1
|
Zhao X, Hou X, Huang Z, Tang L. Source, preservation and re-suspension of 239,240Pu in a well dated peat core collected from northwest China. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 359:142267. [PMID: 38719122 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142267] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Owning to the high radiotoxicity in high concentrations, as well as the irreplaceability in quantifying soil erosion rates, demarcating the Anthropocene, and dating of sediment, anthropogenic 239,240Pu have drawn high attention. However, the source in specific areas, preservation characteristics in different environment media, and re-distribution process after the cessation of atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, have not been fully understood, which obscures the exact start year, temporal variation, and deposition flux of 239,240Pu in sedimentary records, and hinders the wide application of 239,240Pu in environment study. A sediment core from the Yiwu peat bog with dominance of atmospheric deposition in the source material, simple sedimentary environment, and high dust deposition flux, was collected to examine the 239,240Pu, and explore the source, preservation, and re-distribution process. The double peaks of 239,240Pu in 1952 CE and 1963 CE, as well as 240Pu/239Pu ratios of 0.163-0.190 with an average of 0.177 ± 0.010 confirmed that the 239,240Pu source originated predominantly from global fallout. The minimal vertical migration of plutonium in the Yiwu peat core was attributed to the near-neutral pH condition. The high inventory of 128 ± 7 Bq m-2, as well as the atypical negative correlation between 239,240Pu concentrations and organic matter content (r = - 0.79, P < 0.01), was attributed to the contribution of 239,240Pu re-suspended with dust from the neighboring Gobi Desert, particularly in the cold and dry years. The total re-suspended 239,240Pu was estimated to be 77 Bq m-2, exceeding the direct fallout level of 51 Bq m-2 during 1945-2016 CE. In this study, the specified deposition pattern of 239,240Pu after the cessation of atmospheric nuclear weapons was established, providing an important standard for multiple environmental studies, and the re-suspended amount of 239,240Pu in a typical arid area was quantified for the first time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Loess Science, 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; Xi'an Institute for Innovative Earth Environment Research, Xi'an, 710061, PR China; Open Studio for Oceanic-Continental Climate and Environment Changes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266061, PR China
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Loess Science, 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; Open Studio for Oceanic-Continental Climate and Environment Changes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266061, PR China.
| | - Zhao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Loess Science, 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; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Lu Tang
- Xi'an Institute for Innovative Earth Environment Research, Xi'an, 710061, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ni Y, Bu W, Xiong K, Hu S, Yang C, Cao L. A novel strategy for Pu determination in water samples by automated separation in combination with direct ICP-MS/MS measurement. Talanta 2023; 262:124710. [PMID: 37244244 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124710] [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: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Methods for Pu determination in water samples has been longtime studied but they generally involved tedious manual operations. In this context, we proposed a novel strategy for accurate determination of ultra-trace Pu in water samples by the combination of fully automated separation with direct ICP-MS/MS measurement. A recently commercialized extraction resin TK200 was used for single-column separation due to its distinctive nature. Acidified waters up to 1 L were directly loaded to the resin at high flow rate (15 mL min-1) with omitting the frequently used co-precipitation process. Small volumes of dilute HNO3 were used for column washing, and Pu was efficiently eluted within only 2 mL 0.5 mol L-1 HCl-0.1 mol L-1 HF with a stable recovery (65%). This separation procedure was fully automated under the control of user program, meanwhile the final eluent was compatible for direct ICP-MS/MS measurement without extra sample treatment. In that way, both the labor intensity and reagent consumption were minimized compared with existing methods. With the high decontamination (104 to 105) of U in the chemical separation and the further elimination of uranium hydrides under oxygen reaction model during ICP-MS/MS measurement, the overall interference yields of UH+/U+ and UH2+/U+ were down to 10-15. The limits of detection (LODs) of this method reached 0.32 μBq L-1 for 239Pu and 2.00 μBq L-1 for 240Pu, which were much lower than those stipulated in the general guidelines for drinking water standards, suggesting this method was promising in routine or emergency radiation monitoring. Furthermore, the established method was successfully applied in a pilot study to determine global fallout derived Pu in surface glacier samples with extremely low concentrations of 239+240Pu, which suggested the method would also be feasible in glacial chronology studies in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youyi Ni
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621999, China.
| | - Wenting Bu
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621999, China
| | - Ke Xiong
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621999, China
| | - Sheng Hu
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621999, China
| | - Chuting Yang
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621999, China
| | - Liguo Cao
- School of Geography and Tourism, Shanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang M, Zhao Z, Wang Y, Chen Y, Hou X. Vertical distribution of plutonium isotopes from the floodplain and lacustrine sediments in Poyang Lake, China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2023; 261:107143. [PMID: 36878053 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107143] [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: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic radionuclides deposited in sediments have been used for environmental radiation risk valuation as well as source identification. In this study, we investigated the vertical distribution of plutonium (Pu) isotopes and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios in both floodplain and lacustrine sediments in Poyang Lake. The 239+240Pu activity concentrations in floodplain sediment cores were found to range from 0.002 to 0.085 Bq kg-1, with a maximum value at the subsurface layer. The activity in lacustrine sediment cores was from 0.062 to 0.351 Bq kg-1 with a mean of 0.138 ± 0.053 Bq kg-1. The inventory of 43.15 Bq m-2 in lacustrine sediment core is comparable to the average value of global fallout expected at the same latitude. The average 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratios (0.183 ± 0.032) for sediment cores indicated that the global fallout is the major source of Pu in the studied region. The results are of great significance to the further understanding of sources, records, and environmental impacts of regional nuclear activities in the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingli Zhang
- School of Geography, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China; Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, Nanjing, 210023, China; Key Laboratory of Material Circulation and Pollution Control in Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Zihan Zhao
- School of Geography, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yanhua Wang
- School of Geography, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China; Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, Nanjing, 210023, China; Key Laboratory of Material Circulation and Pollution Control in Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yan Chen
- School of Geography, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, Risø Campus, Roskilde, 4000, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Xing S, Peng C, Christl M, Shi K, Synal HA, Hou X. Simultaneous Determination of Transuranium Radionuclides for Nuclear Forensics by Compact Accelerator Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2023; 95:3647-3655. [PMID: 36763009 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is one of the most sensitive techniques used to measure the long-lived actinides. This is particularly of interest for determination of ultra-trace transuranium nuclides and their isotopic fingerprints for nuclear forensics. In this work, a new method was developed for simultaneous determination of transuranium nuclides (Np, Pu, Am, and Cm isotopes) by using 300 kV AMS after a sequential chemical separation of each group of actinides. 242Pu and 243Am were utilized as tracers for Np/Pu and Am/Cm yield monitoring. The results show that the chemical behaviors of Np and Pu on the TK200 column and those of Am and Cm on the DGA column were very consistent in 8-9 mol/L of HNO3 and 0.015-0.03 mol/L of NaNO2 media during the radiochemical separation. The AMS detection efficiencies for transuranium nuclides were also evaluated. The detection limits for all radionuclides are below femtogram level and even in attogram level for Pu and Cm isotopes. The established method has been successfully applied to accurately measure various transuranium nuclides in a single actinide radionuclide solution, demonstrating its feasibility for nuclear forensic investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shan Xing
- Frontiers Science Center for Rare Isotopes, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,China Institute for Radiation Protection, Taiyuan 030000, P. R. China
| | - Chenyang Peng
- Frontiers Science Center for Rare Isotopes, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Marcus Christl
- Laboratory of Ion Beam Physics, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Keliang Shi
- Frontiers Science Center for Rare Isotopes, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Hans-Arno Synal
- Laboratory of Ion Beam Physics, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- Frontiers Science Center for Rare Isotopes, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China.,School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhao X, Hou X, Huang Z, Liu H, Jiang H. Plutonium isotopes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Sources, distribution, and their environmental behaviors. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 306:119401. [PMID: 35525518 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Due to the high radiotoxicity in high concentrations, plutonium isotopes have drawn high attentions in the consideration of radiation risk, their sources, level, environmental behaviors, including deposition, retention and migration behaviors. However, such research in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is still missing, where is deemed as an environmental sensitive area. 239,240Pu in surface soil collected from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were determined for the first time in this work. The concentrations of 239,240Pu are in the range of 0.0176-1.95 Bq/kg, falling into the reported ranges in the background areas from the similar latitude belt. The 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratio range was measured to be 0.146-0.225, which is similar with the global fallout values. Both indicate that the global fallout is the major source of plutonium in this region, and the low plutonium level will not cause any radiation risk so far. Based on the statistical analysis of the possible parameters (organic content, moisture content, average annual precipitation, altitudes, topography and human activity), the large variations of 239,240Pu concentrations were mainly attributed to the retention process related factors including soil organic content and human activity disturbances. While, the deposition related factors including the average annual precipitation, altitudes, topography made insignificant influence on the spatial distribution of 239,240Pu concentrations due to the low 239,240Pu concentrations in atmosphere, less wet deposition amount and insignificant re-suspended amount. The highest 239,240Pu concentrations of 0.805-1.95 Bq/kg were mainly due to the good retention condition in the sampling sites with higher soil organic content and less human activity disturbances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhao
- 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; Xi'an Institute for Innovative Earth Environment Research, Xi'an 710061, PR China; Open Studio for Oceanic-Continental Climate and Environment Changes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qiangdao 266061, PR China
| | - 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 and Resource 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), Qiangdao 266061, PR China.
| | - Zhao Huang
- 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; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Heng Liu
- Xi'an Institute for Innovative Earth Environment Research, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Huan Jiang
- Xi'an Institute for Innovative Earth Environment Research, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Analyzing alpha emitting isotopes of Pu, Am and Cm from NPP water samples: an intercomparison of Nordic radiochemical laboratories. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07913-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
AbstractRadioanalytical methods for the determination of isotopes of Pu, Am and Cm in water samples from nuclear power plants were compared and further developed in a Nordic project (Optimethod) through two intercomparison exercises among Nordic laboratories. With this intercomparison, the analytical performance of some laboratories was improved by modification of the analytical method and adopting new techniques. The obtained results from the two intercomparisons for alpha emitting transuranium isotopes are presented, and the lessons learnt from these intercomparison exercises are discussed.
Collapse
|
7
|
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.
Collapse
|
8
|
Rapid method for sequential determination of Pu and Am in soil and sediment samples by sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07627-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
9
|
Zhao X, Qiao J, Hou X. Plutonium isotopes in Northern Xinjiang, China: Level, distribution, sources and their contributions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114929. [PMID: 32540598 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Plutonium in the environment has drawn significant attentions due to its radiotoxicity in high concentration and source term linked with nuclear accidents and contaminations. The isotopic ratio of plutonium is source dependent and can be used as a fingerprint to discriminate the sources of radioactive contaminant. 239Pu, 240Pu and 137Cs in surface soil and soil cores collected from Northern Xinjiang were determined in this work. The concentrations of 239,240Pu and 137Cs are in the range of 0.06-1.20 Bq kg-1, and <1.0-31.4 Bq kg-1 (decay corrected to Sep. 2017), respectively, falling in the ranges of global fallout in this latitude zone. The 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratios of 0.118-0.209 and 239,240Pu/137Cs activity ratios of 0.039-0.215 were measured. Among the investigated sites, distinctly lower 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratios of 0.118-0.133 and higher 239,240Pu/137Cs activity ratios of 0.065-0.215 compared to the global fallout values were observed in the northwest part, indicating a significant contribution from other source besides the global fallout. This extra source is mainly attributed to the releases of atmospheric nuclear weapons testing at Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, which was transported by the west and northwest wind through the river valley among mountains in this region. This contribution is estimated to account for 28-43% of the global fallout in the northwest part of Northern Xinjiang. The contribution from the Chinese atmospheric nuclear weapons testing to this region is negligible due to the lack of appropriate wind direction to transport the radioactive releases to this region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhao
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Environmental Engineering, Risø Campus, Roskilde, 4000, Denmark; 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, PR China
| | - Jixin Qiao
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Environmental Engineering, Risø Campus, Roskilde, 4000, Denmark
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Environmental Engineering, Risø Campus, Roskilde, 4000, Denmark; 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, PR China; CAS center of Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an, 710061, PR China; Open Studio for Oceanic-Continental Climate and Environment Changes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266100, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kim H, Kang YG, Lee YJ, Choi SD, Lim JM, Lee JH. Automated extraction chromatographic radionuclide separation system for analysis of 90Sr in seawater. Talanta 2020; 217:121055. [PMID: 32498840 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
After the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant disaster, the demand for a rapid method for the detection of environmental radioactivity increased drastically. Since the development of extraction chromatography using resins, analytical methods have advanced significantly in terms of simplicity and required labor. Herein, a home-made automated separation system that is applicable radio-extraction chromatographic separation techniques is reported. A simple, rapid, and high-throughput method was developed using this home-made automated separation system to analyze radiostrontium in seawater in emergency and routine situations. For emergency situations, radiostrontium in seawater is pre-concentrated on a cation exchange resin and consecutively purified using the Sr-resin. Fifty minutes are required for the purification of 90Sr in four samples (100 ml). The minimum detectable activity (MDA) for 90Sr is 0.2 Bq kg-1 at 100 min counting, with a recovery of 70% and counting efficiency of 95% in the scintillation mode. For routine monitoring, 90Y that is in equilibrium with 90Sr is first separated from the sample matrix using DGA. Treatment of 30 L of each seawater sample requires ~2 h. The MDA for this method is 0.3 mBq kg-1 at 400 min counting with a recovery of 70% and counting efficiency of 67% in the Cerenkov mode. By employing the developed method, the measured 90Sr in seawater collected from the coastal area of Korea is 0.92 ± 0.18 mBq kg-1, which is comparable to that reported previously. The measurements were obtained using a liquid scintillation counter, and the entire separation process was performed by employing the home-made separation system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyuncheol Kim
- Nuclear Emergency and Environmental Protection Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), 989-111 Daedeok-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34057, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yoo Gyum Kang
- Nuclear Emergency and Environmental Protection Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), 989-111 Daedeok-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34057, Republic of Korea; Environmental Engineering, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Jin Lee
- Nuclear Emergency and Environmental Protection Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), 989-111 Daedeok-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34057, Republic of Korea; Environmental Engineering, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Do Choi
- Nuclear Emergency and Environmental Protection Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), 989-111 Daedeok-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34057, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Myoung Lim
- Nuclear Emergency and Environmental Protection Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), 989-111 Daedeok-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34057, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Hong Lee
- Environmental Engineering, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Qiao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wang Z, Huang Z, Xie Y, Tan Z. Method for determination of Pu isotopes in soil and sediment samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after simple chemical separation using TK200 resin. Anal Chim Acta 2019; 1090:151-158. [PMID: 31655640 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2019.08.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Plutonium has been extensively studied in the environment, for the purpose of radiological assessment, environmental behavior study and nuclear emergency response. To determine Pu isotopes in environmental soil and sediment, a novel analytical method was established in this study using a new type of extraction resin, TK200 resin. Firstly an investigation was performed to study the extraction behaviors of Pu, U, Th, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi and Hf on TK200 resin. On the basis of the results, a new chromatographic procedure was then proposed to separate Pu from the elements that interfere the accurate determination of Pu isotopes by mass spectrometry. Owing to the excellent separation efficiency between Pu and interfering elements (IEs) of the developed procedure, high decontamination factors (DFs) were obtained for IEs, e.g. the DF(U) (>7.5 × 107) was the highest reported value. The separation procedure was finally combined with HNO3 leaching, CaF2/LaF3 coprecipitation and sector field-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICPMS) measurement to establish a complete method. The established method was evaluated by analyzing four standard reference materials (soil, sediment), and the results showed that both 239+240Pu activity and 240Pu/239Pu isotopic ratio were accurately determined, with stable and high Pu chemical recoveries (81-91%). The whole analytical method only took about 15 h, and the limits of detection were calculated to be 0.13-0.24 fg g-1 for Pu isotopes (for 2 g soil or sediment), guaranteeing the rapid determination of ultra-trace level Pu in soil and sediment samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongtang Wang
- The Laboratory of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Decommission Technology, Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621900, China.
| | - Zhaoya Huang
- The Laboratory of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Decommission Technology, Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621900, China
| | - Yun Xie
- The Laboratory of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Decommission Technology, Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621900, China
| | - Zhaoyi Tan
- The Laboratory of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Decommission Technology, Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621900, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
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
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Thakur P, Ward AL. An Overview of Analytical Methods for in Vitro Bioassay of Actinides. HEALTH PHYSICS 2019; 116:694-714. [PMID: 30908319 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000000982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The bioassay of urine and fecal samples has been used since the 1940s to determine an individual's uptake of uranium and actinide elements such as americium and plutonium. Over the years, several analytical separation methods and techniques have been employed for these types of analyses. Analytical separations, ranging from solvent extraction and anion exchange to chromatography, and analytical techniques, ranging from autoradiography to kinetic phosphorescence to fission-track analysis and high-resolution solid-state alpha spectroscopy, have been used at one time or another. Over the last few decades, there have been significant advances in radiochemical separations, as well as an increased use of mass spectroscopy, to determine trace and ultratrace levels of actinides in urine and fecal samples. This review summarizes and discusses developments in radiochemical separation methods and advancements in analytical techniques for actinide bioassay since the early 1940s to the present, followed by a recent development and trend in the bioassay of actinides-particularly in urine and fecal samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Thakur
- Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center
| | - A L Ward
- US Department of Energy, Carlsbad Field Office
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Xu Y, Pan S, Gao J, Hou X, Ma Y, Hao Y. Sedimentary record of plutonium in the North Yellow Sea and the response to catchment environmental changes of inflow rivers. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 207:130-138. [PMID: 29793024 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.05.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Plutonium (Pu) isotopes were first determined in surface and core sediment samples collected from the northern North Yellow Sea (NYS) to elucidate their source terms and deposition process as well as the response to catchment environmental changes of inflow rivers. 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios in all sediments showed the typical global fallout value of ∼0.18 without any influences from the nuclear weapons tests conducted recently in the North Korea or early in the Pacific Proving Ground. The large variation of 239+240Pu activities (0.022-0.515 mBq/g) observed in surface sediments should be mainly attributed to the re-suspension and transportation of fine sediments influenced by the Liaonan Costal Current. Based on the two 239+249Pu depth profiles with easily observed onset fallout levels (1952) and global fallout peaks (1963), 239+240Pu served as a valid time mark in the coastal sedimentary system. Riverine input Pu contributed only 15-27% to the total global fallout inventory (92.5-108.8 Bq/m2) in the northern NYS, much lower than that in the Yangtze River estuary (77-80%), indicating a better soil conservation in the northeast China due to higher forest coverage compared to the Yangtze River's drainage basin. The increase of riverine input Pu after 1980s reflected the more intense soil erosion degree caused by the land use and cover change due to the increment of human activities in the northeast China at the same period. Our results demonstrated that plutonium is a good indicator for studying sedimentary process and its response to the environment in the coastal area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yihong Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Coastal and Island Development of Ministry of Education, School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shaoming Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Coastal and Island Development of Ministry of Education, School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Jianhua Gao
- The Key Laboratory of Coastal and Island Development of Ministry of Education, School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, Risø Campus, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Xi'an AMS Center, SKLLQG, Institute of Earth Environment, CAS, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Yongfu Ma
- The Key Laboratory of Environmental Radiation Monitoring of Ministry of Environmental Protection, Radiation Monitoring Department, Environmental Radiation Monitoring Technical Center of Ministry of Environmental Protection, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Yongpei Hao
- The Key Laboratory of Coastal and Island Development of Ministry of Education, School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
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: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wang Z, Zheng J, Ni Y, Men W, Tagami K, Uchida S. High-Performance Method for Determination of Pu Isotopes in Soil and Sediment Samples by Sector Field-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2017; 89:2221-2226. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b04975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongtang Wang
- Biospheric
Assessment for Waste Disposal Team, National Institute of Radiological
Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Jian Zheng
- Biospheric
Assessment for Waste Disposal Team, National Institute of Radiological
Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Youyi Ni
- Biospheric
Assessment for Waste Disposal Team, National Institute of Radiological
Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- State
Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Wu Men
- Biospheric
Assessment for Waste Disposal Team, National Institute of Radiological
Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Keiko Tagami
- Biospheric
Assessment for Waste Disposal Team, National Institute of Radiological
Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Shigeo Uchida
- Biospheric
Assessment for Waste Disposal Team, National Institute of Radiological
Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Determination of plutonium isotopes in environmental samples with triisooctylamine and alpha spectrometry. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-4897-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
19
|
Wang Z, Zheng J, Cao L, Tagami K, Uchida S. Method for Ultratrace Level 241Am Determination in Large Soil Samples by Sector Field-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: With Emphasis on the Removal of Spectral Interferences and Matrix Effect. Anal Chem 2016; 88:7387-94. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b01934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongtang Wang
- Biospheric
Assessment for Waste Disposal Team, National Institute of Radiological
Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Jian Zheng
- Biospheric
Assessment for Waste Disposal Team, National Institute of Radiological
Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Liguo Cao
- Biospheric
Assessment for Waste Disposal Team, National Institute of Radiological
Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- School
of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Keiko Tagami
- Biospheric
Assessment for Waste Disposal Team, National Institute of Radiological
Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Shigeo Uchida
- Biospheric
Assessment for Waste Disposal Team, National Institute of Radiological
Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
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]
|
21
|
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]
|
22
|
Qiao J, Hou X, Steier P, Nielsen S, Golser R. Method for (236)U Determination in Seawater Using Flow Injection Extraction Chromatography and Accelerator Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2015; 87:7411-7. [PMID: 26105019 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b01608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
An automated analytical method implemented in a flow injection (FI) system was developed for rapid determination of (236)U in 10 L seawater samples. (238)U was used as a chemical yield tracer for the whole procedure, in which extraction chromatography (UTEVA) was exploited to purify uranium, after an effective iron hydroxide coprecipitation. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) was applied for quantifying the (236)U/(238)U ratio, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) was used to determine the absolute concentration of (238)U; thus, the concentration of (236)U can be calculated. The key experimental parameters affecting the analytical effectiveness were investigated and optimized in order to achieve high chemical yields and simple and rapid analysis as well as low procedure background. Besides, the operational conditions for the target preparation prior to the AMS measurement were optimized, on the basis of studying the coprecipitation behavior of uranium with iron hydroxide. The analytical results indicate that the developed method is simple and robust, providing satisfactory chemical yields (80-100%) and high analysis speed (4 h/sample), which could be an appealing alternative to conventional manual methods for (236)U determination in its tracer application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Qiao
- †Center of Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- †Center of Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.,§Xi'an AMS Center, SKLLQG, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710075, China
| | - Peter Steier
- ‡VERA Laboratory, Faculty of Physics - Isotope Research, University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sven Nielsen
- †Center of Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Robin Golser
- ‡VERA Laboratory, Faculty of Physics - Isotope Research, University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Wang Z, Yang G, Zheng J, Cao L, Yu H, Zhu Y, Tagami K, Uchida S. Effect of Ashing Temperature on Accurate Determination of Plutonium in Soil Samples. Anal Chem 2015; 87:5511-5. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b01472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongtang Wang
- Research
Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Guosheng Yang
- Research
Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Jian Zheng
- Research
Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Liguo Cao
- Research
Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- School
of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haijun Yu
- College of Materials Science & Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Yanbei Zhu
- National
Metrology
Institute of Japan, AIST, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8563, Japan
| | - Keiko Tagami
- Research
Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Shigeo Uchida
- Research
Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ultra-trace plutonium determination in small volume seawater by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with application to Fukushima seawater samples. J Chromatogr A 2014; 1337:171-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2014.02.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Revised: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
25
|
Xu Y, Qiao J, Hou X, Pan S, Roos P. Determination of plutonium isotopes (238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, 241Pu) in environmental samples using radiochemical separation combined with radiometric and mass spectrometric measurements. Talanta 2014; 119:590-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2013.11.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Revised: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 11/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
26
|
Xu Y, Qiao J, Hou X, Pan S. Plutonium in soils from northeast China and its potential application for evaluation of soil erosion. Sci Rep 2013; 3:3506. [PMID: 24336360 PMCID: PMC3864049 DOI: 10.1038/srep03506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Surface and soil core samples from northeast China were analyzed for Pu isotopes. The measured (240)Pu/(239)Pu atomic ratios and (239 + 240)Pu/(137)Cs activity ratios revealed that the global fallout is the dominant source of Pu and (137)Cs at these sites. Migration behavior of Pu varying with land type and human activities resulted in different distribution of Pu in surface soils. A sub-surface maximum followed by exponential decline of (239 + 240)Pu concentrations was observed in an undisturbed soil core, with a total (239 + 240)Pu inventory of 86.9 Bq/m(2) and more than 85% accumulated in 0 ~ 20 cm layers. While only half inventory of Pu was obtained in another soil core and no sub-surface maximum value occurred. Erosion of topsoil in the site should be the most possible reason for the significantly lower Pu inventory, which is also supported by the reported (137)Cs profiles. These results demonstrated that Pu could be applied as an ideal substitute of (137)Cs for soil erosion study in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yihong Xu
- 1] The Key Laboratory of Coastal and Island Development of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China [2] Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, Risø Campus, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - Jixin Qiao
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, Risø Campus, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- 1] Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, Risø Campus, Roskilde 4000, Denmark [2] Xi'an AMS Center, SKLLQG, Institute of Earth Environment, CAS, Xi'an 710075, China
| | - Shaoming Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Coastal and Island Development of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Qiao J, Hou X, Steier P, Golser R. Sequential Injection Method for Rapid and Simultaneous Determination of 236U, 237Np, and Pu Isotopes in Seawater. Anal Chem 2013; 85:11026-33. [DOI: 10.1021/ac402673p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Qiao
- Center
of Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- Center
of Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
- Xi’an
AMS Center and SKLLQG, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Science, Xi’an 710075, China
| | - Peter Steier
- VERA
Laboratory, Faculty of Physics—Isotope Research and Nuclear Physics, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Robin Golser
- VERA
Laboratory, Faculty of Physics—Isotope Research and Nuclear Physics, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Qiao J, Hou X, Roos P, Miró M. Bead Injection Extraction Chromatography Using High-Capacity Lab-on-Valve as a Front End to Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for Urine Radiobioassay. Anal Chem 2013; 85:2853-9. [DOI: 10.1021/ac303423k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Qiao
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus,
DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus,
DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Per Roos
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus,
DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Manuel Miró
- FI-TRACE Group, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of the Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemossa
km. 7.5, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Qiao J, Hou X, Roos P. Method for Determination of Neptunium in Large-Sized Urine Samples Using Manganese Dioxide Coprecipitation and 242Pu as Yield Tracer. Anal Chem 2013; 85:1889-95. [DOI: 10.1021/ac303300v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Qiao
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, DK-4000
Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, DK-4000
Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Per Roos
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, DK-4000
Roskilde, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Qiao J, Hansen V, Hou X, Aldahan A, Possnert G. Speciation analysis of 129I, 137Cs, 232Th, 238U, 239Pu and 240Pu in environmental soil and sediment. Appl Radiat Isot 2012; 70:1698-708. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2012.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2011] [Revised: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 04/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
31
|
Shi K, Qiao J, Wu W, Roos P, Hou X. Rapid determination of technetium-99 in large volume seawater samples using sequential injection extraction chromatographic separation and ICP-MS measurement. Anal Chem 2012; 84:6783-9. [PMID: 22783983 DOI: 10.1021/ac301319a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An automated method was developed for rapid determination of (99)Tc in large volume seawater samples. The analytical procedure involves preconcentration of technetium with coprecipitation, online separation using extraction chromatography (two TEVA columns) implemented in a sequential injection setup, and measurement of (99)Tc by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Chromatographic behaviors of technetium, molybdenum, and ruthenium were investigated, and the mechanism of adsorption and elution of TcO(4)(-) on a TEVA column using HNO(3) was explored. The results show that not only NO(3)(-) but also acidity (or concentration of H(+)) of the loading or eluting solution affect the adsorption and desorption of TcO(4)(-) on TEVA resin. Decontamination factors of more than 1 × 10(6) for ruthenium and 5 × 10(5) for molybdenum are achieved. Chemical yields of technetium in the overall procedure range from 60% to 75% depending on the sample volumes, and a detection limit of 7.5 mBq/m(3) (or 11.5 pg/m(3)) for 200 L of seawater was obtained. Compared with the conventional analytical procedure, the developed method significantly reduces analytical time. A batch of samples (n > 4) can be analyzed within 24 h. The method has been successfully applied for rapid and automated determination of low level (99)Tc in large volume seawater samples. The analytical results of seawater samples collected in Denmark show a good agreement with the values obtained using the conventional method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keliang Shi
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, Risø Campus, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Tsukahara T, Idota N. Temperature-swing Microfluidic Separation of Uranyl Ions Using Thermoresponsive Copolymer Brushes. CHEM LETT 2011. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.2011.1381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
|
33
|
Abstract
Abstract
This paper describes the development of a radioanalytical procedure to separate Am3+ and Cm3+ that relies on chromatography with the TRU® resin available from Eichrom Technologies, Inc. Although the TRU chromatographic materials are not currently recommended for the separation of the trivalent actinides from each other, our work demonstrates their suitability. We explored parameters such as nitric acid concentration, column length, and flow rate; standard chromatographic parameters such as resolution, theoretical plates, and total separation time are reported for each variable. The advantages of the method described herein include use of a commercially available product and no application of an organic solvent during elution. Optimal resolution between the Am3+ and Cm3+ was achieved with the slowest flow rate.
Collapse
|
34
|
Qiao J, Hou X, Roos P, Miró M. Rapid isolation of plutonium in environmental solid samples using sequential injection anion exchange chromatography followed by detection with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Anal Chim Acta 2011; 685:111-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2010.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2010] [Revised: 10/18/2010] [Accepted: 10/21/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
35
|
Maxwell SL, Culligan BK, Jones VD, Nichols ST, Bernard MA, Noyes GW. Determination of 237Np and Pu isotopes in large soil samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Anal Chim Acta 2010; 682:130-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2010.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2010] [Revised: 09/24/2010] [Accepted: 10/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
36
|
Automation of radiochemical analysis by applying flow techniques to environmental samples. Trends Analyt Chem 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2010.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
37
|
Qiao J, Hou X, Roos P, Miró M. High-Throughput Sequential Injection Method for Simultaneous Determination of Plutonium and Neptunium in Environmental Solids Using Macroporous Anion-Exchange Chromatography, Followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometric Detection. Anal Chem 2010; 83:374-81. [DOI: 10.1021/ac102567b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Qiao
- Radiation Research Division, Risø National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy, Technical University of Denmark, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark, and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of the Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemossa km. 7.5, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- Radiation Research Division, Risø National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy, Technical University of Denmark, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark, and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of the Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemossa km. 7.5, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - Per Roos
- Radiation Research Division, Risø National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy, Technical University of Denmark, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark, and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of the Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemossa km. 7.5, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - Manuel Miró
- Radiation Research Division, Risø National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy, Technical University of Denmark, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark, and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of the Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemossa km. 7.5, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Shimada A, Haraga T, Hoshi A, Kameo Y, Nakashima M, Takahashi K. Analysis of Th, U, Pu, and Am in radioactive metal waste using extraction chromatography. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-010-0750-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
39
|
Thakur P, Ballard S, Conca JL. Sequential isotopic determination of plutonium, thorium, americium and uranium in the air filter and drinking water samples around the WIPP site. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-010-0684-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
40
|
Schumacher PD, Woods NA, Schenk JO, Clark SB. Preconcentration of Trivalent Lanthanide Elements on a Mercury Film from Aqueous Solution Using Rotating Disk Electrode Voltammetry. Anal Chem 2010; 82:5663-8. [DOI: 10.1021/ac101180w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul D. Schumacher
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164
| | - Nicholas A. Woods
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164
| | - James O. Schenk
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164
| | - Sue B. Clark
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Qiao J, Hou X. Fractionation of plutonium in environmental and bio-shielding concrete samples using dynamic sequential extraction. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2010; 101:244-9. [PMID: 20004047 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2009.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2009] [Revised: 11/23/2009] [Accepted: 11/25/2009] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Fractionation of plutonium isotopes ((238)Pu, (239,240)Pu) in environmental samples (i.e. soil and sediment) and bio-shielding concrete from decommissioning of nuclear reactor were carried out by dynamic sequential extraction using an on-line sequential injection (SI) system combined with a specially designed extraction column. Plutonium in the fractions from the sequential extraction was separated by ion exchange chromatography and measured using alpha spectrometry. The analytical results show a higher mobility of plutonium in bio-shielding concrete, which means attention should be paid to the treatment and disposal of nuclear waste from decommissioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Qiao
- Radiation Research Division, Risø National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy, Technical University of Denmark, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | | |
Collapse
|