Total boron assessment in soil samples from dry Mediterranean region using the thick target-particle induced gamma-ray emission technique

Among other trace elements, boron assessment in soils is important for assessing land quality in accordance with international criteria for landuse planning. In this paper the total boron concentrations, for more than 100 soil samples from one of the most important agricultural region in Lebanon (i.e. Akkar plain in the North), have been measured by the TT-PIGE technique using a proton beam. The specific boron gamma ray at 429 keV produced via the 10B(p, αγ)7Be nuclear reaction was used. Results are presented and discussed in relation to the lithological classes of the studied area. Furthermore, the method validation, for boron quantification in thick target soil samples using the TT-PIGE technique, employing external standards and using the so-called E 1/2 analytical approach, is highlighted and discussed