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An overview of publications dedicated to the application of various X-ray fluorescence techniques for investigating the chemical composition of ancient ceramics and clays is presented. Examples of conventional wavelength dispersive and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometers, portable X-ray analyzers, spectrometers with polycapillary optics (micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry), and total reflection geometry are considered. Although X-ray fluorescence serves as the analytical signal in all cases, the listed X‑ray fluorescence techniques differ in the range of analytes, methods of sample preparation, and methods for calculating element concentrations. The author experience in applying the described techniques of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to a comprehensive study of archaeological materials from the Stone Age for the historical reconstruction of economic activities in the Baikal Siberia population is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review covers characteristics and potential applications of various versions of the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry for analyzing both liquid and solid samples. Particular emphasis is given to research published within the past decade, as information on XRF's previous applications can be found in earlier reviews and monographs. The results of experiments on determining fundamental atomic parameters, such as mass absorption coefficients, fluorescence yields, transition probabilities for the emission of specific lines of elements, and nonradiative transition probabilities. Additionally, the review addresses the capabilities of newly designed models of XRF spectrometers developed in recent years. The application of total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for diverse samples is examined in greater detail. Furthermore, the document presents data on the utilization of XRF in investigating nanoparticles of some typical materials. These particles exhibit qualitatively novel properties and have become a focal point of nanotechnology, an area rapidly developing in the last few decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to choose the conditions for the direct analysis of different types of natural water samples by total reflection X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF). The effect of some factors on TXRF results was studied such as the surface density of dried water residue on the sample carrier, the dilution ratio of high-mineralized samples with ultrapure water and the solution of the detergent Triton X-100, the salt contents, the internal standard concentration, and repeated pipetting of an aliquot of fresh water. The influence of self-absorption phenomena on quantification results was demonstrated by using brine samples. The TXRF results for natural waters of varying salinity (brines, fresh waters, and ground waters) and model solutions are presented. For a number of analytes, the data obtained by TXRF were compared to those obtained by 'wet' chemistry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]