Rapid radiochemical separations in neutron activation analysis using ion retention media

A rapid radiochemical procedure based on the removal of mercury, selenium, arsenic and antimony by columns of C₁₈-bonded silica gel or activated carbon after their selective complexation in sulphate/nitrate media by ammonium pyrrolidine-dithiocarbamate, diethylammonium diethyldithiocarbamate, potassium ethyl xanthate, bismuthiol II or 8-hydroxyquinoline, was examined. Comparisons were made of the ability of the two ion retention media to remove these metal ions and to allow their regeneration and recycling. The effectiveness of this technique was demonstrated by analysis of horse kidney and human diet, International Atomic Energy Agency biological reference materials, for mercury and selenium.