RCRA metals analysis in soils by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is being developed in these labs as a rapid screening tool for RCRA and other metallic elements at hazardous waste sites. Data quality is expected to be sufficient for field-screening applications. This presentation will focus on the detection limits and sensitivities achievable in the laboratory using instrument parameters appropriate for fieldable instrumentation. For example, the detection limit for lead in spiked samples is 17 ppm based on 3 standard deviations of the blank. Concentration measurements require as little as 10 seconds once a calibration curve has been made. Comparison of LIBS results from NIST standard reference soils and Los Alamos soil will also be described.