title: Dendrochemical patterns of calcium, zinc, and potassium related to internal factors detected by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF).
abstract: Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) provides highly sensitive and precise spatial resolution of cation content in individual annual growth rings in trees. The sensitivity and precision have prompted successful applications to forensic dendrochemistry and the timing of environmental releases of contaminants. These applications have highlighted the need to distinguish dendrochemical effects of internal processes from environmental contamination. Calcium, potassium, and zinc are three marker cations that illustrate the influence of these processes. We found changes in cation chemistry in tree rings potentially due to biomineralization, development of cracks or checks, heartwood/sapwood differentiation, intra-annual processes, and compartmentalization of infection. Distinguishing internal from external processes that affect dendrochemistry will enhance the value of EDXRF for both physiological and forensic investigations.
authors.affiliation: Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 271 Mast Road, Durham, NH 03824, United States. Electronic address: ktsmith@fs.fed.us.
authors.forename: Kevin T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jean Christophe
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Balouet
authors.forename: Walter C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Shortle
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chalot
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beaujard
authors.forename: Håkan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grudd
authors.forename: Don A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Vroblesky
authors.forename: Joel G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Burken
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry*; D011188:Potassium / Q000737:chemistry; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D014197:Trees / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D015032:Zinc; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Cation distribution; Dendrochemistry; Wood calcium; Wood potassium