X-ray Fluorescence Techniques for Element Abundance Analysis in Wine.

The elemental composition has been extensively used to characterize wine and to find correlations with environmental and winemaking factors. Although X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques offer many advantages, they have been rarely used for wine analysis. Here, we show the comparison of wine elemental composition results obtained by total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) for elements K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, and Sr. The results obtained by TXRF and EDXRF have been additionally verified by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The important analytical features of XRF techniques in wine science have been described, the preservation of volatile elements (e.g., Br) being one of their main advantages. In addition, we have shown that XRF techniques offer an optimal analytical approach for building large data sets containing highly reliable and reproducible results of elemental abundances in wines, corresponding soils, and grape juice. Such data sets are especially important for the geographic authentication of wine. This has been shown for 37 Austrian and Croatian wines collected together with respective soils from selected wine regions. The element abundances in soil reflect in a large portion in grape juice and finished wine suggesting that the contribution of the soil, that is, the plant uptake capacity expressed as c i(wine)/c i(soil) concentration factors, can be a highly discriminating factor for wine fingerprinting. This indeed has been proved in the present study in comparison to discrimination based only on wine element abundances. We have identified Fe, Zn, Br, Rb, and Sr as the best discriminator elements for the geographical authentication of wine. The study opens a new perspective in extending the application of XRF techniques as a cost-effective analytical tool for creating large databases of soil, grape juice, and wine element abundances for the evaluation of soil characteristics and other environmental parameters on wine composition.

The Growth and Sporulation of Bacillus subtilis in Nanotesla Magnetic Fields.

The order of magnitude of increased growth, multiplication rate, and decreased sporulation of Bacillus subtilis after exposure to nanotesla magnetic fields (MFs) relative to control samples were observed experimentally. Earth's total magnetic field intensity was reduced from 47.9 ± 0.4 µT to cover the range from 97.5 ± 1.7 nT to 1115 ± 158 nT in eight subsequent experiments by using three pairs of Helmholtz coils combined with Mu-metal shielding. The growth, multiplication rate, sporulation, and potassium content were measured in the probe and control containing B. subtilis cultures after 24 h of exposure to nanotesla and Earth's magnetic fields, respectively. The observed effect is discussed with regard to its possible repercussions on Earth's living species during geomagnetic reversals that occurred when the magnetic field was much weaker than the field that exists today. In addition, effects on future manned voyages into deep space, an environment with reduced magnetic field intensity, are considered.

Effects of microscale particles in red mud amended artificial soils on bioaccumulation of elements in E. fetida.

Red mud (RM) contains large quantities of microscale particles < 1 µm and high concentrations of potentially toxic elements. In this research, we have used two types of RM of similar chemical properties but containing different quantities of micro-particles, to test whether their size plays a role in the uptake of chemical elements by earthworm Eisenia fetida. Earthworms were exposed for seven days to artificial soils (prepared in the laboratory following a protocol) amended with increasing quantities of RM. Mortality of 86 % occurred when earthworms were exposed to amended soil containing 46 % of particles below 1 µm. Surprisingly, tissue analyses have shown decreased concentrations of metals instead of the expected toxic effect. SEM analysis revealed that micro-particles strongly adhere to the earthworm epidermis putting them under the large stress. Micro-particles in RM clog their minute dermal pores of 90 nm-735 nm in diameter, which size depends on whether the earthworm's body is contracted or stretched. Strong adhesion of micro-particles to earthworms' epidermis and blockage of their microsize pores prevented normal dermal respiration and absorption of chemical elements through their epithelium resulting in a decrease of most measured metals, especially essential elements potassium, calcium and iron, followed by the lethal outcomes.

Barrel inspection utilizing a 14 MeV neutron beam and associate alpha particle method.

A multi-sensor system was evaluated for the determination of barrel content with regard to eventual pollution hazards. The proposed system is able to investigate (in situ) the interior of a barrel filled with various unknown substances ranging from chemical and radioactive waste, raw sewage sludge, municipal incinerator ashes to common household trash. The crucial part of the system is a neutron sensor, which enables the identification of substance content without actually opening the barrel at all. A comparative laboratory test with the 3″×3″ and 5″×5″×10″ NaI(Tl) gamma ray detectors was made after which 3″×3″ detector was selected and incorporated in the submarine called "Surveyor". A field test was made in the Croatian Adriatic coast on the island Losinj. Field tests show that the commercial system utilizing the described method could be constructed for barrel inspection regardless of the measurement environment (underwater, on land, dumping site, isolated location, etc.).

Fast neutron sensor for detection of explosives and chemical warfare agents.

Once the presence of the anomaly on the bottom of the shallow coastal sea water has been confirmed it is necessary to establish if it contains explosive or chemical warfare charge. We propose that this be performed by using neutron sensor installed within an underwater vessel. When positioned above the object, or to its side, the system can inspect the object for the presence of the threat materials by using alpha particle tagged neutrons from the sealed tube d+t neutron generator.

Chemical profile of Plomin Bay sediments.

Granulometric, chemical, and leaching properties of sediments dredged in the Plomin Bay (Northern Adriatic Sea, Croatia) were investigated in order to asses the risk of remobilisation of heavy metals into the water column. In total 65 samples from 65 sampling sites were taken from different sediment depths within the bay. Analysis of variance confirmed the homogeneity of granulometric and elemental composition of the investigated sediment throughout its volume. Granulometric analysis showed that all samples corresponded to a pelitic fraction (<0.063 mm). Bulk elemental mass fractions in the sediments were similar to literature data on relatively unpolluted areas of the Adriatic Sea. High sedimentation rate caused by constant inflow of material from the Boljuncica River drainage may be responsible for low levels of heavy metals and negligible influence of fly and bottom ash from a nearby disposal site on the chemical composition of the sediments. In contact with sea water only 0.29 mg kg-1 of V, 0.04 mg kg-1 of Cr, 0.07 mg kg-1 of Ni, 0.33 mg kg-1 of Cu, 0.67 mg kg-1 of Zn and 0.06 mg kg-1 of Pb could be remobilised from sediment material into the water column. However, these values increased three to ten times in case of leaching with organic acids.

Indications for synergetic and antagonistic effects between trace elements in the environment to human health.

The objective of this work was to investigate the interactions between the level of concentrations of Ca, V Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Pb in potable water, soil, vegetation and school children hair and disease incidences of neoplasms, diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism, endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases, mental and behavioral disorders and diseases of the circulatory system on the population groups which are homogeneously exposed to the environmental conditions. It was found that potable water among the other investigated aspects of the physical environment has the greatest impact on the public health. The environment-disease incidence interactions have been found for all investigated diseases groups. The results reported here emphasize the importance of the observation of the mutual effects of the environmental variables on the human health for the identification of their synergetic as well as antagonistic effects.

Toxicological characterization of the new water cleaning product and its waste by-product.

Water extracts genotoxicity of the coagulant produced from industrial waste (red mud and waste base) and its waste mud remained after waste water treatment by the coagulation/flocculation process were studied. Tests were conducted in order to confirm nontoxicity of this new product prior to commercial production and usage and also to recommend a safe way for a handling and disposal of the remaining waste material. The toxicity investigation included (i) determining frequency of the cell survival, (ii) the Ames assays, (iii) micronucleus assay, and (iv) cell proliferation kinetics (expressed as mitotic index). These techniques were also employed in toxicity testing of the different concentrations of metal salts, zinc chloride, and lead nitrate in this case since these two elements were present in high concentrations in the waste water intended for the purification with the new coagulant. Mixture of metal salts in the concentrations that represent maximum allowed values for water extracts of technological waste was also tested. Two strains of Salmonella typhimurium, TA98, and TA100 were used for determining cytotoxicity and for the Ames test, while the cytogenetic investigations were performed on human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Water extracts of the coagulant and its waste mud did not induce a significant increase of the micronuclei in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. They also did not disturb lymphocyte proliferation kinetics in vitro. As regards lead nitrate it proved not to be cytotoxic on bacterial strains in the tested concentration range (1-100 mg/L), whereas zinc chloride showed cytotoxic effect for the concentrations above 25 mg/L. The Ames test results for the noncytotoxic concentrations of these metals were negative. Comparing to the negative control a significantly higher number of the micronuclei was determined after the treatment of the whole blood with 100 mg/L of zinc chloride, as well as with 10 and 100 mg/L of lead nitrate. A linear, dose dependent increase was obtained for both salts. Similar results were obtained on the basis of the mitotic index.

Chemical composition identification using fast neutrons.

Measurements of characteristic gamma ray spectra resulting from A(n, n'gamma)A reactions induced by 14 eV neutrons on different bulk samples (graphite, water, melamin) were performed. Of particular importance are results of experiments with objects buried in the soil. It has been shown that samples of graphite can be identified when buried under 10 m of soil. NaI(Tl) and BaF(2) scintilators were used as gamma ray detectors. Background radiation was reduced by the associated alpha particle technique.