Elemental Analysis of Geological, Herbal and Food samples using Instrumental Neutron activation Analysis (INAA)
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Date
2015-03
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) is a nondestructive multi-elemental nu-
clear technique for determination of elemental and isotopic compositions. In this study,
the Nigerian research reactor (NRR-1) based NAA was carried out with the the objec-
tive to nd out scienti c evidences on what essential and toxic isotopic compositions are
available in Chilga Woreda soil, six endemic herbal plants and three nger millets.
The results of soil analysis showed that the soil of Chilaga woreda is rich in soil nutrients.
The richness of the soil in nutrients, however; has been a ected due to the existence of
high concentration contents of Al, Mn, Fe and H which cause the soil acidic. Similarly,
the results obtained from the six di erent endemic medicinal plants showed that a total of
20 elements were quanti ed. Among which Mg, K, Ca, Cl, Al, Fe, Na, V, Mn and Zn are
the most essential elements for the prevention and treatment of various human ailments
such as asthma, headache, stomach ache, malaria, diabetes Mellituses, blood pressure,
stroke, etc. Thus, this study supports the claims made by the traditional healers and
the medicinal plants are potential candidates for developing new drugs except Artemisia
Abyssinica that contains in excess concentration of Al, Fe and Na .
It is also evidenced from results of nger millet analysis that white, black and mixed
nger millets are rich in essential elements that have signi cant nutritional quality and
medicinal properties as compared to Te and other cereal crops. For instance, essential
elements Cl, V and Rb which are present in nger millet are not present in Tef.
The other problem that was assessed in this work is about the natural radioactivity of
238U, 232Th and 40K in rocks around Gondar city using the technique of NaI(Tl) gamma-
ray spectrometry. The results obtained indicate the radiation hazards emanating from
the natural radionuclides in the rocks, which are commonly used for house construction in
the city, do have insigni cant harm to the public except the rock from Debecha Rufauel
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Keywords
Elemental Analysis of Geological