The nuclear microprobe - a challenging tool in plant sciences

The nuclear microprobe is a microanalytical tool capable of quantitative studies of elemental distribution at the ppm level with a spatial resolution of the order of 1 mum. This sensitivity is adequate for most elements of interest, and the spatial resolution is acceptable for studies of elemental distribution in organs, tissues, and cells. The main techniques used in plant science are particle induced X-ray emission using protons, proton backscattering, scanning transmission ion microscopy, and particle induced gamma-ray emission. Specimen preparation is the most difficult part of analysis, and only cryotechniques are recommended presently for all types of microanalytical studies.