Determination of Sr 90 activity in water ion-exchange concentration

It appears that 90Sr can be used as a measure of the fission produce contamination of water. A very sensitive method of water analysis of 90Sr to 90Y using ion exchange concentration with selective elution of 90Y is described. Low-level techniques are employed to count the 90Y which reflects the concentration of 90Sr. Twenty-six liters of city tap water were concentrated and found to contain 3.10 + 0.21 x 10-4 dpm/m1 of 90Sr. If interferring activities are present, the 90Sr can be eluted, and radiochemical separation performed