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Evaluation of a new generation quadrupole-based ICP-MS for uranium isotopic measurements in environmental samples

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

We compare the analytical performance of a modern quadrupole-based ICP-MS (“X-Series”, Thermo-Electron, Winsford, UK) with a single-collector double-focusing sector-field ICP-MS (“Axiom”, VG Elemental, Winsford, UK) for uranium isotopic measurements in environmental samples. We focus on the precision and accuracy obtained with both instruments for the 235U/238U isotopic ratios and on the abundance sensitivity that is a key parameter for low 236U/238U isotopic ratios measurements. We observe that isotopic measurements are more precise accurate with the “X-Series” than with the “Axiom”. Besides, we demonstrate that the “Axiom’s” higher abundance sensitivity limits its capability to measure 236U/238U ratio below a few ppm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, DAM-DIF/DASE/SRCE, P.O. Box 12, F-91680, Bruyères-le-Châtel, France

    F. Pointurier, A. Hubert, N. Baglan & P. Hémet

Authors
  1. F. Pointurier
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  2. A. Hubert
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  3. N. Baglan
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  4. P. Hémet
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Correspondence to F. Pointurier.

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Pointurier, F., Hubert, A., Baglan, N. et al. Evaluation of a new generation quadrupole-based ICP-MS for uranium isotopic measurements in environmental samples. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 276, 505–511 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-008-0534-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-008-0534-9

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