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A radiochemical neutron activation analysis method for the determination of total mercury in coal

  • Application of Nuclear Techniques to Environmental Systems
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Abstract

A radiochemical neutron activation analysis method has been developed based on pyrolysis followed by double gold amalgamation for the determination of mercury in solid samples. Accurate results were obtained for mercury in six standard reference materials of varying matrices, including coal. Linearity was demonstrated up to mercury concentrations of 10,000 ng/g. The method is capable of yielding precise, reproducible values with a detection limit of 5 ng/g for mercury in coal.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, 40506-0055, Lexington, KY, USA

    L. J. Blanchard & J. D. Robertson

  2. Center for Applied Energy Research, University of Kentucky, 40506, Lexington, KY, USA

    J. D. Robertson

Authors
  1. L. J. Blanchard
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  2. J. D. Robertson
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Blanchard, L.J., Robertson, J.D. A radiochemical neutron activation analysis method for the determination of total mercury in coal. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 235, 255–259 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02385971

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02385971

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