Spatial distribution of metal ions in spruce wood by synchrotron radiation microbeam X-ray fluorescence analysis

The possibility of using synchrotron radiation microbeam X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) for the determination of the morphological distribution of inorganic elements in wood has been investigated. A number of samples were analyzed and some of the results are presented in this paper. The new application of the method showed good results and it was concluded that the technique is useful for specific in situ metal ion analysis of wood. One of its special advantages is that it is a non-destructive method, which may allow analysis of the same sample before and after a chemical treatment. This study shows the natural distribution of a selection of metal ions in wood. Some differences in the distribution and amount of certain metals could also be observed in a sample that had been subjected to treatment with an EDTA-solution.