Synchrotron-Based Techniques for the Quantification, Imaging, Speciation, and Structure Characterization of Metals in Environmental and Biological Samples

Abstract

This chapter introduces state-of-the-art synchrotron-based techniques in quantification, imaging, speciation of metals, and structure characterization of metal-binding biomolecules in environmental and biological samples. SRXRF has been widely applied in quantification of metals in different samples. The focused synchrotron-based X-ray can image metals down to nm resolution at two or three dimensions. XAS has been used for chemical speciation of different metals. In combination with SRXRF and XAS, it can also realize spatial and chemical imaging. The structure of metal-binding biomolecules can be characterized by PX and/or XAS. In all, quantification, imaging, speciation of metals, and the probing of the sub-molecular structure of metals in interactions with their surrounding environment through synchrotron-based techniques can help to unravel the speciation of toxic metals in linkage with their mobility in the environment and potential toxicity to organisms and humans.