Determination of trace elements in the Mahoning River water system from Youngstown to Lowellvile by neutron activation analysis

Abstract

An investigation of trace elements present in the Mahoning River Water System in northeastern Ohio with reference to the area from Youngstown to Lowellville has been carried out using Neutron Activation Analysis, with Californium-252 as the neutron source, and Ge(Li) Spectrometry, Detailed measurements of the levels of ten elements present in the water and sediment were made at major effluent sources.

This study demonstrates a rapid, accurate, and inexpensive method for the detection and measurement of trace elements in a river system. Understanding the role of trace elements in hydrologic systems will help evaluate the influence of man's activities on these systems. The results show the following variations in the quantities of the elements detected, Element Variation in Water Sediment Br 0 - 2.1 ppm 74 - 2,646 ppm Mn 0.20 - 1.22 ppm 45 - 2,566 ppm Mg 2.3 - 51 ppm 223 -10,151 ppm Cu 0 - 5 ppm 58 - 378 ppm Na 27 - 113 ppm 50 - 2,482 ppm V 0 - 0.024 ppm .30- 35 ppm K 0 - 363 ppm 686- 4,879 ppm Cl 30 - 96 ppm 0 ppm Al 0 - 3.1 ppm 957 - 30,540 ppm Ca 17 - 115 ppm 537-40,892 ppm

The large variation in the concentrations of all these elements demonstrates the effect of the steel mills, chemical and metal-finishing plants, and sewage treatment plants on the river along the sampling area. It is evident from the results that Californium-252 Activation Analysis using a Ge(Li) detector is a valuable tool in yielding stream flow data.