Analysis of Short-Rotation Willow

The applicability of the proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method to determination of the elemental composition of short-rotation willow is studied. The analysis samples were taken as a time series from different willow stands. The concentrations of 15 elements between aluminum and lead were determined, and the implications of certain correlations between two distinct groups of elements are considered. The elemental composition of gases from willow combustion was also tentatively measured by PIXE. Nutrient dynamics and growth of willow seedlings were in addition studied by this technique and a simple simulation model was developed to depict the nutrient dynamics in willow leaves.