Analyses of Pu in some natural matrix materials

Under the Supplementary Programme on Nuclear Safety of the International Atomic Energy Agency, analytical procedures are being developed for the reliable determination of various radionuclides in a wide range of materials. The isotopes of Pu are of particular interest because they are very important for a total dose assessment. The Agency's Laboratory at Seibersdorf is therefore developing and testing appropriate analytical methods for the determination of Pu in environmental samples such as vegetation and soil as well as in major food groups. A radiochemical procedure developed for the determination of Pu at Seibersdorf is described in the paper. The procedure was applied to three marine substances and one type of soil for the purpose of assessing its accuracy and reliability. Analytical results are presented for the activity concentrations of 238Pu and of total 239Pu and 240Pu in these natural matrix materials. Advantages, difficulties and limitations of the method are discussed. (author). 9 refs, 3 figs, 1 tab