European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

XRF/AAS ANALYSIS OF CU, FE, MN, AND ZN IN SEDIMENTS SAMPLES IN KHARTOUM STATE, SUDAN

Enas Saif, Elamin E. Elamin and Dr. Ahmed Salih Elhag*

ABSTRACT

In the present study, sediment samples have been collected from three different locations: White Nile, Blue Nile and River Nile in Khartoum State, Sudan. The elemental concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn have been determined using X-ray Fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The accuracy of measurements has been investigated by using IAEA-Soil-7 for both techniques. A good agreement was found between certified and measured values. The elemental concentrations showed little difference amongst the different sediments samples. Generally, the obtained results show that the highest concentration values of elements were found in loc2 compared to elemental concentration found in Loc1 and Loc3. For different seasons, the highest concerntrations were observed in autumn while the lowest were found in witner time. A statistical test (t-test) was applied to the data of both methods without any significant difference between the two techniques. The results obtained were compared to WHO permissible limits. Correlations between different elements were performed. Hierarchical cluster analysis was done for the data. The average elemental concentrations were calculated and compared with data from the literature.

Keywords: XRF, AAS, Elemental Concontrations, Sediments Samples.