Neutron activation analysis (NAA) in the service of other analyses: determination of calcium

The calcium concentration in bone samples which contain 0 to 37% calcium is readily measured rapidly by neutron activation analysis. Sample and data processing can be minimal and conditions can be adjusted according to sample type and precision desired. Such determinations have contributed important reference data in support of biomedical and archaeometric studies. Repeatability of measurements can be better than 3% relative overall, and better than 5% even for irregularly shaped samples (based on one standard deviation). (author) 6 refs.; 2 tabs