International Journal of Physics

International Journal of Physics | Vol. 1, No. 6, June 2010 | pp. 41–48

Research Article

Title: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Analysis of Trace Heavy Metals in Contaminated Agricultural Soils

Names of Authors: O. P. Silva¹, P. Q. Santos², Q. R. Lima³

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin, UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil; ²Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; ³Embrapa Solos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract: Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was optimized for rapid quantitative detection of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) pollutants in agricultural topsoils. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser operating at lambda = 1064 nm with pulse energy E = 50 mJ generated high-temperature micro-plasmas. Calibration curves constructed using isolated atomic emission lines (Pb I at 405.78 nm, Cd I at 228.80 nm, and Cr I at 425.43 nm) demonstrated high linearity, with correlation coefficients R² greater than 0.982. The limits of detection (LOD) achieved were 4.2 mg/kg for Pb, 1.8 mg/kg for Cd, and 3.1 mg/kg for Cr. Matrix effects compensated by internal standardization using dominant Fe lines significantly improved measurement reproducibility, holding relative standard deviation (RSD) below 4.8%. The LIBS methodology proved capable of field-deployable multi-element screening without extensive chemical digestion pre-treatments.

Keywords: Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, Heavy metals, Soil contamination, Atomic emission, Trace analysis

Manuscript Timeline: Received 05 March 2010, Revised 12 April 2010, Accepted 22 April 2010, Published 01 June 2010

Citation: Silva, O. P., Santos, P. Q., & Lima, Q. R. (2010). Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Analysis of Trace Heavy Metals in Contaminated Agricultural Soils. International Journal of Physics, 1(6), 41–48. DOI: 10.46882/2010/IJP/000006

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