Determination of Pu, Am, U, Th and Sr in marine sediment by extraction chromatography

Three separation methods for the determination of Pu, Am, U, Th and Sr in m arine sediment samples based on extraction chromatography are presented. Th e samples were attacked using an open focused microwave system and the radi onuclides were then separated using commercially available resins (TRU Spec , U/TEVA Spec and Sr Spec). The separation methods were tested with synthet ic sample solutions containing the five radionuclides with and without inte rference. To validate the methods, they were also applied to a sediment ref erence material (IAEA-135). Finally, two of the methods were applied to two sediment samples from the Mediterranean coast of northeast Spain. All the actinides were measured by alpha spectrometry, and Sr-90 activity w as measured using a liquid scintillation counter. While the recovery of U and Sr was satisfactory in all cases, with values h igher than 50 and 75%, respectively, recovery of Pu and Am was more variabl e and depended on the sample matrix and separation method applied. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.