A Brazilian tree collection analyzed by X ray fluorescence

The analysis of the inorganic components of wood is of great interest for several reasons, including the acquisition of basic data creating a data base of values for individual species. Knowing the wide variability in matrix composition (lignin, oil, resin, silica) and densities (0.39-1.09 g cm-3), 40 species of trees were analysed by X ray fluorescence (XRF) to determine the concentrations of Br, Ca, Cu, K, Mn, Pb, Rb, Sr, and A. This technique is widely used because of its accuracy and simplicity of sample preparation, normally complex for this type of biological material. This multi-elemental analysis has proven suitable for wood, a material in which a wide range for each element was encountered in the different species studied: 0.3-5.2 for Br, 126-9074 for Ca, 2.2-11 for Cu, 108-5873 for K, 3.1-134 for Mn, 0.5-4.7 for Pb, 0.3-20 for Rb, 1.2-120 for Sr, and 1.1-20 for Zn (values given in μg g-1). (author)