THE USE OF SYNCHROTRON-RADIATION FOR TRACE-ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF BIOMEDICAL SAMPLES

Trace elements play an important role in sustaining life on Planet Earth. The consumption of energy and other human activities mobilize large quantities of a number of elements in the environment. As a result, the uptake of trace elements by living organisms is being modified, and because of a narrow range of adequacy this can result in different abnormalities. Because of low concentration levels and the variability of species and individuals, a large number of measurements has to be performed in the study of this problem. These requirements give a central role to the methods of detection. If one considers the problems associated with air, water or soil pollution, SR-XRF techniques appear usable in almost all cases. © 1993 Società Italiana di Fisica.