Rapid determination of uranium, thorium, plutonium, americium and strontium activities in water, soil and vegetation
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Date
2008-11-25
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Publisher
South Pacific Radioactivity Association
Abstract
A rapid technique for the isolation of U, Th, Pu, Am and Sr isotopes from environmental matrices has been established using resin cartridges and a vacuum box which are commercially available from Eichrom Technologies (Darien, IL, USA). Separation and isolation of the various elemental fractions from a single sub-sample is possible, thereby eliminating the need for multiple analyses. The time taken for concentration,
separation, purification and source preparation is l0 hours for 12 samples, making this technique an excellent option when fast turn-around is required. The technique involves sample dissolution, concentration via calcium phosphate co-precipitation, resin separation and purification using TEVA TM, TRU TM and Sr-Spec TM resin
cartridges and alpha spectrometry for U, Th, Pu and Am and Cerenkov counting for Sr. The technique was tested with various standard reference materials. Chemical yields are in the range of 80 — 95 % for all elemental actions, except for Sr which is typically 60%. Sample sizes of up to l0 litres for water, 5 grams for soil and 10 grams for ashed vegetation were able to be processed using this technique. Major matrix interferences that were encountered include potassium and strontium.
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Keywords
Uranium, Thorium, Americium, Strontium, Water, Soils, Plants, Environment, Sampling
Citation
Harrison, J. J., Zawadzki, A. W., Chisari. R., & Wong, H. (2008). Rapid determination of uranium, thorium, plutonium, americium and strontium activities in water, soil and vegetation. Paper presented to SPERA 08, South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, 23-27 November 2008. (pp. 46).