X-ray fluorescent analysis of marine sediments from Port Burgas and Burgas Bay Aquatory

Six samples of marine sediments from Burgas Bay and Aquatory of Port Burgas were analysed for 32 elements using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescent Spectrometry (EDXRFA). The obtained results show that no specific contamination in Burgas Aquatory was found.The data are very similar, except high concentrations of Cu, Zn and Pb for samples 5, 11 and 14. An uncertainty about 10 relative percent was typical for all elements. The exact values are given. No amount of Hg was detected, because of relatively higher detection limit for Hg about 5 mg/ kg. The detection limits for other elements are as follow: Al -1%, Si - 0.8%, P - 0.12%, S - 0.08%, Cl - 0.05% , K,Ca - 0.04%, Ti, Mn, Cr - 10 mg/kg, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn - 5mg/kg , from Br to Ba - 1 mg/kg, Hg, U, Pb - 5mg/kg . The obtained results can be used for improvement programme of the eco-performance of the port areas involved in the project, to make one monitoring network plan to have a shared vision on environmental policy, design of a monitoring system and define better procedures and implementation of pilot monitoring. (authors)