Analytical methods for thorium determination: a journey from conventional methods to novel applications.
Thorium may be determined using a variety of analytical methods. These may be based on chemical or physical principles or may make use of the radioactive decay of the individual thorium isotopes. The method to be used for a certain analytical purpose is selected as a function of the matrix of the sample and of the concentration of thorium. The present paper describes different methodologies, their range of application and discusses selected results. The methods described cover a concentration range of more than twelve orders of magnitude, i.e. from concentrated solutions to micrometre-sized particles. Emphasis is given to active radiometric techniques, chemical and instrumental analysis.
Mayer
K
K
European Commission, JRC Institute for Transuranium Elements, Karlsruhe, Germany. mayer@itu.fzk.de
Ottmar
H
H
Tamborini
G
G
Ray
I
I
Thiele
H
H
D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013910:Thorium / Q000032:analysis*
D013910:Thorium