Search

The development of analytical methods for environmental samples in Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) is discussed. An analysis scheme for environmental samples has been established with an MC-ICP-MS based bulk analysis with adopting UTEVA resin for chemical separation and a particle analysis using FT-TIMS and SIMS. A clean laboratory facility called CLASS (class 100~ class 1000) was also established in order to prevent any cross contamination of the samples. The amount of U and Pu in the process blank sample prepared in the CLASS facility was estimated as 20 pg and less than 0.005 pg, respectively. The control chart of the analytical performance for the uranium standard sample of 100 ppt (NBL U030) indicated that the analytical performance of KAERI in CLASS is within 5 % of the certified values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved bulk analysis based on extraction chromatography and systematic evaluations of uncertainties of plutonium isotopes at ultra-trace levels in environmental swipe samples are presented. In the modified method based on a single column system using UTEVA resin for MC-ICP-MS, hydrogen peroxide was introduced to obtain pure plutonium isotopes from chemical separation by removing excess organic-based reducing reagents. We confirmed that hydrogen peroxide effectively decomposed the reducing reagents characterized by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and the peak fluctuations were significantly reduced. To examine the reliability of analytical performance, we systematically evaluated the combined uncertainties during the overall chemical procedures using simulated samples containing Pu reference materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The technical strategies for determining 129I amount and isotope ratio of 129I/127I using TIMS, AMS, and ICP-MS are reviewed. • Standard materials for analyzing 129I amount and isotope ratio of 129I/127I when using mass spectrometric techniques are explained. • Applications of mass spectrometric techniques for the 129I amount and isotope ratio of 129I/127I are discussed. A long-lived radioisotope of iodine, 129I, is a fission product and is released into our environment by spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plants or nuclear accidents. The measurements pertaining to 129I are focused on evaluating the effects of using human-made nuclear fission products as environmental tracers and for monitoring samples from various types of matrices for regulating radioactive contaminants or radioactive waste repository safety. Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) have been applied to analyze 129I and the isotope ratio 129I/127I from the environment and food samples. The advantages of these techniques in determination of iodine are high sensitivity, reasonable analysis time, relatively simple sample preparation process, and applicability to a large number of samples. This review describes the technical strategies for quantifying 129I with the considerations of reducing the interference and matrix effect, decreasing the limit of detection, and availability of standard materials when using TIMS, AMS, and ICP-MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]