Qualitative comparison of elemental concentration in soils and other geomaterials using FP-XRF

Field portable X-ray fluorescence (FP-XRF) has tremendous potential in geoenvironmental engineering as a qualitative assessment tool. Identification of the elevated concentrations of the selected elements (Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in various geomaterials like soil-like-material (SLM), incinerated bottom ash (IBA), construction and demolition waste (CDW), zinc tailings (ZT) and fly ash (FA) was performed by FP-XRF and compared with the local soil-Delhi silt. Comparably higher concentrations (mg/kg) of Cr (401.0), Cu (499.0), Pb (532.0), Zn (608.0) in SLM, Cr (195.0), Cu (419.0), Ni (93.0), Pb (931.0), Zn (771.0) in IBA and Cr (195.0), Cu (4000.0), Pb (671.0), Zn (7122.0) in ZT were observed. CDW and FA showed similar concentrations range as in local soils. FP-XRF was also used in-situ on local soil at 11 sites to examine its ability to identify the elements with significant variations in concentrations. The results showed high variability in Cl and S concentration values across the 11 sites attributed to the changing moisture content and dissolved salts. The concentration range for the remaining elements were similar at all sites. The verification of the detected elements through visual inspection of the spectrum was also carried out.

Automated summary

Field portable X-ray fluorescence (FP-XRF) has great potential as a qualitative assessment tool in geoenvironmental engineering. The identification of elevated concentrations of selected elements in various geomaterials and the ability of FP-XRF to detect variations in element concentrations in local soil demonstrate its suitability for use in geoenvironmental studies.