Measurements of trace element concentrations within bones in nasal cavity and labyrinth have shown large variations, both with a single bone and between different bones of a same individual. Factors that influence trace element levels include: metabolic activity, environmental effects, sex, and age. Detection of characteristic X-rays has been shown to be a convenient method for the measurement of concentration profiles, micropixe for micrometer variations, and X-ray centration profiles, micropixe for micrometer variations, and X-ray fluorescence for millimeter variations.