A new method to measure the trace elemental composition of size-resolved airborne particles that uses acetone extraction followed by ICPMS analysis is compared to three other established methods: copper anode XRF, molybdenum anode XRF, and an ICPMS method that uses HF digestion. The method detection limit (MDL), accuracy, and precision of each method is studied through the analysis of ambient s...

The purpose of this unit is to introduce the fundamental principles of x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), apply this method to the analysis of simulated data for heavy metals in suspended particulate and sediment samples from Lake Nakuru and critically contrast XRF with alternative methods for determination of heavy metal concentrations. The content is appropriate for students in a course i...

The main objective of the present study is to specify the chemical properties of individual rain droplets. For this purpose, we have combined the collodion replication method and the SR-XRF microprobe technique. The dry residual materials retained in a single rain droplet, which correspond to the former cloud condensation nuclei and the scavenged particles during droplet falling, were successiv...

Micro-XRF analysis provides us with elemental maps, which are very useful for understanding the samples under test. Usually, scanning-type elemental mapping is performed. That means, a sample stage is scanned to a fixed X-ray micro beam. XRF analysis is performed at the scanned points, leading to 2D elemental mapping. One of the drawbacks of this technique is the long acquisition time depending...

The value assignment of candidate Standard Reference Material (SRM) 57b Silicon Metal provided an opportunity to develop an alkali reaction procedure as a precursor to borate fusion for the preparation of test specimens from the metal powder for X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). Suggested for this purpose by Blanchette (Adv. X-Ray Anal., 45, 415, 2002), the alkali reaction uses LiOH·H2O to...

Hard X-ray fluorescence (XRF) microscopy offers unparalleled sensitivity for quantitative analysis of most of the trace elements in biological samples, such as Fe, Cu, and Zn. These trace elements play critical roles in many biological processes. With the advanced nano-focusing optics, nowadays hard X-rays can be focused down to 30 nm or below and can probe trace elements within subcellular com...

Iodine is enriched and stored in the thyroid gland. Due to several factors, the size of the thyroid iodine pool varies both between individuals and within individuals over time. Excess iodine as well as iodine deficiency may promote thyroid cancer. Therefore, knowledge of iodine content and distribution within thyroid cancer tissue is of interest. X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) and secondary...

OBJECTIVES X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a non-invasive method for determining the iodine content of the thyroid gland in vivo. In spite of the obvious clinical value of such a method in situations of iodine deficiency or iodine overload, the method has not so far been widely used. The objective was to investigate the applicability of the XRF method in a larger number of subjects. DESIGN AND SU...

A fast and reliable method for the analysis of airborne loaded filters becomes more and more important for monitoring campaigns and inventory studies at sites with airborne pollution. Xray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) can perform quantitative analysis on filters without any pretreatment. Quantitative determination of various metals on loaded filters requires the use of calibration curves set...

The stability of Hg in an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene disk certified reference material (ABS disk CRM, NMIJ CRM 8116-a) during measurements by wavelength dispersion X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) analysis was evaluated in this study. The XRF intensities of Hg (L(α)) and Pb (L(α)) as well as the XRF intensity ratios of Hg (L(α))/Pb (L(α)) observed under different X-ray tube current conditions a...