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Analysis of IAEA environmental samples for plutonium and uranium by ICP/MS in support of international safeguards

  • Mass Spectrometric Methods for the Determination of Ultra Trace Actinides
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Abstract

A method for the separation and determination of total and isotopic uranium and plutonium by ICP/MS was developed for IAEA samples on cellulose-based media. Preparation of the IAEA samples involved a series of redox chemistries and separations using TRU® resin (Eichrom). The sample introduction system, an APEX nebulizer (Elemental Scientific, Inc.), provided enhanced nebulization for a several-fold increase in sensitivity and reduction in background. Application of mass bias (ALPHA) correction factors greatly improved the precision of the data. By combining the enhancements of chemical separation, instrumentation and data processing, detection levels for uranium and plutonium approached high attogram levels.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA, USA

    O. T. Farmer III, K. B. Olsen, M. L. Thomas & S. J. Garofoli

Authors
  1. O. T. Farmer III
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  2. K. B. Olsen
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  3. M. L. Thomas
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  4. S. J. Garofoli
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Correspondence to O. T. Farmer III.

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Farmer, O.T., Olsen, K.B., Thomas, M.L. et al. Analysis of IAEA environmental samples for plutonium and uranium by ICP/MS in support of international safeguards. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 276, 489–492 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-008-0531-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-008-0531-z

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