Determination of trace elements in rock phosphates by various neutron activation methods
Recent interest in the application of rock phosphates in industry and agriculture has resulted in the determination of radionuclides and heavy metals in various worldwide deposits. Phosphate rocks have many applications in the processes of detergents, rubber and dye stuffs, and phosphate fertilizer. Phosphorous is widely distributed in nature and never found in an uncombined form. Apatite is a phosphate mineral chiefly occurring as veins or intrusions in igneous rocks, typically having several thousandths to a few hundredths of a percent of uranium. Thus most produced fertilizers contain appreciable amounts of uranium and its radioactive progenies. Elevated concentration of arsenic, cadmium, and zinc as well as rare earths are also found in phosphate minerals. We have begun a project investigating the possible role that fertilizers have on the ecosystems. As an initial step, a series of standard reference phosphate reference materials are being determined for uranium and heavy-metal content using neutron activation analysis (NAA). Due to the high concentrations of uranium (>100 ppm) and its fission products, a careful evaluation of various NAA methods is being undertaken. Further complications in achieving good detection limits in the lower energy region is the high background associated with the bremsstrahlung radiation arising from {sup 32}P from the {sup 31}P(n,{gamma}) reaction.
- OSTI ID:
- 88960
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-941102-; ISSN 0003-018X; TRN: 95:004215-0024
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Vol. 71; Conference: Winter meeting of the American Nuclear Society (ANS), Washington, DC (United States), 13-18 Nov 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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