A correlation study of major and trace elements in sediments of River Nestos, Northern Greece and comparison with other fluvial systems

Abstract

Fourteen sediment samples from the banks of River Nestos, Northern Greece, were collected, extracted with HNO3 and analyzed for their content in 10 major and 32 trace elements. The analytical techniques used were ICP-OES and ICP-MS. The calculation of the Pearson Correlation Coefficient amongst the analyzed elements has revealed that among the majority of the elements exist positive correlations, which explains why most of them have a similar distribution along the river course. A comparison between the results acquired for the River Nestos and other fluvial systems, national and international, has shown the similarity of the geochemical identity of the River Nestos sediments with these systems.