DEVELOPMENT OF A SO-CALLED HOUR METHOD FOR ANALYSIS OF PLUTONIUM IN SOIL SAMPLES

Following the definition from the International Atomic Energy Agency, a so-called hour method is that which needs six hours time interval fr om the sample solution preparation to the data evaluation. Two alterna tive procedures to be applied to soil samples were studied. One based on LaF3 precipitation and ion-exchange and and her on extraction chrom atography with TOPO/Silicagel. Both methods gave good results in terms of accuracy, chemical yield and time requirement, but the extraction chromatographic procedure is recommended because it involves fewer ste ps.