Determination of uranium, thorium and plutonium - partition on ion exchangers

The problem is discussed of the separation of radium, thorium, uranium and plutonium on ion exchangers from solutions containing different compounds. Ion exchangers have wide uses in the analysis of environmental samples. A higher selectivity of separation on exchangers allows to determine these elements in one sample using a relatively smaller number of chemical operations than that needed for extraction. The disadvantage of ion exchange chromatography is its long time. The required reagents are available and following purification may be used for demanding separations. The problem area is discussed on the basis of 60 studies published in the first half of 1983. (B.S.)