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Automatic sequential separation with an anion-exchange column for ultra-trace analysis of Pu, U, Th, Pb, and lanthanides in environmental samples

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Abstract

Sequential separation of 12 pg Pu and 50 ng of U, Pu, Th, Pb, and lanthanides in a calibration solution, with >93 % yield for the objective elements, was achieved within 6.3 h by an automatic system using a small anion-exchange column. The elements of interest in tree ring samples extracted from an 88-year-old pine tree were separated using this system, and 0.09 ng g−1 U was detected in the dry sample by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. This separation technique is useful for ultra-trace quantitative and isotopic analyses of elements in small environmental samples.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their thanks to Y. Takahashi, D. Suzuki and K. Kanazawa from the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) for preparing the ICP-MS and TIMS samples and measuring the Pu isotope ratios. This work was supported by financial aid from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan (Scientific Research (C), Grant No. 25340078).

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  1. Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), Tokai, Ibaraki, 319-1195, Japan

    Yutaka Miyamoto, Kenichiro Yasuda & Masaaki Magara

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  1. Yutaka Miyamoto
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  2. Kenichiro Yasuda
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  3. Masaaki Magara
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Correspondence to Yutaka Miyamoto.

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Miyamoto, Y., Yasuda, K. & Magara, M. Automatic sequential separation with an anion-exchange column for ultra-trace analysis of Pu, U, Th, Pb, and lanthanides in environmental samples. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 309, 303–308 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4837-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4837-y

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