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Plant and Soil

, Volume 290, Issue 1–2, pp 51–60 | Cite as

Synchrotron X-ray absorption-edge computed microtomography imaging of thallium compartmentalization in Iberis intermedia

  • Kirk G. ScheckelEmail author
  • Rebecca Hamon
  • Laurence Jassogne
  • Mark Rivers
  • Enzo Lombi
Original Paper
First Online:

Abstract

Thallium is an extremely toxic metal which, due to its similarities to K, is readily taken up by plants grown in Tl-contaminated soils. Thallium is also a precious metal nearly as economically valuable as gold. Thallium is efficiently hyperaccumulated in Iberis intermedia as aqueous Tl(I) with highest concentrations within the vascular network of leaves. In this study we examine the utility of synchrotron X-ray differential absorption-edge computed microtomography (CMT) in determining the distribution and compartmentalization of thallium (Tl) in Iberis intermedia. We found Tl to be distributed in solution throughout the vascular system of I. intermedia. Current laboratory experiments are examining the characteristics and potential recovery of Tl by I. intermedia with the objectives to remediate its toxic risks and to facilitate its reclamation for reuse. However, the recovery and reuse of Tl from I. intermedia by way of phytomining requires knowledge on the speciation, distribution and compartmentalization of thallium. CMT shows great promise for application in a wide variety of metal-related structural issues due to its high 3D resolution and being a non-destructive analysis tool.

Keywords

computed microtomography (CMT) Iberis intermedia thallium hyperaccumulation synchrotron spectroscopy metal compartmentalization 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

The US EPA has not subjected this manuscript to internal policy review. Therefore, the research results presented herein do not, necessarily, reflect Agency policy. Mention of trade names of commercial products and companies does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. This work was performed at GeoSoilEnviroCARS (Sector 13), Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory. GeoSoilEnviroCARS is supported by the National Science Foundation—Earth Sciences (EAR−0217473), Department of Energy—Geosciences (DE-FG02-94ER14466) and the State of Illinois. Use of the APS was supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Contract No. W-31-109-ENG-38.

Supplementary material

11104_2006_9102_MOESM1_ESM.mpg (6.5 mb)
Movie 1 ESM1 (MPG 6605 KB)
11104_2006_9102_MOESM2_ESM.mpg (4 mb)
Movie 2 ESM2 (MPG 4054 KB)

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2006

Authors and Affiliations

  • Kirk G. Scheckel
    • 1
    Email author
  • Rebecca Hamon
    • 2
  • Laurence Jassogne
    • 3
  • Mark Rivers
    • 4
  • Enzo Lombi
    • 2
  1. 1.ORD, NRMRL, LRPCDUS EPACincinnatiUSA
  2. 2.CSIRO Land and Water Adelaide LaboratoryGlen OsmondAustralia
  3. 3.School of Plant BiologyUniversity of Western AustraliaGlen OsmondAustralia
  4. 4.GSECARSUniversity of ChicagoChicagoUSA

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