A preliminary screening technique for selected metals at waste sites

Fast neutron activation analysis (FNAA) was investigated as a possible on-site preliminary screening technique for metal contamination of soil. Two metals, Cu and Zn, were used in a laboratory setting to evaluate the possibility of detecting metal contamination of soil at or below the maximum permissible metal concentration in soil. Varying quantities of compounds of the selected metals were mixed into a prepared soil column for analysis of signal intensity as a function of concentration in the soil. Experiments were conducted with a sealed tube neutron generator and a germanium gamma-ray detector. Both metals produced signal levels distinguishable from background soil concentrations at the maximum permissible level.