I want to perform soil nutrient analysis. I want to use X-ray fluorescence technique instead of chemical analysis that is conventionally used in lab. Is it reliable to use X-ray fluorescence for Soil analysis and find concentrations of elements in the soil?
J. C. Tarafdar
X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF) is a quick method for determining of the total elemental composition of soil samples. Unlike many laboratory techniques, XRF does not require any acid digestion techniques before the sample is analysed, therefore it can be a useful screening tool. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is the measurement and analysis of samples excited by incident radiation. This array emits a beam of x-rays or gamma rays into a sample, exciting electrons within the sample's inner atoms and displacing them from their orbital shells. It is a simple, fast and safe sample preparation without chemical waste, non-destructive analytical technique,Low cost of ownership. But not so accurate as for soil minerals can be within 20% of the lab assay or even more if the sample is not homogeneous enough.
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Christelle Petiot
I confirm too that portable/handheld XRF can be used to screen for multiple elements in soil, and with a little sample preparation, drying, homogenizing and ideally pressing into a pellet, it gives pretty reliable results.
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