Neutron activation analysis of some biological environmental materials

Abstract

Abstract:Some biological candidate reference materials were recently or are now being certified for use in quality control of trace element analysis in environmental studies. In this work, the elemental concentration was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for the materials lichen, poplar leaves, oak tree leaves, eucalyptus leaves and pine needles. As an application of pollution studies, samples of soil and strawberry plants treated with methylbromide as a disinfectant were analysed by INAA.The results evidence contamination with bromide; after several treatments the soil accumulates bromide giving rise to phytoxicity.

Sugar derivatives containing oxiranes and α,β‐unsaturated γ‐lactones as potential environmentally friendly insecticides

“…In the search for new pesticides, among the demanding list of prerequisites is that any new molecules selected must be safe to the environment and have no propensity to cause pollution 1. With this in mind, we have chosen to search for novel pesticides by focussing on substances that may be non‐polluting, namely sugar derivatives.…”