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L’environnement et la physiologie déterminent les compositions isotopiques du Ca de l’organisme des vertébrés et des mammifères en particulier. Ces constats ont permis de dégager des applications possibles de l’étude des isotopes du Ca, en biologie médicale pour le suivi de l’équilibre osseux chez les mammifères et en (paléo-)écologie pour l’étude des régimes alimentaires actuels et passés des vertébrés. Ces applications sont tributaires d’une meilleure compréhension fondamentale des causes de ces variations. Cette thèse a pour but de déterminer les principales causes de variabilité des compositions isotopiques du Ca chez les mammifères et l’humain. Un protocole d’analyse en solution par MC-ICP-MS est d’abord présenté puis deux méthodes d’échantillonnage sont comparées afin de réaliser des mesures de résolution spatiale accrue dans les tissus minéralisés. L’influence des sources alimentaires de Ca est ensuite discutée. La composition isotopique de l’alimentation humaine est variable du fait des compositions diverses des sources primaires de Ca et dépend particulièrement des proportions de produits laitiers dans l’alimentation. Il est démontré que les transitions nutritionnelles précoces, comme le sevrage du lait maternel, peuvent être tracées par les compositions de l’émail des dents de lait humaines. Les mécanismes des fractionnements isotopiques sont discutés sur la base d’observations chez l’humain et l’animal. Un modèle mathématique permet de dégager des mécanismes expliquant la distribution des isotopes du Ca à travers les tissus et les fluides de l’organisme et met en lumière le rôle prépondérant du rein dans la détermination de la composition isotopique de l’os. / Environment influences the isotope compositions of body Ca and vertebrate physiology affects these compositions in turn. These observations have allowed recognition of possible applications for Ca isotopes, in the field of medical biology, with the assessment of bone mineral balance in human, and in (palaeo-)ecology for the study of past and present day diets in vertebrates. These applications depend on a better fundamental understanding of causes for these variations. This thesis aims at identifying the main mechanisms responsible for variability of Ca isotope compositions in mammals and human. A solution mode analysis protocol was first developed for MC-ICP-MS. Two methods for microsampling of tooth enamel were then compared in order to increase spatial resolution of mineralized tissues analysis. The influence of dietary Ca sources has been discussed. Isotope composition of human diet is variable because of the diversity of Ca primary sources but also due to variations in dairy products proportions in diet. Early dietary transitions, such as weaning, can be studied using the Ca isotope compositions of human deciduous tooth enamel.Based on observations in human and other mammals, the mechanisms responsible for Ca isotope fractionations are discussed. A mathematical model was developed, allowing the identification of some mechanisms responsible for Ca isotope distribution across organism reservoirs, and sheds light on the crucial role of kidney in determination of bone isotope compositions.

Thesis (Masters Diploma (Technology)--Cape Technikon, Cape Town,1992 / This research project involved the design, development and manufacture of a krypton gas target system for the production of the radioisotope Rubidium-81 at the National Accelerator Centre (NAC). The newly designed system had to be linked to the existing production facilities, which set certain restraints and fIxed parameters to the design approach. The highl'ressure krypton-filled gas target was designed to link up to the existing transport system which is used for the transportation of all targets to and from the target bombardment station and· the hot-cells where processing takes place. Radiation resistant materials had to be selected for the target, as it would be exposed to high radiation doses during bombardment in the target bombardment station. Target cooling aspects also had to be taken into consideration due to the heat generated during bombardment. A cryopump system for transferring the krypton gas from a gas storage reservoir to the gas target and back during loading and unloading was developed. A further development was a system which would retrieve the formed radioisotopes in a water suspension after bombardment. This demanded the design of a set of spray nozzles which were mounted inside the gas target chamber, a suitable water circulating pump and ruters to trap the suspended radioisotopes. Due to the high radiation levels] which are, of course, dangerous to operating personnel, the whole system was constructed inside a hot-cell, and thus required the design of a fully remote control system together with gas monitoring and safety components. The processing system itself required many switching and monitoring opera.tions which ha.ve to be carried out accurately and sequentially and this further demanded making use of a microcomputer control system. Material strengths, manufacturing methods, performance and selection of the VarIOus components in the system were investigated, as well as the respective routine maintenance and repair aspects.

Thesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011. / Lithium 7 (⁷Li⁺) is an isotope, which is used in the nuclear industry as lithium hydroxide (⁷LiOH) for the chemical control (pH control) of the high purity reactor coolant water process in order to prevent corrosion in the Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR). Furthermore, the ⁷Li⁺ isotope is used in an ionic form in the nuclear grade cation ion-exchange resin. This resin is used to purify the nuclear reactor coolant water by reducing cationic corrosion by-products such as Cesium and Cobalt, which are generated from nuclear fission reactions. In view of the fact that an inorganic salt of the isotope is used as an alkali sing agent in the PWR, the use of lithiated resin prevents the removal of the ⁷Li⁺ isotope in the coolant water. As most users of the nuclear grade resin purchase their resin in bulk, it follows that the resin has to be evaluated in order to determine its usability. In certain cases, the resin may be considered unusable as a result of the degradation caused by unsuitable transportation and storage conditions. These, in turn, perpetuate the release of leachates, which may further contribute to corrosion in the PWR. This necessitated the undertaking of this study, which was to evaluate whether it is possible to recover the high value ⁷Li⁺ isotope from a degraded nuclear grade resin in such a way that the isotope may be used in the PWR.

abstract: The present understanding of the formation and evolution of the earliest bodies in the Solar System is based in large part on geochemical and isotopic evidences contained within meteorites. The differentiated meteorites (meteorites originating from bodies that have experienced partial to complete melting) are particularly useful for deciphering magmatic processes occurring in the early Solar System. A rare group of differentiated meteorites, the angrites, are uniquely suited for such work. The angrites have ancient crystallization ages, lack secondary processing, and have been minimally affected by shock metamorphism, thus allowing them to retain their initial geochemical and isotopic characteristics at the time of formation. The scarcity of angrite samples made it difficult to conduct comprehensive investigations into the formation history of this unique meteorite group. However, a dramatic increase in the number of angrites recovered in recent years presents the opportunity to expand our understanding of their petrogenesis, as well as further refine our knowledge of the initial isotopic abundances in the early Solar System as recorded by their isotopic systematics. Using a combination of geochemical tools (radiogenic isotope chronometers and trace element chemistry), I have investigated the petrogenetic history of a group of four angrites that sample a range of formation conditions (cooling histories) and crystallization ages. Through isotope ratio measurements, I have examined a comprehensive set of long- and short-lived radiogenic isotope systems (26Al-26Mg, 87Rb-87Sr, 146Sm-142Nd, 147Sm-143Nd, and 176Lu-176Hf) within these four angrites. The results of these measurements provide information regarding crystallization ages, as well as revised estimates for the initial isotopic abundances of several key elements in the early Solar System. The determination of trace element concentrations in individual mineral phases, as well as bulk rock samples, provides important constraints on magmatic processes occurring on the angrite parent body. The measured trace element abundances are used to estimate the composition of the parent melts of individual angrites, examine crystallization conditions, and investigate possible geochemical affinities between various angrites. The new geochemical and isotopic measurements presented here significantly expand our understanding of the geochemical conditions found on the angrite parent body and the environment in which these meteorites formed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Geological Sciences 2012

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