Determination of trace elements in petroleum by neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and Ge(Li) spectrometry have been used to determine Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Sb, Eu, Au, Hg, and U in crude petroleum. The technique involves no chemical separations and no pre-concentration of the samples by ashing is necessary, thus avoiding contamination or loss of volatile elements. The estimated detection limits in ppb for the elements are Sc (0.1), Cr (0.16), Fe (400.0), Co (0.6), Ni (1.1), Zn (200.0), As (6.0), Se (23.0), Sb (1.0), Eu (0.58), Au (0.11), Hg (4.3), U (1.5). Precision values ranged from 0.1% to 15% (relative standard deviation). Interferences in the Co and Fe determinations due to fast neutron reactions (n, p) and (n, α) on Ni isotopes are small and are easily corrected. Losses of As, Se, and Hg due to escape of volatile gases during irradiation are negligible     

Neutron activation as a routine method for the determination of trace elements in water

By freeze-drying the following elements can be determined in natural water except sea water: Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Eu, Fe, K, La, Mo, Na, Sb, Sc, Se, U, Zn. Some problems may arise with respect to As and Hg. Cu, Cd and Ni can only be determined if present in high concentrations. Separation by adsorption on charcoal in presence of complexing agents gives yields between 75 and 100% for the following elements in sea water: Ag, Au, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Eu, Fe, Hg, La, Mo, Sc, Se, U, Zn (As 67%, Sb 56%). Activation or use of labelled ions and study of exchange give information about mobility of trace elements in suspended matter.     

Compositional Studies of Ancient Copper from Romanian Territories

Ancient copper objects from Romanian territories have been analyzed by neutron activation analysis. A series of elements is determined: Au, Ag, As, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Ni, Zn, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn. Using mathematical dendograms some classifications and correlation have been established.     

Determination and geochemical significance of trace elements in Iraqi crude oils using instrumental neutron activation analysis

The trace-element composition of crude oil was studied using instrumental neutron activation techniques and a large-volume high-resolution Ge(Li) detector. A total of 29 elements were determined in oils representing the various producing formations of the Iraqi oil fields. These were: Al, Ar, As, Au, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Eu, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, La, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Re, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, V, W and Zn. The significance of these trace elements in the geochemical investigation of crude oil is discussed.     

Determinations de traces dans les semi-conducteurs par activation neutronique

Résumé On décrit la détermination de traces dans le germanium, le silicium et le sélénium. En appliquant des techniques gamma spectrométriques, précédées ou non de séparations chimiques il est possible de doser les éléments suivants dans (1) germanium: As, Cu, Au, Ga, Zn, Hg, Cr, Sn, Sb, Co, In, Ni, Ir, Se, Sc, Ag, Ta, Hf et U; (2) silicium: P, Au, Sb, Ga, Fe, K, Cr, Mo, Sn, As, Co, In, Zn, Cu, W, Ta, Na, Eu, Sm, La, Sc et T1; (3) sélénium: Cl, Br, I, P, S, Te, Na, K, Cr, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, Sc, Ag, Cd, La, W, Au et Tl. Les concentrations et ou limites de détections varient de quelques parties par million à 10⁻³ parties par milliard.     

Neutron activation analysis of dry biological materials using mineralization with a saturated Mg(NO3)2-solution and scavenging by activated carbon

The combination of wet open mineralization with a saturated Mg(NO₃)₂-solution and the scavening of trace elements by active carbon are discussed. Experiments with spiked aliquuots serve to establish the chemical yeilds. The procedure is then checked by the analysis of Standard (Reference) Materials from the NBS and the IAEA. The elements Sc, Fe, Co, Zn, Cu, Se, Sb, W, Hg, Au and some lanthanides can be obtained with no apparent systematic bias and at a reasonable precision.     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of a sulfide ore and some ore benefication products

Samples of a pyritic lead-zinc ore and some benefication products were examined by instrumental activation analysis using Ge(Li) gamma-spectrometry. The following elements were determined using thermal neutron activation: Sc, Cr, Co, Zn, As, Se, Ag, Sb, Ir, Au and Th. The technique is especially favourable for the determination of cobalt, arsenic, antimony and gold, but selenium, silver and thorium can also be determined in most fractions. Activation with epithermal neutrons will improve conditions for the determination of As, Sb, Se, Ag, Au and Th.     

Determination of trace elements in food by neutron activation analysis

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) methods have been developed for the determination of major, minor and trace elements in duplicate diets and individual food items. These include a cyclic instrumental NAA (CINAA) method for measuring Se content through its short-lived nuclide^77mSe; epithermal INAA (EINAA) for I and As; conventional INAA for Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sn and Zn; combination of EINAA and INAA for Al; radiochemical NAA (RNAA) for As, Au, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mo, Sb, Se and Zn; and preconcentration NAA (PNAA) for U and Th. Accuracy of measurements have been evaluated by analyzing a number of biological and diet reference materials. Multielement concentrations of diets and foods have been measured by these methods.     

Determination of Mn,Co, Cu,Zn, Ag,Bi, Cd,Se, Cr and Te in anatolian iron artifacts by instrumental neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Two methods of concentration of Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, In, Mo, Mn, Sb, Sc, Se, W and Zn from water have been elaborated. The trace elements are preconcentrated by coprecipitation with thionalide at pH 9, 1 and 0 or by sorption on ion exchange resin Dowex 1×2 loaded with 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid at pH 7.     

Elemental content in wheat products of Al-Qusim region, Saudi Arabia using the INAA technique

Wheat is one of the most grown crops in Saudi Arabia. It is grown in various regions of the country. Accurate knowledge of the elemental concentrations in wheat and its products (bran and flour) is of great importance from a nutritional point of view. Wheat samples were obtained from the Al-Qusim region, 300 km northwest of Riyadh, and analyzed. Up to 50 elements (Al, Sb, As, Ba, Br, Cd, Ca, Cs, Cl, Cr, Co, Cu, Ga, Au, Hf, In, I, Ir, Fe, Mg, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, K, Rb, Sc, Se, Ag, Na, Sr, Ta, Te, Th, Sn, Ti, W, U, V, Zn, Zr, Ce, Dy, Eu, La, Lu, Nd, Sm, Tb and Yb) were determined in the wheat products. It was observed that the elemental content of bran was much higher than that of white flour.     

57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy of banded iron formations from eastern India

Samples of the mosses Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi, collected in the summer of 1998, were used to study the atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and other toxic elements in the Chelyabinsk Region situated in the South Urals, one of the most heavily polluted industrial areas of the Russian Federation. Samples of natural soils were collected simultaneously with moss at the same 30 sites in order to investigate surface accumulation of heavy metals and to examine the correlation of elements in moss and soil samples in order to separate contributions from atmospheric deposition and from soil minerals. A total of 38 elements (Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Th, U) in soil and 33 elements Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Ag, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Tb, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Th, U) were determined by epithermal neutron activation analysis. The elements Cu, Cd and Pb (in moss samples only) were obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry. VARIMAX rotated principal component analysis was used to identify and characterize different pollution sources and to point out the most polluted areas.     

Determination of trace elements in biological standard kale by neutron activation analysis

Fifteen elements at trace levels have been determined by neutron activation analysis in the biological standard kale distributed byBowen. La, Br, As, Se, Sc, Ag, Zn, Co, Cr, Sb, Eu, Fe, and Zr have been determined by a nondestructive technique using a high-resolution Ge(Li) detector. Two more elements, Au and Hg, have been determined after radiochemical separation. The nondestructive procedure is shown to yield data in generally good agreement with those obtained by destructive techniques. Potential sources of error in the nondestructive technique are discussed.     

Study of hair element content from an urban Bulgarian population using NAA assessment of environmental status

In this preliminary study, scalp hair samples from 36 individuals resident in Sofia, Bulgaria, were analysed and Ag, Al, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, F, Fe, Hg, I, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, W, and Zn were determined. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) methods were used. Three washing procedures.: distilled-deionised water; acidacetone-water; and Triton X-100 detergent-water, showed a variable elemental change strongly dependent on the procedure used. More than 18 elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cs, F, Fe, I, K, La, Mo, Na, Ni, Sb, Sc, Sr and V) were easily removed by water-washing. Triton X-100 detergent was more effective in removing Ag, As, Au, Cl, Cs, K, Na and Rb; but not Hg. Only S and Zn were strongly incorporated in the hair structure (less than 10% being removable by any washing technique). There is no significant age correlation with any element between the various hair treatment groups. Elevated cadmium levels were found in the hair of smokers (0.711–4.913 g/g Cd) compared with nonsmokers (0.568–2.681 g/g Cd). Comparison of the elemental data for distilled water-washed hair and studies from Oxford, England and Hastings, and Hastings, New Zealand (using the same INAA method) revealed interesting variations dependent on local industrial and nutritional factors.     

用中子活化分析法研究25种元素在人体肝脏亚细胞组分中的分布

采用差速离心分离技术与中子活化分析法（ＮＡＡ）相结合的方法分析了人肝２５５中元素,并用标准参考物保证结果的准确性。分析结果表明,大多数元素在各亚细胞组分中并非均匀分布。Ａｓ、Ａｕ、Ｃｏ、Ｉ、Ｍｇ、Ｓｂ、Ｓｅ在细胞核和线粒体浓度最高。Ａｌ、Ｓｓ、Ａｕ、Ｂａ、Ｆｅ、Ｉ、Ｍｇ、Ｍｏ、Ｓｂ、Ｓｃ在细胞核和线粒体浓度最高。Ａｌ、Ａｓ、Ａｕ、Ｂａ、Ｆｅ、Ｉ、Ｌａ、Ｍｇ、Ｍｎ、Ｓｂ、Ｓｅ在胞液中深度最低,生物体     

Mechanism of the hydrolysis of 1-chloro-2-ethylthioethane extraction

To evaluate the potentiality of the blue-green algae Spirulina platensis as a matrix for the production of Se-containing pharmaceuticals, the background levels of 31 major, minor and trace elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni using (n,p) reaction), As, Br, Zn, Rb, Mo, Ag, Sb, I, Ba, Sm, Tb, Tm, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Hg, Th were determined in Spirulina platensis biomass by means of epithermal neutron activation analysis. The possibility of the purpose-oriented incorporation of Se into Spirulina platensis biomass was demonstrated. The polynomial dependence of the Se accumulation on nutritional medium loading was revealed. The analytical technique used allows to control the amount of toxic elements in algae Spirulina platensis. Based on this study, a conclusion of the possibility to use Spirulina platensisas a matrix for the production of Se-containing pharmaceutical was drawn.     

Neutron activation analysis of an iranian cigarette and its smoke

Non-destructive neutron activation analysis, employing a high-resolution Ge(Li) detector, was applied to determine the concentration of 24 trace elements in the tobacco of the Zarrin cigarette which is commercially made in Iran. These elements are: Na, K, Sc, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Ag, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Hf, Au, Hg and Th. The smokes from the combustion of this tobacco and of the cigarette paper were also analysed for these elements and the percentage transference values were calculated.     

Selective separation of indium from zinc, lead, gallium and many other elements by cation-exchange chromatography in hydrohalic acid-acetone medium

Indium can be separated from Zn, Pb(II), Ga, Ca, Be, Mg, Ti(IV), Mn(II), Fe(III), Al, U(VI), Na, Ni(II) and Co(II) by selective elution with 0.50M hydrochloric acid in 30% aqueous acetone from a column of AG50W-X8 cation-exchange resin, all the other elements being retained by the column. Lithium is included in the elements retained by the column when 0.35M hydrochloric acid in 45% aqueous acetone is used for eluting indium, but the elution of indium is slightly retarded. Ba, Sr, Zr, Hf, Th, Sc, Y, La and the lanthanides, Rb and Cs should also be retained according to their distribution coefficients. Cd, Bi(III), Au(III), Pt(IV), Pd(II), Rh(III), Mo(VI) and W(VI) can be eluted with 0.20M hydrobromic acid in 50% aqueous acetone before the elution of indium, and Ir(III), Ir(IV), As(III), As(V), Se(IV), Tl(III), Hg(II), Ge(IV), Sb(III) and Sb(V), though not investigated in detail, should accompany these elements. Relevant distribution coefficients and elution curves and results for analyses of synthetic mixtures of indium with other elements are presented.     

Epithermal neutron activation analysis of blue-green algae Spirulina platensis as a matrix for selenium-containing pharmaceuticals

To evaluate the potentiality of the blue-green algae Spirulina platensis as a matrix for the production of Se-containing pharmaceuticals, the background levels of 31 major, minor and trace elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni using (n,p) reaction), As, Br, Zn, Rb, Mo, Ag, Sb, I, Ba, Sm, Tb, Tm, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Hg, Th were determined in Spirulina platensis biomass by means of epithermal neutron activation analysis. The possibility of the purpose-oriented incorporation of Se into Spirulina platensis biomass was demonstrated. The polynomial dependence of the Se accumulation on nutritional medium loading was revealed. The analytical technique used allows to control the amount of toxic elements in algae Spirulina platensis. Based on this study, a conclusion of the possibility to use Spirulina platensisas a matrix for the production of Se-containing pharmaceutical was drawn.     

A comparative study of trace elements in water from various sources in surrounding areas of Nagpur city (India) by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) has been used for the determination of 27 elements (Ag, Au, Ba, Br, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Ga, Hg, Hf, K, La, Mn, Na, Sb, Sc, Se Sr, Th, P, Ta, Tb, Zn and Zr) in 15 water samples collected from different sources (reservoirs, well, borewell, sewage tank, river, rain) in and around Nagpur city (central India) including doubly distilled and a sea water sample from Bombay. Sample residues after evaporation were irradiated at a thermal neutron flux of 10¹²–10¹³ n·cm^–2·s^–1 for 10 min, 1d and 1wk and counted using a HPGe detector and an 4k MCA at different intervals. Several environmental standards from NIST (USA), NIES (Japan) and USGS rock were also analysed for quality assurance. Wide variations in elemental concentrations have been observed in water samples from different sources. Most elemental concentrations in drinking water from various sources, are within ISI/WHO limits. Sea water showed very high concentrations of Ba, Cr, Co, Fe, Hg, Sb, Se and Zn. For doubly distilled and rain waters, however, very low elemental concentrations of Ba, Ce, Fe, Sc, Hg, Se, Sr and Th were observed.     

Indication of environmental pollution by means of INAA of the hair of some free living mammals

Hair samples collected from free living mammals common hare (Lepus europaeus Pall.), common vole (Microtus arvallis Pall.) and wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus L.) have been subjected to instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). up to 18 elements As, Au, Br, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, La, Na, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Th and Zn have been determined in each hair sample. Animal hair samples from areas polluted by thermal power plants burning coal were taken and compared with hair samples from the animals living in relatively non-polluted control areas. The results show that animal hair samples from areas with higher level of pollution contain usually higher concentrations of toxic and essential elements as As, Co, Cr, Fe and Se. Muride rodents can be used for more detailed monitoring of environmental exposure than hare. Moreover, hair of common vole shows usually higher levels of contamination as compared with wood mouse, which could be explained by different compositions of feed. Animal hair has been shown to be a rather sensitive indicator of environmental exposure and INAA has proved to be a suitable analytical tool for this purpose.