Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Spreadsheet method for /sup 90/Sr and /sup 89/Sr interpretation

Journal Article · · Health Phys.; (United States)

A spreadsheet method of handling multiple data points is described for the interpretation of ''radiostrontium'' analyses. The method uses up to 10 or more counts on one sample, starting 1 d after the chemical separation. The unreliable ''day-0'' count on a relatively low activity sample is not used since it introduces too many uncertainties. The count data for each sample are compared against a spreadsheet-calculated matrix of ingrowth/decay curves from 0 to 100% /sup 90/Sr and at the analytical count intervals between about 24 to 650 h after the chemical separation to determine the best fit of the data set. This fit occurs where the decay/ingrowth characteristics of the sample, as defined by the changing counts, most closely match those of the matrix for all of the data points. At this fit, the /sup 89/Sr and /sup 90/Sr percentages are defined, and the best estimate of the time-0 counts is calculated using all of the counts. Secondary separations and analyses are not required.

Research Organization:
New Brunswick Electric Power Commission, Fredericton
OSTI ID:
5523596
Journal Information:
Health Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Health Phys.; (United States) Vol. 54:1; ISSN HLTPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English