Novel photolytic decomposition method of organic compounds with a high output low-pressure mercury lamp for voltammetric trace metal analysis

Determination of picomolar levels of platinum in estuarine waters: a comparison of cathodic stripping voltammetry and isotope dilution-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A comparative study to determine picomolar concentrations of platinum in natural waters was performed using two different analytical techniques. Results obtained by cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) were compared with those obtained by isotope dilution-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-ICPMS) combined with anion exchange resin column extraction method. Using successive UV irradiations with low-pressure mercury (L-Hg) lamp for 4h prior to CSV analysis, the results of both methods were comparable. Without adequate photolytic decomposition, the results obtained using CSV were generally lower than those obtained using ID-ICPMS in the estuarine waters around Tokyo Bay. This difference implies the presence of organically complexed Pt species in the estuarine waters. The Pt enrichment in the middle of the Tokyo Bay estuaries probably reflects the anthropogenic release of Pt from highly populated areas in Tokyo.

Ultraviolet photolysis of urine for suppression of color quenching prior to liquid scintillation counting of tritium

In order to reduce the color quenching in the measurement of tritium in urine by liquid scintillation counting , UV irradiation was applied to decompose the organic substances in the sample. Urine was decolorized under UV irradiation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. As a result, color quenching was considerably suppressed and higher counting efficiency of tritium was obtained. This UV treatment made it possible to increase the urine content in the sample from 2 to 40% (v/v) without significant decrease of counting efficiency. Either higher sensitivity or shorter analysis time was achieved in the tritium measurement by the augmentation of urine content. When the measurement time was 30 min, the detection limit of tritium defined as 3s was 0.03 Bq/ml. At the expense of some sensitivity (set at a detection limit of 0.3 Bq/ml), the measurement time was shortened to 0.5 min. These results will make a great improvement to routine tritium monitoring as well as to emergency monitoring in mass tritium exposure.