Olympus Innov-X awarded a Research & Discovery Grant to the School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, LSU AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The awarded proposal, Pedological Applications of Portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry, is being directed by Principal Investigator, Associate Professor & Fulbright Scholar, David C. Weindorf, Ph.D.
According to Dr. Weindorf, "Pedology is the study of soil morphology, classification, and genesis. For years, soil scientists have conducted fieldwork and characterization using basic tools commonly available: tape measure, HCl, Munsell color book, and field knife. While the trained pedologist could make reasonable determinations concerning the identification and differentiation of soil horizons, in many instances, s/he is constrained by the lack of available chemical data. They must collect soils samples, return to the lab, and await data before making specific chemical determinations related to the presence of diagnostic horizons within the soil."
The LSU AgCenter research team has successfully used handheld XRF for other soil studies and with this project plans "to: 1) discreetly quantify elements such as calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), and aluminum (Al) in soils in Washington, Idaho and Alaska; (2) develop correlations to traditional laboratory analysis techniques for the elements of interest; (3) optimize/validate the predictive model generated by the XRF for field use; and (4) successfully publish the results of [their] findings in a peer reviewed scientific journal".
Dr. Weindorf and his research group will use their Olympus Innov-X DELTA Premium Handheld XRF. This handheld XRF series couples high resolution, large-area silicon drift detectors (SDD) with powerful 4W tubes to deliver fast and precise compositional analysis of a variety of materials, including soils and sediments. With dramatically reduced testing times, the DELTA allows hundreds more tests per day and significantly higher confidence allowing one to make immediate in-the-field decisions, maximizing any research and discovery budget.
DELTA analyzers offer cutting-edge electronics and X-ray technology, as well as innovative software features that make DELTA analyzers fast, user-friendly, and easy to operate. These analyzers are engineered for continual use, achieving thousands of tests per day in some applications, even in extreme environments. Every DELTA is engineered for rugged toughness AND analytical precision; there are no compromises!

For more information on the use of the DELTA for Research & Discovery, please click here.

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