Evaluation of geochemical data by two different XRF spectrometers in sediments from the Santiaguillo Basin (state of Durango, Mexico)

Abstract

XRF spectrometry is one of the commonly used methods to measure geochemical data and it involves both destructive and nondestructive sample preparation techniques. We evaluated data quality of 12 different regularly used elements in sedimentary research by calculating precision and accuracy of data generated in a portable ED-XRF (Niton FXL 950) and by applying a non-destructive sample preparation method. Different measuring modes of the spectrometer and matrix of the samples did not significantly influence the precision but influenced the accuracy. In sediments of variable matrix collected from the Santiaguillo Basin (state of Durango, Mexico), concentrations of Si, Ti, Al, Fe, Mn, Ca, K, Sr and Zr measured using the portable EDXRF showed strong and positive correlations (r≥0.8) with concentrations obtained using a conventional WD-XRF. The matrix-effect possibly caused lower correlations (r≤0.7) for Mg, P and Rb. Concentrations of elements with stronger correlations were corrected using the linear regression equations generated after comparing results of both spectrometers.