A NOVEL-APPROACH TO ALUMINUM DETERMINATION IN BIOLOGICAL TISSUES USING A PAIR OF PNEUMATIC TUBE IRRADIATION FACILITIES

A novel method for the determination of trace aluminum (Al) in the pre sence of high levels of phosphorus (P) has been developed at the Oak R idge National Laboratory High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). Using succe ssive irradiations in HFIR's two pneumatic tube facilities (PT-I, PT-2 ) to measure the difference between the two apparent Al concentrations , the true Al concentration in the sample can be calculated without th e need for an independent determination of P. Results are presented fo r brain samples from various regions, some that are strongly affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) and for NIST SRM 1577b, Bovine Liver.