Advances in alpha-spectrometry: Rapid low level analyses of transuranium nuclides in urine via actinide extraction
- 1. Paul Scherrer Inst. (PSI), Villigen (Switzerland)
- 2. EiChrom Industries Inc., Darien, IL (United States)
Description
A rapid and sensitive method was developed for simultaenous determination of Th, U and transuranium nuclides in human urine. The procedure is based on the extremely high sorption capacity of an actinide extractive resin for heavy isotopes (Z>90) and a simple preparation procedure for α-spectrometry. Separation of the actinides from the naturally present α-emitters 210Po and 226Ra is obtained automatically during sorption on the resin. Potential interferences of the α-peaks of 210Po and 226Ra-progenies with anthropogenic 238Pu, 239,240Pu and 241Am in the energy interval between 5.1-5.5 MeV are hence eliminated. The procedure can be carried out within hours and for counting times of about 8 hours and 0.5 l samples, low detection limits of, each 0.3 mBq/l can obtained for all transuranium nuclides. Application of this procedure was successful to determine the activities of the naturally occurring Th-nuclides 228Th and 230Th in urine. In long term measurements mean activity concentrations of 0.1-0.4 mBq/l (228Th) and 0.06-0.14 mBq/l (230Th) were obtained from 10 individuals. The 228Th/230Th isotope ratios of about 2 agree well with those recently obtained on fecal excretions. (orig.)
Abstract (German)
Eine sensitive Schnellmethode zur simultanen Bestimmung von Th, U und Transuranen (Pu, Am) im Urin wurde entwickelt. Die Prozedur basiert auf der sehr hohen Aufnahmekapazitaet eines Aktiniden-Extraktionsharzes fuer schwere Isotope mit Z>90 und einer einfachen Hestellung eines Messpraeparates fuer die α-Spektrometrie. Die Abtrennung der Aktiniden von den natuerlich vorkommenden α-Strahlern 226Ra und 210Po erfolgt ohne zusaetzlichen Aufwand bereits waehrend der Sorption auf dem Harz. Dadurch werden potentielle Interferenzen im α-Spektrum (im Energiebereich 5.1-5.5 MeV) von 210Po und 226Ra-Folgeprodukten mit den anthropogenen Radionukliden 238Pu, 239,240Pu und 241Am eliminiert. Die Prozedur kann innerhalb weniger Stunden durchgefuehrt werden und bei Messzeiten von ca. 8 Stunden und Verwendung von 0.5 l Probevolumen ergeben sich fuer alle Transurane sehr tiefe Nachweisgrenzen von je 0.3 mBq/l. Mit Hilfe dieser Analysenmethode gelang es, Aktivitaeten der natuerlich in Urin vorkommenden Th-Nuklide 238Th und 230Th nachzuweisen. Bei 10 Testpersonen wurden in Langzeitmessungen mittlere Aktivitaetskonzentrationen von 0.1-0.4 mBq/l (fuer 228Th) und 0.06-0.14 mBq/l (230Th) ermittelt. Die 228Th/230Th-Isotopenverhaeltnisse von ca. 3 stimmen gut mit kuerzlich publizierten Daten aus Stuhlanalysen ueberein. (orig.)Additional details
Additional titles
- Original title (German)
- Fortschritte in der Alpha-Spektrometrie: Schnelle Low-Level Analysen von Transuranen in Urin durch Aktinidenextraktion
Publishing Information
- Publisher
- TUeV-Verlag
- Imprint Place
- Koeln (Germany)
- ISBN
- 3-8249-0494-2
- Imprint Title
- Radioactivity in man and environment. Pt. 1
- Imprint Pagination
- 580 p.
- Series
- Publikationsreihe Fortschritte im Strahlenschutz
- Journal Page Range
- p. 171-176
- ISSN
- 1013-4506
Conference
- Title
- Radioactivity in man and environment and industrial exhibition
- Original Conference Title
- 30. Jahrestagung des Fachverbandes fuer Strahlenschutz e.V.: Radioaktivitaet in Mensch und Umwelt und Industrieausstellung
- Acronym
- 30. annual meeting of Fachverband fuer Strahlenschutz e.V.
- Dates
- 28 Sep - 2 Oct 1998
- Place
- Lindau (Germany)
INIS
- Country of Publication
- Germany
- Country of Input or Organization
- Germany
- INIS RN
- 30037263
- Subject category
- S63: RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGANISMS AND BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS; S61: RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY; S37: INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY;
- Resource subtype / Literary indicator
- Conference
- Descriptors DEI
- ACTINIDES; ALPHA SPECTROSCOPY; AMERICIUM 241; CONCENTRATION RATIO; EXCRETION; MAN; PERSONNEL MONITORING; PLUTONIUM 238; PLUTONIUM 239; PLUTONIUM 240; POLONIUM 210; QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS; RADIATION MONITORING; RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS; RADIUM 226; SENSITIVITY; THORIUM 228; THORIUM 230; TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS; URANIUM 234; URANIUM 238; URINE
- Descriptors DEC
- ACTINIDE NUCLEI; ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES; ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; AMERICIUM ISOTOPES; ANIMALS; BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS; BIOLOGICAL WASTES; BODY FLUIDS; CARBON 14 DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; CHEMICAL ANALYSIS; CLEARANCE; DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES; ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES; ELEMENTS; EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI; EVEN-ODD NUCLEI; HEAVY ION DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; HEAVY NUCLEI; ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES; ISOTOPES; KINETICS; MAGNESIUM 28 DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; MAMMALS; MATERIALS; METALS; MONITORING; NANOSEC LIVING RADIOISOTOPES; NEON 24 DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; NUCLEI; ODD-EVEN NUCLEI; PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES; POLONIUM ISOTOPES; PRIMATES; RADIATION MONITORING; RADIOISOTOPES; RADIUM ISOTOPES; SILICON 32 DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; SPECTROSCOPY; SPONTANEOUS FISSION RADIOISOTOPES; THORIUM ISOTOPES; URANIUM ISOTOPES; VERTEBRATES; WASTES; YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
Optional Information
- Notes
- Imprint:Radioaktivitaet in Mensch und Umwelt. Bd. 1
- Secondary number(s)
- FS--98-98-T