ICP-sector field mass spectrometry analysis of plutonium isotopes: recognizing and resolving potential interferences

Long-Term Effects of Exposure to Low-Levels of Radioactivity: a Retrospective Study of 239Pu and 90Sr from Nuclear Bomb Tests on the Swiss Population

“…Nuclear Power -Operation, Safety and Environment 310 238 U 1 H + / 238 U ratio of 1.4 x 10 -5 ± 1 x 10 -6 was constant under the selected experimental conditions and falls well into the range of 1.2 x 10 -4 -5.0 x 10 -6 reported in the literature (Becker et al, 1999;Kim et al, 2000;Boulyga and Becker, 2001;Taylor et al, 2001;Wyse et al, 2001). We used a double focusing SF-ICP-MS (Element2; Thermo, Bremen, Germany) for measuring the 239 Pu, 240 Pu, and 242 Pu isotopes.…”

Application of ICP-QMS for the determination of plutonium in environmental samples for safeguards purposes

“…Despite its lower precision when compared to multi-collector mass-spectrometers, quadrupole ICP-MS has often been applied to plutonium determination and one of the main reasons for that is its sensitivity (Becker and Dietze, 1999;Eroglu et al, 1998;Momoshima et al, 1997;Muramatsu et al, 2001;Tonouchi et al, 2002;Zheng et al, 2004;Zheng and Yamada, 2006a). Consequently, high-resolution ICP-MS is often applied at its low-resolution mode in order to improve the equipment sensitivity (Kenna, 2002;Ketterer et al, 2004a,b;Nygren et al, 2003;Norisuye et al, 2006;Zheng and Yamada, 2006b;Wyse et al, 2001).…”

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

“…149 A large number of publications covers the field of radionuclide determination via sector field devices, making use of the high sensitivity, the isotope ratio capabilities (even at large ratios) and the high mass resolution. [150][151][152][153] A review of Ketterer and Szechenyi shows how ICP-SFMS has become one of the most popular methods for the routine and high-throughput determination of plutonium and other transuranic elements because of its speed of analysis, simplicity of sample preparation, straightforward operation, sensitivity, low background and ability to resolve interfering polyatomic ions. 154 Larivière et al used the high sensitivity of ICP-SFMS for the rapid and automated determination of ultratrace long-lived actinides in air filters.…”