K. Bunzl et W. Kracke, EFFICIENT RADIOCHEMICAL SEPARATION FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PLUTONIUMIN ENVIRONMENTAL-SAMPLES, USING A SUPPORTED, HIGHLY SPECIFIC EXTRACTANT, Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry, 186(5), 1994, pp. 401-413
A radiochemical separation procedure has been developed for a very eff
icient isolation of plutonium from environmental samples. Essentially,
the method involves the following steps: ashing of the sample and pre
paration of the load solution; separation of plutonium by a column con
taining a commercially available, highly specific, supported extractan
t; electrodeposition of Pu and subsequent alpha-spectrometry. Detailed
procedures are reported for liver samples and for soil. The modificat
ions necessary for sample sizes above 5 g dry weight and up to 200 g a
re also given. Recoveries of added tracers are 60-70%. The precision o
f the method is <10% (RSD). The accuracy was examined by analyzing als
o certified standard reference materials. Due to the very efficient is
olation of Pu, the resulting alpha-spectrum is virtually free of inter
fering alpha-emitters of Th and U.