In vivotime-resolved X-ray fluorescence mapping measurements ofEgeria densaimmersed in Cr(VI) aqueous solution

What is it about?

In vivo time-resolved Cr and Ca X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping measurements were performed in a laboratory over a period of 69 days on a living common aquatic plant Egeria densa that was immersed in 5mM K2CrO4 aqueous solution. The time and spatial resolution for each time-resolved XRF map were ~1.6 days and 1 × 1mm2, respectively. The obtained XRF maps exhibited characteristic localized Cr and Ca areas where the XRF signals were especially strong, highlighting the necessity of preliminary millimeter-resolution mapping in the XRF microscopic observations of plants. The time dependencies of the acquired XRF maps suggest that E. densa can segregate Cr species within its tissues and subsequently effuse them, which will allow us to apply it as a potential Cr(VI) biomonitor.

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Why is it important?

The application of in vivo time-resolved XRF imaging can provide important clues in environmental and biological science, even in laboratory experiments.