Localisation of trace metals in hyperaccumulating plants using μ-PIXE

PIXE is a very sensitive technique that can fast and reliably measure a wide range of elements simultaneously with high sensitivity. Using a focused microbeam elemental distributions can be mapped with high spatial resolution. We demonstrate high resolution mapping of metals in plant leafs at 5 um resolution and it's application in detecting sites of metal accumulation in metal-accumulating plant tissues. The importance of biological sample preparation is discussed by direct comparison of freeze-substitution and freeze-drying routinely used in biological sciences. The advantages and limitations of quantitative elemental imaging using these techniques are also discussed.

Keywords

PIXE analysis, Plants, Metals, Leaves, Plant tissues, Lyophilization

Citation

Siegele, R., Kachenko, A. G., Wang, Y. D., Ionescu, M., Bhatia, N. P., & Cohen, D. D. (2007). Localisation of trace metals in hyperaccumulating plants using μ-PIXE. Poster presented to the 15th Australian Conference on Nuclear and Complementary Techniques of Analysis and 9th Vacuum Society of Australia Congress, 21st – 23rd November 2007. Melbourne, Australia: University of Melbourne.

URI

http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/2575

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