Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Determination of heavy metals in sewage-based fertilizer using short-lived isotopes

  • Environmental and Ecological Applications
  • Published:
Journal of Radioanalytical Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A fully instrumental method for the neutron activation analysis of heavy metals in sewage sludges has been developed, based on short-lived isotopes, and restricting the total experiment time to 1 hour per sample. The irradiation scheme consists of a cyclic and conventional part, the period of the cyclic irradiation being optimised for the determination of lead, using207mPb (T=0.8 s). Gamma ray spectra from Ge(Li) detectors are stored on magnetic tape and analysed using the SAMPO programme. An IDENTIFY subroutine enables absolute determinations to be made eliminating the need for standards. Sensitivities and detection limits for 21 heavy metals have been determined and the results for several sludges are presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J. H. WILLIAMS, Water Pollution Control, 74 (1975) 635.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. A. D. A. S. Advisory Papers No. 10. „Permissible Levels of Toxic Metals in Sewage Used on Agricultural Land”. M. A. F. F. 1971.

  3. F. E. MOSEY, Water Pollution Control 75 (1976) 10.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. W. HALCROW, D. W. MACKAY, I. THORNTON, J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U. K., 53 (1973) 721.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. J. B. FARRELL, B. V. SALOTTO, Natl. Symp. on Ultimate Disposal of Wastewaters and their residuals. April 1973 W. R. R. I. North Carolina State University, p. 186.

  6. V. H. LEWIN, M. J. ROWELL, Effluent and Water Treatment Journal, May 1973. p. 273.

  7. H. HELLMAN, A. GRIFFATONG, Z. Anal. Chem., 257 (1971) 343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. e. g. „Spectraspan III”—Spectrametrics Incorporated Andover Maryland USA

  9. L. C. BATE in Nuclear Methods in Environmental Research, VOGT-PARKINSON-CARTER (Eds), University of Missouri, 1971.

  10. R. A. NADKARNI, G. H. MORRISON, op. cit. in Table 2 (f). A. D. A. S. Advisory Papers No. 10. „Permissible Levels of Toxic Metals in Sewage Used on Agricultural Land”. M. A. F. F. 1971.

  11. J. N. WEAVER et al., op. cit. in Table 2 (e). A. D. A. S. Advisory Papers No. 10. „Permissible Levels of Toxic Metals in Sewage Used on Agricultural Land”. M. A. F. F. 1971.

  12. B. F. H. WISEMAN, G. M. BEDRI, op. cit. in Table 2 (h). A. D. A. S. Advisory Papers No. 10. „Permissible Levels of Toxic Metals in Sewage Used on Agricultural Land”. M. A. F. F. 1971.

  13. A. CHATTOPADHYAY, op. cit. in Table 2 (g). A. D. A. S. Advisory Papers No. 10. „Permissible Levels of Toxic Metals in Sewage Used on Agricultural Land”. M. A. F. F. 1971.

  14. Sl. STERLINSKI, Nucl. Instrum. Methods, 42 (1966) 219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. J. T. ROUTTI, SAMPO, Univ. of California Lawrence Rad. Lab. UCRL-19452, 1969.

  16. T. D. MAC MAHON, University of London Reactor Centre ULRC/RES/6.

  17. J. C. VAN LOON et al. op. cit. in Table 2 (d). A. D. A. S. Advisory Papers No. 10. „Permissible Levels of Toxic Metals in Sewage Used on Agricultural Land”. M. A. F. F. 1971.

  18. C. M. LEDERER, J. M. HOLLANDER, I. PERLMAN, Table of Isotopes, 6th ed., 1967.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK

    A. Egan & N. M. Spyrou

Authors
  1. A. Egan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. N. M. Spyrou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Egan, A., Spyrou, N.M. Determination of heavy metals in sewage-based fertilizer using short-lived isotopes. J. Radioanal. Chem. 37, 775–784 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02519389

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02519389

Keywords

Search

Navigation