Determination of lead in household refuse fly-ash by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and a modified standard-addition technique
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

A Colorimetric Method for Measuring Iron Content in Plants
Published on: September 7, 2018
1Department of Analytical Chemistry, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 531, S-751 21 Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract:
Lead in fly-ash from a garbage incinerator has been determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS) and a modified standard-addition method. To keep the attenuation properties of the spiked samples constant, decreasing amounts of an attenuation modifier [mercury (II) acetate] were added together with increasing amounts of the standard (lead nitrate). Linearity between fluorescence intensity and amount of lead was thus obtained, so the amount of lead in the sample could be evaluated by linear regression. The amount of modifier needed could be calculated from a simple expression. The method was validated by comparison with the results obtained by applying atomic-absorption spectrometry (AAS) to solutions made by leaching the fly-ash with strong acid. For 8 fly-ash samples, containing between 0.8 and 1.35% lead, the largest absolute difference between the two sets of results was 0.03%. Theoretical calculations based on a simplified version of the Sherman equation were performed to confirm the linearity of the modified standard-addition curves.
More Related Videos
08:21Determination of Inorganic Arsenic in a Wide Range of Food Matrices using Hydride Generation - Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.
Published on: September 1, 2017
06:27Expression of Cementitious Pore Solution and the Analysis of Its Chemical Composition and Resistivity Using X-ray Fluorescence
Published on: September 23, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing nebulizer...
Sample Preparation for Analysis: Advanced Techniques
Acid digestion with strong acids is commonly used to dissolve inorganic materials that are insoluble (do not dissolve) in water. This method can be useful for...
Atomic Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods