Simultaneous determination of uranium, thorium, molybdenum, tungsten, arsenic, and antimony in granitic rocks by epithermal neutron activation analysis

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Anal. Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac50005a008· OSTI ID:7339513

Steinnes, E

Activation with epithermal neutrons and subsequent Ge(Li) ..gamma..-spectrometry measurements after 6 days' delay facilitates the simultaneous determination of U, Th, Mo, W, As, and Sb in granitic rocks. A gain in sensitivity of a factor of 20 or more is obtained as compared with instrumental activation analysis using thermal neutrons. The limit of detection is about 0.1 ppM for U and Th and 0.5 to 1 ppM for the other elements. Neutron shielding effects are estimated to be of minor importance, and the fission product interference in the case of Mo is very substantially reduced by using the epi-cadmium irradiation technique. Possible errors due to interfering ..gamma.. rays are discussed.

• Research Organization: Inst. for Atomic Energy, Kjeller, Norway
• OSTI ID: 7339513
• Journal Information: Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 48:11; ISSN ANCHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400101* -- Activation
Nuclear Reaction
Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures
ACTINIDES
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
ANTIMONY
ARSENIC
BARYONS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
EPITHERMAL NEUTRONS
ERRORS
FERMIONS
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
GRANITES
HADRONS
IGNEOUS ROCKS
METALS
MOLYBDENUM
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
REFRACTORY METALS
ROCKS
SEMIMETALS
SENSITIVITY
SPECTROSCOPY
THORIUM
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TUNGSTEN
URANIUM