Soil Sample Dissolution Development by Ultrawave Digester, Followed by Isotopic Separation and Analysis
Abstract
The need for rapid nuclear assessment of radioactive contamination is being upgraded in readiness for reactor failure such as the recent Fukushima disaster or nuclear terrorism events. Current methods require large field samples and lengthy sample preparation and analysis time. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficiency of microwave-enhanced sample preparation methods for rapid sample decomposition, allowing chemical separations and spectrometry analyses. A unique new laboratory and potentially field- portable microwave unit, Milestones UltraWAVE Single Reaction Chamber microwave, has just become available for the accelerated mineral acid digestion of samples. Matrices to be tested included biological, botanical, sediment, and soil standards and standard reference materials (SRMs) and/or reference standards of each of these types and were chosen as examples. SRMs were obtained from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Gaithersburg, MD). Each SRM contains metals known to be radioactive and of nuclear interest. Plutonium, uranium, americium, and thorium were analyzed, along with other transition and rare earth metals, utilizing inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and/or alpha spectrometry, following digestion. For validation of the microwave protocol, radioactive contaminated samples of a Rocky Flats soil were chosen. This SRM was analyzed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in collaboration with Applied Isotope Technologies and Duquesne University. Rocky Flats soil originated from the Rocky Flats National Laboratory in Colorado, where the soil and surrounding vegetation were heavily contaminated from a series of industrial accidents that released radionuclides to the environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 09, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1030181
Entities
People
- H. M. Kingston
- Logan Miller
- Matt Pamuku