Pre-separation neutron activation analysis of seawater, urine and milk foriodide and iodate

Neutron activation analysis combined with a simple exchange pre-separation is described for the determination of iodide and iodate in liquid samples. Iodide and iodate in seawater were separated by passing natural seawater th rough a small AG1-x4 ion exchange column. The effluent and washings of wate r were collected, acidified to pH 1.0, KHSO3 was added to the effluent to r educe IO3- to I-, and the effluent was passed through a new column. By elut ing with diluted KNO3 solution and de-ionized water to remove Br-, Cl- and other ions, the columns were directly irradiated for the determination of i odide and iodate. For urine and milk, inorganic iodide was separated and de termined by directly passing sample through the exchange column and washing . Under these experimental conditions, 10 ng is the detection limit for iod ine.