The document discusses the use of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology for analyzing soil samples. It finds that prepared soil samples analyzed with XRF closely match results from laboratory analysis. However, unprepared samples may not meet accuracy standards for XRF. The document provides examples of elements where XRF performs poorly and interference issues. It presents a case study of using XRF to test for arsenic and lead on land being developed for housing. Key takeaways are that XRF is suitable for some elements when samples are prepared properly, and its limitations can be understood to focus confirmatory laboratory testing.

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Andrew Rumsby and Graeme Proffitt
Pattle Delamore Partners Ltd
Auckland
WasteMINZ Conference 2015
Rotorua
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Ideal Samples

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Results from Unprepared Samples

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Results for Unprepared Samples

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Types of Samples to be Avoided
• Samples which a high percentage of
gravels in them (need to be sieved)
• Very wet samples should be avoided

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Indicative Detection Limits of FP-XRF (using 60 seconds per filter)
Element
Human health
or
environmental
concern?
Typical FP-XRF
detection limit
(mg/kg)
Ease of comparison to
guidelines/standards
Antimony,
(Sb) Yes 20
Questionable depending on
guideline adopted for rural
lifestyle/residential (10%
produce ingestion),
laboratory validation testing
recommended.
Arsenic,
(As) Yes 7
Questionable for rural
lifestyle /residential (10%
produce ingestion),
laboratory validation testing
recommended.
Cadmium,
(Cd) Yes 12
Not valid for rural
lifestyle/residential (10%
produce ingestion)
investigations. Valid for high
density residential land-use,
commercial/industrial
Copper,
(Cu) Yes 15 Usually valid
Lead, (Pb) Yes 8 Usually valid
Zinc, (Zn) Yes 12 Usually valid

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Some Elements which XRF are not so good
for Human Health Investigations (Residential)

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Cadmium Interference

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Case Study
• 1.5 ha rural site
• Used for organically growing flowers
• Owner says no pesticides use on
land
• Preliminary testing indicates elevated
As and Pb concentrations
• 45 houses will be developed on-site.
• CLMG#5 says 25 samples should
be collected

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Insert Title – In Slide Figure
Case Study

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Take Home Points
• XRF is a good tool for some elements
• Prepared samples results give good agreement with
lab samples results
• Unprepared samples may not meet the 0.9 r2 criteria
• But by understand the limits of uncertainty in XRF data
you can target lab analysis to samples which need it.

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Acknowledgments
PDP would like to thank Graham
Corban of Hill Labs for the kind
permission to use data from his
study into the “Effects of Sample
Preparation on the Accuracy of
Total Recoverable Heavy Metals”

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Questions?

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