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Rapid Method for ICP-MS Analysos of Plutonium in Sediment Samples

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 March 2011

Christina Greis ,
Anders Düker ,
Håkan Pettersson ,
Stefan Karlsson  and
Bert Allard
Christina Greis
Affiliation:
Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre, Örebro Univ., SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
Anders Düker
Affiliation:
Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre, Örebro Univ., SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
Håkan Pettersson
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Physics, LinkÖping Univ., SE-581 85 LinkÖping, Sweden
Stefan Karlsson
Affiliation:
Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre, Örebro Univ., SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
Bert Allard
Affiliation:
Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre, Örebro Univ., SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
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Abstract

A rapid and reliable method for quantification of transuranium elements in environmental samples is required from the aspect of emergency preparedness. Determination of these elements in e.g. sediment samples includes three steps: sample dissolution, chemical separation and measurement. Different acids were used for leaching of plutonium, americium and neptunium from contaminated sediment (during heating or microwave digestion). Chemical separation was performed by co-precipitation (with Fe(OH)3 or NdF3), by anion exchange or by liquid-liquid extraction (with tributylphosphate, trioctylamine and thenoyl trifluoroacetone, respectively). The following radioisotopes were quantified by quadrupole ICP-MS equipped with an ultrasonic nebulizer (USN): 237Np, 239Pu, 240Pu, 241Pu, 242Pu and 241Am. Data are only given for 239Pu and 240Pu in this paper. Plutonium was also measured by alpha spectrometry in some samples, as well as 137Cs and 241Am by gamma spectrometry. The agreement between concentrations of plutonium obtained by ICP-MS and alpha spectrometry was good, which demonstrates that a simple and rapid procedure for analysis of plutonium by quadrupole ICP-MS is feasible.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 824: Symposium CC – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXVIII , 2004 , CC8.25
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

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