title: Development of a versatile sample preparation method and its application for rare-earth pattern and Nd isotope ratio analysis in nuclear forensics.
abstract: An improved sample preparation procedure for trace-levels of lanthanides in uranium-bearing samples was developed. The method involves a simple co-precipitation using Fe(III) carrier in ammonium carbonate medium to remove the uranium matrix. The procedure is an effective initial pre-concentration step for the subsequent extraction chromatographic separations. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by the measurement of REE pattern and143Nd/144Nd isotope ratio in uranium ore concentrate samples.
authors.affiliation: European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany ; Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB Delft, Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krajko
authors.affiliation: European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.affiliation: European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wallenius
authors.affiliation: European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mayer
keywords: Lanthanides; Neodymium isotope ratio; Nuclear forensics; Pre-concentration; Uranium ore concentrate