Sensitive U/U Isotopic Analysis of Trace Uranium in Safeguards Environmental Samples Using Multicollector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.

A sensitive analytical technique was developed for determining a 10 level low U/U ratio using multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. This analytical technique can determine the subnanogram amount of uranium in safeguards environmental samples. To increase the sensitivity of the U/U ratio, (1) the feed solution was concentrated to one-tenth of that in the conventional method and (2) data acquisition was started from the beginning of the solution uptake until all of the solution was exhausted.

Microbially formed Mn(IV) oxide as a novel adsorbent for removal of Radium.

Radioactivity of Ra isotopes in natural waters is of serious concern. Control of Ra concentrations in tailings ponds, which store waste from U ore extraction processes, is an important issue in mill tailings management. In this study, we tested microbially formed Mn(IV) oxide as an adsorbent for removal of Ra in water treatment.

Rapid analytical method of Sr in urine sample: Rapid separation of Sr by phosphate co-precipitation and extraction chromatography, followed by determination by triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS).

A rapid analytical method for determining Sr in urine samples (1-2 L) was developed to assess the internal exposure of workers in a radiological emergency. Strontium in a urine sample was rapidly separated by phosphate co-precipitation, followed by extraction chromatography, and the Sr activity was determined by triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS). Measurement in the MS/MS mode with an O reaction gas flow rate 1 mL min showed no tailing of Sr at m/z = 90 up to 50 mg L Sr.

Determination of low-level radiostrontium, with emphasis on in situ pre-concentration of Sr from large volume of freshwater sample using Powdex resin.

An improved analytical method was developed for determining of low levels of radiostrontium in environmental freshwater samples. Emphasis was placed to the in situ pre-concentration of radiostrontium with Powdex resin in large volumes (100-300 L) of freshwater samples from many locations without using of deleterious substances such as NaOH and mineral acids. Measuring electric conductivity (EC) of water samples enabled the estimation of the amount of Powdex resin required for quantitative recovery of Sr from the large water samples in the field.

Radium isotopes ((226)Ra and (228)Ra) in Na-Cl type groundwaters from Tohoku District (Aomori, Akita and Yamagata Prefectures) in Japan.

A total of 28 Na-Cl type groundwater samples were collected from Aomori, Akita and Yamagata Prefectures, in the Tohoku District of Japan, and their radium isotope ((226)Ra and (228)Ra) concentrations were measured along with their chemical components and stable isotope ratios (δ(2)H and δ(18)Os). The (226)Ra concentrations in groundwater samples varied widely, ranging from 8.8 to 1587 mBq kg(-1).