3.2. Detection limits
The detection limit used in XRF analysis can be defined as the lower limit of detection (LLD)(3σ) which is assumed to be the concentration equivalent to three standard counting errors of a set of measurements of the background intensity. Our recent studies using the PW 2440 spectrometer enabled us to scan the elements of interest and to calculate the counting statistical error (CSE) and the lowest limit of detection (LLD) for elected counting times on peaks and backgrounds. When reasonable times are selected (60 s peak – 40 s background for trace elements and 20 s peak – 10 s background for major elements) the LLD and CSE are good. Table 2 indicates the concentration interval and the lower limit of detection for each analyte. These studies have also shown that standard fused glass discs made from 2 g of powder are critically thick enough for measuring major and trace elements. However, the line intensity measuring conditions are the most important factor in determining the final detection limit.