Determination of plutonium isotopes in waters and environmental solids: A review

Abstract

A number of analytical methods have been developed in the past decades for environmental monitoring of plutonium (Pu) isotopes around nuclear facilities, emergency preparedness as well as for risk assessment of contaminated areas resulting from nuclear weapon tests, nuclear accidents, and the discharge of nuclear waste. This article summarizes and critically compares recently reported methods for determination of Pu isotopes in waters and environmental solid substrates, in which sample pre-treatment is imperative for separation of the target species from matrix ingredients and/or potentially interfering radionuclides prior to detection by radiometric or mass spectrometric detection techniques. Also discussed, via representative examples, is the automation of the entire analytical protocol by on-line extraction chromatography and ion exchange chromatography using flow injection (FI) or sequential injection (SI) approaches.

Determination of 237Np and Pu isotopes in large soil samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

“…[2] There are a number of analytical methods reported that use ion exchange/extraction chromatography to determine actinides in soil. Hou et al [3] surveyed a wide range of separation methods for Pu in environmental samples. Methods included varied combinations of ion exchange and/or extraction chromatographic techniques.…”

Determination of technetium-99 in environmental samples: A review

“…Although some automated analysis procedures have been reported for determination of radionuclides like Pu in environmental samples [131], the application of these approaches for 99 Tc determination is still limited and only applied in few laboratories [91,132]. In early 57 studies, the automation of the analysis of 99 Tc is mainly focused on the separation step using anion exchange or extraction chromatography techniques.…”

Determination of ²³⁸PU and ^239+240PU in Marine Sediment Using Alpha Spectrometry

“…For example, 1.2x10 14 Bq of 238 Pu, 2.2x10 16 Bq of 241 Pu and 6.1x10 14 Bq of 239+240 Pu was discharged from the reprocessing plant in Sellafield site [1,6]. Meanwhile, the total of 1.4x10 14 Bq of Pu radioisotopes was estimated from the reprocessing plant in La Hague site [7]. In addition, the total of 6x10 15 of Pu radioisotopes reported from the nuclear power plant accident in Chernobyl in 1986.…”