Results Of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis Research Articles

Formation of reference groups for archaeological pottery using neutron activation and multivariate statistical analyses

AbstractFor the first time in Russia, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and related analytical techniques were used to determine the distribution patterns of elemental composition in archeological pottery in terms of classification and provenance of medieval pottery. A total of 48 fragments have been discovered in three locations; Bolgar, the Moscow Kremlin (MosKremlin), and Selitrennoe settlement (Selitrennoe). The assemblages were subjected to INAA in order to determine the concentrations of 37 elements in mg/kg. The data were analyzed using geochemical, bivariate, and multivariate statistical techniques. To classify the fragments according to their origin hierarchical clustering (HCA), linear discriminant (LDA), and principal component analyses (PCA) were used. Based on the INAA results, the first attempt was made to apply machine learning methods to the study of artifacts in Russia. The results show that they are reliable and powerful in extracting information about critical elements for identifying ceramic fragments and using them as chemical fingerprints. Chromium was the most useful element and was used in conjunction with other elements as a fingerprint to distinguish sherds. Chemical and statistical analyses help to establish of reference groups for medieval archeological pottery, which will be used in the future to classify and identify various unknown sherds. These reference groups serve as baseline data for determining the fragment's place of manufacture and are considered a reasonable judgment based on experimental data.

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Chang'E-5 Lunar Regolith Samples.

The Chang'E-5 (CE-5) lunar samples were analyzed nondestructively for more than 40 elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) with a strict quality assurance and quality control. Based on the INAA results, some new observations and discoveries were made. Major, minor, and trace elements in CE-5 are very different from those of the Earth and Apollo lunar samples. The rare earth element (REE) pattern indicated that the CE-5 lunar samples are mare basalts with a clear negative anomaly in Eu. Element correlations are a very interesting discovery; for example, the ratios of Ba/La and FeO/MnO in CE-5 are almost identical to those of the Apollo lunar samples. These observations and discoveries will enrich the understanding of the formation and evolution of the Moon.

Comparison of the Air Pollution Mathematical Model of PM10 and Moss Biomonitoring Results in the Tritia Region

Knowing the relationship between pollution sources and air pollution concentrations is crucial. Mathematical modeling is a suitable method for the assessment of this relationship. The aim of this research was to compare the results of the Analytical Dispersion Modelling Supercomputer System (ADMOSS), which is used for air pollution modeling in large areas, with the results of moss biomonitoring. For comparison purposes, air pollution mathematical modeling and the collection of moss samples for biomonitoring in the Czech–Polish–Slovak border area in the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) Tritia were carried out. Moss samples were analyzed by multi-element instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The INAA results were statistically processed using the correlation-matrix-based hierarchical clustering and correlation analysis of the biomonitoring results and ADMOSS results. Biomonitoring using bryophytes proved to be suitable for the verification of mathematical models of air pollution due to the ability of bryophytes to capture the long-term deposition of pollutants and the resulting possibility of finding the real distribution of pollutants in the area, as well as identify the specific chemical elements, the distribution of which coincides with the mathematical model.

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) of Nok sculptures in I. P. Stanback Museum

The purpose of this research is to conduct provenance study of the Nok sculptures in the I.P. Stanback Museum via instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Several samples at different points on the sculptures were collected and then irradiated with thermal/epithermal neutrons from the PULSTAR reactor. INAA results indicate that (1) ceramic samples from the sculptures have different elemental concentrations from those of soil samples in which the sculptures may have been buried; (2) ceramic samples of the two different Nok sculptures share similar elemental concentrations; (3) ceramic firing processes cannot change the chemical composition of clay significantly.

Geochemical investigation of late pre-contact ceramic production patterns in Northwest Alaska

Study of northwest Alaskan ceramic production and distribution patterns has the potential to provide new evidence of coastal hunter-gatherer mobility and social interaction in the late pre-contact period. This research is directed at characterizing potential clay sources and linking ceramic groups to raw-material source areas through instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and modeling of possible clay and temper combinations. Results of INAA of 458 ceramic, 31 clay, and 28 possible temper specimens reinforces prior identification (Anderson et al., 2011) of three broad compositional groups. Though raw materials were collected over a large area, the clay specimens demonstrate remarkable geochemical homogeneity and fall within one of the established ceramic geochemical groups, Macrogroup 2. This suggests that potters may have added little to no mineral temper to the clays and also that what we have termed Macrogroup 2 ceramics were produced in the north and central areas of northwest Alaska. Group 1 and 3 ceramics may be evidence of pottery being brought into the region from elsewhere. Results indicate that ceramics circulated widely around the region and suggest the possibility of areas of greater production perhaps due to an abundance of clay or wood fuels needed for firing. This work lays the foundation for further exploring the cultural processes that underlie these distributions and provides insight into the complexities of hunter-gatherer ceramic production and distribution.

Coal quality and uranium distribution in Springbok Flats Coalfield samples

'&8;0454 The presence of coal in the Springbok Flats Coalfield (SFC) has been known since the beginning of the 1900s. However, the SFC has not been mined to any degree of economic profit, mostly due to the presence of uranium in the coal. Five boreholes were drilled in the SFC (BH1 to BH5); BH5 intersected two coal zones, the other boreholes intersected one coal zone. Coal samples were collected, selected, and characterized using proximate, ultimate, and calorific value analyses. X-ray fluorescence, instrumental neutron activation analysis, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to determine uranium content. The BH1 intersection and the upper coal zone in BH5 had ash contents higher than 50% and were considered to be primarily carbonaceous shale. BH2 was observed to have better coal quality, resembling typical South African bituminous coal used in local electricity generation. The highest uranium content was found in BH3 (up to 199 mg kg -1, followed by BH2 and BH1. BH4, the upper coal zone in BH5, and the lower coal zone in BH5 all had uranium contents averaging less than 10 mg kg-1. Uranium in the SFC samples was found both in the coal and carbonaceous shale. For all boreholes except BH5, uranium is concentrated within the uppermost 1 m of the coal zone. X-ray fluorescence was the preferred analytical technique since the analysis gave consistent results that compared well with instrumental neutron activation analysis results.

Potential health concerns of trace elements and mineral content in commonly consumed greenhouse vegetables in Isfahan, Iran.

Background:This study aimed to investigate the potential health concerns of trace elements and mineral content of commonly consumed greenhouse vegetables in Isfahan, Iran.Materials and Methods:Six kinds of greenhouse vegetables namely; Raphanus sativus (Radish), Cucumis sativus (Cucumber), Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato), green Capsicum annuum (Green bell pepper), yellow C. annuum (Yellow bell pepper), and red C. annuum (Red bell pepper) were collected from Isfahan greenhouses, between December 2012 and March 2013. The vegetables were analyzed in order to determine the concentrations of trace elements and trace minerals using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA).Results:The results of INAA showed that the concentrations of aluminum, bromine, cobalt, rubidium and strontium of these vegetables were varied from 7.2 to 28.4 mg/kg, 0.6–11.7 mg/kg, 0.1–0.5 mg/kg, 4.2–8.4 mg/kg, and 12.0–141.0 mg/kg, respectively. The trace mineral concentrations of As, Cr, Cs, Sc, Th, and U in all of the samples were less than the defined tolerable upper intake level.Conclusion:The results of this study revealed that considering the measured trace elements and mineral content levels, Isfahan greenhouse vegetables do not impose any serious health harmful effects for individuals in the studied area due to their meal consumptions.

The evaluation of trace elements of interest in kidney disease in commonly consumed greenhouse vegetables in Isfahan, Iran: preliminary results.

Trace elements play a significant role in biological processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the trace elements of interest in kidney disease in commonly consumed greenhouse vegetables in Isfahan, Iran. Six kinds of greenhouse vegetables namely; Raphanus sativus (Radish), Cucumis sativus (Cucamber), Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato), green Capsicum annuum (Green bell pepper), yellow Capsicum annuum (Yellow bell pepper) and red Capsicum annuum (Red bell pepper) were collected from Isfahan greenhouses, between December 2012 to March 2013. The vegetables were analyzed in order to determine the concentrations of trace elements and trace minerals using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results of INAA showed that, the concentrations of Fe (Iron), Mn (Manganese) and Zn (Zinc) were varied from <10-50.0 mgkg-1, 6.8-15.0 mgkg-1 and 10.0-23.0 mgkg-1, respectively. The elemental concentration of Fe, Mn and Zn in all of the samples were less than the defined tolerable Upper Intake Level (UIL). The results of this study revealed that, considering the measured trace elements and mineral content levels, Isfahan greenhouse vegetables do not impose any serious health harmful effects for individuals in the studied area due to their meal consumptions.

Variability of total and mobile element contents in ash derived from biomass combustion

AbstractSeven samples of the ash derived from biomass, representing both fly and bottom ash, were analysed for a wide spectrum of total and mobile contents of nutrient and potentially risk elements. Several techniques, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), proton-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) and proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS) were compared. The results showed fairly good agreement between the XRF and INAA results, where the correlation coefficients (r) varied between 0.96 and 0.98. Lower contents documenting insufficient dissolution of the ash samples in the applied acid mixture were observed for both ICP-OES and AAS. In this case, weaker correlation with the INAA results not exceeding r = 0.7 were obtained. Therefore, the sample decomposition step is a bottleneck of the accurate analysis of this type of materials. For the assessment of plant-available portions of the elements in the ash samples, the Mehlich III extraction procedure and the extraction with a 0.11 mol L−1 solution of CH3COOH were applied. The results showed relatively low mobility of the elements (especially micronutrients) in the ash samples regardless of their source and composition, suggesting limited immediate effect of direct ash application as a fertilizer.

Analytical Methods INAA and PIXE Applied to Characterization of Airborne Particulate Matter in Bandung, Indonesia

Urbanization and industrial growth have deteriorated air quality and are major cause to air pollution. Air pollution through fine and ultra-fine particles is a serious threat to human health. The source of air pollution must be known quantitatively by elemental characterization, in order to design the appropriate air quality management. The suitable methods for analysis the airborne particulate matter such as nuclear analytical techniques are hardly needed to solve the air pollution problem. The objectives of this study are to apply the nuclear analytical techniques to airborne particulate samples collected in Bandung, to assess the accuracy and to ensure the reliable of analytical results through the comparison of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and particles induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Particle samples in the PM 2.5 and PM 2.5-10 ranges have been collected in Bandung twice a week for 24 hours using a Gent stacked filter unit. The result showed that generally there was a systematic difference between INAA and PIXE results, which the values obtained by PIXE were lower than values determined by INAA. INAA is generally more sensitive and reliable than PIXE for Na, Al, Cl, V, Mn, Fe, Br and I, therefore INAA data are preffered, while PIXE usually gives better precision than INAA for Mg, K, Ca, Ti and Zn. Nevertheless, both techniques provide reliable results and complement to each other. INAA is still a prospective method, while PIXE with the special capabilities is a promising tool that could contribute and complement the lack of NAA in determination of lead, sulphur and silicon. The combination of INAA and PIXE can advantageously be used in air pollution studies to extend the number of important elements measured as key elements in source apportionment. Received: 20 November 2010; Revised: 09 August 2011; Accepted: 15 August 2011

Forensic investigation of brick stones using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF)

Brick stones collected from different production facilities were studied for their elemental compositions under forensic aspects using laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF). The aim of these examinations was to assess the potential of these methods in forensic comparison analyses of brick stones. The accuracy of the analysis methods was evaluated using NIST standard reference materials (679, 98b and 97b). In order to compare the stones to each other, multivariate data analysis was used. The evaluation of the INAA results (based on the concentrations of V, Na, K, Sm, U, Sc, Fe, Co, Rb and Cs) using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis is presented as an example. The results derived from the different analytical methods are consistent. It was shown that elemental analysis using the described methods is a valuable tool for forensic examinations of brick stones.

Application of 140La and 24Na as intrinsic radiotracers for investigating catalyst dynamics in FCCUs

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst samples was carried out with an objective to identify activable elements and evaluate its suitability for use as an intrinsic radiotracer for tracing catalyst itself in Fluid Catalytic Cracking Units (FCCUs) used in petroleum refining. Two catalyst samples obtained from two different refineries were analyzed. Twelve different elements were identified in each catalyst sample and their respective concentrations were determined. From the recorded gamma-ray spectra, it was found that lanthanum-140 (140La) and sodium-24 (24Na) were the predominantly present and suitable radionuclides that could be used as radiotracers for tracing catalyst in FCCUs. Lanthanum being present in much higher concentration forms the major component of the radiotracer after irradiation.Based on the results of INAA, appropriate quantities of the catalyst samples were irradiated with neutrons to produce the desired amount of activity of lanthanum-140 and sodium-24 to be used as radiotracers for tracing the catalyst itself in a pilot as well as an industrial-scale FCCU. The residence time distribution (RTD) of catalyst was measured and analyzed to determine mean residence time (MRT). The axial dispersion model (ADM) was used to simulate the measured RTD data and investigate the degree of axial mixing. The results of the experiments were used to improve the design of pilot-scale FCCU and optimize the performance of the industrial-scale FCCU.

Analytical data of geologic obsidians from Japan by INAA using middle- and long-lived nuclides

This paper reports the results of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) on 3,704 obsidian samples, taking the measurements of 23 elements. The results are summarized, combining the results of INAA conducted earlier by Ambiru et al. on 1,444 samples. The samples for these analyses are taken from seventy obsidian sources located at various places of Japan.

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in surface waters with a Chelex-100 resin column and their quantitative determination using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and instrumental neutron activation analysis

Inorganic Cr(III) and Cr(VI) have contrasting biological, geochemical and toxicology effects. Cr(III) is considered as an essential species for the proper functioning of living organisms but Cr(VI) is toxic for the biological systems. An off-line speciation method using Chelex-100 has been practiced for speciation to Cr(III) and Cr(VI) from surface waters of rivers. The underlying principal of this separation method is based on the ability of cationic Cr(III) to be retained by the resin Chelex-100 while the anionic Cr(VI) remained in the sample matrices. The efficiency of this technique was improved by studying the effect of resin pH. Quantitative determination using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was carried out after the separation to determine the total Cr and Cr(VI) in the liquid matrices. The precision and the accuracy of the quantitative analysis were evaluated by using standard reference material NRCC CASS-2 Intercomparison of INAA and ICP-MS results were determined. The quantity of inorganic Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in the surface water of rivers in the vicinity of industrial areas was investigated together with the determination of the physical properties of the water rivers during sampling.

Validation of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method for the determination of cerium, strontium, and titanium in ceramic materials used in radiological dispersal devices (RDDs)

In radiological dispersal device (RDD) studies, sintered ceramics made of CeO 2 and SrTiO 3 were used to simulate actinide oxides and 90SrTiO 3, respectively. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were investigated as possible analytical techniques for the measurement of SrTiO 3 and CeO 2 constituents in powder forms, sintered ceramics, and air particulates collected following a detonation. For ICP-OES and ICP-MS analysis, new digestion procedures were developed using a closed-vessel microwave apparatus. Acid mixtures (HNO 3:H 2O 2:HF (16:2:1) and HNO 3:H 2O 2 (1:4)) were found to be effective for the digestion of SrTiO 3 and CeO 2, respectively. The intercomparison study confirmed that the results obtained by ICP-OES/MS are in good agreement with INAA results. This also confirms the efficiency of the digestion procedures for these refractory materials and the inter-exchangeability of the instrumentation tested. Comparison between the ICP-OES and the ICP-MS instrumentation for the determination of air particulates shows, that although the two methods are equivalent, ICP-MS provides better detection limits (0.11, 0.02, and 0.04 μg per filter for Ti, Sr, and Ce, respectively) and the possibility to determine isotopic fractionation as the result of an explosion.

On the Logic of Archaeological Inference: Early Formative Pottery and the Evolution of Mesoamerican Societies

AbstractThe 2005 articles by Stoltman et al. and Flannery et al. to which Neff et al. (this issue) have responded are not an indictment of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) but, rather, of the way Blomster et al. (2005) misuse it and of the hyperbolic culture-historical claims they have made from their INAA results. It has long been acknowledged that INAA leads not to sources but to chemical composition groups. Based on composition groups derived from an extremely unsystematic collection of sherds from only seven localities, Blomster et al. claim that the Olmec received no carved gray or kaolin white pottery from other regions; they also claim that neighboring valleys in the Mexican highlands did not exchange such pottery with each other. Not only can one not leap directly from the elements in potsherds to such sweeping culture-historical conclusions, it is also the case that other lines of evidence (including petrographic analysis) have for 40+ years produced empirical evidence to the contrary. In the end, it was their commitment to an unfalsifiable model of Olmec superiority that led Blomster et al. to bypass the logic of archaeological inference.

Air quality control monitoring at an urban and industrialized area

Air particulate matter analysis has been performed since 1999, within a contract for air quality monitoring of an urban waste incinerator. Air collection was made with Gent samplers, which collect size-fractionated aerosol samples in three sampling sites. Samples were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE). In this study some INAA results are discussed. PM10 mass concentrations are compared with the limit values for human health protection regulated by the European Council Directive 1999/30/CE. Weekend day and weekday samples are compared concerning As, Co, Fe, K, La, Na, Sb, Sc, Se and Zn mean concentrations collected at Bobadela for 1999. Enrichment factors are also presented. Enrichments were found for As, Sb, Se and Zn for both fractions in the three sampling sites. In order to quantify the evolution for the 1999-2001 period, basic statistics was performed for the enriched elements.

Evaluation of the corrosion resistance of ear piercing studs in a culture medium by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

In this investigation, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to compare the corrosion resistance presented by two gold-coated commercial studs used for ear piercing, and produced using nickel containing substrate alloys, with that exhibited by a laboratory-made titanium stud in a cell culture medium. The aim was to evaluate Ti as a potential material for the manufacture of ear piercing studs. Scanning electron microscopy examination of the coating defects on the two commercial studs, both before and after their exposure to the culture medium, have shown the establishment of a corrosion process. Instrumental neutron activation analysis results of the culture medium after 10 days of contact with the commercial studs have shown the presence of nickel among the alloying elements leached out from the surfaces of the studs in spite of the high corrosion resistance exhibited by one of them. EIS has been demonstrated to be a sensitive technique, not only to rank the corrosion resistance of the studs, but also to detect some features of the corrosion process, like pore blocking and oxide layer structure. From the results it was concluded that Ti is a candidate material for ear piercing studs due not only to its high corrosion resistance, but also to its non-cytotoxicity and the absence of nickel in the stud composition.

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Trace Element Biomonitoring using Mosses

Two analytical methods - instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) - were used for the trace element analysis of naturally growing mosses for a heavy metal biomonitoring survey. The techniques were applied to reference mosses to evaluate the feasibility, analytical variability, detection limits and accuracy. These parameters were evaluated using 563 mosses sampled in the 1996 French survey. All the elements of interest in the European program "Atmospheric Heavy Metal Deposition in Europe - estimation based on moss analysis" (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, Ni, V, Zn) were able to be determined by ICP-MS. INAA appeared suitable for the determination of As, Cr, Fe, Hg, V and Zn. The Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb concentrations determined by ICP-MS were preferred to the INAA results, because of increased feasibility or accuracy. The results provided by both methods on the French mosses were statistically compared for 14 elements. Significant linear correlation appeared for: Ba, Ce, Cs, La, Rb, Sm, Th and V. Among these eight elements, Ba, Cs, La and Sm concentrations determined by both methods exhibited a strong statistical similarity. The correlations obtained for As, Eu, Fe and Sb were not as strong and no correlation at all was observed for Co and Cr. These differences were attributed to instrumental factors (e.g. spectral interference occurred for both methods) or due to the sample preparation prior to ICP-MS. The consequences of such results on the regional trend evaluation of atmospheric heavy metal deposition were discussed.

Contribution of ICP-IDMS to the certification of antimony implanted in a silicon wafer--comparison with RBS and INAA results.

A thin-layer reference material for surface and near-surface analytical methods was produced and certified. The surface density of the implanted Sb layer was determined by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), and inductively coupled plasma isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ICP-IDMS) equipped with a multi-collector. The isotopic abundances of Sb (121Sb and 123Sb) were determined by multi-collector ICP-MS and INAA. ICP-IDMS measurements are discussed in detail in this paper. All methods produced values traceable to the SI and are accompanied by a complete uncertainty budget. The homogeneity of the material was measured with RBS. From these measurements the standard uncertainty due to possible inhomogeneities was estimated to be less than 0.78% for fractions of the area increments down to 0.75 mm2 in size. Excellent agreement between the results of the three different methods was found. For the surface density of implanted Sb atoms the unweighted mean value of the means of four data sets is 4.81 x 10(16) cm(-2) with an expanded uncertainty (coverage factor k = 2) of 0.09 x 10(16) cm(-2). For the isotope amount ratio R (121Sb/123Sb) the unweighted mean value of the means of two data sets is 1.435 with an expanded uncertainty (coverage factor k = 2) of 0.006.