THE ACCUMULATION OF THE RARE-EARTH ELEMENTS AND OF SCANDIUM IN SUCCESSIVE NEEDLE AGE CLASSES OF NORWAY SPRUCE

The endogenous concentrations of Sc, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, and Lu we re determined by neutron activation analysis in up to five successive needle age classes of Norway spruce (Picea abies). Trees from nine sit es over different bedrocks were sampled individually. Concentration va lues found are generally much lower than those reported in the literat ure. This is attributed to the careful removal of any aerosols or soil particles from the needle surface prior to analysis. The concentratio n of each element increases linearly with the needle age class, i.e., the accumulation can be characterized by just one parameter, the yearl y increment. This pattern is followed at small as well as at large con centrations. The accumulation behavior of the investigated elements is identical to that of Si. The relative concentrations of the rare eart h elements (REE) in the needles are similar to those in the earth crus t. There are significant correlations between the individual REE and b etween Sc and La.