Neutron activation analyses on element composition of natural waters in China

The element composition of natural waters including rainfall,river water and groundwater are tested by neutron activation analyses.The rainfall is sampled from 11 stations distributed in all main climate zones of this country with altitude from 5 m ASL to 3 659 m ASL,annual mean precipitation from 50 mm to 1 571 mm.The river water are sampled from 12 hydrometric stations of the main rivers of China,including inland rivers,island river and brooks of 3 representative catchments.The natural waters are sampled simultaneously.35 elements in rainfall,39 elements in river water and groundwater are found.Concentration of elements are grouped with level greater than 1 000 μg/L to that less than 0.01 μg/L.Many elements are found to be beyond the range of world fresh water concentration reported by Bowen i.e.,several elements much higher or lower than Bowen values.