Characterization of deep sea sediments by INAA for radioactive waste management purposes

Comparison of uranium determination in some Syrian geologic samples using three reactor based methods

A set of 25 samples of soil, sediments, carbonate and phosphate rocks from Syria were analysed for uranium, using three reactor based methods; instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), delayed neutron counting (DNC) and one cycle of irradiation utilizing the cyclic activation system (CAS). Although the three methods are capable of irradiation samples, the last method is the least established for U determination in rocks. The measurements obtained by the three methods are compared. The results show good agreement, with a distinct linear relationship and significant positive correlation coefficients. It was concluded that the CAS method could reliably be used to rapidly determine uranium in geological samples.

A new microcomputer-controlled neutron activation and analysis system. Description and applications for the analysis of bioenvironmental specimens

A microcomputer-controlled irradiation and measurement system and a microprocessor-controlled sample changer have been installed at the SLOWPOKE-2 Facility at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC). These systems can provide the gamut of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) techniques for the analyst. Custom software has been created for system control, data acquisition, and off-line spectral analysis using programs that incorporate Gaussian peak-fitting methods of analysis. The design and use of the equipment is discussed, and the performance is illustrated with results obtained from the analysis of marine sediment and biological reference materials.