Spatial distributions of cesium and strontium in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze] leaves evaluated by micro-PIXE analysis

Abstract

We evaluated the spatial distributions of cesium and strontium in tea leaves using micro particle-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) analysis to explore the characteristics of the concentrations and translocations of these elements in tea leaves, and the similarities and differences between cesium and potassium and between strontium and calcium. We examined samples of tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze] leaves that took up cesium and strontium via foliar absorption. We confirmed that calcium and strontium accumulated in many narrow areas of the leaves, while cesium and potassium were distributed throughout the leaf samples. Almost all of the strontium and calcium accumulated in the same narrow locations in the leaf samples 30 days after foliar absorption.