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Influence of extraction process on Cs isotope ratios for Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident-contaminated soil

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Abstract

The influence of extraction process on Cs isotope ratios was investigated by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) for nitric-acid (HNO3) treatments of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident-contaminated soil samples. In contrast to the consistent TIMS results for conc. HNO3 treatments at 90–200 °C, dilute HNO3 treatment provided a statistically significant 3.0‰-higher 135Cs/137Cs average isotope ratio than the conc. HNO3 treatment conducted at the same temperature. The higher isotope ratio is caused by a specific extraction process making detectable the deviated distribution of Cs isotopes in clay minerals or leading to matrix effects responsible for instrumental mass bias.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Prof. Takeshi Ohno from Gakushuin University for his advice on ICP-MS/MS measurement conditions. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Taichi Yamashita and Drs. Yasuhiko Fujii and Zenko Yoshida for great support and helpful advice in carrying out this research. This research is partially supported by "Support for Tokyo Tech Advanced Researchers (STAR) from Tokyo Institute of Technology".

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Regulatory Standard and Research Department, Secretariat of Nuclear Regulation Authority (S/NRA/R), 1-9-9, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-8450, Japan

    Hiroaki Takahashi

  2. Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-N1-6 O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan

    Ki Chul Park, Masao Nomura & Takehiko Tsukahara

  3. Engineering Research and Development Center, ATOX Co., Ltd., 1201 Takada, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0861, Japan

    Hiroki Shibahara, Hanako Miura, Yukiko Ohishi & Mami Yuki

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  1. Hiroaki Takahashi
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Takahashi, H., Park, K.C., Nomura, M. et al. Influence of extraction process on Cs isotope ratios for Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident-contaminated soil. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 329, 327–336 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-07760-6

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