r/Phytoremediation • u/esmeraldaaaaaaaa • 24d ago

Any recommended ways/testkit to test soil's heavy metal concentration?

I'm working on a project to use sunflowers to remediate the soil. But in order to design the prototype and test the effectiveness, how do you test whether concentration of heavy metals in the soil after planting hyperaccumulator plants is lower? Any recommendations for testkits or cheaper ways to test soil's heavy metal level? Thanks!

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u/nay_4_pay 23d ago

Handheld XRF analyzer would be your best bet. It’s semi quantitative and almost quantitative if soil samples are processed and calibrated. You could also rent one.

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u/esmeraldaaaaaaaa 23d ago

Thank you so so much! I appreciate your this a lot! 💚

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u/[deleted] 19d ago

Only concern I have is the concentrations you are trying to detect. PPM or PPB. Unless your initial concentrations are so high that you will be able to detect a reduction. I think a XRF should be sufficient but initial concentrations will determine.