CRITICAL-EVALUATION OF THE DETERMINATION OF ZIRCONIUM AND HAFNIUM IN METEORITES BY INSTRUMENTAL AND RADIOCHEMICAL NEUTRON-ACTIVATION ANALYSIS

Neutron activation analysis (instrumental or radiochemical) is suitable for the determination of zirconium and hafnium in samples of geochemical origin only when sufficient attention is paid to interfering nuclides. The size of the necessary correction for INAA depends on the composition of the sample; this problem is discussed. The radiochemical technique which is recommended involves separation of the samples, precipitations and anion-exchange separation. Results are given for various standard reference materials and for meteorites.