Separation of actinides, cesium and strontium from marine samples using extraction chromatography and sorbents

The development of radioanalytical methods for low level radionuclides in m arine environmental samples is presented. In particular, emphasis is placed on the introduction of extraction chromatography (EC) as a tool for improv ing the quality of results as well as reducing the analysis time. However, the advantageous application of EC often depends on the effective use of su itable preconcentration techniques, such as co-precipitation, to reduce the amount of matrix components which accompany the analytes of interest. On-g oing investigations in this field relevant to the determination of environm ental levels of actinides, Cs-137 and Sr-90 are discussed.