Assay Methods for 238U, 232Th, and 210Pb in Lead and Calibration of 210Bi Bremsstrahlung Emission from Lead

Journal Article · Sat Feb 13 04:00:00 EST 2016 · Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4732-6· OSTI ID:1331735

Orrell, John L.; Aalseth, Craig E.; Arnquist, Isaac J.; Eggemeyer, Tere A.; Glasgow, Brian D.; Hoppe, Eric W.; Keillor, Martin E.; Morley, Shannon M.; Myers, Allan W.; Overman, Cory T.; Shaff, Sarah M.; Thommasson, Kimbrelle S.

Assay methods for measuring 238U, 232Th, and 210Pb concentrations in refined lead are presented. The 238U and 232Th concentrations are assayed via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after anion exchange column separation on dissolved lead samples. The 210Pb concentration is inferred through α-spectroscopy of a daughter isotope, 210Po, after chemical precipitation separation on dissolved lead samples. Subsequent to the 210Po α-spectroscopy assay, a method for evaluating 210Pb concentrations in solid lead samples was developed via measurement of bremsstrahlung radiation from β-decay of a daughter isotope, 210Bi, by employing a 14-crystal array of high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors. Ten sources of refined lead were assayed. The 238U concentrations were <34 microBq/kg and the 232Th concentrations ranged <0.6 – 15 microBq/kg, as determined by the ICP-MS assay method. The 210Pb concentrations ranged from ~0.1 – 75 Bq/kg, as inferred by the 210Po α-spectroscopy assay method.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1331735
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-115123
• Journal Information: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 309; ISSN 0236-5731
• Publisher: Springer
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English