Improving the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the determination of total carbon in soils

The increase of atmospheric greenhouse gases such as CO₂ has caused noticeable climate change. Since increased CO₂ may contribute to carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems through the CO₂ cycle between the atmosphere and vegetation, it is necessary to improve methods for measuring C in soil. In this study, we determined the total carbon concentrations of soils using a highly sensitive and rapid method, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The presence of C has been measured by detecting signal at the wavelength of 247.86 nm. The obstacle of Fe interference at the C measurement wavelength of 247.86 nm was reduced by selecting the optimal delay time of 1.4 μs. The ratio of peak intensities (areas) at 247.86 nm for C and 248.20 nm for Fe was then successfully applied to the calibration curve. In addition, to dismiss the problem of measuring the C lines at 247.86 nm, 193.03 nm has been used to observe C emission. Both the 193.03- and 247.86-nm lines provided significant linear calibrations. The 193.03-nm lines presented stronger relative accuracies in predicting the lower C concentrations of the unknown samples than that one at 247.86 nm.