Low-level determination of plutonium by gamma and L x-ray spectroscopy
we have developed an analytical method for detection of {sup 239}Pu in aqueous samples at concentrations as low as 10{sup {minus}10} M. This nuclear counting technique utilizes the uranium L X-rays, which follow the alpha decay of plutonium. Because L X-rays are specific for the element and not for the individual isotopes, the isotopic composition of the plutonium sample must be known. The counting efficiency in the 11--23 keV range is determined from a plutonium standard, and the concentration of the sample is then calculated from the L X-ray count and the isotopic composition. The total L X-ray count is corrected for possible contributions from other radionuclides present as impurities by measuring the low-energy gamma spectrum for each contaminant to establish specific photon/X-ray ratios. The ratios are important when {sup 241}Pu and {sup 242}Pu are measured, because the respective decay chain members produce non-U L X-rays. This new method can replace the use of labor-intensive radiochemical separation techniques and elaborate activation methods for analysis of {sup 239}Pu in aqueous samples. It is also applicable for assaying plutonium in liquid wastes that pose possible hazards to the environment.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 7067277
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-30617; TWS-LBL-04-91-02; CONF-910422-10; ON: DE92017375
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International topical conference on methods and applications of radioanalytical chemistry II (MARC-2), Kona, HI (United States), 21-27 Apr 1991
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
QUANTITY RATIO
X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY
AMERICIUM 247
CALIBRATION
LIQUID WASTES
PLUTONIUM 239
SOLUBILITY
URANIUM 237
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
AMERICIUM ISOTOPES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
RADIOISOTOPES
SPECTROSCOPY
SPONTANEOUS FISSION RADIOISOTOPES
URANIUM ISOTOPES
WASTES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
540230* - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
400102 - Chemical & Spectral Procedures