Neutron activation analysis for provenance studies of archaeological ceramics

Neutron activation analysis was used for provenance studies of ceramics from the early middle ages (avar period). 14 trace elements and Fe were determined by multiisotope comparator method. Computerized mathematical statistical methods (cluster-, and similarity analysis) were used for grouping the samples according to the similarity of their trace element distributions.To the memory of János BÉRCZI.     

Neutron activation analysis for provenance studies of archaeological artifacts

Differences in composition of archaeological artifacts may only in distinct cases be interpreted in terms of provenance differences. This point is discussed with examples: the large number of elements analyzed with precision and the relative lack of sensitivity of many of them to the presence of crystalline inclusions, made of NAA the method most commonly used for provenance studies of ceramics.     

Neutron activation studies of trace elements in tree rings

The levels of twelve elements most of which are either considered essential to plant growth or have been detected in air filter samples in an air pollution survey, have been monitored in three transverse sections of trees, two elms (ring porous trees) and one cedar (a conifer). Two dimensional distributions of these elements around the tree rings of the section and radially from ring to ring, have been obtained to see if tree rings can be analysed for use as a record of historical pollution.     

Neutron activation for precise nuclear data

Techniques for extracting neutron flux parameters pertaining to the irradiation positions and nuclear data pertaining to the isotopes concemed from measured reaction rates have been developed. An adjustment procedure based on the generalized least squares method with incorporates the, evaluated literature nuclear data, estimates of flux parameters and the experimentally measured reaction rates using high resolution -ray spectrometry is applied. More precise values of the nuclear data, i.e., thermal neutron cross sections, resonance integrals and -ray emission probabilities are thus generated. The irradiation of a multi-element standard (MES) containing 24 elements is carried out in six diffieret positions in two diverse types of reactor in the UK and Russia. It is shown that the improvement in nuclear data is revelaed in moire than 90% of the cases.     

Neutron activation analysis in forensic investigations: Trace elements characterization of cigarettes

A new type of silica-based chelating extraction resin, DtBuCH18C6/SiO₂-P, was prepared by impregnating a crown ether derivative, 4,4￠,(5￠)-di(tert-butylcyclohexano)-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH18C6), into the porous silica/polymer composite particles (SiO₂-P). The adsorption of Sr(II) and some other fission product elements was investigated by a batch adsorption experiment in HNO₃ This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Neutron activation analysis for aluminum in animal tissue

A method for the neutron activation analysis of aluminum in animal tissue has been developed which through pre-irradiation chemistry eliminates otherwise interfering nuclear reactions. The procedure gives a precision of ±0.1 ppm in samples of a few hundred milligrams dry tissue containing about 1 ppm Al.Bowen’s standard kale has been analysed instrumentally and a value of 45±4 ppm Al was found. Difficulties specifically related to the aluminum analysis of this material are discussed.     

Neutron activation analysis for sodium traces in magnesium

When sodium traces are determined in magnesium matrices by neutron activation analysis, the reaction ²⁴Mg(n,p)²⁴Na interferes by simulating spurious sodium concentrations (about 400–500 p.p.m. for usual irradiation positions in the RS 1 water-pool reactor). A preliminary separation of the sodium traces from the bulk of the matrix by electrudeposition on a mercury cathode and recovery in water by amalgam decomposition, prevented the fast-neutron effects. Electrolysis for 4 h gave almost quantitative recovery of sodium (93±5%) and satisfactory decontamination factors for magnesium (1.5 to 5. 10³). The method is limited by the blank correction (14 μg Na with a glass electrolysis cell). Some results for magnesium samples with both destructive and non-destructive techniques are reported.     

Neutron activation analysis for trace elements in foods

Food samples reflecting average food consumption by an adult in the southeastern, northeastern, central, and western parts of the United States were collected and prepared as if for consumption. The prepared foods were divided into twelve different food categories and analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The concentration of Ca, Mn, Mg, Al, Na, K, Cu, Cl, Sb, Hg, Se, Fe, Zn and Co is reported for these food samples.     

Neutron activation analysis of indium

The extraction and extraction-chromatographic behavior of many elements in the tributylphosphate — HBr solution system has been studied. The investigation performed has made it possible to develop a simple technique for neutron activation determination of 22 impurity elements in high purity indium samples with detection limits from 0.1 ppm for Fe and Zr to 0.01 ppb for Na, Sc, Cu, As, La and W.     

Neutron activation analysis of radiopharmaceuticals

In order to understand the chemical form of soluble technetium in paddy soil and its availability to a rice plant, soil incubation and uptake experiments have been carried out using^95mTc as a tracer. The chemical form of the soluble Tc was observed by gel chromatography and found not to be pertechnetate, but rather to be associated with soluble organic matter. An uptake experiment with rice seedlings using nutrient solution showed that this Tc-organic matter complex was less available than pertechnetate.     

Neutron activation analysis of soils

Résumé On décrit l'analyse de sols par activation neutronique au moyen de détecteur Ge(Li) à haute résolution pour la recherche de 31 éléments. Les éléments déterminés comprennent des métaux alcalins, des terres rares et des éléments de transition, la plupart d'entre eux sont utilisés, comme indices de différenciation géochimique et d'autres sont utilisés en tant que facteur de nutrition dans la physiologie des plantes. Quelques éléments comprenant Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Th, Zr, Hf, Ta, Mn, Co, Fe, Sc, Cr, Sb, Ca, V, Al, Ti, Br et U ont été déterminés par spectrométrie gamma non-destructive, et d'autres Mo, W, Sr, Cu, Zn et Ga après une simple séparation radio chimique basée sur un échange d'ions et une extraction par solvant. On a employé l'activation dans les neutrons épithermique pour la recherche de l'U, utilisant des neutrons de réacteur. Les risques d'interférence dans les réactions et dans les spectres gamma, l'autoabsorption et les autres causes possibles d'erreur sont analysées et évaluées quand c'est possible. Les résultats sont donnés en temps que moyenne de plusieurs dosages. Dans tous les cas, on est parvenu à une grande précision.      

Neutron activation analysis of scandium

A neutron activation method is proposed for the determination of trace quantities of scandium, down to submicrogram level, in rocks, ores and meteorites. The sample and standard are irradiated intermittently for a total of 30 h, at a neutron flux of 5·10¹¹ n/cm²/sec; the radiochemical separation consists essentially of a one-step anion exchange. The induced γ-activity of ⁴⁰Sc, 85 days, isolated from the sample is measured and compared with that of a standard. The chemical yield averages 85% and there is a considerable saving of time in the radiochemical work. Results are quoted for the scandium contents of 2 standard rocks, cassiterite and several stony meteorites. Details of conflicting nuclear reactions are also given.     

Neutron activation analysis for investigating purity grade of copper, nickel and palladium thin films used in cold fusion experiments

In the last decades some scientific papers have been published on the study of nuclear transmutation reactions in condensed matter, in which the formation of new nuclear products was investigated. In this contest, a specific research activity based on electrolysis process has been developed at ENEA: each step has been analyzed and deeply investigated by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). The materials such as electrolysis equipment, electrolytic solutions, electrodes, etc. were preliminarily analyzed by INAA for identifying and reducing all the pollution sources. Several experiments were performed using films of copper, nickel and palladium as electrodes. At the end of each test, all the materials and the electrolytic solutions used and the blank as well were analyzed by INAA for checking and measuring the presence of nuclei originating from nuclear transmutations. INAA is in fact able to determine element content at a very low level, where other analytical techniques cannot reach with such precision and accuracy. The results obtained are strongly random demonstrating a phenomenon of apparent enrichment rather than the occurrence of transmutation phenomena in the condensed matter during the electrolysis.     

Neutron activation analysis of human hair for environmental purposes

The possibility of using human hair as a monitor for the pollution of the environment with metals is discussed. Analyzed are 15 cases by means of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. Elements Se, Cu, Ca, Na, Mn and S in Bulgarian hair are compared with those from other countries. Analyzed cases are divided into two groups: metal burdened and nonburdened. A difference in Na, Ca and Mn content in hair of both groups is observed. A value of Mn is outlined which indicates with a high probability the metal burden of a person.     

Neutron activation method for nitrogen determination in biological specimens

For the determination of the nitrogen content in plants, 14 MeV neutron activation analysis was used based on the determination of the elemental concentration by measuring the area of the gamma-radiation of the radionuclide¹³N as a result of¹⁴N(n, 2n)¹³N reaction. Three methods were tested in order to obtain quantitative results: comparator method, method for absolute determination of the neutron flux and monitor method. Using the monitor method, results for nitrogen content in plant species were obtained-for beans 74.8% and for maize 1.8%. The precision of determination is ±10%. The possible sources of errors are analyzed. The efficiency of the Ge(Li) detector has been determined using a combined -source in the energy interval 120–1400 keV with precision of 4.5%. The sensitivity achieved was 4 mg or 47 imp/mg per min.