Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) PM-

10 and PM-2.5 in Kenitra and Meknes Cities

H. Bounouira1, M.Zghaid

1, H. Ait Bouh

2, D. O’Kelly

3, M. Bounakhla

1, F. Benyaïch

2 and K.

Embarch1

1Centre National de l’Energie, des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires, Rabat, Maroc

2Université Moulay Ismaïl, Faculté des Sciences, Département de Physique, Meknès, Maroc ;

3Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory, University of Texas at Austin USA

E-mail of the corresponding author: bounouira2000@gmail.com

In this study, we present the first measurements of the elemental composition of suspended

particle matter (SPM) in air of Kenitra and Meknes cities (Morocco) using instrumental

neutron activation analysis.

The objective of this work was to contribute by this analytical tool to a nuclear program for

monitoring air quality in these two cities. Such a program involves several environmental

parameters, namely measures of gas emissions and assessment of air pollution by heavy

metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), Atomic Emission Spectrometry

Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-AES) and X-Ray Fluorescence Energy Dispersive (ED-

XRF).

Sampling was carried out during the period between February 2007 and August 2008 using

three types of sampler, namely the "Gent" the "Partisol" and "Dichotomous" collecting

simultaneously the fine particles (PM2.5) and coarse particles (PM10).

About 31 filters (22 from Kenitra city and 9 from Meknes city) were analyzed by neutron

activation analysis using TRIGA Mark II Reactor of 1MW of power at the University of

Texas at Austin.

Using this technique it was possible to analyze 19 elements (Al, As, Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr,

Fe, I, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sb, Sr, Ti, V, Zn). In addition, we achieved the extremely low

detection limits for chlorine, bromine and iodine.

The analysis results showed that the elements in airborne particles can come from two main

sources namely terrigenous input and human activities.