Determination of actinides in environmental samples with ICP-MS and automated batch preconcentration
- Argonne National Laboratory, IL (United States); and others
Thorium, uranium, and uranium progeny (e.g., {sup 226}Ra) were isolated from a variety of natural water matrices (well, spring, lake, river, and tap waters) using automated batch separation and a proprietary chelating resin. Minimal sample treatment was required in advance of the chemical separation procedure, i.e., samples were acidified, enriched isotopes were added and equilibrated, and, in certain cases, samples were filtered to remove biomass and other particulate matter. Major elemental constituents (e.g., Mg and Ca) were removed by the chemical separation. The isolated actinides and their detectable progeny were then determined using isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry combined with ultrasonic nebulization; flow injection was also used to improve sample utilization efficiency and increase the practical limit of preconcentration. Preconcentration factors of ca. 50 were achievable, thereby allowing determination of the isotopes TA interest at concentrations below 1 pg/L (i.e., 1 pCi/L of {sup 226}Ra). The internal and external reproducibility of these measurements will be described, as will their comparability to results obtained by radiochemical means. The authors will also discuss the utility of this procedure for environmental surveillance and the examination of uranium series disequilibria in natural aqueous systems.
- OSTI ID:
- 191712
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-941098-; TRN: 95:006733-0068
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: FACSS XXI: 21st annual conference of the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies (FACSS), St. Louis, MO (United States), 2-7 Oct 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of 21st annual conference of the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies; PB: 257 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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