Spatial distribution and modes of chemical attachment of metal ions in spruce wood

Microbeam X-ray fluorescence, in combination with imaging techniques, has b een used to visualize the morphological distribution of various metal ions in spruce wood sections. By treating the analyzed wood samples with differe nt chemical solutions and observing the extractability and dislocations of the metals it was also possible to draw some conclusions about their chemic al attachments. The majority of the metals seem to be attached to the carbo xyl groups of hemicelluloses and pectins, whereas iron appears to be locate d to a large extent in acid-insoluble precipitates.