Identification of hazardous waste by elemental analysis of leachates utilizing energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

An analytical procedure is described for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of the eight elements specified in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Extraction Procedure Toxicity Test for determining whether or not a waste is hazardous. The procedure is applied to leachates obtained from a fly ash sample and utilizes a Kevex Model 0600 Ultra-Trace (Trade Mark) Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer for concentration measurements. With the possible exception of mercury, the concentrations of the other seven elements in the ash leachates can be quantified with sufficient sensitivity and precision that allows the method to serve as a suitable screening technique for this type of solid waste. 9 refs.; 4 figs.; 2 tabs