Three-dimensional elemental imaging by means of synchrotron radiation micro-XRF: developments and applications in environmental chemistry

The use of synchrotron radiation micro-X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurements coupled with high-resolution laboratory micro-CT for in situ non-destructive elemental imaging in biological systems with resolution levels on the 3-15μm range is presented. X-ray absorption microtomography helps facilitate and aid the quantification of 2D/3D elemental imaging results by providing a full 3D absorption model, for the sample, which is analyzed by SR micro-XRF techniques. Absorption microtomography also provides a complimentary dataset with density/mass absorption coefficient information, which reveals the internal structure of the examined sample and also aids the quantitative analysis of the measured 2D/3D elemental distributions. Nanobeams of X-rays, coupled with modern scanning systems and multi-element detectors, will help detect a detailed 3D structure of the elemental distributions within individual cells, which will provide better insights in the role of metals in cellular metabolism.