The use of atomic absorption spectroscopy to measure arsenic, selenium, molybdenum, and vanadium in water and soil samples from uranium mill tailings sites

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5586169

Hollenbach, M H

The Technical Measurements Center (TMC) was established to support the environmental measurement needs of the various DOE remedial action programs. A laboratory intercomparison study conducted by the TMC, using soil and water samples from sites contaminated by uranium mill tailings, indicated large discrepancies in analytical results reported by participating laboratories for arsenic, selenium, molybdenum, and vanadium. The present study was undertaken to investigate the most commonly used analytical techniques for measuring these four elements, ascertain routine and reliable quantification, and assess problems and successes of analysts. Based on a survey of the technical literature, the analytical technique of atomic absorption spectroscopy was selected for detailed study. The application of flame atomic absorption, graphite furnace atomic absorption, and hydride generation atomic absorption to the analysis of tailings-contaminated samples is discussed. Additionally, laboratory sample preparation methods for atomic absorption spectroscopy are presented. The conclusion of this report is that atomic absorption can be used effectively for the determination of arsenic, selenium, molybdenum, and vanadium in water and soil samples if the analyst understands the measurement process and is aware of potential problems. The problem of accurate quantification of arsenic, selenium, molybdenum, and vanadium in water and soil contaminated by waste products from uranium milling operations affects all DOE remedial action programs (Surplus Facilities Management Program (SFMP), Formerly Utilized Site Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP), and Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Program (UMTRAP)), since all include sites where uranium was processed. 96 refs., 9 figs.

• Research Organization: UNC Geotech, Grand Junction, CO (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-86ID12584
• OSTI ID: 5586169
• Report Number(s): DOE/ID/12584-14; UNC/GJ-38(TMC); ON: DE88006148
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052002 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storage
053000 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Environmental Aspects
054000* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Health & Safety
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
510300 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
520300 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ARSENIC
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONTAMINATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INTERLABORATORY COMPARISONS
METALS
MILL TAILINGS
MOLYBDENUM
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
REMEDIAL ACTION
SAMPLING
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SOILS
SOLID WASTES
SPECTROSCOPY
SURPLUS NUCLEAR FACILITIES
TAILINGS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VANADIUM
WASTES
WATER