1
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Huang Y, Chamizo E, García Tenorio R, Sun X. Presence of 236U, 237Np and 239,240Pu in shells from the coast of the south of China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2024; 278:107490. [PMID: 38950498 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2024.107490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
This study reports first results on uranium (236U), neptunium (237Np) and plutonium (239Pu and 240Pu) isotopes in shell samples (i.e. oyster, clam and scallop shells) from the coast of the South of China. The 240Pu/239Pu and 236U/238U atom ratios are used for source identification, and the 237Np/239Pu, 237Np/236U and 236U/239Pu non-isotopic atom ratios to study the relative bioaccumulation of Np, Pu and U during the shell formation. The obtained concentration levels are in the 104-106 atoms g-1 range in every case. Clear regional differences are observed in the case of the 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio, with average values lower along the coast of East China Sea (average 0.227 ± 0.120, n = 5) compared to the South China Sea (average 0.258 ± 0.018, n = 7), showing a possible influence of the Pu released at the Pacific Proving Ground nuclear test site. 236U/238U ( × 10-8) atom ratios range from 0.046 ± 0.009 to 0.524 ± 0.135, in agreement with the expected levels in surface seawater from the China Sea. 237Np/239Pu (average 4.1 ± 2.6, n = 13) and 237Np/236U ratios (average 14 ± 10, n = 13) in the oyster shells are clearly enhanced compared to the estimated one in the surface seawater, pointing out higher bioaccumulation of Np compared to Pu and U.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Huang
- Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA), Universidad de Sevilla, Junta de Andalucía, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Parque Científico y Tecnológico Cartuja, c/Thomas Alva Edison, 7, 41092, Seville, Spain; School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, PR China.
| | - Elena Chamizo
- Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA), Universidad de Sevilla, Junta de Andalucía, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Parque Científico y Tecnológico Cartuja, c/Thomas Alva Edison, 7, 41092, Seville, Spain.
| | - Rafael García Tenorio
- Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA), Universidad de Sevilla, Junta de Andalucía, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Parque Científico y Tecnológico Cartuja, c/Thomas Alva Edison, 7, 41092, Seville, Spain.
| | - Xiaoming Sun
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, PR China.
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2
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Guan Y, Fan K, Wang S, Cui L, Wang H, Guo Z, Chen W, He H, Liu Z. Assessment of the depositional characteristics of the Yellow River estuary from 1960s by 239+240Pu and 137Cs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169473. [PMID: 38141998 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
The spatial and vertical distribution of 239+240Pu and 137Cs in the sediments of the Yellow River Delta was studied to evaluate the deposition dynamics in the Yellow River estuary from 1960s. The activity of 239+240Pu and 137Cs in sediment core ranged from 0.001 to 0.212 Bq/kg and 0.52-2.53 Bq/kg, respectively. A maximum accumulation peak and two secondary accumulation peaks appeared in the sediment core YR2. The average deposition rate of 8.3 cm/y for the Yellow River estuary from 1964 to 1976 was obtained. The proportion of Pu from the Yellow River net input and direct deposition to the total inventory of Pu in the estuary was assessed, with a total inventory of Pu in the abandoned estuary of 7.4 × 1010 Bq and a net input of 2.2 × 1010 Bq from the Yellow River. Pu deposited in the estuary only accounts for 18 % of the total Pu transported by the Yellow River, and most of the Pu is injected into the Bohai Sea with the Yellow River.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjing Guan
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
| | - Kaidi Fan
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Shenzhen Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Liangjia Cui
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Huijuan Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Zichen Guo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Wu Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Hua He
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X) and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
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3
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Guan YJ, He H, Fan KD, Wang SZ, Guo ZC, Wang HJ, Cui LJ, Chen W, Huang CP, Liu ZY, He XW, Guo KX, Zhang JJ, Xu ZY. Spatial distribution, source identification, and transportation paths of plutonium in the Beibu Gulf, South China Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 199:115972. [PMID: 38154170 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the spatial distribution and source of plutonium isotopes in the Beibu Gulf, surface sediments were collected and analyzed using sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS). The activities of 239+240Pu in surface sediments ranged from 0.012 to 0.451 mBq/g (mean: 0.171 ± 0.138 mBq/g, n = 36), indicating a decreasing trend in a counterclockwise direction from the southern bay mouth. The counterclockwise decreasing trend in the south of the bay mouth is similar to the current in the Beibu Gulf. The 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios in surface sediments ranged from 0.156 to 0.283 (mean: 0.236 ± 0.031, n = 36), slightly higher than that of the global fallout value of 0.18. This suggests that the Pu in the Beibu Gulf was a combination of global fallout and Pacific Proving Ground (PPG). The average contribution of the plutonium (Pu) derived from the PPG in the sediment was estimated to be 52 % ± 24 %.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Jing Guan
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Hua He
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Kai-di Fan
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Shen-Zhen Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Zi-Chen Guo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Hui-Juan Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Liang-Jia Cui
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Wu Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Chun-Ping Huang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X) and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Xian-Wen He
- Radiation-Environment Management and Monitoring Station of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi, Nanning 530222, China
| | - Kai-Xing Guo
- Radiation-Environment Management and Monitoring Station of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi, Nanning 530222, China
| | - Jia-Jia Zhang
- Radiation-Environment Management and Monitoring Station of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi, Nanning 530222, China
| | - Ze-Yue Xu
- Radiation-Environment Management and Monitoring Station of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi, Nanning 530222, China
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4
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Dowell SM, Barlow TS, Chenery SR, Humphrey OS, Isaboke J, Blake WH, Osano O, Watts MJ. Optimisation of plutonium separations using TEVA cartridges and ICP-MS/MS analysis for applicability to large-scale studies in tropical soils. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2023; 15:4226-4235. [PMID: 37584161 DOI: 10.1039/d3ay01030a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
The analysis of plutonium (Pu) in soil samples can inform the understanding of soil erosion processes globally. However, there are specific challenges associated for analysis in tropical soils and so an optimal analytical methodology ensuring best sensitivity is critical. This method aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of sample preparation and analysis of Pu isotopes in African soils, considering the environmental and cost implications applicable to low-resource laboratories. The separation procedure builds upon previous work using TEVA columns, further demonstrating their usefulness for the reduction of uranium (U) interference in ICP-MS analysis with enhanced selectivity for Pu. Here several steps were optimised to enhance Pu recovery, reducing method blank concentration, and improving the separation efficiency through the determination of the elution profiles of U and Pu. The elimination of the complexing agent in the eluent, increased the spike recovery by improving matrix tolerance of the plasma, and simplified the separation procedure, improving throughput by 20%. The subsequent method was validated through the analysis of Certified Reference Material IAEA-384, where high accuracy and improved precision of measurement were demonstrated (measured value 114 ± 12 versus certified value 108 ± 13 Bq kg-1). Optimisation of the column separation, along with the analysis of the samples using O2 gas in ICP-MS/MS mode to mass shift Pu isotopes away from interfering molecular U ions provided a simple, robust, and cost-effective method with low achievable method detection limits of 0.18 pg kg-1 239+240Pu, applicable to the detection of ultra-trace fallout Pu in African soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia M Dowell
- Inorganic Geochemistry, Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK.
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Thomas S Barlow
- Inorganic Geochemistry, Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK.
| | - Simon R Chenery
- Inorganic Geochemistry, Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK.
| | - Olivier S Humphrey
- Inorganic Geochemistry, Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK.
| | - Job Isaboke
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - William H Blake
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Odipo Osano
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Michael J Watts
- Inorganic Geochemistry, Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK.
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5
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Huang Z, Hou X, Zhao X. Rapid and Simultaneous Determination of 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, and 241Pu in Samples with High-Level Uranium Using ICP-MS/MS and Extraction Chromatography. Anal Chem 2023; 95:12931-12939. [PMID: 37590167 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
As the most important plutonium isotopes, 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, and 241Pu are normally measured by two to three techniques, which are tedious, time-consuming, and not suitable for rapid analysis in emergency situations. Recently, ICP-MS has become a competitive technique for the rapid measurement of 239Pu, 240Pu, and 241Pu. However, ICP-MS is difficult to measure 238Pu due to the serious isobaric interference of 238U. This work reports a rapid analytical method to solve this problem for the simultaneous determination of 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, and 241Pu using triple-quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) combined with chemical separation. Chemical separation achieved a high decontamination factor of 2.12 × 109 for the most critical interfering element, uranium, by using two sequential TK200 columns. The interferences of 238U1H+ and 238U+ were effectively eliminated by using 12 mL/min He-6 mL/min NH3 as the reaction gases in the octupole collision/reaction cell in ICP-MS/MS. Combined with chemical separation, the overall elimination efficiency of 238U1H+ reached 3.6 × 1017, which is 105 times better than the reported method. With the high 238U+ elimination efficiency of 1.12 × 104 in the ICP-MS/MS measurement, the overall removal efficiency of 238U+ reached 1013, guaranteeing accurate determination of femtogram-level 238Pu as well as 239Pu, 240Pu, and 241Pu in the samples containing milligram-level 238U. The detection time is reduced to minutes, well fulfilling the requirement of rapid analysis. This method is validated by analyzing the standard reference material and the spiked samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Xi'an AMS Center, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Xi'an 710061, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Xi'an AMS Center, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Xi'an 710061, China
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
- Open Studio for Oceanic-Continental Climate and Environment Changes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Xue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Xi'an AMS Center, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Xi'an 710061, China
- Open Studio for Oceanic-Continental Climate and Environment Changes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao 266061, China
- Xi'an Institute for Innovative Earth Environment Research, Xi'an 710061, China
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6
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Goodwin JV, Manard BT, Ticknor BW, Cable-Dunlap P, Marcus RK. Initial Characterization and Optimization of the Liquid Sampling-Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge Ionization Source Coupled to an Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer for the Determination of Plutonium. Anal Chem 2023; 95:12131-12138. [PMID: 37466149 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Plutonium measurements are essential to the nuclear forensics and safeguards community. The liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) microplasma ionization source coupled with an Orbitrap mass spectrometer is a proven platform for uranium isotope ratio determinations. This work expands the LS-APGD-Orbitrap platform capabilities by reporting the first-ever analysis of plutonium with the LS-APGD and the first-ever measurement of elemental plutonium with an Orbitrap mass spectrometer. This coupling has the potential to dramatically reduce the complex sample manipulations required for traditional analysis techniques employed for actinide isotope ratio determinations. As a first step toward the goal of simultaneous uranium and plutonium isotope ratio determinations, the initial characterization and optimization of the platform for the detection of plutonium are reported. Collision-induced dissociation modality settings were optimized to reduce water-related and other molecular clusters containing plutonium, maximizing 242Pu16O2+ responses. A design of experiments study was conducted to optimize the discharge conditions of the dual-electrode LS-APGD toward the responsivity of 242Pu16O2+. The measurement sensitivity was determined from a Pu response curve, yielding a limit of detection of 10 fg (absolute) of total analyte when data was collected and processed with a Spectroswiss FTMS Booster X2 data acquisition system. Additionally, plutonium and uranium were measured in a simultaneous acquisition, and each analyte remained unaffected by the other. It is believed that the LS-APGD-Orbitrap platform could be a valuable addition to the nuclear forensics' toolbox and, indeed, other scientific disciplines and regulatory communities in which rapid, high-resolution plutonium determinations are paramount.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph V Goodwin
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Benjamin T Manard
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
| | - Brian W Ticknor
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
| | - Paula Cable-Dunlap
- Nuclear Nonproliferation Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
| | - R Kenneth Marcus
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
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7
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Huang Z, Hou X, Qiao J, Zhao X. Simultaneous determination of femtogram levels of 237Np, 239Pu, and 240Pu in environmental solid samples using extraction chromatography and ICP-MS/MS. Talanta 2023; 265:124798. [PMID: 37348353 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
An analytical method based on triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) was developed for simultaneous determination of femtogram levels of 237Np, 239Pu, and 240Pu in environmental samples. By carefully controlling the valence states of Np and Pu in the entire separation procedure using a simple single extraction chromatographic column (TK200), the consistent behavior of Np and Pu was achieved, allowing for the reliable application of 242Pu as the chemical yield tracer for 237Np, 239Pu, and 240Pu. A high decontamination factor of 3.2 × 107 for the most critical interfering element, uranium, was achieved in the chemical separation step. The interferences of 238U1H+ and peak tailing of 238U+ during the measurement of plutonium isotopes were effectively eliminated by utilizing 7.5 mL/min He-1.1 mL/min CO2 as reaction gases in the octupole collision/reaction cell and employing sequential quadrupole mode for mass separation in ICP-MS/MS. Specifically, the interference of 238U1H+ was reduced to 10-6 and the peak tailing of 238U+ to 10-10, surpassing the performance of measurement method without reaction gases by 3 orders of magnitude. The developed method enables the accurate determination of femtogram levels of 237Np, 239Pu, and 240Pu in the samples with U/Np and U/Pu atom ratios of up to 1017 and 1012, respectively. The developed method was validated by analyzing standard reference materials and spiked soil samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Huang
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, Roskilde, 4000, Denmark; State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Xi'an AMS Center, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710061, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, Roskilde, 4000, Denmark; State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Xi'an AMS Center, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710061, China; Open Studio for Oceanic-Continental Climate and Environment Changes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266061, China.
| | - Jixin Qiao
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, Roskilde, 4000, Denmark
| | - Xue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Xi'an AMS Center, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710061, China; Open Studio for Oceanic-Continental Climate and Environment Changes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266061, China; Xi'an Institute for Innovative Earth Environment Research, Xi'an, 710061, China
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8
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Zhang L, Chen L, Xu J, Zhang H, Zhang D, Qin Z, Liao J. Evaluation of Graphene Oxide as a Thermal Ionization Enhancer for Plutonium in TIMS Measurement. Anal Chem 2023; 95:1106-1114. [PMID: 36594747 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c03804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) has been extensively employed for the assessment of plutonium (Pu) isotopes in nuclear forensics and environmental monitoring. Recently, great efforts have been made to improve the ionization efficiency (IE) of Pu to achieve better accuracy and precision for trace-level analysis. Herein, the thermal ionization enhancement effect for plutonium of graphene oxide (GO) was investigated and the corresponding mechanism was discussed. The GO layers were homogeneously mounted on the filament's central surface to promote pg-level Pu ion emission. With the excellent structural property of GO, a greatly promoted ionization efficiency of 0.44% for Pu was obtained, and the initial ionization temperature for Pu was remarkably reduced from 1610 to 1390 °C. Average boosts in IE compared to the classical double-filament mode and graphite-loaded single-filament mode were 1640 and 520%, respectively. The analytical accuracy and precision based on the GO-loaded single-filament mode were validated using Pu isotopic certified reference materials. This work demonstrates the excellent property of GO as an ion source additive for Pu ionization, as it provided an interface for the promotion of energy transfer and Pu carbide formation. The operation of GO loading is quite simple and can be finished within 5 min. This rapid filament carburization approach has great potential for improving the measurement precision of trace-level plutonium isotopes and can be applied in nuclear safeguards, nuclear forensics, and environmental monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Lumin Chen
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Hailu Zhang
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Dezhi Zhang
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Zhen Qin
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Junsheng Liao
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
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9
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Torres A, Giménez I, Bagán H, Tarancón A. Analysis of isotopes of plutonium in water samples with a PSresin based on aliquat·336. Appl Radiat Isot 2022; 187:110333. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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10
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A simple procedure for highly efficient purification of ultratrace Pu from Pb by extraction chromatography. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-022-08343-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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11
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Zhang M, Qiao J, Zhang W, Zhu L, Hou X. Plutonium isotopes in the northwestern South China Sea: Level, distribution, source and deposition. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 298:118846. [PMID: 35032601 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The spatial distribution of plutonium isotopes (239Pu, 240Pu) in the surface sediments collected from the northwestern South China Sea (SCS) in 2018 was investigated. The 239,240Pu concentrations in surface sediments vary from 0.048 to 0.960 mBq/g (with mean of 0.282 ± 0.242 mBq/g) depending on the geographical feature of the sampling location such as the river estuary, continental shelf, slope and deep basin. Higher 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratios (0.24-0.31) in the surface sediment of the SCS compared to the global fallout value of 0.18 were observed, this is attributed to the input of close-in fallout of the Pacific Proving Ground (PPG) transported by the North Equatorial Current and Kuroshio Current to the northern SCS. The contribution of the PPG derived plutonium in the SCS sediment was estimated to be 39%-78% using a simple two-end member mixing model based on the measured 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratios in the sediment. Besides the soluble 239,240Pu level in seawater, load of suspended particulate matter from the river runoff and biological debris, hydrographic and hydrodynamic conditions are key parameters influencing the deposition process of plutonium to the sediment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Xi'an AMS Center, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710061, PR China; Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Risø Campus, Roskilde, 4000, Denmark; Xi'an Institute for Innovative Earth Environment Research, Xi'an, 710061, PR China
| | - Jixin Qiao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Risø Campus, Roskilde, 4000, Denmark
| | - Weichao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Xi'an AMS Center, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710061, PR China; Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, Xi'an, 710024, PR China
| | - Liuchao Zhu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Risø Campus, Roskilde, 4000, Denmark
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Xi'an AMS Center, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710061, PR China; Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Risø Campus, Roskilde, 4000, Denmark; Open Studio for Oceanic-Continental Climate and Environment Changes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266061, PR China.
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12
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Žukauskaitė Z, Druteikienė R, Tarasiuk N, Tautkus S, Niaura G, Ignatjev I, Baltušnikas A, Konstantinova M, Maceika E, Kazakevičiūtė-Jakučiūnienė L, Buivydas Š, Jasinevičienė D, Gvozdaitė R. Separation of anthropogenic radionuclides from aqueous environment using raw and modified biosorbents. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2022; 244-245:106829. [PMID: 35121277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this study, two types of biosorbents were used to remove 137Cs and plutonium isotopes from aqueous solutions - moss (Ptilium crista - castrensis) and oak sawdust (Quercus robur), both in the form of natural and modified state. Sorbent modification significantly increases the sorbent surface area (for moss sorbents - from 4.0 to 47.2 m2/g, and for sawdust sorbents - from 1.1 to 26.3 m2/g), pore volume (from 10-3 to 10-2), concentration and amount of basic cations and anions, as well as active functional groups on the sorbent surface. The main functional groups on the surface of natural sorbents modified with iron hydroxide interacting with analytes are carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. For carbonized sawdust and its subsequent activation with concentrated HCl, in addition to carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, acetyl groups also become active. Carbonated sawdust treated with HCl showed the highest average removal efficiency and sorption capacity for radiocesium and plutonium isotopes in laboratory column experiments - for 137Cs ∼78.6% and ∼196.6 Bq/g and for 239+240Pu ∼83% and ∼41.5 Bq/g, respectively. The moss and moss modified with iron hydroxide also showed good properties of adsorbing plutonium isotopes in field (in-situ) experiments. The best results on the sorption of 137Cs in field experiments were shown by carbonated sawdust activated with HCl, and for isotopes of plutonium - the raw moss and moss modified with iron hydroxide. The results of the study showed that sorbents can be used not only for purification of water from plutonium isotopes but allow the operational sampling and more accurate measurement of radiocesium and plutonium isotopes in the fresh water reservoirs by the dynamic flow method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Žukauskaitė
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology Public Institution, Savanorių ave. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - R Druteikienė
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology Public Institution, Savanorių ave. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - N Tarasiuk
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology Public Institution, Savanorių ave. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - S Tautkus
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Vilnius University, Naugarduko st. 24, 03225, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - G Niaura
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology Public Institution, Savanorių ave. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - I Ignatjev
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology Public Institution, Savanorių ave. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - A Baltušnikas
- Lithuanian Energy Institute Public institution, Breslaujos st. 3, LT-44403, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - M Konstantinova
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology Public Institution, Savanorių ave. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - E Maceika
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology Public Institution, Savanorių ave. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - L Kazakevičiūtė-Jakučiūnienė
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology Public Institution, Savanorių ave. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Š Buivydas
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology Public Institution, Savanorių ave. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - D Jasinevičienė
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology Public Institution, Savanorių ave. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - R Gvozdaitė
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology Public Institution, Savanorių ave. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
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13
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Zhong N, Li L, Yang X, Zhao Y. Analytical Methods for the Determination of 90Sr and 239,240Pu in Environmental Samples. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27061912. [PMID: 35335276 PMCID: PMC8952015 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27061912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Artificial long-lived radionuclides such as 90Sr and 239,240Pu have been long released into the environment by human nuclear activities, which have a profound impact on the ecological environment. It is of great significance to monitor the concentration of these radionuclides for environmental safety. This paper summarizes and critically discusses the separation and measurement methods for ultra-trace determination of 90Sr, 239Pu, and 240Pu in the environment. After selecting the measurement method, it is necessary to consider the decontamination of the interference from matrix elements and the key elements, and this involves the choice of the separation method. Measurement methods include both radiometric methods and non-radiometric methods. Radiometric methods, including alpha spectroscopy, liquid scintillation spectrometry, etc., are commonly used methods for measuring 239+240Pu and 90Sr. Mass spectrometry, as the representative of non-radiometric measurement methods, has been regarded as the most promising analytical method due to its high absolute sensitivity, low detection limit, and relatively short sample-analysis time. Through the comparison of various measurement methods, the future development trend of radionuclide measurement is prospected in this review. The fully automatic and rapid analysis method is a highlight. The new mass spectrometer with ultra-high sensitivity shows strong analytical capabilities for extremely low concentrations of 90Sr, 239Pu, and 240Pu, and it is expected to develop determination methods with higher sensitivity and lower detection limit.
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14
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Foster JC, DeVol TA, Husson SM. Membranes for the Capture and Screening of Waterborne Plutonium Based on a Novel Pu-Extractive Copolymer Additive. MEMBRANES 2021; 12:3. [PMID: 35054528 PMCID: PMC8779412 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This contribution describes the fabrication of plutonium-adsorptive membranes by non-solvent induced phase separation. The dope solution comprised poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and a Pu-extractive copolymer additive of PVDF-g-poly(ethylene glycol methacrylate phosphate) (EGMP) in dimethylformamide (DMF). The effects of casting conditions on membrane permeability were determined for PVDF membranes prepared with 10 wt% PVDF-g-EGMP. Direct-flow filtration and alpha spectrometry showed that membranes containing the graft copolymer could recover Pu up to 59.9 ± 3.0% from deionized water and 19.3 ± 3.5% from synthetic seawater after filtering 10 mL of 0.5 Bq/mL 238Pu. SEM-EDS analysis indicated that the graft copolymer was distributed evenly throughout the entire depth of the copolymer membranes, likely attributing to the tailing observed in the alpha spectra for 238Pu. Despite the reduction in resolution, the membranes exhibited high Pu uptake at the conditions tested, and new membrane designs that promote copolymer surface migration are expected to improve alpha spectrometry peak energy resolutions. Findings from this study also can be used to guide the development of extractive membranes for chromatographic separation of actinides from contaminated groundwater sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C. Foster
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, 127 Earle Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, USA;
- Nuclear Environmental Engineering Sciences, Radioactive Waste Management Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29625, USA;
| | - Timothy A. DeVol
- Nuclear Environmental Engineering Sciences, Radioactive Waste Management Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29625, USA;
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, 342 Computer Court, Anderson, SC 29625, USA
| | - Scott M. Husson
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, 127 Earle Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, USA;
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Rozas S, Herranz M, Idoeta R. Uncertainty and detection limits of 241Pu determination by liquid scintillation counting (LSC). Appl Radiat Isot 2021; 176:109906. [PMID: 34425351 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Determination of 241Pu is an essential issue for radiation protection, as it is the precursor of some nuclides with high radiotoxicity. 241Pu is a low energy beta emitter, which makes its measurement more challenging than that of Pu alpha emitters. The most widely used method for the measurement of 241Pu is liquid scintillation counting (LSC). In this method, the assessment of Pu radiochemical yield is done by measuring the sample by alpha spectrometry before being lixiviated and measured by LSC. This double measurement affects uncertainty analysis, as well as decision threshold and detection limit, considering that both components of the total yield (radiochemical and lixiviation) should be contemplated. In this paper, and for quality assurance (QA) purposes, in-depth uncertainty and detection limit formulae for the proposed method, controlling correlations and considering all the parameters involved including chemical and lixiviation yields, have been developed. A sensitivity analysis of the uncertainty budget together with an assessment of 242Pu tracer quantity to be used, ensuring a total yield of at least 50% and a relative uncertainty of the leaching yield of at most 5%, have been carried out. In addition, an analysis of the impact of the real lixiviation yield value and its uncertainty on the results has been done. As a general conclusion, and considering the values of the parameters chosen for this work (samples of 1 g measured for 24 h by LSC), the 241Pu uncertainties range from 5% to 30% depending on the activity concentration values and the detection limits range from 14 to 30 Bq kg-1, depending on yield values. The main components of the uncertainty budget are the net 241Pu and background counts obtained in the LSC measurement for low contaminated samples while this is the case for the alpha gross count rate in LSC measurement of the alpha calibration source for highly contaminated samples. In addition, an analysis of possible interference by Pu alpha emitters in the 241Pu signal and a comparison of quench standard curves of 3H and 241Pu are also performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Rozas
- Department of Energy Engineering, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Faculty of Engineering in Bilbao, Plaza Ingeniero Torres Quevedo 1, 48013, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - M Herranz
- Department of Energy Engineering, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Faculty of Engineering in Bilbao, Plaza Ingeniero Torres Quevedo 1, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
| | - R Idoeta
- Department of Energy Engineering, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Faculty of Engineering in Bilbao, Plaza Ingeniero Torres Quevedo 1, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
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16
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Pant AD, Ruhela R, Limje C, Anil Kumar S, Singh AK, Kumar SA, Sugandhi S, Kain V, Tomar BS. Evaluation of BenzoDODA grafted polymeric resin for rapid and reliable assaying of plutonium in sediment samples. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2021; 234:106620. [PMID: 33984799 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The paper reports a new rapid radioanalytical procedure for the determination of plutonium (Pu) in sediments by solid phase extraction chromatography (SPEC) using Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) carbamoyl methoxy phenoxy-bis-(2-ethylhexyl) grafted resin, abbreviated as Benzodioxodiamide (BenzoDODA) grafted resin. The resin was synthesized and evaluated for its sorption behaviour towards Pu in batch and column mode to determine its efficacy for selective recovery of Pu from sediment samples. The analytical procedure was based on the radiochemical separation of samples by acid digestion, followed by preconcentration of actinides by co-precipitation with Fe(OH)3 and finally selective recovery of Pu by SPEC using a column filled with BenzoDODA grafted resin. Pu was then radiometrically assayed by preparing alpha disc sources with electro-deposition followed by alpha spectrometry. The method was further validated with IAEA reference materials. This method gives reliable and reproducible results for the activity concentration of Pu in sediment samples within 24 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amar D Pant
- Radiation Safety Systems Division, Bhabha Atomic Reseach Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - R Ruhela
- Materials Processing and Corrosion Engineering Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India.
| | - C Limje
- Materials Processing and Corrosion Engineering Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - S Anil Kumar
- Radiation Safety Systems Division, Bhabha Atomic Reseach Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - A K Singh
- Materials Processing and Corrosion Engineering Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - Suja A Kumar
- Radiation Safety Systems Division, Bhabha Atomic Reseach Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - S Sugandhi
- Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - V Kain
- Materials Processing and Corrosion Engineering Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - B S Tomar
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
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17
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Determination of ultra-trace level plutonium isotopes in soil samples by triple-quadrupole inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry with mass-shift mode combined with UTEVA chromatographic separation. Talanta 2021; 234:122652. [PMID: 34364461 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Although triple-quadrupole inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) has become an attractive technique for the measurement of long-lived radionuclides, the abundance sensitivity, isobaric and polyatomic ions interferences seriously restrict the application. The spectral peak tailing and uranium hydrides (UH+, UH2+) from 238U have a serious influence on the accurate measurement of 239Pu and 240Pu, especially for the ultra-trace level plutonium isotopes in the higher uranium sample. A new method was developed using ICP-MS/MS measurement in mass-shift mode with collision-reaction gas combined with a chemical separation procedure. As O2 readily converted Pu+ ion to PuO2+, while disassociated the interfering diatomic ions of interfering elements (U, Pb, Hg, Tl, etc.), the interferences from these elements were completely eliminated if plutonium was detected as PuO2+ at the m/z more than 270. By the mass filter in MS/MS mode combined with O2 as reaction gas the lower peak tailing of 238U+ (<5 × 10-12) was significantly suppressed. By this way, the 238UO2H+/238UO2+ atomic ratio was reduced to 4.82 × 10-9, which is significantly lower than that of other collision-reaction gas modes. Interferences from Pb, Hg and Tl polyatomic ions were also completely eliminated. Thus, accurate measurement of ultra-trace level 239Pu in high uranium sample solutions with the 239Pu/238U concentration ratio of 10-10 was achieved by the mass-shift mode with 0.15 mL/min O2/He + 12.0 mL/min He as collision-reaction gas, and high elimination efficiency of uranium interferences up to 1014 can be obtained by combination with the chemical separation using a single UTEVA resin column. The developed method can be applied to accurately determine the fg level 239Pu in high uranium samples, such as large-size deep seawater, deep soil and sediment, uranium debris of nuclear fuel.
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18
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López-Lora M, Chamizo E, Levy I, Christl M, Casacuberta N, Kenna TC. 236U, 237Np and 239,240Pu as complementary fingerprints of radioactiveeffluents in the western Mediterranean Sea and in the Canada Basin (Arctic Ocean). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 765:142741. [PMID: 33071133 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the potential of combining the conservatively behaving anthropogenic radionuclides 236U and 237Np to gain information on the origin of water masses tagged with liquid effluents from Nuclear Reprocessing Plants. This work includes samples collected from three full-depth water columns in two areas: i) the Arctic Ocean, where Atlantic waters carry the signal of Sellafield (United Kingdom) and La Hague (France) nuclear reprocessing facilities; and ii) the western Mediterranean Sea, directly impacted by Marcoule reprocessing plant (France). This work is complemented by the study of the particle-reactive Pu isotopes as an additional fingerprint of the source region. In the Canada Basin, Atlantic waters showed the highest concentrations and 237Np/236U ratios in agreement with the estimated values for North Atlantic waters entering the Arctic Ocean and tagged with the signal of European Nuclear Reprocessing Plants. These results may reflect the impact of the documented releases for the 1990s. In the Mediterranean Sea, an excess of 236U presumably caused by Marcoule is reflected in the lower 237Np/236U ratios compared to the Global Fallout signal in all the studied samples. On the contrary, the 239,240Pu profiles were mainly governed by the Global Fallout. The impact of Marcoule as a local source is further corroborated when comparing the temporal evolution of these ratios between 2001 and 2013. The lowest 237Np/236U ratios observed in 2001 at the surface reflect a previous local input that is no longer observed in 2013 as it had been homogenized through the whole water column. This work presents the use of 237Np as a new ocean tracer. A more accurate characterization of the main sources is still needed to optimize the use of 236U-237Np as a new tool to understand transient oceanographic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes López-Lora
- Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA), Universidad de Sevilla, Junta de Andalucía, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Parque científico y tecnológico Cartuja, Thomas Alva Edison 7, 41092, Sevilla, Spain; Dpto. de Física Aplicada I, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Sevilla, Virgen de África 7, 41011 Sevilla, Spain; Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences (HMV), Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Elena Chamizo
- Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA), Universidad de Sevilla, Junta de Andalucía, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Parque científico y tecnológico Cartuja, Thomas Alva Edison 7, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Isabelle Levy
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Environment Laboratories 4a Quai Antoine 1er, MC 98000, Monaco
| | - Marcus Christl
- Laboratory of Ion Beam Physics, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Wen 5, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Núria Casacuberta
- Laboratory of Ion Beam Physics, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Wen 5, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Timothy C Kenna
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, NY, USA
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GAO RQ, HOU XL, ZHANG LY, ZHANG WC, ZHANG MT. Determination of Ultra-Low Level Plutonium Isotopes in Large Volume Environmental Water Samples. CHINESE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2040(20)60027-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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20
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Qiao J. Dynamic Flow Approaches for Automated Radiochemical Analysis in Environmental, Nuclear and Medical Applications. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25061462. [PMID: 32213999 PMCID: PMC7144463 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25061462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Automated sample processing techniques are desirable in radiochemical analysis for environmental radioactivity monitoring, nuclear emergency preparedness, nuclear waste characterization and management during operation and decommissioning of nuclear facilities, as well as medical isotope production, to achieve fast and cost-effective analysis. Dynamic flow based approaches including flow injection (FI), sequential injection (SI), multi-commuted flow injection (MCFI), multi-syringe flow injection (MSFI), multi-pumping flow system (MPFS), lab-on-valve (LOV) and lab-in-syringe (LIS) techniques have been developed and applied to meet the analytical criteria under different situations. Herein an overall review and discussion on these techniques and methodologies developed for radiochemical separation and measurement of various radionuclides is presented. Different designs of flow systems with combinations of radiochemical separation techniques, such as liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), liquid-liquid microextraction (LLME), solid phase extraction chromatography (SPEC), ion exchange chromatography (IEC), electrochemically modulated separations (EMS), capillary electrophoresis (CE), molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) separation and online sensing and detection systems, are summarized and reviewed systematically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Qiao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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21
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Sequential determination of uranium and plutonium in soil and sediment samples by borate salts fusion. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-020-07028-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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22
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Sequential injection analysis system with DGA resin for sample pretreatment in ICP-MS determination of 239Pu in nuclear industry samples. Microchem J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2019.104426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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23
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Radioanalysis of ultra-low level radionuclides for environmental tracer studies and decommissioning of nuclear facilities. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-019-06908-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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24
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Paul S, Bhushan KS, Goswami PG. Task-Specific Supported Liquid Membrane for Actinide Assay in Aqueous Streams by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2019; 91:14383-14391. [PMID: 31621293 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b02866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Thermal ionization mass spectrometry is the most commonly used technique for the determination of Pu isotopic composition and concentration in complex matrices but involves multiple steps including sample pretreatment, removal of matrix, preconcentration of Pu, and loading on a rhenium filament for TIMS analysis. The present work reports the synthesis of the N,N'-dioctyl-α-hydroxyacetamide (DOHA) functionalized supported liquid membrane that offered dual functions: (i) matrix elimination and/or preconcentration of actinides from complex aqueous samples and (ii) served as a loading substrate for TIMS analysis. The ligand composition in the membrane can be tuned aiming either for selective preconcentration of Pu from an aqueous matrix or for bulk removal of actinides. The membrane, impregnated with 0.2 M DOHA in dodecane, showed very high selectivity for PuIV in acidic medium, in the presence of other competing actinides, viz., AmIII, UVI, and NpV. The membrane based loading in TIMS improved the sample utilization efficiency and ionization efficiency compared to the conventional solution loading technique, offering Pu analysis from a single Re filament, that served as both vaporization and ionization filament and direct determination of 238Pu in the presence of 238U, eliminating the requirement of alpha spectrometry. It was possible to achieve >80% reduction in analysis time and >95% reduction in secondary waste generation by the SLM-TIMS method, compared to conventional TIMS involving Pu purification by anion exchange resin. Pu concentrations in seawater and groundwater samples, synthetic urine, and dissolver solution of irradiated fuel were determined by SLM-TIMS, employing the isotope dilution (ID) technique, with very good accuracy and precision. The membrane, impregnated with 2 M DOHA in dodecane, showed strong affinity for actinides and was successfully employed for the removal of bulk actinides from aqueous samples with more than 96% recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumana Paul
- Fuel Chemistry Division , Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 , India
| | - K Sasi Bhushan
- Fuel Chemistry Division , Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 , India
| | - Preeti G Goswami
- Fuel Chemistry Division , Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 , India
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25
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Hou X, Zhang W, Wang Y. Determination of Femtogram-Level Plutonium Isotopes in Environmental and Forensic Samples with High-Level Uranium Using Chemical Separation and ICP-MS/MS Measurement. Anal Chem 2019; 91:11553-11561. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b01347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Xi’an AMS Center, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an 710061, China
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Nutech, Roskilde DK-4000, Denmark
- CAS Center of Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi’an 710061, China
- Open Studio for Oceanic-Continental Climate and Environment Changes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Weichao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Xi’an AMS Center, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an 710061, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanyun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Xi’an AMS Center, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an 710061, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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26
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Metzger SC, Rogers KT, Bostick DA, McBay EH, Ticknor BW, Manard BT, Hexel CR. Optimization of uranium and plutonium separations using TEVA and UTEVA cartridges for MC-ICP-MS analysis of environmental swipe samples. Talanta 2019; 198:257-262. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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27
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Uhnak NE, Morrison SS, O’Hara MJ, Murray NJ, Bartsch MS, Edwards HS, Grate JW. Manipulation of mass transport rates using bead-in-a-tube method. J Chromatogr A 2019; 1586:139-144. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Determination of plutonium-241 in low-level radwastes using radiochemical separation combined with LSC, alpha spectrometer and ICP-MS. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-6362-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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29
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Reddy PJ, Pulhani V, Dhole SD, Dahiwale SS, Bhade SPD, Rao DD. Sequential analysis of uranium and plutonium in environmental matrices by extractive liquid scintillation spectrometry. RADIOCHIM ACTA 2018. [DOI: 10.1515/ract-2017-2916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
A methodology for sequential separation of uranium (U) and plutonium (Pu) followed by their estimation, using extractive liquid scintillation spectrometry was standardized for matrices like soil, fish and sediment. Various parameters for selective and efficient extraction and separation of Pu and U in the presence of interfering matrix elements with HDEHP bis(2-ethylhexy1) phosphoric acid as an extracting agent were investigated. Quenching effect of the various extracting reagents on resolution of α spectrum of analytes and reduction in these interferences is discussed in the current study. Standardized procedure gave about 91% of extraction of spiked Pu into the organic phase. Performance of the method was tested by separating and estimating U and Pu in International Atomic Agency (IAEA) certified reference materials like soil/sediment/fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka J. Reddy
- Radiation Safety Systems Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Trombay , India
| | - Vandana Pulhani
- Health Physics Division , Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Trombay , India , Phone: +91-22-25590380, Fax: +91-22-25505313
| | - Sanjay D. Dhole
- Department of Physics , Savitribai Phule Pune University , Pune , India
| | | | - Sonali P. D. Bhade
- Radiation Safety Systems Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Trombay , India
| | - Devendra D. Rao
- Radiation Safety Systems Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Trombay , India
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30
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Hou X. Liquid scintillation counting for determination of radionuclides in environmental and nuclear application. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-6258-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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31
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Sanyal K, Dhara S, Misra NL. Direct Multielemental Trace Determinations in Plutonium Samples by Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry Using a Very Small Sample Amount. Anal Chem 2018; 90:11070-11077. [PMID: 30091364 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b02917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A simple, safe, and sensitive method for direct multielemental trace determinations in plutonium samples using total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry has been developed. A very small volume (2 μL) of the sample solutions was deposited on TXRF supports after separation of the plutonium matrix from these solutions. Since the amount of the plutonium deposited on the supports was in the ng level only fixed on the supports and the specimen spots were not disturbed during the sample preparation, the samples could be analyzed directly without putting the instrument in a glovebox. This approach avoided a cumbersome operation of the instrument in a glovebox, which is normally utilized for Pu-based samples using other techniques. Similarly, the requirement of small amounts of the samples minimized the radiation dose to the operator as well as a cumbersome problem of management of radioactive analytical waste of plutonium samples. The samples were analyzed using the TXRF spectra of the specimens, concentration of the internal standard Se or Ga and predetermined sensitivity values. The elemental detection limits for the elements K-Sr varied from 1.06 to 0.09 ng. The elements K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Ba, Tl, and Pb were analyzed at μg/mL level. The analytical results of TXRF determinations showed average relative standard deviation (RSD) value of 4.5% (1σ, n = 3) and the TXRF determined results deviated from the expected values by 5.9% on average for samples prepared by adding multielements in plutonium solutions. Two real plutonium samples were also analyzed in similar manner. For the real plutonium sample solution the average RSD values of TXRF determinations were 10.6% (1σ, n = 3) for the elemental concentrations in the range of 0.2 to 61 μg/mL. These values are comparable with conventional trace element analytical techniques with added advantages mentioned above.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaushik Sanyal
- Fuel Chemistry Division , Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Mumbai 400085 , India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute , Mumbai 400094 , India
| | - Sangita Dhara
- Fuel Chemistry Division , Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Mumbai 400085 , India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute , Mumbai 400094 , India
| | - N L Misra
- Fuel Chemistry Division , Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Mumbai 400085 , India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute , Mumbai 400094 , India
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32
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Optimization of U and Pu traces separation by chromatography for analytical purposes: influence of U/Pu mass ratio. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-6014-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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33
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Mhatre AM, Chappa S, Chaudhari CV, Bhardwaj YK, Pandey AK. Phosphate functionalized radiation grafted Teflon for capturing and quantifications of U(VI) and Pu(IV) ions at ultra-trace concentration in aqueous samples. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-5950-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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34
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Trojanowicz M, Kołacińska K, Grate JW. A review of flow analysis methods for determination of radionuclides in nuclear wastes and nuclear reactor coolants. Talanta 2018; 183:70-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.02.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Revised: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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35
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Xing S, Zhang W, Qiao J, Hou X. Determination of ultra-low level plutonium isotopes ( 239Pu, 240Pu) in environmental samples with high uranium. Talanta 2018; 187:357-364. [PMID: 29853059 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.05.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In order to measure trace plutonium and its isotopes ratio (240Pu/239Pu) in environmental samples with a high uranium, an analytical method was developed using radiochemical separation for separation of plutonium from matrix and interfering elements including most of uranium and ICP-MS for measurement of plutonium isotopes. A novel measurement method was established for extensively removing the isobaric interference from uranium (238U1H and 238UH2+) and tailing of 238U, but significantly improving the measurement sensitivity of plutonium isotopes by employing NH3/He as collision/reaction cell gases and MS/MS system in the triple quadrupole ICP-MS instrument. The results show that removal efficiency of uranium interference was improved by more than 15 times, and the sensitivity of plutonium isotopes was increased by a factor of more than 3 compared to the conventional ICP-MS. The mechanism on the effective suppress of 238U interference for 239Pu measurement using NH3-He reaction gases was explored to be the formation of UNH+ and UNH2+ in the reactions of UH+ and U+ with NH3, while no reaction between NH3 and Pu+. The detection limits of this method were estimated to be 0.55 fg mL-1 for 239Pu, 0.09 fg mL-1 for 240Pu. The analytical precision and accuracy of the method for Pu isotopes concentration and 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratio were evaluated by analysis of sediment reference materials (IAEA-385 and IAEA-412) with different levels of plutonium and uranium. The developed method were successfully applied to determine 239Pu and 240Pu concentrations and 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratios in soil samples collected in coastal areas of eastern China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Xi'an AMS Center, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, China; China Institute of Radiation Protection, Taiyuan, China
| | - Weichao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Xi'an AMS Center, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, China
| | - Jixin Qiao
- Technical University of Denmark, Center for Nuclear Technologies, Risø Campus, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Technology and Application, Xi'an AMS Center, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, China; Technical University of Denmark, Center for Nuclear Technologies, Risø Campus, Roskilde, Denmark.
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36
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Establishing rapid analysis of Pu isotopes in seawater to study the impact of Fukushima nuclear accident in the Northwest Pacific. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1892. [PMID: 29382952 PMCID: PMC5789979 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20151-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to assess the impact of the Fukushima derived Pu isotopes on seawater, a new analytical method to rapidly determine Pu isotopes in seawater by SF-ICP-MS including Fe(OH)2 primary co-precipitation, CaF2/LaF3 secondary co-precipitation and TEVA+UTEVA+DGA extraction chromatographic separation was established. High concentration efficiency (~100%) and high U decontamination factor (~107) were achieved. The plutonium chemical recoveries were 74–88% with the mean of 83 ± 5%. The precisions for both 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios and 239+240Pu activity concentrations were less than 5% when 15 L of seawater samples with the typical 239+240Pu activity of the Northwest Pacific were measured. It just needs 12 hours to determine plutonium using this new method. The limit of detection (LOD) for 239Pu and 240Pu were both 0.08 fg/mL, corresponding to 0.01 mBq/m3 for 239Pu and 0.05 mBq/m3 for 240Pu when a 15 L volume of seawater was measured. This method was applied to determine the seawater samples collected 446–1316 km off the FDNPP accident site in the Northwest Pacific in July of 2013. The obtained 239+240Pu activity concentrations of 1.21–2.19 mBq/m3 and the 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios of 0.198–0.322 suggested that there was no significant Pu contamination from the accident to the Northwest Pacific.
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37
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Qiao J, Lagerkvist P, Rodushkin I, Salminen-Paatero S, Roos P, Lierhagen S, Jensen KA, Engstrom E, Lahaye Y, Skipperud L. On the application of ICP-MS techniques for measuring uranium and plutonium: a Nordic inter-laboratory comparison exercise. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-5697-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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38
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Gückel K, Shinonaga T, Christl M, Tschiersch J. Scavenged 239Pu, 240Pu, and 241Am from snowfalls in the atmosphere settling on Mt. Zugspitze in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11848. [PMID: 28928452 PMCID: PMC5605513 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12079-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Concentrations of 239Pu, 240Pu, and 241Am, and atomic ratio of 240Pu/239Pu in freshly fallen snow on Mt. Zugspitze collected in 2014, 2015 and 2016 were determined by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). For the sub-femtogram (10-15 g) - level of Pu and Am analysis, a chemical separation procedure combined with AMS was improved and an excellent overall efficiency of about 10-4 was achieved. The concentration of 239Pu ranges from 75 ± 13 ag/kg to 2823 ± 84 ag/kg, of 240Pu from 20.6 ± 5.2 to 601 ± 21 ag/kg, and of 241Am was found in the range of 16.7 ± 5.0-218.8 ± 8.9 ag/kg. Atomic ratios of 240Pu/239Pu for most samples are comparable to the fallout in middle Europe. One exceptional sample shows a higher Pu concentration. High airborne dust concentration, wind directions, high Cs concentrations and the activity ratio of 239+240Pu/137Cs lead to the conclusion that the sample was influenced by Pu in Saharan dust transported to Mt. Zugspitze.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Gückel
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Taeko Shinonaga
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Marcus Christl
- Laboratory of Ion Beam Physics, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, TS, Switzerland
| | - Jochen Tschiersch
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
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39
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Thin film of poly(bis[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]phosphate) grafted on surface of poly(ether sulfone) membrane for plutonium(IV)-selective alpha tracks registration in CR-39 detector. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-017-5422-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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40
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Inter-laboratory exercise with an aim to compare methods for 90Sr and 239,240Pu determination in environmental soil samples. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-017-5385-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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41
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Actinides selective extractants coated magnetite nanoparticles for analytical applications. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-017-5246-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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42
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Vassileva E, Han E, Levy I. Determination of low-level plutonium in seawater by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: method validation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:7898-7910. [PMID: 27072039 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6633-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Sources of plutonium isotopes to the marine environment are well defined, both spatially and temporally which makes plutonium (Pu) a potential tracer for oceanic processes. This paper presents the optimisation and validation of an analytical procedure for ultra-trace determination of Pu isotopes (239Pu and 240Pu) in seawater based on the external calibration and sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF ICP-MS) determination. Additionally, method for Pu isotope ratio (240Pu/239Pu) in marine samples is also discussed. A combination of two-step anion exchange (AG1-X8) and one-step extraction chromatography (TEVA) was very efficient resulting in uranium (U) decontamination factor of 5 × 106-1 × 108. A full validation approach in line with ISO 17025 standard and Eurachem guidelines was followed. With this in mind, blanks, recovery (87 ± 8 %, k = 2), within-laboratory repeatability (5.6 %), limits of detection (0.12 and 0.08 fg mL-1 for 239Pu and 240Pu, respectively) and expanded uncertainty (13 %, k = 2) were systematically assessed. The procedure was applied for the determination of 239Pu and Pu in seawater sample coming from Mediterranean Sea. Obtained results were in good agreement with results obtained with alpha spectrometry, applied on the same seawater sample. Pu/239Pu atom ratio in seawater sample from the Mediterranean Sea was also determined. The precision and accuracy of 240Pu/239Pu isotopic ratio analysis were carefully examined using NBS-947 isotopic standard. 240Pu/239Pu ratio was found to be 0.187 ± 0.006 and is in agreement with accepted ratios for the global fallout of Pu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Vassileva
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Environment Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Principality of Monaco.
| | - Eunmi Han
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Environment Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Principality of Monaco
| | - Isabelle Levy
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Environment Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Principality of Monaco
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43
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Jaison P, Kumar P, Telmore VM. Liquid chromatographic studies on the behaviour of Pu(III), Pu(IV) and Pu(VI) on a RP stationary phase in presence of α-Hydroxyisobutyric acid as a chelating agent. RADIOCHIM ACTA 2016. [DOI: 10.1515/ract-2016-2673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Since plutonium possesses multiple oxidation states which can coexist in solution, a method for the identification of these oxidation states is important to understand its chemical processes. Liquid chromatographic studies were carried out to compare the chromatographic behaviour of different oxidation states of Pu in presence of the eluent, α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA). The three oxidation states of Pu viz. Pu(III), Pu(IV) and Pu(VI) were separated under optimised conditions. It was seen that the presence of the complexing agent influences the equilibrium of Pu(III)/(IV) as well as Pu(IV)/(VI) systems. Pu(III) to Pu(IV) conversion was found to be enhanced by high pH and concentration of HIBA whereas a relatively low pH and high concentration of HIBA promotes the conversion of Pu(VI) to Pu(IV).
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Affiliation(s)
- P.G. Jaison
- Fuel Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India
| | - Pranaw Kumar
- Fuel Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
| | - Vijay M. Telmore
- Fuel Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
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44
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Fonollosa E, Nieto A, Peñalver A, Borrull F, Aguilar C. Determination of artificial beta-emitters in sludge samples. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-4705-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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45
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Cao L, Bu W, Zheng J, Pan S, Wang Z, Uchida S. Plutonium determination in seawater by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: A review. Talanta 2016; 151:30-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2016.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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46
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Present status and perspective of radiochemical analysis of radionuclides in Nordic countries. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-4741-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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47
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Paul S, Pandey AK, Shah RV, Alamelu D, Aggarwal SK. Superparamagnetic bi-functional composite bead for the thermal ionization mass spectrometry of plutonium(iv) ions. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra18419c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Single resin bead-based thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) offers numerous advantages for Pu(iv) determinations in complex aqueous samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumana Paul
- Fuel Chemistry Division
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
- Mumbai-400 085
- India
| | - Ashok K. Pandey
- Radiochemistry Division
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
- Mumbai 400 085
- India
| | - Raju V. Shah
- Fuel Chemistry Division
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
- Mumbai-400 085
- India
| | - D. Alamelu
- Fuel Chemistry Division
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
- Mumbai-400 085
- India
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48
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Method development for plutonium analysis in environmental water samples using TEVA microextraction chromatography separation and low background liquid scintillation counter measurement. Microchem J 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2015.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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49
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Gross actinide preconcentration using phosphonate-based ligand and cloud point extraction. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-015-4447-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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50
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Paul S, Pandey AK, Shah RV, Aggarwal SK. Chemically selective polymer substrate based direct isotope dilution alpha spectrometry of Pu. Anal Chim Acta 2015; 878:54-62. [PMID: 26002326 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2015.04.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2015] [Revised: 04/19/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Quantification of actinides in the complex environmental, biological, process and waste streams samples requires multiple steps like selective preconcentration and matrix elimination, solid source preparations generally by evaporation or electrodeposition, and finally alpha spectrometry. To minimize the sample manipulation steps, a membrane based isotope dilution alpha spectrometry method was developed for the determination of plutonium concentrations in the complex aqueous solutions. The advantages of this method are that it is Pu(IV) selective at 3M HNO3, high preconcentration factor can be achieved, and obviates the need of solid source preparation. For this, a thin phosphate-sulfate bifunctional polymer layer was anchored on the surface of microporous poly(ethersulfone) membrane by UV induced surface grafting. The thickness of the bifunctional layer on one surface of the poly(ethersulfone) membrane was optimized. The thickness, physical and chemical structures of the bifunctional layer were studied by secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and SEM-EDS (energy-dispersive spectroscopy). The optimized membrane was used for preconcentration of Pu(IV) from aqueous solutions having 3-4M HNO3, followed by direct quantification of the preconcentrated Pu(IV) by isotope dilution alpha spectrometry using (238)Pu spike. The chemical recovery efficiency of Pu(IV) was found to be 86±3% below Pu(IV) loading capacity (1.08 μg in 2×1 cm(2)) of the membrane sample. The experiments with single representative actinides indicated that Am(III) did not sorb to significant extent (7%) but U(VI) sorbed with 78±3% efficiency from the solutions having 3M HNO3 concentration. However, Pu(IV) chemical recovery in the membrane remained unaffected from the solution containing 1:1000 wt. proportion of Pu(IV) to U(VI). Pu concentrations in the (U, Pu)C samples and in the irradiated fuel dissolver solutions were determined. The results thus obtained were found to be in good agreement with those obtained by conventional alpha spectrometry, biamperometry and thermal ionization mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumana Paul
- Fuel Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India.
| | - Ashok K Pandey
- Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
| | - R V Shah
- Fuel Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
| | - S K Aggarwal
- Fuel Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India.
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