X‐Ray Fluorescence for Multi‐elemental Analysis of Vegetation Samples

Presently, the development of analytical methods to determine elemental composition of vegetation samples is of significance in many different fields. This chapter discusses the details and potentials of different X-ray fluorescence (XRF) configurations in the field of multi-elemental analysis of vegetation samples. Most commonly used sample treatment procedures are also described. The chapter includes some of the many interesting applications of XRF in environmental and agronomic studies dealing with the analysis of vegetation samples. Some of the main advantages of XRF in the field of vegetation sample analysis over other atomic spectroscopic techniques include the simplicity of sample preparation and the possibility to determine elements such as P, S, Cl, and Br which can be of significance in biological processes.