Study of heavy metal assessment in the Gharb plain along Sebou river (Morocco) using k0-NAA method at the Moroccan Triga Mark II research reactor

Abstract

The k0-method of neutron activation analysis (k0-NAA) was used in order to determine the concentration of major and trace elements in sediment samples collected from different sites in the Gharb plain along the Sebou River (Morocco). Samples have been analyzed using neutrons of the Moroccan Triga Mark II research reactor. Two types of irradiation (short and long) have been carried out using the Pneumatic Tube System (PTS) and the Rotary Specimen Rack (RSR). Acquisition and Fitting of spectra have been carried out by Maestro software and k0-IAEA program respectively. Pollution indicators (enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI)) were calculated to assess the pollution status of the sediments. Results of pollution indices showed no contamination all around the catchment area except for the stations (MS1 and MS2) located downstream the Sebou river. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out with the Pearson coefficient in order to determine possible relationships between major and trace elements. The comparison with other subsequent studies on Sebou river gives an idea about the temporal evolution of heavy metal contamination at national scale.