Application of PIXE Method for Environmental Protection in Poland

Abstract

Specific problems of environmental protection in Central Europe and dense industrialization in Poland that is powered by traditional power plants and having developed heavy industry, have resulted in a need for a special environmental protection policy. Reliable methods are needed to analyze low concentrations of trace elements in pollutants existing in atmospheres, precipitates, ground waters and soils. A knowledge of trace-elements concentration can help in setting industrial limits for emission, permanent control of emission perturbations and finally epidemiological studies. During recent years, methods based on the x-ray fluorescence phenomenon were being widely developed in Poland. Now due to the development of cyclotrons, proton-induced x-ray emission appears to be very useful for pollutant control.