Spurenelementbestimmung in verschiedenen natürlichen Wasserproben mittels Neutronen-Aktivierungsanalyse

The aim of the presented paper is to determine the capability of neutron activation analysis as a routine control of drinking water. Water samples of waterworks in an area of Southern Germany have been analysed in respect to the content of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Sb und Zn. The samples were freeze-dried before irradition. The disturbing Na-24 content has been removed by ion-exchange in the case of Cu, while the other elements have been measured directly. The results are compared with the tentative limits for drinking water suggested by the WHO. The corresponding element concentrations exceeded in two cases significantly these limits. The cost of water analysis by neutron activation is calculated.