A comparison between INAA and ICP-MS for the determination of element concentrations in marine sediments

In this study, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were used to compare results obtained by both techniques for sediment samples collected from the Patras Harbour, Western Greece. The accuracy of the methods was tested using reference materials. In total seven elements were measured by both techniques (Zn, Ni, Cr, Ba, As, U, Co). Results obtained by ICP-MS were compared with those obtained by INAA by applying paired t-test. Insignificant differences in mean concentration values were found for Zn, Ni, Cr and Ba, whereas the differences for As, Co and U were significant. Correlations between element concentrations measured by both techniques are also discussed.