Combining X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and vibrational microscopy to assess highly heterogeneous, actinide-contaminated materials

Combining X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry with micro-Ra-man and infra red spectroscopies is shown to be a powerful experimental approach in provi ding information on components present in highly heterogeneous materials wh ich contain or have been in contact with actinides. In this initial study, the quantitative XRF data demonstrate a correlation in the relative amounts of plutonium with other elements such as strontium and yttrium. The XRF ma pping provides further evidence for correlation of these (and other) elemen ts and identifies regions of interest within the sample to be further studi ed. These regions were then examined by vibrational microscopy to supply in formation on molecular species present and their spatial distribution. This experimental approach provides insight into very complex samples and provi des a technique capable of exploring interactions of molecular components w ith actinides in complex media.