Multi-Elemental Analysis as a Tool for Tracing the Geographical Origin of Amazonian Wood
Illegal logging; Inorganic elements; Traceability of wood.
The selective cutting of commercial trees in a disorganized and irrational manner is one of the vectors of degradation of the Amazon forest cover. Therefore, curbing this illegal activity is one of the challenges for public institutions and society. The use of science to expand control tools is essential. The objective of this work is to evaluate the use of multielement analysis of wood from tree species in the Brazilian Amazon as a forensic tool to assist in combating illegal timber trade. 49 (forty-nine) tree individuals from four locations in Amazonas and two in Pará have been analyzed. The elemental concentration of the wood samples is being quantified using the ICP-MS technique. The data from the analyses showed significant variations in the concentration of elements, with emphasis on Sr, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Ba, Pb and Zn, for the different sites. Therefore, the preliminary results demonstrate the potential use of multi-element analysis in Amazonian woods for discrimination between regions. New samples are being analyzed, contemplating other regions of the Amazon in order to validate the application of the method.