A comparative study of some nuclear methods for235U/238U isotopic ratios determination

In the present work, a comparative study is made among nuclear methods for²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratios determination: activation analysis followed by high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry, delayed neutron counting, passive gamma-ray and alpha spectrometry. Activation analysis followed by high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry yielded a relative standard deviation down to 0.1% and a relative error of about 1% for standards of uranium enriched to 14%. Passive gamma-ray spectrometry using Ge(Li) detectors yielded a relative error down to 0.1% for enriched uranium and values even lower for the standard deviation. Passive gamma-ray spectrometry using Low Energy Photon Detector (LEPD) yielded a precision of 0.2% and a still better accuracy for enriched standards. In the case of alpha spectrometry, a relative error down to 0.5% and a precision of about 1% were obtained, also for enriched uranium standards. Delayed neutron counting allowed a relative standard deviation of about 7% and a relative error of about 2%, for standards of depleted uranium.     

Distribution and dynamics of radionuclides and stable elements in the coastal waters off Rokkasho Village, Japan, prior to the opening of a nuclear reprocessing facility

The suspended particles floating in the seawater have the ability to biologically, as well as physically adsorb radionuclides and other elements dissolved in seawater. We have studied the distribution and composition of suspended particles, as well as the state of eluted of radionuclides in the decomposition process, in the coastal waters off Rokkasho Village, where radionuclides will be discharged from a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in the near future.     

Distribution and dynamics of radionuclides and stable elements in the coastal waters off Rokkasho Village, Japan, prior to the opening of a nuclear reprocessing facility

A survey was conducted to determine the concentration levels of ³H, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, ^238,239+240Pu, and ^234,235,238U in seawater off Rokkasho Village, Japan, before the start-up of a nuclear-fuel reprocessing plant. The level, fluctuation range and distribution characteristics of each radionuclide was determined     

Temporal and spatial variations of <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs in the waters off a nuclear fuel reprocessing facility in Rokkasho,Aomori, Japan

Five survey cruises were carried out from 2004 to 2007 to determine ¹³⁷Cs concentrations in the water columns off Rokkasho Village, Aomori Prefecture, Japan, where the spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant of Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd has been undergoing test operation since March 2006. Seawater samples were collected with a large volume in situ filtration and concentration system at different depths in the water column. ¹³⁷Cs in particulate form could not be detected in the survey area. Dissolved ¹³⁷Cs showed temporal variation, especially in the surface water. Based on the results, it was concluded that no observable ¹³⁷Cs contamination was present in the investigated area. The distribution of ¹³⁷Cs concentrations was influenced by the mixing between the Tsugaru and Oyashio Currents.     

Distribution and dynamics of radionuclides and stable elements in the coastal waters off Rokkasho Village, Japan, prior to the opening of a nuclear reprocessing facility

A nuclear fuel reprocessing facility is currently under construction in Rokkasho Village, Aomori, Japan. After completion and start-up, this facility will discharge radionuclides into the Pacific Ocean through an outlet pipe set on the seafloor offshore. For future assessments of the stability of these radionuclides in the environment, a sufficient understanding of the behavior of radionuclides in this ocean ecosystem before the start-up of the facility is necessary. To understand the processes by which radionuclides and various other types of elements are eliminated from seawater, we measured the sedimentation flux of suspended particles in the coastal waters off Rokkasho Village where the sea emissions pipes will be placed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An evaluation of the delayed neutron counting method for simultaneous analysis of uranium and thorium and for235U/238U isotopic ratio determination

This paper describes an evaluation of activation analysis by delayed neutron counting to determine uranium and thorium simultaneously in geological materials and to measure²³⁵U/²³⁸U isotopic ratios. A procedure to isolate the thorium before the irradiation was studied and adapted for use when the interference of uranium makes the nondestructive thorium analysis impossible.²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratios were determined in standards with²³⁵U abundances from about 0.5 to 93%, in milligram size samples. Discussion on precision, accuracy and total error of the method is presented.From a thesis submitted by M. J. A. ARMELIN to the University of São Paulo in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Doctor of Science Degree in Nuclear Technology.     

On the depletion of235U and234U in commercially available uranium compounds: A survey using low energy γ-ray spectrometry

A survey of the situation regarding depletion of²³⁵U and²³⁴U in nine commercially available uranium compounds is reported. It was done by using a low energy -ray counting method, based on peak area ratio and dilute uranium solution. This survey shows that in Canada and USA there may be a large inventory of uranium compounds inadequately labelled regarding their isotopic composition; this situation is likely to be prevalent in many other countries.     

<Superscript>234</Superscript>U/<Superscript>238</Superscript>U and <Superscript>235</Superscript>U/<Superscript>238</Superscript>U ratios in domestic water from the environs of Obuasi mine in Ghana

Activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³⁵U and ²³⁴U were determined in different sources of drinking water at the Obuasi gold mines and its surrounding areas in Ghana. Water samples collected from the mines and its surrounding areas were analyzed using direct gamma-ray spectrometry and neutron activation analysis. The ²³⁴U/²³⁸U and ²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratios were calculated and the mean values range from 1.27 to 1.38 and from 0.044 to 0.045 respectively. The average ²³⁴U/²³⁸U ratio was from 1.27 for groundwater to 1.38 for treated water, demonstrating the lack of equilibrium. The average ²³⁵U/²³⁸U activity ratio is 0.045, indicating that only natural uranium was detected in the samples investigated.