Energy dispersion x-ray analysis by scanning electron microscopy for measuring cellular elemental composition in bacterial cells.

The use of scanning electron microscopy in conjuction with energy dispersion analysis of X rays is presented as a technique in a novel application to in situ studies of cellular elemental composition. The method has been applied, in the example of its use reported here, to examining the effects of copper-chromearsenic wood preservative on growth and element uptake of selected bacteria in agar cultures.