Matrix corrections for quantitative determination of trace elements in biological samples using energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry

Abstract

Abstract An experimental method for the evaluation of the matrix absorption correction (8) for the determination of trace elements in thick biological samples using EDXRF is discussed. The validity of the method was checked in two ways, first by comparing the experimental values with theoretical estimated values for samples of known matrix and second by analysing NBS biological standards in the form of thick pellets. It was found that a sample thickness of 40‐70 mg cm −2 is, in general, optimum for the analysis of biological samples in pellet form with an excitation energy of 22.6 keV.