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U.S. Department of Energy
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Measurement of strontium-89 and strontium-90 in environmental waters. A tentative reference method

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7137438

A tentative reference method for the measurement of /sup 89/Sr and /sup 90/Sr in environmental waters is described. Samples of environmental water sources are collected, preserved with acid-strontium carrier, and analyzed for /sup 89/Sr and/or /sup 90/Sr. The isotopes are separated from the sample water by precipitating with stable strontium carrier as carbonate. The strontium carbonate is dissolved, /sup 90/Sr separated, the strontium reprecipitated as carbonate, filtered, and counted for the combined /sup 89/Sr and /sup 90/Sr activity. The /sup 90/y is allowed to grow in from the /sup 90/y activity; the strontium carbonate is redissolved; the /sup 90/y is separated, precipitated, and counted for the /sup 90/Sr determination. The /sup 89/Sr activity is then determined by difference of the total /sup 89/Sr and /sup 90/y and the separate /sup 90/Sr activities. Recoveries are determined from the added and found (recovered) strontium carrier. Counting efficiencies are determined with prepared standard reference samples. Results are reported in pCi/liter. (GRA)

Research Organization:
Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas, Nev. (USA). Environmental Monitoring and Support Lab.
OSTI ID:
7137438
Report Number(s):
PB-251312; EPA-600/4-76/011
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English