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

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An Erratum to this article was published on 24 April 2007

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.

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ORD, NRMRL, LRPCD, US EPA, 5995 Center Hill Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45224, USA

    Kirk G. Scheckel

  2. CSIRO Land and Water Adelaide Laboratory, PMB2, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia

    Rebecca Hamon & Enzo Lombi

  3. School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia, PMB1, PMB1, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia

    Laurence Jassogne

  4. GSECARS, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Mark Rivers

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  1. Kirk G. Scheckel
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  2. Rebecca Hamon
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  3. Laurence Jassogne
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  5. Enzo Lombi
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Correspondence to Kirk G. Scheckel.

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An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11104-007-9257-x

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Scheckel, K.G., Hamon, R., Jassogne, L. et al. Synchrotron X-ray absorption-edge computed microtomography imaging of thallium compartmentalization in Iberis intermedia . Plant Soil 290, 51–60 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-006-9102-7

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