Abstract |
In April 1995, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a demonstration of field portable X-ray fluorescence (FPXRF) analyzers. The primary objectives of this demonstration were (1) to determine how well FPXRF analyzers perform in comparison to standard reference methods, (2) to identify the effects of sample matrix variations on the performance of FPXRF, (3) to determine the logistical and economic resources needed to operate these analyzers, and (4) to test and validate an SW-846 draft method for FPXRF analysis. The demonstration design was subjected to extensive review and comment by the EPAs National Exposure Research Laboratory, EPA Regional and Headquarters Superfund technical staff, the EPAs Office of Solid WasteMethods Section, and the technology developers. Two sites were used for this demonstration: the RV Hopkins site and the ASARCO Tacoma Smelter site (ASARCO). RV Hopkins is an active steel drum recycling facility and a former battery recycling operation. It is located in Davenport, Iowa. The ASARCO site is a former copper and lead smelter and is located in Tacoma, Washington. The test samples analyzed during this demonstration were evenly distributed between three distinct soil textures: sand, loam, and clay. The reference methods used to evaluate the comparability of data were EPA SW-846 Methods 3050A and 6010A, Acid Digestion of Sediments, Sludges, and Soils and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, respectively. The FPXRF analyzers tested in this demonstration were designed to provide rapid, real-time analysis of metals concentrations in soil samples. This information will allow investigation and remediation decisions to be made on-site more efficiently and can reduce the number of samples that need to be submitted for confirmatory analysis. Of the seven commercially available analyzers tested, one is manufactured by Niton Corporation (the XL Spectrum Analyzer); two are manufactured by TN Spectrace (the TN 9000 and
TN Pb Analyzer); two are manufactured by Metorex Inc. (the X-MET 920-P Analyzer and the X-MET 920-MP Analyzer); one is manufactured by HNU Systems, Inc. (the SEFA-P Analyzer); and one is manufactured by Scitec Corporation (the MAP Spectrum Analyzer). The X-MET 940, a prototype FPXRF analyzer developed by Metorex, was given special consideration and replaced the X-MET 920-P for a portion of the demonstration. This environmental technology verification report (ETVR) presents information relative to the Metorex X-MET 920-MP. Separate ETVRs have been published for the other analyzers demonstrated.
|
Notes |
Papers from the Fourth International Symposium on Fish Physiology, Toxicology, and Water Quality, held at Montana State University, Bozeman, Sept. 19-21, 1995. "September 1997." "EPA/600/R-97/098." Includes bibliographical references. |