Low level detection of Cs-135 and Cs-137 in environmental samples by ICP-MS
The measurement of the fission product cesium isotopes 135Cs and 137Cs at low femtogram (fg) 10-15 levels in ground water by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry ICP-MS is reported. To eliminate the potential natural barium isobaric interference on the cesium isotopes, in-line chromatographic separation of the cesium from barium was performed followed by high sensitivity ICP-MS analysis. A high efficiency desolvating nebulizer system was employed to maximize ICP-MS sensitivity ~10cps/femtogram. The three sigma detection limit measured for 135Cs was 2fg/ml (0.1uBq/ml) and for 137Cs 0.9fg/ml (0.0027Bq/ml) with analysis time of less than 30 minutes/sample. Cesium detection and 135/137 isotope ratio measurement at very low femtogram levels using this method in a ground water matrix is also demonstrated.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 973721
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-65705; JRNCDM; TRN: US1002010
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 282(1):309-313, Vol. 282, Issue 1; ISSN 0236-5731
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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