Comparison of XRF and ICP-OES Methods to Determine Trace Element Concentrations of Kidney Stones in Iraqi Patients

Understanding the nature and composition of stone formation as well as developing treatment strategies that prevent stones from forming in kidneys are dependent on researching the chemical makeup of kidney stones. Therefore, 11 samples of kidney stones were collected and digested, and the concentration of metal ions such as (Ag, Al, Cu, Mn, Ni, Ti, Zn, Ca, Na, K and Mg) was measured using the Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectroscopy method and X-ray Fluorescence. it was found that Ca is the highest concentration and most abundant in all samples in both methods, followed by Na, Mg and Ni. Moreover, K is followed by Ag, Al, Cu, Mn, Ti and Zn respectively. The two methods were evaluated and compared via t and F tests. It was found that the calculated values are less than the tabulated values at the confidence level of 95%. This is an indication that the two results are considered to be different in significance. This difference is due to the unique interaction of the X-ray photon with the material when measured by X-ray fluorescence. The ICP-EOS method is considered the best in terms of accuracy, higher sensitivity, and analysis of a wide range of elements.