RRFM 2009 Transactions - European Nuclear Society

3.1 Detection limits
Although it is often stated that NAA is matrix independent orders of magnitude differences in
detection limits for particular elements are obtained dependent upon matrix. Many medium and shortlived
elements in Jamaican soils for instance are severely affected by elements that have either high
cross-section and or high concentrations that produce gamma rays of energies very close to or identical
to the gamma rays of the elements we wish to quantify [7].
4. Discussion
Figures
Yam Cd Fresh Weight by soil Cd Range (Study Area)
Discussion Points
Soil
During an island wide soil survey it was found that some
Jamaican soils, especially the bauxitic soils that overlie White
Limestone geological group, are much enriched in several
heavy metals compared with world levels [8]. The soil
cadmium levels in particular are up to a thousand times higher
than the world averages. These high levels in soils have
encouraged efforts to establish relationships between plant
animal and human health.
Yam
Yam Cd (μg/g) FW
1
0.1
0.01