DOE RESL: CHEM-TP-SR.06: Sr-89 and Sr-90 in Liquid Radioactive Wastes or Waters by Beta Counting

Summary
Analytes
Revision
Data and Sites

Official Method Name

Sulfate Method for Sr-89 and Sr-90 in Liquid Radioactive Wastes or Waters

Current Revision

June 1999

Media

OTHER

Instrumentation

Beta Counter

Method Subcategory

Radiochemical

Method Source

DOE RESL

Citation

Dept. of Energy RESL Technical Procedure

Brief Method Summary

Strontium sulfate (SrSO₄) is precipitated and then dissolved in a EDTA solution. SrSO₄ is preferentially precipitated from EDTA and a lower pH. The sulfate precipitate is metathesized to a carbonate. After barium is separated as a chromate, the Sr is reprecipitated as a sulfate. Total radioactive Sr is determined by beta counting the SrSO₄. The strontium sample is then dissolved in EDTA and set aside for Y-90 ingrowth. After a suitable ingrowth period, Y-90 is separated and counted on Y₂(C₂O₄)₃ - 9H₂O. The Sr-90 is determined by beta counting its Y-90 daughter. Sr-89 is determined as the difference between total radioactive Sr and Sr-90.

Scope and Application

This procedure is applicable to samples that must be analyzed for Sr-89, 90 in liquid radioactive wastes or waters and for samples that must be decontaminated from Ba-140.

Applicable Concentration Range

None given.

Interferences

None given.

Quality Control Requirements

QC procedures based on internal laboratory requirements for radiochemical analysis.

Sample Handling

Procedure calls for the use of 10 M NaOH, Glacial acetic acid, 15 M NH₄OH, and 1.5 M Na₂CrO₄. Take proper precautionary measures. Use a fume hood, Wear gloves, safety glasses/face shield, and protective clothing.

Maximum Holding Time

None given.

Relative Cost

$51 to $200

Sample Preparation Methods

This method has 2 analytes associated with it.

Analyte	Detection Level	Bias	Precision	Pct False Positive	Pct False Negative	Spiking Level
Strontium-90(10098-97-2) 90Sr Sr-90 Strontium, isotope of mass 90 Strontium-90	N/A	90% Yield	0.20 % Sys. Unc.			0.40 Bq/L
Yttrium-90(10098-91-6) Y-90 Yttrium-90	N/A	95% Yield	0.20 % Sys. Unc.

Precision Descriptor Notes:	The yields ranged from 85-95% for Sr-90 and 90-100% for Y-90. Volumes of sample tested ranged from 0.010 to 0.4 L. Precision and accuracy are relative uncertainty values used in the calculation of Sr-89 and Sr-90.
Detection Level Note:	Counting efficiency for Sr-90 (SrSo₄) is 0.21, Y-90 (SrSO₄) is 0.44, Y-90 [Y₂(OX)₃] is 0.450 - 0.455, and Sr-89 (SrSO₄) is 0.39.

Revision	PDF/Link
June 1999

The Water Quality Portal contains sample results from sites that use this method.

Download WQP data

Select data:

Sites only
Sample results only

File format:

Comma-separated
Tab-separated
MS Excel 2007+

Sites where this method was used

Loading Sites ...

DOE RESL: CHEM-TP-SR.06: Sr-89 and Sr-90 in Liquid Radioactive Wastes or Waters by Beta Counting

WHO WE ARE

LEGAL