfim, freijo and jacaranda. Only six species represented 40% of volume and total exported revenue. The species said less known increased their exports from 1991. The exported volume of mahogany, virola, andiroba, sucupira and freijo decreased, on the other hand jatoba, cedar, ipe and cerejeira have increased their share in the international market. About price, all studied species showed a positive tendency along studied period and value relatively low in comparison to the mahogany price..

Este trabalho trata do comportamento das exportações brasileiras de madeiras tropicais por espécie, no período de 1980-98. O desenvolvimento de modelos de tendência foi utilizado para estimar a taxa de crescimento e explicar o comportamento das exportações. As principais espécies tropicais exportadas nesse período foram, em ordem decrescente, mogno, jatobá, virola, cedro, angelim, ipê, andiroba, sucupira, tatajuba, cedrorana, assacu, cerejeira, pau-marfim, freijó e jacarandá. Apenas seis espécies representaram 40% do volume e do valor total exportado. As espécies classificadas como outras aumentaram suas exportações na década de 90. Espécies como mogno, virola, andiroba, sucupira e freijó apresentaram taxas decrescentes, ao passo que jatobá, cedro, ipê e cerejeira expandiram sua participação no mercado internacional de madeiras tropicais. O preço de todas as espécies mostra uma tendência positiva ao longo do período estudado e valores relativamente baixos, quando comparados ao preço do mogno.