Precise determination of Sc in natural waters by neutron activation analysis coupled with preconcentration of Sc

Our surface seawater Sc data (0.23-0.34 ng/kg) were comparable or slightly higher than the previous data. On the other hand, the rainwater Sc data (2.49-3.05 ng/kg) were one order lower than the reported data. As for rainwater, we are confident that our data were more reliable than the reported data, because the reported data were considered to be susceptible to contamination. Although further studies are required, we believe our newly developed Sc determination technique could be applied to various natural water samples.