Trace metal detection in E. crassipes (water hyacinth) from the Pasig river via laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Abstract
Detection of trace metals in organic samples was performed using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). A pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser was used to excite E. crassipes (water hyacinth) plant samples obtained from three areas in the Pasig River. Preliminary results from the analysis of obtained spectra show five distinct emission peaks in the 350 – 450 nm and around the 520 - 600 nm regions that could be attributed to the presence of iron, chromium, sodium and possibly aluminum, calcium and/or magnesium. Several methods for improving the LIBS emission signal detected from the set-up are enumerated. LIBS was presented as a possible alternative elemental analysis technique for organic and environmental detection applications.