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Updated: May 9, 2026

Quantifying X-Ray Fluorescence Data Using MAPS

Quantifying X-Ray Fluorescence Data Using MAPS

Published on: February 17, 2018

Quantification of total element concentrations in soils using total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF).

Erick K Towett¹, Keith D Shepherd, Georg Cadisch

¹Institute for Plant Production and Agroecology in the Tropics and Subtropics, Universität Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 13, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), P.O. Box 30677, Nairobi 00100, Kenya.

The Science of the Total Environment

|July 9, 2013

Summary

Total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF) offers a rapid method for soil element analysis. Recalibration ensures accurate quantification of many elements, making TXRF a valuable screening tool for soil samples.

Keywords:

Calibration Rapid soil analysis Total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy Total elements Validation

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Published on: September 23, 2018

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Analytical Chemistry
Geochemistry

Background:

Total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF) is a technique for elemental analysis.
Accurate elemental quantification in soils is crucial for environmental and agricultural studies.
Standard methods like ICP-MS are accurate but can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and validate a direct TXRF method for total element quantification in soils.
To assess the accuracy and precision of TXRF compared to ICP-MS.
To determine the effectiveness of spectrometer recalibration for improving TXRF performance.

Main Methods:

TXRF analysis of 15 diverse sub-Saharan African soil samples.
Instrument calibration using single-element standards.
Comparison of TXRF results with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) data.
Validation using an independent set of 20 soil samples and multi-element standards.

Main Results:

Single-element recalibration significantly improved TXRF accuracy for many elements (Al, K, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga).
Acceptable precision (R(2)>0.60) was achieved for P, Ca, As, Rb, Sr, Y, Pr, Ta, and Pb.
Some elements showed consistent under- or overestimations even after recalibration (e.g., Na, Mg, Bi, Tl).
Repeatability was within 10% coefficient of variability for most elements, except Cd and Tl.

Conclusions:

TXRF, after proper single-element recalibration, can accurately quantify a wide range of total elements in soils.
TXRF serves as a rapid and effective screening tool for soil elemental analysis.
Careful calibration is essential for reliable TXRF soil analysis, though limitations exist for certain elements.