Application of ICP-QMS for the determination of plutonium in environmental samples for safeguards purposes.
Aiming to determine the plutonium amount as well as its isotopic composition, in particular, in swipe samples for safeguards purposes, an analytical method was developed with a plutonium separation step based on extraction chromatography using 2 cm TEVA columns and detection with quadrupole ICP-MS applying an ultra-sonic nebulizer coupled with membrane desolvation system. The method was successfully applied to New Brunswick plutonium certified reference materials as well as to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory round robin samples, based on the round robin samples provided by the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Belgium), as part of the Regular European Interlaboratory Measurement Evaluation Programme (REIMEP), campaign 16 (isotopic abundances of plutonium in plutonium nitrate samples), with a total plutonium amount between 1 and 0.25 ng per sample. After the introduction of an additional separation step, it was also possible to carry out precise and accurate total plutonium, (240)Pu/(239)Pu, (241)Pu/(239)Pu and (242)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios determination in sediment sample showing its applicability to environmental samples in general, reaching a detection limit equivalent to 5 mBq(239)Pu kg(-1).
Godoy
Maria Luiza D P
ML
Instituto de Radioproteção e Dosimetria, Caixa Postal 37750, Barra da Tijuca, 22642-970, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. jmgodoy@ird.gov.br
Godoy
José Marcus
JM
Roldão
Luiz Alfredo
LA
D002845:Chromatography; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis; D007474:Ion Exchange; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D011005:Plutonium / Q000032:analysis*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D013910:Thorium / Q000032:analysis; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D014501:Uranium; D011005:Plutonium; D013910:Thorium