Nuclear Technique-Based Analysis of Metal Distribution in Mud Snails and Mangrove Sediments

Abstract

A study is carried out on the concentrations of Major elements ( Fe, Mn, Zn, Na and K ) present in surface sediments, tissues and shell of mangrove snail gastropod, Cerithidea Obtusa from 10 locations throughout west coast Malaysia. In carrying out the analysis, the best and most convenient method being the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Samples were obtained, dried, crushed to powdery form and samples prepared for INAA. All the samples for analysis were weighted approximately 150 mg for short irradiation and 200 mg for long irradiation time. As calibration and Quality control procedures, blank samples, standard reference material IAEA-Soil-7, SL-1, SRM 1566b, and SRM 2976 were then irradiated with thermal neutron flux of 4×10¹² ncm^-2s^-1 at the MINT TRIGA Mark II research reactor operated at 750 kW where a pneumatic transport facility was used.The order of accumulation of major element in surface sediment, tissues and shellwas Fe>Na>K>Mn>Zn, Na>K>Fe>Mn> Zn and Na>K>Fe>Mn>Zn comparatively. The biota sediments accumulation factor (BSAF) varied in range (0.02-10.04) for tissues and (0.01-0.82) for shell.