Field method for detemining thorium-230 in soils

The US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Remedial Action and Waste Technology established the Technical Measurements Center at the DOE Grand Junction, Colorado, Projects Office to develop and/or recommend measurement methods for use in support of its remedial action programs. This report describes a field method for the determination of Th-230 in soils for remedial action projects. The method involves a cold acid digestion, organic extraction, and precipitation of Th-230 for counting by alpha spectrometry. An internal Th-228 spike is added early in the method to eliminate the need to determine losses through the separation steps. A step-by-step procedure is included in the report. The method requires a small portable or mobile laboratory equipped with electrical power and ventilation. All additional equipment is commercially available and no special equipment is required. Chemical wastes for each analysis are stored for appropriate disposal off site. A chemist or chemical technician can complete 15--30 analyses per day depending primarily on the number of alpha spectrometers available. 8 refs., 2 figs., 7 tabs