Neutron activation analysis of some biological environmental materials

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.