TRACE ELEMENTS FROM EFFLUENTS DISCHARGED INTO THE KADUNA RIVER BASIN ENVIRONMENT

ABSTRACT The k-standardisation method for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) was used in spectral evaluations of (n, γ) reactions on sediment samples of effluents discharged into the Kaduna River Basin environment in Nigeria. Twenty-two elements (As, Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Lu, Na, Nd, Th, U, Rb, Sb, Sc, Ta, Tb, Zn) were identified. Sediments from industrial effluents showed stable element concentration levels with low variation coefficients, which is suggestive of controlled release and appropriate industrial management. However, some industrial sediments had high background loading factors of 3.6, 2.45, and 2.28, for heavy metals such as Zn, Cr, Co respectively.