Determination of trace elements in carbonates by instrumental neutron activation analysis

A systematic non-destructive determination of eighteen trace elements (F, Na, Cl, Sc, Mn, Zn, Br, Sr, I, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, Th and U) in carbonate samples by thermal neutron activation analysis was developed. Three 0.2–0.5g samples were irradiated for 15 sec (in the case of determination of F), for 3 min (in the case of Na, Cl, Mn, Sr and I) and for 60 hrs (in the case of Sc, Zn, Br, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, Th and U) in the TRIGA MARK II Reactor at a thermal neutron flux of 5·10¹¹ n·cm⁻²·sec⁻¹ (15 sec and 3 min irradiation) and 1.5·10¹²n·cm⁻²·sec⁻¹ (60 hrs irradiation), respectively. According to the half life of the nuclides formed, the activities were measured with a Ge(Li) spectrometer as follows,²⁰F∶15 sec counting after 20–25 sec cooling,²⁴Na,³⁸Cl,⁵⁶Mn,^87mSr and¹²⁸I∶600 sec couting after 30–120 min cooling,⁸²Br,¹⁴⁰La,¹⁵³Sm,¹⁷⁵Yb and²³⁹Np (daughter of²³⁹U)∶3000 sec counting after 1 week cooling,⁴⁶Sc,⁶⁵Zn,¹³¹Ba,¹⁴¹Ce,¹⁵²Eu,¹⁶⁰Tb and²³³Pa (daughter of²³³Th)∶5000 sec counting after 1 month cooling. The errors due to the fluctuation of the neutron flux and the counting geometry were minimized by the use of calcium determined previously with EDTA-titration as an internal standard. The interferences from²⁴Mg(n, p)²⁴Na and²³⁵U(n, fission) reactions were corrected by the activities produced by the reactions in unit weight of magnesium and uranium, and their concentrations in samples measured experimentally. The data of Na, Mn, Zn and Sr were compared with the results obtained by atomic absorption analysis.     

Determination of trace elements in fish by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis, INAA, was utilized for the determination of Al, Au, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sc, V and W in 12 Tilapia Nilotica samples collected from the Aswan High Dam Lake following the destructive techniques.     

Determination of trace elements in Nigerian kola-nuts by instrumental neutron activation analysis

The trace elements content of Cola acuminata and three varieties of Cola nitida have been determined using neutron activation analysis. The samples have been irradiated at the Joint Universities Research Reactor, Risley, England for 7^1/2 hours in a neutron flux of 2.5·10¹² n·cm^–2s^–1 and analysed using high resolution lithium drifted germanium detector coupled to a Canberra 35 microprocessor as a 4096 channel gamma spectrometer. The elements: Na, K, Br, W, Fe, Cs, Co, Zn, and Sc were detected.     

Characterization of trace elements in medicinal herbs by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Medicinal herbs are often used as alternative medicines for healing and controlling some diseases in the world. This study focuses on the content of heavy and trace elements of some widely consumed herbs in Libya. Nine most popular herbs were analyzed by k ₀-instrumental neutron activation analysis. All the samples, SRM and flux monitors were irradiated for 7 and 10 hours under thermal neutron flux of 1.3·10¹³ cm⁻²·s⁻¹ at Tajoura nuclear reactor. In total, 33 elements were analyzed in different herbs. The variations in the concentration of the elements are attributed to soil composition and the climate in which the plant grows. The study showed that the toxic elements found in the samples were below the levels prescribed by health regulations. The precision and the accuracy of the results were evaluated by analyzing the reference materials Pine Needles SRM 1575 and Citrus Leaves SRM1572.     

Determination of trace elements in Egyptian molasses by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Multielement neutron activation analysis has been applied to the determination of macro, micro and trace amounts of Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sc and V in molasses of Kom Ombo, Edfu, Armant, Naga Hammady and Abu Korkass cane sugar factories. The threshold element concentrations are acceptable and below the safety. Differences in element concentrations may be related to different botanic textures and structures, different compositions of sugar cane plants, corrosion of containers or changes in soil as a result of geochemical differentiation. The method is sensitive down to 0.038 ppm of V. The relative errors due to counting statistics are in the range of 0.2–11%.     

Preliminary study of trace elements in human brain tumor tissues by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Elemental profiles of brain tumor tissues from 15 patients of astrocytomas (grade I–III) and normal human brain tissues of 23 male age matched autopsies as controls have been studied by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The SLOWPOKE reactor with a thermal neutron flux of 8·10¹¹n·cm^–2·s^–1 and swimming pool type reactor with a thermal neutron flux of 1·10¹³n·cm^–2·s^–1 were used for short and long irradiation of samples, respectively. Spectrophotometry was only used for analyzing phosphorus. A total of 18 elements Se, Na, K, Br, Cl, Mn, Mg, S, Ca, Cu, Hg, Cr, Fe, Rb, Zn, Co, Sc and P has been determined for this purpose. The reliability of methods has been checked by analyzing biological standard reference materials horse kidney (IAEA H-8) and bovine liver (NBS SRM 1577a). The analytical results showed that compared with the normal brain tissues, concentrations of Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Mn, Br and Sc were significantly higher in tumor tissues (P<0.01) and concentrations of Rb, K and P were lower, while no differences for contents of Mg, S, Cr, Hg, Na and Cl were observed. A negative correlation between P and Ca in malignant and normal brain tissues was observed.     

Determination of trace elements in biological materials by instrumental epithermal neutron activation analysis

The use of reactor epithermal neutrons in instrumental activation analysis is described for the determination of trace elements via long-lived isotopes. A boron carbide filter is used. Results of analyses of human erythrocytes, plasma, urine and some biological reference materials are given to demonstrate the applicability of the method to biological samples. Bromine, iron, cesium, rubidium, selenium and zinc and cobalt are determined. The method provides accuracy and reliability similar to conventional thermal neutron activation but is faster. Limits of detection attainable with the two techniques are compared.     

Determination of trace elements in carbonate reference samples by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Twenty elements (Sm, U, As, Sb, La, Ce, Yb, Th, Cr, Eu, Hf, Ba, Cs, Tb, Sc, Rb, Fe, Zn, Ta, Co) have been determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis in GSJ/AIST carbonate reference samples, JCp-1 (Coral) and JCt-1 (Giant Clam), together with JLk-1 (Lake Sediment), JDo-1 (Dolomite) and JLs-1 (Limestone) reference samples.     

Determination of trace elements in sugar cane refuse by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Multielemental instrumental neutron activation analysis has been utilized for the determination of micro, trace and ultratrace amounts of Al, As, Au, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, F, Fe, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, Sc, V and W in sugar cane refuses of Armant, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Deshna and Naga Hammady Factories. The element concentrations are below the safety baseline levels. Variations of results may be related to different botanic structures, different compositions of sugar cane plants or ecologic changes in soil. The method is accurate and precise. The relative errors are in the range of 0.3–12.3%.     

Determination of trace elements in atmospheric wet precipitation by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) methods have been developed for the simultaneous determination of multielement concentrations in both particulate and soluble fractions of atmospheric wet precipitation (AWP). Samples of AWP collected across Canada by Canadian Network for Sampling Precipitation (CANSAP) have been analyzed. The INAA method involves four sequential irradiations and counting after five different decay periods for measuring Ag, Al, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Dy, Fe, Hf, Hg, I, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Ti V and Zn. Precision and accuracy of the INAA methods have been evaluated, and detection limits have been calculated.     

Determination of toxic and trace elements in algae by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis has been applied in the determination of toxic and other trace elements in a set of three algae materials provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency, with the aim of environmental preservation through enhanced applications of nuclear analytical techniques. The quality of the analysis method has been evaluated by analyzing a number of biological standard reference materials. By adding mineral nutrients, the cultivation of algae for metals is enhanced, in particular, selected toxic heavy metals such as As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni and Pb. It is believed that the level of elemental concentration in algae samples are dependent on environmental conditions due to its biochemical properties. Therefore, algae materials may be useful as an indicator or controller of environmental water pollution.     

Determination of trace elements in Chinese medicinal plants by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Roots of Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Codonopsis pilosula, which were often used as herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, were analyzed by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). The samples were collected in Gansu, northwest of China and irradiated at the 15 MW heavy water reactor in China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE). The induced activities were counted by a well calibrated low background γ-spectrometer equipped with a high efficiency coaxial high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The concentrations of eighteen trace elements (Ca, Fe, Na, Zn, Ba, Rb, Ce, Cr, La, Co, Th, Cs, Sb, Sc, Sm, Hf, Eu and Tb) in the herbs were determined. Possible links between pharmacological action of the herbs and content of some elements were also discussed in this paper. The measured results were compared with the reported values in literature.     

Determination of lanthanides and other trace elements in ferns by instrumental neutron activation analysis

About 70 kinds of fem samples have been analyzed by means of neutron activation analysis in order to deduce characteristics and mechanisms of accumulation of rare earth elements. Accumulator species for scandium and lanthanides have been newly found based on the analysis. Correlations among barium, hafnium, and lanthanides indicate that the fems accumulating barium and hafnium also showed high concentrations of lanthanides. Remarkable accumulation of lanthanides in diversifying genera suggests that lanthanides contribute to making those species diverse.     

Determination of trace elements in surface water by neutron activation analysis

In order to assure the public health, simple and relibable analytical methods must be established for effective surveillance of polluted surface water. Since the pollutants in surface water are usually found at ultratrace levels, preconcentration is generally required to ensure the quality of the analytical results. An analytical procedure consisting of preconcentration using hydrous magnesium oxide followed by neutron activation analysis has been proposed and applied to the determinations of trace elements in surface water.     

Size spectra for trace elements in urban aerosol particles by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Size-fractionated aerosol samples collected with micro-orifice impactors at Camden, NJ, a heavily industrialized urban area, and at two sites near Washington, DC, were analyzed for elemental constituents determined instrumentally from short-lived neutron activation products. A least-squares peak-fitting method was used with impactor calibration data to determine log-normal distribution parameters, i.e., mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and geometric standard deviation (_g) for particles bearing S, V, Br, and I. For these elements, MMADs ranged from 0.24 to 0.65 m; 0.23 to 0.53 m; 0.22 to 0.61 m, and 0.20 to 0.48 m, respectively.     

Preconcentration and instrumental neutron activation analysis of acid rain for trace elements

A combination of instrumental and preconcentration neutron activation analysis (NAA) methods has been developed for multielement determination in acid rain. Concentrations of 24 elements have been measured in the particulate matter of rainwater by the instrumental NAA method which involves 3 irradiation and 4 counting periods. Trace elements in the soluble fraction of rainwater have been preconcentrated using Chelex-100 resin. Various factors that could influence the retention of elements on to the resin have been examined, and reagent and other blanks investigated in detail. Concentrations of 15 elements have been measured by directly irradiating the resins. A graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry method has been used for determining Cd and Pb levels in the soluble fraction. Precision and accuracy of the methods have been evaluated, and limits of detection and determination calculated. The methods have been applied to rainwater samples collected from 36 locations across Canada. Enrichment factors, interelement and inter-ion concentration correlation coefficients are discussed     

Determination of trace elements in bottled water in Greece by instrumental and radiochemical neutron activation analyses

Summary Four different bottled water brands sold in Greece in the winter of 2001-2002 were analyzed for a wide range of chemical elements, using neutron activation analysis (NAA). The elements Na and Br were determined instrumentally (INAA), whereas the other metals and trace elements radiochemically (RNAA). The results indicated that the mean level of all the elements determined in the samples were well within the European Union (EU) directive on drinking water and accomplish the drinking water standards of the World Health Organisation (WHO) as well as of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).     

Environmental pollution study by multielemental neutron activation analysis of garden soil samples from Nagpur City, India

A multielemental instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) method has been employed for the determination of 30 elements in seven garden soil samples from Nagpur City and two intercomparison soil standards from IAEA, Vienna and Institute of Radioecology and Applied Nuclear Techniques (IRANT), Slovak Republic. Environmental implications of elemental concentrations in different soils have been discussed.     

Determination of trace elements in total particulate matter of cigarette smoke by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Trace elements play an important role in the metabolism of the human body. Some of the trace elements are essential, whereas others are toxic and even carcinogenic. Cigarette smoke contains many of these hazardous trace elements. Tobacco samples have been analyzed by the authors for their trace element contents and the results have been reported earlier. This paper presents results on the trace element content analyzed in cigarette smoke using an automatic smoking machine developed in this laboratory to simulate actual smoking pattern. The trace element levels in the total particulate matter samples of the cigarette smoke collected on filter papers were measured and compared with those of cigarette smoke condensate reported in the literature. Both methods of collection give comparable results.     

Determination of trace elements in various organs of rats by thermal neutron activation analysis

The trace element levels in various organs of normal rats have been determined by means of thermal neutron activation followed by high-resolution gamma-spectroscopy. Abundances for 11 elements (Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Rb, Sb, Se, Cr, Co, Cs and Sc) were evaluated in the individual subjects. The present results were generally found within the ranges of the literature values, except for ultra-trace elements. Reliability of the method was assessed by analyzing NBS standard reference materials, Orchard Leaves and Bovine Liver. The trace element contents of the rat diet have also been measured, and comparison of them with those of the rat organs was given.