Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry technique as an efficient monitoring tool for mercury contamination

✍ Scribed by C. K. Bhat; C. L. Bhat; G. S. Lodha; D. K. Koul

• Book ID: 104754181
• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 447 KB
• Volume: 41
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0167-6369
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00394248

✦ Synopsis

This paper illustrates the useful early-warning role of the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique against a potential health hazard being posed by dumping effluents from an industrial unit involved in the manufacture of lead-batteries, in a nearby water-canal used for irrigation purposes by surrounding villages. These effluents were shown to contain mercury at a potentially unsafe level, resulting in timely initiation of necessary preventive measures. The standard fundamental parameter method was invoked for a quantitative estimation of the mercury (Hg) concentration. In addition, L-series (rather than the usual K-series) X-rays were used for excitation, mainly on account of the type of the available excitation source.