Contact Info

Adam P. Hitchcock

Canada Research Chair

in Materials Research
CLS-CCRS
B.I.M.R
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON
Canada L8S 4M1
V: +1 905 525-9140
    x24729
F: +1 905 521-2773
E: aph@mcmaster.ca
U: unicorn.mcmaster.ca
__________

Home
Research
Group
Opportunities
Publications
Links
_____________

  

Metal mapping of biofilms with STXM
 
WHO:  Adam Hitchcock, Tohru Araki, Sherry Zhang, Chemistry, McMaster University
             Gary Leppard, Biology (McMaster), National Water Research Institute (Burlington)
             John Lawrence, National Water Research Institute (Saskatoon)


WHERE:  Advanced Light Source  BL5.3.2 and BL 11.0  Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscope (STXM)
 
WHEN:   February & March 2003                        POSTED:  09 September 2003
       
WHAT:  Some biofilms (symbiotic baceterial-algae colonies) can have a high affinity for pollutants such as metal ions and toxic organic compounds and thus may be useful agents for environmental remediation. The improved performance afforded by interferometrically controlled scanning transmission X-ray microscopes (STXM) at beam lines 5.3.2 and 11.0.1 coupled with the large photon energy range (200 - 1200 eV on BL 5.3.2, 90 - 2500 eV on BL 11.0.1) mean that many different elements can be mapped, with local sensitivities at the ppt or lower level. The figure shows (a) Ca and K distributions overlaind on a map emphasizing biological components (proteins mostly); (b) distributions of Mn, Fe, and Ni in the area indicated by the yellow box; (c) Fe 2p spectra showing chemical speciation capabilities. Click on any of the images for an expanded view.

OTHER INFORMATION: Biofilms (1), Biofilms(2), STXM5.3.2

© 2003 A.P. Hitchcock / McMaster University - All Rights Reserved
web site by Christopher Amis. Last updated on 09-Sep-2003 (aph)