Determination of Hg in biological samples by substoichiometric neutron activation analysis

Abstract

The method described here involves the irradiation of biological samples and a μg quantity of standard with thermal neutrons at the self-serve position in the CIRUS reactor, followed by dissolution of the sample and standard in the presence of milligram amounts of carrier. Both the sample and the standard are subjected to substoichiometric extraction under controlled experimental conditions with ethyl thioacetoacetate into chloroform. An aliquot of the organic phase is counted on a γ-spectrometer. The concentration of Hg in various biological samples and the accuracy, precision, and sensitivity of the method are discussed.