Activation analytical determination of¹²⁹I in bovine thyroid glands

Abstract

The continued erection of nuclear installations which is expected in the future involves a greater production of long-lived fission products, which result in a concentration increase in the biosphere, the hydrosphere and the atmosphere. In the frame of a broad survey program, a routine method has been developed with the help of the European Communities to investigate the¹²⁹I content of thyroid glands of cows. It is the purpose of this project to determine the present concentration situation of this nuclide, which in the Federal Republic of Germany mainly concerns the North German low plains. Between autumn '76 and summer '77 18 cows have been investigated with respect to¹²⁹I, and thyroid glands have been taken at different times in November '76 and August '77. Without exception, the animals were 13-month old bulls, part of which has pastured, while the other part has been fed. The detection limit of the method is 20fCi of¹²⁹I.