Determination of low-level lithium in environmental water samples by neutron activation

Determination of low-level lithium content in aqueous solution by neutron activation technique is described. The product activated through 6Li(n, α) reaction eventually forms HTO, which is then separated by distillation for counting with a liquid scintillation counter. The detection limit can be lowered to sub-ppb levels when long-term irradiation is performed using neutron flux of higher than 1012n/cm2·s, provided by a research reactor. The radioactive and chemical interferences are minimized and have minor influence on the tritium measurement.