A PRELIMINARY SCREENING TECHNIQUE FOR SELECTED METALS AT WASTE SITES

Fast neutron activation analysis (FNAA) was investigated as a possible on-site preliminary screening technique for metal contamination of so il. Two metals, Cu and Zn, were used in a laboratory setting to evalua te the possibility of detecting metal contamination of soil at or belo w the maximum permissible metal concentration in soil. Varying quantit ies of compounds of the selected metals were mixed into a prepared soi l column for analysis of signal intensity as a function of concentrati on in the soil. Experiments were conducted with a sealed tube neutron generator and a germanium gamma-ray detector. Both metals produced sig nal levels distinguishable from background soil concentrations at the maximum permissible level.