Methodology improvement: separation and measurement of uranium, thorium, americium, plutonium and strontium in large mass environmental samples

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dc.contributor.authorHarrison, JJen_AU
dc.contributor.authorThiruvoth, Sen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWilsher, KLen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2022-11-17T23:03:32Zen_AU
dc.date.available2022-11-17T23:03:32Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2012-10-16en_AU
dc.date.statistics2022-02-02en_AU
dc.description.abstractThis paper outlines recent method modifications implemented for the radiochemical analysis of large volume groundwater, soil and ashed tree samples. The issues addressed include the formation of silica gel, interference of polonium-210 (210Po) with the uranium-232 (232U) tracer peak in U spectra, and broadening of alpha peaks in thorium (Th) and americium (Am) spectra due to chemicals derived from separation resins. A silica gel forms in evaporated groundwater samples that increases co-precipitate volumes and sample load solution volumes. If not effectively removed, this silica gel will clog the separation resin cartridges. The addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) followed by high speed centrifugation and filtering after co-precipitation enables the removal of this silica gel. 210Po, present in some ashed vegetation samples with activities up to 500 Bq/kg, was sometimes found in the U fraction. The 210Po alpha emission peak overlaps the 232U tracer peak, preventing accurate chemical yield determination. An additional wash step between Am and U elution was implemented to remove 210Po from the U fraction. Organic compounds from the TEVA TM and TRU TM separation resins are leached into the Th and Am fractions respectively, resulting in broad alpha peaks. Evaporation and dilution of the fractions prior to alpha source preparation or the use of an Eichrom Pre-filter cartridge during elution is required.en_AU
dc.identifier.citationHarrison, J. J., Thiruvoth, S., & Wilsher, K. L. (2012). Methodology improvement: separation and measurement of uranium, thorium, americium, plutonium and strontium in large mass environmental samples. Paper presented to the 12th South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference (SPERA 2012), Sydney, Australia, Tuesday 16 October – Friday 19 October 2012. Lucas Heights, NSW: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. (pp. 54).en_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceenddate19 October 2012en_AU
dc.identifier.conferencename12th South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference (SPERA 2012)en_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceplaceSydney, Australiaen_AU
dc.identifier.conferencestartdate16 October 2012en_AU
dc.identifier.pagination54en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/14065en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherAustralian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisationen_AU
dc.subjectUraniumen_AU
dc.subjectThoriumen_AU
dc.subjectAmericiumen_AU
dc.subjectPlutoniumen_AU
dc.subjectStrontiumen_AU
dc.subjectEnvironmenten_AU
dc.subjectSamplingen_AU
dc.subjectSeparation processesen_AU
dc.subjectRadiochemical analysisen_AU
dc.subjectGround wateren_AU
dc.titleMethodology improvement: separation and measurement of uranium, thorium, americium, plutonium and strontium in large mass environmental samplesen_AU
dc.typeConference Abstracten_AU
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