NONCONVENTIONAL MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES FOR THE DETERMINATION OF SOME LONG-LIVED RADIONUCLIDES PRODUCED IN NUCLEAR-FUEL A LITERATURE SURVEY

The results of a literature survey on non-radiometric analytical techn iques for the determination of long-lived radionuclides am described. The methods which have been considered are accelerator mass spectromet ry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, thermal ionization m ass spectrometry, resonance ionization spectrometry, resonance ionizat ion mas spectrometry and neutron activation analysis. Neutron activati on analysis has been commonly used for the determination of I-129 and Np-237 in environmental samples. Inductively coupled mass spectrometry seems likely to become the method of choice for the determination of Tc-99, Np-237 and Pu-isotopes. The methods are discussed and the chemi cal separation methods described.