ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Determination of High Zn and Pb Concentrations
in Polluted Soils Using Energy-Dispersive X-ray
Fluorescence Spectrometry
R. Sitko1, B. Zawisza1, J. Jurczyk1*, F. Buhl1, U. Zielonka2
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1 Institute of Chemistry, Silesian University, Szkolna 9, 40-006 Katowice, Poland;
2 Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas, 40-833 Katowice, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2004;13(1):91-96
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
A method of determination of high Zn and Pb concentrations by means of EDXRF (energy-dispersive
X-ray fluorescence spectrometry) is presented. Zn and Pb concentration in soil samples from contaminated
areas ranged within a limit of Zn: 800–2000ppm and Pb: 200–600ppm. Soil analysis was conducted
directly after the samples had been dried and powdered, as well as in situ in polluted areas. Due to the
absence of the certificate reference materials for soils with such high Zn and Pb concentrations, samples of
soil with the Pb and Zn amounts determined using the AAS method were used to perform calibration. The
obtained detection limits are 30ppm and 19ppm for Zn and Pb, respectively. Because of the high analytes
concentration and material heterogeneity, the repeatability of the results was examined according to the
sample holder’s various positions in EDXRF analyzer; repeatability the of the results while putting into the
sample holder and out of it, together with the repeatability of making the calibration. The results obtained
using the EDXRF method were compared to these obtained using AAS and wavelength-dispersive X-ray
fluorescence spectrometry (WDXRF).