Neutron-Capture Prompt Gamma-Ray Multielement Analysis of Twenty-Two Geochemical Reference Standards

Twenty-two geochemical reference standards obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey (AGV-1, PCC-1, G-2, GSP-1, BHVO-1, MAG-1, QLO-1, RGM-1, SCo-1, SDC-1, SGR-1, STM-1, BIR-1, DNC-1, W-2, Nod A-1, Nod P-1), the National Bureau of Standards (SRM 278 Obsidian, SRM 688 Basalt), the International Atomic Energy Agency (Soil-5, SL-1 Lake Sediment), and Batelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories (COS-1 Oil Shale) have been analyzed for up to twenty-one major, minor, and trace elements from the group of H, B, C, N, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, Nd, Sm and Gd. The technique used, in-beam neutron-capture prompt γ-ray activation analysis (PGAA), is described and the data are compared to those from other studies.