Elemental Analysis of Soil Samples Using Thick Target-Particle Induced X-Ray Emission (TT-PIXE) Technique

Abstract

In this work thick target-proton induced x-ray emission (TT-PIXE) technique has been employed for the elemental analysis of soil samples collected from Budha nullah region of Ludhiana city, Punjab. TT-PIXE analysis of samples has been carried out using 3 MeV proton beam from 3 UD pelletron (9SDH2 from NEC, USA) facility at the Institute of Physics (IOP), Bhubaneswar, Orissa. The emitted x-rays were detected using Si(Li) detector (CANBERRA US, FWHM = 180 eV at 5.9 keV) positioned at 90° to the beam line and using suitable electronics. The trace elements 15P, 16S, 19K, 20Ca, 22Ti, 24Cr, 25Mn, 26Fe, 29Cu, 30Zn, 33As, 37Rb, 38Sr, and 82Pb were quantified in the soil samples. The quantitative estimation of PIXE spectrum of the soil samples was performed using GUPIX computer code. The presence of 24Cr, 33As, and 82Pb toxic elements in soils is likely to be due to the pollution caused by seepage of the water at the breached locations of nullah. The present study brings to focus the need to improve the effluent treatment of the industrial wastes and repair of the breached Budha nullah. In comparison to other analytical techniques for elemental analysis, PIXE is sensitive and its multi-elemental character brings advantage to investigators for the determination of minor and trace elements in a variety of soil samples.

Authors and Affiliations

Sunil Kumar, D. Mehta

Keywords

Related Articles

Nanocomposites for Decontamination of Multicomponent Technogenic Dilutions

Employing model solutions we have tested a new technological method of neutralization of multi-metal containing effluences including low radioactive ones. The proposed approach seamlessly combines the positive properties...

Analysis of the Lepton Mixing Matrix in the Two Higgs Doublet Model

In the theoretical framework of Two Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM) plus three right-handed neutrinos we consider a universal treatment for the mass matrices, aside from that the active neutrinos acquire their small mass thro...

Rubber Additions into Concrete and Gamma Radiation Effects on Mechanical Properties and Microwave Absorption Capacity

Rubber is the indispensable raw material for the manufacture of tires; it is obtained from plants, trees and currently can be produced synthetically. The tire rubber is mixed with compounds such as carbon black, sulfur,...

Laser Radiation Effects on Adenine

Laser interaction whit the gas phase nucleobase adenine is studied. A linear TOF mass spectrometer is utilized for measurements that require high mass resolution, high sensitivity, and sufficient ion yields of low mass f...

Cluster Radioactivity in 127I

Using the preformation cluster model of Gupta and collaborators we have studied all the possible cluster decay modes of 127 I. The calculated half-lives are compared with recently measured lower limits of cluster decay h...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP593464
  • DOI 10.15415/jnp.2014.12018
  • Views 250
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Sunil Kumar, D. Mehta (2014). Elemental Analysis of Soil Samples Using Thick Target-Particle Induced X-Ray Emission (TT-PIXE) Technique. Journal of Nuclear Physics, Material Sciences, Radiation and Applications, 1(2), 225-237. https://europub.co.uk./articles/-A-593464