Determination of elemental concentrations in biological and geological samples using PGNAA facility at the Dalat research reactor

This article presents the results of the determination of element concentrations in biological and geological samples by using the Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) facility that was installed at horizontal channel No. 4 of the Dalat research reactor. The biological standard sample Bovine Liver NBS 1577a and environmental standard sample Coal Fly Ash NBS 1633a were analyzed to verify the analytical ability of the facility. After that, the concentrations of N, K, Cl, Fe, Ca, Mn and B in biological samples and concentrations of K, Al, Si, Fe, Ca, Mn, Gd, Sm, Ti, and B in geological samples were determined in the framework of quality assurance and quality control programme at the Dalat Nuclear Research Institute. The analytical results indicated that this PGNAA facility can be used as a suitable instrumental tool to study in the fields of environment, biology and geology.