Application of field-portable-XRF for the determination of trace elements in deciduous leaves from a mine-impacted region

Abstract

Deciduous leaves (n = 87) from beech (Fagus sylvatica), birch (Betula spp.) and oak (Quercus spp.) trees have been collected from three metal mine-impacted sites in southwest England and tested for concentrations of trace elements (As, Cu, Pb and Zn) using a field-portable-x-ray fluorescence (FP-XRF) spectrometer configured in a low density mode and housed in a stand. When intact leaves were analysed directly, mean detection limits ranged from about 10 (As) to 70 μg g (Cu) on a fresh weight basis; after freeze-drying, respective limits increased to about 20 and 120 μg g on a dry weight basis. Within these constraints, As and Zn were detected in samples from all genera, with concentration differences between fresh and dry states attributed to the mass of water present and its propensity to attenuate x-rays. A comparison with As and Zn concentrations in local soils and determined by XRF in a higher density mode revealed different accumulation and exclusion characteristics among the three genera of tree. In contrast, and despite soil concentrations that were similar to those of Zn, Cu was detected in only two dried leaves and Pb evaded detection throughout. Pooled results from the study showed good agreement with independent results derived from ICP following acid digestion, with a slope defining the overall relationship that was close to unit value. Accordingly, the XRF approach is able to provide a rapid assessment of the levels of certain trace elements in leaves from contaminated sites, with the configuration deployed on site having potential to deliver immediate results.

Bactericidal Activity of Copper-Zinc Hybrid Nanoparticles on Copper-Tolerant Xanthomonas perforans

“…For example, traces of elemental ions can be measured using X-ray fluorescence as tested by Turner et al . 39 . They measured traces of As, Cu, Pb and Zn on leaf surfaces using a field portable x-ray fluorescence equipment (FP-XRF).…”

Trace Element Concentrations Measured in a Biomonitor (Tree Bark) for Assessing Mortality and Morbidity of Urban Population: A New Promising Approach for Exploiting the Potential of Public Health Data

“…However, the results of the present study, although preliminary, point out the feasibility of an investigation that would permit obtaining information on the health status of urban populations, combining high spatial density and low cost. Furthermore, recent investigations on other types of bioindicators have shown that there are measurements able to provide information on atmospheric metal pollution by means of other analytical techniques, even simpler and cheaper than atomic emission spectrometry, such as X-ray fluorescence [42][43][44] and magnetic analysis [45][46][47][48][49]. This would make the approach accessible to a large number of laboratories in terms of purchase and operating costs of equipment.…”

Portable XRF Quick-Scan Mapping for Potential Toxic Elements Pollutants in Sustainable urban Drainage Systems: A Methodological Approach

“…The use of pXRF for in situ measuring in the field is increasing and as is evidence of the tool's reliability, most notably Radu and Diamond [24], Bull, Brown and Turner [38], Turner and Solman [39], Rincheval, Cohen and Hemmings [28], Turner et al [29,40] and Lemière et al [41]. Researchers analyzed many forms of media, including algae, bark, soil and sediments, and all demonstrate that the results produced by the pXRF were as reliable as those produced in laboratory, using methods, such as ICP-MS. Based on the comparative analyses presented in [27][28][29][38][39][40][41], we argue that in situ measurements with the pXRF are valid as a quick-scan method for mapping PTE pollutants in SuDS. Radu and Diamond [27] have conducted an extensive study correlating pXRF results with results from laboratory atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), giving pXRF credential as a predictable in situ measuring tool.…”