Bioremediation potential of hexavalent chromium-resistant Arthrobacter globiformis 151B: study of the uptake of cesium and other alkali ions.

Cesium (Cs+) enters environments largely because of global release into the environment from weapons testing and accidents such as Fukushima Daiichi and Chernobyl nuclear waste. Even at low concentrations, Cs+ is highly toxic to ecological receptors because of its physicochemical similarity to macronutrient potassium (K+). We investigated the uptake and accumulation of Cs+ by Arthrobacter globiformis strain 151B in reference to three similar alkali metal cations rubidium (Rb+), sodium (Na+), and potassium (K+). The impact of hexavalent chromium (Cr+6) as a co-contaminant was also evaluated. A. globiformis 151B accumulated Cs+ and Cr6+ in a time-dependent fashion. In contrast, the uptake and accumulation of Rb+ did not exhibit any trends. An exposure to Cs+, Rb+, and Cr+6 triggered a drastic increase in K+ and Na+ uptake by the bacterial cells. That was followed by the efflux of K+ and Na+, suggesting a Cs+ "substitution." Two-dimensional gel-electrophoresis of bacterial cell proteomes with the following mass-spectrometry of differentially expressed bands revealed that incubation of bacterial cells with Cs+ induced changes in the expression of proteins involved in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and reactive oxygen species removal. The ability of A. globiformis 151B to mediate the uptake and accumulation of cesium and hexavalent chromium suggests that it possesses wide-range bioremediation potential.

Zirconium as a suitable reference element for estimating potentially toxic element enrichment in treated wastewater discharge vicinity.

The suitability of a reference element or normalizer used in assessing soil contamination levels using enrichment factor (EF) is important for soil quality assessment and monitoring. This study evaluated the results of using three reference elements Ti, Fe, and Zr for EF determination of Rb and Sr in soils within treated wastewater discharge vicinity, Central Botswana. The upper continental crust (UCC), world average values (WAV), and the local background values (LBV) were used in EF assessment of eight pedons. The elemental concentrations of the soils were determined with portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analyzer. Relationships between the elements were strongly significant between Rb and Ti (r = 0.600, p < 0.01), Rb and Fe (r = 0.735, p < 0.01), Sr and Ti (r = 0.545, p < 0.01), and Sr and Fe (r = 0.841, p < 0.01). Second-level correlation analysis between contamination factor (CF) and EF levels showed Zr as the best reference element for Rb and Sr in the soils. Results from this study provide baseline knowledge necessary for contamination assessment and monitoring of soils with similar environmental conditions.

Effects of platinum-based anticancer drugs on the trace element profile of liver and kidney tissue from mice.

BACKGROUND: Platinum-based anticancer drugs are relatively successful chemotherapeutic agents, which can cause significant elemental changes in key organs and are known for undesirable side effects, such as nephrotoxicity (damage to the kidneys). OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and traditional statistical tools such as two-sample Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis are used to evaluate the effects of different investigational Pt-based anticancer drugs on the elemental constitution of kidneys and liver of mice. Principal component analysis is used to uncover relationships in element concentration and potential correlations between those and clinical effects. Random forest importance is used to identify elements most associated with the drug's maximum tolerated doses (MTDs). RESULTS: Strong negative correlations between Pt and both Cu (-0.814) and Zn (-0.784) in kidneys were observed for one of the Pt-acridine anticancer agents evaluated (Drug C). Strong positive correlations were observed between Cu in both kidneys (0.834) and liver (0.756) with Zn in liver for the same compound. Cisplatin administration correlates to higher concentrations of Ca, Cu, Rb and Zn in liver. Calcium and Mo in kidneys and Pt and Zn in liver are the features most associated with MTDs. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the Pt-based agents investigated are major modulators of ion homeostasis in excretory organs, which most likely contributes to their systemic toxicity and limits their efficacy. A better understanding of subtle patterns and correlations among elements in key organs may provide deeper insights into the mechanisms of action and ultimately contribute for better, safer drugs. To achieve this goal, researchers involved in cancer drug development may leverage the high sensitivity and high sample throughput of ICP-MS, and the capabilities of modern statistical tools to extract relevant information from a large dataset.

On the rubidium and lithium content and availability in the sub-arid south-eastern Mediterranean: potential health implications.

Rubidium and lithium are rather rare elements in environmental research, despite their affiliation with a group of chemically active metals and the abundance of Rb in the environment. A growing body of evidence, although controversial, has indicated that both elements possess unique essential and neurophysiological characteristics in biota and humans. Both elements may concentrate in soil and vegetation of sub-arid environments. We investigated the content and (potential) availability of Rb and Li in the soils and natural waters of Galilee, the Coastal Plain, and the northern Negev of Israel. A newly developed chromatographic technique for the separation of truly dissolved Rb and Li compounds has been applied. High concentrations of Rb, together with high values of the potentially vital Rb-to-K ratio, were found in the soils, the soil solutions, rainwater, throughfall water, and the plant litter leachates, but not in the surface and spring waters. This may indicate a sequestration of Rb in the local soils and a semi-closed Rb turnover in the soil-plant system with a major input from sea aerosols. Low Li bulk and available concentrations were determined in all the natural compartments. Possible implications of such specific environmental features on the local population health were discussed.

Strontium isotopes reveal weathering processes in lateritic covers in southern China with implications for paleogeographic reconstructions.

The isotope ratios of Sr are useful tracers for studying parent material sources, weathering processes, and biogeochemical cycling. Mineralogical and geochemical investigations of two lateritic weathering covers, in an area close to the Tropic of Cancer (Guangxi Province, southern China), were undertaken to study the regional weathering processes and Sr isotopic sources. We found that weathering and decomposition of Rb- and Sr-bearing minerals change the Sr isotopic composition in weathering products (lateritic soils). Weathering of illite lowered the 87Sr/86Sr ratio whereas dissolving and leaching of carbonate minerals increased the 87Sr/86Sr ratio. An Fe nodular horizon is widely developed on the top of the weathering covers in the studied area and it differs from the lateritic soil horizon in mineral composition, construction, and elemental concentration. Furthermore, both Fe2O3 and P2O5 (concentrations) are negatively correlated with the 87Sr/86Sr ratios, suggesting fixation of apatite by Fe oxides is a controlling factor of the Sr isotopic composition in the Fe nodular horizon. The 87Sr/86Sr and Nb/Sr ratios imply the contents and proportions of Fe nodules and clay are critical in controlling the changes of Sr isotopic composition in the Fe nodular horizon. The two stages of the weathering process of carbonate rocks are revealed by the87Sr/86Sr versus Nb/Sr diagram. The 87Sr/86Sr and Rb/Sr ratios suggest that Sr isotopes in the weathering covers within the studied area are derived mainly from parent rock weathering and that the contributions from allothogenic Sr isotopes are limited. A comparison of Sr isotopic composition signatures in the weathering covers of the studied area and Guizhou Province provided insight into the Sr isotopic source and paleogeographic evolution of southern China. From the Permian to the Triassic, the continental fragment sources of the South China sedimentary basin changed significantly. In the Permian, Southern China presented the paleogeographic pattern that the north was higher (in elevation) than the south.

Geochemical caper fingerprints as a tool for geographical origin identification.

The identification of geographical origin of food products is important for both consumers and producers to ensure quality and avoid label falsifications. The caper plant (Capparis spinosa L., Brassicales Capparidaceae), a xerophytic shrub common in the Mediterranean area, produces buds and fruits that are commercialized in brine at high price. Those grown in Italy in the Aeolian Islands are renowned for their high quality. This study is aimed to establish a correlation between the geological and geochemical features of soil and the chemical composition of caper buds grown in two Aeolian Islands, Lipari and Salina. Major and trace elements were investigated by X-ray fluorescence and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in soil and caper samples from three localities in Lipari and Salina, and data from the three sites were compared by a nonparametric test, a correlation test and multivariate statistics (principal component analysis). The results allowed to discriminate soils according to geolithological characteristics of each area and detect a statistically significant correspondence between soil and caper samples for the elements Co, Fe, Mg and Rb, identifying thus possible geochemical caper fingerprints of origin. These results may also be useful to protect the high quality of Aeolian caper products by a suitable "Made in Italy" trademark and avoid falsifications and frauds.

A High-Throughput Screening Assay for NKCC1 Cotransporter Using Nonradioactive Rubidium Flux Technology.

A high-throughput screening (HTS) assay was developed for cotransporter, NKCC1, which is a potential target for the treatment of diverse disorders. This nonradioactive rubidium flux assay coupled with ion channel reader series provides a working screen for this target expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cell line. An eightfold window of detection was achieved with the optimized assay. This new functional assay offered a robust working model for NKCC1 in determining reliable and concordant rank orders of the test compounds supporting its sensitivity and specificity. The robustness of manual assay indicated by Z' of 0.9 qualified its amenability to automation. The Z' of 0.7 was displayed by automated assay employed in high-throughput screening of compound libraries against this target. Being electrically neutral, the NKCC1 screening is difficult to achieve by both manual and automated electrophysiological techniques. These techniques, although considered gold standard, suffer from their inherent problems of being too slow to be in high-throughput format and with high running costs. In addition to being a functional assay for NKCC1, it is nontoxic as compared with thallium flux assay, which is prone to generate high number of false-positive/false-negative rates because of its innate fluorescence issues.

Quantification of rubidium as a trace element in beef using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy.

This study evaluates the potential of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) coupled with chemometrics to develop a quantification model for rubidium (Rb) in minced beef. A LIBSCAN 150 system was used to collect LIBS spectra of minced beef samples. Beef liver was used to spike the Rb levels in minced beef. All samples were dried, powdered and pelleted using a hydraulic press. Measurements were conducted by scanning 100 different locations with an automated XYZ sample chamber. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to develop the calibration model, yielding a calibration coefficient of determination (Rc2) of 0.99 and a root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) of 0.05ppm. The model also showed good results with leave-one-out cross validation, yielding a cross-validation coefficient of determination (Rcv2) of 0.90 and a root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) of 0.22ppm. The current study shows the potential of LIBS as a rapid analysis tool for the meat processing industry.

The determination and application of (87) Sr/(86) Sr ratio in verifying geographical origin of wheat.

As 87 Sr/86 Sr ratio plays a significant role in authenticating the geographical origin of foodstuff, it is important to identify where the 87 Sr/86 Sr signature in food comes from, and the methods of 87 Sr/86 Sr ratio analysis in food and environmental samples. Wheat with three genotypes, soil and groundwater samples were collected from three regions of China during harvest time of 2014. The 87 Sr/86 Sr ratios in the samples were determined by thermal ionization mass spectrometer in order to investigate the possible source of 87 Sr/86 Sr in wheat, and the concentrations of Rb and Sr in wheat and soils were also detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and combined with 87 Sr/86 Sr ratio in order to trace the geographical origin of wheat. The 87 Sr/86 Sr ratio, the contents Rb and Sr, and Rb/Sr ratio of wheat and soil samples showed significant differences among three regions. The 87 Sr/86 Sr ratios and the concentrations of Rb and Sr in soils were higher than those in corresponding wheat. The 87 Sr/86 Sr ratio in wheat was identical to that corresponding soil NH4 NO3 extracts (labile fraction of soil) and groundwater. Wheat uptake more Rb than Sr. 3D distribution of 87 Sr/86 Sr, Rb and Sr could identify wheat samples from different regions clearly. The 87 Sr/86 Sr ratio of wheat reflects the 87 Sr/86 Sr ratio of the associated environment including soil and groundwater. It is expected that the use the parameters of 87 Sr/86 Sr ratio, the contents of Rb and Sr will allow to trace geographical origin of wheat. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Enrichment of cesium and rubidium in weathered micaceous materials at the Savannah River Site, South Carolina.

The enrichment of Cs and Rb relative to Ba, Sr, and K in three soils representing a range of soil maturities was determined to investigate the long-term sorption behavior of these elements in upland soils of the Savannah River Site (SRS). Elemental mass fractions normalized to upper continental crust (UCC) decreased in the order Cs > Rb > Ba > K > Sr in the soil fine fractions. Only the UCC-normalized amount of Cs was greater than unity. The UCC-normalized amounts in strong-acid extracts decreased as Cs > Rb > Ba > K ≈ Sr. In all three soil cores, the trends of the UCC-normalized amounts of acid-extractable metals were similar to trends of cation-exchange capacity (CEC) calculated from synchrotron-X-ray diffractometry measurements of soil mineralogy. Consequently, the relative enrichment of Cs and Rb is largely controlled by selective sorption to micaceous minerals, including hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite, that dominate the CEC. Where high clay content had caused retention of soil solution, amounts of acid extractable K, Sr, and Ba were enhanced. The retention of natural Cs by these three soils, which developed over many thousands of years, is a strong indicator that radiocesium will likewise be retained in SRS soils.

Mechanisms of cell uptake and toxicity of the anticancer drug cisplatin.

Two major issues which hamper the use of the anticancer drug cisplatin are the development of cancer cell resistance and its nephrotoxicity. One possible mechanism by which resistance is reported to develop is a reduction in drug uptake across the cell membrane. While the passive uptake of cisplatin has long been cited as an important contribution, far greater attention has been given to active modes of uptake, particularly in recent research. Using unilamellar lipid vesicles together with the stopped-flow kinetic method we show here that the permeability coefficient of cisplatin increases significantly with the chloride concentration of the medium. This supports the hypothesis that cisplatin can enter cells via passive permeation through the lipid phase of the membrane, but becomes trapped within the cytoplasm because dissociation of chloride ligands yields a membrane-impermeant positively-charged aqua derivative. This is important evidence for a major role of passive membrane diffusion in the uptake of cisplatin, and suggests that reduced cell uptake is unlikely to be a significant mechanism leading to the development of drug resistance. Studies of rubidium ion uptake into the cytoplasm of Xenopus oocytes via the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase show significant inhibition of this ion pump when cisplatin is present in the cytoplasm. Because Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity is essential to the survival of all animal cells, e.g. via maintenance of cell volume, and the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase is expressed at particularly high levels within the membranes of kidney tubules where it plays a crucial role in nutrient reabsorption, these results suggest that cisplatin-induced inhibition of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase is a likely contributing cause for the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin.

Relations of bromine, iron, rubidium, strontium, and zinc content to morphometric parameters in pediatric and nonhyperplastic young adult prostate glands.

The variation with age of the Br, Fe, Rb, Sr, and Zn mass fractions and some histological characteristics of intact prostate glands of 50 subjects aged 0-30 years was investigated by an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence and a quantitative morphometric analysis. Mean values ± standard error of the mean (M ± SΕΜ) for the mass fractions (in milligrams per kilogram wet-mass basis) of these trace elements in pre-puberty were: Br-10.5 ± 1.3, Fe-28.6 ± 4.1, Rb-3.05 ± 0.27, Sr-0.42 ± 0.08, and Zn-32.9 ± 3.2. During puberty and postpuberty, when there is a significant increase in circulating androgens, the mean values were: Br-5.60 ± 0.57, Fe-19.3 ± 1.6, Rb-3.50 ± 0.28, Sr-0.24 ± 0.03, and Zn-113 ± 10. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) of percent volumes (%) of the stroma, epithelium, and lumen in the prostate before puberty were 73.4 ± 2.6, 20.4 ± 1.7, and 4.45 ± 0.94, respectively, versus 46.5 ± 2.5, 38.5 ± 1.9, and 14.9 ± 1.2 during puberty and postpuberty. A significant positive correlation between the prostatic Zn and percent volume of both glandular epithelium (r = 0.573, p ≤ 0.001) and glandular lumen (r = 0.725, p ≤ 0.001) was found. For the first time, it has been demonstrated that the glandular lumen is a main pool of Zn accumulation, and that the stroma is a main pool of Br and Fe accumulation in the normal human prostate, for the age range 14 to 30 years. It was concluded that the Zn binds tightly within the prostatic fluid because the volume of glandular lumen reflects the volume of prostatic fluid.

[Distribution of PGEs contents and its factors in snowfall and snow cover over the arid region in Changji City].

This paper was to select a small-medium sized City, Changji city, over the arid region, study the distribution of platinum group metals(PGEs) contents and influencing factors in snowfall and snow cover. Samples were analysed by ICP-MS. The results revealed that the annual contents of Rh, Pd and Pt in snowfall were on the average value of 0.43 ng.L-1 ranging from not detected to 2.24 ng.L-1 , 60.07 ng.L-1 ranging from 46.66 to 84.25 ng.L-1 and 4.54 ng.L-1 ranging from 3.02 ng.L-1 to 6.38 ng.L-1 respectively. The difference of PGEs levels was found in different occurrences of snowfall, tended to increase before snowfall due to the longer arid days. PGEs contents maybe influenced by the amount of snowfall, the less snowfall, the higher PGEs contents reflected. The annual levels of Rh, Pd and Pt in snow cover were in the range of 2.50-18.80 ng.L-1 (av. 6.65 ng.L-1), 46.83-199.20 ng.L-1 (av. 83.45 ng.L-1) ,4. 27-13.78 ng.L-1 (av. 8.17 ng.L-1) respectively. PGEs content in snow cover were far higher than that of snowfall, PGEs in snowfall were only obtained from atmospheric PGEs rinsed by single time of snowfall, while PGEs were not only from the accumulation of PGEs in frequent times of snowfall and the snow cover under the long time exposure, but also continuously accepted the PGEs from atmospheric dry deposition. PGEs content of snow cover in all sampling sites were demonstrated as follows: traffic area > residential-culture-education district > square of park > suburban farmland. the input way of PGEs in snow cover was found a remarkable difference with the amount of input within different function areas, which was the main reason caused that PGEs content of snow cover in each function area varied and had a certain regularity.

Detection of the origin of Brazilian wines based on the determination of only four elements using high-resolution continuum source flame AAS.

A method has been developed to determine 10 elements in Brazilian red wines using high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry, a technique that allows the fast sequential determination of an essentially unlimited number of elements per sample, each one under previously optimized conditions. All measurements were made without sample preparation, using aqueous standard solutions for calibration. The results were in agreement within 99% of confidence (t-test) with those obtained by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The same grape, Cabernet sauvignon, was used in all experiments, and the wines from each region were prepared especially for this investigation in order to avoid any confusion due to grapes from other regions, which are often used in commercial wines. The elements K, Mn, Rb and Sr were found to be the best indicators for the origin of the wines, based on a Principal Component Analysis.

Changes in the elemental content of rat heart as a result of the fixation in formalin analyzed by synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescent analysis.

The aim of the study was to investigate possible changes in the elemental content of small biological tissue samples (with low weight) during the short period of fixation in formalin. Therefore, the effect of the fixation time (4 h to 6 days) was studied on the elemental content of the tissue. Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescent analysis (SRXRF) technique was used for the determination of the elemental concentrations. The levels of Cl, K, Ca, Br, Rb, and Sr in the samples fixed for 4h (and longer) show significant differences in comparison with levels in fresh samples, because these ions have a high mobility and capacity for moving through the cell membrane. The content of Zn, Se, Fe, and Cu in the samples fixed by formalin solution during 4h do not show significant differences compared with fresh samples. The ions of these elements can form complexes with the large protein molecules in the tissue and can hardly be removed from it.

Accumulation of Mn, Co, Zn, Rb, Cd, Sn, Ba, Sr, and Pb in the otoliths and tissues of eel (Anguilla anguilla) following long-term exposure in an estuarine environment.

Aiming at increasing the resolution of otolith tracers, we investigated the possibility to use Mn, Co, Zn, Rb, Cd, Sn, Ba, Sr, and Pb otolith composition to retrieve the movements of eels (Anguilla anguilla) in the lower Gironde watershed. Caging experiments were designed to validate the site specific otolith signatures. Individually identified eels were reared in cages in three locations along the estuarine and river gradient. Three trials were set up for successive periods of 3 months and 6 months. Water Mn, Co, Zn, Rb, Cd, Sn, Ba, Sr, and Pb concentrations were monitored. The eel otolith composition corresponding to the experimental period was measured with an ICPMS coupled with a femtosecond laser. Liver Cd, Zn and Pb concentrations were measured. For each caging experiments, we tested the influence of individual weight gain, caging site and trial on elemental otolith concentrations. Mn, Co, Zn, Rb, Cd, Sn, Ba, Sr, and Pb were detected in eel otolith above the detection limits. Otolith Sr and Ba concentrations significantly discriminated the caging sites for one trial. Individual weight gain did not have a significant influence on otolith elemental concentrations. Co, Rb, Cd, Sn, Zn, Sr and Ba otolith concentrations were significantly influenced by the trials. Water elemental composition was only partly reflected by otolith elemental composition. The results showed that otolith composition had a more integrative value than water composition. Complex elemental seasonal variations and individual eel incorporation potential complicated the interpretation of otolith composition. Liver and otolith Cd and Zn concentrations did not show a statistically significant correlation.

Long-term selective retention of natural Cs and Rb by highly weathered coastal plain soils.

Naturally occurring Cs and Rb are distinctly more abundant relative to K in the highly weathered upland soils of the Savannah River Site, South Carolina, than in average rock of Earth's upper continental crust (UCC), by factors of 10 and 4, respectively. Naturally occurring Cs has been selectively retained during soil evolution, and Rb to a lesser extent, while K has been leached away. In acid extracts of the soils, the Cs/K ratio is about 50 times and the Rb/K ratio about 15 times the corresponding ratios for the UCC, indicating that relatively large amounts of natural Cs and Rb have been sequestered in soil microenvironments that are highly selective for these elements relative to K. Cation exchange favoring Cs and Rb ions, and subsequent fixation of the ions, at sites in interlayer wedge zones within hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite particles may account for the observations. The amounts of stable Cs retained and the inferred duration of the soil evolution, many thousands of years, provide new insights regarding long-term stewardship of radiocesium in waste repositories and contaminated environments. Study of natural Cs in soil adds a long-term perspective on Cs transport in soils not available from studies of radiocesium.

[Migration and transformation of anthropogenic platinum group elements in environment: a review].

Anthropogenic platinum group elements (PGEs) are widely applied in vehicle exhaust catalytic converters (VECs), industrial catalysts, and pharmaceutics, making the PGEs, especially Pt, Pd, and Rh, become the newly environmental pollutants in some fields. Given the positive correlations between the Pt/Pd and Pt/Rh ratios in various environmental samples and the active components of VECs, the VECs containing PGEs as catalysts are regarded as the primary source of PGEs pollution. Sufficient reports indicated that in the past three decades, there was a significant increase of PGEs concentrations in diverse environmental matrices like airborne particulate matters, aquatic ecosystem components (e.g., river water, rain water, groundwater, seawater, and sediments), soils, road dusts, and organisms. It was generally assumed that anthropogenic PGEs behave in inert manner, and the health risks associated with the environmental exposures to PGEs are minimal. However, the recent studies on PGEs toxicity and environmental bioavailability indicated that once entering environment, anthropogenic PGEs might easily be mobilized and transformed into more toxic forms under the actions of various biogeochemical processes, and thereby, enhanced their bioavailability and posed potential health risks to human beings through food chain. This paper summarized the research results about the sources, distribution, and biogeochemical behaviors of PGEs in various environmental media, and it was considered that to establish the standards of PGEs for human health risks, to develop standard substances of PGEs for environmental measurements, to study the PGEs in the sediments of marginal seas, and to assess the toxicity of PGEs to marine mollusks, the present contamination status of PGEs in foods, and the risks of PGEs to human health would be the hot research topics in the future.

Correlations between potassium, rubidium and cesium ((133)Cs and (137)Cs) in sporocarps of Suillus variegatus in a Swedish boreal forest.

An analysis of sporocarps of ectomycorrhizal fungi Suillus variegatus assessed whether cesium ((133)Cs and (137)Cs) uptake was correlated with potassium (K) or rubidium (Rb) uptake. The question was whether intraspecific correlations of Rb, K and (133)Cs mass concentrations with (137)Cs activity concentrations in sporocarps were higher within, rather than among, different fungal species, and if genotypic origin of sporocarps within a population affected uptake and correlation. Sporocarps (n = 51) from a Swedish forest population affected by the fallout after the Chernobyl accident were studied. The concentrations were 31.9 ± 6.79 g kg(-1) for K (mean ± SD, dwt), 0.40 ± 0.09 g kg(-1) for Rb, 8.7 ± 4.36 mg kg(-1) for (133)Cs and 63.7 ± 24.2 kBq kg(-1) for (137)Cs. The mass concentrations of (133)Cs correlated with (137)Cs activity concentrations (r = 0.61). There was correlation between both (133)Cs concentrations (r = 0.75) and (137)Cs activity concentrations (r = 0.44) and Rb, but the (137)Cs/(133)Cs isotopic ratio negatively correlated with Rb concentration. Concentrations of K and Rb were weakly correlated (r = 0.51). The (133)Cs mass concentrations, (137)Cs activity concentrations and (137)Cs/(133)Cs isotopic ratios did not correlate with K concentrations. No differences between, within or, among genotypes in S. variegatus were found. This suggested the relationships between K, Rb, (133)Cs and (137)Cs in sporocarps of S. variegatus is similar to other fungal species.

Cylindrical vector beams for rapid polarization-dependent measurements in atomic systems.

We demonstrate the use of cylindrical vector beams - beams with spatially varying polarization - for detecting and preparing the spin of a warm rubidium vapor in a spatially dependent manner. We show that a modified probe vector beam can serve as an atomic spin analyzer for an optically pumped medium, which spatially modulates absorption of the beam. We also demonstrate space-variant atomic spin by optical pumping with the vector beams. The beams are thus beneficial for making single-shot polarization-dependent measurements, as well as for providing a means of preparing samples with position-dependent spin.