Determination of rare earth elements in bauxites by instrumental neutron activation analysis

The instrumental neutron activation analysis method was used for determination of 12 rare earth elements in red and white bauxites. Consideration was given to those systematic errors which in a relative method of analysis can result from the effects of neutron self-shielding, photon self-absorption and fission interfering reactions, due to different chemical composition of bauxite samples and the standard of silicate rock. Also presented is the characteristics “V” shaped chondrite normalized rare earth pattern of white bauxites.     

Determination of rare earth elements in Taiwan monazite by chemical neutron activation analysis

Taiwan monazite is a unique mineral obtained from the heavy sand found in the river floor of Tzuo-suei river and En-suei river. Both rivers are flowing parallel with separated narrow area into the sea at southwestern coast of Taiwan. The characteristic of monazite is that it contains considerable rare earth elements (REEs). REEs are considered very useful elements in the local industries and scientific researches such as ceramic, semiconductors, and glass optics. In this study, chemical neutron activation analysis (CNAA) was used to determine the contents of REEs in Taiwan monazite. A few milligram of monazite was digested in the microwave oven for 25 minutes with mixed acid (conc. HNO₃ and HClO₄). REEs were preconcentrated by hydrated magnesium oxide and CNAA was performed.     

Determination of rare earth elements in mineral raw materials and rare earth industry products by neutron activation analysis

To determine REE in mineral raw materials, high purity RE metals and their compounds, neutron activation analysis with extraction chromatographic REE separation has been developed. Combination of the developed RE extraction and separation procedures with subsequent -spectrometric analysis of the RE radionuclides allows to determine their content with the lower detection limit –10^–5–10^–8%. The relative standard deviation is 0.2–0.3.     

Determination of individual rare earth elements in Vietnamese monazite by radiochemical neutron activation analysis

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA) has been applied for determination of rare earth elements (REE) in Vietnamese monazite. The chemical separation procedure used is based on the chromatographic elution of rare earth groups, after the separation of²³³Pa(Th) in irradiated monazite samples by coprecipitation with MnO₂, the rare earth elements were retained by Biorad AG1×8 resin column in 10% 15.4M HNO₃-90% methanol solution. The elution of heavy rare earth (HREE) and middle rare earth (MREE) groups was carried out with 10% 1M HNO₃-90% methanol and 10% 0.05M HNO₃-90% methanol solution, respectively; while the light rare earths (LREE) were eluted from the column by 0.1M HNO₃ solution. The accuracy of the method was checked by the analysis of granodiorite GSP-I and the rare earth values were in good agreement.     

Determination of rare earth elements in fern leaves using instrumental neutron activation analysis

The lanthanides (REE) in 142 fern leaves collected from several sampling sites in Japan have been determined by neutron activation analysis, and the correlations between any two REEs in the logarithmic scattering diagram were examined. The relationship was expressed by the general formula, Y=aX+b with a correlation coefficient R. A strong positive correlation was seen between any two REEs in the diagram with a regression coefficient and a correlation coefficient close to unity. However, between Eu or Tb and other REEs the relationship was split into two lines with the same correlation coefficient. From the intercept b, the relative abundance of the two elements was determined for each REE and compared with those in hickory and tobacco leaves. These findings indicated that the abundance pattern of fern leaves is quite different from those of hickory and tobacco leaves. Namely, the relative abundance of La and Ce was quite similar in the three plants, but the abundance of the other REEs (Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy and Lu) was considerably lower in ferns than in hickory and tobacco leaves. For Eu and Tb the higher values obtained in fern leaves coincided with those of the two plants.     

Determination of rare earth and other elements in algae by ICP-MS and neutron activation analysis

Several rare earth elements (REEs) and other elements in algae were investigated by ICP-MS and INAA. Algae materials were supplied from an IAEA Intercomparison Study:Chlorella vulg. grown under reduced levels of toxic elements (IAEA-391) and IAEA-393 algae was grown in a medium to which certain toxic elements were added. 34–691 mg of algae samples were dissolved in conc, nitric acid using a microwave sampleppreparation system. REEs could be detected in the order of magnitude of 10⁻³ ng/g by ICP-MS. Activation analysis failed to detect any REEs because of a strong interference due mainly to²⁴Na and³²P. The distriubtion patterns of these REEs in algae slightly differed from those ofCarya sp. and tobacco leaves, and differed significantly from that of fern leaves. The distribution pattern was rather similar to that found in the North American shale composite (NASC).     

Determination of rare earth elements in recent and fossil shells by radiochemical neutron activation analysis

Seven rare earth elements (La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb and Lu) in marine shell samples were determined by neutron activation analysis. In order to measure γ-ray using a Ge(Li) detector without serious interference from the intense Compton background from²⁴Na, a simple radiochemical separation was performed by a co-precipitation method with hydrated iron(III) oxide. The chemical yields for shell samples (91–99%) were determined by a re-activation technique for Gd and Yb. The interference from the²³⁵U(n, fission) reaction was corrected for determination of La and Ce. The data obtained in this study showed the behavior of rare earth elements in shells during the process of fossilization.     

Precise determination of rare earth elements in rocks by neutron activation analysis

A pre-irradiation group separation method has been developed for the neutron activation analysis of rare earth elements (REE) and Ba in silicate rocks. REE and Ba were quantitatively separated from other elements by cation exchange column method. The chemical yield of each separation was monitored with Pr added to the sample powder before decomposition. The accuracy and precision were tested by repeated analyses of JB-1 and one analysis of BCR-1. In addition, it was found that REE distribution in a granitic rock powder was inhomogeneous and therefore special care must be taken for the sampling of granitic rock powders.     

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis of rare earth elements in peridotitic rocks

The understanding of the geochemistry of basalt petrogenesis and the nature of the upper mantle requires the examination of such rocks as peridotites which in many cases are thought to represent upper mantle material. The mineralogical composition of peridotitic rocks in such that they accommodate large proportions of such trace elements as the transition elements but very small amounts of the rare earths and hygromagmaphile elements. The last two groups are often able to provide a large amount of information leading to petrogenetic models. Owing to the extremely low concentrations of the REE in peridotitic rocks it is necessary to separate them from other elements which will interfere with their precise determination. We have used a radiochemical neutron activation analytical method which is adapted from various published methods. It involves a post-irradiation sample fusion, two separate ion-exchange chromatographic stages and finally a fluoride precipitation. The RNAA procedure is capable of providing very precise REE data for perioditic samples and we have used it for the analysis of such rocks from several geodynamic environments.     

Determination of rare earth elements in hot spring and crater lake waters by epithermal neutron activation analysis

Determination of the rare earth elements (REE's) in acidic hot spring and crater lake waters by neutron activation analysis (NAA), in which activation was performed mostly by epithermal neutrons (epithermal NAA) was investigated. Nine REE's, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Ho, Tm, Yb and Lu, out of fourteen naturally existing REE's were determined at ppb levels with satisfactory precision. The epithermal NAA was found to be more effective in the determination of Sm, Tb, Ho and Yb than normal NAA, in which activation was performed mainly by thermal neutrons. Combined use of the epithermal and normal NAA's enabled the determination of eleven REE's, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Tm, Yb and Lu.     

Determination of rare earth elements in carbonatites from the Kangankunde Mine, Malawi by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Nine rare earth elements (REEs) in African carbonatite samples were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The geochemical behavior of REEs in carbonatites, especially REE pattern (chondrite-normalized), is studied in relation to carbonatite formation at the Kangankunde Mine, Malawi. REE-rich phosphate minerals, particularly monazite, and the other unusual minerals such as strontianite, are observed during the stages of carbonatite formation. Four kinds of carbonatites exhibit similar chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns in spite of the marked difference of their REE contents. All these carbonatites are characterized by the strong fractionation between light and heavy REEs and by the very high La/Yb ratio (1000-2800).     

Determination of trace amounts of rare earth elements by neutron activation analysis after preconcentration using hydrated magnesium oxide

A preconcentration method of 13 rare earth elements (REES) was studied for neutron activation ananlysis (NAA). Hydrated magnesium oxide was used as the preconcentration agent to absorb the REES ions from aqueous solution onto the solid magnesium oxide, which was separated and analyzed. It was observed that the Langmuir equation for isothermal adsorption was well obeyed by the REES under the condition studied. The efficiency of the preconcentration process using hydrated magnesium oxide was critically examined for each of REE and for mixture of REES by preparing a known volume of solution containing known amount of trace REES. NAA was used to analyze REES recovered by the preconcentration process. It was found that the REES recoveries were satisfactory and the preconcentration process is reliable. There are several resort resort areas in Taiwan where local people are enjoying its hot spring water. It is generally believed that the hot spring water spa would bring about some sorts of therapeutic functions. The preconcentration method developed above, was applied to analyze the trace amounts of REES in hot spring wate in Taiwan.     

An optimum method for the determination of rare earth elements by neutron activation analysis

A scheme is described for the analysis of all 14 rare earth elements in rocks by neutron activation analysis using a group of radiochemical separation. The scheme takes particular account of the ‘difficult’ rare earth elements and is designed to minimise both γ-spectrometer counting time and overall analysis time.     

Determination of rare earth elements in the biological reference materials Pine Needles and Spruce Needles by neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was applied to determine La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, Lu and Sc in two biological reference materials: NIST 1575 Pine Needles and BCR-CRM 101 Spruce Needles. The purpose was to contribute to the reference data for these two reference materials. The results were obtained with a good precision (relative standard deviations less than 15%). For the Pine Needles reference material there are already some proposed values and our results showed, in general, a good agreement with the data published. The contribution of uranium fission products to La, Ce, Nd and Sm was evaluated and considered in the determination of these elements. Interferences in the determination of rare earth elements in biological materials are also discussed.     

Determination of rare earth elements by charged particle activation analysis in geological materials

The rare earth elements (REE), Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Ho, Er and Tm have been determined by charged particle activation analysis using 40 MeV a-particles through radiochemical approach. The radiochemical separation of REE as a group has been carried out from the bulk matrix. It has been shown from the theoretical computation that the products obtained from (a,xn) reactions (x = 1, 2, 3) are more suitable compared to those from (a,pyn) reactions (y = 0, 1, 2) due to the former having higher cross section (of the order of thousand millibarns).     

Precise trace rare earth analysis by radiochemical neutron activation

A rare earth group separation scheme followed by normal Ge(Li), low energy photon detector (LEPD), and Ge(Li)−NaI(Tl) coincidence-noncoincidence spectrometry significantly enhances the detection sensitivity of individual rare earth elements (REE) at or below the ppb level. Based on the selected γ-ray energies, normal Ge(Li) counting is favored for¹⁴⁰La,¹⁷⁰Tb and¹⁶⁹Yb; LEPD is favored for low γ-ray energies of¹⁴⁷Nd,¹⁵³Sm,¹⁶⁶Ho and¹⁶⁹Yb; and noncoincidence counting is favored for¹⁴¹Ce,¹⁴³Ce,¹⁴²Pr,¹⁵³Sm,¹⁷¹Er and¹⁷⁵Yb. The detection of radionuclides^152mEu,¹⁵⁹Gd and¹⁷⁷Lu is equally sensitive by normal Ge(Li) and noncoincidence counting;¹⁵²Eu is equally sensitive by LEPD and normal Ge(Li); and¹⁵³Gd and¹⁷⁰Tm is equally favored by all the counting modes. Overall, noncoincidence counting is favored for most of the REE. Precise measurements of the REE were made in geological and biological standards. Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC06-76RLO 1830.     

Determination of rare earth elements in sediment cores from Northern Saronikos Gulf,Greece, by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) has been applied for the determination of 8 rare earth elements (REE) in sediment cores collected from stations of polluted and unpolluted areas of Northern Saronikos Gulf. The REE determined in cores are: La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Yb and Lu. Higher levels of all REE were found in the cores from polluted areas of N. Saronikos Gulf as compared with those from unpolluted areas. Different vertical profiles of REE were found in the cores from two stations of polluted areas which indicate that REE may distinguish pollution sources.     

Determination of traces of rare earth elements in high-purity uranium by ion-exchange separation and neutron activation γ-spectrometry

Neutron activation γ-spectrometry is sufficiently sensitive for the determination of traces of rare earth elements but quantitative separation from uranium is essential. The rare earth elements in 0.2 M ammonium carbonate medium are quantitatively retained on Chelex-100, and are quantitatively separated from uranium by recycling the eluate. When 10-g samples are used, neutron activation provides detection limits of 1–20 μg kg^?1. Recoveries of rare earths, checked by spiking with radiotracers, are essentially complete.     

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis of individual rare earth elements in monazites from different geological environments

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis /RNAA/ has been applied for the determination of individual rare earth elements /REE/, except Tm, in 8 Indian monazites and one each from Malaysia and Thailand. Because of the very low amounts of heavy rare earths /HREE/ compared to light rare earths /LREE/ in monazite, HREE from Ho onwards have been determined only after the separation of the heavy and light rare earth fractions in the irradiated monazite samples. The results indicate significant variations in REE contents from Eu to Lu among different monazite samples. The chondritic normalized REE patterns of all the samples show a prominent negative Eu anomaly with different slopes at the heavy rare earth end. All the individual REE, except Tm, have been reported for the first time in various Indian monazites.     

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis determination of rare earth elements in geological materials with ppb sensitivity

Rare earth elements are determined, with ppb sensitivity, by radiochemical activation analysis using a fusion dissolution process and a quantitative group separation scheme, followed by radioassaying. Spectral interference is avoided, or corrected for, by repeating the counting operation with a delay of four to six weeks. This allows for the decay of shorter lived interfering isotopes such as¹⁵⁵Eu on¹⁶⁰Tb and¹⁷⁵Yb on¹⁴¹Ce. The scheme is rapid, sensitive and uses standard radiochemical laboratory facilities and counters. It has been applied to a wide range of rocks and minerals and data for eleven rare earths (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Tm, Yb and Lu) is presented here and compared with literature values.