External proton-induced X-ray emission : A simple method for multi-elemental analysis of water

An accelerator based rapid method for multi-elemental analysis of water samples has been presented using preconcentration (metal ion as carbamates) technique followed by the use of external PIXE set-up. The problems regarding time required in creating vacuum and the irradiation of number of specimens (usually four to six numbers in a single run) in conventional vacuum-PIXE technique has been successfully overcome. The method is expected to be useful for multi-elemental analysis of various liquid samples on routine basis.