Portable X-ray fluorescence(pXRF) spectrometers can be used to determine the elemental composition easily, rapidly, and without using chemical reagents, which is very important for tropical regions due to the lack of ...Portable X-ray fluorescence(pXRF) spectrometers can be used to determine the elemental composition easily, rapidly, and without using chemical reagents, which is very important for tropical regions due to the lack of detailed soil characterization data. Moreover,pXRF data can be used to predict the results of more expensive, time-consuming, and conventional laboratory analyses. This study sought to determine the elemental composition of various soil profiles using pXRF. Two operational modes(Trace Mode and General Mode) and two scanning time(30 and 60 s) were assessed to determine their effects on the correlation of pXRF dataset with respect to conventional inductively coupled plasma(ICP)-optical emission spectrometry analysis. This relationship has been reported in previous studies, however, few studies were performed on tropical soils, which are unique. Furthermore, such relationships establish the viability of developing prediction models directly from pXRF data. Linear regression was applied to develop calibration models for the prediction of ICP analysis results and exchangeable and available elemental contents based on pXRF data. High coefficients of determination(R^2) were obtained for Ca(0.87), Cu(0.90), Fe(0.95), Mn(0.85), Cr(0.95), V(0.72), and Ni(0.90), with adequate validation. Statistically significant results were not found for Al, K, Zn, Ti, and Zr. The models predicting the exchangeable Ca based on the total Ca from p XRF reached an R^2 of up to 0.85. Operational modes influenced the pXRF results. Our results illustrate that pXRF holds great promise for tropical soil characterization and the development of prediction models, justifying the need for larger-scale studies in tropical countries worldwide.展开更多
Frozen soils or those with permafrost cover large areas of the earth's surface and support unique vegetative ecosystems. Plants growing in such harsh conditions have adapted to small niches, which allow them to su...Frozen soils or those with permafrost cover large areas of the earth's surface and support unique vegetative ecosystems. Plants growing in such harsh conditions have adapted to small niches, which allow them to survive. In northern Alaska, USA, both moist acidic and non-acidic tundra occur, yet determination of frozen soil p Hs currently requires thawing of the soil so that electrometric pH methods can be utilized. Contrariwise, a portable X-ray fluorescence(PXRF) spectrometer was used in this study to assess elemental abundances and relate those characteristics to soil pH through predictive multiple linear regressions. Two operational modes, Soil Mode and Geochem Mode, were utilized to scan frozen soils in-situ and under laboratory conditions, respectively, after soil samples were dried and ground. Results showed that lab scanning produced optimal results with adjusted coefficient of determination(R^2) of 0.88 and 0.33 and root mean squared errors(RMSEs) of 0.87 and 0.34 between elemental data and lab-determined pH for Soil Mode and Geochem Mode, respectively. Even though the presence of ice attenuated fluoresced radiation under field conditions, adjusted R^2 and RMSEs between the datasets still provided reasonable model generalization(e.g., 0.73 and 0.49 for field Geochem Mode). Principal component analysis qualitatively separated multiple sampling sites based on elemental data provided by PXRF, reflecting differences in the chemical composition of the soils studied. Summarily, PXRF can be used for in-situ determination of soil pH in arctic environments without the need for sample modification and thawing. Furthermore, use of PXRF for determination of soil pH may provide higher sample throughput than traditional eletrometric-based methods, while generating elemental data useful for the prediction of multiple soil parameters.展开更多
基金the Brazilian funding agenciesNational Council for Scientific and Technological Development(CNPq)+1 种基金Coordination of Superior Level Staff Improvement(CAPES)Foundation for Research of the State of Minas Gerais(FAPEMIG)
文摘Portable X-ray fluorescence(pXRF) spectrometers can be used to determine the elemental composition easily, rapidly, and without using chemical reagents, which is very important for tropical regions due to the lack of detailed soil characterization data. Moreover,pXRF data can be used to predict the results of more expensive, time-consuming, and conventional laboratory analyses. This study sought to determine the elemental composition of various soil profiles using pXRF. Two operational modes(Trace Mode and General Mode) and two scanning time(30 and 60 s) were assessed to determine their effects on the correlation of pXRF dataset with respect to conventional inductively coupled plasma(ICP)-optical emission spectrometry analysis. This relationship has been reported in previous studies, however, few studies were performed on tropical soils, which are unique. Furthermore, such relationships establish the viability of developing prediction models directly from pXRF data. Linear regression was applied to develop calibration models for the prediction of ICP analysis results and exchangeable and available elemental contents based on pXRF data. High coefficients of determination(R^2) were obtained for Ca(0.87), Cu(0.90), Fe(0.95), Mn(0.85), Cr(0.95), V(0.72), and Ni(0.90), with adequate validation. Statistically significant results were not found for Al, K, Zn, Ti, and Zr. The models predicting the exchangeable Ca based on the total Ca from p XRF reached an R^2 of up to 0.85. Operational modes influenced the pXRF results. Our results illustrate that pXRF holds great promise for tropical soil characterization and the development of prediction models, justifying the need for larger-scale studies in tropical countries worldwide.
文摘Frozen soils or those with permafrost cover large areas of the earth's surface and support unique vegetative ecosystems. Plants growing in such harsh conditions have adapted to small niches, which allow them to survive. In northern Alaska, USA, both moist acidic and non-acidic tundra occur, yet determination of frozen soil p Hs currently requires thawing of the soil so that electrometric pH methods can be utilized. Contrariwise, a portable X-ray fluorescence(PXRF) spectrometer was used in this study to assess elemental abundances and relate those characteristics to soil pH through predictive multiple linear regressions. Two operational modes, Soil Mode and Geochem Mode, were utilized to scan frozen soils in-situ and under laboratory conditions, respectively, after soil samples were dried and ground. Results showed that lab scanning produced optimal results with adjusted coefficient of determination(R^2) of 0.88 and 0.33 and root mean squared errors(RMSEs) of 0.87 and 0.34 between elemental data and lab-determined pH for Soil Mode and Geochem Mode, respectively. Even though the presence of ice attenuated fluoresced radiation under field conditions, adjusted R^2 and RMSEs between the datasets still provided reasonable model generalization(e.g., 0.73 and 0.49 for field Geochem Mode). Principal component analysis qualitatively separated multiple sampling sites based on elemental data provided by PXRF, reflecting differences in the chemical composition of the soils studied. Summarily, PXRF can be used for in-situ determination of soil pH in arctic environments without the need for sample modification and thawing. Furthermore, use of PXRF for determination of soil pH may provide higher sample throughput than traditional eletrometric-based methods, while generating elemental data useful for the prediction of multiple soil parameters.
