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 rivers Volturno and Garigliano and from the sea stretch between the mouth of river Volturno and lake Sabaudia (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 INAA. The results show that the element concentrations in SPM tend to be higher in surface than in bottom samples. Also, enrichment factors (EFs) were calculated with respect to Sc assumed as representative of alumino-silicates. Higher values of EFs were found for Zn, As, Se, Sb, Hg, W and Au. (author)