Systematic radiochemical separation for the determination of <Superscript>99</Superscript>Tc, <Superscript>90</Superscript>Sr, <Superscript>94</Superscript>Nb, <Superscript>55</Superscript>Fe and <Superscript>59,63</Superscript>Ni in low and intermediate radioactive waste samples

A simple and rapid separation procedure was systemized for the determination of ⁹⁹Tc, ⁹⁰Sr, ⁹⁴Nb, ⁵⁵Fe and ^59,63Ni in low and intermediate level radioactive wastes. The integrated procedure involves precipitation, anion exchange and extraction chromatography for the separation and purification of individual radionuclide from sample matrix elements and from other radionuclides. After separating Re (as a surrogate of ⁹⁹Tc) on an anion change resin column, Sr, Nb, Fe and Ni were sequentially separated as follows; Sr was separated as Sr (Ca-oxalate) co-precipitates from Nb, Fe and Ni followed by purification using Sr-Spec extraction chromatographic resin. Nb was separated from Fe and Ni by anion exchange chromatography. Fe was separated from Ni by anion exchange chromatography. Ni was separated as Ni-dimethylglyoxime precipitates after the removal of ^134,137Cs and ^110mAg by Cs-phosphotungstate and AgCl precipitation, respectively. Finally, the radionuclide sources were prepared by precipitation for their radioactivity measurements. The reliability of the procedure was evaluated by measuring the recovery of chemical carriers added to a synthetic radioactive waste solution.     

Determination of <Superscript>129</Superscript>I using volatilization method and liquid scintillation spectrometry

A simple and rapid separation method for ¹²⁹I determination in radioactive waste samples was developed. Suitable conditions for iodine volatilization were tested. Iodine was trapped in 1.5 mol L^?1 NaOH and precipitated as PdI₂·H₂O by addition of PdCl₂ with recoveries higher than 80%. The method was applied for analysis of contaminated soil, radioactive sludge, evaporator concentrate and heterogeneous waste samples from nuclear power plants in Slovak Republic. ¹²⁹I was measured on liquid scintillation counter TRI CARB 2900 TR using Ultima Gold AB scintillation cocktail.     

Bioaccumulation of <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs and <Superscript>60</Superscript>Co by bacteria isolated from spent nuclear fuel pools

This paper is focused on a characterization of bacterial contamination in pool water of the interim spent fuel storage (JAVYS Inc.) in Slovak Republic and on bioaccumulation of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁶⁰Co by isolated bacteria. Bacterial community in pool water is kept on very low level by extremely low concentration of solutes in deionized water and by the efficient water filtration system. Based on standard methods and sequencing of 16S rDNA four pure bacterial cultures were identified as Kocuria palustris, Micrococcus luteus, Ochrobactrum spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Isolated aerobic bacteria were able to bioaccumulate ¹³⁷Cs and ⁶⁰Co in laboratory experiments. The mechanism of Co and Cs binding involve rapid interactions with anionic groups of the components of cell surface and in the case of Cs⁺ ions is followed by transport processes across cytoplasm membranes and by intracellular distribution. The maximum specific uptake of Cs⁺ after 48 h cultivation in mineral medium (MM) reached 7.54 ± 0.48 μmol g^?1 dw (Ochrobactrum spp.), 19.6 ± 0.1 μmol g^?1 dw (M. luteus) and 20.1 ± 2.2 μmol g^?1 dw (K. palustris). The maximum specific uptake of Co²⁺ after 24 h cultivation in MM reached 31.1 ± 3.5 μmol g^?1 dw (Ochrobactrum spp.), 86.6 ± 12.2 μmol g^?1 dw (M. luteus) and 16.9 ± 1.2 μmol g^?1 dw (K. palustris). These results suggest that due to the long lasting uptake of ¹³⁷Cs, ⁶⁰Co and other radionuclides by biofilm in pool water high specific radioactivities (Bq m^?2) can be expected on stainless steel walls of pools.     

Feasibility study of an analytical method for detecting <Superscript>90</Superscript>Sr in soil using DGA resin and Sr resin

This study investigated an analytical method for detecting ⁹⁰Sr in soil samples for the routine monitoring of environmental radioactivity. Mineral acid leaching and fusion methods were first used to digest the soil sample, and the analytical results were compared. DGA resin was employed to separate ⁹⁰Y, being a daughter of ⁹⁰Sr. Then, ⁹⁰Y was analyzed by liquid scintillation counter (LSC). These analytical results were compared with those obtained using Sr resin, which is a well-known, simple and reliable separation method. With the DGA resin approach a minimum detectable activity of ~0.28 Bq kg^?1 was detected in a 50 g sample, with 180 min of counting time, 70% recovery and ~97% counting efficiency using a LSC.     

Atmospheric deposition fluxes of <Superscript>7</Superscript>Be, <Superscript>210</Superscript>Pb and <Superscript>210</Superscript>Po at Xiamen,China

The atmospheric deposition fluxes of ⁷Be, ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po at Xiamen were measured. The samples were collected from March 2004 to April 2005 and the sampling period was one month. The ⁷Be and ²¹⁰Pb activity were measured using HPGe γ-spectrometer after concentration using Fe(OH)₃ co-precipitation method. The ²¹⁰Po was counted with an α-spectrometer after the sample was digested and spontaneous plated onto a silver planchet. At Xiamen, the atmospheric deposition fluxes of ⁷Be varied between 0.11 and 2.93 Bq·m⁻²·d⁻¹ and the average was 1.64 Bq·m⁻²·d⁻¹; ²¹⁰Pb fluxes varied between 0.04 and 0.85 Bq·m⁻²·d⁻¹, and the average was 0.51 Bq·m⁻²·d⁻¹; ²¹⁰Po fluxes varied between 0.002 and 0.133 Bq·m⁻²·d⁻¹, and the average was 0.061 Bq·m⁻²·d⁻¹. There were positive correlations between the deposition fluxes of ⁷Be, ²¹⁰Pb or ²¹⁰Po and the amount of precipitation. The residence time of aerosols varied between 6.0 and 54.0 days with a mean of 27.1 days, which were calculated by ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb fluxes ratios.     

Determination of <Superscript>59</Superscript>Ni in radioactive waste

Composite material PAN-DMG, containing chelating agent dimethylglyoxime (DMG) immobilized in porous matrix of binding polymer polyacrylonitrile (PAN), was used for nickel separation and concentration. Method for preparation of ⁵⁹Ni source for low energy photon spectrometry was developed using homogeneous precipitation of nickel with DMG. The proposed method was tested with two types of real radioactive waste (boric acid concentrate from nuclear power plant (NPP) evaporator and spent ion exchanger from NPP).     

Sequential separation of <Superscript>99</Superscript>Tc, <Superscript>94</Superscript>Nb, <Superscript>55</Superscript>Fe, <Superscript>90</Superscript>Sr and <Superscript>59/63</Superscript>Ni from radioactive wastes

A sequential separation procedure has been developed for the determination of ⁹⁹Tc, ⁹⁴Nb, ⁵⁵Fe, ⁹⁰Sr and ^59/63Ni in various radioactive wastes generated from nuclear power plants. Ion exchange and extraction chromatography were adopted for individual separation of the radionuclides. Precipitation was supplementarily utilized for both purification of the individual radionuclides and preparation of the radionuclide sources for use in a radioactivity measurement. The chromatographic separation behavior of the radionuclides both from the sample matrix metals and from one another was investigated using stable metals, Re (as a surrogate of ⁹⁹Tc), Nb, Fe, Sr and Ni. The validity of the procedure for reliability and applicability was evaluated by measuring the recovery of the metal carriers added to synthetic radioactive waste solutions. The recoveries by the chromatographic separation were in the range of 84.8 to 102.2% with 2s of less than 8.6%, the recoveries by the precipitation being in the range of 84.3 to 97.3% with 2s of less than 10.9%.     

Use of the Sorben-Tec system for rapid dosimetric evaluation of <Superscript>222</Superscript>Rn level in drinking water

The Sorben-Tec system was tested for rapid dosimetric evaluation of ²²²Rn level in drinking water in domestic conditions using a dosimeter of beta radiometer as a measurement equipment. It was shown that the method is cheap, rapid and very simple, therefore it can be used by population for rapid radiation safety assessment of drinking water. The sorption-active Sorben-Tec system contains iron hexacyanoferrate allowing for separation of approximately 40% of both ²¹⁴Pb and ²¹⁴Bi, the short-lived decay products of ²²²Rn from 5 L water sample. It was assessed that the Sorben-Tec system provides detection limits of radon in 5 L water samples of 35–40 and 10 Bq L^?1 for dosimetric and radiometric measurements respectively. The total time consumption of analysis does not exceed 1 h excluding the time for ²¹⁴Pb and ²¹⁴Bi ingrowth in the water sample (min. 3 h). Due to an insignificant sorption of radon, it is possible to reuse spent Sorben-Tec system again 3–4 h after previous analysis.     

Plutonium concentration and <Superscript>240</Superscript>Pu/<Superscript>239</Superscript>Pu isotopic ratio in the surface soils from the Jiuquan region in northwestern China

Surface soil samples collected in the Jiuquan region in the downwind area of the Chinese nuclear test site (CNTs) were analyzed for Pu isotopes. The ^239+240Pu activities ranged from 0.025 ± 0.009 to 0.89 ± 0.16 mBq g^?1, varying significantly with different sampling sites. The Dunhuang city that is located in the southwestern part of the Jiuquan region received the heaviest Pu deposition (^239+240Pu activities, 0.23–0.89 mBq g^?1). Most of the ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu isotopic ratios were similar with that of the global fallout. However, the low values (0.080–0.147) observed in three sampling sites further supported the finding of Pu originated from CNTs in that region.     

Separation and determination of <Superscript>90</Superscript>Sr in low- and intermediate-level radioactive wastes using extraction chromatography and LSC

A methodology for the determination of ⁹⁰Sr in low- and intermediate-level radioactive wastes from nuclear power plants is presented in this work. It is a part of a methodology developed for the sequential radiochemical separation of radionuclides difficult-to-measure directly by gamma spectrometry in these radioactive wastes. The separation procedure was carried out using precipitation and extraction chromatography with Sr Resin, from Eichrom and the ⁹⁰Sr was measured by liquid scintillation counting (LSC). Optimum conditions for the pretreatment, separation and LSC measurements were determined using simulated samples, which were prepared using standard solutions and carriers. The procedure showed to be rapid and achieved a good chemical yield, in the range 60–90%, and a detection limit of 6.0 × 10⁻⁴ Bq g⁻¹. The method was also tested by participation in a national intercomparison program, with aqueous samples, with good agreement of results.     

Layered LiNi<Subscript>0.80</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.15</Subscript>Al<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> as cathode material for hybrid Li<Superscript>+</Superscript>/Na<Superscript>+</Superscript> batteries

LiNi_0.80Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ (NCA) is explored to be applied in a hybrid Li⁺/Na⁺ battery for the first time. The cell is constructed with NCA as the positive electrode, sodium metal as the negative electrode, and 1 M NaClO₄ solution as the electrolyte. It is found that during electrochemical cycling both Na⁺ and Li⁺ ions are reversibly intercalated into/de-intercalated from NCA crystal lattice. The detailed electrochemical process is systematically investigated by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, ex situ X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic cycling, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The NCA cathode can deliver initially a high capacity up to 174 mAh g^?1 and 95% coulombic efficiency under 0.1 C (1 C?=?120 mA g^?1) current rate between 1.5–4.1 V. It also shows excellent rate capability that reaches 92 mAh g^?1 at 10 C. Furthermore, this hybrid battery displays superior long-term cycle life with a capacity retention of 81% after 300 cycles in the voltage range from 2.0 to 4.0 V, offering a promising application in energy storage.     

A new calix[4]arene Schiff base sensor for Hg<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Au<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

This article reports the selective sensing ability of a newly synthesized calix[4]arene Schiff base (C4TSB) derivative. C4TSB exhibited strong turn-off fluorescence affinity for Hg²⁺ and Au³⁺. The selective sensing ability of receptor was investigated in the presence of different co-existing competing ions. The limit of detection for Hg²⁺ and Au³⁺ was determined as 1.9 × 10^?5 and 1.0 × 10^?6 M, respectively. Receptor forms 1:1 stoichiometric complex with both metals and their binding constants were calculated as 7.9 × 10³ M^?1 for Hg²⁺ and 5.7 × 10³ M^?1 for Au³⁺. Complexes were also characterized through FT-IR spectroscopy.     

Atmospheric depositional fluxes of cosmogenic <Superscript>32</Superscript>P, <Superscript>33</Superscript>P and <Superscript>7</Superscript>Be in the Sevastopol region

⁹⁰Y was separated from ⁹⁰Sr using an extraction chromatographic resin consisting of 4, 4′(5′)-bis-t-butylcyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH₁₈C₆), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) amide (C₂mimNTf₂), and a polymer (Amberlite XAD-7). Ionic liquid was introduced into the column to improve the separation efficiency. The column showed an excellent performance for the separation of Y from Sr. After the separation, the ratio of ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y was <2.0 × 10^?5; the column was recycled for >18 times. This study provides preliminary results on columns to produce ⁹⁰Y with a high purity in radiopharmaceuticals.     

Measurement of activity concentration of primordial radionuclides in soil samples from Thirthahalli taluk and the assessment of resulting radiation dose

The activity concentration of primordial radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K in soil samples of Thirthahalli taluk were measured systematically by using a low background HPGe detector coupled to 16 K MCA. The measured activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra lies between 5.1?±?0.2 and 79.5?±?1.7 Bq kg^?1with an average activity of 25.99 Bq kg^?1, ²³²Th ranges from 5.1?±?0.3 to 95.3?±?2.2 Bq kg^?1with an average activity of 33.60 Bq kg^?1and that of ⁴⁰K varies from 18.3?±?1.5 to 833.4?±?17.5 Bq kg^?1with an average activity of 175.52 Bq kg^?1. Higher concentration of these radionuclides were found in the soil samples where the regional geology is granites. The consequential gamma dose and the corresponding radiation hazard was also estimated and is found to be within the permissible limits. The possible radiological impact on the public was also determined and these results are presented in this paper.     

The Sorben-Tec system for rapid dosimetric evaluation of <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs in drinking water

The Sorben-Tec system was developed for rapid evaluation of ¹³⁷Cs in drinking water using a domestic personal dosimeter or beta-radiometer. Linear calibration curves were obtained for dosimetric and beta-radiometric measurement of caesium. In case of 20 L drinking water sample, detection limits of ¹³⁷Cs were found to be 12.3 and 2.0 Bq L^?1 for dosimetric and beta-radiometric measurement respectively. This system is recommended for using by non-professionals who are living at radioactively contaminated areas or near nuclear power plants.     

Extraction of cesium in seawater off Japan using AMP-PAN resin and quantification via gamma spectroscopy and inductively coupled mass spectrometry

The March 2011 earthquake off the Japanese coast and subsequent tsunami that devastated the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant resulted in the largest accidental release of cesium 137 and 134 to the oceans. Seawater samples were collected in June 2011 from 30 to 600 km off the coast of Japan as part of initial mapping of the spread of contamination in the ocean. Cesium was extracted from unfiltered and filtered (<1.0 μm) seawater using an absorber based upon an organic polymer polyacrylonitrile (PAN) containing ammonium molybdophosphate (AMP) Sebesta and Stefula (J Radioanal Nucl Chem 140:15–21, 1990). The AMP-PAN resin can be counted directly using gamma spectroscopy for ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs. Stable ¹³³Cs was added to evaluate extraction efficiency and quantified by ICP-MS. Our 5 mL AMP-PAN resin column was on average 95 % efficient in the removal of cesium from 20 L samples at an average flow rate of 35 mL min^?1. Measured activities of ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs ranged from a few Bq m^?3 to >300 Bq m^?3. The extraction column can be adapted to different sample volumes and easily used in the field.     

Novel 1,8-naphthalimide dye for multichannel sensing of H<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>

A novel 1,8-naphthalimide dye with simple structure has been produced by a facile synthetic method for colorimetric and fluorescent sensing of H⁺ and Cu²⁺. In CH₃CN/H₂O (1/1, v/v), the dye could monitor H⁺ using dual channels (ratiometric absorbance and fluorescence intensity change) from pH 6.2 to 12.0. Meanwhile, in the pH range of 1.9–5.2, the dye could also be used to detect Cu²⁺ using triple channels [ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption, fluorescence intensity reduction, as well as fluorescence blueshift]. The detection limits for Cu²⁺ evaluated by colorimetric and fluorescent titration were 6.10 × 10^?7 and 2.62 × 10^?7 M, respectively. The dye exhibited specific selectivity and sensitivity for H⁺ and Cu²⁺ over various coexisting metal ions. Moreover, the sensing mechanism of the dye for H⁺ and Cu²⁺ was carefully examined.     

<Superscript>40</Superscript>K activities and potassium concentrations in tobacco samples of Mexican cigarettes

Nine brands of tobacco cigarettes manufactured and distributed in the Mexican market were analyzed by γ-spectrometry to certify their non-artificial radioactive contamination. Since natural occurring radioactive materials (NORM) ⁴⁰K, ²³²Th, ²³⁵U, and ²³⁹U (and decay products from the latter three nuclides) are the main sources for human radiation exposure, the aim of this work was to determine the activity of ⁴⁰K and potassium concentration. Averages of ⁴⁰K and potassium concentration were of 1.29±0.18 Bq·g⁻¹, and 4.0±0.57%. The annual dose equivalents to the whole body from ingestion and inhalation of 26 Bq ⁴⁰K were 0.23 μSv and 15.8 μSv, respectively. The corresponding 50 years committed dose equivalents was 0.23 μSv. The total committed dose to the lungs due to inhalation of ⁴⁰K in tobacco was 16 μSv. Potassium concentrations obtained in this work were in the same range of those obtained by INAA, so showing that the used technique is acute, reproducible, and accessible to laboratories equipped with low background scintillation detectors.     

Evaluation of natural gamma radiation and absorbed gamma dose in soil and rocks of Perambalur district (Tamil Nadu,India)

The activity concentrations and absorbed gamma dose of primordial radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were determined employing γ-ray spectrometry in 31 soil samples from the land area earmarked for house construction in Perambalur district and 14 rock samples from quarries that supply stones for the entire district. The soil samples registered relatively a higher mean value of 13.2 Bq kg^?1 for ²³⁸U, 66 Bq kg^?1 for ²³²Th and 340.3 Bq kg^?1 for ⁴⁰K as compared to mean values for rock samples (²³⁸U—8.0 Bq kg^?1; ²³²Th—65.1 Bq kg^?1; ⁴⁰K—199.1 Bq kg^?1). The mean absorbed gamma dose rate for soil (61.4 nGy h^?1) marginally exceeded the prescribed limit of 55 nGy h^?1 while, rocks registered the mean absorbed gamma dose rate of 10.4 nGy h^?1. The mean radium equivalent activity was distinctly higher in soil (130.6 Bq kg^?1) than in rock (20.0 Bq kg^?1). However, these values were lower than the limit (370 Bq kg^?1) set by OECD for building materials. It is evident from the data that the soil and rocks do not pose any radiological risk for house constructions in Perambalur district.     

Magnesium-Potassium Phosphate Matrix for Immobilization of <Superscript>14</Superscript>C

Possibility of using a low-temperature magnesium-potassium phosphate matrix to solve the problem of immobilizing the radioactive wastes containing radioactive carbon (¹⁴C) in the form of calcium carbonate was examined. The physicochemical characteristics of the compounds obtained were determined. Large values of the ultimate compression strength (22 ± 5 MPa), which satisfy the technical requirements for cemented radioactive wastes (no less than 4.9 MPa), were obtained. The minimum carryover of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in the course of synthesis and in keeping of samples for 14 days was noted: not more than 3 wt % relative to the starting CaCO₃. The leaching rate of carbonate ions from magnesium-potassium compounds by 28th day of contact with air does not exceed 10?9 g cm^?2 day^?1, with this value for the rest of the compound components not exceeding 10^?4 g cm^?2 day^?1. Thus, it was found that the magnesium?potassium phosphate matrix is an alternative to the cementation for solidification of radioactive wastes containing ¹⁴C.