Advantages of the iridium permanent modifier in fast programs applied to trace-element analysis of plant samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

The application of a fast program combined with the advantages of the iridium permanent modifier is proposed for trace element analysis of plant samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). For two volatile elements (Cd, Pb) and two mid-refractory elements (Cr, Ni) it was demonstrated that coating of the platform or of the tube atomization area with Ir is an efficient means of improving the accuracy and precision of results. A detailed study of interference from individual main matrix components and from composite plant matrices has confirmed the usefulness of the whole approach. The validity of the method has been confirmed by analysis of eight reference plant materials.

Discussion of parameters associated with the determination of arsenic by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry in slurried environmental samples.

A slurry sampling-fast program procedure has been developed for the determination of arsenic in plants, soils and sediments by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Efficiencies of various single and mixed modifiers for thermal stabilization of arsenic and for a better removal of the matrix during pyrolysis step were compared. The influence of the slurry concentration, amounts of modifier and parameters of the pyrolysis step on the As integrated absorbance signals have been studied and a comparison between fast and conventional furnace programs was also made. The ultrasonic agitation of the slurry followed by a fast electrothermal program using an Ir/Mg modifier provides the most consistent performance in terms of precision and accuracy. The reliability of the whole procedure has been compared with results obtained after application of a wet digestion method with an HF step and validated by analyzing eleven certified reference materials. Arsenic detection and quantitation limits expressed on dry sample matter were about 30 and 100 micrograms kg-1, respectively.

Revisitation of mineralization modes for arsenic and selenium determinations in environmental samples.

Mineralization procedures for arsenic and selenium analysis are usually limited to wet digestion methods owing to high volatility of these analytes. On the other hand, variable amounts of silicon in some types of samples imply elaborated mineralization procedures to liberate analytes which may be retained in an insoluble residue. Consequently, methods for such material generally include an hydrofluoric step followed by an evaporation to dryness. This type of mineralization is most easily accomplished using a dry ashing procedure. For plant analysis, a well validated and readily applicable dry ashing method is used for a long time in several laboratories but up today one could suppose that As and Se determinations cannot be performed after such a type of mineralization. Surprisingly, it has been observed that for plant samples these analytes are detected even after a calcination at 450 degrees C. The general usefulness of a dry ashing method for analysis of all other analytes (main, minor and trace elements) incitates us to also verify As and Se recoveries. Results obtained in this work indicate clearly that plants of terrestrial origin may be mineralized using dry ashing procedure without As and Se losses. This statement was confirmed by analyses of several reference terrestrial plant samples (RMs) and laboratory control samples. Another confirmation was given by the direct graphite furnace analysis of the same plant samples but in slurried form (SS-ETAAS). As a direct consequence, As and Se analysis in terrestrial plants no more necessitates a separate preparation methodology. On the other hand, significant losses of As and Se were observed for aquatic plants, e.g. algaes. For the analysis of this type of samples, a separate wet digestion procedure remains unavoidable if the determination of As and Se has to be considered. Also some preparation procedures were tested for As and Se-analysis of soil and sediment reference samples. In these cases the wet digestion with a mixture of nitric, perchloric and hydrofluoric acids seems to remain the best alternative.

Effects of air filtration on spring wheat grown in open-top field chambers at a rural site. II. Effects on mineral partitioning, sulphur and nitrogen metabolism and on grain quality.

In 1988 the effect of ambient levels of air pollutants on the nutrients status and grain quality of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Pelican) was investigated by comparing plants grown in open-top chambers (OTC) ventilated with ambient air (NF treatments) and charcoal-filtered air (CF treatments) at a rural site (Tervuren, Belgium). Spring wheat cultivated in NF OTC showed only minor differences in the P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and Na concentrations of the different plant parts at final harvest, as well as organic and inorganic S fractions, compared to those of the plants grown in CF air. The plants' total P content was reduced, as well as the P and K concentration of the flour. The total S concentration of the flour was increased by 4%. Effects on N concentrations and grain quality were much more pronounced. At final harvest the N concentrations of straw and flour of the NF air treated plants were much higher compared to CF air. However, the N content of the aerial biomass and the grain N yield were not significantly affected, implying a reduction of other structual compounds. Nitrogen harvest index (NHI) and the ratio of NHI over grain harvest index (GHI), indicated a significant reduction of N translocation from the above-ground biomass to the grain. Changes in the N status and partitioning of spring wheat had an effect on the baking quality of wheat flour. Several parameters that are commonly used as an indication of baking quality have been significantly increased in the NF treatment: total protein concentration, Zeleny value, dry and wet gluten concentration. A slightly increased Hagberg value indicated a reduced alpha-amylase activity. The possibility of foliar N uptake as an additional N source, especially after anthesis and implications of increased protein production instead of carbohydrate synthesis are discussed.

[Changes of Peroxidase, Catalase, and Superoxide Dismutase Activities in Ozone-fumigated Spinach Leaves]. / Modifications de l'activité des Peroxydase, catalase et superoxyde dismutase dans des feuilles d'épinard traité à l'ozone.

A sensitive spinach variety, cultivated on nutrient solution, was exposed to lethal and sublethal ozone concentrations for 4 hours. Peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured immediately and after one, two, four, and seven days. A significant peroxidase stimulation was observed for seven days at 250 and 125 p.p.b. ozone. Catalase activity increased with the lethal concentration and decreased with the sublethal ones. A superoxide dismutase stimulation still occured after two, four, and seven days, at 60-70, 125, and 250 p.p.b. respectively. In our present experiments, an SOD activity higher than 30 U/g leaves may be considered as a indicator of atmospheric pollution.