1. Separation and measurement of thorium, plutonium, americium, uranium and strontium in environmental matrices
- Author
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Harrison, Jennifer J., Zawadzki, Atun, Chisari, Robert, and Wong, Henri K.Y.
- Subjects
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SEPARATION (Technology) , *THORIUM , *PLUTONIUM , *AMERICIUM , *URANIUM , *STRONTIUM , *CALCIUM phosphate , *SPECTROMETRY , *SOILS , *SEDIMENTS , *PLANTS , *MARINE algae - Abstract
Abstract: A technique for the isolation of thorium (Th), plutonium (Pu), americium (Am), uranium (U) and strontium (Sr) isotopes from various environmental matrices has been adapted from a previously published method specific to water samples (). Separation and isolation of the various elemental fractions from a single sub-sample is possible, thereby eliminating the need for multiple analyses. The technique involves sample dissolution, concentration via calcium phosphate co-precipitation, rapid column extraction using TEVA™, TRU™ and Sr-Spec™ resin cartridges, alpha spectrometry for Th, Pu, U and Am and Cerenkov counting for Sr. Various standard reference materials were analysed and chemical yields are in the range of 70–80% for Th, Am, U and Sr and 50–60% for Pu. Sample sizes of up to 10 L for water, 5 g for dry soil and sediment and 10 g for dry vegetation and seaweed can be processed using this technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2011
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