Mixed analyte soils analysis using FAPES and diode laser spectrometry

Determinations of environmentally hazardous metals and radionuclide isotopes in soil (open-quotes wasteclose quotes) matrices were performed using Furnace Atomization Plasma Emission Spectrometry (FAPES) with a solid state array detector in combination with diode laser-based spectrometries for measurement of the targeted isotopes. The experimental system consists of a graphite furnace capacitively coupled discharge spectrometer with a photodiode array detector, and a diode laser system for performing laser absorption and fluorescence measurements. Development of this methodology for the analyses of soils for RCRA metals and isotopes of radionuclides will be discussed. This technology allows emission measurements to be made simultaneously with laser atomic absorption and/or laser excited atomic fluorescence measurements. The technology is being developed for environmental mobile laboratory field applications. Slurry sample introduction will be compared with the introduction of samples that have been microwave digested. Analytical figures of merit will be described