title: Development of a method for rapid analysis of Ra-226 in groundwater and discharge water samples by ICP-QQQ-MS.
abstract: A novel and rapid method has been developed for pre-concentration and measurement of226Ra in groundwater and discharge water samples using the latest generation triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-QQQ-MS). Cation exchange and extraction chromatography are capable of pre-concentration factors of ~200 based on 1L samples. The sensitivity and interference removal capability of ICP-QQQ-MS was assessed from spiked groundwaters, with the introduction of He collision gas required to minimise instrument background in high-matrix samples. The technique developed is potentially capable of detecting226Ra activities as low as 5mBqL-1when combined with pre-concentration prior to measurement.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, United Kingdom. Electronic address: elsje.van.es@npl.co.uk.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: van Es
authors.affiliation: National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ivanov
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, United Kingdom; National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Read
keywords: Extraction chromatography; Groundwater; ICP-QQQ-MS; Ion exchange; Radium-226; Rapid analysis