Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy for in situ heavy metal analysis of ocean sediments

Highly contaminated sediments exist in harbors and coastal environments due to shipping, poor management of waste, and anthropogenic inputs. Contaminated sediment is detrimental to fisheries, shell fishing, benthic communities, and human health. Measurement of heavy metals in sediments is of interest for identifying areas with elevated levels that should be targeted for remediation and for monitoring levels during and after remediation efforts. Developing in situ sensors capable of measuring heavy metals in sediments would enable rapid analysis and large spatial observations. Here we investigate the use of Laser induced-breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), a type of atomic emission spectroscopy that can be used for elemental analysis of samples, for heavy metal analysis of sediments. We present our laboratory-based investigation that to date has demonstrated the ability of LIBS to measure cadmium, nickel, zinc, lead, and copper and to measure zinc underwater.