Comparison of X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) Results for an Environmental Assessment at a Mercury Site in Kyrgyzstan

Khaidarkan, Batken Province, Kyrgyzstan is home to one of the world's largest and last primary mercury mines. Doctors without Borders (MSF) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Kyrgyzstan have found that the Batken region has an elevated rate of non-communicable diseases (NCD) within the country. NCD can be caused by environmental pollution. A human health risk assessment was conducted to investigate heavy metal exposure. Using a hand-held X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer for soil screening is faster and less expensive than reliance on bench-scale methods. To establish a site-specific mercury conversion factor between XRF and the local MOH lab's Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) with a Pyrolyzer attachment, soil samples were collected in Khaidarkan and surrounding villages. Samples were analyzed by XRF in three stages: in situ, ex situ-bulk, and ex situ-sieved. The ex situ-sieved samples were analyzed by AAS. Analysis results indicate that in situ readings can be used as a qualitative tool for screening, and a conversion factor of 1.7 was most appropriate for converting ex situ-bulk/ex situ-sieved and AAS results. This analysis enables the MOH laboratory and others to use XRF as a quick and cost-effective monitoring tool for Hg contamination in soil.

Automated summary

Khaidarkan in Batken Province, Kyrgyzstan is home to one of the largest and last primary mercury mines in the world. Doctors without Borders and the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan have discovered a higher incidence of non-communicable diseases in the Batken region, possibly due to environmental pollution. A human health risk assessment was conducted to investigate heavy metal exposure, using a handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for soil screening. The analysis results enable the use of XRF as a quick and cost-effective monitoring tool for mercury contamination in soil.