TRACE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF TROPICAL WOODS USING PARTICLE INDUCED X–RAY EMISSION (PIXE) METHODS FROM WESTERN NIGERIA

Trace element investigation and its corresponding concentration level in selected tropical woods from western Nigeria was done using PIXE-particle induced X-ray emission methods. Fifteen selected tropical woods were analyzed and twenty-seventrace elements were identified and quantified. The identified trace elements are Na,Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ba, Pb and Bi. Calcium concentration were2835, 3195, 4923, 5608, 7770, 5110, 2743, 5092 and 3451ppm in samples 2, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, respectively. Potassium recorded2838, 4811, 3184, and 2021ppm in samples 1, 3, 8 and 9, respectively. Silicon recorded5206ppm for sample 4 and 5253ppm for sample 7. Calcium and potassium were observed to have concentration level that is greater than 1000ppm in all the studied samples, hence it can be said that calcium and potassium are major trace element of wood. The concentrations of the elements identified have no immediate health concern on environment and human, therefore the studied tropical woodssafe for use as fuel and other purposes.