MARINE-SEDIMENTS ANALYSIS BY THE ELEMENTAL RATIOING TECHNIQUE

A study on the evaluation of pollution trends in marine core sediments taken in the vicinity of an industrial zone was attempted by analyzin g trace elements such as As, Ce, Cr, Dy, Eu, La, Lu, Mn, Sb, Sc, Sm, T h, U, V and Yb using neutron activation analysis. The elemental concen trations were expressed in terms of enrichment factors (EF) obtained b y the elemental ratioing technique using scandium as the reference ele ment. The quantitative distribution and assessment on the extent of po llution by some of the elements were done by comparing their EFs to th ose found in reference materials. The general elemental distribution w as presented on maps and any abnormalities in the distribution pattern found were deduced with reference to their point sources.