Simultaneous determination of arsenic and selenium in soil by neutron-activation analysis

Abstract

A simple radiochemical neutron-activation method for the determination of arsenic and selenium in soils is described. After fusion of the soil with alkali and removal of the insoluble hydroxides, arsenic and selenium are determined in the solution, after acidifying it with hydrochloric acid, by a simple precipitation with thioacetamide. Chemical yields are determined by re-irradiation of the sulphide precipitate. The method is suitable for studies of the normal concentrations of arsenic and selenium in soils.