Multitracer technique

Takahashi, Y., Minai, Y., Ambe, S., Makide, Y., Ambe, F. and Tominaga, T. (1997) Simultaneous determination of stability constants of humate complexes with various metal ions using multitracer technique. Sci. Total Environ., 198, 61-71. 

Suzuki, H., Kumagai, H., Oohashi, K. et al. (2001). Transport of trace elements through the hyphae of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus into marigold determined by the multitracer technique. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 47, 131-7. 

When two or more tracers are used together as in the multitracer technique (see O Sect. 35.6), it is necessary to discriminate them from each other by energy analysis. This is done by means of a Ge detector connected to a multichannel analyzer followed by computer analysis of the observed y-ray spectrum. 

Along with the multitracer technique, a nondestructive analysis method is being developed. A y-ray imager that employs the principle of Compton cameras has been proposed to realize this, and some successful demonstrations have been performed. This topic is mentioned later in O Sect. 35.6. 

Jinzhou, D. Xinmin, Y., and Xiangke. W.. Adsorption study of 47 elements on alumina and bentonite using a multitracer technique, Adsorpt. Sci. Technol.. 15(5), 341-348 (1997). 

The technique uses two or more tuned conventional pulse echo electric sensors connected to a single wide-band transducer. The data obtained are displayed on a single cathode-ray tube by means of a multitrace procedure. However, the data has frequency as a parameter. This technique has the potent of real-time spectroscopy and is suitable for the observation of transient phenomena. 

Fortunately, given the physicochemical similarities, the previous experience with therapeutic drugs has substantially helped in developing appropriate analytical methods for ilhcit drugs the first proposed were actually based on the extension to these molecules of multiresidue methods previously established for therapeutic pharmaceuticals, or alternatively, on methods previously estabhshed for forensic investigations, which were adapted to the analysis of these substances in environmental matrices. The methods proposed were mainly based on HPLC-MS, and sometimes on GC-MS. This is not surprising as liquid chromatography is considered the most appropriate technique for the analysis of polar substances and mass spectrometry the most powerful technique for multitrace analysis of compounds in complex matrices, such as wastewater. 

---