title: Determination of 222Rn in fresh water: development of a robust method of analysis by alpha/beta separation liquid scintillation spectrometry.
abstract: Liquid scintillation spectrometry is used widely for determining (222)Rn in natural waters; however, the benefits of alpha/beta separation have not been fully explored. The extractants toluene and Ultima Gold F were compared, and both performed well for a range of extreme waters. A robust method for calibrating extraction and counting efficiencies has been developed. Detection limits are 20 mBql(-1) (toluene) and 16 mBql(-1) (UGF) for a 60 min count and 600-ml sample, halving the required sample volume.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK. J.Pates@lancaster.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jacqueline M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pates
authors.forename: Neil J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Mullinger
mesh_terms: D000512:Alpha Particles; D001610:Beta Particles; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012588:Scintillation Counting / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D014867:Water