K-O METHOD OF QUANTIFICATION IN NEUTRON-ACTIVATION ANALYSIS AS APPLIED TO ENVIRONMENTAL-SAMPLES

The K-o factor method in neutron activation analysis adopts all the pr inciples of comparator method and can be used for the rapid determinat ion of elemental comcentrations during routine monitoring of environme ntal samples. The method necessiates the use of same in-pile condition s, such as irradiation time, irradiation position and the type of neut ron spectrum, for which the factors have been generated. The K-o facto rs were estimated for various elements of environmental importance for three irradiation positions of Apsara Reactor at Bhabha Atomic Resear ch Centre. Standard reference materials of soil and coal were used for all the elements except for Hg for which HgCl2 was used. The concentr ation of the elements determined using these factors in a flyash stand ard reference material revealed good agreement within 10% of the certi fied values. The efficacy of the method compared well with that of spe cific element comparator method as revealed by the elemental concentra tions obtained by both the techniques.