EDXRF and ICP-MS analysis of environmental samples

In an inter-analytical method comparison, energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) (radioactive source and x-ray tube based systems), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) analyses were carried out on seven international biological reference materials and environmental samples. Good agreement was found between the different techniques. EDXRF and ICP-MS were used to determine 28 elements such as S, P, K, Ca, V, Co, Cr, Ni, Ti, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Cd, As, Pb, Tl, Mo, Il, Th and Hg in environmental samples (coal, trees, water, vegetation and fish) collected in a coal mining area of Vietnam. The results show that the impact of coal can be seen through elevated concentrations of S, Ni, Zn, Cd, As, Hg and U in several of the samples. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.