Analytical Sciences

Soil Characterization by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence: Sampling Strategy for in situ Analysis

Graciela CUSTO,* Susana BOEYKENS,** L. DAWIDOWSKI,* L. FOX,*** D. GÓMEZ,* F. LUNA,*** and Cristina VÁZQUEZ*^,**

*Unidad de Actividad Química, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica, Av. Gral Paz 1499 (B1650KNA), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
**Laboratorio de Química de Sistemas Heterogéneos, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. P. Colón 850 (C1063ACV), Buenos Aires, Argentina
***Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial, Av. Gral Paz y Albarellos (B1650KNA), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina

This work describes a sampling strategy that will allow the use of portable EDXRF (energy dispersive X-ray fuorescence) instruments for “in situ” soil analysis. The methodology covers a general approach to planning field investigations for any type of environmental studies and it was applied for a soil characterization study in the zone of Campana, Argentina, by evaluating data coming from an EDXRF spectrometer with a radioisotope excitation source. Simulating non-treated sampled as “in situ” samples and a soil characterization for Campana area was intended. “In situ” EDXRF methodology is a powerful analytical modality with the advantage of providing data immediately, allowing a fast general screening of the soil composition.

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