Publisher © Czech Geological Survey, ISSN: 2336-5757 (online), 0514-8057 (print)
Rapid screening of trace elements using portable rentgen-fluorescence spectrometry in geological research, exploration and in some applications for environmental survey
Abstract
An application of portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers allows a rapid determination of many Trace elements in geological materials in situ or in field laboratories. In this study, average relative error and accuracy of the determination of selected metals using portable Innov-X- System spectrometer were evaluated. Achieved results are compared with standard laboratory methods. The assessment of the average relative error and accuracy for Pb, Zn, As, and Cr using a set of selected geostandards was determined to be -10.6 % resp. 4.7 % for zinc, -12.0% resp. 5.4% for lead, 10.4% resp. 21.5 % for arsenic, and -42.9 % resp. 18.9 % for chromium. Comparing with laboratory XRF determination, excellent correlation with portable XRF results was found for lead (r2 = 0.995), arsenic (r2 = 0.950) and zinc (r2 = 0.934). Correlation for chromium is lower (r2 = 0.718). Very good correlation was also found among portable XRF results and the determination of lead, zinc and arsenic contents in the aqua regia extract using AAS and ICPMS analytical methods. Achieved results indicate that portable XRF spectrometry can be used in an orientation assessment of trace elements in various geological materials. However, the verification of results using standard laboratory analytical procedures is highly desirable.
