Analysis of elements

« Pierre Süe Laboratory UMR 9956 CEA-CNRS

The activity of the GAEL (Analysis of Elements Group) is based on two particularly powerful methods for the analysis of the traces, the analysis by ICP-MS and the analysis by neutron activation. Four axes are studied:

- improvement of the methods

- materials analysis

- chemical signatures for geology and archaeometry

- human and environmental toxicology

Materials Studies

Certification of materials of reference GAEL and LNE collaboration

Since December 2006, the GAEL is engaged in the action aiming at restoring the INAA like method of reference for representative samples grounds, sediments and concretes through a contract drawn up between our laboratory and the National Laboratory of Metrology and Tests (LNE).

Stoichiometry and grafting rates of nanomaterials the biological effects are tested on procaryotic cells and eucaryotes in culture. Collaboration GAEL, THE

The GAEL seeks to refine the analytical performances of the activation analysis for the measurement of stoichiometry on a nanometric scale. The rise of nanomaterials requires the development of powerful techniques of analysis on very small quantities. Since 2006, measurements were carried out to measure the stoichiometry of TiO₂, Al₂O₃. If method of K₀ seem inappropriate to proportion the radioelements of very short periods (type Al), the direct calibration gives good results.

Already perfectly tested in the past with the analysis of traces of elements in graphite, in particular of nuclear quality, the INAA was applied recently to the proportioning of doping iron in carbon nanotubes.

Development of mixtures of surface-active charged cation and anion. Collaboration GAEL, DSM/DRECAM/SCM/LIONS

Here still the miniaturization of the studied system requires techniques of characterization on a trace scale. The INAA appeared a technique of choice for the follow-up of the development of these surface-active private individuals.

Nanotube electronic microprobe picture

Chemical signatures for geology and archaeometry

These archaeological samples being heterogeneous a total analysis of the sample is essential. Moreover in order to distinguishing the most areas possible, a maximum of elements must be analyzed (Sc, Co, Ni, Rb, Cs, Ba, This, Sm, Have, Yb, Hf, Th, U, Co, Ni). The analysis by ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry Farmhouse) seemed to us the most adapted to these problems (sensitivity, precision, analyze multi elementary).

Trace elements analysis by ICP-MS and INAA in microquantities of silicated glasses: application to the study of Stromboli’s lavas GAEL and GST collaboration

Stromboli - is the most active volcano of the arc Eolien arc. It is known for its persistent activity which gives place to gas jets and slag projections dense and rich in crystals (50%), since approximately 1500 years. Its eruptions produce pounces (<10% crystals), made exceptional for a basaltic volcano. The persistent activity with the craters is fed by a magma very strongly degassed, lying in the surface part of the volcanic cone. The basaltic magma, rich in water and of major origin, which feed the surface body, is emitted only in the form of pounces at the time of the explosive events energy. The objective of this work is to determine, by ICP-MS, the magmas composition in traces elements (alkaline and alkaline-earth, rare earths, Th, Yb, Nb…) at the origin of the Stromboli explosive events since 1500 years. The few analyses of total rocks (pounces) already carried out reveal chemical heterogeneities which are related to the mixture between the magma of deep origin and the surface very crystallized magma. They do not make it possible to model the real geochemical evolution of the magmas in the 1500 last years. However these data are necessary to include/understand the current volcanic activity.

Multi elements analysis by ICP-MS and INAA applied to the study of ferrous archaeological artefacts’ origin: GAEL, Archéomatériaux Group and forecast of deterioration, GST, Laboratory Metallurgy and culture CNRS/UMR 5060 UTBM (Belfort) collaboration

Human and environmental toxicology

Development of biological tools for evaluation of the aerosols impacts and of the atmospheric particles in variously polluted ecosystems: measurements of induced early answers at the bryophytes (biomarqueurs) and their microbial communities (bioindicateurs)

GAEL, Laboratory of Sciences of the Climate and Environment (Gif sur Yvette), the Lille Institute of Health Engineering(Loos), the laboratory of Environmental Biology (University of Besancon) collaboration.

The research program interorganism for a better quality of the air on a local scale PRIMEQUAL-PREDIT financed this multi-field project on the topic of the pollution air in urban and suburban sites from 2005 to 2007. The objective general is to characterize the effects of the aerosols and the atmospheric particles at various levels of biological organization by evaluating induced physiological briophytes and ecological answers on their structure and the communities of protists composition (bioindicateurs). The studied biosensors must make it possible to better characterize the risks for the ecosystems while being integrated in the step of evaluation of the environmental and medical risks. Concentrations of the metal compounds (in particular Ace, Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, Zn,…) in fabrics of foams and the deposits on the filters were determined by ICP-MS after setting in solution and INAA. The two tools for analyses, complementary, allowed the validation of the protocols and the widening of the range of the measured elements.

Scleropodium Purum

#883 - Màj : 19/09/2007