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Non-destructive elemental analysis of large meteorite samples by prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis with the internal mono-standard method

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Abstract

Prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) using the internal mono-standard method was tested for its applicability to analyzing large solid samples including irregularly shaped meteorite samples. For evaluating the accuracy and precision of the method, large quantities of the Geological Survey of Japan standardized rock powders (JB-1a, JG-1a, and JP-1) were analyzed and 12 elements (B, Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Sm, and Gd) were determined by using Si as an internal standard element. Analytical results were mostly in agreement with literature values within 10 %. The precision of the method was also shown to be within 10 % (1σ) for most of these elements. The analytical procedure was then applied to four stony meteorites (Allende, Kimble County, Leedey, Lake Labyrinth) and four iron meteorites (Canyon Diablo, Toluca (Mexico), Toluca (Xiquipilco), Squaw Creek) consisting of large chunks or single slabs. For stony meteorites, major elements (Mg, Al, Si, S, Ca, and Ni), minor elements (Na and Mn) and trace element (B, Cl, K, Ti, Co, and Sm) were determined with adequate accuracy. For iron meteorites, results for the Co and Ni mass fractions determined are all consistent with corresponding literature values. After the analysis, it was confirmed that the residual radioactivity remaining in the sample after PGNAA was very low and decreased down to the background level. This study shows that PGNAA with the internal mono-standard method is highly practical for determining the elemental composition of large, irregularly shaped solid samples including meteorites.

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Acknowledgments

The present work was partly supported by the committee of University of Tokyo for the cooperative use of JAEA facilities. We are grateful to G. Kallemeyn for the language. C. Yonezawa and H. Matsue are thanked for their technical assistances. This study was financially supported by grants-in-aid defrayed by Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (No. 19340169 and 22224010 to ME).

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  1. Sk. A. Latif

    Present address: Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, 1000, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan

    Sk. A. Latif, Y. Oura, M. Ebihara & H. Nakahara

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  1. Sk. A. Latif
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  2. Y. Oura
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  3. M. Ebihara
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  4. H. Nakahara
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Correspondence to M. Ebihara.

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Latif, S.A., Oura, Y., Ebihara, M. et al. Non-destructive elemental analysis of large meteorite samples by prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis with the internal mono-standard method. Anal Bioanal Chem 405, 8749–8759 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-013-7331-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-013-7331-1

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