For muti-elemental analysis, various standards are used to quantify the elements consists of environmental and biological samples. In this paper two different configuration standards, pressed powders and thin section standards, were assessed for their purpose as standards by conventional and micro-PIXE analysis. Homogeneity of manganese, iron, zinc ( Zn ), copper and yttrium added to pressed powder standard materials were validated and the relative standard deviation (RSD) of the X-ray intensity of the standards was <10% within the range, 62.5–250 µg/g. We established linear relationships between the metal concentration and the specific X-ray intensity of standards containing up to 250 µg/g of these metals. A homogenous distribution of Zn added to thin section standard materials was also confirmed by 10-µm-step scanning of the standard within the range, 50–250 µg/g (RSD ~ 10%). The calibration line between the X-ray intensity obtained from a 10-µm2 area and the metal concentration was acceptable.

For quantitative measurements of light elements by micro-PIXE (particle-induced X-ray emission) analysis, suitable external standards have been expected. In this paper thin sections of polyvinyl alcohol solution containing phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were assessed for their purpose as standards by micro-PIXE analysis. Homogeneity of P and K added to the standard materials were validated by 1 µm and 10 µm-step scanning of the standard. The relative standard deviations of the X-ray intensity of the standards P and K were < 25% and <16%, respectively. The calibration line between the X-ray intensity obtained from a 100 ×100 µm 2 area and the elements concentration was also acceptable, indicating that the thin section standards are adequate for an external standard of micro-PIXE measurements for light elements.

Sr is an indicator used in studies on fish migration. In this study, the Sr profiles of ridges, which are growth lines in fish scales, in Sakhalin taimen (Hucho perryi) were examined by micro-PIXE analysis. Sakhalin taimen were reared under freshwater conditions for six months. The ridges that formed during the rearing experiment were subjected to PIXE spot analysis. This analysis was performed in a 5 × 5 µm 2 area in the center region of each ridge of the scale section, and the Sr levels were calculated using the thin-section standard. The mean Sr concentration in the ridges was 428 ± 48 µg/g. The quantitative PIXE spot analysis successfully provided Sr profiles for the scale corresponding to ridge formation.