Abstract
A method is described which combines radiotracer techniques with paper electrophoresis to investigate the optimal decomposition conditions for zinc and selenium in rice leaf and grain samples. After administration of the respective nuclides of 65Zn and 75Se solutions to the rice, samples of the tested rice are harvested and decomposed with a nitric and sulfuric acid mixture. The completeness of decomposition is investigated by measuring the respective radionuclide- containing species in the decomposed samples by electrophoretic analysis. The results indicate that the Se-containing rice samples are more easily decomposed than those containing Zn under our conditions. Different decomposition effects are observed between a nitric and sulfuric acid mixture and one which includes hydrogen peroxide. Decomposition may be connected with the analytical error.
