determined by PIXE were 1.4, 0.56, and 0.08%; and those determined by ICP-OES
were 1.1, 0.5, and 0.1%, respectively. Trace elements such as Ti, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Br,
and Pb were detected in the grains at concentrations of 10–100 μg g
À1 by PIXE.
While, the concentration of Ti, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in sclerotia were detected
between 3 and 167 μg g
À1 by ICP-MS analyses.
From Table 5.3 showing the results of variance analyses, the sample preparation
error (S rt ) was between 1.57 and 19.8%, the digestion error (S rs ) between 1.94 and
8.08%, and the measurement error (S rr ) between 0.00 and 9.73% for ICP-OES
analysis, and the sample error was between 4.50 and 5.89%, the digestion error
5.45–5.89%, and measurement error 0.04–1.15% for ICP-MS analysis.
5.11 Conclusions
The mean major element concentrations in sclerotia grains from a Mt. Myoko soil
3A horizon were C (47.6%), O (30.2%), H (3.32%), Al (1.1–1.4%), and N (0.79%),
and the atomic ratios of O/C and H/C were 0.48 and 0.83, respectively. Carbon in
sclerotia grains was primarily in the form of O-alkyl C, as well as aromatic and
methyl C, with spectral features different from those of humic and fulvic acids from
an allophanic Andosol, indicating a biological origin. Aluminum, the predominant
element of the ash component, was present as octahedral aluminum and as Al-humus
complexes, whereas Fe (0.5–0.6%), the second most dominant element in the ash,
needs further investigation to elucidate its state. Although the chemical similarities
and differences between sclerotia grain components and humic acid “Pg” remain to
be elucidated due to differences in sample treatments, we conclude that sclerotia
grains show some chemical characteristics similar to those of the crude fraction of
the humic acid “Pg.” The concentrations of trace elements such as Si, P, S, K, Ti, Cr,
Mn, Cu, Zn, Br, and Pb were between 10 and 100 μg g
À1 in sclerotia grains as
determined by ICP analyses. These basic findings on the chemical characteristics of
sclerotia grains may provide valuable information on the chemical composition and
structure of humus-metal complexes in soils and sediments. As no standard sample
preparation for conducting elemental analysis of sclerotia grains is currently available, the variance analysis reported here will aid in planning future experiments, and
in the accurate estimation of trace element concentrations in solution. The results of
variance analysis showed that the main contribution in the dispersion is related to
reproducibility of analytical results for solutions and depends on measurement
instrumentation.
References
Hayatsu K, Shimizu S, Itaya T (1994) Volcanic history of Myoko volcano group, Central Japan
poly-generation volcano. J Geogr 103:207–220
88
B. Oyuntsetseg et al.
were 1.1, 0.5, and 0.1%, respectively. Trace elements such as Ti, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Br,
and Pb were detected in the grains at concentrations of 10–100 μg g
À1 by PIXE.
While, the concentration of Ti, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in sclerotia were detected
between 3 and 167 μg g
À1 by ICP-MS analyses.
From Table 5.3 showing the results of variance analyses, the sample preparation
error (S rt ) was between 1.57 and 19.8%, the digestion error (S rs ) between 1.94 and
8.08%, and the measurement error (S rr ) between 0.00 and 9.73% for ICP-OES
analysis, and the sample error was between 4.50 and 5.89%, the digestion error
5.45–5.89%, and measurement error 0.04–1.15% for ICP-MS analysis.
5.11 Conclusions
The mean major element concentrations in sclerotia grains from a Mt. Myoko soil
3A horizon were C (47.6%), O (30.2%), H (3.32%), Al (1.1–1.4%), and N (0.79%),
and the atomic ratios of O/C and H/C were 0.48 and 0.83, respectively. Carbon in
sclerotia grains was primarily in the form of O-alkyl C, as well as aromatic and
methyl C, with spectral features different from those of humic and fulvic acids from
an allophanic Andosol, indicating a biological origin. Aluminum, the predominant
element of the ash component, was present as octahedral aluminum and as Al-humus
complexes, whereas Fe (0.5–0.6%), the second most dominant element in the ash,
needs further investigation to elucidate its state. Although the chemical similarities
and differences between sclerotia grain components and humic acid “Pg” remain to
be elucidated due to differences in sample treatments, we conclude that sclerotia
grains show some chemical characteristics similar to those of the crude fraction of
the humic acid “Pg.” The concentrations of trace elements such as Si, P, S, K, Ti, Cr,
Mn, Cu, Zn, Br, and Pb were between 10 and 100 μg g
À1 in sclerotia grains as
determined by ICP analyses. These basic findings on the chemical characteristics of
sclerotia grains may provide valuable information on the chemical composition and
structure of humus-metal complexes in soils and sediments. As no standard sample
preparation for conducting elemental analysis of sclerotia grains is currently available, the variance analysis reported here will aid in planning future experiments, and
in the accurate estimation of trace element concentrations in solution. The results of
variance analysis showed that the main contribution in the dispersion is related to
reproducibility of analytical results for solutions and depends on measurement
instrumentation.
References
Hayatsu K, Shimizu S, Itaya T (1994) Volcanic history of Myoko volcano group, Central Japan
poly-generation volcano. J Geogr 103:207–220
88
B. Oyuntsetseg et al.