Investigation of the sediment pollution in Izmir Bay: trace elements

The pollution of Izmir Bay was investigated by measuring the trace elements of the surface sediments. The sediment samples were collected from 100 loc ations in Izmir Bay, five rivers and five sewer outfalls. The collected sam ples were acid digested and analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometr y (FAAS), flame atomic emission spectrometry (FAES), graphite furnace atomi c absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) for a total of 16 trace elements. Selected samples were also analyzed by i nstrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for 39 additional elements. The AAS, XRF and INAA techniques agreed fairly well for most of the element s studied. The concentrations of elements showed significant differences be tween inner, middle and outer bays with higher concentrations in the inner bay. The distributions of the crustal enrichment factors were also prepared and investigated. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.