The contribution of radiotracers to the development of trace element analysis

This paper discusses applications of the radiotracers to methodological studies in trace element analysis. Owing to some unique features, the radiotracer technique has proved to be an indispensable means for examining the individual steps of an analytical procedure and revealing the concomitant sources of systematic error. In most cases, the radiotracer technique is the optimum approach, and some problems cannot be solved by other means. The examples discussed in more detail were taken from the analytical chemistry of mercury, sulphur, lead and selenium. The radiotracer investigations aimed at improving the accuracy of analytical procedures. (author). 16 refs, 6 figs, 1 tab