Standardization of rapid radiochemical separation method for ⁹⁰Sr analysis in sediment

In case of major nuclear accident leading to radioactivity release, ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs are the important long lived radionuclides of significance to the environment. In the present study, a rapid and reliable method using Solid Extraction Chromatography (SEC) was standardized for separation of Sr in soil samples for quick response to such emergency situations. For the purpose of standardization, the soil samples were spiked with known amount of stable Sr carrier and ⁹⁰Sr activity. The present paper discuss the studies carried out on the column capacity of SEC (Sr-spec resin), radiochemical as well as gravimetric yield of the procedure standardized and the effect of repetitive use of Sr-spec resin on its exchange capacity. The overall radiochemical recovery of the procedure (> 60%) was comparable to the gravimetric recovery and was found to reduce with the repetitive use. (author)