The loss of cerium, cobalt, manganese, protactinium, ruthenium and zinc during dry ashing of biological material

Abstract

The mollusc Mytillus galloprovincialis Lam. was allowed to take up radioisotopes of cerium, cobalt, manganese, protactinium, ruthenium and zinc from sea water. The loss of radioactivity when the molluscan soft tissues were heated to between 110° and 800° C in air was investigated. All the elements studied were partly volatilised, even at low ashing temperatures. For this reason wet ashing is recommended for the determination of radioactive contaminants in biological material.