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The province of Alberta, Canada, is home to three oil sands regions which, combined, contain the third largest deposit of oil in the world. Of these, the Athabasca oil sands region is the largest. As part of Environment and Climate Change Canada's program in support of the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring program, concentrations of trace elements in PM2. 5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 µm in diameter) were measured through two campaigns that involved different methodologies: a long-term filter campaign and a short-term intensive campaign. In the long-term campaign, 24 h filter samples were collected once every 6 days over a 2-year period (December 2010–November 2012) at three air monitoring stations in the regional municipality of Wood Buffalo. For the intensive campaign (August 2013), hourly measurements were made with an online instrument at one air monitoring station; daily filter samples were also collected. The hourly and 24 h filter data were analyzed individually using positive matrix factorization. Seven emission sources of PM2. 5 trace elements were thereby identified: two types of upgrader emissions, soil, haul road dust, biomass burning, and two sources of mixed origin. The upgrader emissions, soil, and haul road dust sources were identified through both the methodologies and both methodologies identified a mixed source, but these exhibited more differences than similarities. The second upgrader emissions and biomass burning sources were only resolved by the hourly and filter methodologies, respectively. The similarity of the receptor modeling results from the two methodologies provided reassurance as to the identity of the sources. Overall, much of the PM2. 5-related trace elements were found to be anthropogenic, or at least to be aerosolized through anthropogenic activities. These emissions may in part explain the previously reported higher levels of trace elements in snow, water, and biota samples collected near the oil sands operations.

The province of Alberta, Canada is home to three oil sands regions which, combined, contain the third largest deposit of oil in the world. Of these, the Athabasca Oil Sands Region is the largest. As part of Environment and Climate Change Canada's program in support of the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring program, concentrations of trace metals in PM2.5 were measured through two campaigns that involved different methodologies: a long-term filter campaign and a short term intensive campaign. In the long-term campaign, 24-hr filter samples were collected one-in-six days over a two-year period (Dec. 2010–Nov. 2012) at three air monitoring stations in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. For the intensive campaign (Aug. 2013), hourly measurements were made with an on-line instrument at one air monitoring station; daily filter samples were also collected. The hourly and 24-h filter data were analysed individually using positive matrix factorization. Seven emission sources of PM2.5 were thereby identified: two types of Upgrader Emissions, Soil, Haul Road Dust, Biomass Burning, and two sources of mixed origin. The Upgrader Emissions, Soil, and Haul Road Dust sources were identified through both the methodologies and both methodologies identified a mixed source, but these exhibited more differences than similarities. The second Upgrader Emissions and Biomass Burning sources were only resolved by the hourly and filter methodologies, respectively. The similarity of the receptor modeling results from the two methodologies provided reassurance as to the identity of the sources. Overall much of the PM2.5 related metal was found to be anthropogenic, or at least to be aerosolized through anthropogenic activities. These emissions may in part explain the previously reported higher levels of metals in snow, water, and biota samples collected near the oil sands operations.

The quality of dog diets depends on adequate ingredients capable of providing optimal nutrition and free of contaminants, for promoting long-term health. Trace elements in 95 samples of dry food for dog puppies (n = 32) and adults (n = 63) of various brands were measured using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The mass fractions of most elements were within the permissible limits for dogs. Aluminum, antimony, and uranium presented fairly high levels in some samples, which may imply health risks. Aluminum mass fractions ranged from

International audience; This study reports precise and accurate data for rare earth elements (REE) measured on eight geological reference materials, five enriched in REE (BE-N, BHVO-2, BR, BR-24 and RGM-1) and three very depleted in REE (BIR-1, UB-N and DTS-2). Data were acquired by quadrupole ICP-MS after isolation of the REE using an ion-exchange chromatography procedure. All the measured REE abundances were similar within 5% (10% for the most REE-depleted sample DTS-2) to the high-quality measurements previously published in the literature. We also show that by using an internal Tm spike, the reproducibility of the data was improved to 1%.Applying this technique to the analysis of ultradepleted rock samples (sub ng g-1), we show that significant improvements were obtained relative to the routine trace element measurement method. The chondrite-normalised patterns were smooth instead of displaying irregularities. Although the classical method gives excellent results on REE-rich samples, we believe that our technique improves the precision and accuracy of measurements for highly REE-depleted rocks.; Cette étude présente des données de terres rares (REE) précises, mesurées sur huit matériaux géologiques de référence, cinq enrichis en terres rares (BE-N, BHVO-2, BR, BR-24 et RGM-1) et trois très appauvris en REE (BIR-1, UB-N et DTS-2). Les données ont été acquises par ICP-MS quadripolaire après isolement des terres rares par l’utilisation d’une procédure chromatographie échangeuse d’ions. Toutes les abondances mesurées de terres rares ont été similaires, à environ 5% près (10% pour l’échantillon le plus appauvri en REE, DTS-2), aux mesures de haute qualité issues de la littérature.Nous montrons également que l’utilisation d’un ajout («spike») interne de Tm a permit d’améliorer la reproductibilité des données d’environ 1%. Enappliquant cette technique à l’analyse d’échantillons de roches ultra-appauvris (au niveau du ng g-1), nous montrons que des améliorations significatives ont été obtenues par rapport à la méthode de routine de mesure des éléments traces. Les spectres normalisés aux chondrites sont lisses au lieu d’afficher des irrégularités. Bien que la méthode classique donne d’excellents résultats pour des échantillons riches en terres rares, nous croyons que notre technique améliore la précision et l’exactitude des mesures pour les roches très appauvris en terres rares.

Analysis of trace element measurement data from clinker may lead to insights into raw material properties and could be used to solve practical problems, namely to determine the origin of the clinker (i.e. the manufacturing works). For this purpose, several hundred clinkers from nine countries were analysed by replicated quarterly samples to determine their Mg, Sr, Ba, Mn, Ti, Zr, Zn and V contents. This paper presents a survey of simple exploratory data analysis procedures that have been found to be particularly useful in the qualitative analysis of clinker trace element contents. Data presentation box and quantile-quantile plots are proposed and used to analyse the relationships between different factories and different trace elements.

This study demonstrates trace element measurement using laser diagnostics. A LIBS technique has been applied to detect alkali metals under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, and an automated LIBS unit has been developed and applied in a month-long monitoring experiment. The results were compared to those obtained using the conventional sampling method, and good agreement was found. LIBS can detect Na and K at ppb levels, even under the high-pressure conditions of PFBC and IGCC thermal power plants. LIBS is capable of a 1-minute detection time, as opposed to the 20-hour sampling time required by the conventional method, and offers various advantages as a tool for actual plant monitoring.

The Oxford Scanning Proton Microprobe continues to be used in the field of trace element measurement in biological systems, exploiting the unique advantages of sensitive, quantitative trace element analysis using PIXE, high spatial resolution and the long penetrating power of MeV protons. This paper outlines a number of recent applications which highlight these advantages. These include: (a) Analysing the distribution of metals in the pupae of leaf-cutting ants to determine the storage sites and transport mechanism of metals used to harden the edges of the mandibles. (b) A study of the distribution of zinc in the retina of rats to determine the role of zinc in light and dark adaptation of the eye. (c) The analysis of crystals of proteins and other large organic molecules prepared for structure determination using x-ray diffraction. These often contain metal atoms, and the identity and concentration of the metal is an important diagnostic for determining the nature of the protein and the quality of the crystallisation. The crystals are normally small (~100μm) and so microPIXE is being used to characterise them. This technique has wide ranging applications, including qualitative and quantitative identification of metals in reaction centres, in active sites and in metal binding proteins, and of DNA or RNA bound to proteins.

The observation that Zr provided an estimate of soil ingestion 80% lower than estimates provided by seven other elements for 1 week in a soil‐pica child in light of the apparent high detection capability for the element resulted in a reexamination of the validity of a current modeling approach advocated for use in estimating soil ingestion detection limits. This examination reveals that for high levels of soil ingestion, possible biases in soil ingestion methodology may be inadequately accounted for in the soil detection limit model. The extent of this limitation is explored and placed in the context of reported limitations in trace element measurement methodology.

Introduction The aim of parenteral nutrition (PN) is to meet the body’s needs while avoiding complications of deficiency and toxicity. 1 Trace elements (Cu, Zn, Se) play an important role in many of the body’s functions including metabolism, immunity and enzymes. 1 ESPGHAN/ ESPEN guidelines recommended that levels of trace elements should be checked at the commencement and frequently after starting PN. 1 Our aim was to review the current practice in our tertiary paediatric hospital. Method In-patients receiving PN were identified from the pharmacy database. All records from patients receiving PN on two randomly allocated days in December and January were analysed for demographic data and diagnosis. From the laboratory database we looked for Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu) and Selenium (Se) levels at the commencement and 4–8 weeks after starting PN. We excluded patients with no available data on the start of PN. Results 72 patients receiving PN were identified on the two days. Data were available for 63 patients and 9 others were excluded as data was not available on starting PN. The 63 patients with available results were aged 1–16 years, median age of 4.5 years. 36 were males. Overall; Trace Elements (TE) were checked in 26/63 (41.2%) (Table1). TE results were available before or within one week of starting PN in 18/63 (28.5%). Thirteen had TE follow up. Table 3 shows the levels of TE within one week of starting PN and the follow up results. 5 patients had low initial Zn, Cu and Se. These were patients with Tufting enteropathy, early onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), one patient with IPEX, one patient with Intestinal obstruction and one with missing records. The latter two in addition to another patient with HLH also had low levels on follow up. Out of the whole cohort of 63, 27 (43%) patients have an underlying gastrointestinal disorder, 20 (74%) of whom had levels checked initially and 9 (33%) had levels done on follow up. Conclusion Unfortunately determination of TE level is frequently missed in our institution. Although figures from the gastroenterology department were better than other departments, we recommended use of a proforma to be filled by the clinician before starting PN. We recommend TE to be checked at least once every 3 months for those with normal levels and once a month for those with low levels. A re-audit is planned later in the year. Disclosure of interest None Declared. Reference Koletzko B, et al . J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2005;41(Suppl 2)