[en] This periodical XRF Newsletter is to inform the XRF laboratories in IAEA Member States on recent developments in the field of XRF spectrometry and to exchange views on fundamental and applied aspects of sampling, sample preparation, instrumentation, quality control, etc. A few selected examples of the recent activities in the IAEA XRF Laboratory and its results in the field of XRF are presented: In-situ analysis of bronzes by portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry; Micro-beam X-ray absorption and fluorescence measurement with synchrotron radiation; 5th International BioPIXE Symposium; the spreadsheet method for calculating uncertainty in total reflection x-ray fluorescence analysis

[en] Full text: The Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) facility was established in 2001 under the Technical Cooperation project on Development and Utilization of Nuclear Analytical Technology (SRL/2/005). The XRF facility consists of X-ray tube with Mo anode, secondary targets and Si/Li detector coupled with portable inspector MCA and Genie 2000 spectrum acquisition software. Qualitative and Quantitative analysis is being carried out using QXAS-BFP (Backscatter Fundamental Parameter method) for thick samples, QAES (P.Kump, Slovenia) for both intermediate thickness and thin samples. The EDXRF facility is used for the elemental analysis of soil /sediments samples, plant materials, air filters, alloys and water samples. The analytical services are provided for research institutions, Universities, Geological and Environmental assessment companies to determine major, minor and trace elements in various materials. Since 1998 the XRF group has also participated in the IAEA/RCA project on Isotopes and related techniques to assess Air Pollution. Currently, three research projects on the application of EDXRF technique in environmental studies are being carried out (author)

[en] In this report, we present results on trace element levels in maize flour, kale vegetable and fish. In addition, some results on the trace element levels in tea, the most commonly consumed beverage in Kenya, are reported. The processing of maize reduces the elemental concentrations, with potassium and zinc being the ones that are significantly reduced. The milling factor was observed in the pricing with most refined maize flour (Hostess) being the most expensive. The relatively high concentrations levels of calcium and iron in the Jogoo brand were probably caused by other factors not related to maize processing; possibly it is from contamination from the processing environment. Instant tea is a form of processed tea, which is in powder form. It is newly introduced and it is not yet a popular product. There is quite a significant difference in the elemental concentration levels in this finely processed tea and in the usual tea leaves (Ketepa tea). In both cases, the manganese and iron concentration values are very high when compared to the values observed in maize and kale. Surveillance and assessment of trace metals and other pollutant levels in the fish is important to ensure compliance with stipulated standards for human consumption. It is observed that in general the liver accumulates the highest amounts of heavy metals, in particular iron and copper. Lead, a non-essential element was accumulated most in the scales. The lead (Pb) values in the muscle tissue, the main tissue of concern, were the lowest. In order to determine the concentrations of the trace elements from these foodstuffs that would actually be assimilated in the body, it will be necessary to determine the trace element levels in the amount of food that is actually ingested. Once in the digestive system, the amount assimilated will depend, among other factors, on their bioavailability of essential trace elements in typical Kenyan diets

[en] The XRF laboratory is one of the laboratories in the Physics Department of the National Nuclear Research Institute (NNRI) of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC). The laboratory serves as an analytical laboratory among other things. The analytical work includes the analysis of vegetation, water, air and geological samples among others using both conventional XRF and TXRF techniques. The laboratory for some years had been looking at Gold tailings in both Obuasi and Prestia gold mines in Ghana. Characterising the ore, tailings and tracing the path of the tailings in nearby rivers. For the past five years, the laboratory had been involved in the Coordinated Research Project on Biomonitoriong of Trace Element Atmospheric Pollution. The laboratory was also involved in a CRP with the IAEA on the In-situ application of XRF and we applied a Field Portable XRF System for analysing finish products and metal scrap sorting. The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Ltd. in collaboration with the Physics Department of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) is now carrying-out an Air Quality Monitoring Programme. This programme will be partly sponsored by Afton Chemicals, the suppliers of MMT. The filters will initially be analysed by neutron activation analysis at the University of Montreal in Canada but subsequent ones will be analysed by the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission using both NAA and XRF facilities. The aim of the programme is to determine baseline concentrations of Manganese (Mn) in ambient air and soil in both urban and rural communities; to comply with National EPA's environmental impact assessment regulations; to build capacity through collaboration with internationally recognised experts and organizations in the area of air pollution monitoring; to establish a framework for continuous monitoring of manganese in ambient air and soil using EDXRF and NAA. The primary objectives of the Manganese in air project are to evaluate concentrations of Manganese in air in urban and rural areas, and make an informed assessment of the potential adverse (if any) health effects; to determine Manganese levels in both PM2.5 and PM10 and make inferences concerning source such as soil, industrial, automobile/petroleum emissions; to generate the necessary data base for air quality modelling

[en] The XRF Group of the PCI Laboratory provided the instrumentation for performing the measurements at the synchrotron beam line. The micro-beam X-ray scanning spectrometer was moved out from the Instrumentation Unit?s XRF laboratory and was installed at the synchrotron beam line. The spectrometer was equipped with three X-ray detectors, namely: a large area silicon drift detector (active area of 50 mm², positioned in the synchrotron orbital plane at 90 degrees in relation to the primary beam; the detector was provided by the Atominstitut, Vienna), for collecting the X-ray fluorescence spectra during elemental mapping and tomographic scanning; small area silicon drift detector (active area 2 mm², positioned in the beam behind the sample), for collecting X-rays transmitted through the sample; and a silicon drift detector (active area of 10 mm²) fitted with a polycapillary half-lens and aligned in confocal geometry. The analyzed samples were mounted on a motorized stage. The synchrotron beam was monitored with an ionization chamber and Si-PIN diode detectors. Four groups of samples were analyzed by performing 2D/3D tomographic scanning in absorption/fluorescence mode and in a 3D confocal mode: Freeze-dried human-bone sections prepared at the Atominstitut, Vienna, Austria in collaboration with the Instrumentation Unit. U/Pu-rich particles provided by the Institute for Transuranium Elements, Karlsruhe, Germany. Stained organs of malaria mosquitoes obtained from the Entomology Unit of the IAEA Laboratories and prepared using different methodologies by the Instrumentation Unit. Mineral grain sample prepared by the Agency?s fellow. Several additional measurements on standard samples were performed in order to establish the geometry of the synchrotron beam and other analytical parameters. The Instrumentation Unit is collaborating with the other groups on elaborating the acquired data. We would like to emphasize that the use of advanced analytical techniques in combination with synchrotron radiation source provided essential information about the investigated samples, which could not be obtained by other means. In particular, the use of the polarized and monochromatized synchrotron radiation dramatically improved the detection limits enabling X-ray fluorescence tomographic measurements of trace element distribution in bone tissue, mosquito samples and 3D mapping of element distributions in individual radioactive particles. The tasks were performed in cooperation with other research groups addressing the needs of the Member States laboratories. It should be a recommended way of bringing the Agency?s support and expertise in applications of advanced nuclear analytical techniques directly to its Member States

[en] Full text: The activities on Energy-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Laboratory at the Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP) in Tirana, Albania started about 30 years ago from using simple systems consisting of single channel analysers, radioisotope sources and gas proportional or scintillation counters along with balanced filters for the separation of analytical lines. These systems were applied for the determination of single elements. A few portable prototypes were developed and successfully used for the determination of chromium and copper in ores, both in the lab and institute (ore processing plants) conditions. Later, through different TC projects with IAEA, the lab has been equipped with the following systems: X-ray tube excited EDXRF spectrometer with secondary target excitation; radioisotope excited EDXRF system; TXRF module; field portable XRF system based on a Cd-109 disc source; Si-PIN detector and pocket MCA. From the beginning our work has been focused on research, applications and training. Due to the fact that our EDXRF systems are made of different parts that are put together, our research activities are mainly related to optimization of excitation geometry and the development of optimized analytical procedures for the analysis of different group of elements in several kinds of samples. Some of these procedures include: determination of major and minor elements in soils, sediments, mineral ores and different type of rocks; determination of sulphur and some trace elements (V, Ni, etc.) in oil, bitumen and asphaltene; determination of some trace metals in sea and surface waters; determination of elemental composition of aerosols loaded on filters; determination of some trace elements in biological samples. An important point of our work is related with the quality of the analytical results. For this reason we have participated in some of the intercomparison runs organized by AQCS of the IAEA and in the GeoPT proficiency tests. In most cases our reported results have been in good accordance with the respective accepted or recommended values. Based on the advantages of EDXRF and on the fact that our lab is the only one in the country using this analytical technique, our group has been involved in several research projects and applications in the fields of geology, geochemistry, environmental monitoring, archaeology, etc. Some of the projects carried out during the last years are summarized bellow: geochemical mapping of Albania; national monitoring program for water and air pollution; technological study of Illyrian terracotta of Aphrodite and related ceramics of Hellenistic period from Belesh, Albania; identification of inorganic pigments used in old Albanian icons by TXRF; assessment of copper pollution in over-bank sediments of Mati river by in-situ measurements using a FPXRF instrument; identification of late-Byzantine and post-Byzantine wall paintings? materials and technology in Albania; mutual influence between Albanian and Greek iconographers; the study of ancient silver coins minted by Illyrian king Monounios (3-d century BC) and their comparison with same type and period silver coins from the cities of Dyrrachion and Korkyra. Lately, FPXRF system is being used for new in-situ applications like assessment of pollution of soils and sediments, and analysis of different cultural heritage objects (metals, stones, paintings). Training is provided for the students of Physics, Chemistry and Geology at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels (author)