SummaryMany methods have been advocated for the determination of the origin of opium, but so far no research has been reported on the possibilities of such studies by means of radiochemical methods applied to the opium ash.In the present investigation the gold and lanthanide content in samples of opium ash has been studied using neutron activation analysis. The gold content was found to vary from about 0,5 to 10 ppm and the total rare earths content from about 20 to 150 ppm. Large variations are found in the distribution pattern of the individual rare earths in opium samples from different origin. The results are discussed and indicate that activation analysis may be used to indentify the origin of opium samples.
Neutron Activation Analysis of Trace Elements in Sea Water Samples
