Optimization Techniques for Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Analysis of Brownfield Soil

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a spectroscopic technique based on ablation of organic and non-organic samples to generate plasma, which creates unique atomic spectra associated with specific elements. Our group uses LIBS to detect trace elemental signatures in soil samples from brownfields across Miami-Dade County, with a particular emphasis on optimizing spectral signal quality. Using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm, we ablate brownfield soil samples and analyze the resulting emission spectra to identify spectral signatures associated with heavy elements, such as lead and arsenic. To mitigate matrix effects and reduce background, we are optimizing our sample preparation system and the optical alignment of our LIBS system. We prepare our samples using a mixture of Potassium Bromide (KBr) and soil and eliminate sources of unnecessary background noise to examine the influence of sample preparation and alignment on the intensity and clarity of spectral peaks within our data. Our results highlight key experimental considerations in LIBS measurements of organic materials and demonstrate the potential for LIBS to make a meaningful impact in broader environmental conservation efforts.