Trace-Element Analysis by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS): a Case Study for Agates from Nowy Kościoł, Poland

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was applied to detect trace elements in agate from Permian volcanics (Nowy Kościoł, Poland) in low concentrations and with high spatial resolution. The used LA-ICP-MS system consists of a DUV 193 laser ablation system linked to a Thermo Finnigan Element 2 mass spectrometer. The use of a 193 nm ArF excimer laser (50-200 mJ energy output) and the standards NIST 611 and NIST 612 enables to produce and analyse small crater diameters down to 5 μm. Trace-element profiles have been analyzed for the elements Ti, Ge, Al, Fe, Mn, U, Th, Ba, Sr, Rb, Cs, and Y in the ppm- and sub-ppm level. The concentrations of the REE are sometimes below the detection limit of the method. Almost all elements (except Cu) display higher contents in chalcedony than in the macrocrystalline quartz. Fe, for instance, shows a 100 times higher concentration in agate bands compared to quartz, which may be due to finely distributed iron oxide particles in the chalcedony which probably act as colour pigments. The trace elements in agate are released simultaneously with Si during alteration of the surrounding volcanic rocks. Oxygen isotope data indicate that silica accumulation and agate formation took place at temperatures below 120°C. The characteristic trace-element distribution patterns in agate result from a self-purification process during crystallization of chalcedony and quartz from a silica gel

Social and medical aspects of elderly age: obesity and professional longevity

The article raises the problem of the population aging and the expected significant increase in the proportion of the elderly population in Russian in the next 10–15 years. Population aging will cause the need to attract additional financial resources for pensions to 12–14% of GDP, which is approximately 1.5 – 1.6 times more than is provided for by the program of the Government of Russia aimed at improving the pension System in the period until 2025. The existing pension system and social security system only partially takes into account the aging process. Mechanisms for adapting the elderly to work have not yet been created, a well-thought-out state policy in this area has yet to be developed. In addition, the aging of the population leads to an increase in the older age groups of the risks of diseases with severe and catastrophic consequences, to prevent and reduce which is the number one task before the social policy of the state for this population group. The costs of medical care and care help are exorbitant in scope for the vast majority of retirees, so the elderly remain virtually defenseless against the risks of old age. It is emphasized that before medicine the task is not simply to increase life expectancy, but to prolong the labor activity of a citizen. The article suggests measures to improve the policy of interaction between state institutions and civil society in overcoming the negative consequences of aging and social adaptation of older persons

Trace-Element Analysis by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS): a Case Study for Agates from Nowy Kościoł, Poland

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was applied to detect trace elements in agate from Permian volcanics (Nowy Kościoł, Poland) in low concentrations and with high spatial resolution. The used LA-ICP-MS system consists of a DUV 193 laser ablation system linked to a Thermo Finnigan Element 2 mass spectrometer. The use of a 193 nm ArF excimer laser (50-200 mJ energy output) and the standards NIST 611 and NIST 612 enables to produce and analyse small crater diameters down to 5 μm. Trace-element profiles have been analyzed for the elements Ti, Ge, Al, Fe, Mn, U, Th, Ba, Sr, Rb, Cs, and Y in the ppm- and sub-ppm level. The concentrations of the REE are sometimes below the detection limit of the method. Almost all elements (except Cu) display higher contents in chalcedony than in the macrocrystalline quartz. Fe, for instance, shows a 100 times higher concentration in agate bands compared to quartz, which may be due to finely distributed iron oxide particles in the chalcedony which probably act as colour pigments. The trace elements in agate are released simultaneously with Si during alteration of the surrounding volcanic rocks. Oxygen isotope data indicate that silica accumulation and agate formation took place at temperatures below 120°C. The characteristic trace-element distribution patterns in agate result from a self-purification process during crystallization of chalcedony and quartz from a silica gel

Trace-Element Analysis by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS): a Case Study for Agates from Nowy Kościoł, Poland

trace elements in agate from Permian volcanics (Nowy Kościoł, Poland) in low concentrations and with high spatial resolution. The used LA-ICP-MS system consists of a DUV 193 laser ablation system linked to a Thermo Finnigan Element 2 mass spectrometer. The use of a 193 nm ArF excimer laser (50-200 mJ energy output) and the standards NIST 611 and NIST 612 enables to produce and analyse small crater diameters down to 5 μm. Trace-element profiles have been analyzed for the elements Ti, Ge, Al, Fe, Mn, U, Th, Ba, Sr, Rb, Cs, and Y in the ppm- and sub-ppm level. The concentrations of the REE are sometimes below the detection limit of the method. Almost all elements (except Cu) display higher contents in chalcedony than in the macrocrystalline quartz. Fe, for instance, shows a 100 times higher concentration in agate bands compared to quartz, which may be due to finely distributed iron oxide particles in the chalcedony which probably act as colour pigments. The trace elements in agate are released simultaneously with Si during alteration of the surrounding volcanic rocks. Oxygen isotope data indicate that silica accumulation and agate formation took place at temperatures below 120°C. The characteristic trace-element distribution patterns in agate result from a self-purification process during crystallization of chalcedony and quartz from a silica gel.Метод лазерной абляции с индуктивно связанной плазмой масс-спектрометрией (LA-ICP-MS) был применен для обнаружения следов элементов в агатах из пермских вулканитов (Новый Костел, Польша), имеющих низкие концентрации и высокие пространственные разрешения. Используемая система LA-ICP-MS состоит из DUV 193 системы лазерной абляции, связанной с термоэлементом Finnigan 2 масс-спектрометра. Применение 193 нм ArF эксимерного лазера (с выходом 50-200 мДж) и стандарта NIST 611 и NIST 612 позволили получить и проанализировать кратеры малого диаметра до 5 мкм. Были проанализированы кривые следующих элементов Ti, Ge, Al, Fe, Mn, U, Th, Ba, Sr, Rb, Cs и Y на уровнях < млн-1 и ниже. Концентрации редкоземельных элементов иногда были ниже предела обнаружения метода. Почти все элементы (кроме меди) показали более высокие концентрации в халцедоне, чем в крупнокристаллическом кварце, железо, например, имеет в 100 раз более высокую концентрацию полос агата, чем кварц, это может быть связано с тонким распределением частиц оксида железа в халцедоне, которые могут действовать в качестве цветных пигментов. Кривые элементов в агате освобождаются одновременно с кремнием при изменении окружающих вулканических пород. Данные изотопов кислорода показывают, что накопление кремнезема и формирование агата происходит при температурах ниже 120 С. Характер схемы распределения элементов в агате объясняется процессом «самоочищения» в ходе кристаллизации халцедона и кварца из силикагеля

Trace-Element Analysis by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS): a Case Study for Agates from Nowy Kościoł, Poland

trace elements in agate from Permian volcanics (Nowy Kościoł, Poland) in low concentrations and with high spatial resolution. The used LA-ICP-MS system consists of a DUV 193 laser ablation system linked to a Thermo Finnigan Element 2 mass spectrometer. The use of a 193 nm ArF excimer laser (50-200 mJ energy output) and the standards NIST 611 and NIST 612 enables to produce and analyse small crater diameters down to 5 μm. Trace-element profiles have been analyzed for the elements Ti, Ge, Al, Fe, Mn, U, Th, Ba, Sr, Rb, Cs, and Y in the ppm- and sub-ppm level. The concentrations of the REE are sometimes below the detection limit of the method. Almost all elements (except Cu) display higher contents in chalcedony than in the macrocrystalline quartz. Fe, for instance, shows a 100 times higher concentration in agate bands compared to quartz, which may be due to finely distributed iron oxide particles in the chalcedony which probably act as colour pigments. The trace elements in agate are released simultaneously with Si during alteration of the surrounding volcanic rocks. Oxygen isotope data indicate that silica accumulation and agate formation took place at temperatures below 120°C. The characteristic trace-element distribution patterns in agate result from a self-purification process during crystallization of chalcedony and quartz from a silica gel.Метод лазерной абляции с индуктивно связанной плазмой масс-спектрометрией (LA-ICP-MS) был применен для обнаружения следов элементов в агатах из пермских вулканитов (Новый Костел, Польша), имеющих низкие концентрации и высокие пространственные разрешения. Используемая система LA-ICP-MS состоит из DUV 193 системы лазерной абляции, связанной с термоэлементом Finnigan 2 масс-спектрометра. Применение 193 нм ArF эксимерного лазера (с выходом 50-200 мДж) и стандарта NIST 611 и NIST 612 позволили получить и проанализировать кратеры малого диаметра до 5 мкм. Были проанализированы кривые следующих элементов Ti, Ge, Al, Fe, Mn, U, Th, Ba, Sr, Rb, Cs и Y на уровнях < млн-1 и ниже. Концентрации редкоземельных элементов иногда были ниже предела обнаружения метода. Почти все элементы (кроме меди) показали более высокие концентрации в халцедоне, чем в крупнокристаллическом кварце, железо, например, имеет в 100 раз более высокую концентрацию полос агата, чем кварц, это может быть связано с тонким распределением частиц оксида железа в халцедоне, которые могут действовать в качестве цветных пигментов. Кривые элементов в агате освобождаются одновременно с кремнием при изменении окружающих вулканических пород. Данные изотопов кислорода показывают, что накопление кремнезема и формирование агата происходит при температурах ниже 120 С. Характер схемы распределения элементов в агате объясняется процессом «самоочищения» в ходе кристаллизации халцедона и кварца из силикагеля