PU and NP analysis of soil and sediment samples with ICP-MS.
A method to analyse Pu and Np was optimised to achieve low detection limits and high sample throughput. Soil and sediment samples were ashed and digested with a borate fusion. After dissolving the melt in nitric acid, Pu and Np were separated on a TEVA extraction chromatopraphy column. It was measured with a sector field ICP-MS. Detection limits in soils and sediments as low as 1x10(-15)g/g for Pu and Np were achieved. The method was applied to reference materials, soil profiles from Switzerland and sediment samples from the river Yenisei (RU), where radioactive nuclides have been discharged.
Röllin
S
S
Federal Office for Civil Protection, SPIEZ Laboratory, CH-3700 Spiez, Switzerland. stefan.roellin@babs.admin.ch
Sahli
H
H
Holzer
R
R
Astner
M
M
Burger
M
M
D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D009405:Neptunium / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011005:Plutonium / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012015:Reference Standards; D045483:Rivers; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013557:Switzerland; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D011005:Plutonium; D009405:Neptunium