Detection of heavy metals has been performed in different standard soil samples by using a mobile lidar fluorosensor apparatus. Applying the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique to a remote sensing apparatus can result in a very fast tool for pollution analysis over large areas contaminated by heavy metals. The hardware and software we developed has shown that significant semiquantitative remote analysis can be performed, even without the high spectral resolution operation characteristic of laboratory devices. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the realization of a real-time single-shot mobile device equipped with the relevant data analysis software and able to provide a real-time response about the presence of hazardous species in a variety of contaminated environmental solid substrates (rocks, soil, sands, ashes). Results obtained on standard samples are shown and discussed together with the general applicability of the method to remote sensing operation. © Springer-Verlag 1997.

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