Synchrotron-based X-ray imaging applied to the study of accumulated arsenic in living systems.

PEREZ, CARLOS A; MIQUELES EDUARDO; PEREZ, ROBERTO D.; BONGIOVANNI, GUILLERMINA A.

5th International Congress on Arsenic in the Environment (As2014)

Congreso; 5th International Congress on Arsenic in the Environment (As2014); 2014

International Society of Groundwater for Sustainable Development (ISGSD) Stockholm, Sweden Y CNEA-CONICET de Argentina

Investigation of biological processes as well as determination of chemical composition of tissues and cells require suitable techniques, with high elemental and chemical sensitivity and high spatial resolution. Such requirements can be fulfilled using synchrotron radiation based techniques. In this work, tissues from several organs of rats that were chronically exposed to water containing arsenic were analyzed. SRXRF microprobe measurements have revealed the presence of this metalloid in brain, pancreas and bladder, whereas accumulation happens mainly in kidney, liver, spleen, heart and blood. X-ray fluorescence microtomography (XFCT) was used to explore the 3D distribution of accumulated arsenic in specially prepared tissues. In order to assess also arsenic speciation, arsenic K-edge XANES measurements (XANES/TXRF-XANES) were carried out. By this procedure, it was possible to determine the predominant accumulated species. Main conclusions about the current results as well as future activities will be sketched.