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Abstract: Levels of some of the most essential minerals in liver tissue of wild animals living in game reserves in South Africa were studied by instrumental thermal neutron activation analysis and a Ge(Li) detector. In addition, some of the most important trace elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The distribution of the content of the various elements was followed for about two years and attempts have been made to explain the influence of seasonal fluctuations of the micronutrients determined.

Abstract: An activation analysis method has been developed for the routine determination of43Ca. The calcium is chemically separated and converted to fluoride. When activated for 2 hours with 4.50 MeV protons,43Sc and48Sc are produced and the ratio of their activities is a measure of the isotopic concentrations of43Ca.48Ca serves as an internal standard to represent total natural calcium. The relative standard deviation is ±1.5% and the method can determine a change of +0.004 atom %43Ca in natural calcium.42Ca may interfere, if present in enriched concentrations.