Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA)

Environmental significance of trace elements in the Athabasca Bituminous Sands: facts and misconceptions

“…It should be noted that the V concentration data of Addison and Puckett 111 was obtained at that time using INAA, a sensitive, accurate, and precise method for the determination of V in solid samples which is still in use today. 35 In fact, in the recent paper on TE in Sphagnum moss, 113 although V concentrations were obtained using ICP-MS of acid digests, the concentrations were confirmed using INAA of solid samples at an independent laboratory. So, the V concentrations in lichens determined long ago by Addison and Puckett 111 turn out to be extremely valuable, as they show that atmospheric V deposition rates in the ABS region were much greater in the past than they are today.…”

“…33 However, while this method provides excellent sensitivity ( e.g. μg kg −1 ) for the elements listed above, 34,35 it cannot be used to determine some of the chalcophile elements of greatest concern such as Cd, Pb or Tl. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) was also used in early work on bitumen, 36 but yielded very little data for TEs of environmental relevance because of the relatively high (mg kg −1 ) limits of detection.…”