A comparison of two separation techniques using NaI(Tl) and Ge(Li) spectrometry for trace element determination in biological materials by neutron activation analysis

A comparison of two group separation techniques using either NaI(Tl) or Ge(Li) spectrometry is presented for trace element determination in biological materials by neutron activation analysis. The capabilities of both procedures are described in terms of detection limits, precision and accuracy for the determination of the elements As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mo, Ni, Sb, Se, Sn, and Zn in various types of biological samples. For this purpose the (standard) reference materials NBS SRM-1577 Bovine Liver, Bowen's Kale, IAEA Pig Kidney H-7 and IAEA Milk Powder A-11 were analyzed. An attempt was also made to minimize blank values for several elements.     

Neutron activation analysis of biological materials by the monostandard method

Instrumental neutron activation analysis by the monostandard method has been applied to the analyses of biological NBS standard reference materials; 1571 Orchard Leaves and 1577 Bovine Liver. Aluminum foils containing 0.100% gold or 2.00% cobalt were used as the monostandards. The gamma-ray spectral data were recorded on punched paper tape and were analyzed by a computer assisted data processing. The following 25 elements were determined: Al, Ca, Cl Cu, Mg, Mn, V (by short period irradiation), As, Ba, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hg, K, La, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm and Zn (by long period irradiation). The results were compared with the certified values by NBS and the reported values in literatures to prove the reliability and accuracy of the monostandard method.     

Determination of trace elements in reference materials by the k(0)-standardization method (INAA)

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was applied to four reference materials: NBS 1573 (Tomato Leaves), NBS 1645 (Citrus Leaves), NBS 1645 (River Sediment), and IAEA MA-A-2 (TM) (Fish Flesh). The k(0)-standardization method was used. The results are compared with (i) reference values (mostly non-certified) and (ii) published values obtained by other methods. Good agreement is found for most of the elements. For some elements, large discrepancies are observed.     

Substoichiometric extraction of chromium

Substoichiometric extraction of chromium with tetraphenylarsonium chloride (TPACl), tri-n-octylamine (TNOA), diethylammonium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDDC) and ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) was examined in detail. Chromium can be extracted substoichiometrically in a pH range, which is 1.1–2.6 for the TPACl compound, 0.6–2.3 for the TNOA compound, 5.1–6.4 for the DDCC chelate and 3.9–4.9 for the APDC chelate. Chromium in high-purity calcium carbonate, Orchard Leaves (NBS SRM-1571) and Brewers Yeast (NBS SRM-1569) was determined by neutron activation analysis combined with substoichiometric extraction by DDDC and APDC. The values of 2.0±0.02 ppm and 2.6±0.2 ppm were obtained for Brewers Yeast and Orchard Leaves, respectively. These values were in good agreement with the values reported by NBS. The reaction mechanism and the reaction ratio between hexavalent chromium and dithiocarbamate were also discussed.     

Neutron activation analysis of 35 elements in Chinese standard rocks (GSR) and soils (GSS) using the SLOWPOKE reactor

Concentrations of 35 elements in Chinese Standard Rocks (GSR-1 to GSR-3) and Soils (GSS-1 to GSS-8) have been measured with INAA using the SLOWPOKE reactor. At the same time, the U. S. NBS reference standards: SRM-1632a (Bituminous Coal), SRM-1633a (Coal Fly Ash) and SRM-1646 (Estuarine Sediment) were also analyzed in order to cross-check the accuracy of this method. The results obtained indicate that the reproducibility of the method is satisfactory for most of the elements, namely the precision in general, is better than ±10%. Comparison of our values for NBS SRM-1632a, 1633a and 1646 with the certified values of NBS or with values cited in the literature indicates good agreement. The results were found to be accurate within ±10% error of the established results.     

Simultaneous determination of sixteen major and minor elements in river sediments by energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry after fusion in lithium tetraborate glass

Fluvial sediments, including the NBS SRM-1645 Standard River Sediment, were fused in lithium tetraborate to form glass discs on which determinations of 16 elements (K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr and Pb) were obtained simultaneously at a single set of x-ray conditions by energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (e.d.x.r.f.). Relatively high sample-to-flux ratios of 1:3 were employed to obtained determinations of several minor as well as major elements on a single disc. Lower sample concentrations 1:6 and 1:10 were also used with the NBS SRM-1645. Inter-element corrections for absorption by iron were significant for detectable elements heavier than iron. In the NBS SRM-1645 samples, corrections were made for the fluorescence of chromium by the Fe K lines as well as the absorption of the Fe K lines by chromium. A background correction was also necessary for manganese in NBS SRM-1645. At the lowest sample-to-flux ratio (1:10) good agreement was obtained between the e.d.x.r.f. determinations and the NBS values for all quantifiable elements except zinc. At higher sample-to-flux ratios, agreement with the NBS values was generally poorer with increasing sample concentration. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the eight quantifiable major and minor elements (K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Zn, Sr and Zr) determined under a single set of x-ray conditions ranged from 2 to 9% (RSD) with a mean RSD of 4.4% for a set of replica discs fused with Lake Pueblo/Arkansas River sediment samples.     

Application of the k0 standardization method in reactor nuetron activation analysis of standard steels and fly ash

The method of k₀ standardization is suitable for routine multi-element determinations by reactor neutron activation. Investigation of NBS steel standards showed the systematic error of the method to be less than 3%. Numerical evaluation of the spectra was found to be fast and convenient. Fourteen elements in the steel samples were determined; for nine, the standard deviation was less than 4%. Thirty seven elements were determined in NBS SRM-1663a Coal Fly Ash; agreement with certified values was again very good.     

Distribution patterns of rare-earth elements in biological materials evaluated by radiochemical neutron activation analysis

This study deals with the quantitative determination of eight REE's viz, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, and Lu as an Integral part of a post-irradiation chemical separation scheme for the determination of 14 trace elements in biological materials. REE values are given for NBS Orchard Leaves SRM 1571, NBS Bovine Liver SRM 1577 and Bowen's Kale, as well as for some other biological (reference) materials of plant, animal and human origin. Chondritic-normalized REE patterns of these materials are discussed. It is shown that differentiations in REE-pattern between soil and plant may occur, and also that within the human body different modes of fractionation of REE's take place.     

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.     

Possibilities of low-level determination of silicon in biological materials by activation analysis

The capabilities of neutron and photon activation analysis (NAA and PAA, respectively) for low-level determination of silicon in biological materials have been examined. Sensitivities of a variety of modes of NAA and PAA with radiochemical separation have been evaluated. Results are presented for silicon in reference materials CSRM 12–2-03 Lucerne, Bowen’s Kale, NIST SRM-1571 Orchard Leaves, and NIST SRM-1515 Apple Leaves. The results were obtained by employing the ²⁹Si(n,p)²⁹Al reaction with fast reactor neutrons and the radiochemical procedure developed for aluminium separation. Possibilities of further improvement of the silicon determination limit down to the μg g^–1 level by employing NAA and PAA with radiochemical separation are outlined.     

Possibilities of low-level determination of silicon in biological materials by activation analysis

The capabilities of neutron and photon activation analysis (NAA and PAA, respectively) for low-level determination of silicon in biological materials have been examined. Sensitivities of a variety of modes of NAA and PAA with radiochemical separation have been evaluated. Results are presented for silicon in reference materials CSRM 12-2-03 Lucerne, Bowen's Kale, NIST SRM-1571 Orchard Leaves, and NIST SRM-1515 Apple Leaves. The results were obtained by employing the 29Si(n,p)29Al reaction with fast reactor neutrons and the radiochemical procedure developed for aluminium separation. Possibilities of further improvement of the silicon determination limit down to the microg g(-1) level by employing NAA and PAA with radiochemical separation are outlined.     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of trace elements in quartz

A scheme for INAA of 32 elements (As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, Ir, K, La, Lu, Mn, Na, Nd, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, U, W. Yb, Zn) in quartz glass is proposed. The accuracy of the procedure is evaluated by the analysis of two NBS standard reference materials (SRM-1571 and SRM-1632-a). The method is convenient for routine work. The method was used for the determination of impurities in laboratory quartz glass. Dedicated to the 60th birthday of acad. prof. g. bliznakov     

Input of missing trace elements in some IAEA/NBS biological certified reference materials using INAA

IAEA and NBS biological certified reference materials have been analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis and concentration of 17 elements was determined. The elements determined were either completely missing or their certified values were not given in the original compilations. For quality assurance of our work, a comparison of data on missing trace elements in some of the CRMs has been presented. It seems that second round of analysis for the certification of these elements would be useful.     

Neutron activation analysis of biologically essential trace elements in environmental specimens using pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate extraction

A new radiochemical group separation method using APDC reagent in the extraction procedure has been developed. The method has been applied to the radiochemical separation for activated biological samples and also to the preconcentration technique for sea water samples. The transition elements are extracted into chloroform phase from the pH 3.0 aqueous phase and only manganese is subsequently extracted from the pH 7.0 aqueous phase. The validity of the method is demonstrated by analyzing the NBS standard reference materials. In the specimens preconcentrated from the sea water samples adjusted pH to 5.5, vanadium, manganese, copper and zinc can be determined.     

Multielement photon activation analysis of biological materials.

A non-destructive photon activation procedure with 30-MeV bremsstrahlung followed by high-resolution γ-spectrometry is proposed for multielement analysis of biological materials. The materials tested were the NBS SRM Orchard Leaves and Bovine Liver, Bowen′s kale and Kentucky 1R1 tobacco standards. Simultaneous irradiation of the sample with synthetic multielement standards containing 25 elements showed that up to 12 elements can be determined in a single sample. The method is quite simple and gives good reproducible results. Agreement of the results with published data is excellent.     

Determination of indium,copper and nickel in glassmaking materials and NBS standard reference materials by substoichiometric radioactivation analysis

The paper describes a method of radioactivation analysis for the determination of indium, copper and nickel. In the determination of indium, ordinary and displacement substoichiometries were applied for glassmaking materials while ordinary substoichiometry was applied for NBS standard reference materials. Copper and nickel in glassmaking materials and NBS standard reference materials were also determined by the displacement and ordinary substoichiometries. Indium contents in glassmaking materials by the two methods agreed with each other. The analytical results of indium, copper and nickel in NBS' SRM were also in good agreement with published values and certified values by NBS.     

Monostandard instrumental neutron activation analysis of Chinese Biological Standard Reference Material using short-lived radionuclides

A routine procedure for monostandard INAA using short-lived radionuclides with half-lives from 2 min to 15 hrs is described. Ten elements (Al, Mg, Ti, V, Mn, Cl, Na, K. Br and Cu) are determined in Chinese Biological Standard Reference Material (peach leaves). The quality of analysis was checked by analyzing the U. S. NBS Standard Reference Materials SRM-1571 and SRM-1648.     

Substoichiometric isotope dilution analysis of iron in biological materials by the 8-quinolinol-extraction

A highly precise and accurate method for the determination of minor amounts of iron by substoichiometric isotope dilution analysis is described. The constant amount of Fe(III) is substoichiometrically extracted with 2·10⁻⁴M oxine in chloroform from the aqueous phase of pH 9.2–10.0 containing 6·10⁻³M tartrate. The interfering ions such as Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II), can be removed by the preliminary extraction of Fe(III) from 7.5M hydrochloric acid solutions into isopropyl ether. The present method has been applied to the determination of iron in biological standard reference materials, i.e., the NBS Spinach (SRM-1570) and the NIES Pepperbush (SRM No. 1), and the results obtained are 548±9 ppm (NBS certified value: 550±20 ppm) and 193±4 ppm, respectively.     

Application of laser-excited atomic fluorescence spectrometry to the determination of iron

A frequency-doubled, flashlamp-pumped tunable dye laser is used to excite the Stokes direct-line atomic fluorescence transition of iron (296.7 nm/373.5 nm). Limits of detection are determined with single (0.6 ng/ml) and multipass (0.2 ng/ml) and with a l s time constant (a 0.06 ng/ml limit detection is obtained with an 8 s time constant). Noise sources limiting precision at both low (background flame emission shot and flicker noise) and high concentrations (laser pulse to pulse variability) concentrations are investigated and the technique is used for the determination of iron in simulated fresh water NBS SRM-1643), unalloyed copper (NBS SRM-394) and fly ash (NBS SRM-1633).