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The study the ancient Phoenician cult place of Kharayeb, in the rural hinterland of Tyre, southern of Lebanon, dated to the Iron Age and Hellenistic periods is particularly helpful in evaluating the complexity and variability of the so called "Hellenism" and of "Greek cultural influences" in the Phoenician world. The PIXE analytical technique was used to characterize the elemental composition of several artefacts from this archaeological site, mainly figurines and some artisanal objects, with an attempt to analyze geological samples that could be potential clay sources in the area. Furthermore, the PIXE information about the composition of the studied objects helped to understand if the figurines were locally produced or imported from the coast and how was the process of production connected to the sanctuary. Hence, particle induced X-ray emission technique PIXE was used to determine the elemental composition of about 57 excavated fragments of figurines and pottery from Kharayeb site, as well as from two another archaeological sites, Jemjim and Tyre which is the prestigious city of antiquity, located on the eastern Mediterranean coast. Then, PIXE analyses with multivariate statistical methods were used to compare and to reveal characteristic groups. Finally, PIXE technique contributed to establish a first database of chemical composition of Phoenician pottery, which will broaden the existing database currently related only to archaeological pottery from coastal sites in Lebanon. Therefore, this work will probably be used for any future archaeological study on Phoenician pottery in the Phoenician colonies in the Mediterranean basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is a part of a scientific study conducted among several Arab countries in west Asia, under an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regional technical cooperation project for Arasia region. The project aims at producing for the first time a database of particulate matter (PM) elemental concentrations in the region that will help in future air quality studies in order to identify commonalities and differences in the presence and contribution of fingerprint pollution sources among the Arasia Member States. The first regional campaign was launched simultaneously in Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and United Arab Emirates, using a harmonized sampling and analysis protocol of PM 10 and PM 2.5 samples. Different samples, collected between October 2014 and February 2015, from the participating countries, were analyzed by PIXE technique and gravimetric measurements were also carried out. The first results of the study will be discussed in a regional perspective. Our study shows that concentrations of fine aerosol fractions are often exceeding the WHO standard values as well as showing some disparities in the obtained values between the different sampling sites. However, some trend similarities of variations with time could also be observed, suggesting a common influence by trans-boundary or external sources of air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: “Paris” meteorite is a CM type carbonaceous chondrite, a primitive meteorite whose parent body has been formed in the early stage of the solar system and that has experienced low alterations (thermal and aqueous) since its formation. Proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE), Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) and micro-PIXE techniques were used to characterize the elemental content and chemical composition of a “Paris” meteorite fragment from MNHN-France (Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle). As expected for a carbonaceous chondrite, macro-PIXE analysis revealed high overall concentrations in Fe, Si, Mg, while RBS showed 55 at.% of O and 7.7 at.% of C in average. Among the other elements, macro-PIXE analysis shows a relative enrichment of the fragment analyzed in Ca. Besides, a carbonaceous chondrite is a heterogeneous composite of different sized mineral and organic grains. Thus, we used a micro-beam to scan and analyze some micron-sized inclusions. By micro-PIXE analysis, it was possible to identify two types of crystals and an inclusion containing less than 0.1wt.% of molybdenum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: PIXE and RBS analysis is used to investigate the elemental content of modern Lebanese coins, in order to control their minting quality. The coins of interest were 100, 250 and 500 Lebanese Lira (LL), which are mainly bulky metals with or without coated layer. Using 3MeV protons, proton induced X-ray emission PIXE identified and quantified elements while Rutherford backscattering spectrometry RBS checked the thickness of the coated layer. Indeed, the combination of PIXE and RBS provides a powerful tool to investigate the elemental composition of coins, either modern or ancient. In addition, the experimental protocol was checked by analyzing some other coins of known composition, such as 1-euro and 2-euro. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Air particulate matter (PM) samples were collected over the period from May 2017 to January 2018 for determination of chemical elements. Sampling campaign is realized in Damascus, the capital of Syria, and conducted twice per week. PM samples were taken as two size fractions (PM 2.5 and PM 2.5-10) using ISAP air sampler. The results showed that the mass concentrations for PM 2.5 were higher than those for PM 10-2.5. The overall mean mass concentrations were 32.48 ± 14 μg/m3 and 18.9 ± 10 μg/m3 for PM 2.5 and PM 10-2.5 , respectively. The PM 2.5 samples were subjected to PIXE analysis in order to determine the major (Ca, S, Si, Fe, Al, K, Mg and Na) and trace elements (Cl, Pb, Zn, Ti, P, Mn, Cu, Sr, Zr, Br, V and Ni). Elemental composition data were modelled using cluster analysis and principal component analysis to determine particle source categories contributing to the air pollution. The identified sources of PM 2.5 were (1) resuspended soil characterized by high concentrations of Si, Al, Fe and Mg; (2) traffic source identified by the presence of Pb, Br, and S; (3) heavy oil combustion characterized by association between Ni and V; (4) a mixed industrial source; and (5) agriculture activities (K, Ca and P). The concentrations of elements initiated from anthropogenic sources are much lower than those induced naturally from earth's crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper compares trace element concentrations (Ca, K, Sr, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Co and Cr) in 27 Sudanese medical plants determined in parallel by PIXE and ICP-OES to get information on which technique is preferable at different matrices and element concentrations. PIXE correlates well to ICP-OES for Sr, Mn, Ca, K, Zn and Fe determinations. ICP-OES seems to be the superior technique over PIXE when measuring low concentrated elements (chromium, cobalt, nickel and copper) in the medicinal plants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Geant4 PIXE de-excitation processes are used to simulate proton beam interactions with sample materials of known composition. Simulations involve four mono-elemental materials; Cu, Fe, Si and Al and three relatively complex materials: stainless steel, phosphor bronze and basal BE-N reference material composed of 25 different elements. The simulation results are compared to experimental spectra acquired for real samples analyzed using 3MeV incident protons delivered by an ion tandem accelerator. Data acquisition was performed using a Si(Li) detector and an aluminum funny filter was added for the three last mentioned samples depending on the configuration to reduce the noise and obtain clear resulting spectrum. The results show a good agreement between simulations and measurements for the different samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]