Neutron activation analysis of sediments of the Karnaphuli river, Bangladesh: Elemental contamination and ecological risk assessments

In this study, the neutron activation analysis method was applied to determine 23 major and trace elements (Na, Al, K, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, As, Rb, Cs, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Dy, Yb, Hf, Th, and U) in the surface sediments of the Karnaphuli River beside a major industrial and port city in Bangladesh to assess their pollution levels and ecological risks. Spatial concentration analysis showed relatively large variability for Cr, Fe, As, Rb, La, Ce, Sm, Yb, Hf, Th, and U (RSD: 33.1–75.3%) compared with the other analyzed elements, indicating strong anthropogenic influences in the river basin. Though the Modified Degree of Contamination represents a very low degree of contamination at most of the sampling…