Nondestructive elemental analysis of wood biodeterioration using electron paramagnetic resonance and synchrotron X-ray fluorescence

Over the last few years we have developed nondestructive methods for the elemental analysis of wood during biodeterioration by fungi. In this paper we review progress made in our laboratories on the multi-element analysis of wood using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and synchrotron-generated X-ray spectroscopy. The non-intrusive sample preparation and the nondestructive methods have been used to detect elements in situ at concentrations as low as 0.1–10 ppm and to determine the redox states of several transition state metals. Custom specimen handling equipment and computer software were coupled with the analytical tools for mapping element accumulation and distribution.