Scientific article
OA Policy
English

Radiostrontium-90 (⁹⁰Sr) ultra-traces measurements by coupling ionic chromatography (HPIC) and on line liquid scintillation counting (OLLSC)

Published inEnvironmental monitoring and assessment, vol. 44, no. 1/3, p. 413-423
Publication date1997
Abstract

The important role of the beta emitter Strontium-90 in our environmental has been studied since the nuclear age. This long half-life isotope (28.1 years) is produced in a relatively high yield (5.8 % from Uranium-235) during the fission of heavy elements. It has been reported to be the major artificial source of internal irradiation of the human body. Its valence shell electron configuration is the same as Calcium and so this isotope is easily fixed in the bones. The classical analysis of this particular isotope requires several weeks since it produces Yttrium-90 which is also a beta emitter. We developed a new trace analysis method by coupling High Performance Ionic Chromatography (HPIC), to separate Strontium-90 from natural or power plant reactor water, and on-line liquid scintillation counting detector, measuring the beta emission of low concentration Strontium-90 before Yttrium-90 is formed in a significant amount. We report here some analysis parameters : HPIC setup, scintillation cocktail, window, counting efficiency, linearity, pre-concentration and detection limits. We were able to determine very low concentrations of Strontium-90. The minimum concentration detected without a pre-concentration system was 0.5 ppt from a 200 µL sample (6.3×10-12 mole/L). The analysis only requires a few hours.

Keywords
  • Liquid Scintillation
  • Reactor Water
  • Line Liquid
  • Scintillation Cocktail
  • Internal Irradiation
Citation (ISO format)
DESMARTIN, Philippe, KOPAJTIC, Zlatan, HAERDI, Werner. Radiostrontium-90 (⁹⁰Sr) ultra-traces measurements by coupling ionic chromatography (HPIC) and on line liquid scintillation counting (OLLSC). In: Environmental monitoring and assessment, 1997, vol. 44, n° 1/3, p. 413–423. doi: 10.1023/A:1005712218900
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Article (Published version)
Identifiers
Additional URL for this publicationhttp://link.springer.com/10.1023/A:1005712218900
Journal ISSN0167-6369
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163downloads

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