Automatized determination of U, Am and Pu

This work describes the implementation of automatized separation methods for the determination of uranium, and simultaneous determination of americium and plutonium, respectively, in water samples by alpha ray spectrometry. Either method should be a procedure suitable for low-level determinations in routine analysis. Starting from proven methods for determination of actinides in urine samples by using TRISKEM DGA resins ''normal'' (n) or ''branched'' (b) it was investigated whether they could be applied to water samples when using the self-constructed automated column system Multi TSM. Selected separation methods were applied to deionized water and tap water samples. Suitability of the methods even in the presence of larger amounts of solutes was tested by investigating water samples taken from several ponds. Finally, the method was qualified by determination of a water sample from an interlaboratory comparison to analyze americium and plutonium. Radiochemical yields were determined by addition of respective tracer radionuclides before sample preparation.