An evaluation of the environmental implications of petroleum refinery emissions by multielemental neutron activation analysis of rumen fluid ash of Buffaloes

In order to study environmental pollution in and around a petroleum refinery complex, a multielemental instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) method was used to assay concentrations of As, Ba, Br, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, La, Mn, Mo, K, Na, P, Sc, Rb, Se, Sr, W and Zn in the rumen fluid ash samples of buffaloes from the vicinity of the refinery. Corresponding samples from a control area 300 km away from the refinery were analysed. Standard Reference Materials, Bovine liver (SRM 1577a), Oyster tissue (SRM 1566a) and Animal bone (CRM H-5) were also analysed for quality control. Samples were irradiated with thermal neutrons at 1012−1013 n cm−2 s−1 and counted by high-resolution γ spectrometry. Mean elemental concentrations of As, Ba, Br, Cr, Hg and Fe were found to be enhanced, whereas those of Na, K, Cl, Cu, Mn and P were depleted in samples from the vicinity of the refinery complex compared to controls. The environmental implications of anomalous elemental concentrations are discussed.