Solving of some environmental pollution problems by X-ray fluorescence analysis

The application of Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis for environmental pollution control is described. The paper gives details of both sampling and measurement procedures for air particles and plant samples. The usability of the method is shown on some examples typical in environment protection practice. For instance with simultaneous sampling of air in more than one place, one can identify the polluting source and determine the contribution of this source to the total level of local pollution as well. It is possible with the EDXRF to investigate short and long-term concentration variations of metals in air including the distance factor too. Analysis of plant samples was performed in order to evaluate the contribution of automotive traffic to environmental pollution in areas of national parks. Examples of application of the method described in the paper give evidence of the EDXRF as a good tool for investigating environmental pollution. (author)