TXRF analysis of river waters in its stream across the city of Córdoba in Argentina

MARÍA CECILIA VALENTINUZZI; HÉCTOR JORGE SÁNCHEZ; JOSÉ ABRAHAM

Budapest, Hungría

Congreso; 11th Conference on Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis and Related Methods (TXRF 2005); 2005

  The aim of this work was to analyze the composition of river waters and to study their quality; the samples were taken at 32 points of the Suquía River (Córdoba, Argentina). Samples were analyzed by total reflection X ray fluorescence using beam guides. Beam guides made of two Si plate reflectors were used as sample carriers and to guide the X ray photons to the sample; the measurements were carried out using the optimal configuration that ensures the best excitation and detection conditions (in TXRF).The sample preparation included the preconcentration of the water samples and the addition of an internal standard (Gallium); a small drop of sample (30 µliters) was deposited on the lower reflector of the BG and was measured in the total-reflection x ray spectrometer. Data were analyzed with standard methods spectrum analysis. The results show  interesting behaviors of the concentration of trace elements along the river, indicating possible sources of contamination, specially in its stream across the city.