Study of mobilization of selected elements in sediment samples using insitu current normalized particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method

The Satluj River which flows through the state of Punjab in North Western India is known to be heavily loaded with pollutants from domestic and industrial effluent being discharged into it. In view of this a systematic study has been undertaken to assess the mobilization of trace and heavy elements in sediment samples collected from the bank of the Satluj River. These samples were collected from three different locations along 80 km stretch of the river from Philour located upstream from city of Ludhiana to Harike located downstream from city of Ludhiana. The concentration of elements present in the sediment was determined using in-situ current normalized Particle induced X-Ray emission (PIXE) method. Samples and standards in the form pellets in graphite (2:1 ratio) were irradiated using 3MeV proton beam (current 15-20 nA). Ytterbium was used as current normalizer by taking same amount of Y₂O₃ in both samples as well as standards, as its X-ray peak comes at higher energy (14.95 keV) and it was not found in the sample