Express determination of Sr-90 content in different objects with dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6)

The present method is worked out for 90Sr determination in objects of different origin, especially in agricultural production, cattle production, and food. The method may be applied to determine the 90Sr contamination of objects and territories, which were exposed to accidents at nuclear energy objects, buffer areas of NPP, and possible use of so called 'dirty' bombs. The principle of the method is based on chromatographic extraction of strontium from nitrate solutions followed by radiometric determination of 90Sr activity. A highly porous matrix of styrene-divinyl benzene in the form of beads ∝1 mm in diameter is used as a substrate to support the extractant, dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6) in tetrachloroethane, which is in the liquid state deep in the pores of the matrix. Dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 belongs to synthetic macrocyclic polyethers (so-called crown ethers) and has the ability to bind 90Sr with high selectivity so that 90Sr is extracted with 90-95% efficiency. (orig.)