Neutron activation analysis and radioactivity measurements of Australian coals and fly ashes

Forty elements were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis in a wide range of Australian coals and fly ash to update and extend earlier measurements. The natural radioactivity content of selected samples were analysed by high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry and low level radiochemistry. The results indicated a marked disequilibrium of the²³²Th decay series in some samples while a general enrichment of²¹⁰Pb in most fly ash samples disrupted the²³⁸U equilibrium.