DETERMINATION OF TECHNETIUM IN SEA-WATER USING ION-EXCHANGE AND INDUCTIVELY-COUPLED PLASMA-MASS SPECTROMETRY WITH ULTRASONIC NEBULIZATION

An enrichment-separation scheme employing a strong-base type anion-exc hange resin was developed for the determination of Tc-99 in sea-water by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry utilising ultrasonic n ebulisation with membrane desolvation, Samples were processed through an anion-exchange column to enrich Te and to eliminate sea-water matri x ions. The limit of detection for Tc-99 in sea-water based on process ing a IJ mi sample was 0.03 ng l(-1). Accuracy was verified with spike recovery experiments. The potential for rapid on-line sample processi ng ria a microcolumn-flow injection system was demonstrated.