Fast decomposition of biological and other materials for radiochemical activation analysis: A radiochemical study of element recoveries following alkaline-oxidative fusion

Recoveries of selected elements were studied for fast decomposition of biological and other materials using alkaline-oxidative fusion in a mixture of NaOH and Na₂O₂ at 850–900 °C. The procedure yields total mineralization of samples within 2 to 3 minutes. It is especially suitable in radiochemical activation analysis (RAA) for the determination of elements forming short-lived radionuclides. Recoveries of the elements F, Si, S, Cl, Ti, V, Mn, Ge, As, Br, Mo, Ru, In, Sb, I, Re, Os, and U determined using radiotracers were in the range 95–100%, while those for Se and Hg were significantly lower and highly variable.