Comparison of X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) Results for an Environmental Assessment at a Mercury Site in Kyrgyzstan
Source abstract
Abstract
Khaidarkan, Batken Province, Kyrgyzstan is home to one of the world’s largest and last primary mercury mines. Doctors without Borders (MSF) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Kyrgyzstan have found that the Batken region has an elevated rate of non-communicable diseases (NCD) within the country. NCD can be caused by environmental pollution. A human health risk assessment was conducted to investigate heavy metal exposure. Using a hand-held X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer for soil screening is faster and less expensive than reliance on bench-scale methods. To establish a site-specific mercury conversion factor between XRF and the local MOH lab’s Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) with a Pyrolyzer attachment, soil samples were collected in Khaidarkan and surrounding villages. Samples were analyzed by XRF in three stages: in situ, ex situ-bulk, and ex situ-sieved. The ex situ-sieved samples were analyzed by AAS. Analysis results indicate that in situ readings can be used as a qualitative tool for screening, and a conversion factor of 1.7 was most appropriate for converting ex situ-bulk/ex situ-sieved and AAS results. This analysis enables the MOH laboratory and others to use XRF as a quick and cost-effective monitoring tool for Hg contamination in soil.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Radioactivity and Radon Measurements · Heavy metals in environment · Mercury impact and mitigation studies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
TerraGraphics International Foundation, Moscow, ID 83843, USA
International Higher School of Medicine, Academic Consortium, International University of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek 720054, Kyrgyzstan
Scientific and Production Centre “Preventive Medicine” of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek 720005, Kyrgyzstan
Department Environmental Medicine and Human Ecology, Bishkek 720005, Kyrgyzstan
Interdistrict Kadamjai Center for Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic (Formerly Kadamjai SHL), Kadamjai 720221, Kyrgyzstan
Sanitary and Epidemiological Department for the Aydarken Region, Aydarken 720221, Kyrgyzstan
Médecins Sans Frontières, Kadamjai 720221, Kyrgyzstan
Department of Soil and Water Systems, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA
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