New Niton XL5 Plus Handheld XRF Analyzer – Soil Contamination Testing

The Niton XL5 Plus Handheld XRF Analyzer is engineered for rapid soil contamination screening and field-based elemental analysis. With a robust 50 kV excitation source and advanced detector performance, the XL5 Plus enables fast, non-destructive evaluation of heavy metals and other regulated elements in soil and sediment.

Designed for environmental consulting, remediation planning, and field site characterization, the XL5 Plus delivers actionable results in seconds. It supports the screening of common environmental contaminants — including many RCRA metals — helping teams identify hotspots, guide sampling strategies, and reduce unnecessary laboratory analysis.

Whether used for environmental site assessment, Phase I/II investigations, or ongoing monitoring programs, the Niton XL5 Plus provides a versatile, rugged solution for soil contamination testing where immediate elemental data is critical to field decisions.

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Key Benefits for Soil Analysis

• High-performance 50 kV X-ray tube for efficient excitation of heavy elements commonly found in soil
• Advanced detector technology for reliable elemental detection in field conditions
• Non-destructive analysis with immediate results — typically seconds per test
• Designed for portable, day-long soil screening work
• Supports screening for lead (Pb), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and other environmental contaminants
• Compatible with EPA Method 6200 style work when used with proper QA/QC
• Rugged housing and field-ready ergonomics for environmental and industrial sites
• Wireless data transfer and reporting tools for streamlined field documentation

Applications

• Field screening for soil contamination and heavy metals
• Preliminary site assessment and delineation
• Environmental investigations and remediation support
• Rapid identification of potential RCRA metal hotspots
• Field decision support prior to confirmatory laboratory testing

Recommended Accessories

• Soil sample cups and XRF film (not included)
• Either Portable Test Stand or Desktop Test Stand for easier testing
• Spare battery packs
• Protective detector measurement windows
• Spare Soil Windows

Because environmental soil work varies widely, contact us for a custom quote and configuration tailored to your specific site, contaminant profile, and reporting requirements.

FAQ

Can the Niton XL5 Plus detect RCRA metals in soil?

Yes. With appropriate calibration and QA/QC, the XL5 Plus supports the screening of many RCRA metals in soil, including Pb, As, Cr, Cd, and more.

Is handheld XRF accepted for environmental soil screening?

Handheld XRF is widely used for field screening and referenced in EPA Method 6200 jobs when applied with site-specific quality control. Confirmatory laboratory analysis is recommended for regulatory reporting.

Included Analytical Mode

This configuration is intentionally focused on soils. Modes included:

• Soils Mode

Optional Modes (Available as Add-Ons)

• Mining Mode
• General Metals
• Precious Metals
• User Mode (custom calibration)
• REE Mode (Rare Earth Elements)

Standard Element Suite (Soils)

Below is a concise overview of the standard elemental coverage available in Soils mode. Actual reporting limits depend on matrix, preparation, and measurement time.

Soils Mode – Typical Elements (33)

Ag, As, Au, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pd, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Te, Th, Ti, U, V, W, Zn, Zr

• Please note that while Hg is included, handheld XRF does not reliably measure low concentrations of Hg in soils. 

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Weight	2.8 lb (1.3 kg) with battery
X-Ray Source	Ag anode X-ray tube, 6–50 kV, up to 500 µA, 5 W max
Detector	Extra-large area SDD (GOLDD+) with graphene window
Spot Size	8 mm
Analytical Range	Mg–U (see specific mode for proper elemental range)
Calibration Modes	Soils Mode, other modes available upon request
Display	Tilting color touchscreen (glove-friendly)
Cameras	Integrated macro + micro CCD cameras
Data Transfer	Wi-Fi, USB-C, Bluetooth
GPS	Internal GPS (external optional via Bluetooth)
Storage	16 GB industrial storage (~130,000 readings w/ spectra)
IP Rating	IP54 (dust & splash resistant)
Operating Temp	0–50 °C (fan recommended >33 °C)
Power	Hot-swap lithium-ion batteries
Software	NitonConnect™ PC software
Compliance	CE, RoHS, FCC, IEC 61010-1

What’s Included

• Niton XL5 Plus Handheld XRF Analyzer
• Soils Mode calibration
• Soil Guard & Soil Guard Windows
• x2 Rechargeable Li-ion batteries
• Battery Charger
• Integrated cameras and GPS
• Hard, Ruggedized Carrying case
• NitonConnect Software and PC connectivity tools
• 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty