trace element
trace element
1. An element that occurs in minute but detectable quantities in minerals and rocks, much less than 1%. All elements except the most common rock-forming elements (O, Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Na, K, Mg, and Ti) generally occur as trace elements, except where locally concentrated in their ores.
2. In biology, the occurrence in plant or animal tissue of minor amounts of an element which is essential to its growth.
1. An element that occurs in minute but detectable quantities in minerals and rocks, much less than 1%. All elements except the most common rock-forming elements (O, Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Na, K, Mg, and Ti) generally occur as trace elements, except where locally concentrated in their ores.
2. In biology, the occurrence in plant or animal tissue of minor amounts of an element which is essential to its growth.
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trace element