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FIELD MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGY FOR MERCURY IN SOIL AND SEDIMENT NITON'S XLI/XLT 700 SERIES X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYZER
Citation:
Billets, S N., J. Nicklas, AND J. Evans. FIELD MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGY FOR MERCURY IN SOIL AND SEDIMENT NITON'S XLI/XLT 700 SERIES X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYZER. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-03/148 (NTIS PB2005-100119), 2004.
Impact/Purpose:
The objective of this program is to promote the acceptance and use of innovative field technologies by providing well-documented performance and cost data obtained from field demonstrations.
Description:
NITON's XL-700 Series X-ray fluorescence analyzers were demonstrated under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation Program in May 2003 at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The purpose of the Demonstration was to collect reliable performance and cost data for the XLi 702 and XU 792 and four other field measurement devices for mercury in soil and sediment. The key objectives of the Demonstration were: 1) determine sensitivity of each instrument with respect to a vendor-generated method detection limit (MDL) and practical quantitation limit (POL); 2) determine analytical accuracy associated with vendor field measurements using field samples and standard reference materials; 3) evaluate the precision of vendor field measurements; 4) measure time required to perform mercury measurements; and 5) estimate costs associated with mercury measurements for capital, labor, supplies, and investigation-derived wastes. The Demonstration involved analysis of standard reference materials (SRMs), field samples collected from four sites, and spiked field samples for mercury. The performance results for a given field measurement device were compared to those for an off-site laboratory reference method, "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste" (SW-846) Method 7471 B.
The sensitivity, accuracy, and precision measurements were successfully completed for both instruments. Results with the XU 702 were found to be very precise and accurate when compared to standard reference materials. During the Demonstration, NITON required 17.5 hours (assumes one technician) for analysis of 197 samples. The measurement costs were estimated to be $7, 786 for NITON's XU 702 rental option, or $39.52 per sample; $13.18 per sample excluding capital costs. Results for the XU 792 was found to be very precise and accurate when compared to standard reference materials. During the Demonstration, NITON required 17.5 hours (assumes one technician) for analysis of 197 samples. The measurement costs were estimated to be $9,396 for NITON's XU 792 rental option, or $47.69 per sample; $13.18 per sample excluding capital costs.
The XL-700 Series Analyzers exhibited good ease of use and durability, as well as no major health and safety concerns. The analyzers are hand-held single units and extremely portable. While the devices are available for purchase, the lead time of 2 to 6 weeks may limit their application to some sites where rapid response is required; although, rental units are usually available in 10 to 14 days. NITON maintains 10 isotope and 3 X-ray tube units for rental, but their availability is subject to demand. The Demonstration findings collectively indicated that the XL-700 Series Analyzers are rapid, lightweight, hand-held portable field measurement devices for mercury in soil.