This project was undertaken to determine whether electron probe x-ray microanalysis (microprobe analysis) could be utilized to determine the subcellular sites responsible for low sodium-induced calcium accumulation in myocardium. Ultrathin cryosections of rabbit papillary muscles were analyzed using microprobe analysis, and the concentrations (mmol/kg dry wt) of Na, Mg, I, S, Cl, K, and Ca were compared against low sodium (36 mM) and control (139 mM NaCl) muscle groups. Visual resolution of junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum in freeze-dried myocardial sections was achieved, and systematic analysis of junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum and sarcolemma was performed. Myofibrils and mitochondria were also analyzed. Reductions in Na and Cl concentration were measured in virtually all compartments of muscles bathed in low sodium. In addition, low sodium produced a doubling of junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum and sarcolemmal calcium concentrations (p less than 0.01). No significant changes in calcium were observed at other analyzed sites. The increased calcium at the junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum and sarcolemma correlates with (but may not completely account for) the threefold increase in contractility measured after 40 minutes in low sodium concentrations. This work demonstrates that elemental changes associated with the myocardial junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum and sarcolemma are amenable to direct, in situ microprobe analysis and further defines these structures as primary sites of calcium accumulation in low sodium concentrations.