Summary
This study addresses quality control and safety concerns in the fertiliser supply chain by developing portable X-ray fluorescence calibrations for rapid, field-deployable analysis of nutrient content and trace element contamination. Using a wide range of unamended and intentionally amended fertiliser samples, the authors demonstrated that pXRF can reliably quantify major nutrients (P, Ca), micronutrients (Mn, Fe, Cu) and priority contaminants (Cr, Ni, As) with high accuracy, offering a low-cost alternative to conventional laboratory characterisation methods. The technique showed particular promise for high-throughput detection of contaminants at agronomically relevant concentrations, though performance at very low concentrations (<20 mg kg⁻¹) was more variable.
UK applicability
The methodology is relevant to UK fertiliser regulation and quality assurance, particularly for monitoring compliance with product standards and detecting contaminant accumulation. However, the applicability depends on whether UK regulators and the fertiliser industry adopt pXRF as an accredited method, and whether calibrations require adjustment for UK-sourced feedstocks and amended products.
Key measures
R² values for calibration and validation models; regression coefficients; elemental concentrations (mg kg⁻¹) for macro/micronutrients and trace element contaminants
Outcomes reported
The study developed and validated empirical calibrations for portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) to measure macro and micronutrients and trace element contaminants in fertilisers. Calibration models achieved R² ≥0.97 for major nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, S) and micronutrients (Mn, Fe, Zn, Mo), and R² ≥0.80 for trace elements (Co, Ni, As, Se, Cd, Pb) in amended fertilisers.
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