L. Van 't dack

Heavy metals distribution in the sediments of ganges and Brahmaputra rivers

Bed sediments were collected from the entire region of the Ganges basin and some parts of the Brahmaputra. In addition, selected stations were sampled for suspended sediments as well. The samples were analysed for a number of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Cu, and Zn) by the thin-film energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique. There are pronounced temporal and spatial variations in the heavy metals distributions. Suspended sediments are 5–10 times richer than the bed sediments. None of the tributaries contribute significant heavy metal load, but around urban areas in Yamuna (tributary of Ganges), very high levels due to the distribution from the drainage network are observed. Compared to the Brahmaputra, the distribution and fractionation of heavy metals in the Ganges sediments are more erratic and highly variable. All the metals considered show high correlation among themselves. Given the high flux of suspended sediments from the Himalayan rivers (nearly 20% of the global flux), the worldwide budget for heavy metal transport may need to be suitably revised.

Chemical composition of river sediments from the Indian sub-continent☆

Abstract River sediments from all of the major drainage basins (except the Indus) in the Indian sub-continent were collected and analysed by thin-film X-ray fluorescence technique (XRF) to determine their chemical composition. On the basis of analysis of more than 120 samples, average chemical compositions of river-borne sediments from the Indian sub-continent have been calculated. Also, average concentration values for sediments from each of the river basins, and the sub-continent average and the inter-basin differences are discussed in relation to weathering processes in the drainage basins. Comparisons have been made with the chemistry of sediments from the Bay of Bengal (which receives the bulk of sediments delivered by Indian rivers). Our observations are discussed in the light of average chemical composition of world-river sediments and the world surface rock exposed for continental weathering.

Determination of precious metals in ores and rocks by thermal neutron activation/γ-spectrometry after preconcentration by nickel sulphide fire assay and coprecipitation with tellurium

The six platinum group elements (Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir and Pt) can be determined in geological samples down to the μg kg−1 level, by using nickel sulphide fire assay and neutron activation of the residue ramaining after dissolution of the nickel sulphide button in concentrated hydrochloric acid. Losses for the platinum group elements during this dissolution step are usually insignificant, except when the elements are present at ultra-trace levels. The can be recovered from the filtrate by coprecipitation with tellerium. The latter approach also permits determination of silver, which is significantly lost in the hydrochloric acid treatment (recovery <98% instead of typically ≈ 10%). The coprecipitation with tellurium considerably improves the results for gold (recovery ≈ 95% instead of typically 75%).

Soil analysis by thin-film energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence

Abstract Energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence is advantageous for trace analysis of soils present as thin films. A target thickness of about 2 mg cm-2 provides a compromise between optimal sensitivity and minimal absorption effect or optimal accuracy. Sample preparation involves only suspending the finely ground soil in water and drying this suspension on a thin mylar foil glued on a ring that fits into the x.r.f. spectrometer. The “effective sample weight” present in the exciting beam area is computed from the scatter peaks, a method that cancels out target heterogeneity problems. High accuracy is demonstrated for many elements in reference soil and rock materials; a precision around 5% and a detection limit around 10 ppm can be achieved. As an illustration, results for 16 trace elements and preliminary interpretation are given for a series of pedologically important soil samples from Brasil.

Conductivity and electron density of undoped model compounds of poly(phenylene vinylene)

Fourteen derivatives of trans,trans-1,4-bis[2-phenylethenyl]benzene were synthesized by Wittig reactions as model compounds of poly(paraphenylene vinylene). Structure, configurational homogeneity and absence of ionic impurities were controlled by mass spectrometry, infrared and neutron activation analysis, respectively. Crystallographic unit cell parameters were obtained from X-ray powder patterns and measurements of electrical conductivities were performed on undoped samples. The data of four more compounds containing one or more thiophene rings instead of phenyl rings were added from the 3iterature. If NO2 and Cl groups are excluded from the electron count a good linear correlation is found between the logarithm of the conductivity and the non-σ electron density (e A -3). The position of the substituents, on the central or on the terminal ring, also plays a role in as much as it affects the molecular volume of the compound but not the non-σ electron density. The correlation between the logarithm of the conductivity and the absorption coefficient of the longest wavelength of UV absorption identifies the π electrons in the chromophore as the principal charge carriers.

Hydrogeochemical exploration for gold in the Osilo area, Sardinia, Italy

A study to test the use of hydrogeochemical methods for gold prospecting was carried out in the Osilo area, northern Sardinia. The study area, covering about 30 km2 is characterised by Tertiary andesitic rocks. Gold concentrations up to several ppm, associated with abundant pyrite, arsenopyrite, stibnite, tetrahedrite and electrum, and subordinate galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite, are present in quartz veins associated with a polyphase, incipient and pervasive alteration of the andesitic rocks. Forty-eight water samples (17 streams, 29 springs and 2 boreholes) were analysed for Au and a wide range of major and trace elements, both in solution (< 0.4 μm) and in suspension. Background values for dissolved Au were below the detection limit of the methods used (between 0.3 and 0.5 ng L−1 Au). Gold concentrations in solution up to 3 ng L−1 were found in waters draining the mineralised vein system. The observed dispersion of Au in surface waters was restricted to about 500 m from the auriferous veins. Dissolved Au anomalies do not vary significantly in water samples, taken monthly over a one year period, suggesting that the dispersion of Au is unaffected by seasonal conditions in the Osilo area. For samples where Au was detected both in solution and in suspension, the Au content of the suspended matter was usually lower than that in solution. The best indicators of Au mineralisation, apart from Au itself, both in solution and in suspension, were As and Sb which showed a dispersion clearly related to the known auriferous veins.

Relative evaluation of neutron activation, X-ray fluorescence and spark source mass spectrometry for multielement analysis of geothermal waters

To sulfide geothermal waters from the French Pyrenees region and bicarbonate and chloride waters from the French Vosges area, all of the following analysis techniques were applied in order to compose a broad inventory of trace elements: (1) for the dissolved material: neutron activation analysis after a freeze-drying step using a very short cycle (I), short cycle (II) or long cycle (III), neutron activation after co-crystallization on 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) using a short cycle (IV) or long cycle (V), X-ray fluorescence after co-crystallization on PAN (VI) and spark source mass spectrometry after evaporation on graphite (VII) or preconcentration on PAN, and, (2) for the filtered or suspended material: neutron activation using a very short (VIII), short (IX) or long cycle (X) and X-ray fluorescence (XI). Altogether, on the average some 30 elements could be determined above the detection limit in solution and 15 in suspension. It appeared, however, that for procedures (I), (II), (IV), (VI), (VIII) and (XI) the investment of time and cost had not been efficient enough. Invoking only procedures (III), (V), (IX), (X) and for low salinity geothermal waters only: (VII), the number of elements detected was almost as large.

Elemental constituents of atmospheric aerosols in recife, North-East Brazil

Abstract Few data are available on the inorganic atmospheric pollution in the rapidly expanding cities of South America, like Recife, on the Atlantic Coast of North-east Brazil. Therefore, the elemental composition of atmospheric aerosols was investigated for nine sites in the Recife conurbation and a fairly remote site in the area. Total aerosol samples were collected on cellulose filters for analysis by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and cascade impactors were used to collect the aerosols as a function of particle size for subsequent analysis by proton-induced X-ray emission. Local soil aliquots were also analysed. About eighteen elements were quantified in all cases. The average total atmospheric concentrations appeared to be well above natural levels but usually lower than, or comparable with, those of North American and European cities. Dispersal of sea spray and of local soil (often contaminated with, for example, Cu, Zn and Pb from industrial sources) contributes predominantly to the total atmospheric load in Recife. However, the particle size fraction results also indicated strong excesses in the small particle mode for S, K, V, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br and Pb, mainly in the downtown area. Again, the corresponding enrichment factors were only moderate in comparison with other published urban data.

Effects of alkaline aluminate waste dumping on seawater chemistry

Abstract The alkaline aluminate waste, of which 1000–2000 tonnes are dumped a few times a year off the Belgian coast in the Southern Bight of the North Sea, contains 5·4% NaCl, 1·8% dissolved Al and 7·4% NaOH, in addition to traces of heavy metals and some aniline- and phenol-derivatives. The pH rises locally to 8-5 and the total Al-concentration reaches 120niglitre −1 (corresponding to an initial waste dilution factor of only 150) in the 10-m wide track just beyond the discharging barge, but these decay quickly to pH 8·1 and 1 mg litre -1 in the 30-m wide track, 500m behind the barge. The relation between the waste concentration and seawater pH was studied. The white precipitate that forms immediately in the sea was identified as Mg 6 Al 2 CO 3 (OH) 16 4H 2 0 (hydrotalcite-manasseite like). No trace of it was found in the local sediments.

Trace-element geochemistry of thermal water percolating through a karstic environment in the region of Saint Ghislain (Belgium)

Abstract Five geothermal waters from the Mons area (southern Belgium) have been studied: one natural hot spring at Stambruges, one stagnant warm water from the “inclined tunnels” at Baudour, and three thermal waters from the drillholes at St. Ghislain, Ghlin and Douvrain, originating from the carbonate/anhydrite-bearing Visean strata, at depths of ca. 2600, 1550 and 1300 m, respectively. Multielement chemical analysis of the filtered water and its suspended matter > 0.4 μ m) was carried out by instrumental neutron activation. Temperature in depth, calculated using the silica (chalcedony) chemical geothermometer, ranged from 75 to 88°C, in good agreement with experimentally determined values. Na/K and Na/K/Ca geothermometers yieilded erratic results, as expected from the geological environment in the aquifer. From the analytical data it can be calculated that the thermal waters of St. Ghislain, Ghlin and Douvrain are not only saturated with respect to chalcedony, but also to anhydrite, calcite, fluorite, barite, strontianite, and possibly zinc silicate, iron (III) hydroxide or siderite, albite, microcline, gibbsite and kaolinite. They are oversaturated with respect to muscovite. Data are also presented for the other thermal waters, and a cold spring water (Claire Fontaine, Stambruges). The similar trace-element composition of the thermal waters can be explained by percolation of the water in the same distant recharge zone, from where it descends, becomes heated at depth and rises along collapse breccia, and locally (Baudour, Stambruges) along fissures. The uptake of higher amounts of Ca, Mg, Sr and sulfate in St. Ghislain and Ghlin, as compared to Douvrain and Baudour is correlated with the boundary between the “non-dissolved” and “dissolved” evaporitic zones. This boundary is situated between St. Ghislain and Douvrain, and is roughly parallel with the direction of the groundwater flow (WNW).