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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Methodology for the determination of environmental /sup 129/I and /sup 99/Tc

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6699609
The Savannah River Laboratory is using existing techniques and developing new methodology to determine the environmental impact of the Savannah River Plant with regard to /sup 129/I and /sup 99/Tc. /sup 129/I is determined by neutron activation after the method of Brauer. Activation products are quantified by ..gamma..-ray spectroscopy (Ge(Li)) following chemical isolation. /sup 125/I is used as a yield tracer. /sup 129/I amounts as low as 3.8 fCi can be determined with 30-minute counting times. An isotope dilution method for /sup 99/Tc based on a three-stage surface ionization mass spectrometer is being developed. Its chemical isolation scheme ends with the Tc loaded on a single ion-exchange bead for enhanced mass-spectrometric sensitivity. /sup 97/Tc will be used as a yield tracer. A lower limit of 0.2 fCi is sought. A modified method using liquid scintillation counting has determined /sup 99/Tc in some aqueous samples. These methods have confirmed that /sup 129/I and /sup 99/Tc can be highly mobile in the aqueous environment, establishing the need for monitoring.
Research Organization:
Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, SC (USA). Savannah River Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-09-0001
OSTI ID:
6699609
Report Number(s):
DP-MS-77-75; CONF-780719-2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English