Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: Radiological challenges

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:466505

Smith, M R; Farmer, III, O T; Koppenaal, D W ^[1]

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1. Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) is increasingly being applied to radionuclide determinations. Direct determination of Th, U, Np, Pu, and Am isotopes have provided the initial impetus to incorporate lCP/MS instrumentation into the radioanalytical laboratory. Isobaric and molecular ion interferences have limited the instrument`s application for directly measuring fission and activation produced isotopes, however. For example, separations of {sup 59,63}Ni from naturally occurring elements Co and Cu, {sup 99}Tc from {sup 99}Ru, {sup 107}Pd from {sup 107}Ag, and {sup 151}Sm from {sup 151}Eu are required to unequivocally determine these radioisotopes. Coupling the ICP/N4S with automated separation techniques such as high-pressure ion chromatography (HPIC), response signals differentiated by mass and time provide a superior means for measuring these man-made isotopes. In addition to ICP/MS detection, radiometric methods can decomplimentary data, particularly for shorter lived radionuclides. We will illustrate how an on-line solid state Y-glass {Beta} detector and an ICP/MS detector can be used together to characterize analytes radioactive samples such as Hanford tankwastes. Quantitation using time and mass separated signals obtained with varying eluant composition remains a major analytical challenge, and approaches to this problem will be discussed.

• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 466505
• Report Number(s): CONF-951017--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
40 CHEMISTRY
ICP MASS SPECTROSCOPY
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIOMETRIC ANALYSIS