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Volatility of 210Po in the gross alpha determination

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Abstract

Gross alpha and beta activity screening methods have been developed to determine whether specific analysis of radionuclides is required to further characterize water. Our contribution aims at the validation of possible losses of 210Po related to underestimation of the gross alpha activity. The tap water samples likewise the selected samples of surface, underground, and mineral water were processed. These samples were treated in solutions containing both HNO3 (recommended by ISO standards) and HCl (which could cause significant loses of volatile polonium chloride form during the sample ignition). Results of several experiments determining the recovery of polonium during the ignition of sample are discussed. Conditions which can lead to significant losses of polonium are partly demarcated.

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Acknowledgments

This study was carried out in the framework of the project No. MZP 0002071101 sponsored by the Czech Ministry of the Environment, internal grant of the Nuclear Physics Institute AS CR No. AV0Z 10480505 and by the Grant Agency AS CR (project No. IAAX00130801).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Physics Institute AS CR, Na Truhlarce 39/64, 180 86, Prague, Czech Republic

    I. Svetlik, L. Tomaskova & T. Novakova

  2. Water Research Institute, Nabrezie arm. gen. L. Svobodu 5, 812 49, Bratislava, Slovakia

    A. Belanova, M. Vrskova & J. Meresova

  3. T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute, Podbabska 30, 160 00, Prague, Czech Republic

    E. Hanslik & D. Ivanovova

Authors
  1. I. Svetlik
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  2. A. Belanova
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  3. M. Vrskova
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  4. E. Hanslik
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  5. D. Ivanovova
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  6. J. Meresova
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  7. L. Tomaskova
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  8. T. Novakova
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Correspondence to I. Svetlik.

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Svetlik, I., Belanova, A., Vrskova, M. et al. Volatility of 210Po in the gross alpha determination. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 286, 547–551 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-010-0755-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-010-0755-6

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