Simultaneous determination of some trace elements in biological materials by neutron activation analysis

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) for the determination of some trace elements in biological samples is described. This method permits the simple and rapid determination of Se, Hg, Fe, Co, Zn, Ag, Sn, Cr, Yb, Sb, Au and As after a radiochemical separation from Na, Cs, Rb and, partially, Br. For this purpose, precipitation by adding sulphide and hydroxyl ions was used. An attempt was made to simplify the radiochemical procedure. The present (destructive analysis) was tested in radiotracer experiments. Further tests were made using standard biological materials. The method should find applications in neutron activation analysis, particularly of biological materials.