Resonance activation analysis of biological materials

An instrumental method is developed for the determination of As, Br, Cd, I, Mg, Mo, Sb, Si, Sn and Sr in biological materials, based on resonance neutron-activation analysis. Samples were irradiated inside cadmium and boron shields with reactor neutrons and counted on a Ge(Li) detector after a delay of about 5 min. The interfering activities of 24Na, 38Cl and 56Mn were significantly reduced particularly in the boron shield. The advantage factors of the various elements are compared for boron and cadmium shields. The method is especially useful for the determination of As, Au, Cd, I, Mg, Mo, Sb, Si, Sn and Sr. The determination of Cd and Sn on the basis of their short-lived isotopes sup(111m)Cd(48 m) and sup(125m)Sn(9.5 m) is particularly noteworthy. The method is recommended for routine instrumental determination of trace element pollutants. (T.G.)