QUANTITATIVE MICRO-PIXE MAPPING OF SQUID STATOLITHS

Distribution of elements in statoliths of squid Loligo vulgaris reynau dii d'Orbigny, 1845 was studied, using the true elemental imaging syst em (Dynamic Analysis) of the NAC nuclear microprobe. The analysis reve aled various patterns of Ca and Sr distributions. The biological inter pretation of the most frequent pattern is linked with the role of Sr i n the statolith deposition process. Other patterns are linked with the technique used and the specific characteristics of the sample. Traces of other elements (Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Pb) were also found. Likew ise, their presence may have the biological interpretation (Zn, Cu and Br), or is an artefact linked to the methods and conditions of sample preparation and/or analysis. Methodical aspects of using proton backs cattering for PIXE X-ray yield corrections are also discussed.