Radiochemical method development

Abstract

We have developed methods for chemical characterization of the environment under a multitask project that focuses on improvement of radioanalytical methods with an emphasis on faster and cheaper routine methods. We have developed improved methods for separation of environmental levels of technetium-99, radium, and actinides from soil and water; separation of actinides from soil and water matrix interferences; and isolation of strontium. Wc are also developing methods for simultaneous detection of multiple isotopes (including nonradionuclides) by using a new instrumental technique, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).The new ICP-MS methods have greater sensitivity and efficiency and could replace many radiometric techniques. We are using flow injection analysis to integrate and automate the separation methods with the ICP-MS methodology. The objective of automating methods is to achieve more reproducible results, reduce labor costs, cut analysis time, and minimize secondary waste generation through miniaturization of the process. The final product of all activities will be methods that are available (published in the U.S. Department of Energy's analytical methods compendium) and acceptable for use in regulatory situations.Our nation faces a daunting challenge to clean up and protect our environment; before launching any cleanup, one must characterize the type, concentration, and extent of the contamination. During cleanup one must monitor the progress, and after cleanup, one must often monitor the site to ensure that the cleanup was successful. Chemical characterization and monitoring techniques and methods are essential in the execution of these efforts. R&D efforts to improve capabilities can translate into major savings and improvement in environmental cleanup by reducing the unit cost of measurements (e.g., fewer steps in an analysis), reducing the time required to provide the information to the user (e.g., field analysis), or improving the information quality (e.g., chemical speciation). Radiochemical analysis is of particular concern to the U.S. Department of Energy, which expends over $300 million annually on this activity. Unlike organic and inorganic analytes, which are widely found as contaminants, comparatively little effort has been expended on improvements of radiochemical analyses. Desirable characteristics of any new methods for characterization of the Department's radiochemical contamination are the foLlowing: r,°,°b_,,._ _.nu_._, .., _.o..,,o_0_

Extraction chromatographic separations and analysis of actinides using sequential injection techniques with on-line inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS) detection

“…The determination of actinides in nuclear wastes, process solutions and various environmental matrices is required in support of environmental restoration and waste processing activities at former nuclear weapons sites. [1][2][3] Actinide analyses are important because of the high abundance of actinides in irradiated nuclear fuel, their long radioactive half-lives, high radiological and chemical toxicities, and criticality concerns. In current practice, alpha spectrometry using semiconductor diode detectors represents the most widely used detection methodology for routine actinide isotopic measurements.…”

Determination of 90Sr at ultratrace levels in urine by ICP-MS

“…[6][7][8] The newly developed ICP-MS methods have been found to possess higher sensitivity and greater efficiency and may replace many of the radiometric techniques. 9 Furthermore, they are not encumbered with the uncertainty of removing all other beta-emitting nuclides from the sample. ICP-MS is therefore investigated for detection of radioactive strontium and potential interferents in this type of analysis are addressed.…”

Determination of neptunium in soil by ICP-MS

“…It is *Author for correspondence (E-mail: ayranov@inrne.bas.bg). still necessary to separate the actinides from the matrix, which contains the elements that cause isobaric or polyatomic interferences [8,9]. A large number of radiochemical procedures are commonly used for the separation and concentration of the actinide elements.…”