STUDIES ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN A MOLLUSK FROM A FRESHWATER ENVIRONMENT, BY ACTIVATION ANALYSIS

摘要

A semi-automated system, for the determination of trace elements in biological materials, by means of activation analysis, is described. The system is based on the chemical separation of elements in the irradiated specimens by chromatographic procedures, automatic gamma spectrometry, with the use of sample changers;and automatic treatment of the experimental data by computer techniques.nAlthough the system has not yet been perfected, it appears that approximately 100 samples per month with 12 to 15 elements per sample, can be determined. It is possible, therefore, to use this system for an accurate and more thorough investigation of well-chosen, biologically significant, elements.