Elemental analysis of dead sea samples using instrumental neutron activation analysis

A number of black mud samples were collected from the Dead Sea. To begin with, one sample was analyzed using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis and gamma spectroscopy. Absolute method was used as unexpected elements in the sample were to be determined. The sample was irradiated with thermal neutrons at PARR-1 along with gold foils. Thermal neutron flux at the sample position was determined by measuring the activity of the gold foils using beta gamma coincidence technique. It has been found that the sample under study has very high sodium and iron contents. Cesium, Lanthanum, europium, chromium, thorium, scandium, cobalt, bromine, ytterbium and gold contents were also detected in the sample. (author)