Abstract: Nineteen elements were determined in four different grain size fractions of a bulk geological material from Cerro Impacto for a study of the physical (mechanical) concentration process of different elements based upon the hardness of the different minerals. The analysis was performed by excitation of the sample with a high, slow neutron flux followed by gamma-ray spectroscopy with both a conventional Ge(Li) high-energy detector and a low-energy photon detector (LEPD). The accuracy of this method was studied with the use of two standard reference materials, SY-2 and SY-3, which are similar to the real samples. The values determined were also compared with a secondary target x-ray fluorescence method for all the elements that were suitable to both methods. Actually, the x-ray fluorescence method was found to be more complementary than competitive.

Abstract: Sensitive multi-element analysis techniques together with major-element and isotopic analyses were applied to spring, mine and surface waters in the vicinity of an important known zinclead deposit in a carbonate environment, in the Les Malines area (Gard, France). Both the dissolved and suspended phases were investigated, and concretions and sediments were also considered in some cases. This methodological test shows that the ore body leaves various clear fingerprints, such as the Zn, As, Sb, Pb and U levels in the dissolved phase, the sulfate increment and the δ 34S. Some of the elements in solution are controlled by slightly soluble compounds, e.g. Zn by smithsonite and hydrozincite, Ba by barite, and Pb by hydrocerussite. Mapping the saturation indices for these elements appears useful for displaying the hydrogeochemical anomaly.

Abstract: Triammonium aurin tricarboxylate (aluminon) has been used to localize aluminum in 2 μm sections of undecalcified, methyl methacrylate embedded bone obtained from patients with terminal chronic renal failure. Aluminum appeared in four cases as bright red lines at the mineralized-bone boundary. In two cases, however, purplish lines were found and one patient showed red as well as purplish lines. Laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA) identified aluminum at the location of the red lines and both aluminum and iron at the purplish lines. Furthermore, both iron and aluminum were found in histiocytic bone marrow cells, which showed brownish aluminon staining. It appears that when aluminum and iron occur together, aluminon staining may yield aberrant results. This study shows that LAMMA can be used for the identification of elements sought by histochemical methods and thus permits the evaluation of their staining effects.