Rapid, quantitative analysis of americium, curium and plutonium isotopes in Hanford samples using extraction chromatography and precipitation plating

A procedure for the analysis of 9~ 154Eu, 237Np, 239pu, 24tAm and 242-244Cm was developed. Separation was done with the separating agent, di-2(ethyl hexyl)-phosphoric acid (HDEHP), and results in fractions containing the different elements to be analysed. 9~ analysis was done by analysing its daughter nuclide 90y, detected through the Cherenkov radiation emitted by this high energy ~--emitter. 154Eu was detected using 7-spectrometry with a lower Compton background as a result of the removal of other fission products. 241Am could also be detected with T-spectrometry or together with 242-244Cm with o~-spectrometry. The long-lived radionuclides 237Np and 239pu were detected using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

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“…Solving this differential equation yields e2v.td A~r=A Y 1. e_).v.ti (3) whereA~ is the activity of 9~ Ay the activity of 9Oy…”

Section: ) Dtmentioning

confidence: 99%

A separation procedure for the analysis of90Sr,154Eu, and the actinides237Np,239Pu,241Am and244Cm

Ramebäck

Skålberg

1999

J Radioanal Nucl Chem

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“…In the Sea of Galilee, where the concentration of Pu is very low, further enrichment of this transuranium element is required for accurate analysis. For this purpose, a combination of co-precipitation with extraction chromatography separation has been successfully established in order to concentrate and separate Pu prior to analysis by a-spectrometry [28][29][30] or by ICP-MS. 22,25 A very promising aspect of the plutonium determination is the use of multiple ion collector ICP-MS (MC-ICP-MS), which allows a 10-fold improvement in sensitivity and precision of isotope ratio measurements [31][32][33] and becomes of extreme importance at the low concentration level of Pu in analysed samples.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental monitoring of plutonium at ultratrace level in natural water (Sea of Galilee—Israel) by ICP-SFMS and MC-ICP-MS

Becker

Zoriy

Halicz

et al. 2004

J. Anal. At. Spectrom.

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An analytical method for the determination of plutonium concentration and its isotope ratio at ultratrace level in natural water by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is proposed. In order to preconcentrate Pu and to avoid matrix effects and clogging effects on the cones during the mass spectrometric measurements, an effective Pu separation procedure (on TEVA resin) from the matrix was applied. Studies of the separation procedure for 2.1 pg of 242 Pu spiked into 100 L of lake water from the Sea of Galilee result in a recovery of 62%. The detection limits of 239 Pu in 100 L lake water were determined as 1 6 10 219 g mL 21 and 3 6 10 220 g mL 21 using ICP-SFMS and MC-ICP-MS, respectively. 239 Pu was detected in the Sea of Galilee at a concentration level of about 3.6 6 10 219 g mL 21 with a 240 Pu/ 239 Pu isotope ratio of 0.17. This measured plutonium isotope ratio is the most probable evidence of plutonium contamination of the Sea of Galilee as a result of global nuclear fallout after the nuclear weapons tests in the sixties. This paper discusses applications of double-focusing sector field ICP-MS with single and multiple ion collection for the quantitative determination of plutonium and its isotope ratio at the 10 219 g mL 21 level in natural water.

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“…The separation of the actinides from environmental samples, especially those in the trivalent state like 241 Am has been a complicated and time-consuming task. Recently, the chromatographic resins for extraction such as TRU, UTEVA, and Diphonix resins have given an opportunity to develop fast and simple separation methods for many radionuclides [23][24][25]. The Diphonix resin shows high affinity towards Am(III), however, its elution is not as easy as with DGA Resin.…”

Section: Separation Of Pu Sr U and Am Isotopesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of plutonium, uranium and americium/curium isotopes in environmental samples with anion exchange, UTEVA, Sr and DGA resin

Lee

Park

Song

2011

Proceedings in Radiochemistry

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This study presents a quantitative sequential radiochemical separation method for the Pu, U, Sr and Am/Cm isotopes with an anion exchange resin, UTEVA resin, Sr resin and DGA resin in environmental samples. After the radionuclides were leached from samples with 8 M HNO3, the Pu, U, Sr and Am/Cm isotopes were sequentially adsorbed on the anion exchange column, UTEVA column connected with Sr Spec column and DGA column. The Pu isotopes were purified from other nuclides through the anion exchange column, and the uranium isotopes were separated from other nuclides through the UTEVA column. Also, 90Sr was separated from other hindrance elements such as Ca2+, Ba2+ and Y3+ with the Sr Spec column. Finally, Am/Cm fractions were purified with the DGA and anion exchange resins. After α source preparation for the purified Pu, U and Am/Cm isotopes with the micro-coprecipitation method, the Pu, U and Am/Cm isotopes were measured by an alpha spectrometry. Strontium-90 was measured by a low level liquid scintillation counter. The radiochemical procedure for Pu, U and Am nuclides investigated in this study has been validated by application to IAEA Reference soils.

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Rapid, quantitative analysis of americium, curium and plutonium isotopes in Hanford samples using extraction chromatography and precipitation plating

Cited by 27 publications

References 4 publications

A separation procedure for the analysis of90Sr,154Eu, and the actinides237Np,239Pu,241Am and244Cm

A separation procedure for the analysis of90Sr,154Eu, and the actinides237Np,239Pu,241Am and244Cm

Environmental monitoring of plutonium at ultratrace level in natural water (Sea of Galilee—Israel) by ICP-SFMS and MC-ICP-MS

Determination of plutonium, uranium and americium/curium isotopes in environmental samples with anion exchange, UTEVA, Sr and DGA resin

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