Implementation of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy as a continuous emissions monitor for toxic metals

Optimal temporal gating for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis was investigated for a select group of toxic metals, namely the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) metals arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury. The differing rates of decay between the continuum plasma emission and the atomic emission were used as a means to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio of the atomic emission lines for these six metal species. Detection windows were investigated corresponding to delay times from 2 to 50 μs following the plasma-initiating laser pulse. For the current experimental conditions, it is concluded that the relatively short delay time of 12 μs is optimal for the detection of arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, and mercury, while a longer delay time of 50 μs is optimal for the detection of chromium and lead. The reduced atomic emission intensity at relatively long delay times is compensated for by the use of long detector gate widths. Estimated detection limits are reported for the six metal species based on the optimized temporal gating and ensemble averaging of multiple laser pulses, and the implications for simultaneous metals monitoring are discussed.

Download Full-text

Determination of Toxic Metals in Petroleum, Cultivated Land and Ore Samples Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology ◽

10.1007/s00128-007-9141-7 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 78 (3-4) ◽

pp. 270-274 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

M. A. Gondal ◽

T. Hussain ◽

Z. H. Yamani ◽

Z. Ahmed

Keyword(s):

Toxic Metals ◽

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy ◽

Cultivated Land ◽

Breakdown Spectroscopy ◽

Laser Induced Breakdown

Download Full-text

An Approach of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy to Detect Toxic Metals in Crushed Ice Ball

ISRN Analytical Chemistry ◽

10.1155/2013/719483 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rahul Agrawal ◽

Ashok Kumar Pathak ◽

Awadhesh Kumar Rai ◽

Gyanendra Kumar Rai

Keyword(s):

Toxic Metals ◽

Principal Component ◽

Analytical Tool ◽

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy ◽

Breakdown Spectroscopy ◽

Minimal Sample ◽

Laser Induced Breakdown ◽

Crushed Ice

This paper deals the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to toxic metals used as pigment in crushed ice-ball samples. The present work highlights the advantages of LIBS as in situ, real-time analytical tool for rapid detection of toxic or heavy metals like lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) and non toxic elements like carbon (C), nitrogen (N), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), and potassium (K) in crushed ice-ball of different colors (red, green, yellow, pale yellow, and orange) collected from five different areas, with minimal sample preparation. For rapid surveillance of toxic metals we have used multivariate analysis, that is, principal component analysis (PCA) with the LIBS spectral data of ice-ball samples. This study suggests that LIBS coupled with PCA may be an instant diagnostic tool for identification and classification of adulterated and nonadulterated samples.

Download Full-text