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Polyatomic interferences on high precision uranium isotope ratio measurements by MC-ICP-MS: applications to environmental sampling for nuclear safeguards

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Abstract

Modern mass spectrometry and separation techniques have made measurement of major uranium isotope ratios a routine task; however accurate and precise measurement of the minor uranium isotopes remains a challenge as sample size decreases. One particular challenge is the presence of isobaric interferences and their impact on the accuracy of minor isotope 234U and 236U measurements. We present techniques used for routine U isotopic analysis of environmental nuclear safeguards samples and evaluate polyatomic interferences that negatively impact accuracy as well as methods to mitigate their impacts.

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Acknowledgments

The work presented in this manuscript was supported by the US National Nuclear Security Administration. Los Alamos National Laboratory, an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, for the National Nuclear Security Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy under contract DE-AC52-06NA25396. We would like to thank the handling editor and two anonymous reviewers for constructive comments that improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear and Radiochemistry, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS J514, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA

    Anthony D. Pollington, William S. Kinman, Susan K. Hanson & Robert E. Steiner

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  1. Anthony D. Pollington
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  2. William S. Kinman
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  3. Susan K. Hanson
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  4. Robert E. Steiner
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Correspondence to Anthony D. Pollington.

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Pollington, A.D., Kinman, W.S., Hanson, S.K. et al. Polyatomic interferences on high precision uranium isotope ratio measurements by MC-ICP-MS: applications to environmental sampling for nuclear safeguards. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 307, 2109–2115 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4419-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4419-4

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