The cadmium hyperaccumulator Thlaspi praecox Wulfen (Brassicaceae) can accumulate unusually high amounts of Cd ()1,000 μg g−1 dry weight) in its seeds without drastically affecting seed viability. The aim of this study was to investigate the Cd coordination and ligand environment in seeds of field collected T. praecox using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), and to compare the Cd ligand environment to that in the vegetative tissues of the plant. In intact seeds and isolated embryos, almost two thirds of the Cd ligands were thiol groups (CdSC).
F.02 Acquisition of new scientific knowledge
COBISS.SI-ID: 1321211By employing statistical methods it was established that from all of the measured elements only the four characteristic key elements Cl, K, Mn, and Rb are sufficient to discriminate the types of honey. It was established that the employed combination of a simple, fast, and inexpensive multi-element TXRF analytical approach and the evaluation of data by chemometric methods has the potential to discriminate the botanical origins of various types of honey.
F.01 Acquisition of new practical knowledge, information and skills
COBISS.SI-ID: 22578215Understanding the mechanism(s) of polysulfide formation and knowledge about the interactions of sulfur and polysulfides with a host matrix and electrolyte are essential for the development of long-cycle-life lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. To achieve this goal, new analytical tools need to be developed. Herein, sulfur Kedge Xray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and 6,7Li magic-angle-spinning (MAS) NMR studies on a Li–S battery and its sulfur components are reported. The characterization of different stoichiometric mixtures of sulfur and lithium compounds (polysulfides), synthesized through a chemical route with all-sulfur-based components in the Li–S battery (sulfur and electrolyte), enables the understanding of changes in the batteries measured in post-mortem mode and in operando mode. A detailed XANES analysis is performed on the different battery components (cathode composite, and separator). The relative amounts of each sulfur compound in the cathode and separator are determined precisely, according to the linear combination fit of the XANES spectra, by using reference compounds. Complementary information about the lithium species within the cathode are obtained by using 7Li MAS NMR spectroscopy. The setup for the in operando XANES measurements can be viewed as a valuable analytical tool that can aid the understanding of the sulfur environment in Li–S batteries.
F.06 Development of a new product
COBISS.SI-ID: 3284475We have measured elemental concentrations in aerosols with a 2h time resolution in two types of working environment: a chemistry laboratory and a machine workshop. A factor analysis points to 68 factors in the chemistry laboratory and the machine workshop, respectively, that describe most of the data variance. While sampling the total PM10 mass concentration with a minute resolution may lack the potential to identify the emission sources in a “noisy” environment, the averaging on a day time scale is too coarse to cope with the working dynamics.
F.11 Development of a new service
COBISS.SI-ID: 24015399Bulk element concentrations of whole grain and element spatial distributions at the tissue level were investigated in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain grown in Zn-enriched soil. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry were used for bulk analysis, whereas microproton-induced Xray emission was used to resolve the twodimensional localization of the elements. Soil Zn application did not significantly affect the grain yield, but did significantly increase the grain Ca, Fe and Zn concentrations, and decrease the grain Na, P and Mo concentrations; bulk Mg, S, K, Mn, Cu, Cd and Pb concentrations remained unchanged. These changes observed in bulk element concentrations are the reflection of tissuespecific variations within the grain, revealing that Zn application to soil can lead to considerable alterations in the element distributions within the grain, which might ultimately influence the quality of the milling fractions. Spatially resolved investigations into the partitioning of the element concentrations identified the tissues with the highest element concentrations, which is of utmost importance for accurate prediction of element losses during the grain milling and polishing processes.
F.04 Increase of the technological level
COBISS.SI-ID: 7578745