Possibility of rapid determination of low-level Sr-90 activity by combination of extraction chromatography separation and Cherenkov counting

The paper describes the examination of bonding of alkaline and alkaline-ear th elements from solutions of nitric, sulphuric, acetic and hydrochloric ac id on Sr.spec resin and their mutual separation. According to the obtained results, a procedure of isolation of Sr-90 from natural samples has been cr eated. It is shown that the strength of cation bonding depends on the acid applied and the solution composition. Chromatographic separation of stronti um from other cations is possible by means of nitric and sulphuric acids, w hile it is not possible with hydrochloric acid. Similarly, chromatographic separation of potassium from strontium and other elements is possible with 5 M nitric acid. The possibility of detection of Sr-90 on a low-level scint illation spectrometer by means of Cherenkov counting has been examined and the procedure of rapid determination in sediment and water samples has been created. The efficiency of a low-level scintillation spectrometer for Sr-9 0(Y-90) by means of Cherenkov counting has been determined. It has also bee n shown that it depends on the acid solution applied. The paper shows that Sr-90 can be determined by means of Cherenkov counting in water in the pres ence of low level activity of plutonium and americium. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc ience B.V. All rights reserved.