Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, H: Environment & Earth Science, Volume 22 Issue 5

© 2022 Global Journals 1 Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXII Issue V Year 2022 46 ( H ) Version I Validation of X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer Technique to Determine Heavy Metal Concentrations in Soil Samples was used to alter electric current into laser light; pyrotechnics and the production of bronze. Adverse effects of arsenic to humans can be subdivided into two. Inorganic arsenic toxicity can cause lung irritation, gastro-intestinal system irritation, skin alterations, reduction in production of red blood cells and white blood cells, lung irritation, infertility, miscarriages, brain damage, heart problems, suggestion of increased chances of carcinoma have been stated and damage to the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Organic arsenic toxicity may cause stomach upsets and nerve damage (though it does not affect the DNA and is therefore not carcinogenic) [28–31]. Uses of lead which might have caused pollution are car lead-acid batteries, ammunition and projectiles, cable sheeting, sports equipment, screen sheets on computers for radiation safeguarding, lead crystal glass, roofing in buildings, stained glass windows, canister to hold corrosive liquids, lead piping and diver’s weight belt. It has also been used in the past in hair dyes, insecticides and pottery glazes. Human uptake of high concentrations of lead may cause hypertension, still births, miscarriages, premature and low births, sperm damage, peripheral nerve damage, renal impairment, brain damage, pica, signs of encephalopathy, cognitive impairment, haemoglobin synthesis disruption causing iron deficiency and abdominal pain. Children may also suffer adverse effects due to high lead concentration uptake, which causes reduced intelligence, altered brain and CNS development, increase in anti-social behaviour, a reduction in attention span and an educational achievement decline [30,32–35]. Cadmium is used in pesticides, Ni-Cd batteries, phosphate fertilizers, nuclear reactors, pigmentation for glassware, corrosive-resistant plating and as a stabilizer in the production of plastic. The adverse caused in high concentrations affect mainly the kidneys causing nephrotoxicity. Other adverse effects can also be calcium metabolism alterations, bone fractures, osteoporosis, immune system deficiencies, CNS complications, psychological disorders, gastro-intestinal disorders, infertility due to reproductive system failure, DNA impairment, cancer, stated to be genetoxic and ecotoxic in animals, and Itai-Itai disease[30,36,37]. IV. C onclusion Heavy metal soil pollution has been seen to contaminate agricultural fields due to increase in livestock and agriculture, sewage effluent, industrialisation, infrastructure, transport, urbanisation, fireworks, mining activities and warfare actions[4].Agriculture, industrialisation and fireworks are the probable cause for the farm to be polluted by these heavy metals. The results confirmed that the farm had high heavy metal pollution in As, Cd and Pb since the concentration was more than the threshold given by the Ministry of Environment in Finland. The XRF has been increasing in popularity especially since it is less time consuming, does not need any sample preparation, together with it being less costly. Samples are always ‘neat’ and do not need any preparation unlike the ICP- MS which needs chemical preparation of the sample. The study proved to validate the XRF and provide results that were similar and statistically significant to the ICP-MS, concluding that the XRF was reliable to test soil samples concerning heavy metals on a larger scale. This would be beneficial if it were to test agricultural soils making it be of use to help prevent heavy metal pollution from ending up being taken up by crops and thus, end up in the food chain. Funding: The research work disclosed in this publication is partially funded by the Endeavour Scholarship Scheme (Malta). Scholarships are part-financed by the European Union – European Social Fund (ESF) – Operational Programme II – Cohesion Policy 2014-20 “Investing in human capital to create more opportunities and promote the well-being of society”. R eferences R éférences R eferencias 1. V. Masindi, K.L. Muedi, Environmental Contamination by Heavy Metals, in: Heavy Met., InTech, 2018. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.76 082. 2. D.B.P. C.H. Walker, R.M. Sibly, S.P. Hopkin, Principles Of Ecotoxicology, 4th Editio, CRC Press, 2012. 3. Y.E. Martin, E.A. Johnson, Biogeosciences survey: Studying interactions of the biosphere with the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, Prog. Phys. Geogr. 36 (2012) 833–852. https: / /doi.org/1 0.1177/0309133312457107. 4. J. Briffa, E. Sinagra, R. Blundell, Heavy metal pollution in the environment and their toxicological effects on humans, Heliyon. 6 (2020) e04691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04691. 5. P.K. Gautam, R.K. Gautam, M.C. Chattopadhyaya, S. Banerjee, M.C. Chattopadhyaya, J.D. Pandey, Heavy metals in the environment: Fate, transport, toxicity and remediation technologies Thermodynamic profiling of pollutants View project Materials for Solid oxide fuel cells View project Heavy Metals In The Environment: Fate, Transport, Toxicity And Rem, 2016. https://www.research - gate.net/publication/314465070 (accessed November 1, 2019). 6. P.B. Tchounwou, C.G. Yedjou, A.K. Patlolla, D.J. 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