Analysis of heavy metals in marine sediment using a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer onboard an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Author

Breen, Jeremy ; De Souza, Paulo ; Timms, Greg ; McCulloch, John ; Ollington, Robert

fYear

2012

fDate

21-24 May 2012

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

5

Abstract

Research is being conducted into performing chemical analysis of marine sediments in situ using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) equipped with an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer and X-ray tube. This is for the purpose of identifying regions of high heavy metal concentrations. A housing has been designed to safely attach the XRF system to the AUV. Work has been done on analysing sediment samples taken from the Derwent Estuary, Hobart, Tasmania using the analysis techniques that will be used on-board the AUV during a mission.

Keywords

X-ray fluorescence analysis; X-ray spectrometers; X-ray tubes; autonomous underwater vehicles; ocean chemistry; oceanographic techniques; sediments; Australia; Derwent Estuary; Hobart; Tasmania; X-ray tube; XRF system; autonomous underwater vehicle; chemical analysis; heavy metal analysis; high heavy metal concentrations; marine sediments; portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer; sediment sample analysis; Fluorescence; Pollution measurement; Sediments; Sensors; Underwater vehicles; Zinc;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

OCEANS, 2012 - Yeosu

Conference_Location

Yeosu

Print_ISBN

978-1-4577-2089-5

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/OCEANS-Yeosu.2012.6263419

Filename

6263419