Production of monodisperse uranium oxide particles and their characterization by scanning electron microscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry

Erdmann, N.; Betti, M.; Stetzer, O.; Tamborini, Gloria; Kratz, Jens Volker; Trautmann, Ν.; Geel, Jacobus van

doi:10.1016/s0584-8547(00)00262-7

Cited by 70 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The electron multiplier is used to measure count rates in the range of 10 -6 -10 -1 cps. The instrument allows the detection of ~5×10 9 atoms of U and ~1.5×10 9 atoms of Pu.Mass calibration was performed using synthetic monodispersive uranium oxide particles [Erdmann et al, 2000;Tamborini, 2004] as standards, and uranium isotopes 234 U, 235 U and 238 U were measured before each analysis. For Pu containing particles, the mass spectrometer was set to mass 239.0522 or 240.0538.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization and source term assessments of radioactive particles from Marshall Islands using non-destructive analytical techniques

Jernström

Eriksson

Simon³

et al. 2006

Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy

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Abstract−A considerable fraction of radioactivity entering the environment from different nuclear events is associated with particles. The impact of these events can only be fully assessed where there is some knowledge about the mobility of particle bound radionuclides entering the environment. The behavior of particulate radionuclides is dependent on several factors, including the physical, chemical and redox state of the environment, the characteristics of the particles (e.g., the chemical composition, crystallinity and particle size) and on the oxidative state of radionuclides contained in the particles. Six plutonium-containing particles stemming from Runit Island soil (Marshall Islands) were characterized using non-destructive analytical and microanalytical methods. By determining the activity of 239,240 Pu and 241 Am isotopes from their gamma peaks structural information related to Pu matrix was obtained, and the source term was revealed. Composition and elemental distribution in the particles were studied with synchrotron radiation based micro X-ray fluorescence (SR-µ-XRF) spectrometry. Scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray detector (SEM-EDX) and secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) were used to examine particle surfaces. Based on the elemental composition the particles were divided into two groups; particles with plain Pu matrix, and particles where the plutonium is included in Si/O-rich matrix being more heterogenously distributed. All of the particles were identified as fragments of initial weapons material. As containing plutonium with low 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atomic ratio, ~2-6 %, which corresponds to weapons grade plutonium, the source term was identified to be among the safety tests conducted in the history of Runit Island. IntroductionFrom 1946 through 1958 the United States conducted a total of 65 atmospheric nuclear weapons tests on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls within the Republic of the Marshall Islands [UNSCEAR 2000;Hamilton, 2004]. The nuclear test program included air drops (4), barge detonations (35), tower detonations (13), surface detonations (10), and underwater detonations (3). The total yield for all tests conducted on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls was 109 Mt with an estimated fission yield of 53 % [UNSCEAR, 2000;Hamilton 2004]. At Bikini, the total yield was approximately 76.8 Mt with a fission yield of approximately 55 %. At Enewetak, the total and fission yields were 30.2 Mt and 49%, respectively [UNSCEAR, 2000]. A surface safety test and one additional unsuccessful detonation at Enewetak Atoll resulted in little of no fission yield [DOE, 2000].The nuclear test program in the Marshall Islands produced both global and localized forms of fallout contamination. The terrestrial and marine environments of each atoll are contaminated with a range of fission and activation products, and unfissioned nuclear materials [Hamilton, 2004] In general, a considerable fraction of radioactivity entering the environment from nuclear events such as nuclear weapons accidents, auth...

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization and source term assessments of radioactive particles from Marshall Islands using non-destructive analytical techniques

Jernström

Eriksson

Simon³

et al. 2006

Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy

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show abstract

“…Mass bias corrections were conducted by comparing the measured isotope ratios for a certified uranium reference material (CRM U350) with the reference values. The hydride formation rate of uranium ( 238 UH/ 238 U) was determined for each particle and used to correct the contribution of 235 UH to 236 U at a mass 236 [9]. The mean values of isotope ratios were computed with a rejection criterion of 2s.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dependence of the precision of uranium isotope ratio on particle diameter in individual particle analysis with SIMS

Esaka

Watanabe

Onodera

et al. 2008

Applied Surface Science

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“…SIMS has also been used for the determination of radionuclides, especially radionuclides in environmental "hot" particles and spatial distribution of radionuclides in materials [9,27,[106][107][108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115][116].…”

Section: Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (Sims)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical comparison of radiometric and mass spectrometric methods for the determination of radionuclides in environmental, biological and nuclear waste samples

Hou

Roos

2008

Analytica Chimica Acta

328

253

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Production of monodisperse uranium oxide particles and their characterization by scanning electron microscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry

Cited by 70 publications

References 13 publications

Characterization and source term assessments of radioactive particles from Marshall Islands using non-destructive analytical techniques

Characterization and source term assessments of radioactive particles from Marshall Islands using non-destructive analytical techniques

Dependence of the precision of uranium isotope ratio on particle diameter in individual particle analysis with SIMS

Critical comparison of radiometric and mass spectrometric methods for the determination of radionuclides in environmental, biological and nuclear waste samples

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