Preconcentration and analysis of strontium-90 and technetium-99 from Hanford groundwater using solid phase extraction

Solid-phase extraction disks produced by 3M and Eichrom were evaluated for routine use in supporting the Hanford Groundwater Monitoring Project. Both disk formats contain Sr- or Tc-selective extractants, bound in a filter sup port, that act to preconcentrate and isolate the isotope of interest. The 3 M Empore(TM) Sr Rad Disks and Tc Rad Disks were tested with respect to prec ision, accuracy, radiochemical yields, interferences, and volume-load varia tion. The Empore(TM) and Eichrom solid-phase extraction disks were applied to the Sr-90 and/or Tc-99 determination in representative Hanford groundwat er samples with varying chemical and isotopic compositions. Results were co mpared to standard analytical methods. Both the Empore(TM) and Eichrom Tc e xtraction disks produced consistently higher radiochemical yields, lower de tection limits, and greater accuracy than the standard analysis method. The Empore(TM) Sr extraction disks produced comparable radiochemical yields, d etection limit, and accuracy relative to the standard method: however, tota l uncertainties were lower.