The Application of Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) for Elemental Analysis of Sediment Samples in the Laboratory and Its Influencing Factors
Several techniques, such as chemical methods and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), are available to accurately determine element content. However, they are time-consuming, labor-intensive, or expensive. Portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) can be applied in various sc...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/8/989 |
| _version_ | 1797583680892305408 |
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| author | Shuguang Zhou Jinlin Wang Yong Bai Wei Wang Shanshan Wang |
| author_facet | Shuguang Zhou Jinlin Wang Yong Bai Wei Wang Shanshan Wang |
| author_sort | Shuguang Zhou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Several techniques, such as chemical methods and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), are available to accurately determine element content. However, they are time-consuming, labor-intensive, or expensive. Portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) can be applied in various scenarios, with significantly higher efficiency and cost-effectiveness than laboratory methods. However, it also has limitations such as lower detection capability, relatively high detection limits, and lower accuracy than laboratory methods. In this study, we focused on applying pXRF to determine the elemental content of sediment samples and investigate its use in mineral exploration. A variety of factors influencing the results of pXRF analysis were analyzed. Our results showed that pXRF could detect more than 30 elements in stream sediments. The reliability of pXRF’s measurements was affected by factors such as the kind of element, sediment particle size, sample grinding treatment, count time, averaged element content, standard deviation of content, and range of content variation. The combination of pXRF analysis and laboratory analysis of partial samples is adequate for establishing a multi-element content inference equation. With this equation, it is possible to effectively infer the content gradient of elements, which will provide valuable support for mineral resource exploration. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:42:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-321811ed44584d31bbd15fae57f279f8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:42:20Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-321811ed44584d31bbd15fae57f279f82023-11-19T02:19:45ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2023-07-0113898910.3390/min13080989The Application of Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) for Elemental Analysis of Sediment Samples in the Laboratory and Its Influencing FactorsShuguang Zhou0Jinlin Wang1Yong Bai2Wei Wang3Shanshan Wang4State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, ChinaSeveral techniques, such as chemical methods and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), are available to accurately determine element content. However, they are time-consuming, labor-intensive, or expensive. Portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) can be applied in various scenarios, with significantly higher efficiency and cost-effectiveness than laboratory methods. However, it also has limitations such as lower detection capability, relatively high detection limits, and lower accuracy than laboratory methods. In this study, we focused on applying pXRF to determine the elemental content of sediment samples and investigate its use in mineral exploration. A variety of factors influencing the results of pXRF analysis were analyzed. Our results showed that pXRF could detect more than 30 elements in stream sediments. The reliability of pXRF’s measurements was affected by factors such as the kind of element, sediment particle size, sample grinding treatment, count time, averaged element content, standard deviation of content, and range of content variation. The combination of pXRF analysis and laboratory analysis of partial samples is adequate for establishing a multi-element content inference equation. With this equation, it is possible to effectively infer the content gradient of elements, which will provide valuable support for mineral resource exploration.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/8/989portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF)stream sedimentgeochemistryelement contentmineral exploration |
| spellingShingle | Shuguang Zhou Jinlin Wang Yong Bai Wei Wang Shanshan Wang The Application of Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) for Elemental Analysis of Sediment Samples in the Laboratory and Its Influencing Factors Minerals portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF) stream sediment geochemistry element content mineral exploration |
| title | The Application of Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) for Elemental Analysis of Sediment Samples in the Laboratory and Its Influencing Factors |
| title_full | The Application of Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) for Elemental Analysis of Sediment Samples in the Laboratory and Its Influencing Factors |
| title_fullStr | The Application of Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) for Elemental Analysis of Sediment Samples in the Laboratory and Its Influencing Factors |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Application of Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) for Elemental Analysis of Sediment Samples in the Laboratory and Its Influencing Factors |
| title_short | The Application of Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) for Elemental Analysis of Sediment Samples in the Laboratory and Its Influencing Factors |
| title_sort | application of portable x ray fluorescence pxrf for elemental analysis of sediment samples in the laboratory and its influencing factors |
| topic | portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF) stream sediment geochemistry element content mineral exploration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/8/989 |
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