Determination of nanogram levels of lanthanoids in a marine macro-alga by neutron activation analysis combined with separation by selective precipitation

Abstract

Preseparation of lanthanoids by substoichiometric precipitation of calcium oxalate and simple radiochemical separation of lanthanoids by lanthanum oxalate have been developed. They were combined with neutron activation analysis of a marine macro-alga (Laminaria religiosa, brown alga) sample. Quantitative recovery of lanthanoids throughout the procedure was examined by radiotracer technique. Eleven lanthanoids, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Er, Yb and Lu, at 0.7–140 ng g−1 were determined with a relative standard deviation of 1–7% (n=3). Concentrations of lanthanoids in the marine macro-alga were compared with land plant and sea water.