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Pre-concentration of short-lived radionuclides using manganese dioxide precipitation from surface waters

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Abstract

Rapid determination of 222Rn and 220Rn progeny (214Pb, 212Pb, 214Bi, 212Bi) is achievable using manganese dioxide (MnO2) precipitation with analysis by γ-spectrometry. This is of interest to environmental monitoring programmes that utilise gross activity methods to screen for anthropogenic radionuclides. The contribution from these naturally occurring radionuclides (NOR) varies, and is difficult to experimentally measure due to short half-lives (t ½ = 19.9 m–10.64 h) and low environmental activity (<0.1 Bq L−1). The extraction efficiency of the technique is above 90%, and above 80% for other nuclides (232Th, 238U, 235U, 228Ac, 226Ra, 224Ra, 210Pb, 54Mn). Short-lived NOR have been measured at two surface water locations, and indicates elevated 214Bi activity of 4.0 ± 1.1 Bq L−1.

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Acknowledgment

Thank you to the AWE Technical Outreach Programme for funding this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 4PR, UK

    J. L. Burnett

  2. University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK

    I. W. Croudace & P. E. Warwick

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  1. J. L. Burnett
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  2. I. W. Croudace
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  3. P. E. Warwick
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Correspondence to J. L. Burnett.

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Burnett, J.L., Croudace, I.W. & Warwick, P.E. Pre-concentration of short-lived radionuclides using manganese dioxide precipitation from surface waters. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 292, 25–28 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-011-1392-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-011-1392-4

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