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- Title
Rapid method for determination of Ra in water samples.
- Authors
Maxwell, Sherrod; Culligan, Brian; Utsey, Robin; McAlister, Daniel; Horwitz, E.
- Abstract
A new rapid method for the determination of Ra in natural water samples has been developed at the SRNL/EBL (Savannah River National Lab/Environmental Bioassay Laboratory) that can be used for emergency response or routine samples. While gamma spectrometry can be employed with sufficient detection limits to determine Ra in solid samples (via Ac), radiochemical methods that employ gas flow proportional counting techniques typically provide lower minimal detectable activity levels for the determination of Ra in water samples. Most radiochemical methods for Ra collect and purify Ra and allow for Ac daughter ingrowth for ~36 h. In this new SRNL/EBL approach, Ac is collected and purified from the water sample without waiting to eliminate this delay. The sample preparation requires only about 4 h so that Ra assay results on water samples can be achieved in <6 h. The method uses a rapid calcium carbonate precipitation enhanced with a small amount of phosphate added to enhance chemical yields (typically >90 %), followed by rapid cation exchange removal of calcium. Lead, bismuth, uranium, thorium and protactinium isotopes are also removed by the cation exchange separation. Ac is eluted from the cation resin directly onto a DGA Resin cartridge attached to the bottom of the cation column to purify Ac. DGA Resin also removes lead and bismuth isotopes, along with Sr isotopes and Y. La is used to determine Ac chemical yield via ICP-MS, but Ba can also be used instead if ICP-MS assay is not available. Unlike some older methods, no lead or strontium holdback carriers or continual readjustment of sample pH is required.
- Subjects
RADIUM removal (Water purification); WATER sampling; GAMMA ray spectrometry; RADIOCHEMISTRY; PRECIPITATION (Chemistry); CALCIUM carbonate; ION exchange resins
- Publication
Journal of Radioanalytical & Nuclear Chemistry, 2013, Vol 295, Issue 3, p2181
- ISSN
0236-5731
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10967-012-2257-1