A Organização Mundial da Saúde recomenda que os bebês sejam amamentados de forma exclusiva, pelo menos, seis meses após o nascimento. Após este período, recomenda-se a introdução de alimentos complementares, a fim de atender as quantidades nutricionais, minerais e energéticas necessárias às crianças. Produtos alimentares destinados a lactentes formam uma parte importante da dieta de muitos bebês, por isso é muito importante que esses alimentos contenham quantidades suficientes de minerais. Alimentação complementar inadequada é uma das principais causas das altas taxas de desnutrição nos países em desenvolvimento. Neste estudo, níveis dos elementos essenciais: Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Se e Zn e dos elementos tóxicos: As, Cd e Hg foram determinados em amostras de vinte e sete diferentes produtos alimentares por Análise por Ativação com Nêutrons Instrumental (INAA) e Espectrometria de Absorção Atômica (AAS). Para a validação da metodologia foram analisados os materiais de referência: INCT MPH-2 Mixed Polish Herbs e NIST SRM 1577b Bovine Liver para INAA e NIST SRM 1548a Typical Diet e NIST SRM 1547 Peach Leaves para AAS. As vinte e sete amostras de alimentos para bebês foram adquiridas em supermercados e drogarias da cidade de São Paulo. Os elementos essenciais e tóxicos foram determinados e a maioria das concentrações obtidas dos elementos essenciais estava abaixo das recomendações da Organização Mundial da Saúde, enquanto as concentrações dos elementos tóxicos foram inferiores ao limite superior tolerável. As concentrações baixas dos elementos essenciais obtidas nessas amostras indicam que as crianças não devem ser apenas alimentadas com esses alimentos comerciais. / The World Health Organization recommends that infants should be breastfed exclusively for at least six months after birth. After this period, it is recommended to start introducing complementary foods, in order to meet the child´s nutritional, mineral and energy needs. Commercial food products for infants form an important part of the diet for many babies. Thus, it is very important that such food contains sufficient amounts of minerals. Inadequate complementary feeding is a major cause of high rates of infant malnutrition in developing countries. In this study, essential elements: Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Se and Zn and toxic elements: As, Cd, Hg levels were determined in twenty seven different commercial infant food product samples by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). In order to validate both methodologies the reference material: INCT MPH-2 Mixed Polish Herbs and NIST - SRM 1577b Bovine Liver by INAA and NIST - SRM 1548a Typical Diet and NIST - SRM 1547 Peach Leaves by AAS were analyzed. The twenty seven baby food samples were acquired from São Paulo city super markets and drugstores. Essential and toxic elements were determined. Most of the essential element concentrations obtained was lower than the World Health Organization requirements, while concentrations of toxic elements were below the tolerable upper limit. These low essential element concentrations in these samples indicate that infants should not be fed only with commercial complementary foods.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Sabendo que os peixes são bioacumuladores de contaminantes do ambiente aquático e com isso representam riscos para seus consumidores, podendo ampliar tal poluentes para a cadeia trófica, este estudo tem por objetivo determinar os níveis de cádmio e chumbo presentes na espécie de peixe Acará (Geophagus brasiliensis), tradicional do consumo da população ribeirinha, devido a grande quantidade de indivíduos na região industrial do Sul Fluminense, no rio Paraíba do Sul, do estado do Rio Janeiro, além de comparar as faixas de concentração destes elementos-traço com dados estabelecidos pela ANVISA, utilizando estes peixes como bioindicadores das regiões estudadas. Os peixes foram capturados ao longo do rio Paraíba do Sul, nos municípios de Pinheiral, Barra Mansa e Volta Redonda. A identificação e quantificação dos metaisforam realizados, por um sistema de pré-concentração, baseado na adsorção de metais por uma resina quelante (chelex100) acoplada em linhacom um espectrômetro de absorção atômica com chama (FAAS). O método de pré-concentração permitiu a detecção de cádmio em níveis maiores que ao limite de detecção do FAAS e quando comparados com os valores estabelecidos pela ANVISA, indicou que o peixe estaria impróprio para o consumo humano. Nas análises de pré-concentração para chumbo, não houve sinal expressivo a ser comparado, apresentando somente sinais de ruído do equipamento. O cádmio e o chumbo foram escolhidos para análise uma vez que são regulamentados como contaminantes inorgânicos pela ANVISA e não foi encontrado na literatura nenhum dado sobre esses metais em Geophagus brasiliensis / Knowing that the fish are bio-accumulators of aquatic contaminants and thus pose risks to its consumers which may extend such pollutants into the food chain, this study aims to determine the levels of cadmium and lead present in the species of Cichlid fish (Geophagus brasiliensis), traditional consumption of the local population, due to the large number of individuals in the industrial region of South Fluminense, in Paraíba do Sul, state of Rio de Janeiro and to compare the concentration ranges of these trace elements with data established by ANVISA using these fish as bioindicators of the regions studied. Fish were caught along the Paraíba do Sul River, in the municipalities of Pinheiral, Barra Mansa and Volta Redonda. The identification and quantification of metals were achieved by a pre-concentration system based on adsorption by a metal chelating resin (chelex100) coupled in line with an atomic absorption flame spectrometry ("F-AAS"). The method of preconcentration allowed cadmium detection levels greater than the detection limit of the "FAAS" and compared to the values established by ANVISA indicated that the fish would be unfit for human consumption. In the analyzes of pre-concentration for lead, no significant signal to be compared, presenting only equipment noise signals. Cadmium and lead were chosen for analysis since they are regulated as inorganic contaminants by ANVISA and was not found in the literature no data on these metals in Geophagus brasiliensis

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:41:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 IltonSBM_DISSERT.pdf: 1681110 bytes, checksum: cc6a556fbd04c8fc33747969d0ee11f6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-21 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / The proposal of this work is to evaluate the influence of the organic matter on the results of the analyses of the metals (Zn, Pb, Al, Cu, Cr, Fe, Cd e Ni) for Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), so much in the extraction stage as in the reading using for that the chemometrics. They were used for this study sample of bottom sediment collected in river Jundia? in the vicinity of the city of Maca?ba-RN, commercial humus and water of the station of treatment of sewer of UFRN. Through the analyses accomplished by EAA it was verified that the interference of the organic matter happens in the extraction stage and not in the reading. With relationship to the technique of X Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRFS), the present work has as intended to evaluate the viability of this technique for quantitative analysis of trace metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr and Pb) in having leached obtained starting from the extraction with acqua regia for an aqueous solution. The used samples constitute the fine fraction (<0.063 mm) of sediments of swamp of the river Jundia?. The preparation of tablets pressed starting from the dry residue of those leached it allowed your analysis in the solid form. This preliminary study shows that, in the case of the digestion chemistry partially of the fine fractions of bottom sediments used for environmental studies, the technique of applied EFRX to the analysis of dry residues starting from having leached with acqua regia, compared her it analyzes of the leached with ICP-OES, it presents relative mistakes for Cu, Pb, Sr and Zn below 10% / A proposta deste trabalho ? avaliar a influ?ncia da mat?ria org?nica sobre os resultados das an?lises dos metais (Zn, Pb, Al, Cu, Cr, Fe, Cd e Ni) por Espectrometria de Absor??o At?mica (EAA), tanto na etapa de extra??o quanto na leitura utilizando para isso a quimiometria. Foram utilizados para este estudo amostra de sedimento de fundo coletadas no Rio Jundia? nas imedia??es da cidade de Maca?ba-RN, h?mus comercial e ?gua da esta??o de tratamento de esgoto da UFRN. Atrav?s das an?lises realizadas por EAA verificou-se que a interfer?ncia da mat?ria org?nica ocorre na etapa de extra??o e n?o na leitura. Com rela??o ? t?cnica de Espectrometria de Fluoresc?ncia de Raio-X (EFRX), o presente trabalho tem como proposta avaliar a viabilidade desta t?cnica para an?lise quantitativa de metais tra?os (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr e Pb) em lixiviados obtidos a partir da extra??o com ?gua r?gia para uma solu??o aquosa. As amostras utilizadas constituem a fra??o fina (< 0.063 mm) de sedimentos de mangue do Rio Jundia?. A prepara??o de pastilhas prensadas a partir do res?duo seco dos lixiviados permitiu sua an?lise na forma s?lida. Este estudo preliminar mostra que, no caso da digest?o qu?mica parcial das fra??es finas de sedimentos de fundo utilizadas para estudos ambientais, a t?cnica de EFRX aplicada ? an?lise de res?duos secos a partir de lixiviados com ?gua r?gia, comparada a analise do lixiviado com ICP-OES, apresenta erros relativos para Cu, Pb, Sr e Zn abaixo de 10%

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:25:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Renata M Goncalves.pdf: 1636506 bytes, checksum: 7f8963733aa563ce49d15237233d50ce (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-06-14 / Introduction: considering the importance of iron to infant health, and knowing that, in addition to nutrients colostrum may contain contaminants (cadmium and lead) from exposure to environment and nutrition of pregnant women, the relationship between these factors and heavy metals from the colostrum got enhanced. Objectives: to assess the relationship of the concentration of cadmium, lead and iron in colostrum with socioeconomic, lifestyle and dietary intake of pregnant women and recent mothers. Methodology: cross-sectional study with 80 lactate mothers in a maternity hospital in Goiânia (GO/Brazil). Socioeconomic, demographic and food frequency consumption (FFQ) questionnaire was applied and heavy metals colostrum by flame atomic absorption spectrometry were quantified. Results: median cadmium was 0.93 &#956;g/L, and lead 4.65 &#956;g/L in colostrum. There was no significant difference between age and region where puerpera lived in and contaminants, but there was a positive correlation, and the averages were higher for women over age of 20 and that were living in the capital, Goiânia. Cholesterol (p = 0.041) and animal products (p = 0.020) correlated significantly with lead. Grains such as rice (p = 0.042) influenced the cadmium colostrum positively. Iron content of the median value was 128.94 &#956;g/L, with no significant association with the supplement and food consumption. Conclusions: relationship was detected between cadmium and lead content in colostrum with food consumption. The iron did not correlate with dietary factor. Socioeconomic factors, smoking, alcohol consumption and food supplementation had no significantly association with concentrations of the metals studied. . / Introdução: considerando a importância do ferro para saúde do lactente e, sabendo que, além de nutrientes essenciais ao recém-nascido, o leite pode conter contaminantes (cádmio e chumbo) provenientes de exposição ao ambiente e da alimentação durante a gestação, evidencia-se a relação entre esses fatores e metais pesados encontrados no colostro. Objetivos: Avaliar a relação da concentração do cádmio, chumbo e ferro do colostro com os fatores socioeconômicos, de estilo de vida e do consumo alimentar das gestantes. Metodologia: estudo transversal, realizado com 80 lactantes de uma maternidade em Goiânia (GO/Brasil). Aplicou-se questionário socioeconômico e demográfico e de frequência de consumo alimentar (QFCA). Quantificaram-se metais do colostro pela técnica de espectrometria de absorção atômica por chama. Resultados: a mediana de cádmio foi 0,93 &#956;g/L, e de chumbo, 4,65 &#956;g/L no colostro. Não houve diferença significativa entre idade, região em que a puérpera residia e os contaminantes, porém houve correlação positiva, e as maiores médias encontradas foram de mulheres com idade acima de 20 anos e que moravam na capital, Goiânia. Colesterol (p = 0,041) e produtos de origem animal (p = 0,020) correlacionaram significativamente ao chumbo. Cereais como arroz (p = 0,042), influenciaram o cádmio do colostro positivamente. Teor de ferro do colostro apresentou mediana de 128,94 &#956;g/L, sem associação significativa com o suplemento e o consumo alimentar. Conclusões: há relação entre o conteúdo de cádmio e chumbo do colostro com o consumo alimentar. O ferro não correlacionou com fator dietético. Fatores socioeconômicos, tabagismo, etilismo e suplementação não se associaram significativamente à concentração dos metais estudados.

A determinação direta de arsênio total em águas por espectrometria de absorção atômica com filamentos de tungstênio (150 W) modificados quimicamente com irídio ou ródio, representa uma alternativa para a atomização eletrotérmica de arsênio, que foi avaliada na presente dissertação. A utilização do revestimento com Ir como modificador químico proporcionou um aumento da massa característica de arsênio de 3,5 vezes. As medidas foram feitas com altura de observação selecionada para proporcionar a melhor razão sinal/ruído sem diminuir a sensibilidade do sinal analítico. Avaliaram-se dois programas de aquecimento: com temperatura de secagem constante (com diminuição gradativa da tensão aplicada) e com temperatura de secagem variável (com tensão aplicada de maneira constante). Não houve diferença na sensibilidade entre os dois programas estudados, indicando que a modificação química leva à formação de um precursor atômico com estabilidade térmica elevada. De fato, utilizando-se a modificação química permanente com 1000 müg Ir, e adotando-se programa de aquecimento com temperatura de secagem variável, a temperatura máxima de pirólise foi de aproximadamente 1700 °C ( temperatura de atomização de 2700 °C). Avaliou-se o comportamento eletrotérmico do As na presença dos concomitantes Na, K, Ca e Mg em 0,1% v/v HNO3. Interferências mais severas foram observadas na presença de cálcio acima de 10 \'mü\'g l-1, e acima de 100 \'mü\'g l-1 para os demais concomitantes. As interferências podem estar relacionadas com o elevado gradiente de temperatura entre a superfície do filamento e a fase gasosa do volume de observação, ou mesmo devido à formação de compostos refratários, particularmente para Ca e Mg, na fase condensada, ou seja, na superfície do atomizador. O emprego do método das médias móveis no tratamento dos sinais transientes gerados na atomização do arsênio também foi avaliada. Com o filamento posicionado na altura de observação 2 mm, foram utilizados os fatores 0, 3, 5, 7 e 9, observando-se melhora considerável nos limites de detecção instrumental e do método,utilizando-se média móvel com fator 7. Nestas condições, e depositando-se 20 \'mü\'l de amostra sobre o filamento, o limite de detecção foi de 3,2 \'mü\'g l-1 As e a massa característica de 37,0 pg As. A exatidão foi avaliada analisando-se diferentes amostras de águas provenientes da região do Quadrilátero Ferrífero do Estado de Minas Gerais, por espectrometria de fluorescência atômica com geração de hidretos e por espectrometria de absorção atômica com o filamento de tungstênio modificado com Ir. A comparação dos resultados mostrou que o método proposto pode ser utilizado para o controle de qualidade de águas desta região. Aproximadamente 150 queimas podem ser feitas com um único filamento de tungstênio / The direct determination of arsenic in waters by atomic absorption spectrometry with 150 W tungsten coils, treated with Ir or Rh, was evaluated as a possible alternative for the eletrothermal atomization of As. The use of iridium as a permanent chemical modifier did improve the characteristic mass of arsenic by 3.5 fold. Measurements were made by choosing an appropriate observation height in order to get the best signal to noise ratio. Two heating programs were tested, either by keeping the applied voltage constant or by using an inverted voltage ramp during the drying step. There were no significant differences in the sensitivities between both heating programs, indicating that the permanent modification lead to the formation of an atomic precursor of high thermal stability. Indeed, with the permanent chemical modification with 1000 \'mü\'g Ir, the maximum pyrolysis temperature was approximately 1700 °C (atomization temperature 2700 °C), allowing a heating program with temperature variation during the drying step. Method selectivity was carried out by evaluating the eletrothermal behavior of As in the presence of up to 1000 \'mü\'g l-1 Na, K, Ca and/or Mg in 0,1% v/v HNO3. The most serious interferences were observed with Ca in concentrations higher than 10 \'mü\'g l-1 and when the concentrations were higher than 100 \'mü\'g l-1 for Na, K or Mg, which can be attributed either to the gradient of temperature between the surface of the atomizer and the observation volume or to the formation of refractory compounds in the condensed phase, particularly with Ca and Mg. The absorbance transient signals treatment by the method of moving averages up to factor 9 was also evaluated, with a remarkable improvement in the instrumental and method detection limits. With the center of the observation volume 2 mm above the tungsten coil surface, and a moving average of factor 7, the limit of detection was 3,2 \'müg\' l-1 As and the characteristic mass 37,0 pg As. Accuracy was evaluate by analysing water samples collected in a contaminated area from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais State, by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry and by tungsten coil eletrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Results showed that the proposed method fits for the purpose of CONAMA 357 regulation for drinking water quality in the aforementioned contaminated area. Approximately 150 firings can be done with a single tungsten coil atomizer by using 20 \'mü\'l sample volume

A Organização Mundial da Saúde recomenda que os bebês sejam amamentados de forma exclusiva, pelo menos, seis meses após o nascimento. Após este período, recomenda-se a introdução de alimentos complementares, a fim de atender as quantidades nutricionais, minerais e energéticas necessárias às crianças. Produtos alimentares destinados a lactentes formam uma parte importante da dieta de muitos bebês, por isso é muito importante que esses alimentos contenham quantidades suficientes de minerais. Alimentação complementar inadequada é uma das principais causas das altas taxas de desnutrição nos países em desenvolvimento. Neste estudo, níveis dos elementos essenciais: Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Se e Zn e dos elementos tóxicos: As, Cd e Hg foram determinados em amostras de vinte e sete diferentes produtos alimentares por Análise por Ativação com Nêutrons Instrumental (INAA) e Espectrometria de Absorção Atômica (AAS). Para a validação da metodologia foram analisados os materiais de referência: INCT MPH-2 Mixed Polish Herbs e NIST SRM 1577b Bovine Liver para INAA e NIST SRM 1548a Typical Diet e NIST SRM 1547 Peach Leaves para AAS. As vinte e sete amostras de alimentos para bebês foram adquiridas em supermercados e drogarias da cidade de São Paulo. Os elementos essenciais e tóxicos foram determinados e a maioria das concentrações obtidas dos elementos essenciais estava abaixo das recomendações da Organização Mundial da Saúde, enquanto as concentrações dos elementos tóxicos foram inferiores ao limite superior tolerável. As concentrações baixas dos elementos essenciais obtidas nessas amostras indicam que as crianças não devem ser apenas alimentadas com esses alimentos comerciais. / The World Health Organization recommends that infants should be breastfed exclusively for at least six months after birth. After this period, it is recommended to start introducing complementary foods, in order to meet the child´s nutritional, mineral and energy needs. Commercial food products for infants form an important part of the diet for many babies. Thus, it is very important that such food contains sufficient amounts of minerals. Inadequate complementary feeding is a major cause of high rates of infant malnutrition in developing countries. In this study, essential elements: Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Se and Zn and toxic elements: As, Cd, Hg levels were determined in twenty seven different commercial infant food product samples by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). In order to validate both methodologies the reference material: INCT MPH-2 Mixed Polish Herbs and NIST - SRM 1577b Bovine Liver by INAA and NIST - SRM 1548a Typical Diet and NIST - SRM 1547 Peach Leaves by AAS were analyzed. The twenty seven baby food samples were acquired from São Paulo city super markets and drugstores. Essential and toxic elements were determined. Most of the essential element concentrations obtained was lower than the World Health Organization requirements, while concentrations of toxic elements were below the tolerable upper limit. These low essential element concentrations in these samples indicate that infants should not be fed only with commercial complementary foods.

O consumo do pescado é importante para a saúde humana pelo fato desse alimento ser fonte de proteína de alta qualidade, vitaminas, nutrientes essenciais e dois ácidos poli-insaturados ômega-3. Entretanto, o pescado também pode apresentar risco à saúde humana se estiver contaminado por substâncias tóxicas. Visando avaliar o teor de elementos essenciais e tóxicos, foram utilizado as técnicas de Análise por Ativação Neutrônica e Espectrometria de Absorção Atômica na determinação dos elementos As, Br, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se e Zn nos tecidos comestíveis (filés) de seis pescados dentre os mais consumidos na cidade de São Paulo: corvina - Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest, 1823); pescada - Cynoscion leiarchus (Cuvier, 1830); robalo - Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch, 1792); sardinha - Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879); anchova - Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766) e tainha - Mugil liza (Valenciennes, 1836). Para validar os métodos analíticos utilizados em relação à exatidão, foram utilizados o índice z e o valor de HorRat em materiais de referência certificados analisados sob as mesmas condições das amostras. Os elementos Br, K e Na foram determinados por duas modalidades de irradiação e o teste-t de Student foi utilizado para verificar se havia ou não diferença significativa entre as técnicas. Na determinação dos elementos essenciais e potencialmente tóxicos, foi possível a construção de banco de dados para os elementos Br, Cl, Co, Cs, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Se e Zn para potenciais futuras discussões. Para avaliar se havia ou não risco à segurança alimentar, foram comparado os teores de As, Cd, Hg e Pb com a legislação vigente no Brasil e com valores internacionais. Em relação à segurança alimentar, para os contaminantes Cd e Pb foram obtidos teores abaixo de todos os limites técnicos usados neste trabalho. Para As, a maior parte deve estar na forma orgânica, portanto, a determinação de Hg se mostrou determinante. De forma geral, não haveria perigo no consumo da sardinha, pescada, tainha, corvina e robalo, enquanto que para a anchova foi inconclusivo. / Fish consumption is important for human health because this food is a source of high-quality protein, vitamins, essential nutrients and two kinds of omega-3 polyunsaturated acids. However, fish consumption may present risk to human health if contaminated by toxic substances. With the aim of evaluating the content of essential and toxic elements, the techniques of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry were used to determine As, Br, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se and Zn in the edible tissues (fillet) of six of the most consumed fishes at São Paulo city: whitemouth croaker - Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest, 1823), smooth weakfish - Cynoscion leiarchus (Cuvier, 1830), common snook - Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch, 1792), Brazilian sardine - Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879), bluefish - Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766) and lebranche mullet - Mugil liza (Valenciennes, 1836). To validate the analytical methods for accuracy, z-score and HorRat values were applied to certified reference materials analyzed under the same conditions of samples. The elements Br, K and Na were determined by two irradiation modalities, and the Student\'s t-test was used to verify whether there were significant differences between the modalities. In the analysis of essential and potentially toxic elements, it was possible to create a database for Br, Cl, Co, Cs, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Se and Zn for potential future discussions. In order to assess food safety risks, the levels of As, Cd, Hg and Pb were compared with the Brazilians law and international values. Regarding food safety, Cd and Pb contents were bellow all technical limits used in this study. As for As, most part of this element may be in organic form, therefore the Hg analysis was determinant. In general, there would be no risk in the consumption of Brazilian sardine, smooth weakfish, lebranche mullet, whitemouth croaker and common snook, while for bluefish it was inconclusive.

The use of slotted quartz tube (SQT) as an atom trap in atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) provides a more stable chemical environment for atomization / the technique is simple and easily applicable in any laboratory. This thesis study involves application of SQT together with some other approaches to thallium determination by AAS. The first stages involve the efforts to improve nebulization efficiency of conventional flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) with and without the use of SQT. This is achieved by mixing 100 &micro / L of propanol with 500 &micro / L of Tl standard solution using the optimum conditions. By this method, Propanol-SQT-FAAS, 4.49 times enhancement in sensitivity has been obtained with respect to conventional FAAS, method in which the characteristic concentration was calculated as 894 ng/mL. The second stage of investigation is about the use of SQT as an atom trap, AT, preconcentration device for thallium determination. The similar technique has been successfully applied to some other analytes such as Pb, Cd, Bi and Au / detection limits at the level of ng/mL were obtained in the previous studies. In the present work, the analyte atoms are trapped on the inner surface of SQT in the presence of a lean air-acetylene flame for few minutes. After this collection step, a volume of methyl isobutyl ketone, MIBK, amounting to 10-50 microliters is introduced via conventional nebulization / this causes a momentary alteration in the flame composition and thus results in the release of trapped analyte atoms from the quartz surface. This revolatilization step is followed by a rapid atomization and transient signal was obtained. In addition to this method, a novel approach has been investigated where the inner surface of SQT was modified by using a metal coating with low volatility. For this purpose, eight different coating materials which were tungsten, palladium, molybdenum, gold, tantalum, zirconium, titanium and osmium, have been applied to the inner surface of SQT and as osmium was found to be most appropriate one, the rest of the study was continued with Os-Coated-SQT. This modification provided a better surface than quartz alone so that analyte atoms are trapped more efficiently and also released easily. Although the working principle of the Coated-SQT-AT-FAAS method is same with SQT-AT-FAAS, the conditions for SQT-AT-FAAS and Os-Coated-SQT-AT-FAAS methods were optimized seperately. Limit of detections, 3s/m, has been found to be 38 ng/mL and 3.5 ng/mL for these cases, respectively. While the SQT-AT-FAAS method has provided 92 fold enhancement, the Os-Coated-SQT-AT-FAAS method has provided a 319 fold sensitivity improvement with respect to conventional FAAS method.

THE ASSESSMENT OF INFLUENCE OF ZINC IONS AND ECHINACEA PURPUREA (L.) MOENCH FOR MICE INTOXICATED BY CADMIUM IONS Abstract Background. Cadmium (Cd), a well-known environmental hazard, exerts a number of toxic effects in organism. It disturbs the activity of biochemical systems of cells. Accumulation of cadmium depends on the amount of essential trace elements, including zinc. Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (EP) can modify its influence. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of ions of cadmium, zinc, and EP on organism in experimental model of mice. The objectives of the scientific work were as follows: 1. To evaluate the accumulation of cadmium in the internal organs of experimental mice after acute and chronic intraperitoneal and per oral intoxication. 2. To assess morphological changes in liver tissue, mitotic and apoptotic activity of liver cells after the intoxication by cadmium ions of different duration and dose. 3. To assess the effect of zinc ions to the accumulation of cadmium in the internal organs and to the mitotic and apoptotic activity of liver cells in the organism of mice intoxicated by cadmium. 4. To evaluate the effect of EP to accumulation of cadmium in internal organs, mitotic and apoptotic activity of liver cells after the chronic intraperitoneal and per oral intoxication by cadmium ions. The scientific novelty of the study. This work makes our knowledge about mechanisms and outcomes of acute and chronic exposure to cadmium deeper. The... [to full text]

In this master thesis, during 2009, 2010 and 2011, has been done measurement of total content of mercury in ambient air and soil air in urban and rural locations agglomeration of České Budějovice. The goal was to develop suitable method in order to provide sampling of air to evaluate rate of contamination from chosen locations. The aquaristic compressor was used for admission of air, thus collected air could pass through external amalgamator, which secured pre-concentration of mercury from air. Consecutively, captured mercury has been determined in laboratory by atomic absorption spectrometer AMA-254. In urban background locations has been found total average concentration of mercury in rate 4,01 +/- 3,5 ng.m-3 and urban locations influenced by traffic in rate 29,5 +/- 50,07 ng.m-3. The concentration of mercury in soil air taken from filter bed of constructed wetland (CW) was 16 +/- 9,44 ng.m-3 with average mercury flux 14,5 +/- 8,3 ng.m-2.h-1. In rural compared location has been concentration of mercury in rate 15,4 +/- 7,83 ng.m-3 and mercury flux in soil air was 16 +/- 9,3 ng.m-2.h-1 at this location. Significant differences in contamination of mercury among partial locations have not been ascertained to the exception. The statutory limit for amount of mercury in atmosphere is 50 ng.m-3, whose value has not been mostly reached in any of measured locations. Thus, it has been proved that air contamination is low at selected locations.