The determination of trace (parts per 109) amounts of gold in plants by non-destructive activation analysis

Abstract

A non-destructive activation analysis method for the routine determination of trace amounts (parts per 10⁹) of gold in the ashes of various plant materials, grass and maize has been developed. The homogeneity of the gold distribution in the samples is of particular importance and several different methods of sample preparation have been studied. The lower limit for the determination of gold is below 1 part per 10⁹, calculated for dried plant material. The method was developed for a geochemical research programme and permits the determination of submicrogram amounts of gold in plants to be carried out more simply than do techniques that involve chemical separation.