X‐Ray Fluorescence Analysis for Total Bromine Tracking in the Vadose Zone: Results for Mnsara, Morocco

Abstract

Tracking Br− movement through the vadose zone by taking undisturbed core samples and using ion chromatographic techniques based on soil‐water extracts is difficult and time consuming. Moreover, the presence of Cl− in the soil may hamper Br− detection due to interference between the two ions. The aim of this investigation was to check whether x‐ray fluorescence is an appropriate method for measuring Br concentration in soil samples. A field study was performed comparing Br− chemical analysis in soil‐water extracts to total Br in soil using an x‐ray fluorescence method. Our results showed a statistically significant functional relationship between the measured concentrations using the two methods. Total Br quantification by x‐ray fluorescence was shown to predict the total Br concentration in soil samples with minimum sample preparation (approximately 15 min) and thus the concentration within the vadose zone.