Nuclear Analysis Methods for Problems in Environmental Science.......The Detection and Quantitation of Trace Elements and Substances

Abstract

Any attempt to evaluate ways and means to abate some of the hazards of environmental pollution finds almost any scientist well qualified to investigate pollution in general. However, choice must be made between the cost of seeking solutions and the cost of further postponing environmental pollution research. We may like to rid all the pollutants from industrial activities but we also want the benefits which are derived from these industrial efforts. For example, we certainly must look at the results brought to agriculture through the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Yet, we must recognize that the pollution of our environment with these agents can result in strange effects. Likewise, we are not going to stop using vaccines with antigenic impurities or ones with nucleic acids, if by stopping we risk letting the diseases for which these vaccines were developed become prevalent again.

Environmental science research requires the best analytical methodology possible to evaluate its investigational activities. Nuclear methods of analysis can do much to aid in the research requirements of environmental science. They are extremely sensitive methods that can be used to determine the concentration of trace elements and substances in many different materials. The methods are generally categorized as being either (a) Radioactive Tracer, (b) Induced Radioactivity, or (3) Nuclear Reaction methods.

This paper will show how these methods have already been used for particular environmental problems. The examples given will be typical of the manner in which nuclear analysis methods can be used to investigate and assess problems that may well be hazards to man’s well-being.