Field-Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (FP-XRF) Determinations of Metals in Post-Blast Ordnance Residues

摘要

Field-portable X-ray fluorescence (FP-XRF) analyzers, such as the Niton 700, provide rapid, on-site analyses for a variety of elements. FP-XRF was used to determine metals in post-blast ordnance residue that was deposited on snow, which provided large collection surfaces that were free of soil particles. The ordnance items included M67 hand grenades, 40-mm grenades, 60-mm and 81-mm mortar projectiles, 105-mm howitzer projectiles, claymore mines, and C4 demo blocks with M6 blasting caps. For most of these items, the post-blast residue contained lead, iron, copper, and zinc. FP-XRF also was used to determine these elements in soils from training ranges where these ordnance items were used. When present above the FP-XRF limits of detection, the FP-XRF determinations of lead, zinc, and copper were not found to be significantly different from determinations by laboratory analyses.