ANTHROPOGENIC CONTAMINATION ANALYZED BY TTPIXE IN SAMPLES FROM THE ODIEL SALT-MARSH AT THE SW SPAIN

The studied mash area is located at the southwest of Spain in an estua rine system formed by the confluence of the Odiel river and the Atlant ic ocean. 23 samples collected in the marsh have been analysed by Thic k Target Proton Induced X-ray Emission using 2 MeV protons from the 3 MV Van de Graaff accelerator of the ITN. Elemental concentrations in t he samples are affected by the Atlantic ocean, the materials transport ed by the Odiel river and the wastes discharged by the factories of a nearby industrial area. The study has shown that certain areas of the estuary present high concentrations of P, Cu, Zn, As and Pb, which wer e attributed to the operation of a phosphate fertilizer factory and a Cu extraction factory. The mining activity carried out near the source of the river could be also responsible of part of this contamination. Finally, the spatial distribution of the contamination has reflected the dynamic of the Odiel river waters, due to tidal movements, into th e marsh area.