Analiza pierwiastków w drewnie pochodzącym z drzewostanów rosnących w środowisku zanieczyszczonym oraz drewnie impregnowanym lub powierzchniowo pokrywanym nie jest nowym zagadnieniem. Jednak zestaw technik analizy instrumentalnej wykorzystywanych do tego celu w ostatnich latach jest ograniczony – jest to atomowa spektrometria absorpcyjna (Atomic Absorbtion Spectrometry – AAS) oraz plazma wzbudzona indukcyjnie, sprzężona ze spektrometrią masową (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry – ICP-MS). Aparatura ta z założenia nadaje się najlepiej do wyżej wymienionych celów, ale nie jest pozbawiona wad. Technika AAS wymaga przeprowadzenia próbki do roztworu, co w przypadku drewna może zmieniać jego skład pierwiastkowy ze względu na tworzenie się lotnych produktów rozkładu. Technika ICP-MS także powoduje tę niedogodność, a dodatkowo – ze względu na wyjątkowo wysoką cenę – jest to aparatura rzadko w Polsce spotykana.
W literaturze można znaleźć stosunkowo niewiele prób zastosowania innych technik analizy instrumentalnej do ilościowej i jakościowej analizy pierwiastków i substancji z nimi powiązanych w drewnie. Zostaną one przedstawione w kolejnych rozdziałach. Rosnącą popularność zdobywa spektrometria fluorescencji rentgenowskiej (X-Ray Fluorescence – XRF), ale już stosowanie technik takich jak spektrometria podczerwieni (Fourier Transform Infra Red – FTIR), różnicowa kalorymetria skaningowa (Differential Scanning Calorimetry – DSC) czy spektrofotometria UV-VIS należy do rzadkości. Wielce korzystna wydaje się możliwość zastosowania kilku alternatywnych metod ustalania składu drewna i weryfikacji wyników na tej podstawie. Według autora istnieje potrzeba rozwijania metod analitycznych, które oparte na wyżej wymienionych technikach będą na to pozwalały.

1. WSTĘP 
2. PRZEGLĄD LITERATURY 

2.1. Skład pierwiastkowy drewna
2.2. Pierwiastki ważne dla procesów wegetacyjnych 
2.3. Wnikanie, transport oraz umiejscowienie substancji mineralnych w strukturze drewna 
2.4. Wpływ zanieczyszczenia środowiska na skład pierwiastkowy drewna
2.5. Pierwiastki i substancje wprowadzane podczas procesu impregnacji drewna 
2.6. Instrumentalna analiza składu pierwiastkowego drewna 

3. CEL PRACY

4. METODYKA BADAŃ 
4.1. Materiał badawczy 
4.2. Spektrometria fluorescencji rentgenowskiej (XRF)
4.3. Spektrometria podczerwieni (FTIR) 
4.4. Różnicowa kalorymetria skaningowa (DSC) 

5. WYNIKI BADAŃ 
5.1. Spektrometria fluorescencji rentgenowskiej (XRF)
5.2. Spektrometria podczerwieni (FTIR) 
5.3. Różnicowa kalorymetria skaningowa (DSC)

6. PODSUMOWANIE I WNIOSKI 
Podziękowania 
LITERATURA 
SUMMARY

Possibilities of additional applications of chosen modern analytical techniques for some elements and chemical compounds examination in wood were studied. Three analytical techniques were used: X-ray fluorescence (XRF), infra-red spectrometry (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). New analytical procedures dedicated for above mentioned techniques were proposed. They allow for new applications which were never mentioned in the literature.
Wood analysis with X-ray spectrometry is troublesome because of material heterogeneity. The first stage of research was performed to verify the hypothesis that each wood species is the separate matrix during XRF analysis. Wood of three deciduous species were examined in three different forms – solid wood, wooden dust and the same dust pressed to pellets. Results of the determination of six elements were compared: copper, iron, manganese, lead, chromium and zinc. Values of so called impulse counts were compared, which is indeendent on applied calibration. Obtained results lead to conclusion that change of sample form in each species influences the analysis results in different way. It confirmed stated hypothesis.
In the second stage the method of XRF measurements calibration in the range of given matrix (wood species) was elaborated. Method is based on the measurements of pine wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) with different degree of preservative (containing copper) saturation. Calibration for measurements of other elements should be performed with other preparations. XRF analysis of preserved samples surfaces was performed, then surfaces were rubbed off with abrasive paper and obtained dust was dissolved with nitric (V) acid and analyzed with XRF. These results were correlated with results obtained from the measurements of standard solution of copper nitrate (V) and the curve was determined which allow for the calculation of real copper content in wood using the result of copper impulse counts in wood. The third stage was the trial of application elaborated method for the calibration of elements measurements which content in pine wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) is low. Results show that method applied for such an analysis needs optimization because of significant backgrounds effects which appear when element content is low.
The possibility of the exploitation measurements with qualitative character for the analysis of elements distribution on samples surfaces was studied next. Mapping method was used to the analysis of ACQ-type preservative (containing copper) retention in four different wood species. Results give informations about differences in preservative distribution in different species and the degree of preservative saturation may be compared. There was also stated the possibility of the same preservative analysis based on mapping of zinc, also present in the preservative, but in amounts significantly smaller in relation to copper. The same method was used to the examination of samples collected from trees grown next to the highway. Results were used to analyze the possibility of the determination of the influence of changing conditions of environmental pollution (distance from the road, changes in fuel composition through the time) on ch osen elements (lead and iron) distribution. The correlation between periods of lead compounds application in fuels and their following withdrawal and lead presence in samples structure was found. It was also found that drill used for samples collection influences the iron content in specified samples parts.
FTIR technique was applied for the analysis of samples containing different amount of preservative containing copper. Using characteristic parameters (absorbance of chosen peaks) gained from FTIR spectrum, calibration curve of these parameters dependence on preservative content was determined. Elaborated calibration curve may be used for preservation process quality control. So called reflection unit was used in the analysis process, which limits long duration of sample preparation and makes the method more useful. The usefulness of the application of the spectrum derivative was confirmed. It increases the correlation coefficient of dependence found.
DSC technique was used for the determination of plastic type and content in wood-plastic composites (WPC). Composites with different, known content of polyethylene and polypropylene were analyzed. Results of melting enthalpy and temperature were compared with results obtained from the analysis of pure plastic. Comparison lead to the statement that the accuracy of the method of plastic type determination is very good, and the accuracy of content determination – sufficient in most cases. Possible divergences are probably caused by studied material anisotropy.