Method Validation of Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) Analysis as a Screening Method for Mercury (Hg) in Philippine Milkfish
John Kenneth Valerio, Aldrin Jan Tabuso, Anton John Rocha, Alleni Junsay, Kim Christopher Aganda
Abstract:
Mercury (Hg) is a naturally occurring element that is released to bodies of water through anthropogenic activities, industrial discharges, or from the existing Hg in soils. Its presence can cause bioaccumulation in aquatic species, which poses potential health risks when taken for human consumption. The most common method for elemental analysis in fish samples is inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy, which is highly accurate but has high cost and analysis time. Recently, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) has gained attention for its heavy metal detection capability, which is cheaper and requires less sample preparation compared to ICP. For this study, analysis of Hg content in milkfish using Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry was validated using Philippine Reference Material (PRM) 2002-As, Cd, Hg & Pb in Milkfish produced by the DOST-ITDI National Metrology Division with a recovery range of 93-104%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the collected dataset is less than 10%, and the calculated expanded uncertainty was 0.08 ppm. For confirmation, DORM-5 was analyzed, resulting in 98.885% Hg recovery. Overall, the study showed that the TXRF analysis is a cheaper and reliable alternative method in detecting trace Hg content in milkfish samples; therefore, making it suitable for screening and evaluation of mercury in milkfish samples.
Download:
IMEKO-TC8-11-24-2025-016.pdf
DOI:
10.21014/tc24-2025.016
Event details
IMEKO TC:
TC24
Event name:
IMEKO TC8, TC11 and TC24 Conference
Title:

Joint conference of the TCs ‘Traceability in Metrology’ (IMEKO TC8), ‘Measurement in Testing, Inspection and Certification’ (IMEKO TC11), and ‘Chemical Measurements’ (IMEKO TC24).

Place:
Torino, ITALY
Time:
14 September 2025 - 17 September 2025
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