On the Geochemistry of Major and Trace Elements Distribution in Sediments and Soils of Zarafshon River Valley, Western Tajikistan

To assess the geochemical features of sedimentary material Zarafshon river, (Western Tajikistan) catchment basin, mass fractions 38 major and trace elements were determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) in 2 × 116 paired samples sediments soils collected along River its main tributaries from sources to Tajik—Uzbek border. At each collecting location, distance between soils’ sampling was no greater than 10 m allowing studying interrelation soils. This evidenced a significant similarity sediments’ samples, including potentially contaminating As, Sb Hg, whose some places significantly higher for Upper Continental Crust (UCC) North American Shale Composite (NASC), suggesting common provenience. same time, distribution major, as well incompatible elements, Sc, Zr, REE, Th, U, spite geological diversity river suggest possible felsic origin investigated material.