A general framework and practical procedure for improving pxrf measurement accuracy with integrating moisture content and organic matter content parameters

Rapid, accurate detection of heavy-metal content is extremely important for precise risk control and targeted remediation. Herein, a general modeling method and process based on the relationship between Pxrf measured values and site parameters are explored to construct a Pxrf correction model suitable to improve each site’s measurement accuracy. Results show a significant correlation between Pb, Mn, and Zn Pxrf measured values and actual concentrations, with correlation coefficients between 0.8 and 0.93. Through the correlation analysis, the correlation coefficient between the water content and the measured value of pxrf is in the range of 0.2–0.5. Pxrf measurement of all heavy metals was weakly affected by soil organic matter content, with correlation coefficients all lower than 0.5. Model transformation effectively improved the correlation between measured Pxrf value and actual concentration, and transformation increased the correlations of Sr, Mn, and Cu by around 0.11. Model verification results showed that the Pb, Zn, Fe, and Mn models can be used to improve Pxrf method detection accuracy.