Trace metal distribution studies in river water by PIXE

Proton induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) has been used to measure the trace met als especially heavy metals in Chaliyar river water samples to assess the i mpact of pollutants from the industrial wastes. Water samples were collecte d in summer and rainy seasons from three different depths along the course of the river. Measurements were carried out with 2 MeV proton beam using a 3 MV tandem pelletron accelerator at Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar. Res ults from the water Samples collected in both the seasons show that the con centrations of certain heavy metals like Hg, Zn and Pb are more than the pr escribed limits. This is because of pollution due to industrial wastes, ind icating a need for improvement in the industrial waste treatment. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.