Low-background neutron activation analysis: a powerful tool for atmospheric mineral dust analysis in ice cores

• Published in: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
• Main Authors: Baccolo, G, Maffezzoli, N, Prata, M, Salvini, A, CLEMENZA, MASSIMILIANO, DELMONTE, BARBARA, MAGGI, VALTER, PREVITALI, EZIO
• Other Authors: Clemenza, M, Delmonte, B, Maggi, V, Previtali, E
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Netherlands 2015
• Subjects: Low background NAA; Low level counting techniques; Ice cores; Atmospheric mineral dust; Multielemental analysis; Settore PHYS-06/A - Fisica per le scienze della vita; l'ambiente e i beni culturali; ice core
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10281/83641; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4206-2

The application of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for multi-elemental analysis of samples of extremely reduced mass such as dust samples extracted from ice cores requires specific efforts towards the development of a “low level counting” analytical technique. An analytical protocol specifically designed for this kind of samples, based on low-background INAA (LBNAA) is here presented. A first application of the method was successfully performed on samples from the new alpine firn core NextData-LYS12. Sub-ng detection limits were reached for many elements. According to this point the technique is also potentially suitable to be applied to polar ice core samples.