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• SSR180 - Routine analysis of naturally occurring radionuclides in environmental samples by alpha-particle spectrometry (PDF - 1250 KB)

Abstract

The high sensitivity and wide range of applicable sample types make α-particle spectrometry a powerful technique for the determination of low-level activities in environmental samples. Radiochemical techniques are described here for the determination of the following α-emitting radionuclides:

²³⁴ U, ²³⁵ U and ²³⁸ U

²²⁸ Th, ²³⁰ Th and ²³² Th

²²³ Ra, ²²⁴ Ra and ²²⁶ Ra, and

²¹⁰ Po

together with a method for the determination of ²¹⁰ Pb by ß counting. In addition, the ß-emitters ²²⁸ Ra, ²¹⁰Pb and ²²⁷Ac can be determined within a few months of their separation from the sample digest by measurement of their α-emitting progeny.

After addition of a suitable tracer and dissolution of the sample, a chemical separation scheme is used which allows the sequential separation and analysis of radioisotopes of U, Th, Ra, Pb, Po and Ac on the same sample digest. This scheme has been developed with the aim of achieving consistent high chemical yields while minimising analysis time.

Sample pretreatment criteria, tracer isotope selection and spectrum analysis procedures for each element are discussed, and typical spectra shown. A set of computer programs used for the calculation of results are also described.

This report updates and replaces an earlier report on this topic (Martin & Hancock 1992, Research Report 7).