Fast methods for determination of antropogenic actinides and U/Th-series isotopes in aqueous samples.

Rapid and simple methods are applied at the PSI radioanalytical laboratory for determining anthropogenic actinides in waste and nuclear reactor waters (U, Pu, Am, Cm) as well as for analysis of naturally occurring alpha-emitters in continental river and ground water. Anion exchange chromatography followed by alpha-spectrometry as well as alpha/beta-LSC is applied for the reactor coolant waters. To avoid alpha-spectrum interference between 238Pu and 241Am at 5.

Separation and measurement techniques for the determination of 228Th, 230Th and 232Th in various matrices.

Three analytical techniques are presented which are used at PSI for determination of U and Th isotopes (234U, 235U, 238U, 228Th, 230Th, 232Th) in different materials, i.e. environmental samples (soils, minerals) and dental ceramics as well as in urine for in vitro monitoring of potentially exposed workers.

228Ra/226Ra/224Ra and 87Sr/86Sr isotope relationships for determining interactions between ground and river water in the upper Rhine valley.

Ground and river waters of the upper Rhine valley (Alsace, France) were investigated for chemical composition of the major elements, Sr isotopes and radionuclides from the U and Th series. In particular, the isotope ratios and concentrations of Ra and Sr were used as geochemical tracers to distinguish between different types of water and their interactions. The bulk chemical analyses suggest that the surface waters in the Rhine valley can be described as mixtures between Ca-Na-HCO3-rich ground water and less mineralized slightly acidic river waters which have migrated through crystalline (mainly granitic) basement rocks of the Vosges mountains.

Determination of 228Ra, 226Ra and 224Ra in natural water via adsorption on MnO2-coated discs.

A fast procedure based on sorption of Ra on MnO2 coated polyamide discs is presented for determination of radium isotopes (i.e. 228Ra, 226Ra, 224Ra) in aqueous samples.