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Development of a standardized sequential extraction protocol for simultaneous extraction of multiple actinide elements

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry volume 312, pages 37–45 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Sequential extraction is a useful technique for assessing the potential to leach actinides from soils; however, current literature lacks uniformity in experimental details, making direct comparison of results impossible. This work continued development toward a standardized five-step sequential extraction protocol by analyzing extraction behaviors of 232Th, 238U, 239,240Pu and 241Am from lake and ocean sediment reference materials. Results produced a standardized procedure after creating more defined reaction conditions to improve method repeatability. A NaOH fusion procedure is recommended following sequential leaching for the complete dissolution of insoluble species.

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Acknowledgements

This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE- NA0000979 through the Nuclear Science and Security Consortium. This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or limited, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. The authors wish to thank Mary Turner for her continuous support in keeping the health physics laboratories fully operational, Julie Bertoia, Trevor Low, and Tom O’Dou for maintaining the radiochemistry laboratories and ensuring a safe working environment. A special thanks is owed to Dr. Kenneth G.W. Inn for providing reference materials and valuable feedback throughout the process of this work. Finally, this work could not have been achieved without the help of several students involved in the project: Brandon Georgetown, Briana Clanton, Holly Birdsall, Rosendo Borjas, Michael Huggins, Tu Anh Tran, and Francesca Hernandez.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiochemistry Program, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA

    Sherry A. Faye, Jason M. Richards, Athena M. Gallardo & Keri R. Campbell

  2. Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA

    Sherry A. Faye

  3. Chemical Diagnostics and Engineering, Chemistry Division C-CDE, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA

    Keri R. Campbell

  4. Department of Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, 1618 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA

    Ralf Sudowe

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  1. Sherry A. Faye
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  2. Jason M. Richards
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  3. Athena M. Gallardo
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  4. Keri R. Campbell
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  5. Ralf Sudowe
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Correspondence to Sherry A. Faye.

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Faye, S.A., Richards, J.M., Gallardo, A.M. et al. Development of a standardized sequential extraction protocol for simultaneous extraction of multiple actinide elements. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 312, 37–45 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5188-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5188-z

Keywords

  • Sequential extraction
  • Extraction chromatography
  • Actinide
  • NIST 4354
  • NIST 4357

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