Instrumental determination by neutron activation analysis of trace elements in particulate matter separated from riverine and marine coastal waters of the gulf of Gaeta (Central Italy)

This work presents the results obtained on suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected from the rivers Volturno and Garigliano and from the sea stretch between the mouth of the Volturno river and the Sabaudia lake (Central Tyrrhenian Sea). The elements As, Au, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, La, Lu, Mn, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Ta, Th, W and Yb were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The results show that the element concentrations in SPM tend to be higher in surface than in bottom samples. Also, enrichment factors (EF's) were calculated with respect to Sc assumed as representative of alumino-silicates. Higher values of EF's were found for Zn, As, Se, Sb, Hg, W, and Au.Work partly carried out under the contract No. BIO-B322-I (S) of the Commission of the European Communities.