Neutron Activation Analysis of Leaf Samples from Different Parts of Abuja Metropolis

Abstract

2 Abstract: A study was carried out on the concentrations of constituent (major, minor and trace) elements present in soil samples collected from different parts of Abuja Metropolis and their effect on the surrounding. In carrying out the analysis, the best and most convenient method being the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) otherwise known as Non-Destructive Neutron Activation Analysis (NDNAA) was adopted. Soil/ Rock Samples were obtained, crushed to powdery form and samples prepared for INAA. 250mg of the samples were fed in to the nuclear reactor by means of pneumatic transfer with the aid of rabbit capsules. The irradiated samples were analyzed and the following elements identified: Al, Ti, Ca, Mg, K, Na, V, Mn, Dy, Sc, Zn, La, Sm, Co, Th, Rb, Ce, Hf, Fe, Yb, As, Eu, Lu and U. There have been higher concentrations found in the Airport Road soil than in the other soils as seen in Fe from the following results: Airport Soil (0.4212±0.014), Airport Road Soil (1.31±0.20), Aso Radio Soil (0.6641±0.017) and Karu soil (0.528±0.013); indicating that soil in that region might favour the growth of particular plants compared with soils from other region; however there was relative distribution in the overall outcome of trace and major elements. The results and technique compared with that of Oladipos who had a total of 22 elements from 7 different clay samples indeed showed that NAA is effective method of elemental analysis.