X-Ray fluorescence analysis in the scanning electron microscope

Summary X-ray fluorescence analysis can be performed in a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer by means of a special attachment. For the production of primary X-rays a target is positioned in the electron beam. With this technique an improvement of the detection limits is obtained because of the small fraction of bremsstrahlung in the X-ray spectrum. As a disadvantage a loss of lateral resolution occurs. The performance features of different types of construction (transmission and massive targets) are be compared for experimental results and theoretical models.The paper has been presented at 12th Colloquium on Materials Analysis, Institute for Analytical Chemistry, Technical University in Vienna, May 13–15, 1985.     

X-Ray fluorescence analysis of trace elements in fruit juice

X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry is applied to the determination of trace elements in fruit juice characterized by a high content of sugar and other soluble solid substances. Samples are prepared by evaporation, carbonization and pressing into discs. The synthesis of standards is described in detail. All element concentrations are directly estimated from linear calibration curves obtained without any matrix correction. The results of the analysis are in good agreement with those given by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry techniques.     

X-Ray fluorescence analysis of thulium oxide for rare earth impurities

A wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometric method has been developed for the analysis of thulium oxide to determine the neighbouring rare earth impurities. The sample is taken in oxalate form and the analysis is done on a Philips PW 1220 spectrometer with a LiF (200) crystal. The detection limit for holmium, lutetium and yttrium is 0.002%, for dysprosium and erbium 0.005% and for, ytterbium it is 0.01%. The precision at each concentration of the standards and the theoretical detection limits have been calculated. Intensity correction factors for the line overlaps have been determined.     

Automated energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis of environmental samples

Summary A procedure is described for the routine automatic analysis of 20 elements in small environmental samples. Up to 50 samples a day can be processed. The instrument uses an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer for the simultaneous detection of all elements during a 5–20 min measurement. Computer techniques are used for the subsequent data reduction of the X-ray spectra. The technique is applicable to air particulate matter filtered from the air, to suspended material in water which is filtered on a filter paper and to dissolved trace elements which are evaporated on filter paper or are collected on a thin ion-exchange loaded paper.

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Automatisierte energie-dispersive Röntgenfluorescenzanalyse von Umweltmaterial

Zusammenfassung Ein Verfahren zur automatischen Routinebestimmung von 20 Elementen in Umweltmaterial wird beschrieben. Bis zu 50 Proben je Tag können verarbeitet werden. Ein energie-dispersives Röntgenspektrometer wird zur simultanen Erfassung aller Elemente bei einer Messung von 5–20 min benutzt. Die nachfolgende Auswertung der Spektren wird mittels Computer durchgeführt. Das Verfahren findet Anwendung auf Schwebestaub oder in Wasser suspendierte Substanzen, die auf Filterpapier gesammelt wurden sowie auf gelöste Elementspuren, die auf Filterpapier getrocknet oder durch Ionenaustauschpapier angereichert wurden.

     

Radioisotope X-ray fluorescence analysis of vanadium in petroleum coke samples

Radioisotope X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, RIXRF, was used for the determination of vanadium in Venezuelan petroleum coke samples using a simple standardless method and fundamental parameter approach. The values obtained by this method were in agreement with values measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, GFAAS.     

Total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis of trace-elements in candies marketed in Mexico

Trace metals concentrations in food are significant for nutrition, due either to their nature or toxicity. Sweets, including chewing gum and candies, are not exactly a food, but they usually are unwearied consumed by children, the most vulnerable age-group to any kind of metal contamination in the food chain. The presence of relatively high concentrations of heavy metals such as Lead elicits concern since children are highly susceptible to heavy metals poisoning. Trace-metals concentrations were determined for six different flavors of a Mexican candy by means of Total X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry. Triplicate samples of the various candy's flavours (strawberry, pineapple, lemon, blackberry, orange and chilli) were digested in 8 mL of a mix of supra-pure HNO₃ and H₂O₂ (6 mL: 2 mL) in a microwave oven MARS-X. Results show the presence of essential and toxic elements such as Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, and Pb. All metal concentrations were higher and significantly different (α = 0.05) in chilli candy, compared to other candy flavours. Lead concentration fluctuated in the range of 0.102 to 0.342 μg g^− 1. A discussion about risk consumption and concentration allowed by Mexican and International Norms is made. As a part of the Quality Control Program, a NIST standard of “Citrus Leaves” and a blank were treated in the same way.     

Non-destructive analysis of archeological samples by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence

Summary A non-destructive method is described for the determination of major and minor constituents in archeological specimens by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Homogeneity tests are made by measuring at various sites of the specimen. In the same way, mean values are obtained for inhomogeneous specimen without taking samples. For calibration, powder standards are used. In case of the determination of elements with numbers up to 14 (Si) a vacuum chamber is used and the dimensions of the specimens are limited by the dimensions of that vacuum chamber, whereas for the determination of elements from K up to U specimens of any size, form or weight are suitable.

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Zerstörungsfreie Analyse von archäologischen Proben mit Hilfe der Energie-dispersiven Röntgenfluorescenzanalyse

Zusammenfassung Eine zerstörungsfreie Methode für die Bestimmung von Haupt- und Nebenbestandteilen in archäologischen Proben mit Hilfe der Energie-dispersiven Röntgenfluorescenzanalyse wird beschrieben. Für Homogenitätstests wird an mehreren Stellen der Probe gemessen. In der gleichen Weise werden für inhomogene Proben Mittelwerte erhalten ohne Probenahme. Für die Eichung werden Pulverstandards verwendet. Im Falle der Bestimmung von Elementen mit Ordnungszahlen bis 14 (Si) wird eine Vakuumkammer eingesetzt, und die Dimensionen der Proben sind durch die Dimensionen dieser Vakuumkammer begrenzt, während für die Bestimmung der Elemente K bis U Proben jeder Größe, jeder Form oder jeden Gewichts verwendbar sind.

     

X-ray fluorescence spectrometry applied to the analysis of environmental samples

X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is an expanding technique in the field of environmental analysis for both air and water pollution studies. Its capabilities now include the determination of gaseous contaminants in air in addition to the established area of elemental analysis, covering airborn particulates and soluble trace elements in water.     

Multielement trace analysis of solid and liquid samples by X-ray fluorescence

Summary The use of energy-dispersive multielement X-ray analysis is described and the radionuclides¹⁰⁹Cd and²⁴¹Am and X-ray tubes combined with secondary targets are compared as X-ray sources. Solid powdered samples of infinite thickness are used without further treatment. Calibration standards are prepared from silica gel, and correction factors are derived from the peak heights of Compton scattering. Results for various geological samples and for dust samples are presented. Liquid samples are treated by means of a column or a filter with chelating groups bound to cellulose. A thin layer of the cellulose powder or the filter is analysed with the aid of calibration graphs. Results of multielement trace analysis of standardized water, river water and sea-water are presented and discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Die Anordnung für die energie-dispersive Multielement-Röntgenfluores-zenzanalyse einerseits mit Hilfe von Radionukliden (¹⁰⁹Cd und²⁴¹Am), andrerseits mit Röntgenröhren in Verbindung mit Sekundärtargets als Röntgenquellen wird beschrieben und verglichen. Feste Proben unendlicher Dicke werden in Pulverform ohne weitere Vorbehandlung verwendet. Die Eichung erfolgt mit Standardpräparaten, die aus Silicagel hergestellt werden und unter Anwendung eines Korrekturfaktors, der aus der Höhe der Peaks der Compton-Streuung abgeleitet wird. Ergebnisse für verschiedene geologische Proben und für Staub werden vorgelegt. Flüssige Proben werden mit einer Säulenmethode oder einer Filtermethode behandelt, wobei chelatbildende Gruppen auf Cellulose verwendet werden. Die dünne Schicht des Cellulosepulvers oder das Filter werden mit Hilfe von Eichkurven analysiert. Ergebnisse der Multielement-Spurenanalyse von standardisiertem Wasser, Leitungswasser, Flußwasser und Meerwasser werden vorgelegt und diskutiert.

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Presented at the International Symposium on Microchemical Techniques, May 23–27, 1977, Davos, Switzerland.     

Element determination in medieval soil samples by total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis

An aqua regia extraction procedure for heavy metals in soils optimised for total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis is presented. The procedure is applied to 92 soil samples of medieval layers from the city area of Dortmund. Sixteen elements (P, S, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Ag, Sn, and Pb) were used to characterise 17 sample sites. The results are projected onto the medieval urban structure of Dortmund. Two sites loaded with non-ferrous heavy metal could be detected and correlated with archaeological data. The efficiency and repeatability of the proposed extraction procedure is discussed.     

Determination of trace elements in macrozoobenthos samples by total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis

The paper describes the analysis of a set of metals in macrozoobenthos samples from a river in Western Austria by using total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF). Metal concentrations in aquatic insect larvae from an industrially contaminated site are significantly higher than in larvae from a reference site. Furthermore, species-specific differences in metal accumulation were found. TXRF allows multi-element analysis of very low metal concentrations in very small sample masses (e.g. single aquatic insect larvae with a dry weight of only a few milligrams). Due to its multi-element capability and high sensitivity total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis is a valuable tool for biomonitoring studies of metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems.     

Determination of sulfite in water samples by flow injection analysis with fluorescence detection

<正>A fast,sensitive,and reliable method for the determination of sulfite(SO_3~(2-)) in fresh water and seawater samples was developed.The proposed method was based on the reaction of o-phthalaldehyde(OPA)-sulfite-NH_3 in alkaline solution,with flow injection analysis and fluorescence detection.The experimental parameters were investigated in pure water and seawater matrixes. The detection limits(S/N = 3) were 0.006μmol/L in pure water and 0.018μmol/L in seawater for SO_3~(2-).The method was successfully applied to analyze SO_3~(2-) in the samples of rain water and flue gas desulfurization seawater.     

<Superscript>206</Superscript>Pb/<Superscript>207</Superscript>Pb ratios in dry deposit samples from the Metropolitan Zone of Mexico Valley

²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb isotope ratios of dry deposit samples in the Metropolitan Zone of Mexico Valley (MZMV) were determined and correlated with some contemporary environmental material such as gasoline, urban dust, etc., as possibile pollution sources, the latter presenting different signatures ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios were determined in samples “as is” by ICP-MS, using an Elan-6100. A standard material NIST-981 was used to monitor accuracy and to correct mass fractionation. The calculated enrichment factors of lead (taking rubidium as a conservative endogenous element) show its anthropogenic origin with percentages higher than 97.65%. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratio in dry deposit samples ranges from 0.816 to a maximum of 1.154, following a normal distribution. Arithmetic mean was 0.9967±0.0864 lower than those of possible pollution sources: 1.1395±0.0165 for gasoline, 1.071±0.008 for industrially derived lead and, for the more radiogenic natural soil and urban dust values ranging from 1.2082±0.022 to 1.211±0.108. The possible origin of lead in gasoline used prior to 1960 is discussed.     

A study of indoor radon in greenhouses in Mexico City, Mexico

Enclosed spaces in contact with soil, the main source of radon, like greenhouses have potentially high radon (²²²Rn) concentrations. Greenhouses are frequented by visitors and also are workplaces. The study of radon concentrations in greenhouses is, thus, a relevant concern for public health and environmental radiation authorities. For this study, the radon concentrations in 12 greenhouses in different locations within Mexico City were measured using nuclear track methodology. The detectors used for the study consisted of the well-known closed-end cup device, with CR-39 Lantrack^® as detector material. The measurements were carried out over a period of one year, divided into four three-month sub-periods. The lowest and highest annual mean radon concentrations found in individual greenhouses were 17.0 and 45.1 Bq/m³, respectively. The annual mean averaged over all 12 greenhouses was 27.3 Bq/m³. No significant seasonal variation was observed. Using the highest annual mean radon concentration found in an individual greenhouse, and an equilibrium factor of 0.4, the effective dose from ²²²Rn and its progenies was calculated to be 339.9 nSv/h. This corresponds to an annual dose rate of 679.8 μSv/y (0.057 WLM/y) for a worker spending 4 h a day, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year, inside the greenhouse. For a visitor spending 12 h a year inside the greenhouse the annual dose is 2.469 μSv/y. The study of indoor radon concentrations in closed buildings such as greenhouses, which are both workplaces and open to visitors, is an important public health consideration.     

Picoliter solution deposition for total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis of semiconductor samples

A deposition system capable of delivering picoliter quantities of solution in programmable arrays was investigated as a method for sample preparation for total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectroscopy. Arrays of trace metals in solution were deposited on Si wafers. The array deposits provide a capability of depositing closely spaced (100 μm or less), typically 5–20 μm diameter droplets in an area that can be matched to the analysis spot of the TXRF detector. The dried depositions were physically characterized and the effect of deposition type and matrix on the TXRF signal was investigated.     

X-ray fluorescence analysis of the concentration and valence state of sulfur in pollution samples

Two special X-ray spectrometers have been developed for the measurement of sulfur pollution. One of them is a portable instrument which uses a 50 W aircooled X-ray tube and a vacuum spectrometer with a NaCl crystal. It can detect 0.5μg/cm² of S in 100-s counting interval. The other instrument is specifically for the measurement of valence state of sulfur. It consists of a replacement channel for the multiple-crystal spectrometer instrument used by the Environmental Protection Agency for routine analysis. With this replacement channel details of the sulfur spectrum can be scanned or the crystal may be set for the sulfate Kβ satellite for routine determination of the sulfate fraction of total sulfur.     

Rapid qualitative determination of main components in archeological samples by radioisotope-excited X-ray fluorescence analysis

Archeological specimen were examined by the radioisotope-excited X-ray method to determine their chemical composition. Individual K and L X-rays of Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mo, Ag, In, Sn, Sb, and Ba were induced by using²⁴¹Am−I and²⁴¹Am−Tm source—target assemblies. A lithium drifted silicone diode coupled to a 400-channel analyzer was used for detection. No sample preparation was required and all the elements were measured simultaneously in 40 min counting time.