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Use of portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for environmental quality assessment of peri-urban agriculture

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Abstract

Urban expansion into traditional agricultural lands has augmented the potential for heavy metal contamination of soils. This study examined the utility of field portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometry for evaluating the environmental quality of sugarcane fields near two industrial complexes in Louisiana, USA. Results indicated that PXRF provided quality results of heavy metal levels comparable to traditional laboratory analysis. When coupled with global positioning system technology, the use of PXRF allows for on-site interpolation of heavy metal levels in a matter of minutes. Field portable XRF was shown to be an effective tool for rapid assessment of heavy metals in soils of peri-urban agricultural areas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences, LSU AgCenter, 307 MB Sturgis Hall, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    David C. Weindorf, Yuanda Zhu, Somsubhra Chakraborty & Noura Bakr

  2. Institute of Soil Science—Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 821, Nanjing, 210008, People’s Republic China

    Biao Huang

Authors
  1. David C. Weindorf
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  2. Yuanda Zhu
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  3. Somsubhra Chakraborty
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  4. Noura Bakr
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  5. Biao Huang
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Correspondence to David C. Weindorf.

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Weindorf, D.C., Zhu, Y., Chakraborty, S. et al. Use of portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for environmental quality assessment of peri-urban agriculture. Environ Monit Assess 184, 217–227 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-1961-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-1961-6

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