Low-temperature fusion using NH₄HF₂ for rapid determination of Pu isotopes by ICP-MS/MS. Application for marine sediments collected in Japanese coast

In this study, a green and rapid analytical method was developed for determination of Pu isotopes in marine sediment samples. The methods consisted of low temperature NH₄HF₂ fusion incorporated with procedure for CaF₂/LaF₃ co-precipitation, extraction chromatography and ICP-MS/MS measurement. The fusion procedure was done at 250℃ on a portable hot plate instead of in a cumbersome muffle furnace and took only 15 min. Chemical recoveries of Pu after completing the NH₄HF₂ fusion method and chromatographic separation for 0.5-1 g sample were approximately 90%. This fusion method was capable of releasing refractory Pu from samples. Additionally, because HF is not used in the NH₄HF₂ fusion method, a safer and greener alternative to HNO₃-HF digestion is realized for rapid Pu determination in marine sediments collected in Japanese coast after the Fukushima nuclear accident. (author)