Major and Trace Elements Composition in Guiera senegalensis Plant from the Vicinity of a Kaolin Milling Plant in Alkaleri Bauchi State Nigeria Using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the concentration of major and trace elements in samples of Guiera senegalensis from the vicinity of a Kaolin milling plant in Alkaleri Bauchi State. Twenty four samples were collected (12 samples each in both dry and wet seasons) at different sampling points within the vicinity of the Kaolin milling plant. Neutron activation analysis (NAA), Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) was used in the analysis of the samples. The results showed the mean concentrations of Ca as 7552.4±1884.6 mg/Kg in dry season and 6390±1720 mg/Kg in wet season, Mg as 2229.8±970.8 mg/Kg in dry season and 1015±56.7 mg/Kg in wet season, Na as 53.51±11.9 mg/Kg in dry season and 30.9±8.1 mg/Kg in wet season, K as 6453.5±2066.4 mg/Kg in dry season and 6113±4349.3 mg/Kg in wet season, Cu as 2.14±3.20 mg/Kg in dry season and  concentrations in wet seasons were below detection limits, Mn as 805.5±448 mg/Kg in dry season and 839.5±695 mg/Kg in wet season, Fe as 171.3±99.3 mg/Kg in dry season and 224±116 mg/Kg in wet season, Zn as 21.14±11.8 mg/Kg in dry season and 11.62±5.02 mg/Kg in wet season, Co as 1.25±0.9 mg/Kg in dry season and 1.30±0.91 mg/Kg in wet season and V as 2.13±2.21 mg/Kg in dry season and  concentrations in wet seasons were below detection limits. The concentration of the elements determined is in the order of Ca>K>Mg>Mn>Fe>Na>Zn>Cu>V>Co. The ANOVA test of significant showed the pair wise mean concentrations of elements between samples obtained in dry and wet season are significantly different in most sampling points for Mg, Na, K, Fe, Zn and V while Ca, Cu, Mn and Co showed no significant difference in most of their pair wise mean seasonal concentrations (P < 0.05).