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Evaluation of methods for the assay of neptunium and other long-lived actinides in environmental matrices

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Abstract

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and neutron activation analysis (NAA) have been investigated as alternatives to alpha-spectrometry for the low-level determination of237Np and other actinides in environmental matrices. ICP-MS in particular, has been shown here to offer suitable sensitivity, precision and accuracy compared to the other techniques, with considerably faster sample throughput relative to radiometric and activation approaches. Added advantages of ICP-MS are found to include the abilities to determine other long-lived actinides simultaneously and to quantify239Pu:240Pu ratios. The neutron activation analysis approach was found to be particularly prone to interference especially from uranium nuclides.

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Author notes

  1. A. S. Hursthouse

    Present address: Department of Chemistry, Paisley College, High Street, PA1 2BE, Paisley, Renfrewshire, UK

  2. M. S. Baxter

    Present address: I. A. E. A. International Laboratory of Marine Radioactivity, 19 Av Des Castellans, MC 98000, Monaco

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Scottish Universities Research and Reactor Centre, East Kilbride, G75 0QU, Glasgow, UK

    A. S. Hursthouse, M. S. Baxter & K. McKay

  2. Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (Merlewood), LA11 6JU, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, UK

    F. R. Livens

Authors
  1. A. S. Hursthouse
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  2. M. S. Baxter
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  3. K. McKay
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  4. F. R. Livens
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Hursthouse, A.S., Baxter, M.S., McKay, K. et al. Evaluation of methods for the assay of neptunium and other long-lived actinides in environmental matrices. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles 157, 281–294 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02047443

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02047443

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