Efficient Sample Digestion Method for Uranium Determination in Soil using Microwave Digestion for Alpha Spectrometry

Alpha spectrometry has been typically used for determination of the uranium isotopes in soil. For a number of uranium analysis in soil samples, rapid sample digestion with limited quantities of mixed acid containing HF will give a contribution for effective management of uranium analysis. Microwave digestion system is evaluated for rapid sample digestion using reference uranium soil (IAEA-375 soil). For completion of 0.5 g of soil digestion by microwave, 3 ml of HF in a 10 ml of mixed acid is minimum requirement volume for completed soil digestion for 80 minutes. Microwave digestion is timely effective techniques for uranium measurement using alpha spectrometry compared to the other methods (open vessel digestion, closed vessel digestion) due to rapid sample digestion. In addition, it can be reduced the occurrence of hazardous substances by minimizing the amount of HF.