Some new nuclear methods and their applications in agricultural research and practice

Among the numerous nuclear methods applied in agriculture and related fields in Hungary three analytical procedures are discussed in detail: x-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), particle induced x-ray emission analysis (PIXE) and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). The principles of the methods, the main advantages and drawbacks including detection limits and fields of applicability are reported. The chemical composition of lucerne, that of soil, subsoil water and plant samples determined by XRF are given in figures. PIXE measurements are represented by the trace analytical results of human blood and aerosol samples. Sulfur content of different valency states in environmental samples as well as carbon and oxygen concentration in biological materials were determined by ESCA. (V.N.)