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Determination of Hg and other trace elements in soil using neutron activation analysis

  • Nuclear Analytical Methods in Biology and Medicine
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Abstract

In the early 1950's, a federal facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, used a process that required the use of Hg to produce8Li. It was disclosed to the public in 1983 that about 2.4 millions pounds of Hg had been released into the ecosystem. The primary route of mercury into the environment was a stream, East Fork Poplar Creek, whose head waters are in the vicinity of the plant. As part of a study to determine the distribution of Hg as well as As, Cr, Sb, Se, U, and Zn along the flood plains of the creek, a procedure using neutron activation analysis was developed and is described below. The procedure, typical sample analysis results for Hg, and quality assurance and control data are discussed in this paper.

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References

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  2. F. F. DYER, J. F. EMERY, G. W. LEDDICOTTE, A Comprehensive Study of Neutron Activation Analysis of Uranium by Delayed Neutron Counting, Report ORNL-3342, 1962.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, 37831-6128, Oak Ridge, TN, USA

    L. Robinson, F. F. Dyer, J. W. Wade, N. A. Teasley & J. R. Stokely

  2. Science Applications International corporation, 800 O. R. Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN, USA

    D. W. Combs

  3. Oak Ridge Research Institute, 113 Union Valley Rd., Oak Ridge, TN, USA

    J. E. Carlton

  4. Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA

    A. L. Ondracek

Authors
  1. L. Robinson
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  2. F. F. Dyer
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  3. D. W. Combs
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  4. J. W. Wade
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  5. N. A. Teasley
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  6. J. E. Carlton
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  7. A. L. Ondracek
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  8. J. R. Stokely
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Robinson, L., Dyer, F.F., Combs, D.W. et al. Determination of Hg and other trace elements in soil using neutron activation analysis. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles 179, 305–313 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02040165

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02040165

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