Remote in-situ detection of heavy metal contamination in soils using a fiber optic laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (FOLIBS) system

The current status of a fiber optic laser induced breakdown spectroscopy probe for subsurface deployment via a cone penetrometer truck is discussed. In this work the parameters involved in delivering both the LIBS excitation and emission over optical fibers are discussed and laboratory detection limit results for Pb contaminated sand and soil are presented from a prototype FOLIBS probe.