Rapid separation of plutonium in bioassay samples using solid extraction chromatography

In bioassay monitoring, Pu is chemically separated from the urine matrix by co-precipitation followed by ion exchange technique. In the case of special monitoring, analysis report inputs are required at the earliest. Hence, efforts are being made in Bioassay Laboratory, Trombay to reduce the overall analysis time. The present method requires one complete working day (7-8h) for separation and to reduce it, a procedure was standardized using solid extraction chromatography (TEVAresin, Eichrom Technologies). Further reduction in analysis time was achieved in source preparation for μ-spectrometry by carrying out LaF3 co-precipitation instead of electro-deposition. The present paper reports the method standardized and the average radiochemical yield obtained using TEVA resin and LaF3 micro-precipitation technique. In the present study, a truly rapid method was standardized in the present study which can be applied in routine as well as incident related monitoring of workers. The separation time is reduced by nearly 9-10 times as compared to that required in convention separation using ion exchange technique. The source formed by LaF3 micro-precipitation method though have a poor resolution as compared to those formed by electrodeposition, it is faster, extremely simple and not dependent on pH, current and the applied voltage