Ra. Boll et al., AN IMPROVED ACTINIDE SEPARATION METHOD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL-SAMPLES, Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry, 220(2), 1997, pp. 201-206
This paper presents a rapid method of separation of five actinide elem
ents (Th, U, Np, Pu, and Am) for aqueous media samples. This separatio
n method utilizes the unique chemistries of the actinides at low conce
ntrations(1,2) and the properties of the ElChroM TRU-Resin(TM) extract
ion resin. In order to cleanly recover the five actinides from aqueous
samples or solubilized soil samples, the sample is passed through the
column twice. The sample is first loaded in an HCl solution with hydr
ogen peroxide. This allows the Am and most matrix ions to pass through
the column. Then the Th is eluted using dilute HCl followed by the Np
and Pu which are eluted together with oxalic acid in dilute HCl solut
ion. Finally, the U is eluted with ammonium oxalate solution. A calciu
m-oxalate coprecipitation is performed on the original load solution c
ontaining the Am ions and the dissolved precipitate is then reloaded o
nto the TRU-Resin(TM) column in HNO3 with ascorbic acid. The procedure
requires approximately 1.5 working days for experienced technicians,
greatly reduces waste, and generally results in actinide recoveries of
80-100%.