Quantification of total element concentrations in soils using total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF)

Total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF) determines concentrations of major and trace elements in multiple media. We developed and tested a method for the use of TXRF for direct quantification of total element concentrations in soils using an S2 PICOFOX™ spectrometer (Bruker AXS Microanalysis Gm...

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Autores principales: Towett, Erick K., Shepherd, Keith D., Cadisch, Georg
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Elsevier 2013
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/66309
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author Towett, Erick K.
Shepherd, Keith D.
Cadisch, Georg
author_browse Cadisch, Georg
Shepherd, Keith D.
Towett, Erick K.
author_facet Towett, Erick K.
Shepherd, Keith D.
Cadisch, Georg
author_sort Towett, Erick K.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF) determines concentrations of major and trace elements in multiple media. We developed and tested a method for the use of TXRF for direct quantification of total element concentrations in soils using an S2 PICOFOX™ spectrometer (Bruker AXS Microanalysis GmbH, Germany). We selected 15 contrasting soil samples from across sub-Saharan Africa for element analysis to calibrate the instrument against concentrations determined using the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) standard method. A consistent underestimation of element concentrations using TXRF compared to ICP-MS reference analysis occurred, indicating that spectrometer recalibration was required. Single-element recalibration improved the TXRF spectrometer's sensitivity curve. Subsequent analysis revealed that TXRF determined total element concentrations of Al, K, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Ga accurately (model efficacy/slope close to 1:1 line, and R(2)>0.80) over a wide range of soil samples. Other elements that could be estimated with an acceptable precision (R(2)>0.60) compared with ICP-MS although generally somewhat under- or overestimated were P, Ca, As, Rb, Sr, Y, Pr, Ta and Pb. Even after recalibration, compared to ICP-MS the TXRF spectrometer produced underestimations for elements Na, Mg, Ba, Ce, Hf, La, Nd, W and Sm and overestimations for elements Bi, Tl and Zr. We validated the degree of accuracy of the TXRF analytical method after recalibration using an independent set of 20 soil samples. We also tested the accuracy of the analysis using 2 multi-element standards as well as the method repeatability on replicate samples. The resulting total element concentration repeatability for all elements analyzed were within 10% coefficient of variability after the instrument recalibration except for Cd and Tl. Our findings demonstrate that TXRF could be used as a rapid screening tool for total element concentrations in soils assuming that sufficient calibration measures are followed.
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spelling CGSpace663092025-09-25T13:01:37Z Quantification of total element concentrations in soils using total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF) Towett, Erick K. Shepherd, Keith D. Cadisch, Georg Total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF) determines concentrations of major and trace elements in multiple media. We developed and tested a method for the use of TXRF for direct quantification of total element concentrations in soils using an S2 PICOFOX™ spectrometer (Bruker AXS Microanalysis GmbH, Germany). We selected 15 contrasting soil samples from across sub-Saharan Africa for element analysis to calibrate the instrument against concentrations determined using the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) standard method. A consistent underestimation of element concentrations using TXRF compared to ICP-MS reference analysis occurred, indicating that spectrometer recalibration was required. Single-element recalibration improved the TXRF spectrometer's sensitivity curve. Subsequent analysis revealed that TXRF determined total element concentrations of Al, K, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Ga accurately (model efficacy/slope close to 1:1 line, and R(2)>0.80) over a wide range of soil samples. Other elements that could be estimated with an acceptable precision (R(2)>0.60) compared with ICP-MS although generally somewhat under- or overestimated were P, Ca, As, Rb, Sr, Y, Pr, Ta and Pb. Even after recalibration, compared to ICP-MS the TXRF spectrometer produced underestimations for elements Na, Mg, Ba, Ce, Hf, La, Nd, W and Sm and overestimations for elements Bi, Tl and Zr. We validated the degree of accuracy of the TXRF analytical method after recalibration using an independent set of 20 soil samples. We also tested the accuracy of the analysis using 2 multi-element standards as well as the method repeatability on replicate samples. The resulting total element concentration repeatability for all elements analyzed were within 10% coefficient of variability after the instrument recalibration except for Cd and Tl. Our findings demonstrate that TXRF could be used as a rapid screening tool for total element concentrations in soils assuming that sufficient calibration measures are followed. 2013-10 2015-05-19T18:02:46Z 2015-05-19T18:02:46Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/66309 en Open Access Elsevier 9. Towett, E.K., Shepherd, K.D, Cadisch, G. 2013. Quantification of total element concentrations in soils using total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF). Science of the Total Environment 463–464: 374–388
spellingShingle Towett, Erick K.
Shepherd, Keith D.
Cadisch, Georg
Quantification of total element concentrations in soils using total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF)
title Quantification of total element concentrations in soils using total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF)
title_full Quantification of total element concentrations in soils using total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF)
title_fullStr Quantification of total element concentrations in soils using total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF)
title_full_unstemmed Quantification of total element concentrations in soils using total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF)
title_short Quantification of total element concentrations in soils using total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF)
title_sort quantification of total element concentrations in soils using total x ray fluorescence spectroscopy txrf
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/66309
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