Rapid Screening of Heavy Metals and Trace Elements in Environmental Samples Using Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer, A Comparative Study

Abstract

With industrialization, great amounts of trace elements and heavy metals have been excavated and released on the surface of the earth and dissipated into the environments. Rapid screening technology for detecting major and trace elements as well as heavy metals in variety of environmental samples is most desired. The objectives of this study were to determine the detection limits, accuracy, repeatability and efficiency of a X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (Niton XRF analyzer) in comparison with the traditional analytical methods, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-MS) in screening of major and trace elements of environmental samples including estuary soils and sediments, contaminated soils, and biological samples. XRF is a fast and non-destructive method in measuring the total concentration of multi--elements simultaneously. Contrary to ICP-OES and ICP-MS, XRF analyzer is characterized by the limited preparation required for solid samples, non-destructive analysis, increased total speed and high throughout, the decreased production of hazardous waste and the low running costs as well as multi-elemental determination and portability in the fields. The current comparative study demonstrates that XRF is a good rapid non-destructive method for contaminated soils, sediments and biological samples containing higher concentrations of major and trace elements. Unfortunately, XRF does not have sensitive detection limits of most major and trace elements as ICP-OES or ICP-MS but it may serve as a rapid screening tool for locating hot spots of uncontaminated field soils and sediments.

Wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (WDXRF) and chemometric investigation of human hair after cosmetic treatment

“…However, these techniques require laborious procedures for sample preparation. In this context, wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (WDXRF) offers noninvasive, faster, and multielement measurements being an attractive analytical technique …”

Forty‐Nine Major and Trace Element Concentrations Measured in Soil Reference Materials NIST SRM 2586, 2587, 2709a, 2710a and 2711a Using ICP‐MS and Wavelength Dispersive‐XRF

“…, McComb et al . ). NIST defines and provides certified, reference and information values for element concentrations presented in certificates of analysis.…”

“…Numerous geoscience/urban geochemistry investigations have utilised commercially available NIST SRM soil certified reference materials for calibration or quality control purposes (e.g., Kenna et al 2011, Murray et al 2011, Sutton et al 2012, Weindorf et al 2012, Fern andez et al 2014, McComb et al 2014. NIST defines and provides certified, reference and information values for element concentrations presented in certificates of analysis.…”

Mn-Doped ZnSe Quantum Dots as Fluorimetric Mercury Sensor

“…However, only some of them have found application in routine analysis. Recommended procedures for the detection of heavy metals in water samples include photometric methods, flame or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), inductively coupled plasma emission or mass spectrometry (ICP-ES, ICP-MS), total reflection X-ray fluorimetry (TXRF) and anodic-stripping voltammetry (ASV) [3][4][5]. These methods offer good limits of detection and wide linear ranges, but they are time consuming, require high cost analytical instruments trained operating personals and high maintenance which is a financial burden to analytical laboratories.…”

“…An ideal sensor should provide good sensitivity, high selectivity towards the target analyte, mathematical relationship of signal output to the amount of analyte, fast response time, good signal-to-noise ratio and longterm stability [7]. A variety of sensors have been developed, and these include DNAzymes sensors, optical sensors, electrochemical, colorimetric and fluorescent sensors [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] just to mention a few. This chapter aims to introduce the reader to the use of quantum dots (QDs) as metal ion sensors.…”