The Adelaide XRF Laboratory

The application of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) to elemental analysis at the CSIRO Land and Water Adelaide Laboratory goes back to the early days of XRF spectrometry. In 1950, Edward Radoslovich developed an XRF spectrograph to carry out quantitative analysis of certain major elements in soil colloids and to use as a complementary technique to optical spectrography for the analysis of heavier non-metals. Since this early work, Dr. Keith Norrish and his colleagues developed a number of XRF methods for the analysis of mineralogical and plant materials. The Adelaide XRF Laboratory has also provided assistance to the Australian mining industry to establish methods for monitoring and production.

The Adelaide XRF Laboratory is recognised as a centre of excellence for XRF spectrometry in Australia. The Adelaide Laboratory houses one wavelength-dispersive XRF instrument and one energy-dispersive instrument. It provides specialised XRF services including a range of sample preparation facilities and the analysis of a wide variety of sample types including soils, ores, mineral sands, and plant materials. The Adelaide Laboratory conducts contract research and development for Australian universities and industry. In addition, the Adelaide XRF Laboratory in collaboration with the X-Ray Diffraction Laboratory provides a comprehensive range of analytical services to the CSIRO research community as well as Australian industry.