Application of activation techniques to biological analysis. [813 references]

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · CRC Crit. Rev. Anal. Chem.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6876425

Bowen, H J.M.

Applications of activation analysis in the biological sciences are reviewed for the period of 1970 to 1979. The stages and characteristics of activation analysis are described, and its advantages and disadvantages enumerated. Most applications involve activation by thermal neutrons followed by either radiochemical or instrumental determination. Relatively little use has been made of activation by fast neutrons, photons, or charged particles. In vivo analyses are included, but those based on prompt gamma or x-ray emission are not. Major applications include studies of reference materials, and the elemental analysis of plants, marine biota, animal and human tissues, diets, and excreta. Relatively little use of it has been made in biochemistry, microbiology, and entomology, but it has become important in toxicology and environmental science. The elements most often determined are Ag, As, Au, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mn, Mo, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, and Zn, while few or no determinations of B, Be, Bi, Ga, Gd, Ge, H, In, Ir, Li, Nd, Os, Pd, Pr, Pt, Re, Rh, Ru, Te, Tl, or Y have been made in biological materials.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Reading, England
• OSTI ID: 6876425
• Journal Information: CRC Crit. Rev. Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: CRC Crit. Rev. Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 10:2; ISSN CCACB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400101* -- Activation
Nuclear Reaction
Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ANIMAL CELLS
ANTIMONY
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ARSENIC
BARYON REACTIONS
BARYONS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BROMINE
CADMIUM
CALCIUM
CESIUM
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHLORINE
CHROMIUM
CLEARANCE
COBALT
COPPER
DIET
DOCUMENT TYPES
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
EXCRETION
FERMIONS
GOLD
HADRON REACTIONS
HADRONS
HALOGENS
IODINE
IRON
MANGANESE
MATERIALS
MERCURY
METALS
MOLYBDENUM
NEUTRON REACTIONS
NEUTRONS
NONMETALS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEON REACTIONS
NUCLEONS
PLANTS
POTASSIUM
REFRACTORY METALS
REVIEWS
RUBIDIUM
SCANDIUM
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SILVER
SODIUM
THERMAL NEUTRONS
TOXIC MATERIALS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
ZINC