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Optimization of a radioanalytical procedure for the determination of uranium isotopes in environmental samples

  • Measurement of Radionuclides in Environmental Studies
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Abstract

A radiochemical procedure is described for the fast and sensitive measurement of uranium isotopes in gaseous and liquid effluents of nuclear facilities. Equally, this procedure is suitable to measure uranium isotopes in all kinds of environmental samples. Uranium is leached from ashed sample materials with HNO3, HF, and Al(NO3)3 solution and separated from matrix elements by extraction with trioctylphosphinic oxide and backextraction with NH4F. After radiochemical cleaning by coprecipitation with LaF3 and anion exchange, uranium isotopes are electroplated on stainless steel discs from HCl/oxalate solution. The preparation is measured by alpha-spectrometry using surface barrier detectors. The detection limit for 1000 minutes of counting time is 2 mBq per sample and nuclide, the chemical yield is in the range of 50 to 80%.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Safety Department, Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Center, Box 3640, D-7500, Karlsruhe, (Germany)

    M. Pimpl

  2. Korea Advanced Energy Research Institute, Daeduk-Danji, Daejon, (Korea)

    B. Yoo

  3. Institute of Soil Science and Agroecology, Bulgarian Academy of Agriculture, Sofia, (Bulgaria)

    I. Yordanova

Authors
  1. M. Pimpl
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  2. B. Yoo
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  3. I. Yordanova
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Pimpl, M., Yoo, B. & Yordanova, I. Optimization of a radioanalytical procedure for the determination of uranium isotopes in environmental samples. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles 161, 437–441 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02040490

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02040490

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