title: Metal distribution in sediment cores from São Paulo State Coast, Brazil.
abstract: Ten sediment core samples with lengths ranging from 35 to 100 cm were collected in the Baixada Santista region and analyzed to determine As, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Rb, Sb, Ta, Th, U, Zn and rare earths (Sc, Ce, Eu, La, Lu, Nd, Sm, Tb and Yb) level concentrations using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The studied region is located in the southeastern coast of São Paulo State and is comprised of a densely urbanized area, the largest industrial complex of the country, with a predominance of petrochemical and fertilizer plants. It is also home to Brazil's most important and busiest port. The conclusions found that the As, La, Sm, Ne, Ce, Eu, Hf, Ta, Th, and U elements have a high background level in the region and that Fe and Zn were the main indicators of anthropogenic contribution in the sediments.
authors: Centro de Metrologia das Radiações, Laboratório de Radiometria Ambiental, IPEN, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 2242, CEP, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. pscsilva@ipen.br
authors: Paulo S C
authors: PS
authors: Silva
authors: Sandra R
authors: SR
authors: Damatto
authors: Caio
authors: C
authors: Maldonado
authors: Deboráh I T
authors: DI
authors: Fávaro
authors: Barbara P
authors: BP
authors: Mazzilli
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical