The application of the derivative IR-spectroscopy and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS in the analysis of archaeology resin.

The applicability of the reducing-difference procedure for the interpretation of the conventional IR-spectroscopy as successful scientific technique for the analysis of ancient and modern resins has been demonstrated. The new temperature tool for modeling of the ancient resin samples has also been shown. The experimental infrared data are supported by the hydride approach of HPLC-MS-MS with ES-ionisation.

On the influence of soil properties on the transfer of 137Cs from two soils (Chromic Luvisol and Eutric Fluvisol) to wheat and cabbage.

Two types of soils (Eutric Fluvisol and Chromic Luvisol) and two crops (wheat and cabbage) were investigated for determination of the transfer of 137Cs from soil to plant. Measurements were performed using gamma-spectrometry. Results for the soil characteristics, transfer factors of the radionuclides (TF), and conversion factors (CF) (cabbage/wheat) were obtained. The transfer of 137Cs was higher for Chromic Luvisol for both the plants. Statistically significant dependence of TF of 137Cs on its concentration in soil was established for cabbage. Dependence between K content in the soil and the transfer factor of 137Cs was not found due to the high concentrations of available K. Use of bioconcentration factor (BCF) (ratio between the activity concentration of a radionuclide in a reference plant to its concentration in another plant) is demonstrated and proposed for risk assessment studies.

On the possibilities of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for analysis of archaeological bones for reconstruction of paleodiet.

The possibilities of inductively coupled plasma atomic mass spectrometry for determination of elemental composition of archaeological bones for reconstruction of paleodiet are discussed. The interferences of different polyatomic ions on the determination of Fe, Cu, Mg, Mn, Zn, and Zr are investigated and evaluated. Thus, a method for the determination of Al, As, Ba, Mg, Pb, Sr, V, Zn, and Zr is proposed and is validated by analysis of IAEA-SRM-H-5 (animal bone). The applicability of the proposed procedure is demonstrated analyzing real archaeological bone samples dated to 4th century b.c. and the results are compared with the data obtained by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.

Concentration of caesium-137, cobalt-60 and potassium-40 in some wild and edible plants around the nuclear power plant in Bulgaria.

The activities of 137Cs, 60Co and 40K were determined in samples of wild (Taraxacum officinale, Plantago lanceolata and Populus nigra 'Italica') and edible (vegetable, corn, fruit) plants as well as soil collected from the 30 km safety zone of the Bulgarian NPP "Kozloduy" and comparisons with earlier measurements and analyses of samples from other regions and with literature values were performed. The derived transfer factors for 137Cs and 40K from soil to plants ranged between 0.002 and 0.009 for 137Cs, and between 0.09 and 0.35 for 40K. The individual effective dose (calculated from the present results and data on the activity of other foodstuffs and from information about dietary habits) comprises 4.5% of the annual dose limit.

Screening of heavy metal pollution in Bulgaria using Populus nigra 'Italica'.

The pollution with As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sb and Zn on the territory of Bulgaria has been evaluated using standardized samples of leaves of Populus nigra 'Italica' collected during the last 10 years. Background values for the respective elements are established in the leaves of the plant. The comparisons of urban and industrial pollution to some other European countries indicates similar or lower concentrations. Using cluster analysis of the analytical data the territory of Bulgaria is divided into six regions with different pollution levels.