DOE RESL: CHEM-TP-A.1: Actinides in Small Environmental Samples by Sequential Determination
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Official Method Name
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Actinides in Small Environmental Samples by Sequential Determination |
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Current Revision
| April 1999 |
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Media
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WATER |
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Instrumentation
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Alpha Spectrometer/Counter |
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Method Subcategory
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Radiochemical |
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Method Source
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Citation
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Brief Method Summary
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Soil and samples that contain silica are dissolved completely in potassium floride fusions. Water samples are evaporated almost to dryness and the residues are dissolved in pyrosulfate fusions. Samples that contain organic material are treated as small soil samples afterh the organic meterial has been oxidized. The actinides are separated from the bulk of the sample with barium sulfate. The barium sulfate is dissolved in alkaline EDTA and the actinides are precipitated as hydroxides. The actinides are separated from each other by coprecipitation with neodymium fluoride after adjusting their oxidation states. Each fraction is mounted on a 0.1 um membrane filter and counted in an alpha spectrometer. |
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Scope and Application
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This procedure determines the actinides in soil, water, filter papers, sludges, ores and various types of organic samples. It is also well suited for analyses of hazardous wastes. |
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Applicable Concentration Range
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None given. |
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Interferences
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(A) High calcium concentrations: Samples that contain high concentrations of calcium can cause severe chemical interferences. No radiochemical interferences are known. |
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Quality Control Requirements
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QC procedures based on internal laboratory requirements for radiochemical analysis. |
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Sample Handling
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Analysts performing this procedure must be familiar with precautions associated with perchloric acid work (RESL Procedure -TP-IH.6). |
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Maximum Holding Time
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None given. |
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Relative Cost
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$51 to $200 |
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Sample Preparation Methods
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None given. |
