RADIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF SILVER IN GALENA

A radiometric procedure for quantitative analysis of traces of silver in galena has been demonstrated. The mineral sample was dissolved in H NO3 (3:1) and silver present in the solution was precipitated as insol uble AgI by adding an excess amount of I-131-labeled KI solution and w as coprecipitated with zirconium hydrogen phosphate, Zr(HPO4)2, in 0.5 N H2SO4 medium. The method of radiometric analysis of silver which was estimated from the knowledge of the loss of I-131 activity in solutio n, was found to be effective in determination of the element even belo w ppb level. Applicability of the radiometric procedure in routine ana lysis or preconcentration of traces of silver in galena has been stres sed.