XRF

Accurate, real time laboratory results during an environmental site investigation or remediation are an invaluable tool. These results help direct fieldwork and ensure that adequate information is collected.

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) supports environmental field work with high-quality analytical data for screening the most prevalent inorganic compounds in soil. In addition, when data is downloaded into GIS-based data management and analysis software, real-time site-wide data maps and cross-sections can be generated to show contaminant trends and information gaps.

XRF Analysis

XRF uses a radioactive source to energize elements in a sample which causes certain elements found in the sample to fluoresce. The fluorescence is then detected and analyzed, correlating to the concentration of that element within a sample.

For XRF analysis, target compounds include 37 elements. Effective for use in soil or sediments, detection limits vary based on soil type and the specific conditions of your site. For priority compounds such as lead and arsenic, detection limits meet most cleanup criteria, which means the XRF can be used as a great screening tool for determining contaminant plumes and guiding cleanup.

AEL owns and operates a field portable bench XRF (Innov-X X-5000 XRF). Our XRF has detection limits as low as 1 ppm for certain metals, which is often well below the proposed action level for sites. 

Onsite Analysis Benefits

Screening level results can be available in 5 minutes or less per sample. Maximum number of samples analyzed and reported generally averages 40-50/day. AEL’s mobile laboratory is completely self-contained and comes equipped with the most required sampling and analytical supplies. Readily transportable, analytical work can be completed at remote sites throughout Canada to reduce the number of costly site visits.